Chapter 261: Going Home… (3)
Chapter 261: Going Home… (3)
“Come to think of it, there was something I was curious about.”
It was a thought that suddenly occurred to me on our final day in the Magic Kingdom.
“What is it, poyo?”
Un-ho, the recipient of my question, looked back at me while stuffing fruit into his mouth.
“Don’t you have any acquaintances or anyone you want to see?”
Since he was back in his hometown after a long time, I figured he might want to see a friend or his parents.
It was the kind of thing that should have come up at least once, but for some reason, Un-ho hadn't said a word about it. And because so many things had been happening, it had slipped my mind.
That was why I was asking now, with so little time left before our departure.
“I don’t have anyone, poyo.”
A short answer, unusual for Un-ho, flowed out.
Something felt off, but I tried to push a bit further.
“It sounds like something bad might have happened, but you don't know when you'll be back. Even if you're on bad terms, seeing them once might be…”
To be honest, I barely had anyone like that myself, so my words lacked any real persuasive power. Still, I squeezed my brain to keep the conversation going.
“Um… No, I mean I literally have no one, poyo.”
…Uh-oh.
Did I just step on a landmine?
While I was momentarily stunned by the unexpected answer, Un-ho continued.
“My parents became stars in the sky during an Avatar attack. They said that area became a Contaminated Zone, so they gave up on rescuing survivors. So, I was rescued… um, about eight years after that, I think? Because of that, I went to advanced school without knowing anyone, stayed there for a few more years, and then enlisted just like that.”
Oh, crap.
This wasn't just a landmine.
It felt like I’d stepped on a nuclear landmine.
Dammit.
Ronia had just told me yesterday to treat Un-ho well, and here I was, screwing it up in a single day.
This is all The Queen’s fault.
If The Queen had just given me some information about Un-ho, this wouldn't have happened. This was undoubtedly another plot by The Queen to make Un-ho go berserk.
Even so, I was the one who had actually spoken the words.
Chewing on my hatred for The Queen, I opened my mouth.
“Uh… I’m sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up…”
I wished I had just kept my mouth shut. As I fretted and tried to think of an excuse—
“No… I should have told you sooner. I was just worried that if I said something, it might bring back bad memories for you, Lord Ha-ram…”
Un-ho, who was the one deserved an apology, lowered his voice and mumbled instead.
Hearing that, I immediately understood why Un-ho had remained silent.
…I see.
This guy was in a similar boat as me.
Someone who lost all their kin to the Otherworld.
An existence severed from society.
The reason Un-ho hadn't brought it up was that he was afraid his own circumstances would remind me of my past.
He’s too kind for his own good.
It’s not like I’d fall apart over something like that now.
Of course, I still get depressed thinking about it occasionally, but the time when I’d lose control due to trauma has long since passed.
However, just as I felt I had made Un-ho say something unnecessary, from Un-ho’s perspective, the mere possibility that I might recall such memories must have been a burden.
Because of that, a gloomy atmosphere settled over the room, even though Al’shel had stepped out to run an errand.
…Should I try to change the mood?
“Tsk, Un-ho. Then let’s us lonely people go get some meat or—”
Just as I put on a wide smile and raised my voice with uncharacteristic cheerfulness—
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock sounded at the door.
Seriously, first Ronia yesterday, and now this? Why is the timing always like this?
“We don’t need cleaning!”
I didn't order room service!
“It is Par. May I enter?”
…It wasn't a hotel employee.
Sigh.
“What do you think, Un-ho?”
I didn't have any particular ill will toward Par, so I wouldn't turn them away like I did Ronia. But since Un-ho was the one who had been directly harmed, I had to ask for his opinion.
“Um, wouldn't it be okay? I’m sure Lieutenant General Par came because they have something to say.”
“Alright, then.”
Un-ho really didn't seem to hold a grudge against anyone. Sometimes, I really wanted to emulate that sticky, resilient mental strength of his.
In any case, having received Un-ho’s permission, I immediately opened the door to welcome Par.
Standing right in front of the door was Par, tucking a paper bag under one arm and dressed in a stiff blue outfit that looked like a military dress uniform, standing at attention.
