Chapter 279

While we waited for Matsumoto to arrive, I asked the ancient elf questions about the facilities.

“…I see. So these facilities…were built near dungeons with dragon veins, as it allowed them to gather the bare minimum of mana. And the mana was used to power the summoning experiments.”

‘Positive. However, there are only four facilities remaining that I can identify.’

“And are these experiments being carried out by actual ancient elves?”

‘Negative. The experiments would be carried out by the independent thought devices called ‘Nova.’ I am one myself.’

“Do you have a name?”

‘Positive. I was named Karma.’

So, she wasn’t an ancient elf, but an ‘independent thought device.’ An amazing tool that told you everything that you wanted to know. I was starting to wonder why it was telling me these things. You’d think they would be classified.

‘As there is an elf present, such restrictions have been lifted.’

That seemed a little lax…

‘Furthermore, if it becomes known that you have ties with enemy forces, you and this entire facility will be destroyed.’

And so extreme.

Just then, a door opened in the air and Rachel, Matsumoto, and Manager walked out.

“Mister Asagi… Master Rachel brought me here. Uh, where are we?”

“And I was dragged here too, for some reason. I was still talking to someone, so I would like to go back as soon as possible.”

“Hmph. Can’t you see that I gathered everyone together that is from Japan?”

“What? Japan?”

Matsumoto looked at Manager and Rachel.

“…Ah, this person is Japanese! And master, you too?”

“Oh, so you didn’t know?”

“You never told me! I thought Mister Asagi was the only other one…ughhh…”

How lonely it must have been. But you haven’t felt anything yet.

“Matsumoto. Manager. Sorry for calling you like this, but there’s something I have to tell you.”

“Did you learn something then?”

“Mister Asagi?”

“…”

This would hurt. But not as much as hiding it. I paced the room for a moment and then told them the truth.

□ □ □ □

I felt horrible. I could have gone the rest of life without seeing Manager cry like that.

“I…traveled all of this time…even though I felt like I was dying…even when I had to sell myself…it was all so I could one day return…! And yet…”

I hadn’t realized how hard it would have been for her to travel alone. Or maybe I hadn’t wanted to face it.

“Aaaah… No… No… Mom… Dad….! Aaahh…”

While he was a Hero, Matsumoto was still a kid. No matter how strong he was physically, he was still young mentally.

“Asagi…how…how can you be so calm…? You can never go back…! To your…family…!”

“I…I…wanted to go back too… But I made my decision…”

“…You’re a lucky one… I don’t have anything to keep me…”

“…”

I didn’t know what to say. I suppose I had been lucky in life. But…still…

“I’m sorry… But this doesn’t change anything between us.”

“Ah… I know. I was just…lashing out…yes…”

She nodded. There was nothing I could do. I could have held her and comforted her. But knowing how she felt, and how it couldn’t be reciprocated… It would only hurt and humiliate her in the end.

“Daniela…”

“You do not have to say anything. Go and help Yasushi.”

“…Yeah.”

I had known this would happen… I was honestly regretting it now. But this was the only time I would be able to crush what little hope they had.

Matsumoto was staring at the floor as if he had lost his mind… No, he wasn’t staring anything at all.

“Matsumoto.”

“…Oh… Asagi…”

He raised his head when I called him, but then it dropped back down again. I sat down next to him and stared at the floor.

“…Would you have preferred it if I hadn’t told you?”

“I…I was so sure that I would return one day. You know, isn’t that what always happens when you get sent to another world…?”

“Well…maybe…”

“But this…I guess it’s different…”

The reality was always harsh. Seeing things you didn’t want to see. Hearing things you didn’t want to hear.

“I can’t ever see my family again either… I felt so hopeless when I first realized it.”

“So…you really are just like me.”

“Yeah. Maybe a little different, but we’re in the same situation now.”

One day, we were suddenly called to this world. Without warning or a choice. And the unfamiliar world had been full of trials for us.

But we both found someone to love…well, he found people who loved him, anyway.

“I wanted to see my family. But I couldn’t…. It was those times that Daniela supported me. A person I love who also loves me. Surely, there is someone like that in your life?”

“Someone I love…who loves me…”

“Yeah.”

Matsumoto had saved many lives. There was a time when I felt like he was getting too excited, just because he was in a different world. But it wasn’t everyone who was able to save people and create such tight bonds. It was only possible because he had a kind personality.

“And I decided to live for her. You’ll have to decide what to live for too.”

“Mister Asagi…”

He treated me with respect, just because I was older. But he had come here first and was much stronger. And yet, here we were. I wanted to help him and Manager. But I didn’t know if there was anything that I could do. All I could do was show them their options. However, as the one who had made the decision, I was the only one who could give them that.

“You know, living as a Hero and for those here that you love, is not a betrayal of those back home.”

“…”

I told him that it was wrong to feel guilt over it. But maybe this was all very presumptuous of me. Maybe it was wrong to give up. And yet, I still wanted them to live without looking back.

□ □ □ □

After he had calmed down a little, Rachel took Matsumoto back to Lambrusen.

“Mister Asagi… I’m going to live here with the others. I don’t know if that’s the right decision, but I have to start from there.”

He said as he smiled weakly. His eyes were still puffy, but but there was determination there.

He was strong after all. And he was only getting stronger. He had already changed from just a few minutes ago. Having a strong heart was something you needed to live. It was a hard trick for me to learn. But he was different…maybe it was because he was a Hero.

As for Manager, she cried into Daniela until she fell asleep from exhaustion. Neither I or Daniela could do anything. And so we just sat there. Manager had her head on Daniela’s lap, but she opened her eyes before too long.

“Uhh…”

“You’re up.”

“…Ah…so I’m still here…”

It was as if she had hoped to wake up and find that it had all been a dream.

“Reality… Ah… Oh, well.”

“It cannot be helped?”

Daniela suggested.

“You will have to continue on. You are here. In this world.”

“…Yeah.”

“Yes.”

Manager wiped at her eyes, which were just as puffy as Matsumoto’s. Then she grinned.

For better or worse, she was quick to adapt. That was important for survival. It was a good thing.

It was an important trick to living.