Vol 1: Epilogue (1)

Mimino didnt know for certain how long it had been since Reiji left. She felt pathetic that she couldnt stop that little boy when he said goodbye with such a resolute face, she was angry at herself that she couldnt save that little boy who had such a pained look, and above all, the pain in her heart somehow knowing that he left to protect them.

Dad!she heard a familiar voice cry from the neighbouring room. Mimino was startled. When she wiped her tears away with a towel, she realized it was the towel that Reiji used to wipe her face, and her chest tightened yet again, but she immediately rushed to the room next door the room with Dante and Non.

What happened? Dont tell me Dantes condition worsened Eh?

Mimino, who opened the door thinking that Dantes condition had worsened, was at a loss for words.

Look at this, Mimino.Dante said.

Light shone through the open wooden windows. Dantes skin, softly illuminated by the light reflected off the floor, wasnt the gray it used to be.

It had become flesh with blood coursing through.

When I woke up, I found that my dads skin had become black. When I hurriedly wiped it off, it became like thisNon said, with a shocked look.

In other words, uh? The petrification is healed?Mimino asked.

Thats right. My body moves just fine, and Im feeling completely refreshed. I havent felt this healthy in a long while. Well, the burns havent healed yet.

Non, who was still shocked,

Dad

Tears started rolling down her cheeks nonstop.

Dad, dad, dad, dad, daaaaaaadshe cried her eyes out.

Dont cry, Non. Im sorry for making you go through all this.

Wahhhhhhh Daaaaaaaaad!

Dante hugged her, as she cried like a child.

Mimino was surprised to see Non crying like that.

(Non must have been suffering inside all this while without anyone knowing)

Well, it was obvious. Even though she was part of the church where discipline is strict, she was still a 16 year old girl who would love chatting with friends and going shopping on holidays.

Needless to say, Mimino knew that when Dante was petrified, Non was confronted with a situation that her father would soon die without any treatment and that she had been devoted to finding a cure ever since.

However, Mimino eventually thought that Non was a strong-hearted child. She was convinced so much that she couldnt even see her suffering.

(I was stupid. I didnt even know what Reiji-kun was suffering from. I convinced myself that he would tell me someday. It was the same for Raikira. Thats why he died)

She recalled Raikiras death, and her heart tightened even more.

Thank you for everything up until now, Mimino.

Mimino came back to her senses when Dante said so.

I have troubled you a lot too.

No. Its fine. Im also a party member But how did you suddenly heal?

Dantes face stiffened. Non stopped crying and peered into Dante face.

What happened? Dad

I dont know what time it was, but I think Reiji was in this room.

Reiji-kun?!

I think Reiji healed my petrification.

The room fell silent. Dante kept trying to remember what happened at night.

My memory is hazy, but I think I heard something about medicine. Mimino, wheres Reiji?

Mimino?

She didnt want to say it. She felt that she wouldnt have to face reality if it wasnt put into words.

But she couldnt lie to her friends.

Reiji-kun has left.

What does that mean?

He said he had to leave no matter what, and left

That guy!

Dad! Dont get up yet!

Non stopped Dante from trying to get out of bed.

Dont stop me, Non. I remembered that Reiji asked me for pocket money. He said there was something he wanted Now I finally understand.

Something Reiji-kun wanted?

Mimino, you also saw it in the guild, right? Knowledge of rare medicinal herbs and that humble attitude. I can only think of one thing he couldve wanted a medicine for petrification!

Eh!? I thought that the curse of petrification couldnt be cured with medicine?!

He knew that wasnt the case, and in fact I was healed.

Ah

Mimino remembered the time when Reiji wanted the Leaf of Life Tree in the herb market.

Did that lead to a medicine for petrification?

B-But if thats the case, I think he wouldve said so from the beginning.Non said.

Perhaps he didnt have the conviction. I felt that there was something suspicious when we sold the herbs in the guild. His knowledge of herbs was quite unbalanced.

Indeed, Reiji didnt know the market price of herbs or the medicine system.

He was a boy with many mysteries.

He had abundant knowledge, had a soft attitude, and his behavior was calm. He was like a child from a noble family, but his origin seems to be a slave.

My guess is Reiji crossed a dangerous bridge to cure my petrification. For example, getting his hands on prohibited items.

N-No wayNon gasped.

Perhaps he thought it would cause problems for Silver Balance if exposed, or maybe it had already been exposed. That is why he rushed out. Non, I am going to look for Reiji. I cant just let him leave alone after what he has done for me. If hes going to be hanged, then Ill take his place for him.

Dad. I understand.

Nons expression stiffened, as she activated Healing Magic. Perhaps Nons mana was almost exhausted as well, as she was breathing heavily before long. Sweat trickled down her forehead.

Dad, you should be able to move a little with this. But dont forget that you almost died yesterday. And also try to avoid the hanging.

Thank you, Non. You are my proud daughter.

Please dont do anything that would make this daughter sad.

She was probably referring to when he used his body to protect the adventurers.

Sorry. Mimino, will you come too?

I want to go, but I couldnt stop Reiji-kun.

If she had stopped him with all her might at that time, they wouldnt be in this situation.

But Mimino couldnt stop Reiji. Feeling his resolute determination, she, who couldnt do anything in the battle against the dragon but was instead saved by him, didnt know what to say to him.

FuDante laughed.Thats dumb, Mimino. If you try once and fail, then you should just try again. For us, adventurers, freedom is our way of living.

Freedom

Yes, freedom.

Yeah, thats right. Seems like Ive become somewhat weak-hearted.

She slapped her cheeks with both hands.

Mimino made her decision. To bring back Reiji.

Reiji is our comrade, after all.