“Come in and talk for now.”
“I shall do so.”
Having received permission to enter, Par walked into the room with their usual expressionless face, stood by the table, and snapped into a perfect posture.
…Don't tell me.
“You can sit down…”
I said it just in case.
“Then, I shall sit.”
Par replied in a stiff, soldier-like tone and sat down in the chair with rigid posture, staring at us.
It was almost burdensome.
“You can relax a bit…”
“Yeah, poyo. Make yourself comfortable.”
“This is comfortable, so you do not need to worry.”
No, we’re the ones who are uncomfortable…
…Whatever, let it be. I’ve learned that trying to argue with these hard-headed military Type S is a losing battle.
So, leaving the gender-neutral, handsome Par—who was practically fused with the chair—alone, I rested my chin on my hand and spoke.
“How’s your body?”
“There are no issues. The blood has stabilized significantly, and I have become able to manipulate it to some extent.”
As Par spoke, a wound suddenly appeared on their right hand, and a purple stream of blood gushed out. It exuded an eerie aura—the Otherworldly Power of total physical force nullification.
“That’s good to hear.”
Since I had heard about the difficulties of the UN Entity, the fact that Par had succeeded in controlling it was quite good news.
Of course, I had tried to kill them because they had harmed Un-ho, but now that all the grudges were resolved, we were on more or less friendly, neutral terms.
“Yes, it is thanks to the two of you.”
Par said this, absorbed the purple blood back into their body, and continued.
“However, I did not come to talk about this, so I shall state my business quickly.”
As always, stiff.
But Par was more talkative than usual. They stood up from the chair again, stood at attention, and bowed their head deeply.
“I am truly sorry, Brigadier General Un-ho.”
It was a stiff apology, but one that carried genuine regret.
“You don't need to apologize like that…”
Un-ho waved his hands as if it wasn't necessary to go that far.
‘No, they definitely need to apologize.’
Those words lingered in my mouth. Of course, since this was Un-ho’s business, I didn't say them out loud.
And perhaps Par felt the same way I did.
“No. Even if I was essentially half-controlled, it was because I could not control the blood that the disaster occurred. Since it was a tragedy caused by my inadequacy, it is only natural that I apologize.”
This person really is just a soldier.
At first glance, they seemed similar to Af. But if it were Af, she would have just said a brief "sorry" and moved on once the compensation was settled. She was soldier-like, but that was only because her principles of efficiency overlapped with military life. In reality, she didn't seem to care about these secondary matters.
As I observed their personality with interest from a third-party perspective—
“Mmm. Then I’ll accept your apology! Please use that power to protect the Magic Kingdom well from now on!”
“I shall do so.”
The reconciliation between the foolishly kind guy and the stubbornly simple person was complete.
I wasn't sure if "reconciliation" was the right word since they didn't seem to have any ill will toward each other from the start. For some reason, the atmosphere made it feel like I should apologize for trying to kill Par too, but since Par didn't say anything, I figured I didn't have to.
Whatever, if the person involved doesn't say anything, what does it matter?
As I watched the bright atmosphere flowing between the two, I constructed my own bright logic.
“Ah, and this is nothing much, but I prepared it as an apology, so please accept it.”
Having finished the conversation, Par picked up the paper bag from the floor, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Un-ho.
“Mmm. You didn't have to give me anything separate.”
Un-ho spoke as if he were refusing, but his actions were the exact opposite.
The paper bag had long since been tossed into the corner of the room, and the object inside was already sitting on the table. It was a strange device that looked like a combination of a microwave and a coffee pot.
I felt like I’d seen it somewhere before.
“…Th-this is…”
The moment Un-ho saw it, his jaw dropped.
“Do you like it? When I asked Captain Af, she said Brigadier General Un-ho would like it.”
What the hell is that?
I felt like I’d seen it, but I couldn't remember what it was at all, so I just watched silently.
“Ah, yes! I love it! Thank you! Thank you, Lieutenant General Par!”
Un-ho was jumping for joy, showing the bizarre sight of bowing his head to Lieutenant General Par even though he was the one receiving the apology.
“…What is that thing that’s making him act like that?”
