Chapter 310
Chapter 310
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 310
Chapter Title: Father
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"Son. Get up."
"Ugh... uuuugh..."
Ronan groaned as he lay there. His whole body ached like he'd just crawled out of the water. He barely managed to lift his eyelids, and there stood his savior, hands clasped behind his back, looking down at him.
"Damn, you scared me... What is it?"
"What else? Did you forget we're going on a picnic?"
Ronan recoiled and sat up. He was lying on a rough wooden bed. The scent of earth, grass, and wildflowers drifted in through the half-open window.
"Where... is this?"
Ronan peered out the window and tilted his head. The landscape of his hometown, Nimbuton, stretched out before him. Gentle hills where sheep grazed beyond the low fence.
'Why am I here? What was I doing?'
Village kids were playing on rafts on the winding river below. Something important had happened, but he couldn't remember. Confirming his son was awake, the savior suddenly turned away.
"Now that you're up, let's get going. Iril and your mother have been nagging me... Time's short, so it's a hassle."
"Huh?"
He left the room without another word. Time's short? Ronan had no idea what that meant. Come to think of it, this would be his first walk alone with his father.
"What's with him."
Muttering to himself, Ronan got up. He didn't notice that his height had shrunk by more than half.
He threw on some clothes haphazardly and headed to the living room. His mother and Iril were waiting, the dazzlingly beautiful mother and daughter already dressed for the outing. Iril, who looked about ten, waved cheerfully.
"Ronan! Good morning!"
"Oh, our little prince is awake. Dad's waiting outside. Shall we go?"
"Yeah, sure."
Ronan nodded half-heartedly. Iril scampered over, grabbed his hand, and pulled him along.
"Ronan! Just follow your big sis! I won't get us lost this time, promise!"
"Yeah, yeah..."
As they stepped outside, fresh sunlight poured down. The savior stood still, admiring the blue sky. Hearing the door close, he turned to his family.
"Everyone's here. Then, today's destination is..."
"Today we're going far! Even farther!"
"Iril, sweetie, Daddy's talking."
Iril bounced around, urging him on. His mother smiled with her eyes, but reining in a girl in the full bloom of play was impossible. The savior extended a hand to his daughter with a warm gaze.
"Alright. How about that hill over there today? It looks close, but it'll take a while."
His index finger pointed to a hill some distance away, topped by a massive oak visible even from afar. Iril clapped in delight.
"Yay! Awesome!"
"Ronan, you okay with that?"
"Eh, anywhere's fine."
Ronan agreed. Truth be told, anywhere with his family was fun. The savior, watching him quietly, nodded.
"Right. Me too."
And so the short trip began. Ronan strolled with his family, enjoying the hometown scenery. They greeted passing villagers, asked after each other. Spotting Asel with a backpack, Ronan raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, Asel. Where you headed?"
"Uh, yeah... Mom asked if I really didn't want to learn magic properly, so... thinking of heading to the capital."
"Ooh, magic. Nice, give it a shot."
Ronan patted his back. Asel bowed politely to Ronan's family before heading to the carriage stop. Good for him finding something he wanted, after thinking he'd live scared forever. Suddenly, a question popped up.
'Have I ever even met this guy?'
They'd never exchanged greetings before, but somehow... He shrugged and kept walking. Spring flowers bloomed profusely along the path.
"Heh. Let's grill these up too."
The savior, successful at fishing, held up four trout still flapping fresh. They were picnicking by the river encircling Nimbuton.
"Wow! Daddy's the best!"
Iril beamed and clung to his neck. His mother covered her mouth laughing at the sight.
Ronan's family enjoyed their lunch of freshly grilled trout. The river, dyed lapis blue like the sky, was beautiful. Soon after finishing and resuming, Iril started rubbing her eyes.
"Ugh... Full now... sleepy..."
"Want a piggyback?"
"Nooo...! I can walk!"
Iril shook off Ronan's hand. She was nodding off, but as big sis, she hated relying on her little brother.
"I can wa... Zzz..."
"Sigh."
Stubborn Iril soon reached sleepwalking. Drooling yet still stepping forward was impressive in its own way.
"Knew it'd come to this."
Ronan sighed deeply and moved to carry her. The savior, leading, stopped abruptly.
"I'll take her. Up we go."
"I can really carry her."
