Seirei no Moribito

The sound of sharp rips of air.

The children's temperamental voice.

Answer that - his voice.

I liked that routine.

Laugh normally every day, eat, play as much as you want, and sleep as much as you want. Every casual day, I liked it.

Because this world was so unreasonable, arrogant, and I hated people who depended on someone.

But that's why I enjoyed the normal routine of dyeing the world rosy like that.

- But that routine doesn't come forever anymore. Because of my foolish deeds and mistakes... everything has fallen into darkness.

"The foolish“ witch "substituted Leo, who tried to help herself, for her own desire for life"

"and tried not to have everything with his life."

"Such a foolish“ witch "has reached a pathetic end in the hands of a“ guardian "on the way out."

"This is a new history that begins today."

“Black Wings" told him only to tell him unilaterally and finally took his body and left.

It's about her... I'm sure she's going to do something with his body. Maybe he also intended to use it for mass production of the example "Protector”.

But I couldn't even stop it.

I was in a state of relaxation and didn't feel like doing anything... after two days I couldn't move off the spot.

I heard footsteps when I was being blinded by dry blood.

Men and women wearing white masks of animals never seen here and elsewhere emerged from behind the woods.

Men and women, rather than describing them as boys and girls, were the two with thinner lines.

The two of you look at me and the dry blood that pollutes my surroundings,

"... terrible misery. Did Black Wings do this?

"Sounds like it. Because from that moment on, when Ifried decided to join hands with a human being, she seemed to be after that human being more than she needed to be."

I don't know how you're securing your sight with the mask on, but you do seem to be seeing this tragedy.

As it were, the two threw some pitiful gaze at me,

"... the" witch "of the village possessed by Blackwing... have you also fallen victim to that woman's conspiracy?"

"... you couldn't stop it. I could have fulfilled Yfried's request if I hadn't been stopped by" rainbow "along the way... I'm sorry I couldn't help him."

Apparently, the two of them were asked by 'Ifried' to come all the way to a place like this.

Otherwise, there's no way people will come now. I can't protect anyone... they didn't come here to protect me just because they wanted to protect him.

Yes, not me... him.

... Yeah, nothing more... I don't want to think about it. I don't even want to hear it.

not returning a response. There was no way he distracted me. The boy,

"... I'm late in introducing myself. We're from" Inside the Elves. "

... "Inside the Elves"...?

to the boy I named so. I moved my face gradually,

"..." Inside the Elves "..." The Elves "...?

"Oh, yeah. Only the 'Elves' go outside. We... we came this far when we heard the voice of" The Great Spirit Ifried "..."

The boy gave an awkward look for a moment,

"... one step, no... it seemed a lot, too late. Sorry."

……

"We want power to fight the Spirit Tree. I loved the Spirit, I was going to help that young man I loved, and I was going back to our homeland with you."

……

"But along the way, the" rainbow "blocked my path... and I got stuck. I don't mean to make excuses, but because of them... I let him die."

……

"I will not go back to what has passed. But... I can use my lessons. We don't want to make a victim like him or you ever again. That's why I'm thinking of taking down the Spirit Tree.

“Spirit Tree", defeated...?

"... that's impossible..."

"... why did you do that?

Is that so? You know better than me.

Their strength, their fear, their despair. Resistance to those who continue to dominate… what cannot be done.

What kind of tragedy does it create to fight? Best of all, you know.

……

But I didn't put it in words. Because it has nothing to do with me. Whatever I say now, just waiting for death, is pointless. And I didn't even intend to advise you for them.

"... we want you to help us."

"... hey, hey... Rikko...?

"That's right. You have talent. While in the position of“ witch, "she naturally forged a reciprocal relationship with the" Spirit, "and when you craved power, the" Spirit "proceeded to lend strength. You also have the power to love and be loved by the Spirit."

"... there's no reason..."

If I had the strength, I wouldn't exist here.

If I had the strength, I could have saved him. Yeah, even Niña didn't have to be a "tribute"!

I can't do that... I don't have the strength.

I don't even deserve to have it.

"... I... couldn't... do anything..."

You helped me, but I couldn't.

"... I wanted to protect you... but I couldn't..."

"... Sure, I might not have been able to protect it. But others who are about to suffer the same fate could be saved."

said the boy, as he quietly watered my dry heart.

"... if you want, we'll empower you. Let's give it courage. Let's give it wisdom. And… protect someone and give them a place to work."

... of effort, place.

There's no way I can do that.

From earlier on, I've said that many times...

"... I can't. I don't deserve..."

"... there is. You deserve it too."

... Based on what, are you talking such nonsense...?

"... you are, repentant. That you didn't have the strength, that you didn't have the courage, that you didn't have the wisdom, and... that you didn't have the effort to protect someone. Really unqualified people don't regret it. I don't get angry. I don't cry..."

"... but I, ha... I..."

I couldn't do anything. Protecting, helping, I'm sacrificing!

I... can't be alive.

I had him protect me at the corner... and there's nothing I can do to help.

I traded my life for his.

Such a stupid and ugly me......,

"... I can't. I don't have the strength... I don't qualify..."

"That's not true. He left it to you."

... he said. Be happy till everyone's minute.

He told me it was good to meet me.

But I am! You killed him like that!

"... but I..."

"You know him best. How could he have done that... if you denied it, you would have denied his existence. Are you sure that's all right?

... There's no good reason.

I know, I really do.

Why did he choose to die himself? He protected me because he wanted to protect me. That's all I said.

But I'm scared. I can't help being scared and scared.

If I repeat the same mistake again. Thinking about it makes me feel dizzy.

"... from minutes, no... what am I supposed to do...?

"... you just have to be strong. You just have to be strong so you don't get lost anymore. That way, I'll be sure to protect you next time. The people you care about, yourself."

"... to me, I can protect... of...?

"Oh. If you want, we'll give you a chance."

"... really...?

Tears that I thought had dried up so much, I say.

"... never again... like Leo, like Niña... without creating a tragedy, sooo...? Can you protect me... everyone?

"As long as you want, we'll work together. And... your wish, 'Inside the Elves' will come true"

The boy quietly offered his hand,

- I want you to fight with us.

Comparing that hand to my own... I was determined.

Wiping tears with his blood and his own dirty right hand, wiping tears over and over again to never forget the heartache and physical pain I felt, I moved my heavy hand and held that hand.

This time, I swear.

I don't regret it anymore, I don't cry, I don't run away or anything.

Power, courage, wisdom, don't let go of the place of effort. For what I've been protected, this time I will.

I stare into the boy's mask with hidden eyes, and I declare.

"- Let me fight with you as long as I can keep protecting someone......!

It was even a word to myself.

But the boy didn't say anything about it.

"Oh. Nice to meet you"

I took off my mask with my other hand and smiled.

And the girl who was quietly watching me and the boy interact also takes off her mask and smiles gracefully.

Speaking voices, look into welcome.

The girl puts her own hand over me and the boy's shaken hand, and we step out.

"- Welcome, I've tasted the same tragedy - new to each other in" Inside the Elves ""

~ Prologue The End ~