Parting for reunion

 

Now I have decided to acknowledge Flora.

Of course, Flora still has a long way to go, and in my eyes, she is not completely satisfactory.

However, it seemed like there was nothing lacking in starting to stand on one’s own.

‘You’ve grown a lot.’

If I were to grade the match, I would give it 120 out of 100.

Basic magical power management and magic casting skills also improved by leaps and bounds.

The magic shield was good to use from the beginning, but now it has reached the level of an expert.

And above all, the achievements shown in attack magic were particularly noticeable.

“Magic Vortex” is a high-level magic that is difficult for an inexperienced magician to use, but he managed to master it.

It seems like you haven’t wasted any time going to the library.

‘The last magic arrow was really good.’

I’ll be honest with you.

The final blow chosen by Flora, “Magic Arrow—Estelle Style Reinforcement”.

I felt a deep emotion here.

Because I felt like a teacher witnessing the growth of his student.

Flora will now be able to grow on her own without me having to carry her around and raise her.

It’s time to let it go.

***

That night.

Flora and I stopped by a street food stall that was open late at night.

Like a scene from a drama, I planned to have a sincere conversation, borrowing the power of the calm night air and alcohol…

My mistake.

We had completely forgotten that we were both very weak to alcohol.

We couldn’t even finish a small bottle of liquor before our faces turned red.

“I’m sorry for asking you to get an E-rank, senior… Ugh-”

“No. I brought it up so suddenly—”

The food stall owner glanced at us in disbelief.

Two drunkards who got drunk on one glass of alcohol and got a good deal on it.

The side dish is fish cake and beef tendon cooked in curry. It’s chewy and savory, and it sticks to your mouth.

Hmm, Carrera.

Now that I think about it, the first time I met him was over curry.

“Do you remember when we first met at the Garden, Senpai?”

“Ah- that was fun- hehehe⋯.”

Flora chuckled.

I still vividly remember the two of us sitting in the kitchen of the Garden Restaurant, peeling onions and potatoes.

Several months have passed since then, and now we each go our separate ways.

We chatted about our past memories in a haphazard manner, as if they were random.

My first dungeon hunt. My impressions of Mitchell and Wagner.

Fighting vigilantes, adventurer exams, field raids⋯.

Even though we talked until dawn, there was no end to the topics of conversation.

However, there was one story that I kept deep in my heart that I could not easily say out loud.

‘I have to say it now.’

I made up my mind.

Before it’s too late, I must confess to Flora.

If we break up without telling the truth, there may not be another chance.

A chance to tell you that I am not an ordinary adventurer, but a Lich, the Lord of Death.

I filled the glass with alcohol and downed it in one shot.

“senior.”

Finally, I made up my mind and opened my mouth.

Flora’s eyes widened at my sudden change in mood.

“Senior, do you trust me?”

“Huh? Of course, right?”

Flora nodded vigorously.

It’s almost like a conversation between lovers about to embark on their first adventure.

“Even if the whole world hates me and fears me, you will still be on my side, right?”

Instead of answering right away, Flora looked me in the eye.

“What’s…the matter? If so, don’t worry. I’m always on Estelle’s side.”

Flora gently held my hand. Small but warm.

If it’s him, it’ll be okay to talk. I had a feeling that would be the case.

“I have something to confess to you, senior. Don’t blush, kid. It’s not like that. It’s really important.”

I said, my voice low. Flora pricked up her ears and brought her face closer to mine.

“Have you heard of Rich?”

“Uh… I’ve read about it in books. Isn’t he a famous wizard who could command the undead, transcend death, and was notorious? I think the warrior Michael defeated him…?”

“That rich guy is me.”

Finally, rimming out.

I did it.

I couldn’t bear to look Flora in the eye and avoided eye contact.

I didn’t have the confidence to look at it casually.

What kind of face does Flora have now?

Are you embarrassed that I’m making a ridiculous joke while drunk?

Or maybe he is shocked and afraid of my unimaginable identity.

First, I reserve judgment, somehow manage my expression, and prepare for what to do next.

Either way, it wasn’t a pleasant reaction for me.

“⋯I see.”

And Flora reacted differently than anyone else.

Just accept it as it is.

He was so calm that I was actually surprised.

“Are you, sir, listening seriously? I said Rich. Rich!”

“I’m listening intently. Now I’m starting to understand a little more. It explains why Estelle displayed such extraordinary talent. Given that she was such a powerful wizard, it was only natural.”

Flora continued speaking in a whisper, her attitude not much different from how she had treated me before.

“So the magic that controlled the corpse wasn’t a telekinesis, but actually necromancy? Somehow. I’ve been completely fooled, hehe.”

Flora stuck out her tongue and smiled cutely.

If you think about it, she was originally this kind of girl.

Should I say that I don’t know the seriousness of the situation, whether it’s Rich or not, or should I say that I’m not afraid?

“I feel so empty. I took the courage to tell you my secret.”

I have been talking carefully about what has happened so far.

The concept of the real world and the game is beyond Flora’s understanding and seems difficult to accept yet, so let’s just say something.