But his offer was ignored. Savior scooped Iril into one arm and resumed climbing. His mother teased playfully beside him.
"What about me?"
"Shall I?"
No sooner said, he lifted her too. Impressive sight, daughters in each arm ascending the hill. Mother let out a short squeal, tapping his shoulder.
"Eek! H-hey, people are watching...!"
"So?"
Savior shrugged it off. She blushed but didn't mind. He kept going like that awhile longer.
Sightseeing and resting along the way, they reached the destination as the sun dipped low. Cooling wind carried sheep scent. Village shadow stretched long against the sunset.
"Zzz... Zzzz..."
"You really... not here..."
Iril and mother slumbered leaning on the oak. Only Ronan and savior stood side by side, admiring the fiery sky. Glancing at them, savior chuckled softly.
"Sleeping soundly. Iril really takes after your mom."
"Yeah. Except the hair color."
"So, Ronan, how was today? Fun?"
"Eh... it was alright."
Ronan mumbled. He didn't show it, but it was undeniably happy. Savior ruffled his hair a few times, then turned back to the sunset.
"Good."
Silence lingered. As always, alone with father, little to say. As the sun began sinking below the horizon...
"This was my wish."
"Huh?"
"A family outing, all together. No one would've guessed. That the creator of that fearsome Nebula Klazje dreamed of this."
Ronan shrugged at the sudden words. Savior's eyes, fixed on the fading sun, brimmed with melancholy. Nebula Klazje? What was that?
"Ronan. I want to apologize to you again."
"What's this out of nowhere?"
"I was truly a rotten person. To Iril too, but especially to you, I burdened you heavily. I wanted to show you more, teach you more. Like other fathers."
"What are you even..."
"And now, in this final time granted, I couldn't shed my selfishness."
Ronan stayed silent. He couldn't grasp the meaning. Savior continued on his own.
"For the last one, I wanted to take you somewhere grander. In countless ages, I've seen landscapes breathtaking beyond words... Yet I chose this for our first and last outing because..."
Savior trailed off. He met Ronan's eyes. Ronan was now a head taller.
"...no place felt better than where our family was together, even briefly."
Lightning struck Ronan's mind. Forgotten memory flooded back.
Giants dissolving into particles. Crumbling sky, savior raising barrier from behind. Clutching his forehead, staggering, Ronan turned.
"Wait..."
Where was this? Why here? Iril and mother vanished. Hometown shattered from afar. Bewildered, Ronan spat in confusion.
"Damn it, what the hell happened?"
"It's fine. We overcame this crisis somehow. Sorry I couldn't stay till the end."
"What bullshit is that, Father? The end?!"
Ronan demanded excitedly. Hearing "Father," savior covered his face with a hand. Harsh breaths escaped, voice wet.
"Father. Haha..."
He laughed. Muttering the word, he lowered his hand. Tear tracks stained red-rimmed eyes.
Hand on Ronan's cheek, savior spoke.
"Sounds good, no matter when I hear it."
Benevolent smile like their first meeting in the glass tube. Ronan tried to speak, but no voice came. Fading hometown turned blank white.
In receding consciousness, Ronan murmured.
.
.
.
"Father?"
Ronan opened his eyes. Blacked-out vision cleared. Facing snow-white sky, he bolted up.
"Damn it, what the..."
Looking around, Ronan furrowed his brow. Barren world. First sight: groaning allied soldiers, savior's crumbling barrier.
"Agh... my eyes...!"
"Urk..."
All clutched eyes in agony. No deaths apparent, but none looked good.
Beyond barrier: wasteland, nothing left. Lush forest, mountains gone; dust-laced wind blew.
【Grooo... grrr...!】
Navardoje and dragons groaned crashed on ground. Severe burns covered them. Unlike ground-dwellers, they'd been flying.
Sweeping back hair, Ronan muttered.
"...What the hell happened?"
Had to grasp the truth fast. Suddenly, familiar silhouette in vision corner. Savior stood arms raised skyward, dignified as last seen.
"Father."
No response. Approaching unsteadily, Ronan gasped. Savior frozen in pose, lifeless.
"...Father?"
Eyes open, seemed alive. But no warmth where hand touched.
Undeniable death. Indescribable emotions surged in Ronan's chest. Suddenly, familiar voice echoed from high sky.
『Finally. Dead, is he.』