"No thanks."
[Well, you can't really blame him, now can you?]
⟦Even you, Viben?⟧
What happened to being friends and standing together no matter what?
…Huh, that almost sounds like we are lovers or something.
Eww, disgusting.
"Don't tell me… you really are friends?"
"Yes, so stop pestering me about it.
"…" Nafar's jaw dropped open and hit the floor. "Heavens, what has this world come to?" He trembled.
"Oh, fuck off!"
"Okay." He got ready to take off.
"I meant that figuratively, damn it!"
"Hehe." He chuckled. "Anyway, for the time being, I'll accept your friendship with Viben."
⟦…Just what did you do to make him hate you so much.⟧
[Eh. It isn't much, actually. I'll tell you when we have free time.]
⟦I'll be waiting for it.⟧
"Whatever." I sighed. "Let's move on to some more important matters, shall we?"
"Sure. What would you like to know, Lady Anthasia?" He smirked.
"My first question is related to mana, of course."
"I unfortunately cannot answer that particular question."
"Why?"
Does he not know the answer to that? Even though he enjoys the same status as that of a God and nothing- especially something this big- can escape his eyes?
"Let me rephrase: I do want you to know how and why the use of mana was once again made possible, but I do not want to personally explain that to you." He shook his head with a sigh.
"Again, why?"
"You'll understand after you come to know the full story. I'll arrange it for you."
"How?"
Is he going to hire a bard?
"My personal library."
"Why don't you just… haah, forget it."
If he wants me to know the full story through his library, then so be it. I like reading more than listening anyway.
"Anyway, where are we?"
That's the second most important question.
"The Claine Empire."
"Oh, it's still around."
Claine Empire was where I was born and lived. Due to the Hero being from their Empire, the Claine Imperial family took charge of the war against demons.
Claine Empire was the most magic-dependent country of all; so much so that it wouldn't have been surprising for them be usurped by the surrounding kingdoms after the loss of magic. The fact that it still stands… I wonder how I should interpret it.
"Mh-mm." Nafar nodded. "In fact, it was the surrounding kingdoms that supported Claine Empire until it could stand on its own feet."
"Now that is surprising."
[For the power-hungry humans to work together for something other than an extinction level event? Unbelievable.]
"Right? I was pleasantly surprised too."
"Okay, then… what about language?"
"It evolved."
"Can you teach me the new one?"
"Sure."
He waved his hand (claw, actually) and golden light descended on me. It faded just as quickly though.
"There you have it." Nafar spoke in some other language, but I was able to understand him nonetheless.
As we thought, it came from the language we used 847 years ago. Just the words and some of their uses had changed.
"Ah, that reminds me." Nafar pinched his chin. "Now that you're back, what do you plan on doing?"
"I… don't know."
"You don't?"
"Originally, I- no, we were planning on coming back to a world where people had learned to live without using magic. I would have become a normal girl living a normal life, while Viben would have closed up in seclusion while researching random things."
[What do you mean random things, hmm?] I heard a buzzing in my mind.
"Ah, I see." He chuckled. "Now, not only has mana not disappeared, you and Viben are also sharing a single vampire body. My condolences."
"Right?"
Ah, my poor life. Is someone pulling a joke on me? If yes, then their sense of humour is worse than a stone's.
"But that doesn't mean that you should just give up on your original plans."
"Oh?"
What does he mean?
"Tell me, what do you think it means to be normal?"
"Hmm, maybe, not standing out and doing what the society does?"
"Exactly. As long as you don't do anything to stand out, you should be able to live a normal life." He smiled. "As for Viben, well, he got his wish fulfilled, did he not? It's just that instead of closing up in a decrepit, old laboratory, he has had the honour to take abode inside your body."
"That… actually makes a lot of sense."
[It pisses me off, but he's right.] Viben sighed. [As long as you get me the materials, I can do my research while living inside your body.]
⟦Wait, do you plan on living inside me for the rest of your life?!⟧
Isn't it the same as being under surveillance 24/7? My life would be destroyed!
[Of course not. Who'd want that?] He clicked his tongue. [I'm getting out of here the second I get the chance to do so.]
Phew.
"It's decided then. I'll start living a normal life."
"Oh?" Nafar raised his eyebrow. "You're not going to do anything about mana?"
"What can I do? I erased the law which allowed us to convert this world's lifeforce into mana, and it still somehow came back. There's nothing else I can do."
Mana is literally worse than a cockroach.
"What about modifying
What the fuck? Wasn't he complaining about how erasing mana had caused him a lot of troubles? Why is encouraging me to do the same again?
"No way in hell am I going back to End Emptiness. So yeah, let's leave mana alone."
I no longer want anything to do with it.
"You're going to admit defeat? Just like that?"
"Uh-huh."
