Kuishinbo Elf - Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Soul Fusion

「Ahhhhhhhh! ?」

Why! ?　Why! ?　Hermit Crab-kun was there!?

Even though I’m completely exhausted, I tried to raised my body that had fallen over . However, contrary to my will, it wouldn’t move .

Such a thing doesn’t matter! ! Move! !

After forcefully moving my body, I somehow managed to stand up and I started walking towards Alp-ossan .

And finally……I’ve reached where Alp-ossan is . I thought about blaming Alp-ossan for what he had done .

…… However, I wasn’t able to say a thing .

Because Alp-ossan is ……

…… Crying .

There aren’t any tears coming out of his eyes . However, what replaced the tears was blood that was dripping down from his tightly gripped fist he .

「…… I don’t mind if you hold a grudge against me . 」

Alp-ossan was sweating non-stop . Deep wrinkles are engraved on his brow . His mouth is shut tight while biting onto his lip . If I look closely, blood can be seen dripping from it .

What I saw was a face that is exhausted by remorse and regret …… the face of a man .

Seeing that, I lost all my strength and collapsed onto the ground . It seems that I had become relieved .

…… No, not yet, I can leave that for later .

「………………」

I stood up while still wobbling and headed toward Hermit Crab-kun . He’s so far away, even though it should only be a distance that I can normally reach . But right now……it is so far away .

Eventually, I reached it .

The surrounding was destroyed in various places by the magic and the smell of scorched flesh drifted in the air . The lump bastard’s corpse is in the way .

Move . I have don’t have any business with you!

And then …… I finally found it .

My friend .

My comrade .

My … savior .

「Hermit …… Crab …… kun?」

There he is .

He is in a terrible state .

His body is completely burnt, and his legs and shell were blown off . And one of his boasted scissor is missing too .

「That …… 」

This is a lie …… ! Someone …… tell me that this is all a lie! !

I remembered Hermit Crab-kun’s energetic figure .

His large seashell that I climbed onto with the help of Danan and Rick ……

Now…it has shattered and is in a miserable state .

His wonderful scissors that had brought me a fish .

Now … one of his scissor had broken off and it can’t be found anywhere .

His plentiful legs that were moving at full speed when we were saving Linda .

Now …… about half of them are missing .

「Such …… Such a thing ……! !」

My vision became distorted .

But …… it can’t be said that he’s dead for sure yet!

Heal …… If heal works then… ! !

『Junior! Behind you! !』

「Eh… . . ?」

Senpai’s shouting voice made me turn around .

When I turned around …… the lump bastard was facing me and is in the middle of opening its large mouth! Unbelievable! ? It was still alive! ?

「Uwah! ?」

The lump bastard started to attack .

Dodging …… I won’t make it in time! !

At that time, someone behind me moved .

Su~don! !

And then something pierced the lump bastard .

That familiar and wonderful scissor is ……

It was Hermit Crab-kun’s last scissor ……

Even though it is completely tattered …… it still protected me .

Pokiri* And the scissor snapped .

Following that, Hermit Crab-kun collapsed .

「Vuooooooo…… 」

The lump bastard collapsed while melting away . Apparently …… this time it is defeated for sure .

…… Leaving that aside, Hermit Crab-kun! He was still alive! If that’s the case, then I can still make it!

「Hermit Crab-kun! I’ll heal you right now! ! Heal!」

The light of healing overflows from my hand .

And it wrapped around Hermit Crab-kun .

Just endure it for a bit more! Hermit Crab-kun! !

…… However, there is no sign of the wounds healing .

That shouldn’t be possible! ? One more time! !

「Heal!」

Why! ? What’s the meaning of this! ?

「…… Damn it! Heal! Heal! !」

It wouldn’t heal .

…… I have a bad feeling .

I realized that my face had turned pale .

I mustn’t admit it .

「Heal! Come on! ! Please heal! ! HEAL! ! !」

『Stop it already . He …… by the time you had come here, he was already dead . 』

『Already dead . 』Hearing those words, I snapped .

「That’s a lie! Because, because he …… protected me just now! I can still make it!」

I continued to use Heal .

『Stop! ! Your life that was saved …… are you going to throw it away in vain! ?』

When senpai scolded me, I returned to myself .

My magical power is on the verge of deleption . And then …… I clearly realized it . That this is the same result as the soldiers that didn’t make it during the war with the demon race .

