LV999 Villager - Volume 3 - Chapter 13.08

Chapter 13, Part 8

I won’t Give up on Anything

『Yes…… It’s as you suppose, I still have things to say. This time, with the help of a certain person, we have managed to allow you to acquire a special permission to proceed to the Next Stage. We have also prepared bodies for you, which should not exist in the Next Stage』

「Who the heck is… this “certain person”? Why just us?」

『That…… is something that I am not allowed to reveal to you』

Said Dark Dragon, acting like he already knows everything. No, he already knew everything, yet it was as if his inability to tell them caused him suffering. It felt like they had been put on another test.

『Whether you leave this place or not is up to you. You have the right to choose』

In response to the words of the Dark Dragon, Alice and Menou looked directly at him with determined looks, indicating that they no longer had anything to lose.

『This…… Will be a soliloquy that I, regardless of the decisions and rules of this world, have decided to pass on as my last show of mercy towards you, those who are related to that Villager, so know that, it does not matter if you manage to meet him again once you leave…… The only thing that awaits you at the end of your journey is an irremediable and hopeless reality』

However, even after seeing Alice and Menou’s conviction, the Dark Dragon, claiming that this was a merciful act, continue to try to tell both of them indirectly that the path they intended to choose was not one they should take. Alice and Menou, who couldn’t understand why he was saying that, could only look at each other in confusion.

Then, the Dark Dragon, understanding that there was nothing he could do anymore, simply closed his eyes and continued.

『The body that will be given to you is an unstable body, completely different from that of humans, whose bodies are originally already in that place. These will not be able to produce magic power and…… these bodies will only be able to maintain themself with the special magic power that will be given to them once you pass to the other side. On top of that, this magic power will continue to be constantly consumed regardless of whether you use magic and not, until it is finally completely depleted』

「…… What will happen when that magic power runs out?」

『You will cease to exist』

Menou was speechless after being hit with such harsh reality. On the other hand, the expression on Alice’s face was not disturbed in the least, and Alice simply continued to stare at the Dark Dragon, implying that she had already decided what she would do.

『If you want to live in the Next Stage…… Try not to use your magic power carelessly. By the way, the magic power that will be given to you will only be enough to maintain your bodies during 1 year at most』

「Then…… What’s the point of going there!? Can-…… Can we even come back after going to that place!?」

『Returning here is possible. However, I cannot say with certainty that you will be able to, since that decision depends on the will of a single person*』

Nothing guaranteed their survival, and they couldn’t do much once in that place. After hearing that, Menou closed his mouth and began to think desperately, considering that this might be too reckless, even if it was to help Kagami.

『That’s all I can say. If you don’t think it makes sense to go to that place, then don’t go』

Said the Dark Dragon while sighing with relief, after having said all those things with the intention of making the two of them doubt and thus prevent them from throwing themselves into an abyss where only their own doom awaited them.

「…… I will go」

However, even after hearing all of that, Alice continued to be able to say those words without hesitation.

「I still want to lend him my help…… Even if it means I will die. If not for him, I would have died a long time ago. It is thanks to him that I have been able to enjoy everything I have always wanted. Thanks to him, I am now able to live in the world I have dreamed of. However, his dream has yet to come true」

『…… Are you sure?』

「I don’t mind dying if it helps him fulfill his dream. Even if my dream of…… spending my last days peacefully by his side doesn’t come true…… I still want to do it!」

Alice’s words to the Dark Dragon were motivated by something really simple, but at the same time, much more important than anything else to her.

The Dark Dragon didn’t take long to understand Alice after seeing her eyes full of determination. No matter what happened from this moment on, she would not change or show the slightest sign of hesitation.

「I want to see him…… I want to see Kagami-san. I’m sure I’ll regret it if I stay here like this. Instead of staying here, constantly wondering when he will come back only to end up regretting it, I prefer to go see Kagami-san and fight by his side…… And then, choose the way I will die」

「Alice-sama……」

 Menou, who had been taking care of Alice all this time, knew that Alice had constantly suffered from Kagami’s absence for the past three years, and how much she struggled to hide her painful emotions. When the situation calmed down, Menou had also understood that Alice had simply lost all the energy she have due Kagami’s absence and was now completely empty. But more importantly, he also understood how much happiness she felt after David proposed a way to see Kagami again.

「Then I’ll accompany you. I have decided to dedicate my life to…… Alice-sama, and therefore, I will also dedicate it to Kagami-dono if that ends up being for your sake. If I have to give my life for you…… I will do it without any regrets」

Inspired by Alice’s relentless feelings, Menou, who until now had only shown despair, spoke those words while looking at the Dark Dragon with determined eyes.

The Dark Dragon still wanted them to change their minds, but he could only sigh in surrender after seeing the determined gaze of those two.

Immediately after, the eyes of the Dark Dragon glowed menacing as Alice and Menou began to be enveloping by a dazzling light that began to emerge from under their feet, just as Rex and the others had been.

「Alright…… I have nothing more to say. However, before you go to the next stage, there is something I would like to ask you. Why have you been so insistent on chasing down that Villager despite being a Demon?」

Asked the Dark Dragon with a powerful and overwhelming voice, questioning Alice’s intentions, as he brought his huge face close to her with the intention of speaking directly to her.

Then, Alice, who was startled after he suddenly asked that question, simply stared at the Dark Dragon with eyes that seemed to say that that answer was already decided――

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「Because…. I love him」

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And said that shyly while smiling.

『Seriously…… What interesting individuals』

Said the Dark Dragon, with a satisfied smile that could be clearly distinguished despite his terrifying appearance, after hearing that answer.

Then, the Dark Dragon finished wrapping Alice and Menou with the light that was generated from their feet and sent them to the Next Stage, while praying in his heart for them to be able return to this world safely together with that Villager.