GalaxyTL
『I’m happy to hear you say that. But are you sure? Even if I’m not there to see you off?』
While travelling with Meg, I was reminiscing about Sierra. I can’t help but think about the past when I go to visit her grave. It’s something that happens annually. And the first thing I always remember is that question. My answer was always the same.
『Of course. I wouldn’t be able to handle a world without you, but it’s even more painful for me to think of you going through that.』
I told her this, when Sierra and I became mates. That I wanted to be there for her, when the time came. Ahh, how I miss those days. It was four hundred years ago. Before the world fell into chaos, it was peaceful, just like now. I had no doubt that I’d continue to live with Sierra, forever. I never imagined that it would all end in a mere two hundred years. It must have been unexpected, even for Sierra.
The world started falling into chaos, monsters were rampaging everywhere. I knew the Demon King’s power had awakened, and that it was making the monsters more violent, so I hated him at the time. But I understood the pain of not being able to control such a powerful magic. Maybe it’s because I also went through something similar. I knew hating the Demon King was pointless. But I couldn’t help but question those days of constantly fighting the approaching horde of monsters.
『Sierra, listen to me, you are absolutely not to leave this shelter.』
『I understand. I’m weak. I wouldn’t do anything as reckless as going to a dangerous place. You’re the one who should be careful, Ludovic.』
『Of course. I told you, didn’t I? I won’t die until the day I see you off.』
When two demi-humans become mates, they can decide who will be there for the other when they eventually die of old age. It’s a special ability of demi-humans. And when our souls are connected like that, I won’t die until she does, from old age, even if my original lifespan was shorter than hers. Some say it’s a gift for long-lived demi-humans, some say it’s because of our low birthrate, but it still hasn’t been properly understood.
But it only works for death from old age. It doesn’t apply to death from accidents or incidents. Of course, I had absolutely no intention of breaking the promise I made to her. So all I worried about was her safety. Sierra, a butterfly demi-human, was a beautiful woman with golden wings. She’s especially weak to fire, I was always the one who cooked because I didn’t even want her to use fire for cooking. So the surface was a dangerous place for her. I had her move to the underground shelter because I needed to go outside and defeat the rampaging monsters.
『But you’re also a spider demi-human. You’re weak to fire too, right? And you’re a doctor. Fighting isn’t your specialty. I’m worried.』
She said that, incredibly worried about me fighting outside. I still remember the warmth of her hand, when she touched my cheek back then.
『That’s true. Then I’ll be extra careful. If danger approaches, we’ll sense each other, right? I’m sure nothing will happen. I’ll be back soon.』
『That’s right. Yes, I believe that.』
And so we parted ways, embracing each other. If only I hadn’t let her go, back then…!
“Nnn… nyu…”
“! Meg? …Are you asleep? Fufu, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you sleep during the day.”
It seems like Meg got bored of looking out the window, even though she was excited at first, and fell asleep. Riding in vehicles can make you sleepy. I’ll let her sleep, since today’s mostly just travel. I secured her and the carriage with my threads, so she wouldn’t accidentally fall out. Alright, this should be fine.
I was too deep in my thoughts. Thanks to Meg, I’ve been able to avoid getting depressed. But the regret from that time still haunts me. My beloved Sierra. Why did she come outside that day? I’d never imagined those would be the last words I’d hear from her.
I defeated one monster after another, losing track of time. Eventually, my work shifted to treating injured comrades. There was no end. Everyone was thinking the same thing. And then, suddenly, my chest tightened, an alarm blaring in my head.
At first, I thought it was just a bad feeling. The endless monster subjugation had calmed down considerably, so it took me a few seconds to realize something was wrong.
『Hey, Ludo, are you okay?』
One of my comrades, seeing me groaning, clutching my chest, asked if I was okay. Just as I was about to say I was fine, someone shouted.
『H-Hey! The village! There’s a fire in our village!』
The village? Ours? I didn’t understand. Weren’t we subjugating the monsters to prevent them from entering the village?
When I looked towards where they were pointing, it was true that smoke was rising from the village. Even from this distance, I could see a red blaze.
