However, that might have been overdoing it.
So, the entire Fedoa Region ended up disappearing…
Thinking about it, I’m starting to get annoyed at this Shinohara Akihito guy.
If this hypothesis is correct, the entire Fedoa Region was annihilated because Shinohara Akihito was selfish.
Although it’s only a hypothesis.
No…
I can’t really blame him.
It’s possible that Shinohara Akihito was out of other options, his only choice might have been modifying the past.
Doing something like that is dangerous, he may have chosen to modify the past in order to protect something important, even if it could cost him his life.
When I came to this world, my number of important things increased.
My wives, my children, my sisters.
In order to protect them, I became Orsted’s subordinate.
Orsted turned out to be a surprisingly good guy, but I didn’t know that at the time.
I was sure I would have been ordered to do inhumane things.
And I’m sure I would have obeyed those orders, in order to protect my family.
We might be the same in that regard.
The only difference is what we consider important.
“I see… then, Nanahoshi. If you assume your hypothesis is correct, what are you going to do?”
“Well… until I play my part it won’t be possible for me to return home. I already finished the teleportation device. So there’s nothing left for me to do.”
Her role…
If Nanahoshi’s role is completing the teleportation device, then I wonder what my role is.
Leading Orsted to victory?
Or maybe my purpose is to kill Gisu, when all of our enemies are gathered at one point… thinking about it, dealing with Gisu is my primary concern.
Hitogami may have others besides Gisu hiding.
“But, I’m unable to return. So there must be something else I have to do.”
“Alright.”
“If I think about it, my purpose here must be to send Shinohara Akihito back to our original world in the future.”
“Yeah?”
“That’s just it, isn’t it? I made the device. But if he doesn’t know how to use it, he can’t return.”
Well…
Yeah, even if there’s a mana battery like me, it would be difficult to operate the device.
It seems unlikely that Perugius would still be alive.
But, this way of thinking, isn’t it too much.
It should be fine to make a manual or something.
“Or perhaps [I’m already in the future.]”
Ah, that could be problematic.
If a time paradox occurs, it might not be possible to return.
If Nanahoshi returns now, future Nanahoshi won’t exist.
If it’s the future that’s changing the past, then the future is the priority, so the magic device’s operation might become ambiguous.
“But it might be impossible for me to survive another 80 years. Disease is always a risk.”
As Nanahoshi said that, she looked towards a teacup in the corner of the room.
It’s easy to forget, but Nanahoshi is already suffering from a chronic illness.
A parallel-world AIDS.
Presently the symptoms are suppressed by routinely drinking tea made from Sokasu grass.
However, she doesn’t know when she’ll contract another disease.
Projecting 80 years into the future, her survival rate lowers.
“So what will you do?”
“Therefore…”
Nanahoshi began to answer.
Her solution.
“I’ll request Perugius to stop my time.”
One of Perugius’ servants, Sukeakoto of Time.
It’s possible to stop time for whomever he touches.
With that power, Nanahoshi can definitely survive.
For a long time, though it’s unlikely to last the entire time,
Perugius won’t be able to leave Sukeakoto idle when Laplace revives.
Laplace will revive in 80 years, 50 at the soonest.
And, if Orsted cannot reach Hitogami without defeating Laplace, then Mr. Shinohara will help him…
Nanahoshi will wake up at the perfect time.
“So, Rudeus. I have a request for you.”
“… a request?”
I wonder what it is.
“You have to make sure Shinohara Akihito does not overlook my existence.
I’ll leave this book to you, to help you set up more teleportation sites.[3]
After that, even though it’s taboo, I want you to announce the existence of teleportation magic circles to the world and help advance its research.”
“… Will that be necessary?”
“What if my hypothesis is incorrect? I mean, it would be strange if everything fit together just like that. 80% of it could be considered a delusion, there’s no insurance. If my hypothesis is wrong, then 80 years later, I’ll be able to return properly.”
That hypothesis seems pretty reliable.
Even if it’s slightly off, I feel like it’s pretty much correct.
But that’s just it.
It’s not necessarily correct.
Even if Shinohara was transferred too, it’s not limited to just that.
The reason Nanahoshi can’t return might actually be due to a defect in the magic circle.
Although we think it’s perfect now, there might be some obscure problem that can’t be resolved without a breakthrough.
“Of course, I plan to check on the situation several times a year, things might turn out differently…”
The situation can change.
Her hypothesis isn’t necessarily correct either.
And, I want to help Nanahoshi return home to the best of my abilities.
I, also have a reason.
I went through great pains to write the letter I entrusted to her.
“I understand.”
I nodded.