espera..

When I came to, I found myself in the white dimension.
The usual white dimension.
I can count the number of times I’ve come to this place on the fingers of both my hands and yet this place remained the same empty white place every time.

And so whenever I came here, my appearance changed to that of my former self.
With a protruding belly and flabby soft fingers.
My body being helplessly overweight.
But strangely enough, there’s no longer that unpleasant feeling.
That irritating feeling that welled up from within my heart each time I came here was no longer.
And so I thought that it was nice in itself.
I wonder if it’s because it’s been a long time since I’ve came to this place.
Or perhaps....

“......Huh?”

That’s strange.
I didn’t remember having removed my bracelet after such a long time.
There was no need to remove it.
Despite that, just why was I in this place?

Huh.
Maybe it’s because I did something in the first place that I came here.
I couldn’t remember doing anything like that before I went to sleep today.
Maybe it’s one of the children’s doing.....

No, but I had the feeling of witnessing something that hadn't happened in a very long time.
Ten years felt like a long silence.
Somehow, my memory was fuzzy.

“Yo.”

My memory was fuzzy but my vision was clear.
Within this white dimension, that guy was there as usual.
A lump of mosaic.
It was Hitogami.

But I wonder just what happened to him.
Hitogami’s condition looked somewhat strange.

His body was completely roughed up.
On top of that, each of his limbs were stitched up by a magic formation-like something, and it looked like he was tied up with translucent chains.
Like an RPG’s last boss.
It’s like we have to bring down his right leg or his resurrection magic will be troublesome.

“.........”

What happened?
Are you playing a make-believe game of a fallen angel getting sealed?

“I’ve been done in.”

By who?

“Do you really want to hear that?”

Just who will hear except me?
Just who is here except me?

“......Try looking behind you.”

When told to do so I turned back.
I saw many people standing there.
They were standing with their backs to me.

They were all unfamiliar people to me.
An unfamiliar male and an unfamiliar woman.
An unfamiliar Demon Race and an unfamiliar Human Race.
Probably a total of 8 people.

There was a familiar person within that group.

It was Orsted.
He never changes.
But there were some uncommon marks on him.
He didn’t have that black helmet.
Furthermore, he had a huge scar on his face.
Due to that scar, his face looked even fiercer than usual.
However, the people surrounding him were smiling in contrast to him.
Orsted wore that same angry face as usual, but a slightly happy expression could be seen on his face as well.
I couldn’t hear the contents of their conversation but I could tell that they all had mutual trust between them.

The one who was talking was....a boy.
Probably 17~18 years old.
With short hair, a good-looking guy with a sportsmanlike face.
That’s definitely the face of a Riajuu.1
He looked Oriental.
Still, that’s a nice smiling face he’s got there. I wonder if Orsted’s curse was ineffective on him.

When I was looking at him, one woman stood up from their group.
That child, who was sitting among them as if hiding herself, should be called a girl rather than a woman.
A girl with blue hair.
Near her, a gigantic white wolf was waiting.

Ah, I felt like I’d seen her somewhere before.
She looked like Roxy.
But she wasn’t Roxy.
I am certain that she’s from the Migurd Race, but I could never mistake someone for Roxy.
Then, just who is she?
Don’t tell me......Lara?

As I pondered, she faced towards me and waved her hand.
No, it couldn’t be me.
She’s probably waving her hand to Hitogami who was behind me.

When she did, the man beside her started talking with her.
Perhaps he was asking what she was doing.
She answered something to him and then that man turned this way with a surprised face.
He also had an Oriental face.
People with faces like that were few in this world.
Perhaps he’s Japanese?
He might be in his 20s....doesn’t feel like he’s in his 30s.

He faced this way and quickly bowed.
His actions seemed Japanese, so he’s Japanese after all.
Possibly.

In doing so, all of them now faced this way.
There were both young and old people.
I thought that there were only 8 people at first, but it seemed that there was a whole crowd of them. Under the mist, it was hard to see.
The only familiar face was Orsted but......
Ah, I wonder if that person is Eris.
A warrior with braided red hair was looking this way.
But she was a little different from Eris.....

Each of them faced this way and bowed in gratitude.
I wonder if it’s towards Hitogami.
No, it’s a little different considering their manners.
I wonder what.

As I pondered, they stepped on the magic formation made by Lara and disappeared somewhere.
All of them, suddenly vanished.
The magic formation remained and gave out a light blue color.
And then, after a while, the magic formation lost its light and disappeared as well.

Everything disappeared.

“All of them joined forces to persecute me. They did this, roughed me up, and then sealed me.
Because if I die, then the final Human World may be destroyed as well, or so they say.”

It’s going to get destroyed?

“Don’t know. Cause I wouldn’t know about the destruction.”

I see.
That’s obvious.
Since no one knows what would happen after they die.

“Are you satisfied now?”

About what?

“This. The conclusion you desired for.
I will continue to live here alone with all of my powers sealed.
I will continue to live here so that the world keeps on going.
I can no longer see the world anymore. I can’t even talk with anyone.
After this, I will just continue to gaze at this empty white world, a scene without any boundaries.”

I wonder.
I wouldn’t know if you ask me something like if I’m satisfied.
My objective wasn’t to bring you to this state.
I simply wanted to live my life with Sylphy, Roxy, and Eris.
Earning money from a job, coming back home to have dinner with my family, and when night came, I would make children while all drenched in sweat.
An ordinary......yep, an ordinary lifestyle.
I would have been the most happy in that ordinary life of mine as far as I’m concerned.

“Your happiness is my unhappiness though.”

I see.
Then, I’m satisfied.
Because you look really unhappy right now.
If that’s what become of you, then I will definitely be happy.

“I see.....is that so.....that’s quite odious.”

I couldn’t understand Hitogami’s expression.
But his voice wasn’t filled with hatred.
It just felt like he was wrapped up by sorrow.
And then Hitogami spoke like he was about to cry.

“I really hate you.”

I see, but you know, I──



My consciousness paused.




Part 2

When I woke up, I was on top of a bed.
A very large bed.
A bed so big that even three people could lie down comfortably, and it was a very soft bed as well.
No one was sleeping beside me.
I could move my neck and eyes but couldn’t move my body too much.
The blanket seemed a little too heavy.

While moving only my sight I looked at my surroundings.
When I did, I saw a red-haired girl sitting near me.
Stern slant-eyes and a firm jawline.
She looked exactly like Eris.
But she had a docile braided hairstyle, and was far smaller than Eris. Her height and breast too.
She was probably 5 years old.

When her eyes met mine, she dropped the thing that she was holding in her hand and jumped up in surprise.
The chair fell with a bump and as she was about to fall down I quickly supported her.

I wonder how I supported her even though I couldn’t move my body.
Even I didn’t really understand that.
But the girl put both her hands on the ground while in mid-air, reorganized her posture that was about to fall, and after she tapped the floor with her feet, she immediately ran out of the room.

“Mama! Mama! Great-Gramps has woken up!”

As she noisily ran outside I saw the thing that she had in her hand before.
It was the bracelet carved with the Dragon God’s insignia.
I didn’t remember removing it but it’s clear now. When I was sleeping, she removed it.
I unsteadily moved my hands and caught the bracelet.
It was awfully heavy.
No, it wasn't heavy, I simply had no strength.
My hand had become so thin that it couldn’t even lift up one bracelet.

And then, I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror.

I could see the figure of an old man, whose body was sunken in the bed and looked like he could die at any moment.

With white beard and white hair.
Deep wrinkles.
The shadow of death floated on his entire face.

Ah, I remember.
I was 74 years old right now.
But, huh.
I couldn't recall anything other than that.
Looks like my memories had taken a toll as well.
Was there such a room in my house....

“Rudi!?”

The one who leaped inside the room was a white haired woman.
Probably 40 years old.
She had already become a fine woman.
When her eyes met mine, she quickly ran up to me and grasped my hand beneath the blanket.

“Is it.....Sylphy?”
“Yeah.....that’s it. That’s right, Rudi. It’s Sylphiette.”

Sylphy gently told me.

“Do you know who I am?”
“Yeah.....yeah, I know.”
“What happened to me?”
“Nothing. You just slept for a long time.”

I just slept.
I see.
I certainly felt a little sleepy.

“But I can’t move my body.”
“Yeah, looks like it.....yeah......”

Sylphy didn’t answer my question.
She just kept brushing my hand as if to sympathize.
Like she was accompanying a senile old man…….

Huh, perhaps I have….
I have become senile?
Was that the reason that I didn’t have any memories?
Huh?

Even though age 74 isn’t an age like that.
But, was I really 74 years old?
I hadn’t aged a bit more or something, right?
Did I become senile because I slept for so long......?
Just how long have I been bed-ridden?

“I’m scared.....”
“It’s alright. Because I’m with you.”

Sylphy, who was gently brushing my hand, was now tightly holding it.
Just from that, my fear decreased by a little.
But, I was scared again.

As I pondered that, I could see many people entering the room in succession.
A child with red hair, a child with blue hair, a child with blond hair.
Young ones, middle-aged, and old-aged people.
They stood encircling the bed that I was sleeping in.
I had seen each one of those faces somewhere.

“Look, Rudi. Everyone’s here now.”
“Yeah.......”

But I wonder why?
I couldn’t remember anyone’s name.

Ah, there was someone I recognized.
The person who was at the very back. She shut the door behind her and slowly walked towards me.
A girl with a small chest and blue hair.
Her hair was in a braid.
She hadn’t changed at all.

“Roxy.”
“.........Rudi.”

The moment she saw me, she made a crying face only for a moment.
But quickly came to the side opposite to Sylphy’s.
And then, she gently and slowly caressed my head.

“Rudi, thank you very much for your efforts.”
“Thank you, Roxy─.....master.”

Suddenly, the word master came out of my mind.
Tears started spilling out from Roxy’s eyes.
Although she hurriedly wiped them and gave a smile, her lips weren’t able to make a smile, resulting in a distorted face.
There, I raised one question.