「Hey …… senpai . Would you help me …… I beg you . He’s a friend …… he’s a comrade…… ! He saved my life, a benefactor…… ! !」

『……………… . . 』

Senpai …… responded with silence .

There is nothing that can be done . Realizing that, I despaired and collapsed . It was already over . Tears started to overflow from my eyes . It wouldn’t stop .

And I’m suppose to be the saint …… I can’t even save an important friend .

Damn it, DAMN IT! !

「Damn it ! !」

Without any outlet, I sent my anger towards the ground . I punched the ground repeatedly …… over and over again .

「Hey …… stop it, El . 」

Rioto grabbed my arm in order to stop me . From my tiny fist, red blood is dripping down .

「Her, Hermit Crab-ku …… n?」

Linda …… sorry . I wasn’t able to save him .

I could hear Linda’s quietly sobbing .

「Such, such a thing . I, I haven’t even give him my thanks yet . Why, something like this …… it’s so awful …… . 」

The last part was so soft to the point that it couldn’t be heard .

「Hermit Crab-kun …… 」

Folbert was also crying . Even though it was short, he was a friend that we’ve spent enjoyable moments with . The length didn’t matter .

Everyone started to gather . We were all mourning …… for the death of a friend .

And suddenly …… by the time I had realized, there was a light floating, as if it gathering around me . A gentle… pale green light . When I traced the origin of the light …… it led to Hermit Crab-kun’s corpse .

『Kouhai … . . He wishes to perform 『Soul Fusion』with you . 』

「…… Eh?」

Soul Fusion …… it is a technique that takes in the target’s body and soul . In other words, it is to eat the target .

「Are you telling me to …… eat Hermit Crab-kun! ?」

『That is so . 』

Before I can shout「Don’t fuck with me! !」, Senpai continued to talk .

『This light …… is his soul itself . Only when there is someone with a special Soul Fusion …… that this phenomenon happens . 』

「…… And that is me?」

『That is so . 』was what Senpai said .

『He probably understood . That there is someone he can intrust himself to … . .

That’s why …… to save Linda-kun, he jumped to his death . 』

Linda’s wailing voice echoed .

「How did he know that I can use …… Soul Fusion?」

『…… Do you believe in something like fate?

…… Whether you believe it or not …… something like it does exist . 』

Fate ……? What is that…… ! ?

『…… Let me tell you a story . In the past, I had a partner that was a man . 』

From Peachy-senpai’s voice, a bit of loneliness could be felt .

『That man …… when I first met him was a hopeless man . He would also say things like he’s tired or its troublesome . However …… for his comrades, he would risk his life …… he was that type of man . 』

For his comrades ……

『Eventually, as he grew … he gained a lot of comrades . Of course there were humans …… and even animals had helped him . However …… at one point, an enemy appeared . 』

…… An enemy .

『They would harm anything that is alive . Eventually …… they became called as『Oni』The man who became a Peachy User defeated the 『Oni』with the power of peachy power and his comrades . 』

(T . N . The raw uses the character 鬼 . Since this shares a similarity with the story of Momotaro, I’ll keep it as oni since most online translation of the story either translated as oni or demon . If I use demon, it may be confused with the demon raced that had appeared in the story . )

『Oni』……

『As he had fought against the Oni, his comrades fell one after another . Peachy power is the power of the soul itself …… using it excessively would eventually lead to death . However the only one who could fight against the Oni is a Peachy User . The weapons of that world wasn’t even able to  hurt the Oni at all . And unluckily …… the only Peachy User of that world was that man . 』

Peachy power …… Power of the soul ……

『…… And then, the animals that were his comrades offered themselves to the man . Of course the man had refused . However, the situation didn’t allow it . If he hesitated, all his comrades would have been annihilated . That man …… was a reckless person . Junior, just like you .  However, that caused one of his comrades, the dog to receive a fatal injury . The man …… had also collapsed』

My chest tightened as I listened to Senpai’s story . Why is that …… ?

『Eventually, his comrade, the dog that received the fatal injury breathed its last breath . And then, the light of its soul wrapped around the man . Do you understand? It is the same light as the one …… that is wrapping around you . The animals …… understand the mysterious power that we don’t understand . And that is the …… 『Final Destination of Fate』and『Inheritance of the Soul』 . 』

…… ! First generation …… ! !

