The refugee camp was silent, spanning an area roughly the size of a village. It was large enough to be considered a city, yet there was no trace of life. Ironically, the only things visible or audible were the silence itself and the utter listlessness of the people.
Watching a group pass us by with empty gazes, carrying bags with no clear destination, I actually found myself thinking that perhaps I hadn't suffered all that much in comparison. Although Ayam would strike me if I tried to minimize my own struggles, in a way, this was a good thing. Sympathizing with these people offered a small measure of comfort; it was proof that I had done things right to get this far.
I had saved a shut-in from a life locked away in books. I healed the broken heart of a mother who, despite her many mistakes, loved her daughter above all else—even if deep down she still harbored resentment and her heart remained hardened. Cliff, an arrogant boy I managed to transform, was still arrogant (a little), but he had proven that change truly lies within oneself. I reunited with my father, healed him, gave solace to Norn, and gave a purpose to Aisha.
Did I do things right? My body in this world tells me yes, but Hikari tells me it was simply what I had to do. That I had merely followed a predetermined path that, as an older brother and a Saint Rank mage, fell to me.
We headed toward the center of the settlement where a building resembling the Adventurer's Guild stood. According to the sign at the entrance, this was the camp general's headquarters.
"That is..." Eris pointed at a sheet of paper.
At the top of the page appeared the name of the Feudal Lord of the Fittoa Region, James Boreas Greyrat. Beside it was a section titled: Search Status (Deceased or Missing). Below, the names of those who had vanished during the incident were listed alphabetically by village and city.
"Let's check that later."
"Yes."
The list of the deceased was extensive. Furthermore, the Feudal Lord named at the beginning of the document was not Sauros. I already knew his fate, partly thanks to Paul, and I had told Eris the day before we left because I couldn't hide something of that magnitude.
However, I knew nothing about the whereabouts of Eris's parents, so their absence here made me anxious.
...
We arrived at the counter, manned by a middle-aged woman.
"Eris Boreas Greyrat," Eris said simply, stepping back toward me.
"Very well, Eri..."
I was about to speak, but I was cut off by the woman's sudden movement as she darted into the back room. She returned shortly after, beaming, with a man and a woman trailing behind her.
"Ghislaine!" An expression of pure joy broke across Eris's face as she ran toward the woman. I was happy, too.
The man beside her was Alphonse. With his white hair and beard, and wearing a suit that looked refined compared to the average refugee, he was impossible not to recognize. Mostly because he was the one in charge of sending my compliments to the chef, which had earned me his favor at the manor—or rather, won me his spatulas.
Ghislaine looked at Eris's face and smiled broadly.
"Eris... no, Eris-sama. I am so happy that you have returned safely..."
"It's fine, you can just call me Eris." She nudged my arm with her elbow. "Don't be like this idiot who took three years to recognize you..."
Ghislaine looked happy for a moment—I could swear she almost let out a laugh—but her expression darkened very quickly. I noticed that Alphonse was also looking at her with pity.
They didn't... I thought, feeling a sharp pang of pain.
I would be lying if I said I hadn't grown fond of Philip. He was an intelligent man. I detest politics, but I admit that the Boreas Branch had a distinct way of doing things—one that didn't displease me, though I had no desire to get involved.
"Eris... let's talk inside."
I had never seen Ghislaine so serious, not since the moment of the mana incident. Her tail stood on end. Her expression shifted from the joy of reunion to nervous tension.
"Yes, alright." Eris followed her into the depths of the building.
I felt the need to follow, but Alphonse stopped me. "Daiki-sama, please wait outside."
"No. Daiki is coming too," Eris interrupted, grabbing my wrist.
"If that is what you wish, Eris-sama."
I let myself be led without resistance, acting as the anchor she needed, repaying her for all the times she kept me standing during this journey. Rudeus looked at me and nodded, leaving this moment to us.
I'll fill you in later, I thought.
...
We quietly crossed a short hallway and entered what appeared to be a meeting room.
Eris didn't wait for an invitation. She dragged me down to sit beside her on the couch. Ghislaine, as always, took her position in the corner of the room. Alphonse stood before Eris and gave a traditional bow.
