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Hmm… I wonder when Vibi will come to pick up Arthur… At this rate, I might just turn into a rock…

If I knew it would come to this, I would have taken my time with resolving the famine. I really didn’t expect the sage’s body to merge with the rock.

Well, nothing’s progressing for now since I’m stuck here. But still, having my lower half merged with a rock is quite uncomfortable.

I can’t even adjust my position. Moving is a struggle too. If I try to exert too much force, my body might shatter into pieces.

Hmm. Then again, thinking about how my already weakened body was slowly breaking apart, maybe this way will last a bit longer.

Alright, let’s just chill and wait. If I wait, Vibi will bring Arthur to me.

Once that happens, I can say my goodbyes, help with the famine, and turn the remaining sage’s body into a statue. Nice and clean wrap-up!

Wait a second. Isn’t this a bit like a game? I’ve been having a decent time mingling among humans from a character’s perspective. It’s not that different from how dragons or gods enjoy their own fun from a human’s view, is it?

Hmm… If I can spend time enjoying things from a human perspective, can’t other dragons and gods find some way to relieve their stress too?

Dragons can stroll around on land, sure, but gods probably need to vent their frustrations before they explode with dissatisfaction.

Alright! Once I get back, let’s figure out some fun rules for the gods that won’t cause major issues for the humans.

Just then, out of nowhere, a strong wind whips up and tears the rag off me.

Oh no, I can’t stand up, so I can’t pick it up. It’s just a piece of cloth without any special abilities…

But I probably won’t need it anymore. I guess it’s fine to leave it behind.

As I sit and think this, suddenly…

“Master!!!”

I hear Vibi’s voice from above.

Hmm. Was that strong wind just now caused by Vibi? I’ve told her multiple times that flying around using the wind is a nuisance to those nearby.

Well, creating wind with magic is easy enough, but still.

“I found you, Master! Why are you hiding in such a remote place? And what happened to the illusion magic you always used?”

“Illusion magic? Ah….”

Looks like the illusion that made the rock seem like a person has worn off. I must have forgotten about it after casting it and never thought about it again.

“M-Master…? Your lower half…!”

Arthur and Vibi looked at my form in shock. Watching the sage’s body merge with the rock must be quite a shocking sight for both of them, who have seen all kinds of things.

“What is this…?”

“Is it my lower half? Hmm. I got a bit carried away trying to deal with the famine, and it ended up like this.”

“The famine…?”

Seeing my lower half merging with stone really was unexpected, though.

“More importantly, Master! What do you mean by ‘there’s no time’?!”

Arthur spoke in a frantic tone as he glanced at me. Did he hear about this from Vibi?

“Literally, it means the time given to this body is running out.”

“No, what does that mean…?”

“I told you! There’s no time left for Master!!”

After yelling at Arthur, Vibi rushed toward me.

“Master, are you in pain?”

“I’m fine. I just can’t move, that’s all.”

I patted my leg that had merged with the rock, and a few stone fragments fell off. Oops.

“Master! Your hand!”

“It’s just a bit of the outer layer that fell off, so no need to panic.”

“But!”

Vibi’s expression was shifting to one that looked like she might cry. I could only pat her head.

“Alright. I had a good talk with Vibi a few days ago, so now it’s time to speak with you, Arthur. Vibi, could you please step aside for a moment?”

At my request, Vibi glanced sharply at Arthur before letting out a small sigh.

“Fine. It wouldn’t be fair for just me to talk to Master. If it were up to me, I’d want to beat up that foolish human and spend more time with Master, but… hogging Master all to myself wouldn’t be right either.”

“Thanks for understanding, Vibi.”

Now, please don’t start crying.

A human life is so short. Isn’t it a shame to spend it shedding tears?

“More than anything, Vibi… you can still hear my voice, right?”

“My voice…?”

“Think of that voice as mine. That’s good enough.”

At my words, Vibi’s expression turned into one of realization.

Being aware of the existence that created this body and knowing it as the Goddess of Life, she must have understood the meaning behind what I was trying to say.

