“Soma… sir…”
The maid with a hurt expression flinched at my harsh words.
…I know.
The one who created “Nekoneko” decided on this theft event, and even the maid’s actions and personality.
So, it might be wrong to blame only her.
Still, I couldn’t stop myself.
“I understand wanting to help a friend who’s fallen ill.
I understand wanting to mend the strained relationship between Shizun and the others.
But no matter the reason, stealing from your benefactors, taking away something everyone cherishes, is absolutely the worst thing you can do!
You chose the wrong way to do it!!”
As if struck by a physical blow from my words, the maid staggered.
“B-but, but…”
“No buts! Did you really think that an easy method like stealing would make everyone happy?
Even if you succeeded, would the children truly be happy with money obtained by betraying their benefactors?
Besides, the ring you gave to Karma is probably gone forever.
Did Shizun and the others, whose rings were stolen without their knowledge, truly believe they could return to their original relationship without any lingering resentment?
And even if you cleared all that, you would have to live with your sin for the rest of your life.
Can you truly call that a happy ending?”
“Th-that is…”
My words, spewed out like machine-gun fire, seemed to have pierced the maid’s heart.
Tears welled up in her eyes and began to stream down.
“…I knew this was wrong.
But then, then what was I supposed to do?
How could everyone… be happy…”
“That’s obvious.”
There was no need to think.
There was a simple solution that was unbelievable to be in doubt.
“You should have talked. You should have properly talked to everyone.”
“…Ah.”
The maid’s face contorted in surprise, but I wouldn’t let her claim she hadn’t thought of it.
“Rilmu. You have people who would laugh and forgive your many mistakes, people who would support you no matter what.
Whether it’s Shizun, Mizu, or even Fu.
If you had spoken up, the whole family would have surely helped you.”
Even seeing the maid’s face turn pale, I showed no mercy.
As if to deliver the final blow, I threw stronger words.
“But in the end, you couldn’t trust the people around you who treated you like family.
And so, you resorted to the lowest method: theft!”
The maid’s legs gave out, and she sat down with a thud.
As she shed tears with a vacant look,
“—Stop it now!!”
Mizu burst out and hugged the maid protectively.
“This child… I’ve been watching her, secluding herself, struggling alone, suffering!
You, who don’t know that, have no right to blame her!!”
“…You’re right. Perhaps I don’t have the right to say such arrogant things.”
Indeed, ever since I came to this world, I’ve done as I pleased.
In Layla’s case, I even devised strategies that trampled on people’s feelings.
But…
“I have pride in always striving to achieve the best possible outcome.
I have confidence that I’ve struggled to aim for the happiest ending, an ending where everyone can be happy, no matter how desperate the situation.
That’s why I can’t forgive Rilmu for abandoning such efforts and fleeing to an easy path!”
I shouted, pouring out the burning feelings in my heart.
Yet, Mizu still stood before me, shielding the maid.
“Then, we are equally guilty for knowing this child was suffering and not offering a helping hand.
If you’re going to blame someone, blame us.”
Mizu, who continued to defend her, widened her eyes at the maid.
“Mizu-sama… I, I betrayed you, Mizu-sama, why…?”
Mizu smiled gently at the maid.
“Of course. To me, you are a troublesome little sister.
You’ve long been a member of our family.”
“M-Mizu-sama…”
Large tears fell from Rilmu’s eyes, and Mizu gently wiped them away.
It was a scene like that of two close sisters.
…Honestly.
Seeing them so close, and then being told to punish them instead of the maid, there’s only one thing I can say.
“Exactly, you are all equally guilty!! No, Rilmu stealing the ring is your fault, so your sin is even heavier!
Reflect on yourselves, you bottomless fools!!”
“Wha-!?”
Mizu and the others, as well as my companions, cried out in surprise at my sudden outburst.
I was aware that I was saying things that didn’t suit my character.
But I couldn’t stop.
“From the start, I was getting tired of your constant squabbling, like some near-final episode home drama.”
“It’s about the succession dispute in the Arken Family, isn’t it? Honestly, it’s utterly ridiculous.”
Fai exploded at my words, his contempt undisguised.