"What about humanity? Won't it die alongside the world?"
"Humanity can go fuck itself for all I care."
"…What?" His jaw dropped to the ground once again. "Then why did you…?"
Oops. I let out my inner thoughts. Well, whatever.
"Do you know what I was told by literally everyone around me, Naf?"
"What?"
"That I do not deserve to be the Hero."
"What?! Those filthy mongrels dare…!" He clenched his canines.
"Apparently, it was because I wasn't the Champion of Justice a Hero should be. In retrospect, they weren't wrong."
"…"
"I cast
"Then why?"
"Simple. It was for my friends."
"Hooh." He exhaled in admiration.
"I ended the war so that my friends could stop risking their lives and go on to live a happy life with their loved ones. I stopped this world's destruction so that could live without fearing for their or their future generation's lives."
I was no longer capable of living such a life; I had lost too many things and become too twisted. That's why I wanted at least them to be happy.
⟦Ah, I wonder how they're doing nowadays. Will I get to meet their kids, grandkids and so on?⟧
[I look forward to seeing them call you 'Granny Anthasia'.] Viben snickered.
⟦I'll pummel them to death. Oh, I wonder how your secretary will react to knowing that your soul is inside me.⟧
[Let's… avoid meeting her until I find a new body.]
Yeah, Visha will probably do everything in her power to kill me. She can't handle anyone other than her getting close to her dear Viben.
"I see… your friends, huh?" Nafar sighed as looked into the distance.
Right, he's probably iffy about going through so much just for my friends.
I followed his gaze and stared at the horizon. The blue sky had been dyed red by the setting sun. Some birds took off from the forest and flew towards the sun, as if trying to follow its light. A gentle breeze blew, causing the tress to rustle.
Soon enough, the night would follow. The sky would be adorned by the shining moons, accompanied by the glistening stars. And all I wanted to do right now was to sleep, with mother earth as my bed and the never-ending sky as my blanket, forever, and ever.
Hmm, maybe I'm more tired than I initially thought.
Just then, the girl sleeping on my lap stirred. She shivered- right, it had gotten colder- and gently opened her eyes. She rubbed them due to drowsiness and looked up at me.
"Are you awake?" I asked softly using the new language I had just learned.
"Mm-hm." She nodded.
"Good. What is your name?"
"Mia."
"What a cute name." I smiled.
"T-thank you." A faint blush emerged on her cheeks. "Who are you, miss?"
"Me? I'm… Tanya."
I'm going to leave behind my old life, so I might as well abandon my old self and name.
"Hooh? Tanya… that's a good name." Nafar chimed in.
"Eh? Eeek!" Mia shrieked and clutched on my clothes.
"Don't worry, Mia." I patted her head. "He is a friend."
"R-really?"
"Yes."
"Even though he is a Dragon?"
"Even though he is a Dragon." I smiled again. "In fact, he's not just any Dragon."
"Then?"
"He is the Dragon Emperor, Al Nafar."
Nafar puffed his chest and an aura of majesty radiated from his body.
"Ah!" Mia gasped and stared at Nafar. "The Dragon Emperor himself…" She turned to me. "Miss you are amazing!"
"That I am."
[Oh? She's not afraid of that geezer? Interesting.]
Nafar seemed to be of the same opinion as Viben.
⟦Maybe because I am here?⟧
"Nafar, why don't you give her your blessing?"
"Hmm? Why should I?" He tilted his head.
"Blessing?" Mia also tilted her head.
"If the Dragon Emperor blesses you, no monster will dare to touch you."
"Really?!" She jumped. "Even that bad Dragon from before."
"Of course. Right, Nafar?"
"Hmph, I'd like to see them try." He snorted.
"Then please give me your blessing, Mr. Dragon Emperor!" Mia looked at him with sparkling, puppy eyes.
"Please." I also gave him my abandoned-puppy face.
Nafar flinched and turned his head, then looked at us from the corner of his eyes. After it was no longer possible for him to ignore us, he relented.
"Tsk. Fine." He lowered his head, brought it right in front of her and let out a breath.
His breath was filled with a humongous amount as well as a 'will'. The mana enveloped her like a blanket while the will branded her soul, then they both vanished.
Now, Nafar will be responsible for Mia's wellbeing for the rest of her life. What that means is that while Mia will live her life at her own terms, Nafar will never let any harm come her way.
"There. You are my apostle now." He let out an exaggerated sigh. "But remember; you have to keep this a secret. No human must know that you are the apostle of the Dragon Emperor."
"Even my sister?"
"Especially you sister. There are many bad people who'll do anything to use you for their own benefits. They might even harm your sister."
"Ah, you don't have to worry about that, Mister." Mia proudly beamed. "My sister is very strong!"
"Is that so?"
"Yes. She is in the Hero Party after all!"
What?