“Where’s Eris? Is she not here?”

I couldn’t see the usual appearance of the woman who would come running to me the foremost.

“Rudi. Eris has already left, you know?”
“Where?”
“She’s waiting for you, Rudi.”

Ah, I see.
That’s how it is.

“Was I able to take care of her in her final moments?”
“Yeah. It’s alright. You cried for 3 days straight but you were nicely able to get over it, Rudi.”

Ah, as I recalled it came to me.
Eris was still training energetically even after crossing 70.
Then one day, after her usual morning-run and practise swinging, she came back home all tired and collapsed on the bed. After that, she didn’t wake up.
When I realized, she had already passed away.
If I had realized sooner then I could’ve saved her by using healing magic. I cried a lot that day......


But I get it.
I didn’t even remember something like that.
Then that means that even I didn’t have much time left.....

“Sorry. Even though everyone’s here, I can’t tell who is who.”
“Yeah. It’s alright. Let’s see.....from over there, they are all our grandchildren. That’s Lucy’s child, Roland. The one next to him is─”

Sylphy started telling me by pointing her finger to each and every one.
It seemed that most people here were grandchildren or great-grandchildren.
Then just where did all of our children go?
Ah, everyone became independent I see.
Everyone now lived away from us.

“And, that red-haired child, who looks exactly like Eris, is Ars’s grandchild and Rudi’s great-grandchild, Ferris.”
“Ah, the one who woke me up, is it?”

The red haired child looked somewhat uncomfortable.
She’s probably scared that I would get angry at her for taking off the bracelet.
But I felt like I had seen her somewhere before.
Ah....
That’s right, it was during Hitogami’s dream.
She was there among the crowd as well.
Yeah, that’s right.
Indeed, she was there. She had grown a lot by that time but she was definitely there.

“Come closer.”

When I spoke, she came out from hiding and looked like she was about to cry.

“Were you the one who removed this?”

When I pointed my finger towards the bracelet, tears came falling down in large drops from her eyes.
Thinking that a scolding was now inevitable, so she thought that maybe she could get away by crying.

“Sorry. But it was so pretty.”
“I see. Then, I’ll give it to you.”

When I said that, she looked at me with a puzzled face.

“Is it fine?”
“In exchange, you must promise to never again take people’s possessions, OK?”
“.......OK, I promise.”
“Alright. Good girl.”

I slowly reached out my hand and brushed her hair.
Perhaps she might get a scolding after this but well I guess it’s fine.
It’s not as if it’s my responsibility if she ends up getting spoiled.

“Everyone looks lively.”
“Yeah. We’re all lively.”

I was relieved after hearing that.
If I had so many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, then everyone should be lively.

“I’m glad. You all must’ve worked hard....”

When I lost my strength, my hand slipped away from Ferris’s head.
The surroundings got noisy.
It’s alright.
Even I wouldn’t just drop dead like that.
I could continue living like a bedridden old man for a little while more.

When I was thinking that, someone entered the room.
A tall person.
Having silver hair and an angry look.

“Rudeus.”
“......Orsted-sama.”

The moment he entered the room, the surrounding atmosphere changed.
Tension?
Vigilance?
No, it was something more loose.
It was relief and trust.

“Is it fine without the helmet on?”
“Yeah. Because if I wear it, one of your grandchildren will start crying.”

When Orsted said that, the surroundings were filled with laughter.
Various voices flew out like ‘I won’t cry anymore, geez’ or ‘You were such a crybaby before.’

“So your normal face is no longer feared, eh?”
“No, the curse hasn’t changed. It’s just that it doesn’t have any effect on your children and grandchildren.”

Orsted’s face now looked a lot calmer than I had saw him at first.
His scary face was still there but it could be said that it’s more relaxed now.

“Oh right, Orsted-sama.”
“What is it?”
“Just now, when the bracelet was removed, I saw Hitogami in my dream.”
“......Did you become an apostle?”
“Well, I wonder about that. It’s possible that it was just a normal dream.....if I have become an apostle, then what’ll you do? Will you just kill me like always?”
“Yeah, of course. Because I’m merciless against those who betray me.”

Orsted said that with a serious face but I quickly understood that it was a joke.
Because everyone started laughing, and Orsted wasn’t giving out any killing intent.
It felt like saying something like this in front of an bedridden old man on the verge of his death was uncalled for but......they might’ve let it slide as a joke.

“In the dream, Orsted-sama gains victory against Hitogami and Hitogami is sealed as a result.”
“That’s a nice dream.”
“Yes, it definitely is.”

I wonder if what I saw was the future.
It felt quite real, but then again, dreams are quite fully filled with reality.

“Please work hard so that my dream comes true.”

Orsted nodded in earnest.
As one would expect, after seeing his face every day for 50 years, I could now comprehend even that face.

“You’ve done a lot so far. You can sleep peacefully now.”
“Haha....it’s still too early for me to sleep, you know?”

I want to stay awake for a little while more.
I was feeling good.
I couldn’t move my body much, but the sunlight felt warm and pleasant.

“I’ll stay awake for a little bit more. Just a little bit more.....okay?”

Even if I stayed awake, it’s not like there was something in particular that I had to do.
Just a little bit more, a little bit more. I wanted to see the faces of all the people that were here for a little while longer.
That’s all.

So to speak.
I was just a little bit reluctant about parting.

I just wanted to see them for 1 or 2 more hours. It would be fine even if it’s 10 minutes.
It’s not like I had something to say to them.
I had no lingering affections.
Nor any regrets.

If I just stayed here for a little bit more, I’ll be satisfied.
That’s it.

“Just a little bit more....."

While thinking that, my eyelids started falling.
They fell ever so gradually.
In the end, I saw the child’s face that looked like Eris.
Then I saw Sylphy’s and Roxy’s face.

Finally, my eyelids shut.





Without change, my consciousness disappeared.




―○●○―




Translator Notes and References

1. A succesful Person in real life.


I woke up.

I felt like I had seen a strange dream.
It was a very peaceful dream.
Sylphy and Roxy were there.
Eris wasn’t there, but a child who looked like Eris was there.

It was a really comfy dream. I clearly remember everything.
The dream of my death.
It was somehow clear to me that after I closed my eyes, I would never wake up.
But it didn’t feel bad.

“Hmm?”

When I looked around, I saw a girl with a startled expression holding my hand.
A girl with blue hair. A braided-pigtail was behind her head which collected all her hair.
Her right hand was holding my hand and in her left hand, she was holding the bracelet.
Her expression looked as if she was a frog being glared at by a snake.

“...........Sorry.”

She suddenly apologized.
If you do something bad, you must apologize. I wonder if this was the result of education.

“Do you want this?”
“......No. I told Onee-chan that a really amazing crest was hidden beneath father’s bracelet.”
“Oh.”

Of course, there was no hidden crest or something like that.
Because I wasn’t the chosen one.

But on closer inspection, I could see something to the side of the girl that held that bracelet.
On top of the side table, I could see a pen.
Something like that wasn’t here before I went to sleep.

“Were you trying to draw it?”
“.............Sorry.”

That’s some amazing ability of trying to make your lies come true.
Should I praise her or scold her?
No, I should scold her here. Yep.
As a father to my daughter, it was my duty to educate her. Yup.

“Lara, lying is bad. Go and apologize to your Onee-chan.”
“Okay......”

When I lightly hit her on the head, Lara left the room with a dejected face.
When she left the room, I could see a huge white furball.
Looks like Leo was keeping watch outside the room.

As I put my bracelet back on, my eyes were suddenly caught by the pen.
I drew the Migurd Race’s crest on my arm by myself and got out of the bed.

“Ughh......my head hurts......drank a bit too much.”

I was getting an awful headache due to the effects of yesterday’s party.


Part 2

About 10 years had passed after the Battle of Biheiril Kingdom.
I’ll be turning 34 this year.

These 10 years were really peaceful.
Within these 10 years, there was no interference by Hitogami.
He really came to a complete halt.
The years simply passed by without even hearing the Hi- from Hitogami’s name.

Of course, I hadn’t loosened my vigilance.
While being cautious for any attack that may come from any direction, I continued to prepare for Laplace’s return just like before.
Still, because Hitogami wasn’t meddling this time, things were progressing pretty smoothly.

We were able to call out to all the countries within 5 years after the battle.
There were places that were no good, but most of the countries had accepted our request.
Therefore, I was putting my effort into researching and coaching Chantless Magic in the Asura Kingdom and Magic University.
Adding to that, we were coaching the military authorities of various countries about the countermeasures that should be taken against the tactics that Laplace would take.

And we were concealing the name 『Rudeus』 while making the name 『Silent Seven Star』 famous.
It was unclear to me whether the hypothesis Nanahoshi was talking about was correct or not.
However, 『If a friend from the previous world does end up coming here, then I wish that something be done so that he can find me.』after accepting this wish of hers, we were now spreading her name around the world.
There were some bad rumors floating around as well but I guess it couldn’t be helped.
The first priority was to increase her popularity, and if it was someone from the previous world, then the meaning or the convenience that I was using her name to do it would surely be understood.

These days, we were researching a mana recovery medicine in hopes of increasing Orsted’s mana recovery speed.
We were able to pretty much create such a potion but for some reason, Orsted’s mana didn’t recover.
I wonder if it’s because of the difference in the quality of mana between the Human race and Dragon Race, or was it some other reason?
We’ll be researching this matter a bit more, but I couldn’t help but feel that this was going nowhere.
Well, the potion itself was a great hit among the adventurers so it wasn’t completely in vain.

There were still a lot of things that needed to be done.
I had still some way to go before I could finally rest.

Our children had gotten bigger.
Lucy was now 17.
Lara was now 14, Ars was 13.
And did Sieg become 11 this year?
Every one of them were quickly growing up.