“You! Say that again! You don’t even know the circumstances…”
“I know the circumstances! More than anyone else in this room!”
“What!?”
I silenced him with even more pressure.
“During the investigation of the incident, I was also informed about the usage of the Barrier room. Based on that, I’ve grasped your relationships pretty well.”
This was, admittedly, a lie. I had figured out the Arken Family’s relationships during my Game playthrough, gathering several times more information than I had now. But I decided to push forward with it.
“What do you mean, what have you figured out…”
“Fai. You know it’s true, don’t you? That Miz has been able to use two-attribute Barrier Magic.”
The moment I said that, Fai, Miz, and Fu wore expressions of astonishment.
“I-Is that true, Miz!?”
“Th-That is…”
Pressed by Shizun, Miz averted her eyes. That reaction was more eloquent than any words, indicating it was the truth.
“B-But, why would an outsider like Soma know such a thing…”
To Shizun’s question, I shrugged.
“A simple deduction… Lilm. You told me, didn’t you? That Miz once brought Fu to the Barrier room. I suspect Miz asked her to repair a Crystal she had dispelled. She had succeeded with Earth-attribute Barrier Magic and needed Fu to repair the Wind-attribute Crystal she had disabled.”
As I spoke, Fu’s eyes widened. It seemed I was correct about this as well.
“But Miz decided to keep her ability to use a second Barrier Magic a secret, and made Fu promise not to tell anyone. However, there was actually one more person who knew… That would be you, Fai.”
“Big brother!? But, why…”
Miz was flustered. As if unraveling the tangled situation thread by thread, I continued.
“Miz’s training hours were from 3 PM to 5 PM. And Fai’s training hours were from 5 PM to 9 PM. Fai always started his training right after Miz finished hers. So, Fai must have accidentally learned that Miz succeeded with her magic when he came for training.”
“No way…”
And that’s when their gears began to grind against each other.
“From that point on, Fai and Miz visited the Barrier room less often, Fai began acting out more, and Miz’s words became more provocative towards Fai. Why was that?”
When I prompted them, Fai and Miz, who had been clashing like fire and water, began to speak hesitantly.
“I-I thought you were holding back from aiming for the head of the family out of consideration for me… So I thought if I was a good-for-nothing, Miz could become the head without any hesitation…”
“How could you!? I saw firsthand how hard you worked to become the head of the family! Even if you hated me, I wanted to do something to spur you on, and then I wanted to assist you once you became the head…”
For the first time, they bared their hearts, and they gasped at their misunderstanding.
“That’s right. Both of you, as a result of caring for each other, fell into discord. But because of that, Asu became determined to stop your arguments and diligently practiced Barrier Magic, and Fu, who knew everything, went to the Barrier room every day to stop Asu.”
“Ah, Fu-chan. That’s why you were always going to the Barrier room…?”
At Lilm’s words, a blushing Fu nodded. Fu, who wouldn’t have gone to the Barrier room alone, only followed Asu for that very reason. She had been tirelessly trying to stop Asu, day after day, for Miz’s wish for her brother to become the head of the family and for Lilm’s peaceful sleep.
“This… can’t be…”
“I never imagined you’d be thinking such things…”
Words spilled from Miz and Fai. Each of them, every single sibling, was acting for someone else. But their intentions didn’t align, and this tragedy was the result.
Unsure of what to say, the four of them remained rigid. Their father broke the stalemate.
“I’m sorry, all of you!!”
Shizun rushed forward in front of his children, bowing his head to the ground.
“It was me, I was wrong! Bound by the foolish old custom that whoever dispelled the barrier becomes the next head, I didn’t consider your future, how foolish I was! My lack of judgment caused you all to suffer! I’m sorry, all of you, I’m sorry…!”
Seeing him, his children immediately rushed to Shizun’s side.
“N-No, don’t, Dad! I-I was the one who was wrong.”
“No. If only I had thought a little more…”
“No! I… I… WAAAAAH!”
“E-Everyone, please don’t cry…”
It was a mess.
The four brothers, Shizun.
Along with Elm standing by, and the clumsy maid held by Miz, it turned into a grand apology session.
