Farewells and Each Ones Departure

* * *

Now then.

<<<Its finally time>>>

Emi and Zaratopu, gazing into each others eyes, gave a small nod.

Right now, Emi and Zaratopu are in a nameless inlet.

This inlet, located a little north of the cape near Panemo Village, is a location where a beautiful sandy beach is surrounded by cliffs.

Being in a remote place and moreover only accessible by crossing the sea, Emi and Zaratopu had been spending about a week monopolizing this place for these reasons.

Eating the remaining shrimp and squid meat, playing, diving in the sea to hunt, playing, accompanying Zaratopus training, playing, and doing various things

<<<Uuu even though its only been a short time since I met Anego just thinking that we wont be able to see each other for a while makes me feel really lonely>>>

Yeah.

I give my usual deliberately emotionless response to Zaratopu, who is feeling lonely.

Yes, today is the day we part ways.

I will walk on land, and Zaratopu will swim in the sea.

From today, we will each walk separate paths again.

Dont be a crybaby. If you say you want to stay together any longer, Ill kill and eat you.

<<<H-Hieee haha, I guess this is the last time Ill hear Anegos jokes>>>

Its not really a joke.

Recently, I find myself wanting to eat Zaratopu quite a bit.

Its one of the reasons we should part ways.

But thats not the only reason.

Pull yourself together youre going back to your group, right?

<<<Yes!>>>

With that response, the flames of fighting spirit lit up in Zaratopus eyes.

Thats right, Zaratopu has decided to return to the group of Great Sea Serpents called the Zii Clan that he once ran away from.

Zaratopu had been saying that he ran away from the group because he was bullied but the reality seems to have been close to being expelled.

The kind and wise elderly Great Sea Serpent clan leader who had been good to Zaratopu until then passed away, and a violent Great Sea Serpent took the position of clan leader Zaratopu, who had displeased the new clan leader, barely escaped with his life after being half-killed by the men of the group this is what actually happened when Zaratopu left the group.

<<<It might be too late now, and they might hate me but I got a bit curious about what my sister-in-law and childhood friend are doing now.>>>

By the way, I heard this childhood friend was the clan leaders daughter, but that clan leader is the elderly one who was kind to Zaratopu.

In other words, under the violent new clan leader, there is a possibility that she is in a delicate position, and Zaratopu cant help but be concerned about her.

Also, although its been nearly 100 years since Zaratopu ran away from the group, Great Sea Serpents have a very relaxed sense of time, so that much isnt treated as a big deal from the past.

Zaratopu.

Now, Im an Anego.

Even though my body is small and Im young, Im still an Anego.

Before we part, I want to tell my underling.

I speak to him while gazing into those sparkling eyes.

Dont do anything reckless.

<<<Yes haha, youre the one to talk, Anego.>>>

If you can run away, I think its good to run away.

<<<Yes me too.>>>

But youre going to face it, right?

<<<Yes. After meeting Anego and fighting together I seriously thought I cant stay like this. I dont want to remain a coward. So, so>>>

If youve decided that, Ill support you.

<<<Yes!>>>

Do your best!

<<<Yes!!>>>

Move forward!

<<<Yes!!!>>>

If anyone gets in your way kill them all!!

<<<Yes wait, thats too violent!!!>>>

Zaratopu wriggled and let out a frightened pyuru pyuru cry.

Yeah, thats the usual Zaratopu.

Its not good to get too fired up either.

I think this is just right!

<<<Ah, thats right! Before we part theres something I want to give to Anego whos taken care of me!>>>

Now, Zaratopu, who had been wriggling, seemed to remember something here.

Something you want to give?

<<<Yes! Its a present from me!>>>

Saying that, Zaratopu brought its face close to me and started straining

<<<Hnn!>>>

From its nostrils, it blew out a fist-sized white ball with a plop!

Is that a booger?

<<<No, its not!>>>

At my remark, Zaratopu angrily let out a pyuru pyuru.

No, but you know, when a white object suddenly flies out of the nose, it can only look like a booger

Do Great Sea Serpents stuff small objects they find into their noses to carry them?

<<<I found that in the sea when I was retrieving the giant shrimp and squid! Its sparkling and pretty, right? I heard before that humans like sparkly things like this! So Im giving this to Anego as a present!>>>

Saying that, Zaratopus eyes sparkled.

