Chapter 30
「If I could start over, I thought I'd like to live with someone this time. I wanted to build something together. Well, until I met Lilia, I was uncertain. I was tired of making mistakes.」
Everyone listened silently to Mars' confession.
Hazuki, whose emotions were visibly stirred, was in tears, while Lilia had a serious expression.
Mars didn't intend to evoke sympathy.
But it couldn't be helped if that's how it was perceived.
Nem had an uncomfortable expression, and Sion closed her eyes, bowing her head.
「――I'm sorry for deceiving you. After this dungeon is over, you girls are free to do as you please. If the premise changes, so does the answer. I won't force you to come with me. I'll share my possessions. You can live a life of leisure forever.」
Apologetically, Mars bowed his head.
He had deceived everyone by acting like a child. No, he thought that maybe he actually was a child. Compared to an average adult, Mars had a lower mental age. Because he died without knowing anything about what everyone else was going through.
There was no ill intention, but that's just his perspective.
From Lilia's and the others' points of view, it wouldn't be strange if different opinions emerged. This is not a matter of logic but of emotions.
If they thought it was unpleasant, then that would be the end.
The connection of the Slave Crest was merely a formality, and in the end, it was only emotions that connected everyone.
「Is that something to apologize for, nya? It's normal, nya. It's because it's more enjoyable to be with someone, nya. Rather than a lie, maybe it just wasn't necessary to say it, nya.」
「That's right. If it were a bad lie, I would be angry, but it's not like that at all. In fact, it's quite pitiful...」
Nemu doesn't know her parents. Hazuki has also lost her parents. Lilia is the same.
Each of them knows the unknown void and the sadness of the loss.
This world is a gathering of the bereaved. Everyone is lonely and everyone is in pain. Hiding that is not a lie, it's something necessary to keep living.
「I haven't changed either. - It was "Mars" who helped us, right? Hazuki also said that, didn't she? Your previous life and your present life have merged, and you've become the "Mars" that we love. That's enough.」
Lilia gently placed her hand on Mars' cheek and smiled compassionately.
「Each and everything you felt was a mistake has led to the present. Don't decide that you alone are the mistake. Were we also wrong to be here like this?」
「No.」
I won't accept it as a mistake.
I won't acknowledge a single thing about this world as a mistake.
「In fact, I feel like I'm relying on you more now!? Because now all the knowledge you had been withholding will be released!」
「! And if we were to write a story about that world, wouldn't it sell-nyaa...!?」
「Nemu-chan, that's genius! It will definitely be a hit! Something like being reincarnated into another world!」
「It was already very popular in my previous world.」
Hahaha, a natural laughter escaped.
His heart felt refreshed.
And then, tears started flowing.
He thinks he cried more than ever, pouring out uncontrollably.
A sense of relief welled up, and his whole body trembled.
It was the first time he had ever shown his weakness and fragility to others.
――I had thought that I had accumulated nothing but mistakes and regrets.
But looking at the people surrounding him, he realized that wasn't entirely true.
He still doesn't know the meaning of his birth or the meaning of being reborn.
But in life, there are moments of absolute beauty, and sometimes he feels like he lives for those fleeting instants.
Once again, he strongly felt the desire to live together with everyone.
The greatest moments can only be obtained by sharing them with someone. Surely that's the case.
He knows he's not an all-powerful vessel.
He's a fragile vessel that would spill everything if he tried to possess it all.
He doesn't want favoritism from God.
Surely the gods of this world don't desire Mars' victory.
But still...
「We won't allow "Jet Black" to have its way. We will conquer this dungeon and the World Tree. And then――」
While saying that, Mars looks at everyone's faces.
「Let's create a world where everyone can live happily.」
――This time, I will move forward. Not focusing on my feet, but looking ahead.
「Yes!」
Their opponent is undoubtedly a genuine transcendent chosen by God.
But, however, no one voiced opposition.
Because they know that the desired future lies beyond that.
They knew that the future they wanted was only ahead of them.
「We won't let that man destroy this world.」
「Yeah. Too many things in this world are important to me, too.」
Lilia nodded in agreement.
「Doesn't "Jet Black"-san have anything important in this world? And, also, didn't he have anything important in the previous world?... It kind of makes him seem a little pitiable.」
「I understand his feelings. However, we must not turn that sense of alienation into malice or hostility. Not towards ourselves nor towards others.」
He knows this firsthand.
Malice does not create anything.
Even if you destroy everything and get a sense of satisfaction, what awaits you after that is emptiness.
Therefore, even after you have achieved your malice, you will forever be searching for the next target of your malice. If you can't escape from the cycle of success through malice, it will continue for a lifetime.
「I didn't receive any cheat ...... any special power like him. So I can't win alone. I need everyone's help. That's the only reason I'm ahead of him.」
「Being alone is both his only and greatest weakness, after all.」
「Yes.」
Having experienced the same ending and the same beginning, they understand each other's way of thinking.
However, this time the process is significantly different.
They have gained different things in this world.
Strangely enough, he no longer felt like he would lose.
「Then let's start by conquering this place! Let's do our best together!」
「Nyaaa! Let's change the world and make everyone call Nemu-senpai-nyaa!」
「C-Could it be that I've really become the general...?! Ah! I'm going to have big breasts!」
Kyakyaa~! Hazuki and the others get excited.
Mars' confession must have been quite shocking. But they seemed not to mind.
In contrast to people from the previous world, one of the factors for their inability to understand the concept of reincarnation is their lack of understanding. However, more than that, Mars' past actions have caused them to lose interest in questioning further.
From their perspective, the revelation of the truth doesn't change much; it's just another piece of information.
They are not seeking purity and innocence. In fact, it would be rare for someone who chooses the path of an adventurer to have no scars from the start.
Above all, there is no such thing as a person who can do everything perfectly.
「You must be relieved. I expected you to react this way no matter what came up. Even when you learned about our past, your attitude didn't change. It's only natural for it to be the same with Master.」
「I was slightly caught off guard. The breadth of everyone's understanding is truly remarkable...」
「But more importantly, why didn't you tell me earlier? It's sad to feel like I'm not trusted.」
Puffing up her cheeks, Lilia poked Mars's cheek with her finger.
「Because I thought you might hate me. After all, if you just consider my age, I'm quite an old man. You don't like the thought of an old man doing whatever he wants to you, do you?」
「But now you're a young boy. And it wasn't about appearance or age when I made my decision. Even if Mars were an old man, I'm sure I would have made the same choice.」
「But being a young old man is still a bit... well, I don't think it's ideal.」
「I can relate to that. No matter how long you live, your mind doesn't necessarily mature. In the end, it's the experiences and the number of encounters that determine one's mental age. ――Let's grow together from now on. Together with everyone.」
He couldn't reply well.
There were so many things he wanted to say, but his voice wouldn't come out.
His throat was trembling.
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