"She had a dream of living comfortably in a strange house.
Spending time with Lilia, basking in the sun, caring for the garden..."
Then, the Miko's tone changed.
She began speaking from Zenith's perspective.
"Paul died, Rudy married Sylphy-chan and had a daughter.
But as I thought, Rudy brought home more women. First Roxy-chan, then Eris-chan... however, everyone, even Sylphy-chan, was happy.
Although Norn complained, she properly went to school and made friends, and she would never forget to say [Okaasan, see you later!].
In the meantime I got along well with Aisha. She really seems to like flowers. She would casually chat with me about things like [So does Zenith-sama like apples and daffodils too?]
I think it would be fine if she called me Okaasan too, but then Lilia would make a troubled face. Aisha is still sensitive about that topic.
Roxy-chan has started teaching at a school near the house.
According to Norn, she's a very popular teacher.
Even though she still looks like a child, she's from a demon race that doesn't age quickly and has already lived for many years... But, Rudy loves Roxy-chan very much, so age doesn't matter.
Then I met Eris-chan for the first time, she really loves Rudy as well.
When no one was looking, she came to me with a bright red face and said [I am still inexperienced, please treat me well!]
I couldn't help letting a smile out. I see why she didn't want to say that in front of Rudy; but being humble is good too.
Then, Eris-chan's face turned a deep red and she squeezed her arms.
She usually puts on such a brave face, so cute!"
Those were her memories from the past several years.
But, I remember it slightly differently...
Norn rarely called out to Zenith.
And even when Aisha talked with Zenith gardening, Zenith never reacted.
But, perhaps, from Zenith's perspective...
She seemed to be engaged in everyone's conversations.
"And then, Rudy's children.
Lucy is a precocious child. Though she's still small, she has to grow up to be a good Oneechan.
Sylphy-chan has been working hard to teach her, practicing magic with her every day on Rudy's behalf.
I used to be so exhausted raising my own children. I can't help but feel that I've lost, being surrounded by so many good mothers.
I'll be all right, even if my kids have all grown up, I can still try my best at other things.
Everyone doing their best is too adorable.[5]
Lara really took a liking to me. From the moment she was born, she was able to talk. She would always call out to me.
[Obaachan, Obaachan!]... Then Leo would call out to me [It's serious! It's serious! Lara-sama has wet herself!]
These days, she enjoys sitting in my lap with Leo and basking in the sun. We would talk about things like my home town, or where her Papa grew up.
Arus loves breasts. He seems like Rudy when he was younger.
When I hold him, he really likes clinging to my chest.
I guess he's fine even with grandma's breasts.
It looks like he inherited something bad from Paul and Rudy.
Like Rudy, I'm worried that he might make a lot of good girls cry, but you'll make them happy in the end, right?"
Before I'd noticed, my eyes were starting to get hot.
Tears were falling like raindrops.
Lucy isn't really around Zenith much, and Lara doesn't speak.
More than half seems to be Zenith's own delusions.
Looking out through those vacant eyes...
At least the world Zenith sees is affectionate.
"Oh that's right, and speaking of Rudy, that child became the subordinate of an amazing person.
Dragon God Orsted.
A distant disciple of the Dragon God Urupen, one of the [Three Heroes who Vanquished the Demon God].[6]
Apparently he's incredibly strong, and everyone is frightened of him, but he doesn't seem that scary to me.
He really just wants to get along with everyone, especially Rudy.
He often comes to check on the house.
Once in a while I try to talk to him but I'm not that good with talking to strangers. I become completely flustered.
But he's a kind person. Whenever Lucy is troubled in magic he teaches her some tricks... since they are difficult tricks Lucy generally isn't able to understand them.
When I let him try to hold Lara, though he nervously holds her in his arms, the way he does it looks very kind.
But, Leo and Arus aren't very good with him.
The other day, when Arus started crying very loudly, he ran away when he saw Eris-chan was coming.
Such a strong and gentle person. Becoming the subordinate of such an amazing person, I don't really understand it but I'm proud of it.
Even Paul would surely think so."
I wonder if any of this is true...
Something like Orsted visiting the house never happened...
Has he been checking on the house without me knowing...?
"Rudy has grown up splendidly.
Norn and Aisha have come of age, and Sylphy-chan is about to have another child.
Lilia becoming flustered not being able to look after me, foolishness.
Between caring for me and the children, shouldn't caring for the children be given priority?
I'll leave Lilia to care for Sylphy-chan, I'll be fine going to Okaasama's place.
You don't have to worry so much, I used to be an adventurer back in the old days after all.
I'll be with Rudy, Aisha, and Rudy's friend Cliff-kun...
Ufufu, going on a journey with Rudy, how exciting!"
Those seemed to be Zenith's more recent memories.
"Okaasama looks like such a granny now.
She's completely different from the old days. Rather than scold me, she just sobbed [Zenith, Zenith].
She was worried if I was hurt, or fell ill, and showed me to a doctor.
As you can see, I am very much alive.
She's so prone to worrying, showing me to the doctor almost every day.
That tough Okaasan, with a crying face, didn't scold me at all.
Every day she would come to see me with a worried face.
Ah yes, father came too.
Otousan seems to have grown a beard.
In the old days he never would have done such a thing, he seems to have had a long, successful career.
He said my condition didn't look good with a wry smile."
Claire suddenly buried her face in Carlyle's chest.
Carlyle was stroking his beard, also with tears in his eyes.
"It's just that, Okaasama and Rudy developed a bad relationship.
Rudy snapped and got into a fight with Okaasama.
I wish you would just reconcile...
Then, sure enough, Rudy managed to corner Okaasama.
He's just like Paul at that age, Rudy is really strong, he's not going to go easy on her...
So I had to properly mediate the situation!"
Then, the Miko opened her eyes.
That's it?
"Fuu..."