Apparently, there was something secret he wanted to talk about. For a party created in the old generation version, Mind Chat was available anytime.
Van and Rajim lead them to their rooms.
With a private room each, the interior of all rooms were decorated with a chest of drawers on tatami mats next to a hanging scroll, just like a samurai residence.
“(Shin. I’m sorry about being so sudden, but can you keep me company for just a little?)”
“(Okay, I will go there right away, so wait for me.)”
While Shin was looking at the interior of the room, a message came through Mind Chat from Girard. For some reason, he didn’t have a good premonition. However, there was nothing he could do but comply with him, and therefore headed toward Girard with the help of a map.
Though this was a digression; the simple map projected in Shin’s view before he knew it, the map drawing function was restored like it was during the time of the game. Because of that, he could completely understand the structure inside the samurai residence.
“Oh, here you are.”
As Shin preceded while checking with the map, he discovered Girard who was looking at the garden while sitting on the veranda. Was it to match the style of the house? He was wearing a kimono.
“You came. Please sit down. The tea will come soon.”
“Well then, I won’t hesitate.”
He sat on a prepared cushion, and Shin paid attention to the garden Girard was looking at. As for the vast garden, there were both a pond and a stone garden where the greenery was well arranged. Even Shin, who didn’t know much about such things, was somehow able to recognize that it was an excellent garden.
Before long, Schnee arrived with a tea set. The tea seemed to have been prepared by Schnee.
“Now then, where should I start talking from?”
“If it’s about the heroic story of Girard founding a country, I have already heard it from Schnee.”
“Oioi, did you tell him about it earlier? I was gonna brag about it.”
“If you were the one telling it, I thought you were going to exaggerate the contents, so I conveyed the truth of what I saw objectively.”
Schnee answered with a smile, to Girard who was disappointed. Knowing the temper of her fellow companion, she replied without hesitating.
“It can’t be helped. Leaving my heroic tale aside. In exchange, please tell me about Shin’s circumstances instead. I received the message, but not the minor details that weren’t written.”
“Is that so, though I already told Schnee, to tell you the truth――――”
Just like at the time with Schnee, he explained to Girard how he ended up here.
“I see. That explains why no matter how much I looked for you, not even a single clue was found.”
Girard, who had now heard his circumstances, nodded. Girard had searched countless times for Shin. Since he shared information with Schnee, he knew that difficulty well.
“Even so, Shin too, don’t let this mysterious thing bother you.”
“Indeed. Well, though not everything, helping out isn’t all bad.”
Girard wore an expression seemingly wanting to say “Yareyare”. Because Girard was relieved as he felt sorry for the person concerned, Shin was slightly touched.
“Is that so? That’s right. At least it’s a good thing to me.”
“Girard?”
Girard’s mood changed. The sensation that Shin felt, pricking his skin, it was the aura that Girard wore.
“Now let’s get down to the main point. Shin, I must tell you something.”
“…..What is it?”
Anticipation appeared in Shin’s mind. However, he calmly asked again, without showing it on his face.
“I am going to die soon. It’s not long now. Perhaps, I won’t last for even one more month.”
“What do you mean?”
At the least, the Girard who was before his eyes didn’t seem like he was going to die in about a month’s time. Rather, his body, with which it wouldn’t be strange if he stayed alive for several more decades, unleashed a suitable presence