Adults and children alike wept profusely, pouring out what they could not say and could not speak until now to their beloved family.
There was no room for outsiders anymore.
I quietly distanced myself from them, and as I watched the scene of their family coming together as one, I murmured.
“You were all too clumsy. You just needed to confront each other more honestly.”
Several tens of minutes later, Fai, with red-rimmed eyes, stepped forward as if representing the family and stood before me.
“Is the discussion settled?”
When I asked, he smiled with a slightly embarrassed expression.
“Yeah. We’ve decided to discuss and decide on the family head together.
But I think I’ll probably be the family head if I manage to use two attributes.
Miz said she’ll coach me every day.
Honestly, it’s undignified for the next family head to be taught magic by his sister.”
But his smile lacked the sharp edge it once held.
It was a kind and reliable smile that seemed to let his true personality shine through.
“Also, Lilm will be working with us again.
Of course, he’ll still face his punishment.”
“Punishment?”
“Yeah. An incredibly severe punishment where he has to call Miz and me ‘brother’ and ‘sister’ forever from now on.”
“Hah! That’s harsh!”
“Hey! What do you mean by that!!”
They bantered lightheartedly and laughed together again.
But then, Fai’s expression suddenly turned serious.
“There’s one more thing. An important matter.
Um… I’m truly grateful for everything that happened.
If it weren’t for you, we would have remained estranged forever, and we might not have been able to forgive Lilm.”
“Whoa, what are you suddenly saying…”
Cutting me off as I began to speak,
“So, I want you to accept this.”
Fai offered me a black ring I recognized.
“You, isn’t this the ‘Ring of Immortality’?
It’s proof of the family head, isn’t it? You need to treasure it…”
“That’s why! Because it’s important, I want you to have it.
…Please. Accept this as if you’re helping us.”
Fai’s plea made my throat gulp.
I looked at the black ring in his hand.
As if drawn to its dark luster, I reached out my hand…
“—I’m sorry, but I can’t accept that.”
…I firmly pushed away the hand Fai had extended.
Fai’s eyes widened in surprise at my unexpected action.
“Why? Well, for someone who doesn’t know the history of this ring, it might seem like a cursed ring!
But for us…”
“I know!”
I interrupted Fai’s words with a firm tone.
I understood that.
This was a decision I made with great reluctance.
Calming myself, I slowly began to speak.
“I understand the value of that ring.
When you offered it to me, I truly wanted that ring from the bottom of my heart.
But still, I can’t accept it.”
“Then, why!?”
To Fai’s excited shout, I stated clearly.
“—Because if I accept it, the best outcome I desire will not come to pass.”
Fai, who was about to shout again, fell silent upon hearing my words.
“…I know the value of this ring.
But more than that, I believe I understand how much it means to you, Fai, and to your family.”
“But, we’re saying it’s okay…”
“That’s what I don’t like.”
To Fai, who looked confused, I explained my words patiently.
“For me, the thought of you all being able to look at this ring and smile is far more joyful than obtaining it myself.”
The moment I said it, my face felt hot.
I was aware that I had just said a cheesy line.
But that was my true feeling.
Hearing my words, Fai clicked his tongue and turned his back to me.
As he rejoined his family, Fai muttered as if to himself.
“What a good-natured person! …I won’t forget you. Thanks.”
With that, the tsundere guy, whose face was as red as his hair, left.
“…You too.”
Even though I knew it wouldn’t reach him, I spoke to his retreating back.
Even as his figure faded, I felt something hot, like the fire he ignited, remain in my chest.
After that, Shizun, who had hurried back to retrieve the crest of the shield, came to bid me a final farewell.
“Honestly, when I first saw you all, I didn’t know what would happen…
It’s truly fortunate that you all came in place of Spark Hawk.”
Shizun gave me the crest of the shield and spoke those words before returning to the mansion.
Afterward, Fu bowed deeply to me, Asu gave us a crisp peace sign, and Miz silently clasped both my hands before they each departed.
Next to arrive was the maid.
I thought she’d be terrified after I’d teased her so much earlier, but then,
“Soma-san!!”
