Chapter 69: A Farewell for Reunion

Chapter 69: A Farewell for Reunion

I’ve decided to acknowledge Flora now.

Of course, there’s still a long way for Flora to go, and it’s not entirely satisfactory to my eyes, but…

However, it seems she’s sufficiently ready to begin her solo journey.

‘She’s grown a lot.’

If I were to grade the match, I’d give it 120 out of 100 points.

Her basic mana manipulation and spellcasting have improved by leaps and bounds.

She was already good with the Magic Shield, but now she’s reached an expert level.

And most importantly, her achievements in offensive magic were particularly noticeable.

“Magic Vortex” is a high-level spell that’s difficult for clumsy mages to cast, yet she managed to master it.

It seems she didn’t waste her time in the library.

‘The final Magic Arrow was truly excellent.’

I’ll confess honestly.

Flora’s final attack, “Magic Arrow-Estel Style Enhancement.”

I felt a heartwarming emotion here.

It was like a teacher witnessing the growth of their student.

Flora will now grow vigorously on her own, without me needing to keep her by my side and nurture her.

It’s time to let her go.

***

That night.

Flora and I visited a late-night food stall.

We intended to have a sincere conversation, borrowing the calm night air and the power of alcohol, like a scene from a drama, but…

My mistake.

We both completely forgot how weak we are to alcohol.

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

“I’m sorry for being just an E-rank, Senior… Hic-“

“No, it’s me. I suddenly brought up the topic-“

The stall owner glanced at us, looking bewildered.

Two lightweights, drunk on a single drink, with excellent alcohol cost-effectiveness.

The food was fish cakes and beef tendon stewed in curry. It was chewy and had a rich, savory flavor that stuck to my palate.

Hmm, curry.

Come to think of it, curry was also how we first met.

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

“Ah, that was fun- Hehehe…”

Flora giggled.

The memory of us sitting in the kitchen of the Garden restaurant, peeling onions and potatoes, is still vivid.

Months have passed since then, and now we are each about to walk our own paths.

We rambled on about our memories without any particular order.

The first dungeon hunt. The impressions I had upon seeing Mitchell and Wagner.

The fight with the vigilantes, the adventurer exam, the field raid…

Even if we talked until dawn, there was no end to the topics.

However, there was one story I held deep in my heart that wouldn’t easily come out.

‘I have to say it now.’

I made up my mind.

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

If we part ways without telling her the truth, I might not get another chance.

A chance to tell her that I’m not an ordinary adventurer, but the Lich, the Lord of Death.

I poured a full glass of liquor and downed it in one go.

“Senior.”

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

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

“Do you trust me, Senior?”

“Yes? O-of course?”

Flora nodded emphatically.

It felt like a conversation between lovers before their first tryst.

“Even if the whole world resents and fears me, you’ll still be on my side, right?”

Instead of answering immediately, Flora gazed intently into my eyes.

“Is something… wrong? If so, don’t worry. I’m always on Estel-ssi’s side.”

Flora gently clasped my hand. A small but warm hand.

I had a feeling that it would be okay to tell her.

“I have something to confess to you, Senior. Oh, don’t blush, it’s not like that. It’s really important.”

I lowered my voice. Flora perked up her ears and leaned closer to me.

“Have you heard of Liches?”

“Uh… I’ve read about them in books. Aren’t they undead mages who transcend death, famous for their notoriety? I heard they were defeated by the Brave Warrior Michael…”

“That Lich is me.”

Finally, a coming out.

I did it.

I couldn’t bring myself to meet Flora’s eyes and looked away.

I didn’t have the confidence to look at her nonchalantly.

What kind of expression must Flora have right now?

Is she bewildered, thinking I’m making a ridiculous joke while drunk?

Or is she shocked and scared by my unimaginable identity?

I decided to reserve judgment and prepare for the next step while managing my expression.

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

“⋯I see.”

And Flora showed a reaction that was different from any of those.

She simply accepted it as it was.

She was so composed that it was I who was surprised.

“A-are you listening seriously, Senior? I’m telling you, it’s a Lich. A LICH!”

“I’m listening seriously. Now some of my doubts are cleared. It makes sense why Estel-ssi showed such extraordinary talent. If she was such a powerful mage, it’s only natural.”

Flora continued to speak calmly, her demeanor not much different from how she had treated me before.

“The magic of controlling corpses wasn’t an application of telekinesis, but actually necromancy? I knew it. I was completely fooled, hehe-“

Flora stuck out her tongue and giggled cutely.

Come to think of it, she was always this kind of girl.

Whether the opponent is a Lich or anything else, she either doesn’t understand the seriousness of the situation or she’s fearless.

“I feel a bit anticlimactic. I went to great lengths to tell you my secret.”

I calmly recounted everything that had happened so far.

