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“First of all, I have a lot to say, but… it feels like it’s faster if this body becomes a complete rock, so I’ll keep it short.”

I let out a small sigh and looked at Arthur.

“When did it start?”

“Huh?”

“When did you start liking me?”

I never noticed any signs that Arthur liked me romantically… So, when exactly did he start?

What could a mysterious being with a body that looks like a haphazard stack of stones possibly find appealing?

“If you’re asking when it started… um… I’m not really sure.”

Arthur, seemingly troubled, continued speaking.

“At first, I thought you looked like a moving rock, which was a bit scary… but as time went by, I gradually got to know your kind side. The teachings were harsh, but your gentle touch caring for me and Vivi was comforting. I think it started around then.”

A rather vague answer. No, no matter how nice he was to me… how can someone like him, a non-human, genuinely feel attraction? Why are humans so incomprehensible?

I can’t understand. I really can’t. I was originally a human, but I can’t fathom the human heart.

I’m lost. Really. Lost.

“I just can’t wrap my head around it. Why would you like me? I’m not even human, and I don’t think I can properly be a partner or have kids. You must know that I can only reject you.”

If it were my main body, it might be one thing, but with this rock-like body, it’s absolutely impossible.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect you to reciprocate my feelings. I just wanted to express how I felt. I didn’t want to regret not telling you.”

Arthur looked at me with sincere eyes. Now that he’s an emperor, he could have countless beauties around him, so why does he look at me like that?

Did his childhood education have some issues…? I don’t recall teaching him to have such strange desires.

Questions kept bubbling up, but let’s just move on for now. Time’s limited.

“When did you start preparing this ring?”

“I started preparing it right after I ascended to the throne.”

“Right after?”

So, instead of thinking about stabilizing the nation after becoming emperor, he thought about preparing a ring first?

“If I could’ve, I’d have given it to you right away. But I couldn’t find a ring that fit your finger, so I went to a skilled dwarf in Sirius to order it. That took a bit of time.”

The ring, with a design of intertwined gold and silver, had a delicately cut emerald in an oval shape.

He was preparing something like this… I thought he was just busy with work. Ugh. Why isn’t he managing the kingdom properly!

Well, I mean, after becoming emperor, he certainly managed things well! The country stabilized for sure! But if he had focused on this ring earlier, the country could have been stabilized faster!

The ring slipped over my finger, larger than the rock-like finger itself since it wasn’t fitted properly.

Well, I guess that’s to be expected. To fit on such thick, rough fingers, it had to be made bigger.

Arthur touched the gap in the ring gently, applying a bit of pressure.

As a result, the detached ring gradually shrank, adjusting to fit my finger.

“Master, you don’t have to accept my confession. Just knowing that I liked you, that I loved you, is enough.”

Arthur’s heartfelt confession made my chest ache. If I were an ordinary human woman, I might have fallen for this.

But I’m not an ordinary human woman!!

“No, even so, liking a rock like this just can’t be right. You should meet someone good and be happy. You need to take a good woman as your empress, have children, and continue the Romania Empire! That’s your duty as the emperor! Your happiness as the emperor isn’t just a right; it’s a duty!”

“You say I should be happy. But how can I be happy without you by my side?”

“No, really. Ugh…”

How can someone like this… bunch of stones impress someone?

If he had seen my true form, maybe it would make sense! I acknowledge that my true self is a beautiful girl!

Oh dear… how did I become such a strange desire?

I let out another sigh.

What an inconvenient disciple.

Well, I can’t accept his feelings, but…

“I’m sorry, but I really can’t accept your feelings.”

“Master…”

“No, I’m not even human. I have this rock-like body, and I’m on the verge of my lifespan running out! Accepting your feelings would only hurt you!”

“Even not accepting them would hurt me…”

“No, not in that way!”

Arthur jokingly tried to lighten the mood. Underneath, though, his emotions were a complex mess.

“Honestly… I wanted to have a calm conversation before leaving. But because of you, what am I doing?”

“I’m sorry, Master.”