After that, our family grew with 2 more children.
Roxy’s child - Lily Greyrat.
Eris’s child - Christina Greyrat.
Both of them were girls.
6 siblings.
It’s a large family.
But the female to male ratio was higher in my family. Perhaps the Greyrat lineage is a matrilineal family.

When Lucy became 7, she started attending family councils, and decided on a broad education plan.
That is to say, she enrolled herself in Magic University. After her graduation and celebrating her coming of age ceremony, she attended the Asura Kingdom’s National University for 3 years.
It’s my ideology to not force my children into something but I did think that there was a need to guide them towards their education.

It was Ariel’s earnest request to let my child enter the National University of Asura Kingdom.
I had a huge debt towards Ariel.
I want to make blood ties with your family so make one of my child your son-in-law!
If she said something like that, I’d obviously refuse, but I couldn’t say no if she just wanted to enroll my kids.
I wanted to pay back my debts little by little.

Incidentally, Ariel gave birth after the Battle of Biheiril Kingdom.
Her companion might get a hold of too much power so she didn’t marry.
And it seemed that she had many concubines.
Ariel currently had 5 kids, on top of which the fathers of 4 of them were unknown, Luke said with a greatly perplexed blue face.
A question arises as to just how he knew about one of the fathers.....but if I think about it now, perhaps the father in question might turn out to be Luke.

It seemed that as part of her next plan, Ariel was planning on marrying my kids with one of those 4 kids.
I wouldn’t like it if she’s doing it for only political reason, but I’d permit it if the kids themselves consented to each other being their companions, or so were my thoughts.
The kids were still young but they would be growing towards adulthood with each passing year.
In particular, Lucy had already become a fine adult capable of judging things herself.

Though I say that, it’s not like she simply grew older without maturing as an adult.

Honestly, even I didn’t understand about change.
The moment one thinks that something bad has been fixed, a different bad thing might pop out.
And the one that had been already fixed would start deteriorating again.
It’s a feeling where you keep aging while thinking the same thing over and over.
Only my face could be seen to be getting older as the years went by.
These days, my face had gotten some smile lines.
Sylphy said ‘That part of you is good as well’ but Sylphy looks quite young for her age so I felt a little guilty.

Sylphy was aging quite well.
But she was the same age as me so her change in appearance was slower in comparison.
Since she’s the same age as me, she should be turning 34 this year too, but her body looked like she was about 20 years old.
Her skin was still spunky, and even though she gave birth to 2 children, her butt was still small.
Sleeping with her feels great as usual.
It’s just that her personality had already completely become like an old-la─ a mother, and so her scoldings had increased a lot.

Roxy didn’t change.
Neither her appearance nor her personality changed.
But when I told her, I get scolded, even though they were just words of praise.
As usual, she still guides me as a master whenever I do something bad.
She was still a little bit clumsy as usual, but it’s just the ups and downs of life. People make mistakes all the time.

Perhaps it was Eris that changed the most in regards to her appearance.
She was aging just like me.
But as a result of her not failing to do her everyday training, she looked a lot younger than me. Her body might be somewhere in the late 20s.
Her sex drive seemed to have dipped down a bit after giving birth to 2 children, but she still attacked me sometimes.
Contrary to Sylphy, her personality hadn’t changed too much.
However, she started teaching the children swordplay, so it felt like her ferociousness had dropped down a bit.
She had become patient.
Although she would still hit me if I touched her butt or breasts without permission, that’s expected of her.

Lilia and Zenith had obviously aged.
Both of them were still lively but because of Lilia’s foot condition which she had from the start, she was getting symptoms of lower back pains and stiff shoulders.
Although it was cured by healing magic, it came back after about 1 year.
Her complete recovery looked quite difficult.

The other guys were aging quite well.
Zanoba and Cliff had already become fine men.
They each had their family and work, and looked quite busy.
And they helped each other out in times of trouble.

Aisha and Norn, both of them got married.
Their companions.....were a little bit complex.
Well, they properly explained about those things and made me consent so there’s no need for me to say something this late in the game.

“...........”

Still, 34 years old huh.....
I had an emotional attachment to this age.


Part 3

During the very same day, at daytime. I made a visit to that place.
On the outskirts, on top of a small hill, a place where circular stones were standing in a row.
It’s the cemetery.

“Greetings, thank you very much for your hard work as always.”

I thank the gravekeeper standing at the entrance with a few words as always and entered the cemetery.
This cemetery too, saw a lot of new tombs within these 10 years.
People died and were born, but the tombstones didn’t decrease that much.
At the other cemeteries, when an entire family was no longer around, their tombstones were demolished, but this place was reserved for the nobles, and so even after an entire family died, their tombstones wouldn’t be demolished.
And now, the Ranoa Kingdom and Magic City Sharia was slowly building up its strength.
In addition to that, noble families were increasing as well, due to that gravestones were increasing too.

I stood in front of one of those gravestones.
Paul Greyrat was written on the circular gravestone.
It had gotten quite old compared to when it was first erected.

With the cleaning equipment I had brought along with me, I cleaned the surroundings and polished the gravestone.
After that, I offered alcohol in front of the gravestone and joined my hands together.

It had been a while since I came here.
I kept visiting at every opportunity I got and reported various things before but I ended up visiting less & less these days.
Still, I made a shrine visit once a year with all my family......
I wonder if it’s the problem with my feelings.
Rather than making a shrine visit to meet Paul, it felt more like that it was an event I had to attend.
Looks like I was lacking feelings of gratitude.

“Father, everyone’s lively and doing fine.”

The first thing that I told him was about the current state of other people.
I did this every year as well, but just in case.

“I’ll be turning 34 this year.”

34 years old.
It’s the age when I died in my previous world.
During the time when this and that happened, I ended up becoming 34.
But I wonder why.
It felt like it took quite a lot more time than the previous world to become 34.
I wonder if it was because I had a lot of things to do.
Or was it because it was a lot different as compared to my previous world.

“Even though I’ve just become 34, I ended up seeing a dream where I die at 74.”

I wonder just what that dream was.
Was it just a dream?
Or was it the future Hitogami showed me?

Hitogami was sealed.
And I accepted my death with a satisfied mind.

Right, maybe the moment Lara removed my bracelet, Hitogami was able to intervene.

“If that was really true then.....”

If Hitogami made me see that, then it probably meant that it was the result of my hard work.
In the Battle of Biheiril Kingdom, we were victorious.
Maybe that was really the final battle and Hitogami lost any way of winning against Orsted.
Therefore, Hitogami gave up.

Since there was no interference from Hitogami whatsoever for these past 10 years.
There’s nothing anymore.
Perhaps he’s stealthily moving in the shadows.
However, just as Gisu and Badigadi said, there was no news of him.
To the point where I forgot the purpose that I was moving for.

“Does this mean I don’t have to work hard anymore?”

If Hitogami had really given up.
Then that meant my job was finished.
I’m halfway through my current job, it should be fine to live a little more relaxed.
I could put effort into baby-making once every three days with my wives.
I could teach various things to my children......
It felt like I could even start living in retirement.

“Just kidding.”

I laughed in disagreement.
That’s something foolish.
So what if Hitogami had given up.
It’s not like I was unwillingly doing my current work.
It’s not that harsh either.
I was doing this for the sake of leading Orsted to victory, for the sake the last battle.
It was quite fun.
Of course, there were times when it was painful and hard, but it’s not something that I would run away from.
There are still things that have to be done, there are also things I want to do and that I’m still doing.
It may be Hitogami’s plan to make me think like this... to make me lax.

“Father, I’ll be working even harder from now on.”

I had been living like this as usual.
That was a dream.
A convenient dream where a desire was brought forth.

“Please watch over us all.”

I said the usual things and joined my hands once again.

“..........”

As long as I existed, that guy must be in the afterlife.
Or so I say. It’s not necessary that Paul was within this grave.
He’s definitely enjoying the show from some other place.
That’s why coming here might be an act with not much meaning to it.

But it was fine.
This was the ceremony.
I’ll be working hard again from today onward.
It was taking that pledge in front of Paul’s gravestone that was important.

“By the way, Gisu too.....”

I put offerings on Gisu’s tomb that was near Paul’s as well and joined my hands again.
I didn’t know what Gisu might think of this but.....well, it wasn’t like he seriously wanted to bring ruin to me.

“I’ll listen to your resentment in 40 years.....well, it might take bit longer than that or I could probably die before that.”

I had no intention of glorifying Gisu’s death, but if 10 years pass, things like that tend to fade away.
And as a result of those things fading, the thing that would be remembered would be his smiling face.
Gisu always laughed giddily while talking about jinxes.
When I recalled that smiling face of his, I couldn’t help but think of it as a nice memory.
It’s not like someone close to me had died because of Gisu, and I held no resentment towards him.
Because he died, I was able make a shrine visit to his grave like this.

“Well then, I’ll come back again. Next time, probably with my family.”

While saying that, I stood up.
Nothing in particular would be changing just because I saw a strange dream.
While doing what I can, I’ll do what I want to do.

While thinking that, I turned my feet towards my house where my family was waiting.




―○●○―

TL Notes : Armored Dragon Calendar (Year) can be shortened to K(year) as stated by the author. For example :
Armored Dragon Calendar Year 400 → K400.





―○●○―



Rudeus Greyrat.
That name is extremely famous.
As of now, that name has been carved all over the world.
You can see the name Rudeus Greyrat here, there, and everywhere.
You can see it at the corner of teleportation equipments, or in the production notes of the brand new Magic Textbook that is being sold throughout the world, or below the bridges that exist on highways.
That name is thoroughly scattered in many places.
Even now, there would be few who haven’t seen that name.
However, if asked what kind of a person he was, people can only tilt their heads in confusion.

That person has been recognized as the “Strongest Magician representing the 400s of the Armored Dragon Calendar”.
That person has been recognized as “The God of Education who revolutionized the school system & education”.
That person has been recognized as “The Intellectual who innovated cultural symbols such as paintings, dolls, toys etc.”

