Chapter 852 - Final Chapter: George
I took an international flight from Narita and arrived at the airport of the capital of a famous island nation. From there, I transferred to a domestic flight and took lodging in the capital? of a northern region that has an image of being almost an independent country.
The next day, I did some sightseeing in that city, which is also a World Heritage site, and the following day, I took a series of buses to arrive at my destination. It's a small town on the shore of a lake world-famous for a mysterious monster.
To take over the family business as a doctor, I studied as hard as I could in my own way and somehow got my medical license. After a period of residency, just as I started working as an internal medicine doctor at a general hospital, I wore myself out physically and mentally responding to a global pandemic caused by a new virus, and for several years, I was forced into a lifestyle that was a textbook example of a doctor's neglect of their own health. Finally, things settled down, and I was able to take a decent vacation.
I'm not particularly interested in cryptids or anything like that. Nevertheless, I came all this way. There was a reason for it. It was the deathbed wish of my grandmother.
Grandma was from this town. In other words, I'm a quarter. That's why my name is Joji. It's read 'Joji' without any twist, but when written in katakana as 'George,' oh, how strange. Even though I'm Japanese, it instantly turns into a foreigner's name. It seems Grandma gave it to me when my mother gave birth to me as a name that would be familiar in both Japan and this country. Well, in this day and age, it might be good for being international. Or so I think.
I was told several times why Grandma came to Japan. It was a story of bragging about a fateful encounter with a Japanese male doctor who loved traveling abroad... in other words, my grandfather... but once, she said something different. She apparently sought some kind of impact in an island nation at the eastern edge of the continent with a history of ancient polytheism. I don't really understand, but the point is she left the country almost like an elopement and came to Japan. At any rate, she came to Japan. That grandfather also died. Grandma lived with her daughter... in other words, my mother... who took over Grandpa's legacy and was the director of a privately run hospital.
Grandma said she was a young lady from a well-known local family. Since she was practically disowned, she apparently had almost no contact with them. And, whether it's true or not, I don't know, but she said that due to some curse, despite a lineage lasting over a thousand years, those who inherited the family only ever gave birth to girls. That's why the one who inherited the family was always a woman, and they took in husbands. It's a country where several Queens have been heads of state. It wouldn't matter if the head of the family was a woman. However, for a thousand years, whether it's fifty or sixty generations, I don't know, but for only girls to be born during that time is an exaggeration. No matter how you think about it, it's strange.
Since Grandma was the eldest daughter, her younger sister inherited the family. Originally, she should have inherited the headship, but her family didn't come to take her back, and she just naturalized and became Japanese. Then, three daughters were born, and the eldest daughter became a doctor and took a husband. The one born between her and that husband was me.
Grandma's joy when I was born as the third child after two older sisters was apparently a bit abnormal. Finally, a boy was born. She even sent a letter to her family, with whom she hadn't been in contact for years, with a photo of me being held by my mother. From her family, the reply was to make me a doctor. And once I became a full-fledged one, let me show my face at any time. So, that's why I came to this land.
I was told to come, but there was no one to meet me. Naturally. We haven't been in contact. It was in Grandma's will to surprise them by showing up suddenly. It seems to be a region with a culture of making jokes like they're always drunk, and my mother said that was fine. It's not a Japanese sense, but well, if it's a deathbed wish, it can't be helped. Since I was only given the address, I decided to visit without any prior notice.
Grandma passed away after confirming that I had obtained my medical license. I was also present at her deathbed. When I showed her the license I had just obtained, she was greatly pleased. Then, she signaled to my mother. My mother silently handed me a book... no, not a book. Several hand-written books. Apparently, they were transcriptions. The originals were kept as family heirlooms at Grandma's family home, and these were transcriptions of transcriptions of transcriptions. She apparently took one set without permission when she came to Japan. She told me to read them. And, once I became a full-fledged doctor, to go to her family home. She died leaving me with those words.
As for that book in question, it was just terrible. How should I put it? Is it fantasy? I don't know if it's an 'isekai' thing or what, but it's the adventure story of a single female priest. Because I was obligated to become a doctor since I was a child and did nothing but study, I never had the chance to become familiar with that kind of genre. Well, I wasn't the type to chase dreams; I was a cool-headed child, so perhaps that was even more the case. I ended up having to read a story of a world of swords and magic that spanned an enormous number of characters.