Arthur, with his head bowed, couldn’t look up. He probably couldn’t bear to face me.

But. That shouldn’t be.

A one-sided farewell would only leave pain behind. The right way to part is to face each other without any remaining grudges.

So.

“Arthur, lift your head.”

I said while looking at Arthur.

“You’re my proud disciple. Lift your head. Proudly. Confidently. Of all the humans on this earth, Arthur is the most excellent one.”

Because he’s an emperor. An emperor who stands at the pinnacle.

There’s no one more admirable than Arthur.

“Master…”

“I’m leaving like this, but you must keep living. So, forget about me.”

“How could I do such a thing? How could I forget my benefactor, my master, and the person I loved?”

“This separation will be painful. The wounds will linger for a long time. But over time, those scars will heal little by little. Time is a special medicine for such wounds.”

Tears had formed in Arthur’s eyes.

Was he unable to hold back the overflowing sadness?

“Therefore, even if I leave, you must live on. Be happy. Go after what you desire and revitalize this country. And forget most of your memories of me. Just knowing that I existed for a while in your heart is enough for me.”

“…….”

“Arthur, you can do it, right?”

“I don’t know. How could I forget you, Master?”

“The answer lies in time.”

At my words, Arthur shook his head slightly.

“I have no confidence. Just imagining a world without you is so painful. How will I endure this pain? How long can I bear this torment? Breathing without you seems tough. How could I forget you and keep living?”

Arthur said with a voice wet with tears. I raised my hand and gently patted his head in silence.

“It’s okay. You’ll be fine, but… if you lack confidence in yourself.”

I lowered my hand from his head, tapped his shoulder, and continued.

“Believe in me, not in yourself.”

“Believe in you?”

A quote from an anime. The words of an older brother comforting a protagonist lacking confidence.

“Believe in me who believes in you. I believe you can do it.”

Arthur can… he surely can. With the extensive training and education, he’s outgrown humanity… he can do it.

“It’s okay. This body might stop here. But I’ll always be watching over you and Vivi. So, keep moving forward. Be happy, Arthur.”

Slowly, the stone that had been stuck in my solar plexus started to rise.

It really seems… that my time is up.

“Master…”

“Don’t cry, Arthur. And you too, Vivi.”

Vivi, who had been watching us from a short distance, was also quietly sobbing.

I waved at her lightly, and she quickly came to my side.

“With every meeting, there is a parting. You both. Don’t be too sad.”

“Thank you, Master. I’m just grateful for everything…”

“Ma-Master… no, Mommy…”

I embraced Arthur and Vivi for a moment. Now, it’s truly time to say goodbye.

“I’ll give you a final gift, Arthur.”

“Huh?”

“With droughts throughout Romania, I’m sure it’s a headache for you. As a parting gift, I’ll solve that problem for you. This will be my last gift to you.”

Arthur couldn’t bring himself to look up.

Is it happiness? Sadness? Regret? I really don’t know. So many complicated emotions were swirling inside me.

At my words, Vivi’s face puffed up a little, but… well. It’s a trivial matter. A trivial matter.

Now, a final farewell to the two of them.

“I was happy to be your master.”

With that, I quietly closed my eyes.

I felt the stone rising from my solar plexus move beyond my chest, extending to my neck and shoulders.

I could hear the cries of Arthur and Vivi. But it’s okay. They will manage just fine.

Even without me, they can find happiness.

And so I… no, the sage’s body became completely stone and could no longer move.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Thus, the sage, now completely turned into a rock, no longer moved.

Simultaneously, his once rugged rock-like body began to crumble away.

It seemed he could no longer maintain this form. The rocky body scattered into pieces.

Arthur and Vivi hurriedly tried to do something, but the sage’s body disintegrated faster than their actions.

Along with a little dust, the sage-like rock piece crumbled away.

Inside, a beautifully crafted statue of a woman made of pure white marble stood.

As if that was the sage’s true form.

On the left ring finger of that statue rested a beautiful ring adorned with emeralds.

 

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