Although there aren’t many records showing that he, himself started those things.
If it’s the case of magic, then Silent Seven Star,
if it’s the case of education, then Roxy M. Greyrat,
if it’s the case of arts, then Zanoba Shirone.
Each of those names came up first before Rudeus Greyrat.
Hence, there were many opinions like “He was a sycophant who was good at flattering strong people” or “He was an imposter who stole credit from people who actually had talent by swindling them”.
Many also made claims like “The person named Rudeus didn’t exist but it was a title given to the ones who achieved many exploits in the Rudo Mercenary Group. For that reason, there were multiple people in existence.”

Rudeus Greyrat.
There were many theories regarding him, however, it was undoubtedly true that he accomplished great things, and had a huge impact on this world.
But from this point forward, it wouldn’t be unusual if he slips into obscurity from people’s minds rather than becoming famous.
That would be a great historical loss.

Hence, I have decided to add some private information regarding Rudeus Greyrat in the reference room of the Asura Kingdom.


『Armored Dragon Calendar Year 485
Asura Kingdom’s Reference Room - Office Head, Jed Bluewolf』



■　■　■　■　■





Rudeus Greyrat





『Summary』

Rudeus Greyrat (K407 - K481) was a magician in Ranoa Kingdom. In K430, he became one of the Seven Great World Powers by becoming 『The Seventh Rank』.
Working alongside Roxy M. Greyrat and Silent Seven Star, he became a magician representing the 400s.
His many aliases included 『Quagmire』, 『Dragon God’s Right Hand』, 『Magic King』, 『The Great Mage』, 『Chantless』.
Also, 『God of Education』, who drastically increased the literacy rate of the entire Central Continent.
In contrast, because of his cowardice in regards to battle, he was also called『Wimp』,『Startled Hare』,『Bowing Head』,『Escape Master』.
He came to be known by many names in his last years and as such he was also called
『Rudeus of the Seven Signatures』.






『Lifetime』


Childhood
In K407, at the Buena Village in the Fittoa Country of the Asura Kingdom, he was born as the eldest son to a father who was a low class Knight of the Asura Kingdom, Paul (K388 - K423), and to a mother who was a former adventurer and healer, Zenith (K390 - K459).
Rudeus from his infancy was able to use Intermediate Level magic when he was 3. Paul, who anticipated that talent of his, called Roxy Migurdia (K373 - ) as a private tutor to educate him.
As a result of his hard training, he could use Saint Level Water Magic by the time he reached 5.
Although he displayed talent capable of surpassing his own mentor, he still honored her until his very death.

When he turned 7, and after discovering his talent, he was invited to be a private tutor by the Feudal Lord of Fittoa Country of that time, and went to the Boreas Greyrat House.
While teaching magic to Eris Boreas Greyrat (Later Mad Sword King Eris), he also commenced his work on creating dolls using Earth Magic.
Although he had talent not befitting that of a child, when his parents didn’t show up on his 10th birthday, he still shed tears, acting more suitable for his age.

In K417, the Teleport Incident happened, and along with Eris, he was teleported to the Bingoya Region of the Demon Continent.
There, he made Ruijerd Supardia his ally. Ruijerd was feared as 『Dead End』 at that time and after becoming an adventurer, he started his journey from the Demon Continent to the Central Continent to reach the Fittoa Country.
During that time, he met Zanoba Shirone and Cliff Grimoire who would later become his allies.

When he turned 13, after escorting Eris to the Fittoa Country, he journeyed to the Northern part of the Central Continent in order to find his missing family. From there, he became well-known by the name『Rudeus of the Quagmire』.



School Days
In K422, he migrated to Magic City Sharia in Ranoa Kingdom and enrolled into the Magic University there on the recommendation of Jinas Halfas.
After taking down Rinia Dedorudia, Pursena Adorudia, Silent Seven Star, and Immortal Demon Lord Badigadi, he was renowned as the Magic University’s strongest magician.
The following year, when he turned 16, he became the guard of Ariel Anemoi Asura and married the magician Sylphiette, also Ariel’s guard.
Around that time, he settled down in Magic City Sharia and decided to stay there for the rest of his life.

The same year, he received information from his father Paul that his mother Zenith had been found, after which he departed.
With Silent Seven Star’s cooperation, he used the Teleport Magic Formation that he suddenly came across to travel to the Begaritt Continent.
Along with Paul, Elinalize Dragonroad, Talhand, Gisu, and Roxy Migurdia, they were able to successfully conquer the Teleport Labyrinth.
However, during the fight with the Manatite Hydra that resided at the centre of the Labyrinth, his father Paul passed away. Even though he rescued his mother Zenith, due to the effects of the Teleportation and the labyrinth, she had already become a vegetable. And thus, Rudeus fell down to the very bottom of despair.
The one who pulled him from the depths of despair was his mentor Roxy Migurdia. Because of this, he welcomed her as his second wife.

In K425, he fought alongside Eris Boreas Greyrat against the Dragon God Orsted at a forest outside Sharia.
At the end of a battle so fierce that a part of the forest vanished, Rudeus was defeated. After that, he became Orsted’s subordinate.
The reason for the battle was unknown, though it was speculated that Dragon God Orsted was going to harm Ariel Anemoi Asura as a result of which Rudeus intervened and tried to protect her.
After this battle, Eris Boreas Greyrat became his third wife.

The same year, after making an alliance with Ariel Anemoi Asura, he participated in the Civil War of the Asura Kingdom.
He fought North Emperor Auber Corvette, North King Wii Taa, and Water God Reida and triumphed. He was known as the leading actor who helped Ariel Anemoi Asura become the Queen.

In K427, he established the『Rudo Mercenary Group』in Magic City Sharia.
Even though he inaugurated himself as the President, he entrusted all of the officework to his little sister Aisha.

That same year, when he turned 20, along with Zanoba Shirone, he participated in the Defensive Battle of the Shirone Kingdom after his alliance with Pax Shirone.
He fought the army that came from the north at Karon Fort.
It was estimated that the number of people killed by Rudeus alone during that fight easily exceeded 10,000.

In K429, after graduating from Magic University, he headed towards the Holy Kingdom of Milis along with Cliff Grimoire.
Although they are no detailed records regarding the event, it was considered that he deepened his relationship with the Miko and made Cliff Grimoire an official of the Milis Religious Organization.

In K430, he participated in the Battle of Biheiril Kingdom along with Dragon god Orsted.
During the battle, he defeated North God Kalman the Third and became the Seventh Rank of the Seven Great World Powers.



Life as one of the Seven Great World Powers
After he became one of the Seven Great World Powers, Rudeus stopped making appearances on the front stage.
The reason why his popularity was lower than the great men of same generation as his was because of that.
(People that came out who basically replaced Rudeus from his position were 『The Seven Star Witch』 Silent Seven Star or Roxy M. Greyrat who was now the Headmaster of Magic University. They were more popular.)
Therefore, not many knew that he was the Seventh Rank of the Seven Great World Powers.
It was theorized that maybe Rudeus himself had died after the Battle of Biheiril Kingdom and the one who came out was a body double or that only his name remained. However, due to the records left behind which stated that the establishment of Ariel National University was directly affected by him, it was quickly dispelled.

It was unknown just why Rudeus was trying so hard to hide himself from the front stage.
The records stated that he became the subordinate of Dragon God Orsted, and became friends with Zanoba Shirone - President of the Doll Company, Cliff Grimoire - Pope of the Milis Religious Organization, Miko of Milis, Ariel Anemoi Asura - Queen of Asura Kingdom, Death God Randolf of the Dragon King Kingdom, and Immortal Demon Lord Atofe of the Demon Continent. In order to prepare the world for Laplace’s resurrection 80 years later, he was trying to unite the world as one.
Meanwhile, he broke the taboo and brought back the usage of the Teleport Formation to the world. There were many books written that called him a great criminal for using the convenient capabilities to plot world domination.



Death
In K481, his first wife Sylphiette Greyrat announced his death to the world.
The cause of death was old age. While sleeping in his own bed, he passed away at an old age of 74.
He was such an exceptional person that more than 5000 people came running to attend his funeral.
At his funeral, even Dragon God Orsted, who was even more discreet than Rudeus himself, made an appearance.






『Equipment Used』

He equipped himself with a staff normal for a magician, and specialized in long-ranged suppression attacks, although Rudeus was considered to be proficient in close-quarter combats as well.



『Arrogant Water Dragon King』 Aqua Heartia
This staff was considered to be given to him by the Boreas House on his 10th birthday and was made with the raw materials of an Elder Treant inhabiting the eastern part of the Great Forest in the Milis Continent.
The Magic Stone affixed in the staff was a Water Magic Stone, which emitted an ultramarine color. An A-rank item obtained from a now lost species of Water Dragons from the Northern Part of the Begaritt Continent.
It was manufactured by one of Asura Kingdom’s Rod Directors, namely - Chain Procyon.
It was an extremely strong staff, but it’s said that after the creation of『Magic Armor』, it wasn’t used much.

Magic Armor 『MK. I』
The prototype created under the joint cooperation of Zanoba Shirone and Cliff Grimoire.
It’s height is a little less than 3 metres.
The right hand was affixed with a Stone Gatling Cannon and the left hand was affixed with a shield and a Magic Absorption Stone.
Although its mana consumption was quite high, it was considered to hold defensive and offensive power similar to that of the Seven Great World Powers.
It was specifically created in order to fight Dragon God Orsted, though it was still kept in use after that.
It was destroyed by the Fighting God during the Battle of Biheiril Kingdom.

Magic Armor 『MK. II』
It was a complete set that could be separated into arm parts, leg parts, and torso part. It was a jet-black armor and helmet. A tuned-up version of the 『MK. I』.
If worn, it could provide physical ability similar to that of a Saint Ranked swordsman.

