I Was a Small Fish When I Reincarnated, but It Seems That I Can Become a Dragon, so I Will Do My Best - Chapter 495
I hope there’s gonna be rain of money, or at least let me punch somebody in the face at least once.
11-10. Reizen and Karna’s Decision
The next day.
I was seriously dragged around by Alena and Hime-sama for a whole day.
I was prepared for it, but I really didn’t think it would be the whole day…
Well, I’m really exhausted.
I’ve done everything I can in the former oni village.
It seems the Hime-sama is a gourmet, she took me to a place where really delicious food was served, and Alena seemed to be having fun trying on traditional Japanese clothing.
She’s still in traditional clothing.
A mature-looking outfit with a black theme.
We also visited various shops, talked to the oni, and did many other things.
Lize was playing with us, so I couldn’t possibly compete as a guy.
It was written on her face, ‘I won’t let you go.’
But, you know, it was actually fun.
I hadn’t really explored the oni village much before.
I had a lot of fun during the festival times, though.
Right now, I’m dozing off while waiting for tonight’s meal.
I’ve woken up, so I hear they’re preparing quite a feast for tonight’s meal.
“I’m sleepy…”
“Come on, Ouren, wake up! The food here is delicious!”
“Ouren, Ran’s cooking is really delicious!”
“Lize can cook too. It’s been a while since I had Japanese food, Ouren.”
“Oh, I’m looking forward to that.”
Well then, I have to wake up properly.
I rub my eyes and awaken my consciousness.
Huh, there are fewer people at the dining table today.
It’s just me, Houen, Lize, Alena, Hime-sama, and Uchikage.
Where is everyone else?
“Asure and Bart are busy preparing a report. Dacia also flew off to the devil army to convey what you decided. Satella and Raiki are the same. This matter will probably spread tomorrow. I don’t know about Theik.”
“What about Reizen and Karna?”
“Come to think of it… I haven’t seen them.”
It seems that even Houen doesn’t know about the two of them.
I look at the faces of the others, but they shake their heads.
Are they still worrying about it?
Then, the sliding door opens.
There, Reizen was sitting on his knees.
“Aniki, are you free?”
“Is it settled?”
“Yes, I’d be happy if you could come with me.”
“Got it. Let’s go.”
It’s an important conversation.
I’ll make sure to go with Reizen alone, so the others don’t follow me.
He will guide me to where Karna is, I suppose.
It’s a bit farther from here, and Reizen walked for a while.
As we walked down the hallway, someone called out to me.
“Can Aniki not have children?”
“Bhuah?! Why are you bringing that up…!”
“Well, Ouren-aniki and Houen said you don’t have… that,”
“Even if you were going to ask, you could’ve put it differently… Well, yeah, I’m asexual. My heart is male, but it didn’t really change anything. It’s probably a matter of species.”
“Is that so?”
“Houen is a Vermilion Bird. Well, a phoenix. If he started having descendants, it would be a huge mess. I’m probably something close to immortality too. Being a dragon.”
“Ah, so I’ll die then?”
“You’re a turtle, so you might live for about ten thousand years, right? Maybe Lize has the shortest lifespan among us. But she’s one of the Four Diety, so she’ll live long… By the way, what’s your species now?”
“I’m a Spirit Turtle.”
“Oh, wasn’t it Black Tortoise? That’s great!”
“Huh…?”
The Four Spirits and the Four Gods are mixed, after all.
Well, it’s good that Reizen is a Spirit Turtle.
I hadn’t really thought much about lifespan, but this is probably correct.
Having nearly immortal beings with descendants could be problematic.
So, I guess that’s why I’m asexual.
If there were five or ten immortals in the group, it would be troublesome.
Longevity is not a problem, but immortality might be.
In that case, I might also be immortal.
But it doesn’t seem like absolute immortality.
As long as I don’t die of my own accord, I’ll probably continue living.
…I used to be a fish, after all.
“Even with a ten-thousand-year lifespan, you’d keep sleeping if you were sealed, right?”
“Probably, right? Well, I don’t know what would happen during a seal…”
“I see…”
Reizen stop walking.
He opens one of the room’s sliding doors and goes inside.
I follow him into the room, and there I see Karna holding Yuuzen.
Reizen sits next to them, waiting for me.
I close the door and sit in front of the two.
The space is dimly lit, with only two candles.
The atmosphere feels a bit eerie, but it’s probably just my imagination.
I waited for the two of them to start talking for a while.
“I’ve made a decision.”
“I’ve decided too.”
“…Please tell me.”
The two of them locked eyes and nodded at each other. I intend to take their decision seriously.
Their eyes met again, and then they shared their decision.
“Please send me and Yuuzen four hundred years into the future.”
“I’ll be sealed with Aniki.”
That was their decision.
It seems Reizen wished for the well-being of both of them. If he couldn’t go with them, he hoped to be sealed together with Karna.
“Reizen, I feel bad asking about your decision, but… if you wait for four hundred years, you might see them again. You don’t need to be sealed with us.”
“No, this is fine.”
“May I ask for your reason?”
“I don’t think I could wait for four hundred years! The moment Karna and Yuuze are gone, it feels like there will be a hole in my heart… So, I’ll sleep too.”
“Karna, is this really okay for you?”
“Yes. It’s still sad… but we thought about what’s best for our child. In that case… this… is the best, I think…”
Karna started to cry quietly. A decision like this is something no parent would want to make. But they made it. Only they could… make this decision.
Reizen held Karna’s hand and gently stroked her back as she cried.
“Compared to before, Karna has become much more expressive.”
“It’s been six years. If you’ve left the assassin business, that’s how it should be.”
“It’s not just that. It’s because you were here, I’m sure of that.”
“Is that so…”
“Yes.”
Leaving the assassin business alone wouldn’t change one’s heart. It’s because there’s someone who can create opportunities for change that change can happen.
Why doesn’t Reizen understand that?
Well, it’s just like him.
“Thank you… for making the decision.”
“I’m grateful too. Thanks to Aniki, the two of us can live safely. It’s better than staying and feeling uncomfortable… on this side.”
“I’ll make sure to deliver Karna and Yuuzen in four hundred years. I’ll also provide a location. We’ll have the oni come to greet you there, so you won’t be completely lost when you’re transported four hundred years into the future.”
“That’ll be a great help.”
Karna didn’t say anything but bowed deeply. Just by that gesture, it was clear that she was expressing her gratitude.
Now then… the conversation is over. All that’s left is to enjoy ourselves until that time comes.
“All right… let’s eat. I heard that Ran and Lize are making dinner tonight! You two should come too!”
“We will, but can we come a bit later?”
“Sure. I’ll go ahead. Make sure to come, no matter what.”
“Understood.”
I wanted to change the atmosphere with a cheerful voice, but it was impossible. I quietly left the room and returned to the previous room.
On the way back, I could hear loud sobbing from behind. It was Karna’s voice.
It made my heart ache a bit, but I believe this is the best choice. For Karna, it’s a farewell to the person she loves the most. It’s impossible not to feel sad.
“I’m sorry…”
I decided to retreat and return to the previous room as if running away.