Apparently, my mother was also made to read this book. And, Grandma asked for her impressions. Naturally, she apparently had the same impressions as me, but she's a daughter. She said it was an interesting fantasy. It was consideration. Grandma's reply at that time was that the contents of the book were true. That those who believe can know the truth. However, she also said that whether to believe or not was up to the reader. Naturally, I don't believe it. For a pacifist like me, the co-existence and co-prosperity that is repeated many times isn't bad. But, there's no reality. Especially from the second half. For one thing, can illnesses be cured with magic? The setting is probably the Middle Ages. Why are vicious plagues easily cured with magic? It's a denial of the history of medicine. I can tell where the White Island, which is the setting, is. It's Grandma's home country. I can also imagine what the plague that was feared to spread there was. However, in historical fact, not to mention magic, it became a global pandemic without even a decent treatment being found. In Grandma's home country, it's said that a third to half of the population died. It's an event that is a symbol of the era ridiculed as the Dark Ages. Because of that, for me, just reading it was a great ordeal.
At any rate, I read it. And so, I came to this land.
I get off the bus.
Since it's a world-famous place, there are quite a few tourists. I decided to do some sightseeing in the surrounding area before showing my face at Grandma's family home. Before departure, I bought a guidebook and did some preliminary research. What's popular is a search tour on a cruise ship.
At the exhibition center, I saw various displays related to the monster. There were also videos, which were interesting in their own way. The souvenirs were also related to the lake monster. I hear that the people of this country love ghosts and monsters. The souvenirs, as far as I could see, were selling well to tourists. That said, I also plan to spend a fair amount of money buying them as souvenirs for the people at my workplace.
And finally, the highlight of the sightseeing: the monster search cruise. There are several cruise tours, but I chose and booked online a tour on a relatively small cruiser that takes a small number of tourists to search for the monster. The ship I'm boarding is equipped with the latest equipment, and I'll head out onto the lake with the tourists aiming to discover the monster. Well, I doubt we'll find it, but I guess it's what you'd call the 'extraordinary.' The tourists lined up at the pier are all in high spirits. An elderly captain and a female guide about the same age as my mother are cheerfully calling out to each tourist as they board.
The exploration of the lake is well worth seeing, as the scenery is beautiful. I recommend it. Somehow or other, even though I look like this, I was able to obtain a medical license, and since I was taught the language used in this country and Grandma's local dialect since I was little, I can understand what the guide is saying and what the tourists are talking about. Well, as for the monster, I don't believe in it at all, so I mostly let it go in one ear and out the other while enjoying the beautiful scenery and taking nothing but pictures with my digital camera.
The cruise ended, and the bow was pointed toward the pier on the lakeshore. Unfortunately, as expected, the monster was not discovered. Well, I guess mysteries are fine staying mysteries.
Since I had taken up a position near the stern from the beginning and was doing nothing but looking at the scenery, on the way back, I could naturally see the entire lake. As for the overall shape, it's long and narrow, but the actual thing is quite wide. Looking at the opposite shore visible in the distance, I tried to take a picture of the entire lake.
Wait? Hold on a second. No, is it my imagination?
There's a plesiosaur in the distance. It's sticking its long neck out from the lake surface. And that's not all. On top of its head, a woman wearing white clothes is sitting. Next to her, is it a person in black clothes? Or is it a boy wearing something like a kigurumi sitting there?
It's an optical illusion, right? Could it be that the audio guide playing during the cruise had a hypnotic effect?
I rubbed my eyes with my hands and looked again.
I can still see it.
No way...
To my surprise, the woman waved her hand toward me...
When I gave a small wave back in front of my chest, she waved back vigorously.
This is bad, has my head gone weird from jet lag? No, was there a case of jet lag so bad that you see hallucinations?
When I looked around at the tourists, no one was looking in the same direction as me. The only one looking this way, the guide, was talking normally.
They haven't noticed?
As I thought, is it a hallucination?
I turned back and looked one more time. The woman, who had lowered her hand, waved again.
This is bad.
"U-um!"
When I turned around, the guide happened to be looking at me. Our eyes met, so I called out.
"I can see something strange!"
I pointed in the direction where the plesiosaur was. I accidentally spoke in a loud voice.
The tourists all looked at me at once.
"What's wrong? Was it there?"
"Eh? Really! I want to see."
Everyone came toward me with cameras and smartphones.
"Sir. Did something happen?"
The guide was perfectly calm. Since she was looking at me, she should also be able to see the plesiosaur from her angle.
"It's that! Look!"
I pointed in the direction of the plesiosaur.
"Ah, that's driftwood. People often mistake it."
"Eh? Driftwood?"
When I was told that and turned back to look again, there was indeed a single piece of driftwood floating with a branch sticking upward... There was no plesiosaur.
"Hey, hey! No scaring us. I thought it was the discovery of the century."
