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Chapter: 261

The Emperor’s Death. And the Ascension of a New Emperor.

This shocking news spread quickly.

“To call it shocking, there were already too many rumors floating around, right? Especially the ones about you, brother.”

“That’s true, but there wasn’t a direct rumor like the Emperor’s death.”

Those were just vague rumors. Specifically, about the son of the previous Emperor, who everyone thought was dead.

But it was true, and he had single-handedly infiltrated the capital, Sirius, and slaughtered the Emperor and all his closest aides… It must have been quite a shock to the commoners.

The fact that the Emperor, positioned so high above mortals, died like that.

“Considering all that, there isn’t much chaos.”

“There could be various reasons, but… it’s because we prepared a lot.”

And indeed, we did prepare a lot.

Over three years, gathering allies while traveling and securing the support of various lords, punishing those lords who had incited the people’s wrath. We had made considerable efforts to win the hearts of the populace.

Additionally, a key player in calming the chaos was the Dragon Priestess, Vivi, who could be seen as a saint of the Church of Life.

The Church of Life was a religion most humans believed in. With the Dragon Priestess present here, it could be said that the pendulum of public sentiment was tilted in our favor.

And on top of that, a famine struck Romania just in time.

About three years ago, as we were moving out of the deep forest, a famine began to plague the people of Romania, and they shifted the blame for that famine onto the current Emperor, definitely swaying public sentiment towards us.

“Looks like you’re busy again today, brother.”

“Well, it hasn’t been long since he became Emperor. Of course he’s going to be busy.”

Since it wasn’t a gentle succession to the throne but rather through the assassination of the previous Emperor, it would be even busier for him.

Well, I believe he’ll handle it well, as he has received ample education.

“By the way, Master, why did you suddenly call for me? I may not be as busy as my brother, but I’m quite busy myself.”

Vivi, with a slightly pouty face. Both Arthur and Vivi were incredibly busy, while I was just lounging around, so it’s only natural she’d feel a bit disgruntled.

But what can I do? Externally, my role as their mentor is a secret—I’m known merely as a companion who lends a bit of strategy to the two.

Those who know the truth know, but outwardly, that’s how it is. Outwardly.

Seeing Vivi looking that displeased, I opened my mouth.

“I called you because I have something important to tell you, so don’t grumble too much. You’ll wrinkle that cute face of yours!”

“You’re the one who said that once I became the Dragon Priestess, silly things like wrinkles wouldn’t matter, Master.”

“Well, that is true.”

It’s likely she won’t get any wrinkles at all. She’ll probably maintain her youthful and beautiful appearance until the end of her lifespan.

Unless she gives up being the Dragon Priestess.

I chuckled lightly at Vivi’s grumbling and said,

“It really is important, so listen well.”

“Yes, yes. Since I’m your precious disciple, I’ll be all ears no matter what you say!”

“Stop joking. This is serious.”

Only after I said that did Vivi’s gaze shift slightly.

After all, it’s rare for me to talk in such a serious manner. She must have realized this was indeed a serious topic.

“What is it about?”

“Vivi. The time of farewell is approaching.”

“Huh?”

Vivi’s face then turned to one of confusion, not understanding my words.

“Farewell? Who are we saying goodbye to?”

“To the two of us. The time given to this body is running out.”

“Why? Aren’t you a being without a lifespan? You’re like that indestructible boulder!”

“A being like a boulder, huh…”

Anything with form tends to change.

No matter how solid and sturdy a boulder may be, there’s no way to withstand the passage of time.

This body was no exception.

“Even boulders wear down over time?”

“No, but… Master, you’ve lived for ages, right? As a sage of the deep forest, you existed even during the times when the gods walked the earth… why now…”

As she spoke, Vivi’s expression began to change as she realized something.

“Could it be… coming out of the forest with us is the cause?”

I remained silent.

“Wait, did you know this would happen and still chose to follow us? So that’s why you said initially that you wouldn’t come?! Master?!”

Vivi raised her voice, agitated. If this continues, Vivi will bear some emotional scars.

So, let’s offer a bit of help.

It’s not Vivi’s fault.

“The fact that coming out of that forest is not the sole reason. Even if you stayed there… the end of this body would still come.”