I remembered about the woman that had made the current me .

『Magic of Inheritance』

A secret art that allowed me to inherit all of her knowledge and experience . Her joyful memories, painful memories, dream, hope, despair, and …… name . All of that …… I had inherited .

『The man cried, wondering why do he had to make such a painful choice . However, he still performed Soul Fusion . That was …… the proof of the man’s resolution . Soul Fusion isn’t just something that merely supplement the soul . It is to become one with each other …… live together . 』

Resolution ……

『The animals were able to see it . Someone who they can entrust themselves to . And their own fate …… that’s why they enjoyed everyday and lived . And they face their fate …… along with the one who they trust . The animals that were with the man also followed . And the man eventually pushed back the『Oni』……』

「In the end …… what happened to that Peachy User?」

『…… Of course he became a hero . 』

…… That’s a lie . If you say it in a voice as if wanting to cry .

『Junior …… no, Eltina . Do you have the resolution to accept him? Of course you can refuse . The amount of hearts broken by accepting, isn’t a few . 』

There is no need to think about it . It is the will of Hermit Crab-kun who had abandoned his life in order to protect us . If the most I can do for him is Soul Fusion then …… ! !

The pale green light swirls around me as if gently wrapping around me . That is the glow of the soul . Hermit Crab-kun’s body …… as if it is dissolving, changed into light .

「Hermit Crab-kun …… let’s live together with me! …… Soul Fusion! !」

The pale green light, Hermit Crab-kun’s soul entered my body . Right now I am …… “eating” Hermit Crab-kun . The light entered from every part of my body .

That’s right, I am eating Hermit Crab-kun with my entire body .

~~~

『It seems that something small had came on top of me . 』

…… Hermit Crab-kun’s memories?

『…… It looks delicious . Are you giving it to me? It’s delicious, it’s my first time eating something this delicious . 』

Ahh …… this was when I first gave him the yakisoba……

『Let’s bring a fish to that tiny one . It looks like they had finished eating all their food . 』

『Do you guys have no caution? For one, I’m a monster .

…… However, this isn’t that bad, to have a meal together . 』

This was when we ate dinner together . It was fun . The dinner that we ate with everyone . I wanted to eat with everyone again……

「Fugu …… uuuuh …… ! !」

I can’t hold in the tears . Large drops of tear are flowing down my cheeks .

『Boy, do your best . If you don’t give up …… one day your feelings will reach . 』

『You have it hard too …… However, take responsibility for your wife and satisfy her . 』

…… There were even conversations like this .

There are also memories where he played with everyone .

『When I followed after them …… that place is bad! I wouldn’t be enough for this … . That’s right! Let’s ask him for help!』

『Young lady, leave the crying for later …… you friends are waiting . 』

So he was worried about us and followed……

He had even protected Linda .

The memory of him fighting in the courtyard . The memory of carrying Linda and running . The memory of leaving the mansion and fighting with everyone .

And then ……

『That tiny one! ? Being so reckless, but I don’t hate that! So you’re trying to help you friend? Alright! I’ll accompany you . 』

『It’s amazing …… so that is magic . It is a comfortable light……

This is your kindness . If it is like this, it’ll work! No matter what happens …… these two must live! !』

…… ! !

At that time, he was already…… !

『Firstly …… the young lady . And then…… what was it again……

Right, it was El-chan . I had finally remembered it . Seriously… to finally remember it at the last moment . Is that lucky or unlucky …… goodbye, El-chan . 』

『…… do it! My friend! Our time together was short, but it wasn’t bad……bye!』

And like that …… I took in all of Hermit Crab-kun’s soul .

…… ! ? That’s strange? There isn’t the memory of him saving me at the end! !

…… Could it really be! ?

Even after death, you moved to save me! ?

Ah …… Thank you! Thank you very much! ! Hermit Crab-kun! !

My life that was saved by you … I will  never waste it! As long as I live, I would live with you! I gave him my greatest thanks and showed him my resolution .

「……Thanks for the meal ! !」

I put my hands together and gave my thanks . The tears that were running down my cheeks didn’t stop…

Hermit Crab-kun that was there is no longer there . Everything had became a light and fused with me . I will definitely not forget about this day of my life .

「Thank you……Hermit Crab-kun . 」

I once again thanked Hermit Crab-kun who is sleeping inside of me……