Magic Armor 『MK. Zero』
The decisive battle weapon of Rudeus created for the Battle of Biheiril Kingdom.
Its details are unknown.

Magic Armor 『MK. III』
The Magic Armor used by Rudeus during his last years.
Its height was a little more than 2 metres and its ability was the same as the 『MK. I』.
This Magic Armor became the basis for the mass-production of the All-Purpose Magic Armor Series later on.

Stone Cannon Gattling
A staff-shaped magic item that was created to fire stone cannons without regard for the mana consumption.
During operation, it rapid-fired stone cannons with terrific speed and if an ordinary person were to use it, his/her mana capacity would be instantly exhausted.
It was created by a specialist of magic items, namely - Jacqueline.

Stone Cannon Shotgun
A magic item similar to the above-mentioned gatling that could fire 12 rounds at once.
It was created by a specialist of magic items, namely - Jacqueline.

Paul’s Sword
The harder the object, the more easily it was cut. This convenient ability was possessed by Paul’s Sword.
Paul’s sword was quite famous in the kingdom. However, it was considered that he used a different sword during his time as an adventurer.








『Magic Used』

Rudeus was well versed in using all of the properties of magic, but as indicated by his nickname『Quagmire』, his speciality was in Earth and Water Magic.
It was said that he used various magic depending on the situation of the battle, but it’s considered that most of the magic used by him were the following.


Stone Cannon
Generally known as an Intermediate Level Earth Magic.
A magic capable of hitting the enemy at high speed with a lump of stone that could be created to be as big as a fist.
However, the same thing fired once by Rudeus’s Chantless Magic had the power of bursting and scattering the Immortal Demon Lord.
There were variations like exploding stone cannon and stone buckshot.

Quagmire
Said to be Rudeus’s signature move, it’s a type of melded magic.
He was said to be able to use this to swallow up an entire town.

Mist
Similar to above-mentioned, it was also said to be one of Rudeus’s signature move, a type of melded magic.
It was said that he once covered up an entire forest with this mist.

Electric
A reduction of the King Class Water Magic Technique『Lightning』, one of Rudeus’s original magic.
Rudeus could freely use this magic in close-combat, and it could be used against the Immortal Demon Clan to paralyse them.

Shockwave
Capable of blowing off an opponent by making vibrations in airspace, a type of Wind Magic.
It’s said that Rudeus used this in close-combat and fought as if he was flying in air.






『Research』

During his lifetime, Rudeus researched and developed various types of magic and magic tools.
And he was considered to have sponsored & funded various researches as well.



Way of mastering Chantless Magic
It was said that Rudeus Greyrat could use Chantless Magic from his early childhood. His mentor Roxy M. Greyrat improved the thesis on the method of his Chantless Magic and established a proper way of mastering it. The Magic Triumvirate and Asura Kingdom assertively incorporated that method, resulting in the birth of a large number of excellent magicians.

『Magic Potion』 Mana Recovery Medicine
Silent Seven Star accepted the funds offered by Rudeus and developed a mana restoration drink.
This Magic Potion was developed in order to break the law that bound magicians since time immemorial, namely, mana exhaustion. With the combination of the above-mentioned method, the period of swordsmen being the strongest ended. Not only that, but it was helpful in improving the magician’s social status as well.

Magic Artificial Arm
The Magical Artificial arm helped a lot of poor people or adventurers who couldn’t receive Saint or King Class Healing Magic.
It’s said that the Magical Artificial arm’s research was funded by Rudeus and created by the joint co-operation of Zanoba Shirone and Cliff Grimoire. The one who popularized it as a medical treatment device rather than a magic tool in the world was Silent Seven Star.

Magic Armor
It’s said that no one other than Rudeus used the Magic Armor. However, the third daughter of the Greyrat house, Lily Greyrat, inherited its research, and the production of an All-Purpose Magic Armor was completed in K483. It was useful for reducing the amount of casualties during the subjugation of large monsters.

Magic Doll
Zanoba Shirone received funds from Rudeus and was able to successfully develop Magic Dolls.
Dolls that looked exactly like humans were capable of performing chores, tasting poisons, performing reconnaissance, care for you, and perform various such other duties.
Due to its extremely high price and low stock, the only places that these were being used were at the Royal Palace of the country where Rudeus and his friends lived.

Teleportation Magic Formation
Silent Seven Star received funds from Rudeus and researched the Teleport Magic Formation in order to resurrect their usage, which was a taboo at that time.
As a result of these formations being put in every nation and country, the need to travel long and dangerous journeys vanished, making travel to distant countries easier and faster.
It’s said that the reason he touched on such a taboo subject was because he looked back on his father Paul’s death in the Teleport Labyrinth.
The one who actually did all of the research was Silent Seven Star, and it’s said that Rudeus simply became a sponsor for her. For some reason or another, the nobles, merchants, and officials of the Milis Church blamed only him as『The Person who broke the Taboo』.

Encrypted Memoirs
The records of the above-mentioned research were all considered to be written in a 52 volume book in 『Rudeus’ Handwriting』, but everything was written only by him and Silent Seven Star, and was all written in a cypher no less. Because it still hasn’t been deciphered yet, its credibility is low .








『Personality』


His height was around 175 cm and despite being a magician, he held a solid and muscular physique. His skin color was white, his left eye possessed the foresight eye, and his right eye the clairvoyance eye, which made his eyes heterochromatic. There’s no description as to whether he was a handsome man, but his wife Sylphiette, during the time they met at Magic University, harbored the impression that “My knees gave away just by looking at his face for several seconds”. His other wives Eris Greyrat and Roxy M. Greyrat gave no comment on the topic but it was considered that his looks weren’t that poor.
He prefered his garments to be a grey robe without covering his head with any attire. He was quite careless in choosing his garments from a young age. In the Magic University, he wore a robe that had many cuts in its hem which made him look like a delinquent; in the Asura Kingdom, he wore some kind of weird outfit during an audience which made many nobles frown — or so it’s written in the records. During the time when he crossed his 20s, it was considered that he started paying some attention to his attire to which the Armored Dragon King Perugius commented in K430, “He has started wearing some decent clothing these days”. Other than his carelessness for clothing, he loved cleanliness, to the point where he remodelled one of the rooms in his house to a huge bathroom and bathed almost everyday, or so it’s said.
During his time in Sharia, Rudeus was quite feared, but was still respected and loved more than any other magician. This assumption can be inferred by the great number of attendees that participated in his grand funeral, and Rudeus’s words that were carved onto the stone monument that was erected at one corner of the Magic University to respect him.
It was said that he had a gentle personality and was socially kind but was extremely lustful. Records said that he fondled his wives’ bodies in a presumptuous way without giving any heed to public gazes, but he was actually quite a devoted husband. He never made a move on anyone other than his three wives, and as such, there were opinions that his extreme lust was simply a rumor. Once again, his personality was so calm that he never let go of his smile no matter how much abuse or violence he went through, but if his family or friends were to be harmed, he would get angry like the raging fire and was also capable of taking violent actions.

There are many anecdotes mentioned below regarding Rudeus’s personality.
At one of the parties in the Asura Kingdom, when a noble made fun of one of his wives, he grabbed him by the collar of his neck, dragged him out of the party and right in front of that noble, burned an entire forest to demand an apology.
When Rudeus’s sworn friends — namely Pursena and Rinia, destroyed one of the dolls that looked like his wife, he punished them by using a method which was considered to be the most humiliating by the Beast Race.
Perugius invited Rudeus to the Sky Fortress to name one of his children to which Rudeus misunderstood that his child would be harmed and ended up appearing armed to the teeth at the palace. It was said that Rudeus threatened that he would be prepared to fight Perugius if his children were to be harmed.


However, most of these anecdotes haven’t been deemed to be authentic.


He’s not really the typical well-known person but most of the world-famous people knew about Rudeus and either respected him or feared him.
After death, a white cloth was discovered from his pocket, which his wife Roxy hid in a hurry. There were rumors that a very confidential thing was being hidden from public eyes, but the truth remains unknown.
A law of strengthening the aggregate amount of mana from childhood was discovered for the first time in this world. He was known to have incorporated that law in the present education system.
His favourite foods were rice, eggs, and the Ogre drink of Biheiril Kingdom. Also, he has been known to say that eating raw eggs was a bad habit.
His religion was unidentified, although it was considered that he believed in an evil god. However, there was no existence of any type of crest that was in compliance with his God, and therefore it was considered that he believed in an extinct God of the ancient times or he made up a God himself.
It was also said that he was an atheist or that he only believed in the Dragon God.








『Family & Relatives』


Greyrat House
One of the highest family lineage in the Asura Kingdom.
There were 4 main houses, namely, Notus, Boreas, Zephyrus, and Euros. Each one of them governed over a large territory and as such, they were known as the Four Great Aristocrats.
Rudeus was the direct descendent of the Notus Greyrat line. However, due to his father Paul running away from his own house, he and his family were erased from the Notus Greyrat family tree.

Paul Greyrat : Father
The eldest son of one of the highest aristocrats of the Asura Kingdom, the Notus Greyrat house.
He ran away from his house and became an adventurer at a young age. Later on, he met Zenith, asked for a favor from his old friend Philip Boreas Greyrat, and became one of the lower class knights in the Fittoa Region.


Zenith Greyrat : Mother
The second daughter of the Latreia house of the Holy Kingdom of Milis.

Lilia Greyrat : Maid. Paul’s mistress.

Norn Greyrat : Younger Sister. Novelist.
Aisha Greyrat : Younger Half-sister, advisor of the Rudo Mercenary Group.

Sylphiette Greyrat : Wife. A quarter elf race.
Roxy M. Greyrat : Wife. Demon Race (Migurd). Headmaster of the Magic University.
Eris Greyrat : Wife. Human Race. Sword King.

