Chapter 10

Shara rara.

Even though there was no wind, the transparent leaves of the tree occasionally swayed, producing a hard, resonant sound.

By the quiet spring.

Under the silver giant tree.

There, Tueni was waiting for someone important.

In her mind, she repeatedly thought about how she should speak.

So as not to worry Ruo.

So as not to hurt her.

Never to show a pained expression.

While thinking about these things, she noticed the changes around her. The sky was dyed with the colors of twilight, and the surface of the spring water fluctuated between purple and peach.

The shadow of the giant tree was slightly dim.

“Huh?”

Ruo’s voice came from nearby, and Tueni tensed up. She clasped her hands together as if in prayer, closed her eyes, and desperately tried to calm her heart.

“Oh, found you.”

Tueni was on the opposite side of the hollow of the giant tree, which was the entrance to the “Box Garden.” Ruo peeked out from behind the trunk with a full smile.

“Y-Yes.”

Her mind went blank, and Tueni just responded.

“Sister Ophelia said that Peppoko has something to talk about.”

With light steps, she approached one step at a time.

Seeing her.

Suddenly, Tueni realized.

The psychological descriptions often found in many stories. She could never really feel them or empathize with them, and could only understand them intellectually.

Anxiety, restlessness, and a feeling of suffocation.

This feeling, probably.

“What’s wrong?”

Shara rara.

As if to encourage Tueni’s heart, the silver giant tree rustled its leaves.

“Ruo. I have something to talk about.”

“Okay.”

The last time they could talk alone.

With a smile, Tueni began to speak matter-of-factly.

That she was going to meet the evil god alone. That she would be eaten by the evil god and die. That if she did, the evil god would fall asleep, and many people, including the “Star Guardians,” would be saved.

She should be able to explain it well.

Ruo should understand.

She would die once, but with the guidance of the goddess, she would be reborn in about a hundred years, like the six Star Maidens in the “Box Garden.”

So there was no need to worry.

“Just, Ruo, you can’t—”

Tueni felt a chill run down her spine.

Her smile stiffened, and her breathing stopped.

Words wouldn’t come out.

An unnatural silence hung in the air, and Ruo asked.

“Are you going to be eaten by the evil god?”

“Yes.”

Barely, Tueni managed to answer.

She forced a smile and added to her explanation.

“But it won’t hurt or scare me. I got a special medicine from Lady Ophelia. Look, this.”

She showed the “Tear Drop” in her pocket.

“It’s in a colored glass bottle, very beautiful. I’ll drink this before being eaten. I don’t know if it’s sweet or bitter, but I’m sure I’ll know right away.”

What am I doing?

What am I saying?

It felt as if her heart and body were separated.

“Is this what Peppoko decided?”

“Yes.”

“Then, let’s go together.”

Those words pierced the depths of Tueni’s heart.

Her heart trembled.

She couldn’t maintain her smile.

It was already decided. She was supposed to be prepared for this. Why was she so fragile, so easily swayed?

Tueni realized.

Her own desires, which were not even allowed to be wished for.

“No!”

Like a guilty child, Tueni turned her face away.

“Ruo can’t be reborn. If you die, that’s it. Coming with me won’t make any sense.”

“It will.”

Ruo stated firmly.

“It will.”

Why could she say it so confidently?

“Father said.”

Words she had heard once. It was just before they left the city of Arshe. When the representative of the Star Guardians, Terezia, tried to remove Ruo from the “Trial Journey” because of her demands.

A crying girl should never be left alone. Even if she says no, you must stay by her side.

Tueni must have glared at Ruo.

“I’m not crying.”

How could she know?

“I’m not crying!”

Why.

Why was her heart so painful?

Surprised by the sudden strong resistance, Ruo became restless and fidgety.

But then, her demeanor changed.

In a very natural movement, Ruo touched her cheek.

“You don’t have to worry. I’ll definitely protect you.”

Tueni didn’t react.

This wasn’t Ruo.

“…Stop it.”

She had intended to say thank you. Thank you for all the help. I’m glad I met you. Please stay healthy forever. She had intended to convey all her gratitude to Ruo.

“It’s impossible.”

But the words that came out of her mouth were cold facts she had heard from the former Star Maiden.

That a human cannot fight against the evil god. That even the hero Marteus gave up. That the place where the evil god resides is filled with a much denser magical aura than here. That even if Ruo were there—

“It wouldn’t make any sense!”