It started with the story that I was a resident from another world and possessed the body of the rich Estelle Frostwind.

Flora listened intently, her eyes sparkling.

“Life is truly a series of surprising events. Who would have guessed that my junior was actually that famous richie? Does that mean I wasn’t even a senior in the first place? Ahahaha.”

“But, Senior, are you okay? I haven’t kept quiet for nothing. I’m incredibly notorious. The bounty on your head must be enormous.”

“But isn’t the Estelle of the past and the Estelle of the present different people?”

Flora clearly summarized the situation.

“The old Mr. Rich might have been a bit scary. But Estelle, from what I’ve seen and experienced, is a kind and warm person. So there’s no need to be afraid.”

The tip of my nose became tingly.

If there’s one thing I’ve done best since being reincarnated into the world of “Nine Stars,” it would be accepting Flora as my party member.

A value that cannot be explained by skills and stats alone.

The existence of someone who unconditionally affirms my existence.

I was lucky to have Flora by my side.

***

A week has passed.

Why does the moment of separation come so quickly?

Our party gathered at a bar for the last time before disbanding.

The bar was filled with the sound of lively singing and people clinking their glasses, but thanks to that, the atmosphere didn’t get any stale.

“Honestly, Wagner.”

I said, poking Wagner’s shoulder.

“What did you two do when you went back together that day? The day you became a couple.”

“Well, it wasn’t that big of a deal.”

Wagner answered calmly.

“We looked at the stars together.”

“star?”

What kind of metaphorical meaning is that? That’s what I thought for a moment.

The overwhelming joy and pleasure. The ecstasy of love. Did he lump all of those experiences together and say he saw stars?

But it wasn’t like that.

“There’s a bench in Karin’s Central Park that’s perfect for gazing at the night sky and chatting. Mitchell and I spent the whole night there stargazing. We chatted about all sorts of things.”

“No, really, literally stars?”

“Yes. I promised Mitchell back then that we’d go on a trip to the Elf Forest together. We’ll see Mitchell’s hometown and meet some of his acquaintances. It sounds like fun.”

Wagner said with a grin.

I thought maybe he was embarrassed to tell the truth about their love story and lied about it, but looking at Wagner’s eyes, it didn’t seem like that was the case.

Those clear and pure eyes.

Honest eyes that don’t know lies.

He’s a healthy young man, both physically and mentally, worthy of a moral textbook. He looks like a bear, though.

“I think it’s because he doesn’t have any experience with women, so it seems like things won’t go well.”

Mitchell whispered to me in a small voice.

“We have a long way to go. Sigh—we haven’t even held hands yet.”

Mitchell sighed, but as far as I know, he’s also inexperienced…

Well, there’s no need to rush. It’s also enjoyable to gradually build up sweet memories one by one.

The two of them should just proceed at their own pace.

“Okay. Don’t neglect your training because you’re just playing around. Say hello to me often.”

“huh.”

“You too, little one, stay healthy.”

We clinked our glasses together, trying hard to hide our regret at parting.

By the way, I told these two that I was rich.

They both accepted the fact calmly. It was just as Flora had said.

The response is that the previous life’s Lich and I are separate individuals, so he cannot be held accountable for his sins.

However, Mitchell and Wagner seemed to take the current situation more seriously than Flora.

Rather than being wary of them harming me because I’m rich, I was worried that something might happen to me.

Richie is a public enemy of the world. It wouldn’t be strange if he got hit in the back of the head at any time, anywhere.

“Kid, if you need help, just let me know. I’ll be there any time.”

“Of course I am with Mitchell.”

Two people each took my hand. We held each other tightly for a moment, as if sharing strength with each other.

“Don’t worry too much. Don’t you know me? Do you think I’d be so easily taken advantage of?”

“Well, that kid’s skills are quite remarkable. Besides, they say even if you die, you can come back to life once or twice.”

Mitchell laughed playfully.

I took three rings out on the table.

“What is this?”

“These are the rings of preservation. Take one each.”

My gift filled with my feelings of farewell.

It’s packed with various tools, medicines, camping gear, and even training items to help you on your adventures.

It cost quite a bit of money to prepare, but I don’t regret it at all. I saved the money for times like this.

“If you look inside, you’ll find individual letters written to each of you. I’ve written the most efficient training process for growth, so don’t try to trick yourself and just follow it every day. When we meet again later, I’ll check to see if you’ve trained properly.”

Even though we are separated, they cannot escape my control.

I absolutely cannot stand to see someone who just picks up weird skills, picks up weird stats, and makes a mess of things.

The optimal growth technique. This is something we must protect.

“Well, then, I hope we meet again.”

Our party raised their glasses high.

Mitchell is loud and brash, but he is actually very cruel.

Wagner faithfully performs his role without a single complaint.

Flora, the mood maker at parties, always made everyone laugh.

There’s no need to feel lonely because you’re breaking up.

Because we’ll meet again anyway.

And by then, both I and our party will be much stronger than we are now.

certainly.