I vaguely explained the concepts of the real world and the game, as they were beyond Flora’s comprehension and likely difficult to accept for now.

I started by telling her that I was a resident from another world and had possessed the body of the Lich, Estel Frostwind.

Flora listened intently, her eyes sparkling.

“Life is indeed full of surprising things. Who would have imagined that my junior would actually be the famous Lich? Or, does this mean I wasn’t even your senior in the first place? Ahaha-“

“But Senior, are you okay? I didn’t tell you earlier for no reason. I have a terrible reputation. There’s probably a huge bounty on my head.”

“But the Estel-ssi from before and the Estel-ssi now are different people, aren’t they?”

Flora neatly summarized the situation.

“The Lich from the past might have been a bit scary. But the Estel-ssi now is a kind and warm person, based on what I’ve seen and experienced. So there’s no need to be afraid.”

My nose tingled.

If there was one best choice I made after reincarnating into the world of “Nine Stars,” it was recruiting Flora into my party.

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

The existence of someone who unconditionally affirms my existence.

I was fortunate that Flora was by my side.

***

A week passed.

Why do moments of farewell arrive so quickly?

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

The bar was filled with boisterous singing and the clinking of glasses, but thankfully, the atmosphere wasn’t somber.

“Honestly, Wagner.”

I nudged Wagner’s shoulder and said.

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

“Well, nothing too major happened,”

Wagner replied calmly.

“We watched the stars together.”

“Stars?”

Was it a metaphorical meaning? I thought for a moment.

Did he mean the overwhelming ecstasy and pleasure, the joy of love, all bundled up as watching the stars?

But it wasn’t.

“There’s a bench in Karin’s central park that’s good for stargazing. Mitchell and I watched the stars there all night. We chatted too.”

“No, you mean literally stars?”

“Yes. Mitchell and I made a promise then, to travel together to the Elven forest. We plan to see Mitchell’s hometown and meet her acquaintances. It sounds like it’ll be fun.”

Wagner said with a slight smile.

I thought maybe he was lying to avoid talking about their romantic endeavors, but looking into Wagner’s eyes, it didn’t seem so.

Those clear, innocent eyes.

Honest eyes that know no lies.

He’s a healthy young man, physically and mentally, the kind you’d find in a moral textbook. Even if he looks like a bear.

“It seems like he doesn’t have much dating experience, so things aren’t progressing quickly.”

Mitchell whispered to me.

“There’s a long way to go. Sigh- We haven’t even held hands yet.”

Mitchell sighed, but as far as I know, Mitchell also lacks experience…

Well, there’s no need to rush. Building sweet memories one by one is also enjoyable.

They just need to proceed at their own pace.

“Alright. Don’t get too caught up in your sweet dates that you neglect your training. Send me updates occasionally.”

“Yeah.”

“Kid, you stay healthy too.”

We clinked our glasses, trying to hide our reluctance to part.

For the record, I also told these two that I’m a Lich.

Both of them accepted it calmly. Just as Flora said.

Their reaction was that the Lich from my past life and the current Estel are separate individuals, so they couldn’t blame me for my past sins.

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

They weren’t wary of me harming them because I’m a Lich, but rather worried about something happening to me.

A Lich is an enemy of the world. It wouldn’t be strange to be backstabbed anytime, anywhere.

“Kid, if you need any help, tell me right away. I’ll come running anytime.”

“Of course, I’m with Mitchell.”

The two of them each took my hand. We held hands tightly for a moment, as if sharing our strength.

“You don’t need to worry too much. Don’t you know me? Do I look like someone who gets defeated that easily?”

“That’s true. Kid, your skills are quite outstanding. Besides, you know, you come back to life once or twice even if you die.”

Mitchell laughed playfully.

I took out three rings from the table.

“What’s this?”

“Rings of Storage. Take one each.”

My gifts, filled with the sentiment of parting.

I packed them with various tools useful for adventuring, potions, camping gear, and items to aid in training.

It cost quite a bit to prepare them, but I don’t regret it at all. I saved money precisely for times like these.

“Inside, there are also letters written specifically for each of you. I’ve written down the most efficient training processes, so don’t slack off and follow them every day. When we meet again later, I’ll be testing if you’ve trained properly?”

Even when separated, they cannot escape my control.

I absolutely cannot stand to see them arbitrarily pick strange skills, assign weird stats, and mess things up.

The optimal growth path. I must protect this at all costs.

“Well then, here’s to the day we meet again.”

Our party raised their glasses high.

Mitchell, fierce and boisterous, but actually warm-hearted.

Wagner, faithfully fulfilling his role without a single complaint.

Flora, the party’s mood-maker, who always brought laughter to everyone.

There’s no need to feel sad about parting.

Because we’ll meet again anyway.

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

Definitely.