GalaxyTL
Watching Meg and Gil’s backs as they headed back to their room, I let out a sigh of relief. “See? It’s fine, even without my ability,” I muttered, but well, they probably didn’t hear. And it’s not like it’s something I need to tell them.
Now then, time to go to my beloved mate. To that incredibly clumsy person.
“Schel.”
I came to his room and lightly knocked three times. And then entered, calling his name. This is our usual routine. Schel really dislikes changing things up. He probably knows I’m here, even before I enter his room, but it seems like this calms him down. I also don’t want to needlessly irritate him, so I’m happy to do this!
“You could at least answer!”
I mean, come on, after all that! I couldn’t help but to pout. And yet, he was sitting on his favorite leather sofa, acting nonchalant, so I jumped on his back.
“You’re heavy.”
“You don’t mean that.”
I know you’re just saying that because you’re embarrassed. We’re mates, you know, there’s no point being stubborn! You can read my thoughts, and I also understand your feelings. It’s only natural because we’re mates.
“Now tell me about Meg.”
I then gracefully sat on his lap, and Schel, more than usual, furrowed his brows. My my, how cute, you’re embarrassed. Ah, sorry, sorry. I’m going to listen seriously, so stop gathering your magic power!
“She’s the same as that First High Elf, right…? Dream Walking.”
“…What about it?”
I continued, playing with Schel’s incredibly soft silver hair, braiding it. I always end up doing this.
“That First High Elf who lived his whole life without using that powerful ability. The first one to be stripped of his status as god. In other words, a former god, right?”
“What about it?”
Something that happened so long ago. It’s irrelevant now. You know what I’m trying to say, don’t you? You’re so stubborn!
“There’s a chance she might… return to being a god. If it’s Meg.”
You’ve realized it, haven’t you? That a future where her magic power will surpass even yours is coming. A being who’s loved by the people, who’s powerful, and can even control monsters. She’s still a child, and yet she has that much potential, so I’m sure you’ve thought about it. Because you were trying to get to that child, to use that power.
“Hmph… I’m no longer interested.”
“I know that. But you did think about it, didn’t you?”
Honestly, I don’t think it’s impossible. That Meg might become a god someday. That was his long-held dream. But, just like he said, it seems like he doesn’t even think about that anymore.
“That First High Elf, he was a fool who chose to live as a human.”
“Ah, that’s right. He wasn’t the one who struggled to return to being a god.”
So he’s saying that Meg won’t become a god either, because of that. But the First High Elf who struggled to return to being a god, and the First High Elf with the Dream Walking ability. The one who had more power as a god… was the latter. Even if you’re incredibly powerful, it’s your will that matters in the end.
That’s why that High Elf who struggled hated the other one so much. It’s something I heard as a legend. I can understand why he disliked the other.
But come to think of it, this relationship is just like… Schel and Meg’s. Grandfather and granddaughter, their abilities, it’s all the same. Though I don’t know about their genders.
…Is this a coincidence?
“But you don’t have any hatred towards Meg, do you?”
“A useless child’s finally blossoming, that’s all. I feel neither hatred nor fondness.”
“We’ll go with that.”
The First High Elves clashed because their ideals were complete opposites. They were both important to each other, so maybe they felt deeply betrayed. They argued, voicing their opinions… they really were human. I always thought that, whenever I heard this story.
If things had gone a bit differently, maybe Schel and Meg would also be clashing. But they’re not, probably because of Meg. Schel, just like those First High Elves, was obsessed with Meg, and tried to force his ideals upon her… She did rebel, but never tried to attack him or force her own ideals onto him. She asserted her opinions, but…
That difference is important. Thanks to that, their relationship wasn’t good, but they didn’t become hostile. It made me feel relieved… and yet.
“Schel. I… think it’s eerie… how the outcome might be the same…”
The First High Elves. Their discord led to a war that engulfed the world. It continued for about 200 years, and then finally ended. And the result of that, is still being passed down, there’s a being in this world who reigns as the leader of the Demon Continent.
────The Demon King.
“Meg’s the next Demon King, right…? It makes me wonder… if fate truly exists. And that scares me, because it feels like something huge is going to happen.”
The fact that the First Demon King was the First High Elf with the Dream Walking ability is something that only we High Elves know.
“We’ll think about it when it happens.”
Schel, seemingly unfazed by my anxiety about the future, gently stroked my cheek, let me get off his lap, and then stood up.
“The future is—simply an accumulation of the present. Even if you can predict it, that fact doesn’t change.”
“So we can guide it in a good direction, by accumulating the present?”
“Hmph. Until it all… comes crashing down.”
Those are words he can only say because he’s struggled for so long. All he wanted was to prove his ancestor’s ideals. That if he returned to being a god, maybe he’d be able to show everyone why that First High Elf wanted to return.
Because they only clashed because they kept forcing their ideals upon each other. That maybe something would change if he showed them the result.
But he just wanted his family to reconcile. And yet his family is no longer in this world. Honestly, it pained me to see you desperately pushing forward. I wanted to save you.
I thought maybe you’d realize the importance of family, the bonds of a real family, if I became your family, if Yennaliearl was born… but it didn’t work out, and that’s been frustrating. But it didn’t work out… and I gave up. It was because I also had doubts, that’s what I realize now. Is this okay? Am I doing the right thing?
That’s why I’m incredibly grateful to Meg for looking at him with those straightforward eyes, without any doubt. Maybe she was able to do that because she’s a child overflowing with love, a child who was showered with affection? That she was able to make him realize the importance of the family he has right now.
“I’m also going to struggle! She’s our precious granddaughter! I want her to walk the happiest path, more than anyone! Schel, you agree with me, don’t you? That’s why you helped her, right? You’re going to struggle too, aren’t you?”
Schel didn’t respond. Fufu, I knew you wouldn’t. You get flustered and lose your words when I’m so straightforward, that’s how it always is. I know you don’t disagree, because you went to the bedroom and slammed the door shut.
Haa, I doubt Meg or Gil understood his true intentions. I could tell them, but that feels wrong. It’s best if they realize it themselves… but Meg might. She’s sensitive to people’s emotions. I’ll look forward to it!
Now then. Now that I’ve confirmed Schel’s intention, maybe I should start thinking about countermeasures. The frustrating part is that she’s the one who has to work hard in the end! And besides, it seems like the Demon King and the head of Ortus have already taken measures, so all I can do is minimize the damage when her magic power goes out of control.
“I guess the stage will be… at the tournament. Hmm, I hope it doesn’t happen during the tournament though.”
Crowded places are dangerous in many ways. Not just physically, but you never know what kind of rumors might spread. No matter how good of a child she is, no matter how many people are trying to protect her, there’s nothing you can do about rumors. And if any dishonorable rumors were to spread, they’ll follow her for the rest of her life. And her life is going to be incredibly long. I absolutely have to prevent that!
“I have to talk to Mara too. She’s busy right now, but Meg’s more important than anything, even the tournament!”
My my? Could these be the feelings of a grandmother? You just want to do everything for them. …I want to see her face. I wonder if I should invite her to the bath tonight. She knows I’m her grandmother now, so it should be okay for us to have some interaction, right! Ufufu, how exciting!!