“It is a Premium Food Generator. It is a special model capable of generating everything from fruit to meat, and even luxury goods.”
…Ah, I remember now.
It was similar to the one I saw in the commercial on TV on the first day. But since he called it "premium," it must be a higher-end model.
“I wonder if it’ll work in our world.”
“It is an item with an internal magic core sealed inside, so it should function without issue even if the surrounding mana is insufficient.”
I see. But then, does that thing need to be inspected by the Bureau? Even if it’s safe, it’s still an Otherworldly item.
That rule briefly crossed my mind, but—
“Hehehehe, Fruit-Meat. Fruit-Meat.”
Seeing Un-ho so happy, I decided to just look the other way.
* * *
And so, I met everyone I had encountered at least once in the Magic Kingdom.
Ronia, Par.
And even Captain Af.
Captain Af had been waiting at the hotel entrance on the day we left. As soon as she saw us, she gave a brief farewell and mentioned that the final winners of the election mock battle were Lieutenant General Par’s adjutants before immediately taking to the sky.
For Captain Af, that was probably a lot of time to spare.
With that thought, we headed to the royal castle to receive the favor The Queen had promised us.
And so, we entered the front yard of the castle. Inside the neatly arranged Blue Garden, Al’shel, Un-ho, and I faced The Queen and her Guardian Corps once again.
The waiter in a tailcoat.
Lina, who looked exactly like Lin.
The tiger, who had now removed his bandages and was openly smoking.
A Rabbit Doll holding a spear, whom I had never spoken to.
A fairy whose face was completely hidden, wearing silver heavy armor and holding a sword and shield.
And finally, just a crocodile.
…What is that?
Is that a Guardian too?
It looked like just a crocodile to be a Guardian. No, it didn't even look like a crocodile-kin. The people of the Magic Kingdom were generally quite stylized, but that thing was just a crocodile. It wasn't even standing on two legs; it was just a crocodile crawling on all fours, yawning.
It seemed like it might have its own story or grievances, but whatever.
It had nothing to do with us.
We were going home now, and our time in the Magic Kingdom was over.
As if sensing my thoughts—
“Are you all ready to go home?”
The Queen, her face still invisible, welcomed us with her Guardian Corps flanking her. Her voice was as untrustworthy as ever.
“…You’re not going to send us somewhere weird, are you?”
“I told you, I keep my promises. Exactly the world you live in. Exactly The Hole in Nanjido. Exactly right next to it. Exactly at that time. If you don't believe me, feel free to swim through the Otherworld again.”
Yeah, yeah, sure.
I don't know if all "Ends" are like this, but thanks to the Black and White Queen in front of me, my trust in them had plummeted to the bottom of the Abyss.
“Then just send us quickly.”
“…Suddenly, I’m starting to think about just scrapping the promise and tossing you into the Deep Otherworld.”
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
I don't want to go back there.
When I apologized with about 10% sincerity—
“Fine, fine. As long as you understand. Then, I’ll open it.”
The Queen seemed satisfied with even that 10%. With an invisible, bright smile, she swung her left hand.
Crash!
With a sound like something solid shattering into pieces, space broke apart like a glass window.
“There, just jump in.”
…In there?
No matter how I looked at it, it just looked like my Spatial Destruction. The scale and stability were on a different level, but the gaping hole and the sense of emptiness wafting from it felt so similar to my own power that I wondered if she was screwing with me again.
“Whoa… That’s actually possible?”
“Don’t worry, Lord Ha-ram! I used that to go to Earth too!”
My two companions had the exact opposite reaction, as if they truly saw it as a portal for Spatial Teleportation.
“Then, I shall go first.”
In that situation, Al’shel threw himself into The Hole first.
“Goodbye, Your Majesty!”
Un-ho went next.
And finally, just as I was about to grab the boundary of the world and throw myself in—
“Farewell. I’ll always be watching. Oh, and you should probably thank the creator of that thing you’re wearing. Treasures that can interfere, even slightly, with the Fixed Event of The End aren't common.”
With The Queen’s twisted farewell and some mysterious information as the last things I heard, I was swallowed by the hollow hole.
On a direct delivery back home.