Chaptr 19 : One Piece (9)

Leaving Yamato watching over Law and Lami, I surveyed the smoldering ruins of the hospital, searching for any other survivors. But there were none. Only the white-clad corpses, a grim reminder of the tragedy that had befallen Flevance.

The sight of death was familiar. I had seen countless corpses since losing my parents as a child. Yet, despite the frequency, I could never truly grow accustomed to it. The lifeless forms, the overpowering stench of decay and blood, always stirred a deep unease within me.

“I should at least bury them.” These people were victims of the World Government’s boundless greed, the true source of this tragedy. While I didn’t consider myself a good person, I felt a pang of sympathy for these unfortunate souls. I could at least offer them a proper burial, a small act of respect in the face of such senseless loss.

Using Low-Grade Telekinesis, a highly efficient and versatile magic, I dug graves and buried the bodies, one by one, a somber task under the smoke-filled sky.

After burying about a hundred corpses…

“Thank you… for saving Lami.” Law approached me, her younger sister clinging to her back, and bowed her head respectfully. Her gaze shifted to the rows of freshly dug graves. “And… thank you for burying our people.” She had witnessed me manipulating the earth with an unseen force, a feat beyond her comprehension.

‘A kind person.’ In Law’s eyes, I was an embodiment of kindness. I had risked my life for Lami, a complete stranger, and now I was taking the time to bury the dead, a task I could have easily ignored. An overwhelming sense of gratitude welled up within her.

‘I have to repay him.’ She saw me as her benefactor, her savior. I had rescued her sister from certain death, a debt she felt she could never truly repay. She yearned to express her gratitude, to find some way to return the immeasurable kindness I had shown her.

“Could I… ask for your name?” Before she could even begin to think about repayment, she needed to understand what I desired. She started with a simple introduction, the first step in forging a connection.

“I’m Shine. And over there, watching us, is Yamato.”

“Shine… Yamato…” Law repeated the names softly, etching them into her memory. Shine, who had saved her sister, and Yamato, who had offered comfort and support amidst her despair, were both her saviors.

“Shine-san…” Law began, a question forming on her lips, but I held up a hand, stopping her.

“Hold on. Let’s take care of something first.”

“Huh?”

“Your family… and friends. Where are they?”

“What?” Law’s breath hitched, the question momentarily stunning her. In the whirlwind of emotions—relief at Lami’s survival, gratitude towards me—she had momentarily forgotten the rest of her lost loved ones. A wave of guilt washed over her. She had forgotten them, even for a moment. She bowed her head, shame burning in her chest, and bit her lip hard enough to draw blood.

Seeing her distress, I softened my tone. “You…”

“I-I’m fine,” she stammered, quickly regaining her composure. “You’re right. We should… we should bury them.” She turned and led the way, her steps heavy with grief, her small frame trembling slightly. I followed silently, Yamato trailing behind us.

We walked through the desolate, burning city, burying the white-clad corpses, each one a stark reminder of the lives lost. Law led me to each location, her voice barely a whisper as she identified the remains of her family, friends, and neighbors.

“Huu…” Law exhaled shakily, standing before her parents’ freshly dug graves. The weight of her loss settled upon her, heavy and suffocating. The sight of their graves made it undeniably real. She and Lami were alone now. The responsibility of protecting her sister, of surviving in this cruel world, rested solely on her young shoulders.

‘Repay him? How can I even think of repaying him when I can barely take care of myself?’ A bitter laugh escaped her lips. The thought of repaying me, when her own future was so uncertain, so bleak, seemed ludicrous. She continued to chuckle, the sound hollow and devoid of humor.

“Law, are you alright?” I asked, concerned by her increasingly erratic behavior. She seemed on the verge of a breakdown.

It wasn’t surprising. She had lost everything—her home, her parents, her friends—in a single, horrific day. It was a testament to her resilience that she wasn’t already completely unhinged, considering she was only ten years old.