—Ludovic…—
Suddenly, her voice echoed directly in my head. Weak… I understood what this pain in my chest meant and immediately started running towards the village.
『H-Hey, Ludovic! It’s too dangerous!』
『We’ll go after the fire’s under control! It’ll be fine, everyone’s evacuating underground…!』
Of course, I knew that. I’d sent her there myself. But this unease in my chest was urging me, to go to her immediately. I ignored my comrades and headed straight for the village.
『H-He’s so fast…! Ludo! Ludo!!』
That was the last I heard of my comrades. I desperately made my way towards the village. Smoke was billowing, and I was struggling to breathe. The heat was scorching, I could tell I was already burned in various places, but I couldn’t stop running.
The village, when I finally arrived, had already been engulfed in flames. But that didn’t matter anymore. I followed the call of my soul and kept running. And there, almost at the river, I found her. Collapsed, face down, her beautiful golden wings scorched.
『Sierra!!』
I immediately ran over and lifted her up. She was unconscious, but I could tell she was still barely breathing. It’s dangerous to stay here. I carried her and quickly evacuated to the riverbank. I continued running desperately, and when we finally reached an open area where the fire wouldn’t reach, I gently laid her down.
Being a doctor is a difficult job. …Because I could tell… even though I don’t want to admit it, that it was too late for her. I’d noticed it, from the moment I picked her up. The deep gash in her abdomen.
But she was still breathing. Unconscious, but she was definitely alive. And I had to keep the promise I made with her.
『Sierra, don’t worry… I’m right here…』
To be with her, when the time came. That was the one promise I had to keep. But I couldn’t bring myself to say… that I was glad I’d made it in time. I didn’t even want to think it. And at the same time… I also didn’t want to think that I hadn’t made it in time. What a contradiction.
I held her hand tightly and kept talking to her. Apologizing that I couldn’t protect the village, even though I’d intended to, asking why she’d come outside.
Telling her how much I loved her.
—Thank you… I’m happy… I love you, Ludovic—
Her thoughts, flowed directly into my head. Her last words, a message from her soul. And with that, she was gone. Leaving me behind.
I don’t want to admit it. That we had to say goodbye, so soon. That my lifespan is far longer, that I have to live without her. This feeling of emptiness. This strong desire to just die too. But the doctor in me wouldn’t allow it. Why did I even become a doctor?
Unable to even cry, I just sat there, holding her hand. I couldn’t move from that spot. For at least a full day, I think.
Because I only came to my senses when someone called out to me, telling me that they’d finished extinguishing the fire in the village.
『…Shouldn’t we put her… to rest?』
I can’t say how much it helped that he didn’t say anything else. I vaguely realized that this person must have also lost someone important. He then, as if it was the most natural thing to do, cremated her, and even helped me bury her.
『I’m so sorry… I have to burn her… even though she suffered so much from that heat. But this fire… is a sacred flame that will guide her. Rest well.』
His voice, when he said this to her as he lit the pyre… it was so full of compassion that I finally started to cry. He just silently placed his hand on my shoulder and stayed by my side.
That was… the Don. We’ve known each other for a long time. It seems they all evacuated together when the village was engulfed in flames, and the heat reached even the underground shelter. I also heard from the Don that Sierra had given everyone instructions and saved many of our comrades.
Being told that… your mate, just like you, saved so many people… Well, I couldn’t quit being a doctor after that. I now realize… he played me good, the Don.
“Ahh, I-I fell asleep…? Ludo-sensei, I’m sorry!”
I heard Meg’s panicked voice from inside the carriage. It seems like she’s finally awake. She doesn’t need to apologize, this girl never changes.
“It’s okay, Meg. Did you sleep well? We’ll be there soon.”
“O-Okay! I won’t fall asleep anymore!”
She has marks on her cheeks from sleeping, and they’re a bit red. Seeing that soothed my heart, which had been in turmoil. Ah, I’m glad Meg’s here. Normally, I’d become incredibly sullen, being consumed by those memories.
“Fufu, Meg, you have marks on your cheeks.”
“Fuehhh!?”
So please forgive me for teasing her a little. Seeing her frantically blush was incredibly cute.