"Welcome home, Eris-sama. I had received news that you were on your way and waited patiently for your..."
"Enough with the pleasantries. Just say it. Who died?" Eris interrupted. She asked the question bluntly. I knew that despite her tone, anxiety was tormenting her heart. Especially considering how tightly she was squeezing my hand.
"About that..."
Alphonse didn't know I had told her about Sauros, so I wanted to clarify.
"Regarding that... she already knows about Sauros. I felt the need to tell her; I couldn't keep something like that hidden for months."
Alphonse looked at me with an expression I couldn't quite place—relief mixed with anger at my lack of tact. Perhaps he was right. I hadn't told lies, nor did I soften the blow. I simply told her that her grandfather had passed away... no, that he had been unjustly executed.
"If she already knows about Sauros-sama... then I must inform her about her parents. Philip-sama and Hilda-sama... are dead."
The second she heard those words, Eris's fingers dug into my flesh. Sensing she needed something to hold onto, I squeezed back to let her know I was there.
I wished it were a mistake. It hadn't been that long.
"There... there isn't any doubt about that, is there?"
I could hear a slight tremble in Eris's voice, as if she still wanted to cling to the idea that none of this was real. I didn't blame her. I felt the same.
Alphonse nodded.
"Philip-sama and Hilda-sama were teleported together and passed away in the Conflict Zone. Ghislaine confirmed this."
Ghislaine nodded.
"Where was Ghislaine teleported?"
"To the same place as Philip-sama. The Conflict Zone," Ghislaine said briefly.
While traveling on foot through the Conflict Zone, Ghislaine had found Philip and Hilda's bodies by chance. That was all she said. She didn't explain the condition of their remains or exactly how she had found them, but I knew it was bad.
As Alphonse said, Eris's grandfather had been executed, forced to take responsibility for the Fittoa Displacement Incident. It was a fact that made my blood boil because it represented the worst of politics—seeing an innocent family man executed on mere presumptions.
My anger was such that I stood up. It was clear I wasn't going to let something like this pass. At some point, when I found my mother, I would hunt down those responsible for this injustice. Partly because I wanted to give that peace of mind to Eris, and partly because it would make me feel much better. I am not a man of "high morals" or one who believes that "revenge is never good." That is absurd to me.
"Daiki, sit down."
"..."
Eris pulled my hand, forcing me back into my seat.
"Eris..."
She said nothing, only stroked my hand slowly. I understood that this was what she needed right now.
"Daiki-sama, I understand your feelings, but... this is the current reality of the Asura Kingdom."
"In that case... what do you suggest we do? Just stand by and watch? You know I'm not that kind of person."
"Pilemon Notos Greyrat-sama has offered to take Eris-sama in as a concubine."
It was Ghislaine who stepped forward with a low growl.
"Alphonse, you bastard! Do you really intend to tell her to accept that!?" she roared fiercely. "I'm sure you remember what that man said!"
"Even so, if we were to think about the future of the Fittoa Region, a little discomfort is..."
"As if Eris could ever be happy married to a man like that!"
"He is trash, but his surname is distinguished. There are many examples of unwanted marriages that eventually gave way to happiness," Alphonse countered.
"I don't care about examples! Do you not even care about Eris!?"
"I am thinking of the Boreas family and the Fittoa Region."
"So you plan to sacrifice Eris for that!?" Ghislaine roared back.
If it came down to it, I was going to stop this useless argument, but I respected Eris's decision for me to stay calm. However, it was she who stood up.
"Enough!" It was a scream of such magnitude that Ghislaine had to cover her ears.
"Just... leave me alone. I want to think."
Both of them looked bewildered by how disheartened her voice sounded.
Alphonse was the first to leave. Ghislaine hesitated, looking toward Eris, but eventually, she left too.
Only I remained.
"Eris..."
"Daiki, didn't you hear me? Leave me alone." Her tone left no room for discussion.
"Yes, I understand. Excuse me..."
But when I turned to leave the room, she closed the door and hugged me tight. I could feel dampness on my back, so I just adjusted my stance and held her hands where they wrapped around my chest. She was crying, much harder than when I told her about her grandfather. She had no family left.
"I love you, Eris."
She tightened her hug. She said nothing, but that action said everything.