"No, no, I enjoyed it."
"Could it be that you're a staff member?"
"What, was it a prank?"
I was laughed at by all the tourists.
"N-no, I'm not a staff member. It was a mistake."
I became flustered.
"Everyone, he is not a staff member. He is a passionate hunter just like you all. When you're enthusiastic, mistakes like the one just now can happen."
The guide said something that wasn't a follow-up. For the record, I didn't believe in it, and I didn't have a shred of enthusiasm.
"We had one last excitement. Everyone, please give him a round of applause."
I was given a grand round of applause. Naturally, everyone was laughing. The fortunate thing was that there wasn't a single unpleasant smile that felt like they were making fun of me.
I made a real fool of myself. They say you can leave your shame behind when you travel, but this isn't something you should do.
The port is close. The guide's announcement also changed to precautions for disembarking. I looked back one more time. Naturally, there was nothing. The tourists who noticed me looking back were smiling.
"It was just for a moment, but I was excited. Let me say thank you."
Even though I was hugged by a beautiful blonde woman of a certain age, it was embarrassing, so I'll get off last.
All the other passengers got off. Even the captain got off and was walking on the pier. Only the guide and I remained on the ship. I'll get off without even looking back.
"Are you Japanese?"
When I tried to get off, the guide asked.
"Yes. That's right."
I guess Asians stand out after all.
"Could you tell me your name? I'm Mary."
What on earth is this? Is she going to give me a reward for livening things up?
"It's Joji. Mary."
Well, I can't very well ignore her.
"George, huh. Welcome."
"Thank you."
Is this a standard greeting?
"By the way, I have an acquaintance, a woman who married a Japanese man."
"Is that so?"
International marriage isn't rare these days. Since they live around here, the partner must have been a man who longed for a slow life. Or someone who loves cryptids?
"The name of that person's younger sister's daughter is unusual. It's Jeanne."
"Eh?"
I was surprised. When you say Jeanne, that's the name of Grandma's younger sister. To be precise, I heard it's the name that those who become the head of Grandma's family home take for generations. Since Grandma came to Japan, her younger sister must have become the head. As for Jeanne, there's a super-famous real woman in history, but that's a name for someone from the continent. It's not common as a name for this island nation. That's why I remember it well.
"George. What did you see earlier?"
"Eh? Driftwood, right?"
"Is that so. I thought for sure you saw a plesiosaur and a woman in white clothes sitting on its head."
"Eh?"
Wait a minute. Isn't that the same as what I saw?
"Wasn't a boy who looked like he was wearing a blackish kigurumi sitting next to her?"
"Eh? Y-yeah."
"I knew it. Jeanne's blood, huh."
"Um, what do you mean by that?"
Wait, wait, wait, I'm starting to panic.
"George. After this, do you plan to visit your grandmother's family home?"
"Eh? How do you know that..."
"The current Jeanne is waiting with her neck stretched long. Just like the plesiosaur you saw earlier."
Wait, wait, wait! Mary, exactly who are you?
"Me? I'm the daughter of George's grandmother's younger sister. You probably know, but your grandmother was the eldest of three sisters. And the second daughter who inherited the family is my mother... in other words, I'm your relative. Today is my day off, so I'm doing volunteer guiding like this, but I'm a doctor. I'm an obstetrician-gynecologist."
"A doctor..."
"That's right. I'm connected to those who draw the blood of Jeanne, who cured with magic the plague that killed many people all over the world. We have to be doctors."
"Jeanne's blood..."
"George is a doctor too, right?"
"Yes. I'm an internal medicine doctor."
"An internal medicine doctor! As expected of a male who draws Jeanne's blood. How about it, George? Why don't you come with me after this? I'll introduce you to my mother... the current Jeanne. It's my house anyway. We'll all welcome you."
I'm at a loss for words at the sudden turn of events and can't reply. My body has started to feel hot. My heart is pounding like crazy. Exactly what's going on?
"Did you read that book? The book that wrote about Jeanne's exploits."
"Eh? Ah, yes. I read it."
"Then, do you remember the ending?"
"Um, the protagonist Jeanne committed suicide with magic, and then, she let the power of the spirits explode..."
To be honest, I can't explain it well. The end is blurred. It ended with an exchange between the protagonist's comrades.
"How naive. That's not the true ending."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. There's a true ending. But, actually, I don't know it either."
What is that.
"But you see, a long-awaited male who draws Jeanne's blood was finally born. Why were only females born? There seems to be a reason, but I haven't been told. I'm sure tonight, the oral tradition of the successive Jeannes will be told. Along with the true history that wasn't created by the rulers, for you."
