I Was a Small Fish When I Reincarnated, but It Seems That I Can Become a Dragon, so I Will Do My Best - Chapter 490
Atsui yo~ no cap, it’s really hot, the air is very dry.
11-5. To end the war
Houen, who had keenly sensed something, narrowed his eyes.
This guy, with wrinkles on his forehead up to this point, had a stern expression I’d never seen before.
“Hey, Ouren, what are you thinking? If your plan is as I suspect… it’ll bring sorrow to everyone.”
“Hahaha.”
“It’s no laughing matter… Finally waking up and planning to go back to sleep…”
Houen is truly something. Well, I did ask him about the Reizen’s sealing, so it might be even harder if he didn’t know. But, in truth, I don’t want to do this.
But if I do this… maybe I can end the war.
I could be sealed by the hands of the people I’m in conflict with. I really don’t want to die. Besides, I probably won’t die even if I keep getting attacked normally; that’s what I believe.
By sealing me, the people in conflict with me should think the threat is gone. The war that’s happening because I’ve been made out to be the villain. I can’t accept many of my comrades dying in battle because of that.
If that’s the case, it’s better if I’m not around. Then they’ll lose their reason to fight. We should also lose our reason to protect.
Then, someone tugged on my clothes.
“No.”
“Even if you say that…”
“We finally got to talk! If you do that, we’ll never talk again!”
“That’s right, Ouren-sama! We won’t let you escape!!”
“Ow, ow…”
I was restrained, my arms held tightly by Alena and Princess. Alena’s gotten quite a bit stronger… but aside from this, I can’t think of any other way to end the war.
Forcing it with strength is kind of undesirable. As long as I’m here, the war could continue.
Houen and Dacia scratched their heads. Asure and Balt also had difficult expressions. When I looked at Raiki, he was growling softly.
Everyone must have their own thoughts. And they know that this is the quickest solution.
I now understand that there’s sealing magic. Humans should be able to use at least one technique. Something that won’t be broken as long as I don’t force it.
“…If we ignore each of our individual intentions, then it is indeed an effective means. We can certainly put an end to the war.”
“Of course, there will be resistance. There are those who fought and died in the war, and they might voice their discontent.”
“Indeed, that’s true… Many Garot Kingdom soldiers and adventurers have devoted themselves to the fight. It won’t be in vain, but there will be those who express their dissatisfaction with Ouren’s decision.”
“But it’s mainly those who have actually fought who will speak up. Regular people without combat skills probably wish for the war to end quickly. If Ouren’s decision is carried out, there will likely be more people pleased with it.”
“Hmm…”
Listening to Houen, Dacia, Asure, and Balt’s conversation, Raiki growled.
I could see that familiar tone and gesture once again.
He tapped his head with his index finger and closed his eyes.
Seated beside me, Shim spoke up.
“What do you think, Raiki-sama?”
“…If Ouren-sama is going to sleep again, I won’t stop him. However… in that case, that might not be enough.”
“Not enough…?”
Does this mean it’s not enough with just me?… But, if that’s the case…
Raiki stopped me from saying that with a quick gesture, indicating he wanted to speak.
He straightened his back, pushed his clothes’ hem to the back, and placed his hand on her leg.
It was a familiar atmosphere, but it was somewhat frightening.
He slowly opened his eyes and finally spoke.
“…Houen-sama, Reizen-sama, and Lize-sama must also sleep.”
“What!? Me too!?”
“…Indeed. While Ouren-sama is considered the main instigator, the three of you are also viewed as dangerous as fellow monsters. Even if you possess similar power, it’s likely that everyone thinks so.”
“I see… hmmm…”
Mmm… So it’s not that simple, huh? If that’s the case, it’s not just me, but the other three as well…
I’d prefer to avoid that.
Sleeping just me should be enough.
But if that’s not enough…
“Ugh…”
“I think it’s still acceptable, though.”
“Houen?”
All eyes turned to Houen.
He had previously suggested that it could be an effective solution, but now he was agreeing to it. It was a bit unexpected from him, as he was the one who usually devised and executed plans without sacrifices.
