Limited Time Left (3)
Hmm... I wonder when Vivi will come back with Asterios...
At this rate, am I really going to turn into a rock...?
If I'd known this was coming, I would've taken my time solving the famine.
The sage's body merging with the rock was truly unexpected.
Well, for now, since things have paused, it doesn't seem to be progressing any further.
Still, having my lower body fused with the rock is pretty damn inconvenient.
I can't even shift my position properly.
Moving is tough, and if I strain too hard, it feels like the rocky parts of my body might shatter.
Hmm. But compared to the body crumbling away bit by bit when it hit its limit before, this might actually last longer.
So, let's just wait it out patiently.
Vivi will bring Asterios soon enough.
Once they arrive, I'll say my farewells nicely, fix the famine, turn the remaining sage's body into a statue, and call it a day!
Perfect wrap-up!
Wait a sec. Isn't this basically like... playing around?
I blended in among humans and had a pretty fun time from one person's perspective.
It's no different from dragons or gods enjoying themselves in human form.
Hmm... If they can spend time like this as humans and have fun, maybe other dragons or gods could use it to blow off steam too?
Dragons can walk the earth, sure, but gods need to vent their complaints before they explode.
Alright. When I get back, I'll firm up some rules for divine amusements.
Rules that let gods have fun without causing humans major problems.
Just as she was pondering her to-do list for the future—
a fierce gust of wind suddenly whipped up, tearing away the ragged cloth draped over her.
Oh no, I can't stand up to chase it.
It's just a plain rag with no special powers... but anyway, I won't need it anymore.
Guess it's fine to let it go.
As she sat there thinking that—
"Master!!!"
Vivi's voice called from above.
Hmm. So she was the reason for the sudden gale.
I've told her a bunch of times that flying around with wind magic annoys everyone nearby.
Though I get it—it's easy since you just conjure wind with mana.
"Found you! Master! Why are you in such a remote spot?! And what happened to your usual illusion spell?!"
"Illusion spell? Oh..."
The illusion that made the rock pile look like a person must've worn off too.
I'd cast it once and totally forgotten about it.
"M-Master...? Your lower body...!"
Asterios and Vivi examined her and gasped in shock.
Even for two who'd seen it all, the sight of the sage's body merging with rock was horrifying.
"This is... what in the world..."
"My lower half? Yeah. I was trying to deal with the famine, and this happened."
It was genuinely unexpected, but whatever.
"More importantly, Master! What do you mean 'no time left'?!"
Asterios stared at her in panic.
He must've heard from Vivi.
"Exactly what it sounds like—this body's time is up."
"No, that can't..."
"I told you! Master has no time left!!"
Vivi shrieked at Asterios, then hurried over to her.
"Master. Does it hurt?"
"I'm fine. I just can't move."
She tapped her rock-fused legs with her hand, and a chunk of stone flaked off.
Whoops.
"Master! Your hand!"
"It's just a bit of the surface chipping off. No need to freak out."
"But!"
Vivi's face crumpled like she was about to burst into tears.
She just stroked Vivi's head gently.
"There, there. I already had a good talk with you a few days ago... Now it's Asterios's turn. Vivi, give us some space."
Vivi shot Asterios a fierce glare, then sighed softly.
"Fine. It wouldn't be fair if I hogged all the time with Master. I wanted to beat up that dumb human and spend more time, but... monopolizing you isn't right."
"Thanks for understanding, Vivi."
So please, no tears.
Human lives are short as it is.
It's a shame to spend them crying.
"Besides, you can still hear my voice, right?"
"Your voice...?"
"Just imagine it's my voice. That should be enough."
Vivi's expression shifted as realization dawned.
She knew the being who'd made this body as the Life Goddess.
She'd get what she meant.
"Alright, Vivi. Step away for a bit."
"Yes... Thank you. Mom..."
Vivi hugged her once, then stood.
And then—
"Hurry up, you idiot brother. Unless you wanna regret it forever."
She kicked Asterios's butt as she spoke.
Hmm. He's an emperor, though—is kicking him okay?
Well, they're super close siblings... should be fine!
Yeah! And she's the Dragon Maiden with equal power anyway.
Vivi backed off a bit, and Asterios approached.
"Master... 'No time left' means...?"
"Just that this body's lifespan is over. That's all."
This rock-formed body, existing since the gods' era...
It deserved praise for lasting this long.
It was meant to be discarded after Lyclean's business, but she'd gotten lazy and left it be.
Now look.
It'd been fun, though.
"The body's lifespan... Is it because of us...?"
"Hmm... It might've played a tiny role, but not enough to blame you two. Purely, it just ran out of time. No need to feel guilty."
She smiled faintly and continued.
"I told Vivi everything, so ask her."
No time to rehash it all.
She looked at Asterios, his face a storm of emotions.
"Asterios. Have all your wishes come true?"
"No..."
He shook his head slightly.
No resentment in his eyes.
What was it? Sorrow? Regret? Anger? A mix?
Hard to say.
Had she grown numb to human emotions after so long?
"You got your revenge and became the emperor you wanted. Why say not all wishes are fulfilled?"
"I... don't know. I did want those, but now I want something else."
"I see. You're human, after all. Humans achieve one desire and crave another. That's greed—and it drives progress."
Endless ambition, infinite greed—all born from wanting.
Asterios was human, so of course.
"I don't know what you wish for now, but... I hope you get it."
"No... I can't."
His eyes glistened as he gazed at her.
"Without you, Master, it means nothing."
"Asterios."
For the Asterios who'd face so much ahead, she couldn't be some towering figure forever.
Just someone who'd helped in a crisis as a kid, taught lessons, lent power for dreams...
Hmm. Yeah, still pretty huge.
But for the long life ahead, she had to become a past memory someday.
"All forms change. I did too. Meetings end in partings. That's natural."
"But..."
"Besides, a great emperor like you won't need me anymore, right? You'll meet a beautiful, wise woman, build a family, live your life."
"Master..."
His emotions shifted: anger faded, regret dimmed, sorrow settled.
"Could you... give me your hand? Your left one..."
"Left?"
She pulled back her right hand and offered the left.
"This..."
Asterios pulled something from his bosom: a small box carved from wood.
He opened it and took out... a ring? Sorta.
Was it a ring? The band wasn't fully connected.
Like it'd been cut and pried open a bit.
He slipped it onto her left ring finger.
"Master. I love you."
Eh?
"Wait, Asterios? What're you saying? I'm a rock pile! Not even a proper living thing!"
"Looks don't matter. I love you—your inner self."
"Inner self..."
No, even so—loving a rock pile?! What?!
She'd seen plenty of humans loving animals!
But a rock-lover? First time!!!
And so, Asterios confessed his love.
Her disciple, picked up by the Deep Forest Sage, had become emperor—and confessed to her.
Sounds like a romance fantasy title.
This does.
