Final Volume: Chapter 4: Era
What's Achieved
Era
When I woke up, I found myself in a place that was completely white.
Where am I? What was I doing in the first place?
If I recall correctly... I couldn't avoid the Demon King's attack and got hit.
...Ah, if it feels like this... I guess I'm dead.
It was really pathetic until the end. In the end, I couldn't do anything. Ahaha...
...I wonder if Aleph and the others are okay. I'm glad they managed to defeat the Demon King. But there's no point in worrying about someone as weak as me. I was the first to die.
...I wonder if I was able to make up for it a little? Hey, did I...do my best?
I don't know, but Chris told me it's time to relax.
Chris is a kind person. Aleph trusted me even after all that... I had a great childhood friends! Reno-chan can be scary at times, but... she's basically kind.
...Yeah. They were all really nice people... I almost forgot that this was a journey of atonement... It was so much fun...
Lily-chan... I think it's okay to go over there now.
It's about time I saw Lily's face again.
I'm worried if that she's still crying.
If Aleph isn't there, she won't know who to apologize to.
So, if I'm with you... you won't feel lonely.
"Aria, you shouldn't come yet."
I can hear Lily's voice... But maybe this is something I created.
"Even if you told me not to come, I'm already dead..."
Why am I even talking to myself? I'm just asking myself this question.
"Aria isn't dead yet."
"...Huh?"
"So don't come over here."
Wasn't this something I created? So this Lily-chan.
"Are you really Lily-chan?"
"That's right. What's with this sudden question?"
"Well, I thought it was just an auditory hallucination I was creating..."
"Aria, you're not smart enough to create me."
H-how terrible! But if it's not an illusion...
Ghost? Vengeful spirit? Whatever... I could hear her voice.
"Where are you? Please show yourself."
"No. It's still too early for you to meet me, Aria."
"...Am I still useful?"
Lately, I haven't even been a valuable asset...
Aleph also told me that it was painful for him every time he saw me...
I wonder if there are things that only I can do.
"Everyone will be sad if you're not here, Aria. Including my brother..."
"I don't think so. Aleph would be fine even without me."
"No, my brother... will definitely be sad. I can't allow that to happen."
I'd be happy if he was sad. Even if just a little.
After all, I love Aleph...
"Besides, I told you before that I won't forgive you if you make my brother unhappy."
Yeah, I heard that. I still remember it...
I couldn't keep my promise, though.
"So please stay alive. Look, Aria, you can hear the voice calling out to you, right?"
---------- "Nee-san!"
Is that voice... Chris?
---------- "Nee-san! Wake up!"
"At the very least, Chris doesn't want Aria to die, right?"
------ "Nee-san! I don't want you to die! Please wake up!"
Chris! She's calling me!
------... "Nee-san! ...Please, don't leave me alone..."
"Come on, just go away already! You're making her cry."
That's right. Making my sister cry... I'm not fit to be an older sister.
Lily-chan, I'm going now!
"Yes, come again after you've made a proper living."
Yes! I'm off!
As I drift further and further away from the white space, I gradually regain consciousness.
And----
When I woke up, I saw Chris's face in front of me with tears streaming down her face.
Chris' tears fell, wetting my face.
I'm sorry for making you cry so much... and for worrying you so much.
But it's okay now... so stop crying, Chris.
Because a smile suits you best.
"I'm home, Chris."
I smile and greet her.
"Sniff... Welcome back, Nee-san."
Chris still hasn't stopped crying.
But she replied with an awkward laugh.
Ah――I thought so.
I can't die yet.
I thought Aria had died, so I was thinking of doing a tragic little sister move, but she came back to life. Are you a zombie? You're too tough for a slutty ugly girl. Or did I cast too many healing spells on you?
(It was a great opportunity to increase the tragic level. Just read the mood and die.)
Oh well. The Demon King is dead and Aleph has turned to trash, so my life is safe.
If I look hard enough, I might find some use for this Aria.
"Nee-san, are you okay? (Get up already, you idiot)"
"Yeah, I'm a little dizzy though...ah..."
Aria is trying to get up using her missing left arm now.
At least remember that you were cut earlier. Your arm is gone now.
"Nee-san...um, your left arm...(it should be fine if you wear a prosthetic arm.)"
"It's okay! I knew it would happen... I'm lucky to even be alive."
"Nee-san... (You know a lot. It wouldn't be a problem if you lost your arm.)"
"Oh come on! Why is Chris the one who's feeling down? I'm fine!"
"...Yeah (I'm actually at the peak of happiness.)"
She's still an idiot. Does she really think I care about her?
No, I was acting worried, so maybe I'm just too amazing.
Oh well, it's better than being told "My arm! My arm!"
"Chris!...Aria is safe too. Oh well, it's all over now."
Aleph, who has become incompetent, joins us here.
Now all that's left is to go home!!
"With this, peace has finally come... Now, let's go home. To the royal capital."
I paused for a moment before urging them to return, and all my servants agreed.
"Chris, when we return to the royal capital, I ... with you."
Aleph, who was spouting stupid delusions, held out his hand to me.
I could have just rejected him, but the way things went I felt like I should take his hand.
"Aleph... (I can't do as I please to someone like you anymore.)"
When you're dealing with a weak piece of trash, you tend to feel more relaxed.
I can't force it anyway.
For the time being, I took Aleph's hand but――――
"Ugh!? Ah! Ahhh! Ahhhhhh Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!"
The moment he touched me, Aleph cried out in pain and rolled around on the ground.
Seriously, are you under some kind of curse? Is that it? Are you going to die?
"Ah, Aleph!? Why did that happen all of a sudden... (Okay, die)"
"Aleph! What the hell is going on?!"
"Aleph-san, you look like you're in pain."
Reno, you're so unconcerned. At least show some concern on the surface.
Lately, she's become quite the weirdo.
By the way, Aleph, you still haven't died? Hurry up and die.
Aleph rolls around screaming, probably in excruciating pain.
This must be retribution for all the trouble he have caused me up until now.
His body was making strange cracking noises and he was screaming.
Eventually, Aleph fell face down and stopped moving.
--Yes, my time has come!
I wonder if it will come...
Author's Note
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