“I-I’m fine,” she insisted, her voice trembling slightly. “I… I just need to get stronger.” The realization had struck her with the force of a physical blow. She needed to be strong. Strong enough to protect Lami, strong enough to never again experience such devastating helplessness.

I saw a reflection of my past self in her. We were more alike than she knew. I, too, had lost everything in a Gate Break, a catastrophic event where mana beasts poured out of a Gate, wreaking havoc and consuming everything in their path. I, too, had been left alone to survive, forced to rely solely on my own strength.

Law’s situation was a chilling echo of my own, though she was fortunate enough to still have Lami. And unlike me, she wouldn’t have to face this cruel world alone. I was there.

“Law.”

“Yes?” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Become my nakama.”

“What?” She looked up at me, her eyes wide with confusion.

“I’m a pirate,” I explained patiently. “I’m building a crew. And I want you, and Lami, to join me.”

“W-what…?” The situation was unfolding too quickly for her to process. The revelation that I was a pirate, the unexpected offer to join my crew… it was all too much. She couldn’t formulate a response, her mind reeling. And more importantly, Lami was still unconscious.

“I… I need to wait until Lami wakes up…” she stammered, desperately seeking a foothold in this rapidly changing reality.

Just then—

“Mmm…” A soft groan escaped Lami’s lips.

“Oh, she’s waking up!” Yamato, who had been cradling Lami gently, was the first to react.

“Shine!” she called, her voice laced with urgency.

I immediately rushed to her side, kneeling beside Lami and checking her condition. Law, her anxiety evident, hovered nearby, her gaze fixed on her sister.

“She’s fine,” I reassured them. “Just a little weak from being unconscious for so long.”

“Lami!” Relief washed over Law as she gently took her sister from Yamato’s arms.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, her voice soft and full of concern.

Lami’s eyes fluttered open, focusing on her sister’s worried face. A small, weak smile touched her lips.

“Big sister… I’m… I’m alive…” she murmured, her voice raspy.

“Yes, Lami. You’re alive,” Law replied, her own eyes brimming with tears of relief and gratitude.

Lami reached up a shaky hand and gently touched Law’s cheek. “I… I heard everything,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“What?”

“Big sister… I want to go with him.”

Lami, despite appearing unconscious, had been fully aware of everything happening around her. Too weak to open her eyes or speak, she had listened to every word. She knew that Shine and Yamato were their saviors, and she felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude towards them. Gratitude towards Shine for risking his life to save her, and towards Yamato for the gentle comfort and unwavering support she offered her sister.

And she knew, deep down, that she and Law could not return to their old lives. They could no longer afford the carefree innocence of childhood, relying on their parents for everything, living for the present without a thought for the future. They had to learn to survive, to stand on their own two feet in this harsh and unforgiving world.

In that sense, Shine’s offer was a blessing. Becoming pirates, joining his crew, would give them the opportunity to learn and grow, to become strong and independent.

“And… to repay them… we need to get stronger.” Lami understood the depth of Law’s gratitude towards Shine, and she knew that strength was the only way to truly repay him.

“Big sister,” she said, her voice gaining strength, “we need to get stronger… so we can repay them. We need to be strong… so that we never have to be helpless like this again.” She believed that with enough strength, they would find a way to repay Shine and Yamato for their kindness.

“Yeah,” Law replied, her own gaze hardening with resolve. She shared her sister’s conviction.

“Shine-san,” she said, holding Lami’s hand tightly, “we want to… become your nakama.” Even though Lami didn’t speak, her determined gaze echoed her sister’s sentiment.

I smiled, genuinely touched by their heartfelt words and unwavering determination. “Alright,” I said warmly. “Welcome to the Radiant Pirates.”

“Yay! We have new nakama!” Yamato cheered, her infectious enthusiasm echoing through the desolate landscape. I chuckled, a genuine smile gracing my lips. Our crew was growing.