CHAPTER 52

The Shape of Love

Two hours have passed, and they’ve gone from training to actual sparring. The sound of metal against metal echoes as Reckless Seiya’s sword clashes against Cautious Seiya’s. But as they trade blows, I notice Kiriko is no longer standing next to Jonde.

“Hmm? Jonde, where’s Kiri?”

“Oh, Kiriko? Kurio came over a few minutes ago, took her hand, and brought her back to the inn.”

“Jonde, seriously?! You were supposed to be watching her! She’s still a child, you know!”

“Then why weren’t you watching her?!”

I rush over to the inn, leaving the two Seiyas behind. I never got the impression that Kurio was dangerous, of course, but I’m worried he’s bullying her again for being a Killing Machine. Kurio’s father, Glesden, is standing behind the front desk when I walk in. When I ask, he tells me that Kurio is out back in the tent, so I hurry straight there.

“Kiri, are you in here?”

“Oh! I’m right here!”

When I enter, I find Kurio and Kiriko sitting next to each other. Kurio’s hands are covered in mud as he kneads clay. His mother, Mirei, is also nearby, standing in front of various earthenware pottery lined up on the shelves.

“Um… What are you doing?”

“Making a pot!” Kiriko happily replies.

Mirei walks over to me and whispers into my ear:

“Kurio felt really bad about his behavior yesterday, so he wanted to teach Kiriko how to make a pot.”

“Oh, so that’s what’s going on!”

Not only was he not bullying her, he was actively trying to be friends with her. Hmm. I thought he was kind of a brat at first, but…he’s okay.

“Pottery, huh? Pretty mature hobby for a kid.”

Mirei giggles.

“We people of Fulwahna are very thankful for nature’s bounty. We love the land that provides for us, so we use it to create pottery.”

Kurio kneads the clay by hand without even using a pottery wheel, and before long, he’s made a small vase. When he’s done, he proudly shows it to Kiriko.

“And that’s all there is to it! Got it? Give it a try!”

“Okay!”

Kiriko takes the clay Kurio hands her and tries to imitate his actions, but it looks like she’s having a hard time. Kurio rolls his eyes.

“You’re really clumsy for a machine. Y’know that?”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“See? Like this.”

“Oh! I think I get it now!”

Ha-ha! He’s acting just like an older brother!

Watching Kurio take Kiriko’s hands to help her knead the clay warms my heart. Yep… Mirei’s here, too, so she should be okay. I randomly notice a large earthenware plate decorated inside the tent. Painted on it are warriors fighting scorpion-like monsters.

“Hey, Mirei. Is this…?”

“Yes, that’s Seiya and his party. When Seiya visited Fulwahna one year ago, he defeated the King Scorpion, a monster that had been terrorizing our land. This painting is a depiction of that battle.”

Mirei continues, her gaze distant.

“I got to watch Seiya battle up close that day. It was difficult, to say the least, but Seiya was able to defeat the King Scorpion even with the end of its tail piercing his stomach.”

“What…?! He won with a scorpion stinger in his stomach?! What about the others?!”

“They were in terrible shape as well—either poisoned, paralyzed, or unconscious.”

“H-he must have rushed in to fight it, despite being under-leveled again! I swear! That Seiya is so reckless!”

While I find myself dumbfounded by just how different he is compared to Cautious Seiya, Mirei simply laughs.

“It was harrowing to watch if I’m being honest. Even so, everyone in this town respects Seiya, who bravely fought against an enemy far stronger than him.”

“Sigh. They’re both extremes on opposite ends. I wish I could just add them together and divide by two…”

After talking to Mirei, I leave Kiriko to her practice and head back to see how Seiya’s doing.

To my surprise, the two Seiyas are still crossing blades in front of the inn.

“They’re still training?!”

“Yes, they haven’t even taken a break yet. The cautious one is fine, but the reckless one looks like he is about to collapse any minute now.”

Just like Jonde said, Reckless Seiya’s face is clearly strained with exhaustion. Apparently already at his limit, Reckless Seiya groans:

“Y-you already learned the move. Haven’t you trained enough?”

“Not yet. I need to perfect it. I have to save the world, after all.”

“Oh… I see… Your world…hasn’t been saved yet…!”

Reckless Seiya clenches his teeth.

“All right. Then let’s keep going while we can still stand.”

But Reckless Seiya’s body is already trembling. He only lasts a few more exchanges before he collapses face-first onto the ground like they do in comic books.

“A-are you okay?!”

I rush over and help the unconscious Hero up while scolding Cautious Seiya.

“Enough already! This Seiya is a lot weaker than you, you know!”

“Hmm…”

After approaching him, Cautious Seiya places a hand over the unconscious Hero’s heart, then opens his eyelids as if checking for signs of life.

“I took various things into account, but it looks like he really is just like the old me…for now, at least.”

Without showing even a hint of worry, he intricately analyzes Reckless Seiya. Once that’s done, he returns his focus to the cloudy sky outside of town.