Lucy Greyrat : Eldest Daughter
Lara Greyrat : Second Daughter
Ars Greyrat : Eldest Son
Sieghart Saladin Greyrat : Second Son
Lily Greyrat : Third Daughter
Christina Greyrat : Fourth Daughter





『Relationships』



Zanoba Shirone
A senior at the Magic University. Former prince of the Shirone Kingdom. The President of the Doll Company. A Miko of superhuman strength.
At the time of the publishing of the 『Picture book of the Supard Race』, Zanoba and Norn’s efforts played a crucial part.
Zanoba came to respect Rudeus as his master and Rudeus commented, “No one can match his ability regarding the knowledge of dolls”, in regards to Zanoba.

Cliff Grimoire
A senior at the Magic University. He later became the Pope of the Milis Church. It’s said that he protected Rudeus many times as he easily got into trouble with the Milis Church. Once again, Rudeus made it clear just how much he relied on him by earnestly commenting that, “If Cliff-Senpai wasn’t here, then I wouldn't be here”.

Silent Seven Star
A senior at the Magic University. 『The Seven Star Witch』.
She’s famous in the world as the one who established the Teleport Magic Formations in various countries. In addition, she made numerous ground-breaking inventions and made developments in cooperation with Rudeus.

Ariel Anemoi Asura
Queen of the Asura Kingdom.
According to the Asura Kingdom’s records, just before her death, she left behind her last words to her confidant Luke that, “It’s because of Rudeus’s great efforts that the Asura Kingdom is now peaceful, so make sure not to be hostile towards him even after my death”.

Aleksander C. Ryback
North God Kalman the Third. Former Seventh Rank of the Seven Great World Powers. 『Dragon God’s Left Hand』.
It was considered that as a substitute for Rudeus who wanted to be discreet, he went around various nations as a proxy of the Dragon God.

Rinia Dedorudia
Captain of the Rudo Mercenary Company.
As one of the Chief Heads of the Beast Race, it’s considered that she acted as a mediator between Rudeus and the Beast Race.

Pursena Adorudia
Vice-Captain of the Rudo Mercenary Company.
Similar to Rinia, as one of the Chief Heads of the Beast Race, it’s considered that she acted as a mediator between Rudeus and the Beast Race.

Perugius Dola
One of the 『Three Demon Slaying Heroes』, the 『Armored Dragon King』.
The leading authority of Asura Kingdom.
Silent Seven Star’s Teacher.
According to the Asura Kingdom’s records, it’s written that Rudeus has been referred to time and time again by him, but his relationship with Rudeus still remains unknown.







『References』


Asura Kingdom historiography room 『Asura Kingdom Ancient Records』, Asura Kingdom - K480.
Norn Greyrat’s book 『The Adventures of Supard Race』, Zanoba’s Doll Company - K427.
Norn Greyrat’s book 『The Anguish of a Genius - Aisha Greyrat』, Rudo Mercenary Group - K455.
Norn Greyrat’s book 『The Adventures of the Great Magician - Rudeus』, Zanoba Doll Company - K470.
Norn Greyrat’s book 『Autobiography - An Average Person Surrounded by Geniuses』, Zanoba Doll Company - K482.
Milis Church Archive Management Division 『Millis Church Proceedings』, Milis Church - K460.
Biheiril Kingdom History Compilation Room 『History of the Biheiril Kingdom K420 - K430』, Biheiril Kingdom - K432.
Rinia Dedorudia 『Rudo Mercenary Group activity log』, Rudo Mercenary Group - K456.
Juliette’s book 『Zanoba’s Doll business management meetings - Proceedings』, K477.
Silent Seven Star’s book 『Brand New Magic textbook』, K442.
Bloody Count’s book 『Great Men of the World - Heroes』, K480.





■　■　■　■　■


Recorder : Asura Kingdom's Reference Room, Assistant Office Head - Couleur Elrond.






―○●○―


TL hint : Hover your mouse over the ending!




―○●○―


And then, by the time I realized, I was already in the white room.

“Yo.”
“Hey.”

The mosaic guy that lived here looked healthy as usual.
Of course, he was neither sealed nor was he feeling down.
It’s the same-as-usual mosaic.

“Does that mean that what I saw 40 years ago was because of the power of foresight?”
“Yep.”

Hitogami was the same as usual.
Still, 40-50 years had passed since the last time I saw him.
Therefore, my memory of his 『Usual』 was already distant.
The only thing I did remember was his impudent attitude the first time I met him.

“I thought that if I showed you that, then you would become a little lax.”
“Well, it missed the target by quite a bit.”
“Not really, I was just trying something.”

A dream like that wasn’t going to stop me from doing what I’d been doing until now. I wasn’t that weak-willed.
Well, if it didn’t turn out like that dream, the possibility that I would stop wasn’t completely non-existent.

“So anyway, you actually looked like that.”

When told that, I looked at my own figure.
Before I knew it, my figure had changed.
The body with a blubber of mass......was no longer there.

My body had changed into the one that I had become familiar with in this world.
It was the body of Rudeus Greyrat.
I couldn’t see my own face so I couldn’t tell exactly, but I felt that I wasn’t that old right now.

“You didn’t know?”
“Yeah. Cause my eyes can only see the soul directly. I knew that your body and your soul were different, but this is my first time seeing your actual form.”

Well that’s a first.
But, now that I think very carefully, I don’t know how Hitogami looks either.
We’re in the same boat.

But why, why did my body decide to take this shape now of all times?
........I assume there’s no explanation for it.

“At any rate, with this, it’s over for you.”
“.........Yeah.”

I died.
At the age of 74.
I remember that my final moments were comfy.
I think that it was a happy ending for me, surrounded by my children and grand-children in my final moments.
At the very least, there was a world of difference compared to my previous final moments.
As compared to that lonely, powerless, miserable one, which would make you want to cry.........

“Now that you're gone, I can move more freely.”
“I see.”
“As long as you lived, anything I did resulted in failure.
That’s why, I’ve thought of something.
Just like you, I was increasing my supporters little by little.”
“So you still haven’t given up, huh.”

When I said that, Hitogami’s attitude changed.
He seemed angry.

“Isn’t that obvious?
Would you give up knowing that your future is like that?
Forever alone, not being able to do anything, not being able to see anything.
On top of that, I have to live like that for 10,000 or 100,000 years or even more.
Even though I know that I won’t be able to bear it, why would I give up?”

Well, I guess.
If it was that grand, then I couldn’t even imagine it........
But I could understand a little bit.
What would happen to him if he didn’t do anything.
Just what kind of future awaited him.
If he knew that he would regret it, then he couldn’t just pass up his time without doing anything.

“Well, I would probably not give up.......”
“........What’s with that carefree face of yours? Do you think you’ve won?”
“Do you have a plan?”
“Yeah, I now know about Orsted’s 200 years time loop.
You’ve finished producing your descendents as well, and I’ve thought of a way to manipulate them.
I’ve prepared things during these last 50 years........”
“I see.”
“Can you understand what I’m trying to say?
That foundation that you’ve established so far, I’m going to knock it over and turn the tables on you.
In a world without you, by using the things you laid out, I will win.
You cannot do anything now. Because you’re already dead!
You can no longer stop your own descendents from fighting among themselves. You can’t stop them from killing each other.
You can’t even cry and beg me to stop.
On the contrary, the only thing you can do is watch!”

As compared to Hitogami who was delightfully talking, I was just scratching my cheeks.
Incidentally, I also scratched at the back of my head.
It’s not really itchy though.
I’m just perplexed as to what kind of answer I should give.

“Is that so.....”

Upon my reply, Hitogami stomped his feet on the ground with force.

“WHAT IS IT.......!?”

While restlessly stomping on the ground with his foot, he raised his voice with irritation in it.

“How are you SO RELAXED!?”
“That’s because.......I’m already dead.”

As I answered with a pause, Hitogami became speechless.

I closed my eyes.
I started thinking about the things up until now.
I was able to do what I wanted in this world.
I married and had lots of friends.
I had lots of children and grand-children as well.
I tried my best at work.
Indeed, I was anxious about the things Hitogami would be doing from now on, and I also had the thought that I could’ve done something more.

But for some reason...
I had no regrets or curiosity left.
No, it should be better to say that there was nothing left to regret.
Sure, I’m worried and anxious, but the thought of ‘what to do’ doesn’t come to mind.
After listening to Hitogami now, I didn’t feel like I should somehow revive myself and go protect my children.
The children or the grandchildren would probably be able to do something about it somehow.

I slowly headed towards Hitogami.
Hitogami had a surprisingly small stature.
Since I never approached him more than necessary, I could never estimate his height.

“I’m satisfied already.”

I’d lived my life plenty.
I didn’t think that everything was perfect. Maybe there were still some things left that needed to be done.
It’s not like when I closed my eyes, only good memories came to my mind.
Memories of failures, memories of success, there were both.
However, I didn’t think that I needed to redo it.

I died.
My work was now over with this.
I should just entrust the consequences to the people that were still alive.
Even though the person in front of me was saying that he would harm the ones that were still alive, it was rather strange.

But it couldn’t be helped.
Strangely enough, my mind was calm.

“Listen, Hitogami.”
“...........”
“I wanted to tell you something before.”
“.......What?”


“I think that I don’t really hate you that much.”


I felt like Hitogami had an unpleasant face.

Of course, he might think that I was saying this because I was one step ahead of him for now.
Sylphy and Roxy both lived, and the children were in good health as well.
Eris died first but it was a matter of life-span.
It wasn’t Hitogami’s fault.

Of course, if there was even a little bit of change, then I think that I would’ve hated Hitogami to the point of killing him.
Just like my future self.
Just like him, it’s possible that I would’ve become a machine just to kill Hitogami.
I wouldn’t have been able to obtain such a calm demeanor.
As a result, I became how I am, is what I’m trying to say.

“What are you trying to say......?”
“Even I don’t really understand. I think that, the way I’m this calm right now is thanks to you.
I think if you, who was such a distinct enemy, weren’t here then I wouldn’t have been so satisfied up to this point.”