As soon as she approached, she hugged me.
Our chests met with a jiggle.
This is… never mind, but,
“RILMU, you…”
The maid cut me off before I could finish.
“Soma-san, thank you so much.
Because of you, I can work there again, and the sick children will also be alright with Shizun-sama’s help.
This is all thanks to you, Soma-san!”
“Is that so.”
If that’s the case, there’s no need to say anything further.
I decided to offer a single word of encouragement.
“Good luck. Try not to mess up too much and get fired again.”
“Yes! But I think I’ll be alright.
Everyone here called me family, and I have my main job too.”
“Main… job…? You do something besides being a maid?”
When I asked that, the maid, no, Lilm, laughed merrily.
“Oh, come on! They wouldn’t hire a klutz like me as a maid!
While I do have a lot of maid work, my main job is being a bodyguard, a bodyguard!
I often get swindled and end up penniless, so I’m a regular in the slums, but I was actually a skilled adventurer before!”
“Wh-what…?”
Now that I think about it, she was strong when she lifted the armor and the floor…
What…
“Well then, if anything happens again, please contact me!
I’ll do my best for you, Soma-san!!”
Still toying with me until the very end, the maid, now revealed as the skilled bodyguard Lilm, departed.
And finally, the one who arrived was that butler who held a grudge against me, Elm-san.
Standing straight before me, Elm-san spoke, his sharp gaze unwavering.
“To be honest, I couldn’t shake the suspicion that you would do something rash until the very last moment.
Even when Fai-sama offered the ring, I suspected you might accept it, or perhaps pretend to return it while switching it with a fake in your hand.”
“Is that so. You really disliked me, didn’t you.”
So, it turned out I couldn’t quite get close to this butler.
As I responded with a dry chuckle,
“…However, that was my mistake.
Your actions were fair and noble until the end.
You didn’t accept the ring; far from switching it, you returned it to Fai-sama without ever touching it.”
Elm-san then did something completely unexpected.
“I sincerely apologize for all my past rudeness.”
He bowed ninety degrees in a textbook display of utmost respect.
But I gave a wry smile and told him to lift his head.
Words of apology don’t suit a happy, joyful ending.
The competent butler, accurately sensing this, bowed his head once more.
This time, it was about half the previous angle, forty-five degrees.
“My apologies. Then, thank you very much, Soma-sama.
…If you ever require a butler, please do contact the Arken Family.”
And with that, maintaining his distinguished demeanor to the end, he too followed after his masters.
“…It’s over.”
As I muttered to myself, a sense of emptiness washed over me, mingled with the feeling of accomplishment.
I had acted outside the flow of the Game, but seeing that family walking together amicably like that, I truly felt it was worth the effort.
“…Well done.”
“…You worked hard, Soma.”
At that moment, my companions, who had been giving me space out of consideration, approached and offered their congratulations.
Joy welled up at their words.
But before I could savor it, Mitsuki looked at me, narrowed her eyes, and said,
“Besides… it seems you’ve also successfully accomplished your true objective.”
“–!?”
At her words, I instinctively tensed.
Mitsuki, meanwhile, spoke as if it were nothing.
“If you possessed the ‘Eye of Heaven’ right now, you would have had me search for Layla’s location the moment we left the mansion.
Since you didn’t, it means you erased ‘Eye of Heaven’ in that Barrier room, didn’t you?”
Mitsuki’s sharp gaze pierced through to the depths of my heart.
“The timing was when I looked away from you. Probably after Maki-san and Lilm-san visited the room.
You left the ‘Eye of Heaven’ in the Barrier room then, and…”
“You saw right through everything, didn’t you. Mitsuki is correct.”
Resigned, I nodded. That was the main reason I took on this quest.
I exploited the characteristic of the Barrier room that it regenerates just before an event to delete the indestructible item, the ‘Eye of Heaven’.
It’s true that due to a patch, deleting items with the precious item attribute had become difficult.
Previously, the means of leaving items on the Field for extended periods or discarding items repeatedly in the same Field no longer made item deletion possible.
However, this only means that precious items are excluded from item disappearance over time and from item deletion when the Field limit is exceeded.
