Limited Time (1): The Emperor's Demise and a New Emperor's Rise
The shocking news of the emperor's death and the ascension of a new emperor spread like wildfire.
"It's not that shocking, though. There were already so many rumors floating around, especially about your brother."
"True, but there weren't any direct rumors like the emperor actually dying."
They were just vague whispers. Rumors about the son of the previous emperor, who everyone thought was dead.
But it turned out to be true—and the fact that he infiltrated the empire's capital, Sirius, single-handedly and slaughtered the emperor and his inner circle...
That must have come as quite a shock to the people. The emperor, a man above all others, meeting such an end.
"For something like that, there hasn't been much chaos."
"There are various reasons... but we've prepared a lot."
Indeed, they'd prepared extensively.
Over three years of travel, gathering allies, winning over lords from various regions, punishing those who'd earned the people's resentment. They'd put in tremendous effort to secure the people's hearts.
On top of that, the Dragon Maiden—essentially the saintess of the Life Church—Vivi's presence had played a huge role in calming any unrest. After all, the Life Church was the faith most humans followed.
With the Dragon Maiden on their side, the scales of public opinion had tipped firmly in their favor.
And then there was the famine that struck Romania at just the right moment. Starting around three years ago, when they left the Deep Forest, it had gradually tormented the people. By pinning the cause of the famine on the former emperor, public sentiment had solidly shifted to their side.
"Your brother's busy again today."
"He just became emperor. He has to be."
An ascension not through gentle succession, but by assassinating the previous emperor—it was bound to keep him even busier.
Well, they'd given him all the necessary training, so she trusted he'd handle it well.
"More importantly, Teacher. Why did you suddenly call for me? I'm pretty busy too, you know—not as much as my brother, but still."
Vivi's face held a slight pout. Both Asterios and Vivi were swamped with work, while she lounged about leisurely. It was understandable they'd feel a bit resentful.
But what could she do? Officially, her role as their teacher was a secret. To the world, she was just a companion who'd lent them a few strategies.
Those in the know understood, but publicly, that was the story.
Publicly.
She looked at the visibly displeased Vivi and spoke.
"I called you for something important, so don't grumble like that. Wrinkles don't suit that cute face of yours."
"Didn't you say that once someone becomes the Dragon Maiden, trivial things like wrinkles are no longer an issue?"
"Well, true enough."
And they wouldn't appear in the future either. She'd likely maintain her youthful beauty until her lifespan ended. Unless she gave up being the Dragon Maiden, that is.
She chuckled softly at Vivi's grumbling and said,
"This is really important, so listen carefully."
"Yes, yes. As your precious disciple, I'll listen to whatever you have to say."
"No joking around. This is serious."
Only then did Vivi's expression shift, her eyes sharpening. She rarely spoke this gravely, so Vivi must have realized it was truly serious.
"What is it?"
"Vivi. The time for parting has come."
"Huh?"
Vivi's face showed she didn't understand.
"Parting? With whom?"
"With me and the two of you. The time allotted to this body is running out."
"Why? Aren't you immortal, Teacher? Like an unbreakable rock?"
"A rock, huh..."
Anything with form changes eventually. No matter how sturdy the boulder, it can't withstand the ravages of time.
This body was no different.
"Even rocks erode before time, right?"
"No, but... You've lived since ancient times, Teacher. You were the Sage of the Deep Forest even when gods walked the earth... Why now...?"
Vivi trailed off, her face dawning with realization.
"Don't tell me... Leaving the forest with us is the cause?"
She said nothing.
"No way... Why didn't you tell us? Did you know this would happen and still follow us? Is that why you initially refused to come?!"
Vivi's voice rose in anger. If this continued, it would leave a scar on her heart. Better to offer some reassurance.
That it wasn't Vivi's fault.
"Leaving the forest isn't the only reason. Even if I'd stayed there... this body's end would have come eventually."
"But you could've lived longer than now, right?"
"..."
Hm. A pang of guilt stirred in her chest. But she couldn't stay by their side forever.
She'd helped enough, taught them enough, fulfilled their wishes. It was time for the meddler to step aside.
Besides, this body had reached its limit—that much was true.
"Teacher... If you return to the forest now... Could you...?"
"No. This body would crumble before I even got back."
"Why tell us something so important... only now...?"
She shook her head silently.
"It wasn't important. From the moment we left that forest with you two, fulfilling your wishes mattered more than the time left to this body."
"But... but..."
"Vivi."
She gently wiped the tears pooling in Vivi's eyes with her finger.
"Don't cry, Vivi. Where there's meeting, there's parting; where there's life, there's death. It's something we all face eventually. I don't want you hurting too much."
"But... Teacher, you..."
Vivi murmured softly, then her expression shifted as if remembering something. She grabbed her hand and said,
"I... as the Dragon Maiden... I heard I can revive the dead! So if you die, couldn't I just bring you back?"
"Vivi. That's..."
"I'm the Dragon Maiden! Chosen by the Goddess of Life! The Dragon Maiden who revives even the dead!!! So! I mean! If you die, I can just revive you!"
"Vivi... It doesn't work that way."
She shook her head slowly.
"Why not?! I'm the Dragon Maiden! Why can't I?!"
"That power only revives living beings. But this body... it's hard to call it truly alive."
How could one call this body alive? A rocky form needing no breath, no blood flowing within.
A body moved solely by magic.
A puppet she controlled.
Could that be called a living being?
"Th-then... There must be... some other way... Someone like you can't just die like this! Someone as amazing as you!!"
"Vivi."
She slowly stroked the head of Vivi, who was now sobbing uncontrollably.
"It's okay, Vivi. I was prepared for this since we left the forest."
"But..."
"I thought I'd fade away quietly in that forest, where no sunlight reached, unnoticed by anyone. Then you two came, turning the silent woods lively."
A forest no one visited—that was meant to be the grave of this body, the Sage of the Deep Forest.
But two children had changed that.
Wasn't this a better ending?
"Thank you for coming to me, when I was just going to vanish silently. Thank you, Vivi."
"Teacher..."
"Being with you brought back old memories. Times spent happily with various children... Well, not ones I bore, but ones I took in."
Like the days with her seven children.
Teaching them as they grew.
Truly joyful times.
"I'll say it again. Thank you for finding me, Vivi."
"I... I should be the one thanking you. For helping me and my brother. Teacher... No, Mom... I want to call you Mom... You feel more like a mom than my real one, who died giving birth to me..."
Oh dear. What a troublesome child.
She just smiled faintly and stroked Vivi's head without a word.
"Even if this body vanishes, I won't die. I'll always be watching over you two."
She'd never once said she'd die. Only that this body would disappear.
"Mom..."
"So it's fine. This body vanishing doesn't mean death."
"Then... can we meet again?"
"That might be difficult."
She wiped Vivi's tears and stroked her head as she continued,
"My teachings, my will, my voice—they're all within you. As long as you don't forget me, I won't vanish."
"Yes... I'll remember. Mom..."
Hm. If Vivi had seen her as a mother all along... maybe she should have let her call her that sooner.
She was so adorable.
"But... not Mom, Teacher..."
Now somewhat calmed, Vivi corrected her address back to Teacher.
She could have kept calling her Mom, for all she cared.
"Have you... told my brother?"
"Huh? No, not yet."
At her words, Vivi's face hardened.
Why the long face? She had no intention of burdening the already overwhelmed new emperor with more. She'd planned to tell him once things settled.
But... this body might crumble sooner than that.
Vanishing without a word felt wrong, though. They'd spent time together; a farewell was proper.
Yes.