Yep. That’s right.
If not for Hitogami, I would’ve started to slack after I turned 20.
I would’ve married Sylphy, then gotten a job and would’ve worked hard at it.
I would’ve lived my life like that, been satisfied, and then died.
I’m sure that would’ve happened.

I would’ve been fine if things had turned out that way, but I have no doubt that I would never have been able to attain the same amount of satisfaction that I have now.
Not to the point of having any regrets, but I would’ve probably thought once more or I want to do it over or I need to return.

It was only because there was a distinct enemy, a distinct objective, that I was able to give my best until my death.
As a result, I was now this way.

“Even if you say that, I won’t be letting my guard down.”
“Ah.......no, well.....I didn’t say this with that intention........”

I wonder why.
It’s not like Hitogami has a nice side to him.
Even though I said that I didn’t hate him, it didn’t mean that I liked him either.
Of course, I didn’t want to give him my thanks.

“..........”
“..........”

That’s why, on that note, the conversation came to a stop.
An uncomfortable atmosphere grew between us.
Within that moment, my mind was suddenly hit by a thought.

“........I wonder why I came to this world.”

I tried muttering those words.

“I don’t know.”

Hitogami answered while muttering as well.

“Do you really not know anything?”
“If I knew, I would’ve interfered beforehand. You really appeared out of thin air. I didn't realize until after that teleport incident happened. Just suddenly.”
“Hmmmmm...........”

In the end, during my entire life, I never found out the truth behind the teleport incident.
There was Nanahoshi’s weird hypothesis, and something may happen from this point forward but.......

“If there ever comes a reincarnated guy similar to me, then please give him my regards.”
“.......Like hell I will.”
“Thought so.”

I was bluntly refused.
Well, it wouldn’t be strange if Hitogami was holding a grudge towards me.

“Anyway, what’s going to happen to me now? I do think that I’ve died.”
“Well, let’s see.”

While irritated Hitogami looked at me.

“Ordinarily, the soul reduces itself into mana, then gets mixed with someone else’s mana or recomposes itself into something else. However, you are a person from another world so I wouldn’t know what may happen to you.”
“I see.”

I thought that after death I would get to meet Paul or Gisu but I guess that’s not happening.
Even though it was obvious, it’s still a pity........
But well, my body had been buried in the same place as them. Maybe I should be satisfied with just that.

“.......”

When I noticed, my body was gradually fading away.
I wonder if this was the mana reduction that Hitogami was talking about.
So this was the definition of death in this world.
Perhaps even for other inhabitants of this world, they came to this white room just before their deaths.
Probably without ever meeting Hitogami, they just waited until they faded away from the white room.
If you think that way, then Hitogami may be close to the Yama(the Judge of the Afterlife).
Scoffing on someone’s entire life, grinning in front of them at the verge of their death…..
That’s a detestable Yama.

“Tch.......”

However, Hitogami wasn’t grinning like he usually did.
On the contrary, he was unconsciously tapping his foot, unable to hide his irritation.
He wanted to feel triumphant in front of me who was vexed and disappearing.........but that ended in a failure so now he was feeling irritated.
He really is a detestable guy.

“........”

I stood in front of that Hitogami.

“Well, Perhaps it’s not my position to say this but........”

Someway or other, I put my hand on his shoulder.


“Do your best from now on.”


I wonder if he’ll get angry.........
Or so I thought, but Hitogami breathed out a sigh and dropped his shoulders.
And then, sat down as if collapsing on his knees.

“..............”

After that, he completely fell silent.

While looking down on Hitogami, I surveyed my surroundings.
It’s the same as before, pure white.
Empty.

And then, my body was on the verge of disappearing too.

My consciousness was gradually dying out as well.

Would I return back to my previous world?
Or would I become someone else in this world?
Would my memories remain intact?
Or would they not?

I didn’t know, but no matter which form it takes, I wouldn’t care.
Even if my consciousness or memories remained, even if I was born in place much harsher than this one, or in my previous world, I would probably be able to get along somehow.


“See ya.”


My final words.
As my consciousness was gradually fading away, I passed by Hitogami’s side and started walking forward.

Without turning back, I simply headed forward───





Armored Dragon Calendar Year 500.
There was a young girl named the Playback Miko.

That girl had eyes similar to that of the dead.
Her pupils had looked blank since the time of her birth. Only despair was reflected in them.
The adults around her thought of her as ominous and kept their distance.

The girl was aware.
She was aware of just what kind of fate awaited her.
She was aware even before her birth.

Nay. It would be fallacious to conclude that she knew before birth.
The girl was reborn time and time again.

Nay. It would be fallacious to conclude that she was reborn.
The girl just kept repeating the same life over and over again.

Nay. It would be fallacious to conclude that she lived the same life.
The girl kept repeating a life with only some slight differences.

A life with only some slight differences.
Nevertheless, the conclusion of that life always remained the same.
There was never a big change that occurred, and she approached the same conclusion time and time again.

That conclusion was her death.

The girl died.
Death was something that couldn’t be avoided by anyone. However, the death of the girl was an atrocity.

After the girl had been handed over to the country to be used as a tool, she was caught by the enemy and died.
Just like a toy being fought over by children.
At times, she was cruelly violated. At times, she was eaten alive by beasts. At times, she was drowned in water.
The girl died each time, surrounded by despair and pain.

Life was nothing but a path that lead to despair for the girl.
There was only one step before she reached the executioner's stand and she was simply taking that one step each and everyday.
She had no hope.

The girl had a power.
The power of rewinding the time of an object to a maximum of 24 hours.
The power to restore something that had been broken.
The power to resurrect the dead.
24 hours.
Only by 24 hours.
However, that power that could resurrect even the dead was enough for her to be requisitioned by the Country.

The King of the Country took her into his hands, monopolizing her.
That power which could turn things back by 24 hours ridded the King of all diseases and injuries.
She couldn’t perform miracles like bringing a stop to aging, but that was considered a trivial matter.

As far as the girl’s knowledge went, there were three types of Kings.
When the girl died and each time a new nightmare began, there was a slight change.
However, the actions taken by any of the kings never changed towards the girl.
Thus, for the girl, all the Kings were the same.

The power of a Miko did not bring the girl any luck whatsoever.
Neither could she rewind her own time nor could she use it for her own sake.
She had no choice but to be shackled in the prison of the Royal Palace.

And then, she died.
While being kept at the corner of the Palace and meeting different people each time, in the end, she died.
At times, by the King’s wrath when her power wasn’t up to the task.
At times, when the country was invaded by another country and she was taken as a prisoner.
At times, when the country was invaded by Demon Races and she was massacred along with everyone else.
The girl’s life always came to a tragic end.

And then, again from the beginning.
In a corner of the country, it began once again with her birth in a remote countryside.
The girl being thought of as creepy by the adults, was taken by the country, and then died.

Of course, the girl tried to run away from her own fate at the start.
While hiding her power, she tried living her whole life together with her mother and father.
Nevertheless, it was futile.
For some reason, whenever she reached the age of 5, the soldiers came from the country and took the girl away.

She tried running outside the village before the soldiers arrived.
Still, it was futile.
She would either get eaten by a beast or get caught by bandits or kidnappers.
After being caught, she was sold to various places but reached the country eventually.

Fate tied the girl to the country like the sand pit of an ant-lion, and she was killed while in despair.

It was hell.
She kept continuing forever and forever. It was a never-ending hell.

The hell completely and thoroughly destroyed the girl’s mind.
It came to the point that the girl had a vacant expression on her face and obeyed the King’s orders like a machine.
For 100 years, 200 years.
She no longer knew just how many times she had died and how many times she had lived.

However, her memories of being killed were clear to her as the day.
It was probably her instinct.
The instinct of not wanting to die. In order to avoid that event, her mind may have stored the memories of being killed.

As a result of that, the girl’s memories were all painted over by the memories of her deaths.
She could no longer recall anything else.
Only the moments when she was killed became her consecutive memory.

Within those incessant continuous deaths, the girl thought.
She thought long and hard.

(No more.......someone, save me......)

At that time, the law of the world changed.


Part 2

There was a change in her next life.

As usual, she was born in an un-named countryside village and then headed towards the Country after she turned 5.
As usual, she used her powers exactly as ordered by the King everyday. Those things did not change.

However, when she turned 10, something different happened. An event that never once occurred in all of her lives and deaths.

The day she turned 10.
As if being taken somewhere to celebrate her birthday, she was taken along to that place.
The basement of the Palace.
She was taken to a compartment where a huge magic formation was drawn.

The girl did not know that there was such a magic formation inside the Palace.
It was because she was not allowed to freely roam around the Palace.

There were several tens of human adults surrounding the magic formation.
The adults were holding staffs, wearing pitch black robes, and hid their faces with hoods.
She was aware of the fact that those adults were called magicians because of all the hellish times she had been through.
However, she did not know what she would be doing from now on.
It was because she wasn’t well-informed on the topic of magic and magic formations.
During the girl’s hell, she never got a chance to study anything about magic or magic formations.

The girl was tied up with the magic formation.
But the girl’s eyes remained the same as usual, blank.
A new thing had happened.
And yet it didn’t even cause a ripple in her heart.

She would be dying in the end anyway.
Even if something changed mid-way, it was still all the same.
Such resignation had filled the girl’s heart.

The ceremony started.
The magic formation mercilessly sucked up mana from the girl’s body.
There was an enormous amount of mana contained within the body of the girl known as the Miko.
That mana was a different type from the one used in ordinary magic or swordplay. By all rights, it wasn’t for use in magic or this type of magic formation.

Then, was it a coincidence that the magic formation sucked up the girl’s mana?
Nay.
That magic formation was made for that sole purpose.
It was a formation which operated by using the『Playback Miko’s』mana.
Just who made it?
The girl couldn’t see her, but the manufacturer was standing at the corner of the room.
Known as the Kingdom’s all-time prodigy, it was a Magic Knight.
She too, was watching the ceremony with a bored-looking face, although her face wasn’t too similar in expression to that of the young girl’s.