After a few minutes, she let me go and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. I caught her wrist, took out a soft cloth handkerchief, and wiped her cheeks. She looked at me expressionlessly, but stared directly into my eyes. It made me blush a little, or so I thought, because that's how it felt.
...
After that, Eris said she wanted to be alone. This time she asked in a better way. She gave a smile that, somehow, made me feel something in my heart that I couldn't explain, but it felt right.
Alphonse had prepared rooms for us. Mine was next to Eris's, and Rudeus's was just a little further away, but close enough for any unforeseen event.
Together with my brother, I reviewed the list for Buena Village. Just as we feared, Laws was confirmed on the list of the deceased. However, right below, I saw Sylphy's name crossed out in the missing persons column.
"It's her!" Rudeus's pulse accelerated. He immediately searched the list of the deceased, but her name did not appear.
"That indicates she has been confirmed as a survivor."
I let out a long sigh of relief. I knew Sylphy had the capability to survive. After all, Paul told me he had continued training her with the sword just as I had asked. Furthermore, thanks to the diaries I left her, she managed to use healing magic without chants. That ability is a guarantee of survival in this world.
I took the opportunity to cross Lilia and Aisha's names off the missing list. Ours had already been updated.
Now, of all my family, the only remaining variable is my mother. They still haven't found her.
"No information on Mom..."
Rudeus put a hand on my shoulder.
"We will find her, brother."
...
Alphonse asked Rudeus for a detailed report on the last three years. The Demon Continent, Ruijerd, the Great Forest, the reunion with Paul in Millis, and the events in Shirone. Rudeus was concise but didn't leave out Ruijerd's help, which generated a brief discussion about rewarding him, though my brother clarified that he wouldn't accept.
Then, the conversation turned to the harsh reality. Alphonse revealed that only the three of them remained of Sauros's servants. The others had died or returned to their homes.
But the real topic was Eris's future.
Without Sauros or Philip, and with James—the current Feudal Lord and Eris's uncle—concerned about appearances, Eris had no place in the main house.
Alphonse presented a proposal that I could never accept. Pilemon Notos Greyrat, Paul's younger brother, had offered to take Eris in as a concubine. But behind that offer were rumors that Pilemon was trying to curry favor with Prime Minister Darius. And Darius had a twisted interest in Eris.
"That is ridiculous, Alphonse." I stood up. "You can't simply accept a thing like that."
Alphonse, thinking pragmatically about the restoration of the Fittoa Region, did not rule out the idea, arguing that Darius's influence could guarantee Eris's safety and help rebuild the land. Ghislaine, on the other hand, opposed it, prioritizing Eris's happiness and suggesting she flee with us.
The discussion reached a stalemate between Alphonse's political duty and Ghislaine's desire to protect her.
"Whatever the case, Eris is the one who decides. It's no use for us to discuss it. Let's talk about something more constructive. Is there anything else?" This time it was Rudeus who took the initiative.
Alphonse looked at him, perplexed. Ghislaine also fell silent again.
The meeting ended.
...
Night had already fallen by the time we finished. I returned to my room. It was furnished with the essentials, and my luggage was perfectly organized.
I left my sword leaning against the wall.
I let myself fall onto the bed. My body sank in. I was more exhausted than I thought.
"What is happening to me...?" I looked toward the ceiling.
[Many things, little brother.]
...Ayam? You returned, after so long. I hear your voice in my head.
[I needed a break.]
...What happened to you? Why did you take form in that white space? I couldn't ask you...
[I was always part of you, Daiki.]
...I know, since the fire. Although you were just analysis, you acted as if you were some kind of AI...
[Because I was part of you, I couldn't be anything more than that. You were emptiness, analysis, and you only thought about protecting the weak. So, I did the same.]
....That is—
[It was my fault... When the fire occurred, the only thing I could do was block your emotions. "Dissociative Trauma" was the only thing I could come up with to protect you...]
Just when I was going to ask more, a knock resonated on my door.
"Come in."
It was Eris.
"Good evening, Daiki."
"Good evening... Did something happen?"
"Nothing happened," she said, approaching until she stood in front of me, adopting her usual pose.
"...Really?"
"Well, I supposed this would happen."