“He said the sandstorm would pass in two to three days. Until then, I will continue observing the town.”

Then, he briskly walks off somewhere on his own.

What the…?! Hey?! What am I supposed to do with this Seiya?!

I can’t just leave him here, so I ask Jonde to carry him to the inn. We tell Glesden what happened, get a room, and lay Reckless Seiya on the bed. Jonde leaves once his task is done, leaving only Reckless Seiya and me in the room. I decide to use Scan to check his HP just in case…and can’t believe my eyes.

HP: 3/70,024

What?! He only has three HP left! Who the hell trains until they’re on the verge of death?! He must have gone far past his limit just to help Cautious Seiya train.

Reckless Seiya slept for an entire day after that.

It was noon the next day when Reckless Seiya finally awoke.

“…Hey, Goddess,” he mutters after noticing me in the chair by his bed watching over him.

“Don’t ‘hey’ me! You almost died!”

His lips curl slightly upward.

“The me from your world is amazing. Although he already mastered the skill, it’s still not enough for him. I, on the other hand, was already satisfied after hearing the basics and immediately stopped practicing. He’s the same as me, yet he’s completely different.”

“Yeah, a lot happened to make him that way.”

“I heard that your world was destroyed by the Demon Lord. Such a painful experience must have changed me…”

Reckless Seiya appears to be pondering what happened to Cautious Seiya, but I suddenly realize something.

“H-hey, you defeated the Demon Lord, right? So is Termine in your world okay, too?”

“Of course. I currently watch over the world from the peaceful nation of Termine. I simply came to Fulwahna to check up on things and see Kurio, but I plan on returning to Termine once the sandstorm dies down.”

“So that means Princess Tiana’s there, too, right?!”

“Of course. Tiana and our child are waiting for my return.”

My heart races.

“Sh-she was able to give birth…!”

“She was.”

“A boy? A girl?”

“A little baby girl.”

“How is she? Is she eating well? Is she happy?”

“She’s doing wonderful, but…Goddess, why are you crying?”

I gasp. I had no idea that tears were running down my cheeks until he pointed it out.

“O-oh, um… It’s nothing. Anyway, you ended up not going back to Japan, huh?”

“I found something worth risking my life to protect here, so I decided to stay.”

Those words push me over the edge, and I can no longer hold back the tears.

This must be the world I always dreamed of when I was Princess Tiana. Even now, I…

…Why couldn’t that be my reality?

Just as I think that to myself…

“Rista, the grass is always greener.”

A distant voice echoes in the room, even though Reckless Seiya and I are supposed to be the only ones here.

Eeeeeek?! Wh-where is that voice coming from?

My heart nearly stops as I survey the room until Cautious Seiya comes sliding out from under the bed.

“Again?! Do you always just hide under people’s beds?!”

Seiya slaps me on the back of the head as I scream.

“Ow! What the hell?!”

“It’s time to get your head out of the clouds.”

“Huh?!”

With that, Seiya leaves the room. After a few moments of muted incredulity, I’m finally able to quell my rage.

“U-unbelievable! I mean, how long was that stalker even hiding there?!”

“Are you okay, Goddess?”

“Yeah… I’ll be fine…”

Reckless Seiya is worried about me. Ugh! He’s so much better than my Seiya!

The following day, Cautious Seiya is already gone by the time I wake up in my cave room. I’m sure he’s either working out, making golems, or investigating the town. Whatever.

Kiriko went back to the tent today to play with Kurio, and Jonde is merrily chatting with Glesden at the inn’s front desk.

Oh, wow. When did Jonde and Glesden get so friendly? They seem to be laughing and having a good time.

I decide to watch them from the shadows.

“I told the townspeople that the Seiyas are twin brothers.”

“I really appreciate it. Seeing them together would surely cause some confusion for the townspeople, otherwise.”

After that, Jonde looks out the inn window, watching people come and go. Then, he speaks in a voice full of admiration.

“What a wonderful town. Termine used to be bustling with life like this.”

“Hmm? I hear that Termine is prospering even now. The beautiful princess and Hero work alongside their wonderful queen and exceptional general to ensure the safety of this world.”

“O-oh, so everyone’s still doing fine! I was never turned into an undead, and I’m still by Princess Tiana’s side…”

While Jonde is close to tears, a beautiful woman carrying a tray with a tea set comes walking out from the back of the inn.

“It’s just a small gesture, but I prepared some tea. Care for a cup?”

“Oh! Much appreciated!”

As Jonde reaches out for a teacup with a smile, the woman hurls the tea right in his face.

“Pffffff?!”

Despite her horrible mistake, the woman doesn’t look the least bit sorry.

“G-Glesden?! Wh-what is wrong with her?!”

“I—I don’t know! She doesn’t work here!”