And then, the ceremony was a success.

The magic formation began to release a dazzling light.
Rainbow colored light.
It was the summoning color.

And when the intensity of that light weakened, one boy could be seen in the center of the formation.

“It’s a success.”
“It was a success!”
“The country is saved with this!”

While the magicians were basking in happiness, the boy looked around the surroundings with a puzzled face.
And then, he slowly sat down directly in front of the girl with the vacant expression.

“Excuse me.....where is this? I was with Nana and Kuro, but......huh?”

It was a language that nobody in that place knew of.
But for some reason, the girl could understand him.
Maybe it was because her own magic power was used to summon him, or maybe she was involved in the reason he was brought here.

“Ah, my name is Shinohara Akito...... who are you?”
“I’m the『Playback Miko』 .”
“........Mi─? .....Ummm, I’m asking for your name though?”

Now that she recalled, within this hell, the girl was never called by her true name, especially after she came to the country.
The Mikos don’t have a name.
There may be an exception if a Miko were to be royalty, but the Mikos are basically stripped of their names.
From thereafter, they are referred to as Miko and there’s no need to call them by their real names.
The girl was no exception either.
But the girl remembered her real name before she took the name of Miko, before her real name was stripped from her.
It was only because she had died so many times over and over again that she remembered it.
The name given to her by her father and mother.

“──Riria.”
“I see, that’s a nice name.”

The boy smiled.
Looking at that smile, the girl’s heart skipped a beat.


Part 3

The girl could feel the change.
The girl was released from the duty of a Miko by the King and was given the position as an interpreter for the boy.
With the Magic Knight as a guard, the three of them strided through the Palace.

“Riria, what’s that?”

The boy who came from another world asked the girl about various things.
About the world, about the lifestyle, about the people.
The girl had died so many times and yet she did not know anything.

“What’s that......he’s asking.”
“That? That’s a Magic item. The one that spits out fire from the tip if it’s loaded with mana. It's probably used for exterminating monsters between here and the forest.”

The girl who did not know asked the Knight, to which the Knight answered.
The prodigy known as the Magic Knight, answered thoroughly in a dull tone.
Unlike the girl, she knew everything.

“Hmmm, it’s like a flamethrower....if I recall, you said that there were a lot of tree monsters in this world, right?......has Riria ever seen one?”
“.......Several times. It was restlessly moving around.”
“Restlessly huh...... hahaha, I can’t even imagine it. Ah, but I may have seen something similar in a movie.”
“Movie......?”
“A movie is──”

Everyday life as an interpreter.
It was a completely different life from the previous ones.
It was fresh.
The boy laughed without care each time he was informed about the world, and each time, the girl’s heart skipped a beat.

She had thought that nothing would change at first.
She thought that it was already over for her.
But through the boy’s infrequent tales of his own world, her dreams were allowed to run wild.
By listening to the words of the Knight that answered the boy’s questions, she could feel the world around her extend.
She came to know just how vast the world was, and the various people and things that she wasn’t aware of.

A short time after the boy’s arrival, she realized that food had flavours to them.
She could now listen carefully to the singing birds when the morning arrived.
She could now feel the pleasant sensation of the warmth of sunlight.

She began to feel that she was alive.

She thought that the hell was over.
The boy had come to rescue the girl.
He had come to rescue her from the hell that she had lived in for so very long.
And that she was born in order to meet this boy.
Her real life was finally about to start from this point forward.

This was fate.

While thinking that, the boy became stronger, kind, and became the moral support for the girl.



However, that very same fate had betrayed her.


Part 4

The country was wrapped up in war.

The girl was aware...
That each time she got wrapped up in that war, she died as a result.
She knew that better than anyone else.

But the girl did not know...
That the boy was summoned in order to win that war.
That the prophet employed by the country, suggested to summon a hero from another world to win the war because if they didn’t, they’d definitely lose.
And, just as the prophet had said, the country spent 10 years attempting to summon the boy, and could no longer focus on anything else.
She did not know anything.

And thus, the boy fought.
But the boy knew nothing of war.
The people of the country knew that the boy was unfit for battle, and yet they sent him to battle.
They put the armor on him, gave him a sword, and made him stand at the front line of the battle.

And thus, the boy died.
He was cruelly killed in the battle and he died.
His head flew off with just one hit from the enemy general and he died.

His head was snatched away by the enemy general, and only the body of the boy reached the girl.

The people of the country could do nothing but sigh after seeing the dead boy.
The hero from another world was useless after all.
Believing in the prophet’s nonsense was a foolish deed.
They could only spit on him.

The girl embraced the boy’s corpse and tried to revive him with all her might.
It was futile.
24 hours had already passed after the boy’s death and his body had now started to rot.
The girl could not do anything with her power.

The girl cried.
She shouted, why?
She shouted, just why only she had to suffer like this.

She cried.
It wasn’t a sad feeling that she held.
The feeling of being toyed with by fate.
The girl’s heart was dominated by a feeling of powerlessness, that someone was sneering at her and telling her that no matter what she did, it would be futile.

And then, right before her, the country perished.
The girl was captured, and within the usual despair, her life was taken.

But the girl thought.....
For the first time in her life, she thought hard and hard and hard and hard.

(I WANT TO LIVE.........!)

She neither wanted to die nor wanted to be saved.

(I WANT TO LIVE TOGETHER WITH HIM.........!)

The time she spent with the boy wasn’t that long.
But that short amount of time had certainly dominated the girl’s heart.
The girl’s heart which was painted over by the memories of her deaths were very easily repainted.
The boy was her hope.
It was the first ray of hope for the girl.

That hope raised her face and made her move forward.
For the first time in her lives, the girl completely shifted her focus on her own power.

At the verge of her death, the girl bit her own lips until it started bleeding and then used her power.

She would rewind the time by one day.
She used her power while thinking that.
She strained her power as if burning off her own brain.

The girl used the 『Power to Change the Past』.


The world looped with the girl as the core.


Part 5

The girl’s power reached the past.

Armored Dragon Calendar Year 400.
Fittoa Region, Ranoa town.
The place where the boy lost his life.
A rift in time-space appeared above its skies.
Inside that rift, there was a being which had a strong relationship with the boy.
That being carried the same wish as that of the girl who wanted to live together with the boy.
Therefore, in order to make a future where the boy is saved, the being would change the world accordingly and a path of life would be made for the boy.
As a result, in Armored Dragon Calendar Year 500, the boy would be saved.
……..Or so it should’ve been.

No matter how powerful her ability, the deed of creating a being in the past which normally shouldn't exist was impossible even for the girl.
Even though the rift in space-time existed, it never materialised into the world.
The power of the girl and the power of the world clashed against each other.
K400, K401, K403.
The world continued without any change.

But during that time...

A single soul went astray and passed the rift in space-time.
That soul had no connections with the boy in any way.
At the time of the boy’s teleportation, at the time when the girl’s power was summoning a being, the soul of that person simply died near those phenomenons.
However, because it was in a state of being a soul, the soul found an opening, and passed through the rift in space-time that had been stopped by the world, and thus the soul was able to enter said world.
And after unsteadily loitering around, just when it was about to lose spirit, it entered a baby.

The wielder of that soul was named Rudeus Greyrat.
The existence of Rudeus Greyrat was only slight, but the world definitely changed.
The ideology of Roxy Migurdia changed, the history of Sylphiette was thrown out of order, and Eris Boreas Greyrat was granted wisdom.
Those actions, weakened the resistance of the world.
And thus, the rift in space-time expanded.

And then, in Armored Dragon Calendar Year 417.
Nanahoshi Shizuka was summoned into the world.

However, the existence of Rudeus Greyrat changed the order of the world more than the girl wished for.
Originally, the change was only intended to save the boy's life. However, that alone was inexcusable.
History took a sudden change and started walking towards a future unbeknownst to anyone.

The world changed.
It was unknown whether the change was what the girl had wished for.

But a few years after Rudeus’s death...
The girl was reborn.
As payment for the loop, nearly all of her powers were drained from her and only a shell of the Miko was born.

In order to fulfill her wish...
She was born in the final world.

No one knew whether or not the girl would survive until the end.












Afterword

This brings to an end the story of Rudeus Greyrat, a former unemployed NEET.
Although we were shown the future of Hitogami’s defeat, the future may change so the fight between Hitogami and various people will still continue.
However, the story of Mushoku Tensei itself tells the tale of Rudeus Greyrat only, so please let me have the privilege of ending the story now.

The total writing time would be 2 years. And as for the total amount of characters, it should be around 2,830,000.
I, myself have never in my life written a story this long.
Despite fumbling around in an unknown territory, I continued writing without stopping and we was able to reach the conclusion, I think that it’s all thanks to the readers who supported me till the end.
Thanks to the huge amount of thoughts & evaluations, we were able to reach first rank as a total.
"Don't be fooled by the numbers, or believe that your ability rapidly increased because of the growing numbers, it doesn't mean that the story you've been writing until now suddenly became interesting, don’t be tempted and only look at yourself as an author - or so I kept telling myself and yet I do not know just how many times I have been encouraged by that first place which shone brilliantly. Of course, apart from numbers, there are a lot of aspects that I must reflect upon as well.....
I think that the fact that my story was able to gain the top spot in the 『Shousetsuka ni Narou』 where a lot of different authors assembled will become my self-confidence in the future, enabling me to move forward with this power.
Thank you very very much.

While putting my efforts towards the published version I am thinking about writing redundancy volume which will include 10 years of Rudeus’s story, i.e., from his age of 24 to 34 years old, stories after he crosses 34, stories focused on the kids, stories of characters that I didn’t focus on too much, at a slow pace of 1-2 chapters a month.
I look forward to working on both the published version and Redundancy volume.

Well then, once again.
Thank you very much for your readership.