Dust drifted in their vicinity, and numerous cracks were carved on the ground. On the floating block that had crashed was a large crater, and on top of that laid a gigantic golem with a jet-black stake sprouting from its chest area.
On top of Miledi Golem, Shia let out, “zehaa zehaa,” gasping breaths while being supported by Doryukken. Hajime narrowed his eyes in admiration, while Yue looked at her with gentle eyes.
“You did it Shia. The ending was filled with great vigor. It made me think better of you, right?”
“… … Nn, you’ve worked hard.”
“Ehehe, thank you very much. But, Hajime-san, it’s okay if you put “I’ve fallen for you” instead, you know?”
“From the beginning, I would never fall for you.”
Even with her exhausted appearance, Hajime and Yue’s praise made Shia feel shy. Actually, until just recently she didn’t think anything about battle. She only single-mindedly wanted to stand on the same stage as Hajime and Yue and to always be together with them. Those were Shia’s wishes. With those deep and strong wishes, Shia faced one of the Seven Great Dungeons’ trial with her potential, and it resulted in her delivering the finishing blow.
Even for Hajime, the last scene where Shia delivered the finishing blow was something he had predicted. Because he expected the pile bunker’s power to be insufficient, he already had other means to drive it in. However, although the Rabbitman tribe was gentle and not good in combat, Shia never whined, saying “I want to go back”, while she fought, but surely she must have felt anxious and scared entering the depths of a Great Dungeon. That’s why he thought to leave the finishing blow to Shia.
The result was magnificent. She delivered the last attack with great vigor, it was so splendidly done that it even made Hajime praise her. Shia’s desire to become strong surely reached him. Even so, Hajime’s feelings did not reach the level Shia wished for. But, her perseverance and will-power certainly made him feel their bonds. That’s why Hajime gazed at Shia with gentle eyes.
“Fue? So-somehow… … Hajime-san is looking at me with such gentle eyes… … I-is it a dream?”
“You know… … No, well, although it can’t be helped when I think about how you were usually treated…”
Because the way Hajime gazed at her was unbelievable, Shia pinched her own cheek. Although Hajime wanted to complain about her reaction, once he thought of how she was treated until now, he could only think it was the natural reaction.
Yue tokotoko, approached Shia who was still pinching her cheek. Then, Shia’s clothes were pulled to make her bend down and her head was patted slowly. Her disordered hair was fixed, slowly and gently.
“U-umm, Yue-san?”
“… … Because Hajime won’t pat you, although it’s regrettable, I’ll do it instead. You did well.”
“Y-Yue-sa~n. Uu, huh, I wonder why? Somehow I can’t stop crying, fueee.”
“… … Good girl, good girl.”
At first, Shia was confused by Yue’s sudden actions, but when she understood she was being praised, as if the string of tension was cut, Shia began to weep and immediately hugged Yue. As expected, she was trying to endure herself with her first journey suddenly becoming against the Seven Great Dungeons. That’s because she was determined to go together with Hajime and Yue. To be praised and acknowledged, she couldn’t stop her tears because of the relief.
By the way, Hajime surely wouldn’t pat her, as Yue said. Shia was the type that easily got carried away, if Hajime awkwardly patted her it would result in troublesome things like Shia misunderstanding his feelings as love. This time, although Shia would be treated comparatively better by Hajime, there was no reason for multiple people to have the same feelings as Yue. That was her “special feeling.” More or less, Hajime never considered how Yue would be saddened by that.
Moreover, “Fueee~n”, there was a happy cry from Yue’s chest. It was Shia crying out of relief while being spoiled. That’s why, when Yue who patting and looking at her with gentle eyes was seen… … well, somehow the future could be predicted.
Yue was spoiling Shia while embracing her, and Hajime watched this with an indescribable expression. While that happened to the trio, suddenly, a voice rang out.
“Ummm~, although it’s such a good atmosphere~, it’s about to get dangerous for me, so can I have some of your time~?”
It was a truly familiar voice. Hajime and his party let out “Hah,” then looked at Miledi Golem, unbeknownst to them, the light in her eyes that was previously gone has returned. Immediately, Hajime and his party jumped back to put their distance. Because they were certain that her core was destroyed, they could only take stances with wariness in their minds.
“Wait, wait a sec, it’s okay~. The trial was cleared! It’s your victory! Because there is some power left inside the core’s fragments, I wanted some time to talk~, it’ll only take a few minutes.”