“No, it’s not that. It’s more like… there’s no other choice. As Ouren said, this war is happening because of us. To resolve it, there’s no option but for us to no longer exist. Well, I can’t die… but in the case of sealing, it’s essentially like being dead. As long as we’re alive, we won’t wake up, I suppose.”
“Houen-sama… I understand, but why can you make such a decision so easily? Even if it’s an effective method, where does that determination come from…”
“Ah… well… It’s not easy to answer Uchikage’s question right away. It’s only natural, I suppose. If we’re sealed by human hands and then put to sleep, it will result in a permanent or semi-permanent separation from those present here. Lucky Onis might have a chance to reunite when the seal is broken, but that’s a different story. Evil Dragon… that should work. I’ll likely be referred to as that. In that case, it’s a matter of who will willingly break the seal.”
“The seal might never be broken, and we might never see the light of day again. Essentially, it’s like death. Uchikage must have had doubts about accepting it so easily, and others might feel the same.”
“I hate that the war is happening because of me, but…”
“Ouren-sama, please consider the feelings of the others a bit. Your actions are… too selfish.”
“Maybe.”
A noise came from the staff I was holding. Uchikage is feeling the same way as Alena and the princess. I’m well aware that my actions are selfish, and I feel sorry for that.
“But, you know, I probably fought to save this world… so many people were protected because of it. But it’s strange, isn’t it, to fight among those who were saved by each other?”
I don’t remember what I fought against, but I have a vague recollection that if left unchecked, it would have been a destructive force.
We fought to protect, but as a result, those we protected are fighting against each other. The cause of that is me. So, I think it’s better for me to sleep quietly. They should find peace knowing that we’ll be sealed by human hands.
“Sorry, Uchikage.”
“It’s… Me too… sigh…..”
Uchikage let out a deep sigh and nodded.
“Visit Tenda’s Tomb while you’re still awake.”
“I will.”
“Uchikage?! Please don’t, Ouren!! Why does it have to be this way?!”
“Alena.”
Satela patted Alena’s shoulder. When Alena turned around abruptly, she saw Satela, who was shaking her head with her eyes closed.
“Satela…?”
“Think about what you’ve just witnessed and what Ouren-san is seeing.”
“I know, but…”
“In that case, you mustn’t oppose Ouren-san’s decision even more. Ouren-san is saying that he’s willing to put his life on the line to end the war. But all you’re saying is that you’re fine as long as Ouren-san is awake, like a child. If you understand that, you need to grow up.”
“But… but… Ueeeh…”
Alena buried her face in my clothes. I gently stroked her head. She didn’t cry that loud. She just buried her face in my clothes and cried quietly, suppressing her voice. But it was clear that she was really upset. I was causing her to feel helpless.
“I’m sorry.”
“Uuu… Uuuuu!!”
“Thank you, Satela.”
“I’m her older sister after all.”
Satela said that and sat back down, but her expression seemed sad.
No matter how much of a Lord of Barmil’s territory she might be, this decision still hurts her heart. First, she let out a small breath to collect her thoughts.
At that moment, my clothes were pulled again. The princess looked at me with tears in her eyes.
“Are you sure…?”
“What about me?”
“I’m also going to follow Ouren’s decision. Or rather, Ouren. You woke up well and made such an easy decision.”
“The Houen who rides the wave is also the same.”
“I can’t talk back. That’s right, Uchikage. The answer to your question is…”
“You don’t have to force yourself to answer.”
“No, let me answer.”
I said that and straightened up. Then I spoke.
“For you guys sake.”
“….. Sly, aren’t you? Isn’t that what you usually say?”
“This is the first time.”
Unusually cheerful, Houen chuckled. I didn’t understand what was so funny, but he seemed to be enjoying it. He’s a strange guy. No, maybe I’m the strange one.
But well, Houen is right. I did say I was fighting for those I protected, but I really don’t want those closest to me to die in a war. …But I suppose everyone feels the same way.
Now, I need to talk to Reizen and Lize.
“I don’t really want to hear it, but… Reizen, what will you do?”
“Sorry, aniki. I… hate it.”