Ch31 Epilogue

After some time.

Humid air flows through the nose, a shivering chill can be felt through the skin..

It's the long lost "reality".

Mei: "Am I.. back?"

Behind her is the past that's fading away; heavy, yet fleeting.

And in front of her, is the future that she's walking towards..

Mei: "..Hm?"

Someone within expectations appeared in front of her. https://i.imgur.com/9CRsvzU.jpeg

Kevin: "..."

With an expected look.

Mei: "Seems like you're the last insurance here."

Kevin: "..."

Mei: "You didn't move in the end."

Mei: "...I can see that you had a lot of "confidence" in your old companions."

Kevin: "You too."

Mei: "..."

For a moment, she couldn't grasp the meaning of what the opposite side is saying.

Mei: "Kevin, they.."

Kevin: "I know."

Mei: "..."

Mei: "Even so.. are you still unwilling to see them for the last time?"

That would be meaningless.

Is what she thought he'd say.

But he didn't.

Kevin: "I don't want to let her down."

He finished that sentence calmly, like always.

Mei understood at that moment-- This man who always signified "Strength" is not complaining about anything to anyone.. He's only describing how "weak" he is.

The Kevin that's standing here is not just here to be the final insurance.

But also to engrain.. and to say farewell.

Mei: "You.."

Kevin: "Let's go."

He stopped showing anymore emotions; or rather, he showed more than enough.

Kevin is lonely.

Only because nobody ever realized his loneliness.

Mei: "..to do what?"

Kevin: "Project STIGMA."

Mei: "..."

She knew. The "12th herrscher" has been eliminated, and the "13th herrscher" had been a lie -- the destined moment.. has already arrived.

Mei: "The day is finally here, right?"

Kevin: "If you aren't willing, then there's no point in you staying here anymore."

Mei: "Kevin, you know that I never acknowledged this plan."

Kevin: "That's not important; since you already understood."

Mei: "..."

Mei: "Understand.."

Mei: "Maybe.."

After witnessing the beginning and the end of that era, she can even be sure, that she understood how the man in front of her came to be like this the most.

Mei: "But "understanding" does not mean "acceptance"."

Mei: "Kevin, everyone has the possibility to become a hero."

Mei: "But.. you shouldn't require everyone to become the "hero" you chose. This is not what she would've wanted."

Kevin: "Raiden Mei."

Kevin: "There won't be a second Elysia."

Kevin: "What she had always wanted to see has also never been "here".."

Kevin: "But on you."

Mei: "..."

Mei: "Seems like.. I've lost my final purpose to stay at World Serpent."

Mei: "So, the real "objective" you recruited a Herrscher to join the World Serpent.."

Mei: "..I've already completed it, right?"

Kevin: "..Yes."

Surprisingly, the man responded softly. Mei couldn't even tell if that was a real sound that existed.

Kevin: "Then, that's it.. Raiden Mei."

Kevin: "As the "lord".."

Kevin: "I allow you to leave World Serpent."