C 168
The conversation ended there.
After descending all the stairs, there was a path that looked very intricate and seemed to go on endlessly. To be honest, I was a little scared because it was very dark.
I'm afraid more insects will appear than anything else.
There were rustling sounds here and there, but when you turned on the light, you couldn't hear anything.
Although it was actually frightening.
"Do you know the way?" I asked.
"No," Lucilion replied.
When I asked Lucilion, looking puzzled because he was walking so fast, he immediately shook his head.
"But the structure of the temples is usually similar."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
He walked slowly.
Just as Lucilion had said, a large empty room soon appeared, and there was a mirror in the middle.
It was a mysterious mirror with a green tint.
"Eirin, is that what you were looking for?"
"I don't know. I've never seen it in person... But shouldn't that be it?"
It seemed as if it was saying, "I am the Verdant Mirror."
"You can take it."
"However... I heard it's a sacred relic of the temple, so can I take it?"
"Yes."
"Oh... really...?"
It was such a confident answer that I was left speechless. Rolling her eyes, Lucilion added:
"The Verdant Mirror will not be passed down to future generations starting today, so don't worry and take it with you."
"Why?"
"Because I didn't receive it from the former High Priest, it would have been something I would never have known."
"Ah..."
I didn't think the logic was entirely wrong, but it also didn't seem to make sense, so I paused for a moment.
"It was probably a mirror that not many people knew about in the first place. That would mean there would be no problem living without it."
"... I suppose so."
"There may come a day when magic and divine power disappear. Like Eirin's old world."
My eyes widened at Lucilion's words. That's because I never thought Lucilion would bring up what happened back then.
One day, this fantasy world may change gradually, like in the modern times I lived in.
"This is a product that will someday disappear. So even if it's lost in the middle, there's no problem."
I silently nodded at Lucilion's words.
"There's no guarantee that someone in the future won't become the High Priest the same way I did. What is passed down by word of mouth will surely be forgotten someday."
When someone can no longer spread the word.
The voice he added was so profound that I realized Lucilion hadn't thought of this for just a day or two.
"I saw and thought a lot while we lived together in Eirin's previous world."
"Yes."
Lucilion walked slowly and picked up the Verdant Mirror.
As soon as Lucilion's hand touched it, the mirror, which had been emitting a bright light, gradually lost its radiance.
Lucilion handed me the mirror.
"Eirin, here."
"Uh, thanks. But I don't know if I can have it like this. In the end, it seems like I'm just asking for help here and there."
While I smiled bitterly and muttered, Lucilion reached out and lightly stroked my hair.
"Eirin."
"Yes."
"The relationships you've built are also your ability and strength."
My eyes widened at Lucilion's words. That's because I never expected to hear these words from him.
"I just wasn't meant for this kind of help."
"But Eirin saved me, saved Enosh, and saved that cursed magician."
"Because it was something I could do."
I didn't want to overlook something that could change someone's life, something I could change.
"Yes, I help because it's something I can do, and other people help because it's something they can do too."
"You really speak well."
"After all, being a High Priest is a job that makes a living through words."
I thought he was saying things casually that would make priests faint if they heard them.
I laughed as I held the Verdant Mirror in my arms. Now that I think about it, it's been a long time.
"It seems like it's been a long time since we met."
"I know, right.
If you think about it, it seems like you were by my side every time I was going through a tough time.
Sometimes when I was in danger, I thought of Lucilion or my father.
"Hmm, is this too dependent?"
Even though I was a dragon, I was still clumsy when it came to controlling my excessive abilities.
"Please remember me in the future."
"Eh?"
"Whenever you're going through a tough time or suffering, I hope you think of me first."
Lucilion gently grasped the back of my hand, pressed his lips to the back of my hand, and said.
"Didn't you say you'd confess to me later...?"
"I did."
"But is this kind of physical contact okay?"
"That way, Eirin will fall for me quickly."
My face blushed at the words he murmured with a bright smile. There really is nothing he can't say.
"You, really..."
"Yes, Eirin."
"...Ah."
I lowered my head and rubbed my face.
"I..."
"If?"
"Can I stay with Eirin for the rest of her life?"
Lucilion said.
I furrowed my brows for a moment at the sudden comment and was about to think about it when he continued.
"It means I can live as long as you, that you will live a long time."
"!"
My eyes widened at the unexpected words.
The sudden change in tone and the serious voice couldn't be heard correctly.
Something in the very distant future, not...
Perhaps I never thought about a not-so-distant future. If you ask me, it would be more correct to ignore it.
I tried not to think about it while watching the people around me age slowly and develop wrinkles.
Dragons live an incredibly long life. This was something that could be gleaned from numerous documents and various oral traditions.
So, maybe a hundred years from now, I'll be the only one left alone on this earth.
I won't know anyone, and I'll just be there with the same face.
"I can't leave you alone."
"..."
I hesitated for a moment and then spoke up.
"How?"
"It's possible if I become a demigod."
"Demigod..."
Was that even possible?
No, it might have been possible. I remember they described Richard as having powers comparable to that of a god.
"If Arma gives permission, I'll continue to be his follower forever."
An eternal believer.
This might be welcomed by Arma. But, are you going to live a life without knowing when it will end?
"Why?"
I opened my mouth with a strange expression.
No matter how much you love someone, why would you want to live a life close to eternity?
Just thinking about it now suffocates me because it feels so distant.
"I told you. I want to be with you. So, it's something we can only do together until the end of your life."
"If we stay together until then, you'll get tired of me."
"I've never grown tired of something that interests me."
"If this continues for hundreds or thousands of years, the story changes."
"It doesn't change."
"......"
"It's because you don't know me very well. Once I become obsessed with something and decide to have it, I trust that I won't let it go even after tens of thousands of years have passed."
I was left speechless by his unwarranted pride. When I pursed my lips, Lucilion laughed cheerfully.
It was the same smile as always, one that dispelled all worries.
"It's okay to think slowly."
"..."
"But in the end, I hope you choose me."
Does it even make sense to think about that?
I laughed at the absurd request, but Lucilion's unwavering smile showed no signs of breaking.
"Even if I had to spend the rest of my life with you as a human..."
Lucilion pursed his lips.
"When life ends, I'll probably regret leaving you alone. I don't want to leave you alone."
My heart trembled at his moving words.
"And I'll be angry because one day you'll forget me and live your life."
"Oh...?"
"I came to the conclusion that it would be better to spend the rest of my life together."
"...Is there any point in giving me time to think?"
"No."
A firm answer came with narrowed eyes like a crescent moon.
"I'll probably follow you for a thousand or two thousand years and do nice things until you like me."
"...Maybe I'll get tired of you first."
"Then I'll reappear in a different form that excites Eirin."
"Are you going that far?"
"What I want is caution that doesn't discriminate between means and methods."
The blue eyes sparkled mischievously.
As I let out a small sigh, Lucilion gently took my hand.
We returned the way we came, hand in hand.
