Chapter 1079 - See You Again
"So... yeah. That's about it, I guess."
In terms of time, it had only been a few minutes. Compared to the dozens of hours we had spent on the raid, it was almost nothing. Nia's explanation through her translation had reached its end.
However, the density of that information was significant.
It started with an anger similar to the idiom about someone interfering with a love story getting kicked by a horse. Because the source was a baby, some parts were a bit disjointed, but when summarized...
"Um... Princess, are you okay?"
"...Mh. Yeah, I'm fine. I think I mostly get it."
"Whoa, that's rare... I've never heard the Princess say 'I think I get it' when she clearly doesn't."
The high-IQ detective in charge of our lore research had tried to cross-reference the new info with what we knew, only to end up closing her eyes and looking at the ceiling. Sora had listened with interest, but the tired male duo... Tora-kichi and I... had long since given up on thinking.
Ashe said she liked that kind of stuff, so we were happy to leave it to her. No one was demanding a summary or a final answer right now anyway.
At any rate... everything was truly over, including the epilogue.
Every single person here was surely thinking the exact same thing. I decided to be the one to say what everyone was waiting for.
"Phew... All right, let's head back."
That was the sentiment in everyone's heart. Four long sighs escaped. Agreements like "Yeah," "Good idea," "Mh," and "Okay" followed in a relaxed chorus.
Kendy-dono, who had consistently fulfilled his role and thus had some energy left, looked at us. His lack of fatigue was something we, the players who did the direct combat, should be proud of. He didn't join the exhausted group. He didn't say anything, but his green eyes were filled with deep praise for all of us.
He nodded as our eyes met.
The knight gave us his blessing to return. Since 'Second Generation Green Connect' was a mouthful, Nia's suggestion of calling it the Key Tree seemed fitting. The Key Tree had already given us its thanks and told us it was time to let us go. All that was left was to return to the normal virtual world.
It felt surprisingly abrupt, just like the first act. But maybe it was wrong to think that way. We had to realize that the Green Connect raid was a special case. Based on Nia's explanation, it was clearly unique.
While the other colors sought destruction or a funeral, Green Connect had sought rebirth through a change of generations. Blowing away the intruder and having a friendly happy ending was the right answer. Considering the hellish journey, the overall difficulty was no less than the White Throne. The final situation was quite a hot development, too.
"Ah."
The crystal that had been floating politely in Nia's palm drifted away in a trail of soft light. It moved slowly and peacefully through the air.
Nia had said it wasn't a big deal, but she seemed to have developed some affection for it. She let out a small sound, watching it go with a slightly lonely expression. The crystal, the Key Tree's avatar, moved into the palm of the knight who was also born of this virtual world.
"...I understand. Leave it to me."
Kendy-dono spoke a word or two as he accepted the crystal. No one was confused; we all knew who he was talking to. I think everyone also had the thought of, Wait, you can communicate with it too?
Unfortunately, no one had the energy left to make that joke. We all just waited for the knight's eyes to turn back toward us. His green eyes smiled.
"Travelers. Once again, thank you."
He gave a deep, respectful bow, holding the green light in one hand as if it were the most precious thing. It almost felt like he was prioritizing us in that moment. The Key Tree seemed to follow his lead, blinking brightly.
"For your unparalleled strength, your courage, your grit, and your curiosity... On behalf of the Thousand Memories, I, Kendy, offer you my heart-felt respect, praise, and gratitude."
Since the two of them... or the one person and one pillar... were being so incredibly moved...
"Ah, stop it. It's embarrassing. I'm sorry if this sounds detached, but we're just happy to enjoy the adventure. You guys are happy because we helped out. Everyone being happy is the best outcome."
The Great Tiger, who might actually be the most bashful of this group, spoke up. Then I added,
"Yeah. Even though I didn't fully understand what was going on, it felt like I got to touch a really deep story. It was a good experience."
Sora-san, as our resident angel, chimed in,
"Um, yes! I'm glad we were able to help!"
Nia-chan looked satisfied. "It was tough, and I think I cried a few times, but... well, we blew away that rude intruder, and I became friends with Gri-kun, too?"
