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Chapter 42 Part 4 – Reinforcements. When the souls of the living and the dead intersect. Farewell …… and ……

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Aquilegia

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The three old warriors stared at Mary, who was trembling on her knees, with a look of compassion.

‘….. You have done your duty as a mother. He was definitely happy to be born to you. So don’t blame yourself anymore. That was the last thing he wanted …..’

After a few moments of contemplation, the white-bearded Brian said to Mary.

‘He was smiling with such joy when he left. He got the words he wanted to hear the most and the smile of his mother that he longed to see, and he left on his journey without a single worry. Look at that, a bridge to heaven has been built. Although he was still a baby, he is a wonderful boy. What a pity. When he grows up, I’m sure he will be a great warrior.’

Looking up to the heavens, the brown-bearded Bill smiled.
Perhaps because of the water droplets splashed by the rushing currents, there was a faint rainbow in the sky.
We gazed at the scene with bated breath.

‘You have to live for your son’s share as well. That will be proof that he was in this world. Besides, you have many people waiting for your return. Blessed is the life that is desired. Live it well …..’

After saying that, the black-bearded Bobby looked at my mother, me, and Bradd and smiled.
Then the three dependable old warriors floated up and left the small boat.

‘….. We have to go now ….. Miss Mary, please take care of young lady Scarlet and the Madam ….. The young lady has the strongest heart of anyone I know. Even so …. there will come a time when she will be so overwhelmed with grief that she will not be able to stand up on her own. When that time comes, please support her heart …. Your words, which have overcome the sorrow of losing a child, are the only light that can reach even a heart sinking into despair. It’s a task that only you can do, which no man of great character can do …. Now this long-winded old man has nothing left to say …. Young lady, do you have anything you wish to say …..’

The white-bearded Brian sent me an encouraging look.
The three old warriors laughed at me waiting for me to say a few words.
The Ruby of God’s Eye on my chest flickered vehemently.
They informed me that the time limit for sustaining the illusion had come.
I knelt on one knee beside Mary.

「…. Mary. I will soon go back to my original baby form. So let me say this now …. Thank you for everything. I love you. And since I’m a newborn, I’ll say my self-indulgent and selfish wish ….. I still haven’t been spoiled enough by you. Even when I can walk on my own two legs, I will never let you go ….. Be prepared for that. Because I’m selfish. That’s why …. I will never allow you to ….. Leave me and go off on your own ….. because …. Mary is my …. other …. Mother ….. !!」

At first I intended to quietly admonish her, but I couldn’t stop as my memories with Mary overflowed in my mind one after another. I was so overcome with emotions that I cried.
Uggghhhh …. It’s so embarrassing …. I can’t control my sobbing and even hiccupped….

「….. Young lady …….」

「I-I’m not crying … this is …. Because some pollen got into my nose….」

Even though I tried my best to hold back the tears, there were still some sobbing sounds that came out of my mouth.
Mary looked up at me as my face was flushed with embarrassment.
With her eyes still teary, a smile slowly creased her mouth.

「….. I’ve never heard of such a selfish and passionate pick-up line before ….. I love you too …. young lady ….. I’ll take your word and stick to you until I become a grandmother. Even if you regret it at that time, I will never leave you … 」

She stood up quickly, wiping away her tears as she said so.

「Come on, let’s go back to the shore….!! I must show everyone that the young lady is safe and reassure them …. The Duke and Sir Matzo couldn’t wait any longer and came to pick you up. Oh my, not only the two of them, but also the madam and everyone else …..」

Her appearance when she turned to us and laughed was the usual cheerful Mary.
The wind blowing across the pond blew on her hair as she looked up at the sky.

「….. Joshua, I’m going to live bravely ….. and I won’t forget the memories I have with you ….. Stay strong ….. And look over me …..」

Her profile as she quietly muttered her determination was that of an adult woman moving on after overcoming sorrow.

「….. Do you have any injuries? All of you did well.」

「…. Guoh …. Hahaha …. That was amazing!! …Wahahaha … Guoh」

I saw father on his white horse and Matzo swimming bravely, wading through the waves and approaching us. My young father, seen up close, had a more human-like expression than I had imagined. His red eyes, just like mine, sparkled with emotions. Matzo, you should choose just one, whether to laugh, spit water, or to talk ….

Probably since the difference in water level was gone the whirlpool also disappeared and the muddy stream was slowing down.

「…… Scarlet!! Mary!! Bradd!!」

Mother rode the horse as she could not wait any longer and followed them to go into the water.
Everyone in the Imperial Guards rode their horses and followed along as they cheered.
They all made their horses swim while riding them normally …. What an amazing level of equestrianism ….

「….. Leader!! We can’t handle horses like that, so we’re going to welcome them from here!! ….. Come on, fellas!! Make your voices louder so that the leader won’t feel lonely!! Show those fellas from land your loud voice that have been trained in the sea breeze!!」

Since the members of Orange Privateers cannot imitate such equestrianism, they are welcoming us loudly under the lead of the chief navigator.

「….. Leader!! Welcome back!!」

「….. I was charmed once again by the leader!!」

「…. You’ve displayed the courage of a man of the sea!!」

To cheer up the atmosphere, they lighted a high alcohol content sake to ward off demon dogs and made it into a huge bonfire.
It looks like a bonfire for the Obon festival ……

「S-stop it!! It’s embarrassing!!」

Ignoring Seraphy, who screamed in protest in a half-octave high voice, all the crew members faithfully carried out the order of the chief navigator with a grin on their faces. Ohh, this is definitely a pattern of knowing and enjoying the teasing. However, their eyes are filled with a certain pride and affection.
Seraphy sure is loved, isn’t he?

The clouds cleared and the blue sky shone.

The three old warriors squinted their eyes happily and watched the scene.

‘It’s quite lively, isn’t it? But this is good. This is what I call a goodbye with a smile.’

‘All’s well that ends well.’

‘Well then, young lady Scarlet, We are reluctant to part, but I’m afraid we must bid you farewell.’

And then the three of them started to fade like a heat haze. I sent them off with all my heart.

「….. Thank you, the mighty warriors Brian, Bill, and Bobby ….. I will never forget your dedication and bravery ….. What should I say to put this gratitude into words …..」

The three of them nodded and broke into a smile in the order in which I called their name.

‘Your words alone are enough reward. We are ……’

「….. This idiot munchkin, you don’t get it at all, do you? This is the problem with smart people. The same goes for you three grandfathers. You should at least be honest at the end.」

「Hyaaa!?」

Bradd had a bitter smile and hit my butt, causing me to jump up in surprise.

Hey, hey, this phantom body actually can transmit sensations!?

「Hey hey hey. Why do you tend to hide your true feelings when you get older? Miss Mary and Seraphy are more transparent about their feelings. You should learn from Joshua …… It’s okay for people to be more simple. Scarlet, now do you know what you’d like to say?」

The three old warriors gasped, and Bradd, Mary, and Seraphy looked at us with gentle eyes.
I realized what I should say to the warriors.
I shook off the embarrassment and extended both of my hands.
Just as a young child does to a grandfather she has grown to love.
I put on my best effort to smile and convey my feelings as much as possible.

「….. Brian, Bill, and Bobby ….. I like you so much ……!!」

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