“But couldn’t you have lived longer than now?”

“……”

Ugh. Guilt swells up in my heart. But I can’t stay beside these two forever. I’ve helped enough, taught them, and fulfilled their desires. It’s proper for an obstacle to disappear, isn’t it?

It’s true that this body has reached its limits.

“Master… if you were to return to the forest now…?”

“Can’t do that. Before I could return to the forest, this body will crumble first.”

“Why are you telling me this important thing… only now?”

I shook my head silently.

“It’s not that it isn’t important. From the moment you both left that forest, granting your wishes became more important than the remaining time of this body.”

“But… but…”

“Vivi.”

I gently wiped away the tears forming in the corners of Vivi’s eyes.

“Don’t cry, Vivi. With every meeting, there’s going to be a parting. Where there is life, there is death. It’s something you’ll have to face eventually. So I hope you won’t be too hurt.”

“But… Master…”

Vivi whispered softly, then her expression shifted as if she recalled something and grasped my hand.

“I heard that the Dragon Priestess can bring the dead back to life! Then it means that if you die, I can bring you back, right?!”

“Vivi, that’s…”

“You’re a Dragon Priestess! I’m the Dragon Priestess chosen by the Goddess of Life! I can resurrect the dead!!! So! So it means! You can come back, right?!”

“Vivi… that’s not possible.”

I shook my head slowly.

“Why not?! I’m the Dragon Priestess! Why is it not possible?! Huh?!”

“That’s only a power to revive living beings. But this body is… not really a living being.”

How can this body be called a living being? This solid boulder-like body, needing no breath, having no blood coursing through, and moving only through magical power, can it be considered alive?

Just a puppet that moves by magic, controlled by me. Can it be regarded as a living being?

“If that’s the case… there has to be another way! Someone like you can’t just die! You’re someone amazing!”

“Vivi.”

I slowly stroked Vivi’s head, which was now streaming with tears.

“It’s okay, Vivi. This was a decision I made the moment I left the forest.”

“But…”

“I thought that this body would quietly disappear, spending time alone in a forest where sunlight never reached… unnoticed by anyone. Then you two came, and the quiet forest became lively.”

A forest where no one visited. That place should have been the grave of this body, the Sage of the Deep Forest.

But because of the two kids who came to that forest, everything changed.

Isn’t this the better outcome?

“Thank you for coming to me before I faded away, Vivi.”

“Master…”

“Spending time with you brought back many memories. Memories of the joyful time spent with several children…. Well, they weren’t my biological children but rather children I took in.”

Just like the time I spent with the seven children. Teaching them and watching them grow were some very joyful moments.

“Let me say it once more. Thank you for coming to me, Vivi.”

“I, I should be the one saying thank you… for helping me and my brother. Master… no, I want to call you Mom… because you felt more like a mom to me than my real mother who gave birth to me and left…”

Oh dear. Such a troublesome child.

I could only smile a little and pet Vivi’s head in silence.

“Even if this body disappears, I will not die. I will always be watching over the two of you.”

I never spoke a single word to Vivi about dying.

I only said that this body would disappear.

“Mom…”

“So, it’s okay. This body disappearing doesn’t mean I will die.”

“Then… will we get to meet again?”

“That might be difficult.”

I wiped Vivi’s tears and patted her head as I spoke.

“My teachings, my will, my voice will remain within you, Vivi. As long as you don’t forget me, I will not disappear.”

“Yes… I will remember, Mom…”

Hmm. If Vivi thinks of me as a mom… I should have had her call me that earlier.

How adorable she is.

“But I want to call you not Mom… but Master…”

Now that she seemed to have calmed down a little, Vivi corrected herself, addressing me as Master again.

She can keep calling me Mom; I wouldn’t mind at all.

“Have you told your brother…?”

“Huh? No, I haven’t told him yet.”

At my words, Vivi’s face began to harden.

What’s with her? I don’t want to throw any more burden onto my already overwhelmed brother.

I was planning to tell him once things were a bit more settled… though I think this body will crumble before that happens.

If I leave without saying a word… it’ll seem like I just vanished suddenly. Hmm…

Yeah, that won’t do. Given the time we spent together, it’s right to at least say goodbye. Right.

 

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