Season 2 Episode 6 "Somewhere in the Future"

Season 2 Episode 6 "Somewhere in the Future"

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It's already been about two months since we came to the Magic City, but... there's one thing that's been bothering me.

I stared intently at my three friends, who were still being spun around in the garden today. There was a time when I thought, "Do they really like spinning around that much?" but that's not it. No, that's not it. ...Probably. It's probably time to have a talk with them.

So I decided to have a meeting with my friends. The White Priestess kindly lent us a room that is usually used as a confessional.

The confessional was located deep within the temple. The place smelled slightly of dust and was quiet and calm, just the right place to talk. I suspect she hadn't expected us to stay in the temple for this long. That was evidenced by the fact that today she asked me with a serious look on her face, "Is everything okay with your work?"

...Yes. That was the topic of today's discussion.

"I'm sorry you're doing all this for me, but... can't we just go home now? I'm sure everyone has work to do."

Even though I say that, I don't feel that way myself. I still have a lot of the reward money I received when we saved the world, so I don't really feel like working. When I think about it, the other three who are working are impressive. They are impressive, but...

"It's okay. We all got a vacation as a reward for saving the world."

The princess said nonchalantly, leaning gracefully back in her chair. But I already knew. A messenger from the royal palace came to see her every day. At first it was once every two weeks. Now it's once every half day. I knew what she meant.

"Besides, it's been over ten years since we saved the world..."

"...Really? Has it really been that long already? Phew...it feels like just the other day..."

The princess stretched her body and tilted her head dramatically. Her eyes had been fixed on the ceiling for a while now, and for some reason she hadn't looked at me at all.

"Plus, the faces of the palace messengers are getting more and more frightening."

"Really? I didn't notice."

"They said the King is coming next week."

"F-F-F-Father?! Those guys...! They've never told me...!"

The princess turned around as if she had been bounced, glared at the wall on her left, and gritted her teeth. The royal palace was probably over there. Her eyes were frightening.

Leaving aside the princess, who had an expression on her face that royalty shouldn't have, I turned to face the swordsman. His expression remained unchanged, but I didn't miss the slight twitch of his shoulders. It seemed he was aware of it as well.

"The swordsman's apprentice came, right?"

"..."

"They were worried because the teacher hadn't come back."

"…………"

Ah, he pretended not to hear. However, seeing as he had his eyes closed and his arms crossed, it seemed like even the swordsman had a hard time hearing about it.

"So, everyone, shouldn't you go home now...? Oh, by the way, no one come to pick you up, hero."

"Did you need to say that?"

"I thought it would be lonely if you couldn't even get in touch with just one person..."

"Can you stop suddenly firing stray bullets at me?"

Hmm. I may have done something bad. But from what I saw the other day, even though no one came to pick him up, it seemed like the people in the surrounding villages were looking for him quite a bit...

I put the tube in my hand to my ear and tried to concentrate again. Umm, the place where the hero lived is over there. There is a trick to using this, and it is quite difficult.

"Yeah, it seems like the people in the nearby villages are worried about your you. They're saying you're finally gone after the person you love... Eh? The hero has a crush on someone? Who?"

"Can you take off that tube-like thing you're holding to your ear?"

"Understood."

The hero looked like a demon, so I reluctantly put away the tube I was holding. It was scary. By the way, the item I had just picked up was enchanted to be able to pick up distant sounds, and it was a gift from an old female friend of mine. "With this, we will know the secret of your pursuers. If they threaten you, we will kill them all," she said with a straight face. It was scary.

Afterwards, the hero, who had been nudged by the princess, saying things like "Say it properly already," opened his mouth with a sour expression.

"By the way, how many mysterious items do you have?"

"Well, you know, once every few hundred years there's someone who gives me something."

Even so, I've mostly managed to get by with my wand up until now, but it seems like the hero doesn't really like me using a wand... So, recently I've been using items other than a wand every now and then.

"I'm very happy that I'm lived long enough to want to play with you all. But I feel bad about disrupting your own life."

Yes, they have their own jobs to do and their own places to live. They certainly don't have time to be pinned down to a board and run around in circles. Sure, it might not be so bad once in a while, but doing it every day for two months is a bit much... If you surveyed 100 people in town, they'd probably all say, "Of course nope." ...Well, there's always a minority, so maybe there are about three people who are opposed.

However, contrary to my expectations, the discussion became very heated after that. Or rather, it was me trying to persuade others, while the other three were opposed. I was in the minority, which is surprising.

"Because you'd use your wand if we weren't there."

"If there's no reason, I won't use it."

"See, you'll use them. If you have so many strange things like, you shouldn't never have a chance to use them, right?"

"Yes, there was. Like when I woke up and found myself surrounded by about 1,000 pursuers."

"Wouldn't you notice being surrounded by 1000 people...?"

No, I was asleep... I was surprised then. It was kind of noisy so I stuck my head out of the cave, and everywhere I looked there were magic soldiers. I was impressed, realizing how tired I must have been.

