Chapter 41: The Setting Sun Is Also a Rising Sun

The old man’s appearance was almost unchanged from the one in my memory, except for his skin.
Because of this, the image of him kneeling on the ground and roaring was still vivid in my mind.

“Verona, what are you staring at that monster for? Let’s go, let’s go.
I’ve brought a lot of people this time.
We can’t be discovered by the church and have them get a hold on us,” Nadiesse’s voice woke me from my daze.

“Mm, thanks to you this time, Nadiesse… thank you.”

“Eh~? Why so sincere all of a sudden? This isn’t like you at all!
Hey! Don’t just ignore me and walk away!
Be careful, I might not let you on the ship.
And why is your hat so pointy? I feel like I’ve seen that style somewhere…”

Nadiesse chirped beside me.
It was a bit noisy, but also lively.
On the ships moored at the coast, a few familiar figures were waving at me.
It was the burly bearkin and the go—no, the gnome leader.
I was happy to see that they were okay.
It’s just a pity… that the rabbit-eared young man was missing.

As for the huge monster’s remains, let’s just leave it there.
Let time rot it, let the seawater wash it over and over.
One day, it will disappear into the water, and his suffering will be washed away with it.

The escape from the Holy Nation, the fierce battle in the fishing village, all came to an end at this moment.
The dawn rose in the distance, spreading out before my eyes, boundless.
Such a beautiful scene was the perfect ending to a story.
Some people would return to the other shore, while others would remain here forever.
To set off is also to part.

It’s time to leave.
This farce was not perfect, but it was impressive enough.

I tightened my arms around Elvira, feeling the young woman sleeping soundly in my embrace.
I couldn’t help but sigh:
I’ve saved the beauty and “won” her heart, haven’t I?

It’s not that I have any feelings for her, I just can’t stand by and watch someone die!

In the distance, the silvery-white dawn gradually revealed a crimson hue.
The rosy clouds reflected on the sea, like a sharp sword that split the silent night, welcoming the newborn sun.
Fortunately, this world is not lacking in charm, nor is it lacking in dawns worth waking up for.
The ancient yesterday cannot hold back people’s steps forward.
Even if it’s not our true intention, we all have to move forward.

But… the sun, this great star, is both the rising sun and the setting sun at every moment.
When we welcome the day, where does it sink into the night?

On the beach, the huge monster’s remains stood quietly, covered with vibrant red flowers.
Even the birds were unwilling to peck at this rotten tumor.
The only thing that awaited it was a slow decay, becoming food for bacteria and maggots.
The old man was the same.
Even the most deeply ingrained pain will be forgotten.
Time is so cold and ruthless.

Unless…

“Sigh—”

A sigh, particularly abrupt on the empty beach.
The white-haired witch shook her head gently and walked towards the monster’s corpse.
She came to the side of the old man, who was no longer human-like, and muttered something to herself.

“In the end, I still have to clean up this mess.
Really… when did I become so sentimental?”

With a helpless shake of her head and a sigh, the young woman stood in front of the old man with her hands on her hips, a reluctant expression on her face that looked so real.

Looking at the silent monster, the young woman began to talk to herself.

“Although I can’t empathize with your experience, nor am I qualified to, but… as someone who has also been tormented by life, even if I feel this is meaningless, this is the only thing I can do.”

The young woman raised her slender, pale fingers and touched the old man’s bowed head, not caring about the monster’s filth.
Then, strands of red and black energy swirled and flowed into the monster’s body.
The huge body was slowly enveloped in crimson.
Looking closely, all the red was made of delicate little flowers.

A sea breeze blew past, and the giant “flower ball” scattered.
The petals drifted away with the wind, floating into the sky, onto the sea, towards the other side of the sun, and into the distant past.

“May you live in a world of clarity, and consider this a meaningless dream.
Rest in peace, old sir.”

With that, the tragedy of the small fishing village and the old man’s suffering disappeared from this world without a trace.
The village and the wreckage were flattened by the battle.
No one would remember.
Perhaps I will forget too.
I can only blame the fact that pain clings to life.

Now everything is settled.
The pitiful look the green eye gave me at the end really made me lose it.
It even conjured up fake eyelashes for itself!
I never thought the phrase “heavy makeup” could be used on a divine artifact.

It’s not that I was moved by it, but that I was disgusted.

Let’s go, let’s go.
If I don’t go back, Nadiesse will start chattering endlessly again.
The talkative fox is so noisy.

“Th… thank, thank you.”

My foot, which was about to lift, suddenly stopped.
I looked back at the spot where the monster’s body had been.
I saw a phantom.
He was hunched over, facing me.
His legs were trembling, but he didn’t kneel, nor did he scream at the sky hysterically.

“Thank you… I’m sorry.”

The voice was strange, like that of a dying old man and a babbling infant at the same time.

“…Don’t thank me. I’m no saint, and my actions are not pious…”
I lowered my head, not knowing what to say next.
Being thanked by someone for no reason made me feel very uncomfortable, but I still felt that I should say something…

“If… there is a next life in this world, then when the pain comes, I hope that both you and I can be its match.
Goodbye.”

The old man’s phantom slowly dissipated, turning into specks of light that drifted towards the morning clouds along with the petals.
I saw him wave his arm with great effort to say goodbye to me.
The moment he disappeared, the baby’s cry finally stopped, and the old man seemed to have said something, which I didn’t hear clearly.

But that voice was incredibly gentle, yet not like a drop of water.

Those who have lost their past will not linger in this world.
They are like kites with broken strings, searching and fumbling in the air, just for a warm, orange home.

I suppose I’m the same.

…Eh? Why is there a severed arm there?
Was it crushed before?
So… to save me and Elvira, Nadiesse’s people suffered casualties again?

And that arm is so familiar.
It might be someone I’ve seen before.
Then… let’s turn it into flying flowers as well.

“May you also rest in peace.”

I touched the severed arm and turned it into petals, muttering a simple eulogy.
But my body suddenly felt cold, and I shivered.

What’s going on?
I’m doing a good deed here!
I’m not sending myself off.
Supernatural phenomena, stay away from me.

Back on the ship, the fleet was ready to set sail.
The crew was busy on the deck.
Nadiesse was at the helm, discussing something with the crew.
But I was still greeted by someone.

A small, light blue head peeked out from the cabin.
When she saw me, her pink eyes widened slightly.
She ran over on her little legs and threw herself into my arms.

I was staggered by the little one’s impact.

“Ouch! Little Nia, be gentle. Sister was almost knocked off the ship by you,” I said with a bitter smile, holding the little one with one arm and adjusting my hat with the other.

“After sister left last time… you were gone for a long time. It made Conia worry… sister is bad,” the little girl buried her head in my chest, her voice muffled.
“Conia doesn’t want sister to disappear again.”

“Alright, alright, sister won’t leave. Sister promises, okay?”

Hearing my words, the little one hugged me even tighter.

“Now, sister is a little tired and wants to rest.
Can Little Nia take sister to her room?”

This was not just a way to coax the child.
I was really tired.
I hadn’t slept all night, and I had died once and revived a dragon.
Even an iron man would need to catch his breath.

Nadiesse had thoughtfully arranged a separate room for Elvira.
A single room was a special treatment for the injured.
After confirming that this dragon was okay, I could also rest at ease.
I have to say, she’s quite cute when she’s asleep, a kind of contrasting charm.

I tucked Elvira in, and then went back to my own room to sleep.
But Little Nia insisted on following me, and even wanted to sleep with me.

Well, having a fragrant and soft pillow can greatly improve the quality of sleep.
Who can refuse?

So… good night, world.