I Was a Small Fish When I Reincarnated, but It Seems That I Can Become a Dragon, so I Will Do My Best - Chapter 502
11-17. Sealing
Time passes quickly. We woke up early in the morning and met with everyone to inform them about the sealing process. Throughout the day, we all spent time reminiscing about our memories and shared stories about ourselves, as if we wanted to leave those memories behind. Everyone seemed reluctant to part but also appeared to be enjoying their time together.
These three days were entirely dedicated to that. Regrettably, we couldn’t meet a few individuals, leaving us with some lingering regrets. Nonetheless, there’s no more time.
We were summoned to a densely forested area with a small group of people. Due to the extensive regulations imposed by the other side, we couldn’t even see them off. It seems they’re overly cautious despite our only intention being to go to sleep.
The people in this place right now are me, Houen, Reizen, Rize, Uchikage, and Dacia.
And… there are two people I don’t know.
One of them appears to be a mage, wearing a large robe with numerous bells attached. I thought it would be annoying with all the noise, but it seems the bells don’t make a sound. It’s likely a woman with very long hair.
The other is a knight. He may not have a particularly muscular build, but even I can tell he’s a formidable individual. Uchikage is also on guard.
However, seriously, these two are trying to make it look like they’re here alone, but they’ve got hundreds of people hidden in the forest, don’t they? How frightening is that? And not having a proper send-off is just too sad…
Then the knight opened his mouth.
“Who’s going first?”
“Reizen, it’s your turn.”
“Got it.”
This was the plan from the beginning. While they might prefer to seal me first from their perspective, they’ve put so many restrictions in place. I will personally oversee the sealing to ensure it’s done safely.
As requested by Asure and Bart, they reluctantly agreed to this. I’m thankful for that.
Our sealing process goes as follows: Dacia opens a gate to the sealing location, and we all go there. These two will perform the sealing, and three of us will enter the gate.
The order is Reizen, Lize, Houen, and then me. If anything goes wrong, I’ll stop it at all costs. And then, they’ll send more people if needed, although I doubt they’ll do anything extra.
“Alright, you’re up first.”
“Dacia, I’m counting on you.”
“Understood… ? Gate? .”
Dacia opened the gate. Reizen was the first to enter, but he stopped just before stepping through.
“Goodnight!”
“Is that all you have to say for your last words, Reizen…”
“Well, I don’t know what else to say, to be honest. I don’t really feel it, so… Well, see you!”
“Huh!? Wait, Reizen, what are you… Ah, he’s gone… Geez.”
Reizen entered the gate before Houen could finish his sentence. Following him, the mage and knight entered the gate as well. Dacia followed them.
The gate closed for a moment. After the sealing is completed, Dacia is supposed to use her skills to return to our side. I hope everything goes smoothly, but…
“It’s… surprisingly calm, isn’t it?”
“It’s something we decided on from the start. He’s also a man, so he must have prepared himself.”
“True. Well, I’m next… I really don’t want a poison dungeon. At least, make it a more glamorous place! Seriously!”
“Do you want to seal a dangerous presence in such a charming place?”
“I definitely don’t. A glamorous place would be too pitiful.”
“That’s how it is.”
Is that analogy really appropriate, Lize? I don’t quite understand your sense of things. It seems like you’re satisfied, so maybe it’s fine.
By the way, it seems that the sealing process doesn’t take much time. In a little while, they should return. However, Houen’s sealing location is in the water, so that will take a bit more time.
The timing for activating Ouryuu’s Judgement will be… well, right before I get sealed. This is fine. I’ve simulated it multiple times, and there will be no mistakes. Not that any mistakes would be forgiven, though.
And then, the gate opened. After Dacia returned, the other two followed.
“That was fast.”
“…I can’t use time-consuming sealing techniques, now you know.”
“Right… I see.”
Geez, they’re so unfriendly! It feels like they only see us as enemies. Well, that’s the price for Ouryuu’s Judgement.
Now it’s Lize’s turn. She walks forward reluctantly and enters the gate created by Dacia.
“Well, goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
“Make sure you don’t go to the upper floors because of your bad sleeping posture.”
“How rude.”
With a light wave of the hand, she enters the gate, and the other three follow her in. The gate closes.
It’s a bit unfortunate that we can’t see what’s happening. I had figured out the timing for activating Ouryuu’s Judgement, but now, I can’t do anything. I’ll have to ask before I get sealed.
“It’s so quiet without them.”
“Is it…? It doesn’t feel much different, though… Is it? Uchikage.”
“These two can be pretty loud, you know?”
Is that so… Well, when it comes to affairs of the heart, she seemed like someone who could talk about it around the clock. We didn’t spend much time together, so my understanding of that area is quite limited.
After that, there was a brief period of silence. I wonder what it feels like to be sealed. Uchikage said there wouldn’t be any problems, but I’m still anxious. I can’t back out now, though. Sigh… I can’t calm down.
Houen noticed my restlessness. He patted my shoulder.
“Relax. You need to stand firmly. You’re currently the strongest one here. Besides, you’re our representative, our leader. Focus on what you need to do.”
“Right… I’ll do that.”
In this state, I might mess up the timing. As Houen said, I need to stand firmly and decisively.
The gate opened, and Dacia returned. Two more people followed him from behind.
