3 bar menu

Chapter 67 – Part 1

After we finished listening to the explanation of what happened with the ocean demon rebellion, we split into separate groups: those who would return to their homes, and those who would temporarily go back to Galois.

The ones who would go back to their home were Fatima and her familiar Sierra, then Nell, Irina, Lenia, and Vaje (in Vaje’s case, it was her den in the Mores Mountains).

The ones returning to Galois were myself, Selina, and Christina.

Christina said that she would remain in Galois, because she wouldn’t use up her summer break by visiting her home.

Selina and I would briefly return to the Magic Academy to rearrange our luggage, and then finally go back to my hometown, Bern Village.

But then as we were exchanging our goodbyes, a problem arose. Lenia, who didn’t want to be separated from me, started to cry and whine with full vigor, throwing a tantrum unreasonably.

Up until we arrived at the departure site at Fatima’s villa, Lenia would grab onto my sleeve or the belt of my pants or even my luggage, and wouldn’t let go. The entire time, whenever her mouth was open, she would constantly say: 「Don’t leave me, don’t leave me」

And then when her mouth was closed, she would just keep on looking at me, her straightforward gaze not leaving me even for a second.

Well, well, whenever I was involved, Lenia’s mental age always seemed to become younger and she would pretend to act more childish.

Everyone who was traveling with us had one by one gotten used to Lenia’s behavior, so there were no exaggerated reactions of surprise, this time. But when they had first met us, and saw how Lenia, the very embodiment of arrogance, would act like that around only me, I would feel their vague suspicion of me.

Irina and Fatima for example, were probably assuming many scandalous things that weren’t true, but even so, it would be hard to tell them the complete truth of my relationship with Lenia.

So, I had no choice but to accept their suspicion in resignation.

Under the blue skies, the sun shone down on us mercilessly, stinging our skin. But the scent of the sea riding on a cool breeze coming in to stroke our faces made us temporarily forget the heat of summer.

So in the middle of that summer environment, we finished eating breakfast and when it came time for our flight home, we ended up catching the attention of all the other airship passengers and the ship’s crew as well. That’s because I had to start persuading Lenia to let me go.

Right next to the stairs meant for boarding the airship, Lenia was pouting with her lower lip sticking out and her eyes downcast. I placed my hands on her slender shoulders and leaned down to peek at her face.

Lenia swiftly turned her face away, avoiding eye contact with me. I was suddenly reminded of when she would get into fights with the boys back in Futo Village, and I would come in to mediate.

Her countenance was the same now as it was then, so maybe it would be best to treat Lenia with a little more care this time.

「Lenia, I’m happy that you want to stay by my side. I feel better knowing that you love me that much」

I was careful to keep my voice especially gentle as I spoke, and in response, Lenia’s face took on a pleading look as she finally looked back at me. She then continued to ask her request, speaking from the bottom of her heart.

「If you would say that, then please let me accompany you. I was finally able to meet with you again, but you would have me leave so quickly?」

「Even if you were to stay, we’d still get separated at the Magic Academy since our classes and rooms are different」

「But the distance between us would be short enough so we could meet whenever we wish to. Since I’ve now been trapped inside this human vessel, even that much time is painfully long. What I mean is, if I must wait until the end of summer break to see you again, then I can’t even imagine how much sorrow my heart will be tormented by」

Hmm, so simply not being able to meet over the summer break was this much of a large problem for Lenia.

As I thought, if I don’t get her to separate from me early on, this problem will only get worse.

I would happily and wholeheartedly accept all her kindness and affection towards me, but it will become another problem if she starts to hinder the lives of other people around us.

「Just continue on as if we’d never met again. Well, if I said that, that would be pretty harsh, wouldn’t it? But you know, Lenia?

The reason why we were able to find each other and finally meet again like this, even in these human forms, is all thanks to each of our human parents who gave birth to us.

I’m guessing you haven’t been very loyal to your human family so far. Since you have this chance to return to your hometown now, try showing your human parents some appreciation too.

You wouldn’t have met me again if it weren’t for them, so you mustn’t forget that gratitude.

My human parents allowed me to be born again when I should have died. I haven’t forgotten that appreciation, not even for a moment.」

In response to my persuasive explanation, the conflict within Lenia’s heart easily showed up on her face.

Lenia was just like the Creator Caravis, in that the amount of times they have ever shown their thanks or consideration to other people could be counted on one hand. In fact, maybe they’ve never shown such feelings to anyone even once.

For a girl such as that, it would probably be impossible for her to understand the meaning of my words, and accept them.

But even so, Lenia listened to what I said, and earnestly did her best to try to force herself to accept it.

「I, I, I understand. As you order, Father, I shall follow.

It’s true that it is only due to my human parents, that I was able to meet with you again.

It is only right that I show them my thanks, since I have finally reunited with you. Then, I shall go to thank them, even if just a little bit.

However, Father. It is also true that parting from you causes tremendous pain for me.

So if I return home and show my appreciation to my human parents, then you would not mind if I went to see you after that, right?

I won’t ask to be by your side all the time, so please allow me this much at least」

Tears filled up in her eyes like large drops of shining gems. Lenia held the heartrending pain close to her chest, as she looked up at me pleadingly.

Looking at her, it was hard to believe she was a creature of an evil god, as she had not a single trace of wickedness in her face, which was now painted singularly in pure plaintiveness. As the people in our surroundings looked toward us to see what was going on, the sight of Lenia struck deep into their hearts. Among them, there were even some who started crying dramatically.

For them, upon first glance, Lenia and I probably looked like lovers about to be separated.

These completely unrelated onlookers had turned our relationship into some stage play, and were enjoying the show all on their own.

Well anyway, I should give in and compromise with Lenia here.

For an extraordinarily long time, Lenia had always continued to admire me, so I would feel bad if I pushed her away now.

Maybe it was because I tended to spoil her every now and then just like this, that she ended up becoming so unable to be separated from me?

「Alright. But you can’t just return home for a day and then come flying over right away. Take the time to properly convey your thanks to your parents for giving birth to you and raising you first. If you can do that, then I promise you can come see me again」

Lenia let out a troubled hum in response. Most likely, she was probably contemplating whether or not she would actually be able to fulfill the conditions I had set.

But one of the few good things about Lenia was that if she didn’t think she could do something, then she would never say that she could.

Well, she does sometimes overestimate her own power and pick fights that she can’t win.

「Understood. I will do my best. So, if I properly show them my thanks, then it would be alright to come visit you, Father?」

「Yeah. If you can do it properly」