Ugh, when you look at me with those eyes, its hard to say I dont want it

<Ah!? This is a Divine Jewel!?>

And here.

Extra-sama, who had been silent to read the mood, suddenly let out a surprised voice!

A Divine Jewel?

<Yes! To put it simply its a gem that gods use to store excess power. The stored power is used like money in transactions between gods. Sometimes its bestowed upon believers in the lower world, so this is probably one of the Divine Jewels that was brought to earth through such circumstances.>

Storing excess power a gods excess power isnt that potentially quite dangerous?

<Thats right. However, this Divine Jewel seems to have lost its power long ago. Now its just an extremely hard gem. I dont think even the current Emi can break it.>

Eh, really?

When you say that, I want to try it.

I put all my strength into both hands and try to crush it.

But its indeed hard.

Not even a crack.

<<<Hey, Anego! Youll accept it, right!>>>

Alright.

Well, anyway.

Its something my underling went out of his way to pick up for me.

Theres no harm in accepting it.

I thoroughly washed the Divine Jewel with seawater, drained the water, and put it in my pants pocket.

Only that part is bulging strangely, making it look awkward and unsettling.

I should prepare a bag next time.

* * *

Its about time to go.

After chatting idly for a while longer, the time to part finally came.

I kick a stone rolling on the sandy beach and jump onto Zaratopus head with a hop.

<<<Understood! But is it okay? Are we really doing it?>>>

Zaratopu heads offshore while carrying me and sends a worried Telepathy.

Its fine, just do it.

Pyuru!

If I order it without giving any choice, Zaratopu doesnt say anything else.

It lets out a short cry and advances into the open sea with a splash.

And a few minutes later.

The beautiful vast ocean that stretches on forever.

The deep blue sky.

And the towering, pure white cumulonimbus clouds.

With such a common summer scenery at our backs, Emi and Zaratopu were gazing at the land.

<<<North, north, north, so its this way!>>>

Zaratopu checks the direction of the sun and turns its body to the north.

<<<Well then Anego, this is where we part! I hope we can meet again!>>>

Me too.

<<<The preparations are perfect! Anytime youre ready!>>>

Understood.

At Zaratopus voice as a signal, I jumped off Zaratopus head towards the sea with a hop.

Zaratopu gulps me into its mouth.

At the same time, I deploy Black Arms.

Covering my body in a sphere.

<<<Well then here I gooo!>>>

Theres a sound of splashing and gulping.

Zaratopu took in more seawater along with me into its mouth.

<<<Emi Cannon fire!!!>>>

DONN!!

A loud impact sound!

At the same time, I feel an intense gravity pulling me back.

Thats right, I am!

Once again!

I flew out into the sky as a black bullet!

I release the Black Arms cover midway and return to my normal state.

I was already flying high above the land.

Below me spreads a beautiful forest.

Occasionally theres a road, and people are walking on it.

If I turn my gaze forward, I can see a mountain range.

Is the so-called royal capital beyond that?

<Hyaaaaaa!!!>

Extra-sama is screaming.

But that scream sounds kind of fun.

Come to think of it, she became fond of such scream-inducing attractions a long time ago.

Now then.

I continue flying according to inertia and will eventually fall.

But I dont mind at all.

Because thanks to magical power conversion and a sturdy body, I wont get injured even if I fall from a high place.

But.

There was one thing I wanted to try.

Raa!

I shout with a fighting spirit and deploy Black Arms.

Thinly and widely to the left and right.

Just like wings.

These Black Wings I spread out couldnt maintain their shape well at first, losing speed due to air resistance and staggering, but.

Gradually I became able to catch the wind well, and after a while I was able to glide comfortably through the sky.

<Hyaaaaaa!!!>

Extra-sama is still screaming.

Im glad you like it.

Well, one way or another.

While flying in the sky.

I set off on a journey to a new land!

* * *

Now, the scene changes to the sea.

Zaratopu was gazing at Emi, who suddenly sprouted wings and started flying in the sky, with sparkling eyes while being rocked by the waves.

(Wow Anego is amazing!!)

While seeing off her figure getting smaller and smaller, Zaratopu thought.

(But still, humans can fly in the sky, huh!)

Because of Emi, Zaratopu was left with quite a lot of rather grand misunderstandings about the human race.

TL Note: I have been experimenting and starting to adopt a new line separation system similar to what the original author uses. Thats why you may notice a lot more line spaces in recent chapters.