There are no problems if item deletion is performed through other means.
This is where the regeneration of the barrier room comes in.
In the first place, room regeneration is a brute-force method of discarding all of the current room’s data and replacing it with older room data.
It doesn’t matter if the items in the room are impossible to delete or not.
The moment regeneration occurs, everything in the room is annihilated into the sea of data, or, in this world, banished to another dimension.
“Seriously, you really are…”
Mitsuki’s exasperated voice reached my ears.
I didn’t feel like I had done anything shameful, but I hadn’t expected to be found out so quickly.
I’m sure I’ll be criticized again.
Thinking that, I lowered my head,
“—You truly are my pride.”
My head was pulled down sharply, and I was enveloped in something soft.
“Huh? Whaaaat!?”
I could hear Maki’s shout of “Aaaah!!” from the side, but I couldn’t afford to be distracted.
Confused about what had happened, I tried to raise my head,
“D-don’t move! This is embarrassing enough as it is!”
My head was pulled deeper into embrace.
I had no idea what was going on.
Eventually, when my head was released, Mitsuki’s flushed face was before me.
A faint smile was playing on her lips.
“W-why…?”
To my question, Mitsuki tilted her head in return.
“Did you think you would be blamed?”
“Of course! I used this request as an excuse to achieve my own goal, you know?! I took on this quest for my own sake…”
“And what’s wrong with that?”
Her clear question rendered me speechless.
“You may have prioritized your own objective. But that doesn’t negate your accomplishments. …You strive ceaselessly for an ending where everyone can be happy. Your words resonated with me.”
“Mit-suki…”
And it wasn’t just Mitsuki.
My companions gathered around me, one after another, offering their voices.
“Soma-san! Soma-san, you’re amazing! Amazing!! I respect you!!”
Ena praised me excitedly, and
“Hmph! That… I apologize for when the power went out. However, I admit that you are a somewhat reliable opponent for me, or rather, I… acknowledge it…”
Sahzan said, looking away, and
“I hate to admit it, Soma, but you were a little cool today. Knowing the answer is cheating, but you were like a detective in a novel.”
Maki commented, puffing out her cheeks… and finally,
“…Soma. I’m sorry. Soma, you were a marginal human.”
Ringo said, bowing deeply to me.
“What is it, everyone…? To be told this so suddenly…”
I stammered. It was a strange feeling.
Even when I defeated the Demon Lord, I was called a hero by many people, but my companions generally looked at me with exasperation.
Come to think of it, this might be the first time my companions have ever praised me for what I’ve done.
“Eve-ryone…”
The unexpected warm words from my companions brought a stinging sensation to my eyes.
“…Soma? Are you crying?”
When Ringo pointed it out, I quickly rubbed my eyes.
“I-I’m not crying! I’m not crying!”
No one laughed at my clumsy display.
They watched me with warm expressions.
(No matter what I do, they accept me. Is this what being companions means?)
Until now, I had thought no one understood my thoughts.
In fact, I had resigned myself to the belief that my game-addled way of thinking couldn’t be shared with my companions.
But that wasn’t the case.
“Ev-eryone, thank you. I, I…”
I felt frustrated that I couldn’t put into words how much I wanted to convey my feelings to them.
But then, Mitsuki gently placed her hand on my shoulder.
“It’s enough that you understand. Now, please smile. It’s perfect when you’re boasting about your achievements and smiling defiantly, just like always.”
“Right. That’s right.”
Indeed, these sentimental moments don’t suit us.
Acknowledging this, I first shook my head to dislodge any remaining tears.
If I was going to do it, I’d do it with a flourish, as Mitsuki suggested.
“Hold this for a moment.”
“Huh? Yes.”
Handing the shield’s crest I’d received from Shizun to Mitsuki, I took out the spoils of our battle from my bag, held them up high, and gave a deliberately cheerful command.
“—Alright, everyone! We’ve taken what we came for, so let’s head back!!”
To my companions’ bewildered gazes, the ‘Ring of Immortality’ in my raised hand gleamed with an ominous light under the sun.
A perfect happy ending!!