Before she knew it, the surroundings were eerily quiet. The sound of the leaves was gone. The twilight glow seemed to have faded.

Ruo’s face in front of her was distorted, like a child who had been abandoned.

“Oh…”

She was hated.

The moment she thought that, all the strength in her body drained away.

She knew.

The one who had no meaning was herself.

Even if she was reborn in a hundred years, Ruo wouldn’t be there.

Without Ruo, there was no meaning.

“I’m sorry.”

In reality, until the last moment.

“But there’s no other way.”

Always together.

“So here. Goodbye—”

◇

Ruo had intended to support Peppoko with all her might on her journey to save everyone.

Once, when she was on the verge of breaking down. Until she found a new goal, and even after she found it, she had been helped by many people. But she didn’t realize it until just before leaving the village, and she couldn’t repay them.

So, Ruo decided.

If there was someone else who had a goal and was working hard, she would help them with all her might.

The “Trial Journey” was fun. She was always with Peppoko, and she liked the order from the Star Guardians to protect Peppoko without participating in battles against monsters.

But after they reached their destination, the “Altar of the End,” things changed a bit.

It seemed that Peppoko wouldn’t be safe after achieving her goal.

And Peppoko knew this.

Ruo thought it didn’t matter.

Just like her former self, there were things that had to be done, even at the cost of one’s life.

So, her resolve didn’t waver.

But during the journey through the “Great Pit,” Ruo began to have doubts.

Was it really okay to continue like this?

This was largely due to Maasa’s teachings.

“Ruo, you shouldn’t blindly follow what others say. If something seems off, stop and think about it. What Ruo wants to do is also important.”

The more she thought about it, the more she felt it was wrong.

She became certain of this when they arrived at the place called the “Box Garden.”

Peppoko had carried her on her back after she lost consciousness due to the magical aura. Even though Peppoko was exhausted, she didn’t leave Ruo’s side and cried.

Peppoko wasn’t just someone to be protected.

Naturally, Ruo found what she wanted to do.

To be close and together, like her parents in her memories.

Ruo thought.

Could she achieve both Peppoko’s decision and what she wanted to do?

The cause of everything seemed to be the evil god. If they could defeat the evil god, that would solve the problem.

When she asked the women in the “Box Garden” living room, Sorcie told her it was impossible. The evil god could only be defeated if the dark, unlit star—a huge rock floating in the sky—fell.

If that was the case, the only option was to go see the evil god with Peppoko.

Everyone dies eventually. So, they should be together and close until the end.

But.

Under the silver giant tree, Peppoko said she would go see the evil god alone. Ruo thought it was the same as before. Peppoko was crying, crying without tears.

There were many things she wanted to say but couldn’t.

But, you don’t have to worry.

Using her father’s words, she told Peppoko that she needed to stay by her side, but Peppoko reacted unexpectedly.

Ruo panicked.

If this was the case, there was only one thing left.

Imitating her father’s actions from her memories.

When her father was scolded by her mother, he would try to cheer her up with strange gestures and words. Even when her mother told him to stop, he wouldn’t until she forgave him.

But this didn’t work either.

Why? It had worked before.

Peppoko said that it wouldn’t make any sense for her to go.

Ruo thought that wasn’t true.

After her father died in the Grand Canyon, her mother also weakened and died. Ruo herself almost broke down. The family fell apart.

They couldn’t be separated. They had to stay together.

But. The words stuck in her throat, and nothing came out.

But, she realized one thing.

If she remained silent, her wish would disappear.

“I’m sorry. But there’s no other way.”

Even if it was scary, she had to jump out.

Just like when she defeated the Rock King Eagle.

“So here. Goodbye—”

“Peppoko!”

Placing her hands on the shoulders of the trembling, hurt girl.

Realizing that she had no weapons to use, Ruo knew she had to say something.

Something.

“A—uh.”

Her head felt like it was burning.

“Ruo?”

Her father’s words wouldn’t work.

It had to be her own words.

How could she make her understand?

How could they stay together?

“Ugh.”

“Ruo, are you okay?”

At the edge of her limits, suddenly.

A single answer descended.

It was very simple.

They should become a family.

A family shouldn’t be separated.

“Peppoko.”

Taking a deep breath.

Then, with a face as if she had found a wonderful treasure, Ruo said,

“Let’s get married?”