Chapter 156: Chapter 80. Becoming the Adult Who Brings Reassurance
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The dead should not interfere with the living.
For they cause the living to be trapped in the painful past.
However...
The raised scythe never came down.
"You're not joking, are you?" Cyd stared into Wills's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Detective. You've gone to such lengths for me, but..." Wills spread his arms and stood protectively in front of the fairy-like woman. "I'm doing this to protect this workshop, for her!"
The living, too, often cling to memories, refusing to let the dead depart.
In the end, it's just an outsider's assumption that they are bound by the dead.
"If we don't close this gate, more lives will be lost," Cyd lowered the scythe. "Eventually, this workshop will be reclaimed."
"Then... at least let me leave with her," Wills clenched his fists.
"You really are a clumsy person," Cyd sighed and stepped back.
"Thank you," Wills grinned foolishly as he held the woman's hand, slowly moving toward the gate with her leading the way.
"Wait!"
Lord El-Melloi II shouted as he ran toward them.
He should have realized it sooner. Even if he didn't reveal the truth, Wills would still step through that gate.
Wills, who was famously not fond of women, now wore a shy expression in front of this fairy-like woman.
Why didn't he stop it?
"Wills, you can't go in there! You won't come back!"
"I'm sorry, Lord El-Melloi II," Wills stopped, turning to look at the still-running Lord El-Melloi II. "My selfish riddle has caused you a lot of trouble, but this is the ending I've hoped for. It's okay. I won't die. I'm just going to a world where she exists."
Cyd snapped his fingers, and buds sprouted from the vines. Under the power of the blessing, they bloomed. The storm ceased, and the light of dawn pierced through the clouds, spreading across the land. A gentle breeze brushed against Wills' face, and the fluttering petals made them look like a newlywed couple.
Cyd smiled and waved, "You'll surely find happiness."
"Thank you," Wills bowed to Cyd, then exchanged a satisfied smile with the fairy, stepping into the gate without any regrets.
"Boom—"
After Wills' figure completely vanished, the gate began to twist, finally transforming into a beam of light that shot into the sky.
"Wil...es," Lord El-Melloi II slowly came to a stop, standing beside Cyd, dazedly looking at the sky. The scattered petals clung to his rain-soaked coat.
Perhaps for Wills, these petals were blessings like those at a wedding, but for Lord El-Melloi II, they were the petals of a funeral.
Maybe ten years ago, he would have grabbed Cyd by the collar, leaned into his chest, and cried out in anger.
"Why didn't you stop him?"
"Aren't you a hero? Why didn't you save his life?"
"Aren't you... hope?"
But now, he had matured. Lord El-Melloi II released Cyd's collar and, together with him, gazed at the sky, as if bidding farewell to that fool.
"Thank you," Lord El-Melloi II pulled out a cigarette and placed it in his mouth.
"I could have stopped him, but I watched him leave," Cyd slung the reverted form of [Reforged Pandora] over his back. "As his friend, you can punch me if you want. The hero known as hope chose to stand by."
"I'm a rational person," Lord El-Melloi II lit the cigarette. "Even if I had stopped him, knowing the truth would have only made him more miserable, and he would have chosen this path anyway. Your choice wasn't wrong. I'm still not mature enough to let emotions get in the way."
"But seeing a friend leave is always painful," Kairi Sisigou stepped up beside Lord El-Melloi II, extending his hand. "Need some company? I'm out of smokes."
"Remember to bill the Department of Policies for me," Lord El-Melloi II pulled out a pack, but Sisigou swiftly grabbed two, tossing one to Cyd.
"Maturity, huh?" Cyd toyed with the cigarette, chuckling as he placed it in his mouth. "If the price of maturity is watching someone close to me leave, I'd rather never mature, even if that person would always worry about me."
"But this is what it means to be an adult," Sisigou grinned, lighting Cyd's cigarette. "And... we've already grown up."
"Watching someone close... leave, huh?" Lord El-Melloi II's gaze deepened as he looked at the sky, his eyes reflecting a tall figure who kept moving forward, before he closed them.
"Indeed, we painfully bid them farewell, while they can leave without worry. It's so unfair... at least take... me..."
One witnessed the death of his king.
One witnessed the departure of his knight.
One witnessed the disappearance of his teacher.
They wouldn't kneel and weep, but at least they could hide their emotions in the smoke. They didn't actually smoke, as the choking scent would drag them back to reality, forcing them to mature. At least until the flame burned their lips, allowing them to be weak for just a moment longer.
Because that person would no longer laugh heartily and ruffle his hair.
Because that person would no longer hold his head in pain while walking circles around him.
Because that person's gentle gaze would no longer be seen.
"Master," Gray, holding her scythe, looked lost as she stared at the three men bathed in the light of dawn. The faint white smoke made their figures seem so ethereal, as if they might disappear at any moment.
"Don't mind them. That's how men perform their rituals, and how they express their friendship," Reines tugged Gray back, who had wanted to step forward. "The incident is over, Lord El-Melloi II can finally rest. Let him... relax for a while."
"I understand," Gray opened her mouth, then nodded.
"Then pack your things. We're preparing to leave," Reines waved her hand.
"Um... I'm sorry," Gray bit her lip and bowed to Reines, "I want to wait here for my master."
Reines blinked in surprise, then, after watching Gray for a moment, shrugged, "Well~ I am a bit tired. I don't mind catching a little more sleep."
"Thank you!"
"But Gray, you'll owe me a favor after this," Reines smirked mischievously.
"Okay!"
Naive Gray had no idea she had just fallen into a trap. Right now, her eyes were only on those three bathed in the sunlight.
The cigarette... hadn't burned out yet. They could still be the ones who would be worried about.
"By the way, Sisigou, shouldn't you be elsewhere?"
"Hey! So quick to kick your comrades out?"
"You do look like someone mature."
"You, too, seem overly mature, Lord II."
"Hah!"
"Seems like I'm the only one fit to brood here. Get lost, old men."
"Shut up! You're the oldest here!" x2
The breeze blew by, gently dispersing the thick smoke surrounding them. The cigarette butts, now burning their lips, reminded them it was time to return to being the adults who brought reassurance to that person.
"Let's go."
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