Ch.200Chapter 200. IF – If I Had Taken Asha’s Hand (2)

Chapter 200. IF – If I Had Taken Asha’s Hand (2)

“W-wait a moment!”

Paya, who had been staring blankly, chased after Lakye. I also tried to leave the altar with them.

Ah, there’s something I need to do before leaving.

Just as I had seen Udan in the spirit realm, I thought that true Malak might be able to see me too, so I made faces in front of the totem.

But he never saw me until the end. Was I able to see him back then because I was in the spirit realm where Roa’s power was stronger?

Feeling disappointed, I passed through the wall. I should follow Lakye and Paya.

“Chief Lakye! Are you planning to leave?”

“What if I am?”

Lakye answered Paya’s question without stopping or looking back.

“To gather the relics and save that proxy person, right?”

Paya was working hard to catch up with Lakye, but she seemed to be struggling because her stride wasn’t as long and smooth as Lakye’s. Pure physical difference. In the end, Paya was hopping along behind Lakye.

“Yes.”

Lakye, who had already reached her house, opened the front door and went in. Paya followed.

“Let me come with you! I have excellent ability to read spiritual energy, so I’ll definitely be helpful!”

Ah, this is quite touching.

I felt sorry for true Malak who suddenly lost(?) two key figures, but seeing them step up to save just me made me feel like tearing up.

It made me feel like I hadn’t lived completely in vain.

However.

At such a critical time, having these important women wandering around looking for relics that might not even exist, all because of me, wouldn’t be good in many ways.

I wanted to tell them.

That I’m fine, and they should focus on helping true Malak rebuild the surface. After the reconstruction is complete, if they have some time left, then they could look for ways to save me.

But my voice never reached them. No matter how hard I moved my mouth, my voice disappeared futilely without even reaching my own ears.

“No. You should stay here.”

Lakye, who was packing her things, sighed. She seemed to have already made up her mind to search for the relics.

Lakye continued.

“I can run for three days and nights without rest and not get tired. You? You can’t. You’ll just be in the way.”

“B-but still…!”

“What about the Tribal Alliance? The Blue Moss tribe? What about the people waiting for your orders and the children who need your help? Can you abandon them all and leave?”

“You’re also, you’re also a chief…”

Paya’s voice gradually became quieter.

“No. I just handed over the Brown Rock chieftainship to Dodo. I got the tribe members’ consent too.”

“D-Dodo became chief?”

“He may look like an idiot, but he’s skilled and well-respected. With the guidance of experienced warriors, even that dimwit will do well.”

Dodo becoming the Brown Rock chief? That milk carton young man? Even I’m having trouble adapting to this.

Well, I suppose there’s no one perfectly suited to be a chief from the start. He’s capable in his own way, so he’ll probably do well with practice.

Dodo trained Grandpa Harry and trained Noah. There’s a high possibility he’ll become a good chief who teaches warriors well.

“I was only temporarily appointed chief after the previous chief was killed by demons. I was chosen because I was the strongest in the tribe. That’s how it was for me, but not for you. You’re respected by your tribe members.”

“…”

“I’ll definitely save him, so don’t worry and focus on taking care of the people here.”

Paya hung her head at Lakye’s words.

“…Alright. You must return safely.”

Lakye snorted.

“Anyone would think I’m going to my death. As if anyone could kill me.”

Lakye is right. The Dark Cloud, the Seven-Headed Dragon, the Evil God, and Charon are all dead. The dimensional gate is completely closed, cutting off the supply of demonic energy. Any demons still clinging to life are probably dying by the minute.

She’s the one who cut off Charon’s head and increased her divine status. At this point, not even MeleeSpy or Princess Dina could defeat Lakye. Unless they attacked together.

“Take care.”

After a brief farewell, Lakye jumped over the castle wall. With a bulging sack on her back, she ran like lightning… looking like a phantom thief fleeing with stolen goods.

Something like ‘Phantom Thief Lakye. Going to find relics.’

I followed her, moving as if swimming. It was convenient to just wiggle my body and shoot forward.

Could Lakye find the relics and return me to human form? I tried not to get my hopes up, but it wasn’t easy.

It wasn’t just because of expectation. I was also curious why Lakye was trying so hard to save me.