As if to prove those words, Miledi Golem was completely unmoving, while the lights in her eyes parts were repeatedly blinking. It seemed to disappear at any moment. That’s why, it must’ve been true when she said she only needed a few minutes.
Hajime relaxed his mind and continued to talk to Miledi Golem.
“So? What is it? Undead? To be incapable of reading the mood even after death… … Although it’s regrettable for the future “Liberators,” maybe I should help you pass on.”
“Wa-, stop it~, what’s with that obvious harassment. That was completely unpleasant.”
“Well? I won’t hear anything about killing “those shitty bastards,” you know?”
Toward Hajime’s authoritative speech, Miledi somehow gave out an atmosphere as if she wryly smiled.
“I won’t say that. That’s not necessary after all. What I want to talk about… … is more like advice. Even if there is no age of gods magic that you’re looking for in the dungeons you visit, try to obtain all of the age of gods magics… … because they are necessary for your wish…”
Maybe because Miledi’s power was almost exhausted, her words gradually became blurred and more intermittent. But, without worrying about that, Hajime told her his problem.
“All of them huh… … then tell us the locations of the other dungeons. Because they were lost in legend, I truly don’t know anymore of it.”
“Aa, there is that… … I see, the other dungeons’ locations are unknown… … it’s been a long time after all… … Un, the locations… … the locations are…”
Gradually, Miledi Golem started to lose the power in her voice. Toward her voice that somehow contained sentimentality, Yue and Shia wore serious expressions. After a long time, for her duty, rather for the sake of her wish. To have put her soul inside a vessel was an act that made them stare at her with respect.
Miledi slowly talked about the whereabouts of the remaining Seven Great Dungeons. Inside her words was a place that seemed to surprise them.
“That’s all… … Good luck.”
“… … You’ve become completely modest. What happened to those annoying lines and that infuriating tone?”
Just as Hajime said, the current Miledi gave out an atmosphere as if she had no relation to the Miledi that prepared those annoying sentences inside this dungeon, with a completely different tone, filled with sincerity and seriousness. She had also displayed it before the fight when she wanted to hear Hajime’s objectives. This was probably her real self. It was as if there was no more need to hide it before she completely disappeared.
“Ahaha, I am sorry~. But… … those shitty bastards… … were truly unpleasant fellows… … they only say unpleasant things… … that’s why, even just a little… … I want you to get accustomed to it…”
“Oi, you. I already said I won’t defeat the Gods. That’s why, don’t say it as if I’ll fight against those guys.”
Toward Hajime’s unpleased voice, Miledi replied with unexpected conviction and seriousness.
“… … You’ll surely fight them. As long as you are you… … For sure… … You’ll, kill those gods.”
“… … I don’t understand what you mean. Well, if they try to obstruct my path then it can’t be helped…”
Hajime was somewhat perplexed. Miledi who had seen his appearance let out a joyful laugh.
“Fufu… … that’s good… … it’s okay as long as you live like that… … your choice… … will surely… … be the best… … for this world…”
Afterwards, Miledi Golem’s body was wrapped in a pale light and glowed. As if it became fireflies, the light separated into smaller lights and ascended towards heaven. It was similar to how a dead soul ascends to heaven. A very, very mysterious scene.
During that time, Yue slowly approached Miledi Golem. Then, she stared at those lights.
“What is it?”
Came Miledi’s whispery voice. Similarly, Yue whispered words, a present for a great “Liberator” that was about to disappear.
“… … Thanks for your hard work. You did well.”
“… …”
Those were words of appreciation. For her alone, a great existence that kept waiting for hope at the bottom of darkness, a small present from the one still alive. Normally, they might be improper words that came from a younger person. But, as expected, those unexpected words were the only ones that came to Yue’s mind.
Those words might also be unexpected for Miledi. Without saying anything, her blank surprise could be felt. Before long, Miledi muttered in a soft voice.
“… … Thanks.”
“… … Nn.”
By the way, behind Yue and Miledi who were exchanging words, Hajime spoke with an irritated tone, “That’s enough already, so quickly disappear.”, while Shia who heard that said, “Who’s the one incapable of reading the mood now!? Please just be quiet for now!”, and covered his mouth. Fortunately, the other two didn’t notice, so their solemn atmosphere was preserved.
“… … Well then,… … it’s time… … from now on… … you should freely… … do what you want…”
Thos