GalaxyTL
What’s the meaning of life?
Lately, I’ve been thinking about things like that, which is unlike me. I’m sure it’s because of Licht, Meg, and Ronny.
“What are you doing here!? You swindler! Don’t ever show your face around here again!!”
Right now, an old woman from the village is shouting at me, throwing rocks. I didn’t even flinch when I felt the blood trickling down from my forehead. I kept my head bowed, accepting her words and actions.
“Please refrain from any violence. We’ll have to arrest you if you continue.”
“Shut up! Ahh… Anna… you must have suffered so much, been in so much pain… My daughter was treated even worse! How can you say this is nothing!?”
The knights restrained the woman who was throwing rocks. They didn’t need to stop her. I’ve done things I can’t complain about, even if I was killed.
Ah, but. I can’t die. I have to atone for my sins, for the rest of my short life.
The villagers’ scornful gazes, the old woman’s killing intent. More than painful, I accepted it all as my due. But—
“But… she was the only one who was kind to me, you know? She was always…”
Those words, from one of the victims, defending me… those are the words that tear at my heart.
Why are they defending me? Licht and the others too. You shouldn’t trust someone just because they’re kind to you.
No matter how kind I was, what I did was a crime. I was using them, to sell them off.
But, I guess… it wouldn’t be atonement if it wasn’t painful. If I think of it as my punishment, then I just have to endure it.
And so, today too, I headed for a different village with the knights, bringing the victims we’d rescued.
My job now is to recover as many of the victims I deceived as possible and return them to their villages. It’s only natural for them to curse me, and this ordeal will continue until we’ve returned everyone.
Licht and the others decided to… no, they decided we should all live. I’d vaguely predicted it, but scoffed, thinking they were naive.
But for me, someone who can’t find meaning in life, it was a choice more painful than death.
Gordon and the others have it easy. They’re just like automatons, doing as they’re told. They don’t have any feelings, good or bad. Because that’s “obvious”.
But Gordon… sometimes, when we pass each other, he gives me these looks, as if he wants to say something. Dissatisfied, and lonely. That’s the look in his eyes.
Could it be that something’s… budding in Gordon too…?
It’s something I can’t know for sure… but I do think… it would be nice if we could have those silly conversations again, even just once. And I’m happy he’s alive. I really am a lost cause.
“Seravis, the date for your meeting has been decided.”
One day, a knight came to where I was staying. He introduced himself as Liger and said he’s in charge of my meetings. Apparently, he owes a debt to Meg. When did she even form that connection?
“Licht-dono will be coming to see you next month. Your time will be limited. You should decide what you want to talk about.”
“…Ah, thank you.”
The knights here are all polite to us. Normally, they’d be much harsher with criminals and slaves, wouldn’t they? They’re not necessarily kind, but it’s strange how they treat us as “humans” and provide us with the bare minimum food, clothing, and shelter. The food’s even the same as when I was living with Licht, and we get 3 meals a day. It’s easier because I don’t have to cook. …But of course, we’re made to do other work.
Anyway, a meeting, huh. The last time I saw Licht and the others was when the incident ended. I thought it was the worst farewell. I’d thought I’d never see them again, but life doesn’t always go the way you want it to. How on earth can I even face them? They really do have a knack for cornering me. Well, whatever. It’ll be fine if I just show my face and have them leave quickly.
It seems I still didn’t understand Licht very well, because I thought that.
“So, the mine Dwarves, we have to pay a fee every time we use the teleportation magic circle. Isn’t that crazy? That’s why I thought of something!”
When I arrived at the meeting room where Licht was waiting, he casually said, “Yo, you look thinner, Ravi?” Well, he told me to have a seat as if he was some big shot, and then started chattering away about things I didn’t even ask about. I don’t think he used to talk this much?
“I decided to deliver letters for Ronny! It’s annoying that I have to go all the way to the guild, but now I have an excuse to see Ronny and Meg, so it’s fine! So I made a deal with the mine Dwarf patriarch. Let me through if you want letters from your son. He glared at me a lot, but somehow, we made a deal! I’m pretty good, right?”
…Why does he keep talking nonstop?
“The Demon King even praised me. For being able to get that stubborn Dwarf to agree! Even Kron said, ‘You did it!’ Ah, Kron’s like my mentor. I was calling her Kron-san at first, but it felt weird, so she said it’s fine to call her Kron. Maybe it was out of embarrassment? No way, right! She’s so beautiful, I’ve never seen anyone that pretty. I’d love for you to meet…”
“Wait a minute, Licht.”
…Ah, I see.
This is our Licht. It’s not like he’d change easily. It’s not like he suddenly became a chatterbox. Licht’s being considerate, in his own way—
“Don’t… push yourself.”
“…Ravi…!”
I’ve lost a lot of weight since that time, and my complexion’s bad. You were worried, weren’t you?
When I was sick in bed that time, you were also talkative like this, right? I’d forgotten. Honestly… You’re such a child.
“Come on, Ravi… eat more, be more energetic… Well, maybe that’s impossible, but you… You’re not yourself!”
Ah, I made him cry. It’s not cute when a man who’s almost an adult is sobbing. Honestly, such a handful.
“I’m not Ravi. I’m Seravis.”
“Wrong! I don’t know anyone named Seravis. You’re Ravi! What’s Seravis? What a weird name!”
I was taken aback by his ridiculous words and couldn’t help but chuckle. I was planning to have him leave after just seeing my face, but… ah, I’ve lost.
“Bwaha, Licht, you’re being rude to all the Seravis’s in the world! What do you mean, ‘Weird name’!?”
Seeing me laugh, Licht was dumbfounded for a moment. Then he roughly wiped away his tears and said teasingly,
“I said it’s weird for you! Seravis is too stylish! Just change your name!”
“Ah, do whatever you want.”
In the end, we spent the remaining time talking about meaningless, silly things. It’s valuable meeting time, and yet, both Licht and I are idiots.
But… I’m glad.
“Well then, I’ll be back to inform you when we have another opening for a meeting. …Ravi.”
“! …Yeah, I’ll look forward to it.”
The knight in charge, Liger, understands. After that, he’d call me Seravis when there were other people around and Ravi when it was just the two of us. Well, it doesn’t really matter.
Alright then, let’s go get rocks thrown at us again tomorrow.