Chapter 58 - The Vow
The young soldiers, both man and woman, stood close together, staring at Old Man as if to say, “There’s nothing left to say.” Their gazes, filled with compassion, stirred a strange feeling within me. Wait a minute...
Wasn’t Old Man supposed to be alone in this world, with no family?
But then, wasn’t he the one who became my elderly servant and stayed by my side throughout my childhood? No, hold on. I recognized the faces of those gathered here for the feast—I should recognize them. Yes, I had attended their funerals before. And... the young soldier from the guerrilla unit was there too.
Wait, wait, wait...
Old Man seemed to notice my confusion and gave me a gentle smile.
“It has been a good life. When my son and daughter passed away, I thought about following them. But the previous head of the family persuaded me to live on, even if it meant bearing the shame of survival. However, at the end of my life, I was able to fulfill my long-cherished desire... thanks to you, Young Master. With all my heart, I thank you. You, who brought me here, are as dear to me as a beloved grandchild. We will always be by your side. And I look forward to the day when you, too, will join us as one who has fulfilled their desire. Until that day comes... I expect to hear many stories from you. For now, this is our temporary farewell.”
With a fist pressed to his chest, Old Man bowed deeply. After a moment, he straightened up, smiled warmly, and turned on his heel, walking lightly toward where his son and daughter stood.
――― The connection was severed.
The banquet... rapidly grew distant... smaller... and eventually faded into darkness. Once again, I was alone. I felt an endless stream of tears pouring down my face. And above all, I realized... Old Man’s life had become eternal. From afar, I heard a voice calling out to me—a voice filled with trust and concern for me. Guided by that voice, I walked through the darkness.
I just kept walking.
A single light appeared before me. It grew rapidly, shining brightly and enveloping me. I felt as though I was burning, consumed by flames, and at the same time, my consciousness rose as if emerging from the depths of water.
“Hey! Open your eyes!! I won’t accept an ending like this in a place like this! What am I supposed to tell Brother?! How do I explain this to Father and Mother?! Hey, no, open your eyes!! Chief Medic! Didn’t you pray for a Healing Miracle?!”
“Well, the prayer was answered. Yes, it was. But the shock was too great, and his soul... I can’t guarantee it’s fully returned to his body...”
“Save your nonsense for when you’re asleep! We can’t lose him now!! Hey, say something!! Ugh, wake up, open your eyes!!”
I gasped, air rushing into my mouth. I breathed in and out, struggling for air. My vision was blurry. Second Brother was gripping my collar. It felt like he was slapping my face. Wait, no. If he hit me with those club-like arms of his, I’d die, wouldn’t I? I panted, letting out a soundless scream.
“Hey!! Enough of this...”
“I’m awake! My eyes are wide open!! So please, stop hitting me!!”
“You...”
“Yes, Second Brother. By the way, how long was I out? If you’re here, does that mean the rescue request went through?”
“...An entire hour. You... your heartbeat and breathing had stopped.”
“What?”
I turned my head and saw the sergeant major and the chief medic sitting there, their eyes red and swollen. My cheeks stung sharply. Second Brother... had he already hit me? Was my head bleeding, and were my cheeks swollen?
――What is this? What’s going on?
Wait. Was that... not just my imagination... In other words, did I have a near-death experience? Did Old Man push me back to this world? Hold on. Let me sort this out. So… Old Man… that’s what happened?
“Brother, what’s the status of the rescue request? If you’re here by my side, does that mean the situation has been resolved?”
“Ah, yes... you’re right. The situation is over.”
“Old Man... has he become eternal? Old Man!!”
“He showed us the ‘last stand’ of an old veteran. He and ‘Red Fur’ took each other down. We’re gathering the bodies now. We’ll be heading back soon.”
“I see. Old Man... fulfilled his desire, didn’t he?”
“Indeed... you could say that. He had a peaceful smile on his face. Old Man, and everyone else…”
“......I see. My lack of strength... I’m truly sorry.”
“You were up against a medium-sized singularity. It wouldn’t have been strange for the entire guerrilla unit to be wiped out. Losing the commander, with the adjutant holding the line... it was an unprecedented situation. The details... well, I can’t report them yet.”
“I, too, owe my life to Old Man letting me escape, so the final report... but you saw the situation, Brother.”
“Understood. As the commander of the main force, I’ll gather the information and report it to Father. Ah, and to our Elder Brother too. Are you alright? If your footing is unsteady...”
“No need to worry. I’m a man of the frontier. Forged by Old Man, I can’t afford to look pathetic. I want to give Old Man a proper burial. I’d like to stay with his remains until then, if I may.”
“Permission granted. Indulge yourself. He cherished you like a grandchild, so your tears will be a fitting tribute.”
“Thank you... thank you...”
The death of someone who had raised me with such care. Despite the shock, my heart was at peace. At the very end, I was able to exchange words with Old Man. In that dark place. And I firmly engraved in my heart that I, too, would one day join that banquet ......The endless tears wouldn’t stop, continuing to soak my cheeks.
―――――
In the depths of sorrow, I finished Old Man’s funeral. For Old Man, who had no surviving relatives, and for his former comrades, the knightly family requested the holy church to send them off in grandeur to the “place where time holds no meaning.” As is the custom of the frontier, those who fell in this operation were cremated and buried in graves filled with holy water.
Needless to say, I sent them off with endless tears.
The tears I shed became a requiem for Old Man, and the priest’s words resonated deeply within me: they would fill the cup he now held.
Fortunately, after shedding all those tears, only a sense of loneliness remained in my heart, and I didn’t feel as though I were falling into darkness. That’s right, I made a promise to Old Man. When the time comes, and I earn the right to join that banquet in the place where time holds no meaning, I will tell Old Man all the stories of my experiences. To do that, I must move forward. I must help others and turn this frontier land into a place of peace.
―――― That is the vow I made with Old Man.
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