The woman’s body then starts to glow, and in an instant, she transforms into Cautious Seiya, fully dressed in armor! He coldly scolds Jonde:

“And you call yourself a general. Wake up. Never let your guard down.”

Whaaaaaat?! He transformed into a woman just so he could keep an eye on Jonde?!

Seiya then briskly walks away like he didn’t do anything wrong, and Jonde yells:

“Are we sure he’s not the impostor?!”

I’m painfully aware how he feels. After watching Jonde get hot tea splashed in his face, I decide to go check up on Kiriko. Seiya left in the opposite direction, and I highly doubt he would go as far as spying on children. Still, my eyes can’t help but dart in each and every direction to make sure he’s not there. Yep! Looks like the coast is clear!

Mirei is once again watching over Kurio and Kiriko as they knead clay together. They seem to be in good spirits. Kiriko also appears to have gotten better, and clay plates and vases line the shelf. They must be leaving them out to dry. As their fingers move deftly, I ask:

“Hey, what are you two making?”

“Ornaments. I’m making the sun.”

“I’m making the moon.”

“Tee-hee. They said they’re going to trade later.”

Mirei smiles as she chimes in, then glances at Kurio with a hint of sorrow in her eyes.

“They said the sandstorm outside of town should clear up by tomorrow, Kurio, so make sure to finish your mold before then.”

“What?! You’re leaving already, Kiriko?!”

“Y-yes. I’m in the middle of a journey to defeat the Demon Lord.”

“Sigh. But we only just started to get to know each other…”

“I’m sorry…”

Mirei then turns to me.

“Goddess, it will take a month to finish them, so do you think you could stop by after your journey is over?”

“Yes, of course. I promise.”

“Then let’s start firing them.”

Mirei walks over to a large kiln outside the tent, with Kurio not far behind.

“Mom! Hurry! We don’t have much time before Kiriko leaves!”

“Yes, sweetie. I know.”

Thoughtfully watching their exchange, Kiriko mutters:

“Rista, if the Demon Lord hadn’t taken over our world, do you think I would have been able to have a future like this?”

“Kiri…”

The moment of melancholy ticks by slowly. Mirei grabs a tool to open the kiln safely, but as soon as she removes the lid, we freeze, for hidden beneath the lid is…Seiya’s face! Seiya crawls out of the kiln, engulfed in flames.

“Eeeeeeeeeeeek!!”

“Ahhhhhh! It’s a monsterrrrrrrrr!”

Although Mirei and Kurio are screaming their heads off, Kiriko and I are at a loss for words. He’s wearing a nonchalant expression despite the fact that he’s literally on fire. Eventually, I manage to spit out:

“S-S-Seiya! Are you not hot?!”

“I’m protecting my body with fire magic. It’s only a little hot.”

“So it does feel hot!!”

Seiya, still on fire, approaches Kiriko.

“Kiriko, we already have our own world. Don’t ask for the impossible.”

“Y-yeah… Sorry…”

Already at my limit, I scream:

“Seiya! Stop spying on us!!”

“I wouldn’t have to if you didn’t let your guard down. Do not forget that this town is already under the Death Emperor’s control.”

“B-but still…!”

“The sandstorm will be gone by tomorrow. Make sure you’re prepared. Provided everything goes smoothly, we’ll be leaving.”

As always, Seiya says whatever he wants and then leaves before anyone else can get a word in.

We actually had a pretty comfy mood going! Why did he have to show up just to ruin it?!

Kurio, astonished, mutters:

“Yeah… I hate that Seiya! He’s a borderline criminal…!”

Kurio, I couldn’t agree with you more…

Mirei’s inspecting the oven Seiya crawled out of, so I decide to apologize on his behalf.

“I’m so sorry about that creep—I mean—Seiya.”

“Oh, no. It’s fine. It doesn’t look like the oven’s broken, either.”

Mirei wears a sweet smile in contrast to the irritation painted on my face.

“Some people use their favorite pottery every day, but others carefully store theirs away to make sure it doesn’t break.”

“…What?”

“I believe that some people are able to be outwardly expressive with their love while others find it easier to watch over their loved ones from afar. I had that thought after observing your Seiya.”

“Mirei, he’s not the nice person you think he is. He was just keeping an eye on us so we wouldn’t cause any trouble.”

Even then, Mirei’s smile doesn’t waver.

The next morning arrives. It’s our day of departure.

In the middle of my beauty sleep…

“Owwwwwwwwwwww?!”

…I feel a sharp pain shoot through my right leg, causing me to jump out of bed. I look down to find an earth serpent tightly coiled around my calf.

“Wh-what the…?!”

The snake opens its mouth, and I hear Seiya’s voice come out.

“It’s morning. Get up, Rista.”

“What kind of wake-up call is that?!”

“Just get ready. Now. I’ve discovered signs of the enemy outside town.”

“Wh-what?! Huh…?! Hello? Hello?! …That jerk!”

With no other choice, I change into my clothes and rush outside.