Wait, Gri-kun? Isn't that a bit disrespectful? Well, if they're fine with it, I guess it's okay.
"Kendy."
"Yes?"
"...I have a lot of things I want to ask you when we get back."
Even Ashe, whose expressions were usually limited to the deadpan stares she gave me, showed a clear, almost friendly look toward him. Since they seemed to be getting along, I let it go.
"Ha ha... You do not need to rely only on me. From now on, the Thousand Memories... no, we NPCs will be existences that devote our hearts to you Travelers more than ever before."
He smiled a bright, hearty smile, as if to say, ask me anything. It felt like it had been a long time since I'd seen him look so much like his usual self.
"Then... I shall open the door. Travelers who have achieved a great feat, go forth in triumph!"
His voice was booming. Following that slightly over-the-top declaration, the green crystal in the knight's hand blinked gently as if to say 'See you again.' It spread a ring of light that enveloped us all.
Light wrapped around us.
Enclosed in the light... in that moment...
"..."
A voice reached my ears.
I looked toward the sound, and eyes met mine.
"..."
I definitely heard those final words.
The light of teleportation flashed. We left the shattered realm after our long journey.
...
...
...
The light faded, and after a brief moment of disconnection, my physical senses returned. I looked around. We were exactly where we had been when we started the journey... the central hall on the 100th floor of the Key Tree. We had been sent back.
"...Whoa..."
I was the first to let out a groan. I was so completely relaxed, and the fatigue I had accumulated at the very end finally hit me. My shoulders slumped.
I sounded like an old man after a long day of work, but Ashe... who was also tired but still looked like the most energetic of us... gave a small, amused smile.
"...Hehe..."
Sora was also exhausted, but her expression of relief and joy was incredibly cute. Then Nia followed with a weird, giddy laugh.
"Pha... ha... pff... hehe..."
And then Tora-kichi shouted a truth that hit us all.
"Dammit... Seriously! What the hell! Not even a single second has passed!"
He collapsed onto the floor. We had successfully cleared the raid and returned. Looking back at my initial hope that a one-shot clear would be ideal, this was an outcome beyond my wildest dreams. It was no wonder everyone was like this.
Our hearts were firmly connected right now. Even showing our completely exhausted faces to each other, we could sincerely say, "Good job, I know exactly how you feel." I really meant that.
Since the six of us had achieved this triumph together...
"...?"
I should report the success to the relevant people...
"...Wait...?"
Just as Tora-kichi shouted, the fact that dozens of hours had passed in less than a second was terrifying...
"........................?"
I should just push all of that aside for now...
"............................................................"
And just relax with everyone for a while...
"................................................................... Huh?"
Yes, with everyone. With the six of us...
Wait, which... six of us?
"...Wait... what? Um... no, wait..."
I looked around. I looked at the faces of my companions. Sora, Nia, Ashe, Tora-kichi. I knew them. I knew them all. Of course I did. It was impossible not to. They were my friends, and we had spent countless hours together. We had overcome this raid together...
So... why?
"The sixth person... the NPC who went through the raid with us..."
Why?
"...Who was it again?"
I couldn't remember a single thing about their name, their face, or their voice.
A sound echoed.
"...!"
A gasp escaped... but it wasn't mine. Nor did it belong to the person who should have been there.
And then, another voice.
"...Haru?"
A soft yet solid, heavy sound. Like a leather bag full of contents being carelessly dropped onto the floor.
"Wait, what... what's..."
Someone was panicking, unable to understand or react.
"Hey, what's wrong?" someone else asked, stepping forward to check.
Someone else rushed over faster than anyone to check on him, lifting his body.
And then...
My partner's black eyes had lost their light, peering out from between his eyelids. Without any warning, he had collapsed on the floor like an object. He didn't respond to anyone's voice; he was completely motionless. I stared at his empty face, a face I had never seen before.
"Haru?"
Four voices called out in succession. But the expression that was usually richer than anyone else's...
Never returned to the unconscious avatar.
Chapter 5, Part 8. And with that, it concludes.