However, if the same thing were to happen, it would be difficult to deal with it without my wand. Most of the items I have are not very useful in combat.

After listening to both the hero and me, the princess frowned deeply, and after much deliberation... she made a grave decision.

"Don't use it unless you're in a real pinch."

"Got it!"

After that, we went to the World Tree and consulted with the White Priestess, but we couldn't find a way to live longer.

Of all the options I've searched for, the one that still seems to have a chance is... "reincarnation." That's what the shady scholar at Etrian Odyssey was talking about. The fact that this seemed the most likely option meant that I could see how difficult the path ahead would be. And there was one question.

"...In the first place, is reincarnation something that can actually be done if you want to?"

"Living a long life is something none of us are really cut out for. This is all we have."

"But it seems like it will take a while. Leaving you alone in the meantime..."

All three of their gazes were focused on me, and what was in their eyes was a great deal of worry, regret, and a bit of loneliness.

I laughed, trying not to worry them.

"No matter how much time passes, no matter when... I will be alive somewhere in the future. Even if that future is a million years away."

"But……!"

"So, I'll be waiting. When that time comes, I'd be happy if you noticed me. I'll do my best to signal you as well."

For just a moment, silence fell.

The princess put her hand over her mouth and lowered her eyes as if enduring something, while the swordsman let out a small sigh and looked off into the distance.

The hero remained silent, but still looked straight at me, as if he was engraving every word I said into his heart.

Before long, without a trace of anyone in sight, the relaxed expressions returned.

The tense atmosphere that had been there just a moment ago suddenly eased, and the temperature in the room cooled a little.

"...Well then, let's wrap this up. See you later. Okay?"

The princess said quietly.

"Ah... Sorry to keep you waiting."

The swordsman's words were filled with a warmth he had never heard before.

Suddenly, I felt a strong tug from behind and turned around. What a jerk. Only one person could do something like that. The culprit, of course, was the hero.

"……what?"

"I'll be reborn in 1000 years and go to the sea. I'll never let you be alone."

The hero's expression was so serious it took my breath away. It was more serious than I had ever seen him look like before.

"No, there's no need to rush so much..."

That's too pinpoint. Is it like you just think, "Okay, I'll be reborn in 1000 years!" and it actually happens? Is it by reservation? I don't think so. Besides, this hero often get lost. He definitely can't get there by himself.

"Is 1000 years in the future really a rush? Of course, I'll go too. I was the one who suggested it."

"I'll be the first to wait."

The princess and the swordsman followed confidently. Ah, look...!

"You said something weird so the other two got on board...! What an idiot! You stupid hero!"

"Don't call me stupid!"

"Then you're a hero!"

"If that's the one left behind like this, it doesn't even sound like an insult...! ...hehehe"

We were arguing, but then we stopped talking, looked at each other, and laughed.

"Yes, yes, then let's have a snack."

The princess's voice brings life back to normal.

And so our adventure in longevity came to an end.

But just one thing.

"We will meet once a year at the ruins of that hot spring."

That was the promise we all made in the end.

•

•

Another week passed and we finally decided to go back to our respective places.

It was a quiet decision made after much discussion.

Early morning in the temple courtyard.

The sounds of birds and the distant sound of bells. Thin clouds floated quietly across the high sky.

The princess walked up first.

Her mouth was smiling, but there were dark circles under her eyes that couldn't be hidden even under the foundation. ...I know. That's the sign of when you use your magical power recklessly.

"I almost forgot to give you this."

She gently handed me a gold brooch with a pale ruby ​​on it. The moment I picked it up, I felt a tingling sensation. I could tell too. ...The amount of magical power infused into it was extraordinary.

"It's a defensive spell that can be used over and over again. I recharged it properly... Though it took a while."

She said it jokingly, but her voice was a little hoarse.

I searched for the words but couldn't find anything, and just as I was about to fasten the brooch to my chest - I felt a sudden pull on my arm.

A soft, gentle scent.

The princess hugged me tightly.

Even though her arms were thin, she held on with such force that I couldn't escape.

"Please, don't get hurt again..."

The voice was small and trembling, like touching something fragile.

I gently return my arm.

Tightly, strongly.

"...Yeah. I won't do it again."

Finally, the princess let go of me so that I could exhale.

But the corners of her eyes were slightly red.

Next, the swordsman approached, silent as always, but with a slightly embarrassed look on his face.

He handed me a charm in a small black leather pouch.

"When you swing, my slash will fly....Well, whether it hits or not is up to you."

It was a blunt way of saying it, but just by shaking the bag, the air became tense.

I tried raising it, and a slash like a line of light shot straight through the air, splitting a rock on the other side of the garden and the lantern in half. ...This is bad. The White Priestess is staring right at me...! I'm sorry!

"...You've practiced slashing 10,000 times in two weeks. You did well."

The princess commented. The swordsman lowered his eyes for a moment, then hesitantly stood before me.