“Alright, Vibi. Please step aside for a moment.”

“Yes… Thank you, Mom…”

With that, Vibi hugged my body lightly before rising to her feet.

And then…

“Hey, you foolish brother! If you don’t want to spend your life regretting things, hurry up!”

Vibi said to Arthur while kicking him in the rear. Hmm. I wonder if it’s okay for a dictator to receive such treatment?

Well, they’re really close siblings, so… it should be fine! Yes! Plus, she’s the Dragon Priestess, so her authority isn’t diminished!

With that, Vibi took a step back, and Arthur approached me.

“Master…. What does it mean that there’s no time?”

“It just means that this body’s lifespan is up. That’s all it is.”

This body, made from rock and enduring since the Age of Gods… it has held out this long, and maybe it deserves a compliment for that.

Originally, this body was supposed to be disposed of once Rychlen’s business was finished. But out of laziness, I left it, and now we’re in this situation.

Well, it’s been somewhat entertaining regardless.

“Is this body’s lifespan… our fault…?”

“Hmm… it might have a tiny bit of influence, but it’s too weak to say it’s because of you two. It’s just that time has simply run out. There’s no need to feel too guilty about it.”

I smiled lightly and continued speaking.

“I’ve already told Vibi everything about this, so you can ask her about it.”

Sharing everything about this body’s lifespan would take up too much time.

I looked at Arthur’s complicated expression, filled with mixed emotions, and asked, “Arthur, have all your wishes come true?”

“No…”

Arthur shook his head slightly. The emotions in his eyes did not reflect any resentment.

What kind of emotion is it? Sadness? Regret? Anger? A mixture of multiple complex feelings?

I don’t really know. Perhaps over the long passage of time, the former human I was has become dull to human emotions?

“Why is it that you’ve achieved your revenge and became the emperor you wished for, yet still say not all your desires have been fulfilled?”

“I… don’t know. Surely, that was what I wished for, but now I desire something different.”

“I see. Arthur, you are human too. When you achieve one desire, you’re bound to wish for another. That’s just human greed. It’s what brings about your continuous progress.”

That endless ambition for improvement and infinite greed all stem from the desire to want.

Arthur, being human, must naturally have that yearning.

“I don’t know what that wish of yours is now… but I hope you can achieve it.”

“No… it can’t be achieved.”

Arthur gazed at me with glistening eyes.

“Without Master, it has no meaning.”

“Arthur.”

For Arthur, who will face many things in the future, I should not remain as a huge presence.

I should become a past existence that helped him in dangerous times, taught him, and lent strength to fulfill his dreams… Hmm… Yeah, that sounds about right for me.

Still, eventually, I have to be a past existence he’ll part with.

“Every being with a form is bound to change. And so am I. With every meeting, a farewell follows. That’s only natural.”

“But…”

“After all, as someone as significant as an emperor, you won’t need me anymore, right? From now on, you should meet beautiful and wise women, start a family, and carry on with your life.”

“Master…”

Arthur’s emotions began to shift. Anger faded, bitterness blurred, and sadness settled.

“Could you… extend your hand? Your left hand…”

“My left hand?”

I withdrew my outstretched right hand and extended my left toward Arthur.

“What is this…?”

Arthur pulled something out from his bosom.

A small box that looked like it was carved from wood. He opened the box and picked up whatever was inside.

It was a bizarrely shaped ring.

No, is it even a ring? The circular part isn’t closed. It feels like one side of the loop has been cut and slightly opened…

Arthur slid that ring onto my left ring finger.

“Master, I love you.”

Huh?

“No, Arthur? What do you mean by that? I’m just a chunk of rock! I’m not even a proper creature!”

“It doesn’t matter what you look like. What I love is your inner self.”

“My inner self…?”

No, even so, saying you love this rock is all kinds of strange!

I’ve seen people fall in love with animals, but someone loving a rock? That’s a first!

And with that, Arthur confessed his love to me.

The disciple given to the sage of the deep forest, after becoming an emperor, confessed his love to me.

This feels like the title of some romance fantasy story.

 

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