THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

"So, have you reflected back on your actions?"

"... Yes, I have."

Rebecca had me kneeled in front of William and the heroes with my hands raised. What kind of stupid punishment is this? Does she think I am a little child or something?

"Good." That smile, like those days when we were all happy. You don't deserve to smile like that. But that's not my problem. Not anymore.

"Can you let me go now?"

"Nope."

"Why?"

They did a small council earlier. I suppose it was to decide what they will do with me. I hope they will decide to kill me, that way, I should have a higher chance to escape. Though, I might have to use my draconic power. It won't be easy otherwise to escape from a muscle head like Farner after all.

"We discuss it earlier and among us five, there are three people who think you should be executed. Two especially thinks you are too dangerous and suspicious. One thinks you should be kept alive and monitored for an unknown period of time."

"And you think…"

"Wait. How do you know that I was not among those choices?"

"Because three of them are looking at me with doubtful eyes while one looks like somebody who wants a new toy."

Rebecca turns around and indeed, it is just as I described. Excia, Roxcia, and William look at me with doubt, hatred even, while Farner's eyes are shining like a puppy who saw a bone.

"Sigh…you guys."

"See?"

"Anyway, I think you should live as well. Nobody deserves to die, no matter their actions, people can change. I hope you will as well."

"I won-"

"Shssss."

Rebecca lowers herself, letting her hair waves around, and places her finger on my mouth. This time, I get a closer look at her hair and it is clear now that this color is not normal. They are shining as if something is residing inside. Like a holy power of some sort is sleeping within the treads of her hair. Is that why they fall her a saintess? Did she receive that power from that whatever goddess? Then she must be a real bitch as well to givewuch power to somebody who left her own son to die. 

"I am sure you will, in time. But for now, indeed, letting you leave like that might be dangerous. So, we will bring you back to Mercuria with us. You will enter the eternal academy. That way, the heroes will be able to monitor your every move and judge if it is necessary to put you down."

"No way!! That's too much work!"

"I don't want to!!"

"Yes!!"

"That's another assignment I am giving you girls. I will certainly help you in judging people's character and make decisions on who is truly evil or not."

"Sigh…really…"

"Tch."

"Of course. Of course." Farner, you are way too happy about this. If you had a tail, it would shaking around like crazy, I am sure

"I don't suppose you have something to say about this?" Like you would let me say anything anyway.

"Saintess. I really think this too dangerous. He might involve other students in his plan somehow."

"Then, you will be there to deal with it. Right, Protector?"

"O-of course!!" William almost jumps at those words then salutes with his left hand striking his chest. "My life is dedicated to protecting the Saintess!"

"Good. Now, do you have a question or a request? We will depart for Syldavie tomorrow morning."

"I want to see the hill of the dead."

"But of course. We will go there tomorrow morning."

***

The next morning. My eyes are heavy. I didn't sleep much because of a certain somebody glaring at me throughout the night.

"William, why are your eyes so red?"

"It's nothing Saintess. Don't worry about it."

It is something!! That guy kept looking at me like he would start a fight anytime. I am so tired.

We reach the hill and Rebecca kneels all of sudden, putting her face to the ground, so do the heroes. William and I are the only ones standing up.

"Why are you not kneeling?"

"Because I have to watch you, dumbass."

"Right. Anyway, that grave at the top of the hill, whose is it?"

"That one…That is my son's grave."

"Your son…" So, it is my grave after all. I thought as much seeing how big it is.

"That grave is the sin I must carry for the rest of my days. It is the only sin I cannot forgive myself for, even if MEETIA forgive me for it."

"Is that so?" You are one hell of a hypocrite, William. That's for sure. And why would the goddesd forgive you for anything? 

"Where are you going?"

"I am going to that grave, of course."

"You can't. This hill is blessed and sacred place. No one should step on it except the Saintess and the heroes."

"I see. Then what is written on it?"

"Why does it interesting you so much?"

"Just answer."

"TO KEVIN KOERSOMBRE: THE LITTLE DRAGON OF TATRADUM. A REAL HERO NEVER GIVES UP."

That's one catchphrase you used there! Damn, it is pretty accurate, I think.

"My son was the-"

"Your son was weak. That's why he died. And so were you, that's why you left him to die."

"What do you even know?!!! No, how to you know that?!!"

"Stop yelling. The Saintess is praying."

"You fucking little bastard!..."

"I thought they told you not to swear." or maybe he is receiving a different treatment from mine. He must be Rebecca's favorite after all. 

"I swear that I will erase that smug smile on your face."

"Of course, of course."

"Can you shut up?!"

Excia apparently wasn't as focused as the others.

"I am sorry."

"I am not. Let's leave."

I saw what I wanted. There is nothing else for me here. Goodbye, Tatradum, goodbye, futile memories of happiness that never really existed. With this, my ties to Tatradum are severed for good.