And then—he put his hand on my head.

A thick, rough, yet somehow gentle, large hand gently strokes my hair.

"...I hope we can meet again."

With that brief statement, he let go of his hand, but the lingering warmth didn't disappear for a while.

And--.

I saw them off as far as the gate, smiling, waving, and saying "See you again" -- just like I always do.

I knew we would probably meet many times in the future, so I thought it would be better not to say too much.

After the two leave, I'm left alone with the hero.

The hero beside me gently held my hand.

"...Then, shall we go home too?"

"Yeah."

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★★★★★

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7: Anonymous of the Wind

　It's been two months lol

13: Anonymous of the Wind

　Princess, are you okay?

　Is it okay? Will she lose her right for the throne?

18: Anonymous of the Wind

　The wizard is more straightforward

　Her friends haven't given up

24: Anonymous of the Wind

　It is common knowledge among otaku that the characters who think "I have to be there for this person" are actually the ones who are dependent on the other person.

30: Anonymous of the Wind

　Isn't it crazy that a hero and a swordsman stay in the same room for two months?

　The princess and the wizard would be nice though

36: Anonymous of the Wind

　Two men, in a closed room, for two months

　Nothing should happen...

43: Anonymous of the Wind

　I laughed because it seemed like the White Priestess wanted them to go home.

49: Anonymous of the Wind

　She looks like she's saying "Huh? How long are these guys going to stay?" lol

55: Anonymous of the Wind

　She'll definitely talk to them

　But what if they can't find a solution at all?

61: Anonymous of the Wind

　Is there anything the three people who were told they had no talent for extending their lifespans can do?

　How long will the White Priestess lend them her room?

　The palace's patience is running out

68: Anonymous of the Wind

　Three outs or so...

74: Anonymous of the Wind

　Three outs, or three red cards.

82: Anonymous of the Wind

　"Aren't you going home now?" said the wizard herself, which was quite damaging.

　Well, the other three would say the same thing.

89: Anonymous of the Wind

　"I'm on vacation."

　The princess is acting dumb lol

　Ignorant

94: Anonymous of the Wind

　10-year vacation is a laughing matter

100: Anonymous of the Wind

　But they saved the world, right?

　They're entitled to a vacation until they die.

107: Anonymous of the Wind

　The King is coming lol

　The princess suddenly started acting suspiciously lol

113: Anonymous of the Wind

　[Good news] The swordsman was not forgotten by his apprentice

118: Anonymous of the Wind

　Why does the apprentice say that to the wizard lol...

124: Anonymous of the Wind

　Well, even if they told the swordsman himself, he probably wouldn't come back.

　It would be too intimidating to say that to a princess or a hero.

131: Anonymous of the Wind

　[Sad news] No one will come to pick up the hero

138: Anonymous of the Wind

　The hero got hit by a stray bullet lol

144: Anonymous of the Wind

　The wizard took out something

151: Anonymous of the Wind

　Oh, the villagers are worried about him.

159: Anonymous of the Wind

　She followed him lol

　The meaning is different lol

166: Anonymous of the Wind

　"Someone you like? Who?" Please stop shining your eyes.

　Don't raise your voice tone!

　Because it's the one that does the most damage!

274: Anonymous of the Wind

　Reincarnation?

　Wasn't it a fairy tale?

282: Anonymous of the Wind

　Long-lived species Niki!

　What do you think?

289: Anonymous of the Wind

　That's right!

　What do you think about the long-lived species Niki?

296: Anonymous of the Wind

　Long-lived species Niki!

302: Long-lived Niki

　Hahaha, I feel a bit embarrassed.

　You guys! Listen to me! Just kidding!

309: Anonymous of the Wind

　So, what do you think?

315: Anonymous of the Wind

　Lol, it was ignored

323: Long-lived Niki

　I feel like there's no other way

　It seemed like becoming a ghost or putting a soul into an object was no good.

334: Anonymous of the Wind

　The music in the scene where the princess and the swordsman go outside the gate was amazing.

　The part where the background music suddenly stops and only the sound of the wind remains.

341: Anonymous of the Wind

　Modestly heroic

　"Shall we go home too?" → "Yes"

　This exchange felt like the most "normal friendship" I've ever had.

351: Anonymous of the Wind

　A story set in the sea 1000 years from now. The hero who won't let anyone else be alone is a real hero.

358: Anonymous of the Wind

　I'm sure it will come true...

　So, the three reincarnated people and the wizard get together and it's a happy ending.

366: Anonymous of the Wind

　Apparently, no one came.

　[Video of Wizard-chan looking lonely on the beach, looking up at the sky.gif]

373: Anonymous of the Wind

　Stop it

379: Anonymous of the Wind

　So it's a bad ending after all?

386: Anonymous of the Wind

　We went through a lot of trouble to reunite, so that's a bit much...

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AN:

(Just to be clear) This story is always aiming for a happy ending.