"True history..."
When I cross-reference Grandma's book and the history of this country that I learned, it's said that Duke Richard of Roland, with the backing of East Liber, annexed Morandine and created the foundation of this country that continues to the present. The entire island becoming one country was much later than that era.
"Yes. Those who believe can know the truth. You saw her, didn't you? The first Jeanne."
The first...
"What you saw was the soul of the first Jeanne, who protects this land along with the Water Dragon. Or maybe it's a spirit. Either way, believe. If you do, you should be able to know the truth."
What a thing. Are you saying that wasn't a creation but a true event?
"Look, see."
Mary points behind me. When I turn back and look at the lake, the plesiosaur was there! Because it's moving away, the woman in white clothes... the soul of the first Jeanne or whatever... can only be seen from behind. She's gradually becoming faint. Just like that, she vanished.
"Even among those connected to Jeanne's blood, there are those who can't see. If anything, those who can see are clearly few. Those who can see can see since they were children. My mother is like that. I could see too. Among those currently living, it was only my mother and me. That's why I will eventually name myself Jeanne. And you, who will be of the generation after mine, could also see."
Lineage-wise, my grandmother should have been Jeanne. However, Grandma left the house and came to Japan. Could it be that she couldn't see?
"Welcome to the land of Jeanne."
◆◆◆◆
"Jeanne. How was it?"
A tall woman wearing a white tunic called out to a woman wearing a priest's robe. In the white light, the lake can be seen like a cut-out window.
Beside the two of them are another woman wearing a white tunic and a man wearing a black robe.
"He noticed me."
"He passed, then."
"Yes. I think so. Then, that person will be reincarnated as the first King of Sertoria after his death, right?"
"To be precise, that person's soul will merge with the soul of the child born to become the first King of Sertoria."
"A change will occur, then."
"That, I do not know. Because the connection is a bit lacking. But, just as you were born in that era this time, it is certainly taking root in this land, albeit gradually. By repeating it many times, it will surely become even better. There is time. Let us watch over and believe."
"Yes. Ana-sama."
The four of them moved away from the window where the lake could be seen and vanished into the light.
Chapter 34: End
Complete
It is complete.
Thank you very much for reading until the end. The fact that I was able to write until the end is entirely due to everyone adding bookmarks, ratings, and likes. Since there was at least one person who continued to read, I was determined to finish it, so it was a great encouragement. That's why I could write it. I offer my thanks once again. Thank you very much.
This story has a brute-force ending, but it is according to the initial plot. I had previously posted in the afterword that I was writing so that the ending could be predicted to some extent; how was it? Since George only appears at the very end, it might be impossible, but the role of the Demon Lord, the involvement with the Goddess, and Jeanne's final choice... I think they might have been predictable... For those who say they couldn't, it is my lack of ability. For those who say it was a problem before that, it is naturally my lack of ability. I am very sorry.
It was the first time in my life I wrote and posted a novel, and well, it was hard. The catalyst was COVID. The time spent at home became anyway long. To kill time, I turned to my PC to watch videos on a subscription service, and as a result, I encountered an anime with a shut-in NEET and a useless goddess. It was interesting! And so, I learned about 'Narou.' I was surprised that so many people were publishing their own novels. In other words, I knew nothing about this neighborhood. Despite not knowing what a template was, the moment came when I thought, 'Maybe I'll try writing too,' and I was possessed... Five and a half years have passed since then. I never thought it would become this long. As an amateur, I was able to taste the joy of creating a work. When I looked into various things while writing, I heard that experienced people can tell the approximate number of characters at the stage when the plot is finished. No, it was impossible. I was thinking of the story and writing based on the plot, but it kept getting longer and longer... It's no good, being a beginner. I was worried that for the readers, it might have been an ordeal just like George who appears at the end. That is that monologue. The ending was, of course, planned from the beginning, but that monologue was added when I wrote the final chapter. It is self-reflection and self-deprecation for the result of not being able to edit well. Typos, 'te-ni-o-ha,' grammar, etc., etc., oh boy, Japanese is difficult. I have nothing but gratitude for everyone's mental conversion.
In the future, as I wrote in the afterword before, I will correct typos and such. I might release a revised version. However, even if I do, I will not change the plot or settings. I will not introduce new characters or scenes. There's a possibility that nameless characters will change to named ones, though. There will be scenes that are significantly deleted, but the story structure itself will not change. Even if I do it, I intend to proceed with the polishing and editing that I couldn't do well, little by little.
Finally, I really wanted to get feedback from the Net Novel Awards. It's a shame. Please feel free to send me your impressions.
Thank you for everything until now.