Eris was speaking as if she didn't care. She was prepared. She expected it. I couldn't even think of doing the same. I believed my mother was alive, even if probability told me she could be dead. I wasn't going to give up on searching for her until I was sure.
"Now I am alone. Besides that, you know I turned fifteen. I thought your brother would realize, but you know how he is."
"Eris, what are you getting at...? You aren't alone. If you want a gift, I..."
"Yes, there is something I want," she interrupted.
"What is it that you want?"
"A family."
I didn't know how to respond to that. How could someone like me, who lost his family, give her a thing like that? No, I can. I am no longer that person...
"Daiki, become my family."
I swallowed hard, straightening up on the bed.
"Eris, do you have any idea what you are asking...?"
"I do... so I don't care what you are thinking." She was completely red, but she still didn't avert her gaze from me. "S-so, basically, what I am saying is... um... let's spend the night together."
I stood up, facing her.
"Eris, what you are proposing is..." I swallowed. "Isn't this something we should think about later...?"
"There is no 'later', Daiki. Just us, here, now. Are you going back to being a 'thought'? Or are you going to be my family?"
[Emotional inhibitors: Deactivated]
[Starting release: Oxytocin]
...A-A....ya..m?
I felt a sudden heat in my chest.
"Eris..." Without being able to stop myself, I took her hand. "You know this is an important step..."
[Second release: Dopamine]
...s-stop...
[Testosterone...]
I couldn't help it. Perhaps it was a desire deeply rooted in my being, driven by Ayam, but what finally broke my stoic bubble was a whisper from Eris that made me shudder.
"I love you, Daiki. Make me happy," she whispered as she leaned in and kissed me.
It was clumsy. Our teeth clashed. But what followed was a ferocity she had been holding back as she slowly pushed me toward the bed.
"It's about time, serious boy," she whispered against my lips. "I love you, idiot."
And we let ourselves go into that night.
...
In my past life, this was unthinkable. I mean, it had never crossed my mind to have a relationship, but tonight, against all odds, I had just done it. It wasn't a metaphor; I really did it.
I ran both hands through my hair, messing it up completely, and then let one fall over my forehead. In my past life and in this one, I thought I could be in control. I was, but this time Ayam made it totally impossible. Even so, I would be lying if I said I wasn't happy. On the contrary, I felt an indescribable happiness, although at the same time I was invaded by the sensation that we should have waited a little longer.
Even knowing that after this nothing would be the same, I understood that I would have a greater responsibility: to protect her beyond swords and ensure I didn't die so I wouldn't leave her alone. If that was what I had to do, I was willing to achieve it all so she could be happy and to be that family she needs.
But she wasn't by my side.
Eris used to get up early, just like me, but this time it had been different. For the first time in years, I woke up much later than usual.
I got out of bed. I found my pants, but my underwear was nowhere to be seen. How embarrassing, I thought as I finished dressing.
I was about to leave when I noticed something. There was something red scattered on the floor.
"Eh...?"
It was hair. Crimson locks scattered everywhere.
"Her... her hair..." I picked up a lock carefully.
Confused, I looked up and saw a solitary sheet of paper. I picked it up and read the words written on it:
We are not equals right now. I'm leaving.
I ran toward her room. There was nothing. I had organized her luggage myself; although there were few things, not a single trace of them remained.
"Brother...? Did something happen?" I heard Rudeus's voice behind me.
I ignored him. I shot out toward the headquarters, where I found Alphonse.
"Where is Eris!?"
"She set out on a journey together with Ghislaine."
"A journey... That doesn't—Are you serious, Alphonse!? Where did they go!?"
Alphonse looked at me with a cold indifference in his eyes.
"I was ordered to keep it a secret from you."
I said nothing. I just left. My brother approached.
"Daiki, what is happening to you...? I've never seen you like this..."
"She left."
I left them standing there. I returned to my room, locked the door, and lay down on the bed. The same one where everything had happened last night.
It's my fault, I thought.
I wasn't strong enough to protect her against Orsted. I promised her so many things I couldn't fulfill in that fight. The note said we weren't equals, but I could only read my own weakness. I fell resigned, sinking into the mattress with the firm idea of not getting up all day.