“Alright, we’re going. Take care.”
“Yeah, be careful.”
“Not like there’s anything to be careful about… Well, whatever. See you, Ouren. I haven’t forgotten about you making me drink that Mana Potion against my will, so remember that.”
“Shut it will ya”
As he left those words as a parting gift, Dacia entered the gate she had created.
Now, only Uchikage and I remained. Two people have already been sealed, and the third is about to be sealed. Even though I can’t see it, I can’t help but feel the tension.
But… their voices won’t reach us anymore.
“Uchikage, I’ll leave this place to you for a while. I’ll focus on the other side.”
“Understood.”
Saying that, I closed my eyes. When I opened them again, I saw many oni, the soldiers who fought in this war, and even devils.
There were so many of them that it seemed unnecessary.
“Can’t you move away already…? In this state, I’m made of earth, so I’ll become a mess when the effect wears off, you know?”
“…Alright.”
“Don’t get mad later, okay?”
Alena was sitting close to me. She really doesn’t mind even if she gets dirty, huh?
Right now, I’m using Earth Golems to create clones of myself. I placed them in the oni village. Since the effect will probably end when I get sealed, there shouldn’t be any issues with them being there.
You know, the reason I stayed behind is that there was no one to send us off. I wanted to have a final conversation with everyone until the very end.
“So… why are you all still alive?”
“Ey, don’t keep askin’ de same thing as everyone else. All ye need to remember is ma name, Atrak.”
“This is our first time seeing each other isn’t it? Atrak, right?”
“Ye. Well, ye don’t really need to know mi, so just get on with it.”
“I can’t understand a word you’re saying…”
Atrak, who was flying in the air, seemed to be having a good time. Lurimkos, who was sitting beside him, looked a bit bewildered.
There were other devils on the roofs of houses. They must be the ones we fought in the Bamil territory. I don’t know their names, though.
“Ouren-sama.”
“Shim, what’s up?”
“Thank you for everything up until now. On behalf of the oni, I’d like to express our gratitude.”
“Whoa, no, no! It’s me who should be grateful! I wouldn’t have been able to live so comfortably without you guys! Don’t make it sound like I did you a favor!”
“Even if you say that…”
“Yes, yes, let’s drop this conversation! I wanted to thank you… don’t say it first!”
I won’t get this much attention ever again. So here, I wanted to say thank you for everything so far. To the oni, to the devils, to the humans.
Even if I get cut off, it’s likely that Houen’s sealing will be over soon. So I’ll say it while I can!
“Everyone! Listen up!”
When I said that, the oni in front all kneeled at once. Then, the humans in the distance also knelt. The devils on the rooftops seemed to be watching.
I’m surprised when this happens so suddenly… Or maybe, it’s like that. It seems I have to do it like Houen. Can I do that? Well, let’s try!
I organized my thoughts for a moment inside my head. Then I took a deep breath and raised my voice.
“Oni! Thanks for everything up until now! Thanks to all of you, I was able to enjoy myself until the very end. Devils! Sorry for getting in your way so much! I don’t remember what happened, but I’m happy we could fight together in the end! Even though I’m not in a position to say this! The Garott Kingdom and Salettana Kingdom soldiers! There were ups and downs, but I had a good time in your country! And everyone! Thank you for protecting us!”
It was a short speech just thanking everyone, but they all clapped loudly. I worried whether it was okay to do this, but… well, I managed to convey everything I wanted to say.
“Ouren-samaaaaaa!”
“Whaaaat? Again, Hime-sama!”
“I will protect Ouren-sama along with Karna-sama and Yuuzen-sama!”
“Alright, alright! I’m counting on you!”
“UEEEEEH!”
Right now, I’m made of earth, so I don’t feel any pain. For some reason, it’s a little lonely…
Oh, right.
“Hime-sama, bring that out for me.”
“That…?”
“The water bead I gave you.”
“Oh!”
Hime-sama immediately took it out for me. I took out a sealed jar, put the bead inside, and handed it back to her.
If I don’t do this, the water will probably seep into the ground. I’m afraid she’ll start crying. It’ll eventually burst, but the water should stay in there.
“Is this okay?”
“…Thank you very much…”
…And now, is that everything?
I also talked to the devils earlier. That orange-haired devil still seems to be angry with me, but… well, it doesn’t seem like they’ll do anything.
I spoke with Asure, Balt, Satella, and Crown Prince Kreiss as well. As expected of the leader who carries the fate of a country on his shoulders. They sent me off without shedding a tear.
I talked with Raiki at the residence. I made a lot of trouble for Ran and Den, one way or another. They didn’t come to see us off because they didn’t like crowded places, but… I wonder if they felt lonely. I’m sorry.
Where did Theik and Thekill go? They didn’t show themselves in the end…
Karna and Yuuzen are waiting at the White Snake Shrine. Now, all I have to do is make sure not to fail. Leave it to me. I’ll definitely deliver you safely.
Haa, I wonder if it’s time now…
“Alright, let’s finish it cheerfully! It’s easier for me to go that way, so let’s end on a high note! See you later, everyone! I’m going to get some rest for a bit… Bye, Alena.”
“…Goodbye…”
After petting Alena’s head one last time, the earth golem turned back into a mound of earth and disappeared.