I followed her for days as she ran without rest. Being a ghost, I had no physical limitations.

The sun and night changed many times.

Lakye searched for relics in goddess church temples destroyed by demon attacks, deep caves, and abandoned tribes with no one to manage them.

Kieeee!

There were also several instances of fighting demons that were still alive. The demons seemed to be in a hibernation-like state, perhaps due to lack of demonic energy. Lakye found and killed such creatures with uncanny precision.

“Can you see me, by any chance?”

Lakye spoke to me once. I’m not sure if she felt my gaze or just wanted to believe it.

“It’s quite difficult. I’ve searched four regions but couldn’t find any relics that meet the conditions. Many were damaged by demons.”

My answer or reaction (which I couldn’t give anyway) wasn’t important. Lakye continued her monologue, assuming I was watching.

“Oh, look at that. It’s a mole. Do you remember? When we were wandering through the tunnels dug by the tunneling demon, you once told me I was like a mole.”

Lakye’s frequency of talking to herself increased. Was she getting lonely? Or could she really sense me? I wanted to believe the latter.

[Yes, that did happen.]

I answered her words. Words that neither she nor I could hear.

“A mole… looking at it now, it is cute. A creature with no visible eyes digging through the ground while sniffing. It’s fascinating.”

Lakye picked up the mole by its tail.

[Lakye. It’s dangerous to handle a mole carelessly just because it’s cute. It might suddenly grab you and drag you underground. I know someone who… pfft.]

I chuckled to myself, making an outdated internet joke. I had to blurt out such nonsense to cope with the loneliness.

This was different from being in the totem state without limbs. Even minimal communication was impossible. Even though I floated near Lakye, I couldn’t make eye contact or have a conversation with her.

That fact was unbearably difficult. Now I understand how Udan felt when he collapsed.

More days passed. Lakye was still searching for relics.

[Lakye. Why are you going this far?]

I asked her as she looked around the temple. Of course, there was no answer.

[You don’t need to go this far. Of course I want to return too… but I know it’s hopeless.]

[Still… thank you. For giving me even a small hope.]

The unconnected monologues between Lakye and me continued.

[It’s getting hard. If I close my eyes to rest for a moment, I feel like I might sleep forever. Was it the same for Udan?]

“I’m going to get a good night’s sleep here today.”

[Lakye. I miss your warmth. It was so warm when you leaned against me.]

“The weather is nice today. I might be able to get a relic today.”

[I want to go see Paya and the Tribal Alliance people… but then I’d lose track of where you are. Well, I guess I have no choice but to stay with you until you find all the relics you need and return.]

“You… no. Should I call you Lord Sans? I remember leaning my back against Lord Sans. It was the happiest moment of my life.”

[It’s snowing… how pretty.]

At some point, I stopped counting the days. I only knew that quite a long time had passed.

Unfortunately, Lakye hadn’t obtained a single relic.

“I’m saying this now, but I don’t know who Sans is. I still don’t know what he likes and dislikes.”

Lakye said, lying down using her sack as a sleeping bag. Having changed her worn-out clothes several times during her journey, she was looking at the stars pouring down like a waterfall.

“But I think Lord Sans is the only one worthy of praise. Didn’t he work day and night to protect strangers after falling into an unfamiliar world? This is something that no god could do.”

[…Lakye.]

“No matter what anyone says, you are my only god.”

[Thank you for saying that.]

Time passes.

[But… I’m getting tired.]

Time.

[It’s strange to feel tired when I don’t even have a body that can sleep.]

Continues to flow.

[I think I need to sleep a bit.]

Time that doesn’t stop.

[Don’t go too far…]

Leaving me, who can’t do anything, it continues to flow.

[Wait for me a little. So I can find you.]

Exhausted, I… fell asleep.

How much time had passed?

I felt a bright light so intense it hurt my eyes behind my eyelids.

“Lord Sans.”

I slowly lifted my eyelids at the voice calling me. A beautiful woman with long, snow-white hair was holding my hand.

I can feel the warm touch.

“Uh, ah…”

My tongue doesn’t move well. Who is this person?

This person is… this person is…

Ah.

“L-Lakye.”

Yes. That was her name.

“My guardian.”

“Lord Sans…!”

She smiled brightly and embraced me.