Chapter 42: The Girl Who's Left
Due to reaching and ending the event, I figured that I could probably return to Earth now.
Before trying to go back to my home though, I decided to stay in the room Mia is sleeping in until she wakes up. I can't imagine how confusing it would be for her to wake up alone in here while I am back on Earth.
What's more... I need to tell her what happened to her mother.
While thinking about how to tell her about what happened, I notice her ears starting to twitch. After a yawn, her eyes open, and she looks at me.
Mia: "... Did you do something to me while I was sleeping?"
Miwen: "Yep."
I can feel the bloodlust emanating from her, shivers run down my spine and I feel like my life is in danger.
Miwen: "... I princess carried you to the bed, and then covered you with a blanket."
Mia: "...Is that all you've done?"
Miwen: "Sorry to disappoint, that was all."
Mia: "Who's disappointed, dumbass!"
It's hard for me to face her right now. To be frank, I really wanted to get away from here and not have to deal with this, but that would be cruelty and cowardliness beyond my capabilities.
Mia: "... I'm gonna ask just in case, but, where is my mother, Miwen?"
Miwen: "Melissa... she... went back. She decided to fight to the last. I'm sorry, Mia."
Mia: "I told you she wouldn't give up. And neither will I. Thanks for taking care of me, but will you let me go back? You've done enough so you better-"
Miwen: "My role is over Mia. I did what I could."
Mia: "Rest assured, it's not your fault things turned out this way. It's our responsibility so we'll deal with it ourselves, now if you'd let me-"
Miwen: "I can't let you go back, Mia. The war is over, I've lost access to your world. Though even if I could, I wouldn't let you go back... Mia, your mother, before going back... she wanted you to live, I promised her I'd take care of you."
Mia: "W-what do you mean? Then I'm stuck in here? What about Mom? How can I meet her again?"
I tried to imply it multiple times, but I guess this is too much for her, the thought of her mother being dead never once crosses her mind. It breaks my heart that I must tell her this way, but I cannot lie or hide it, she deserves to know.
Miwen: "Mia... your mother... The war... ended when Hamperlon managed to kill Melissa. I'm sorry."
Mia: "....."
Silence overtakes everything. To have to be the bringer of such news never occurred to me. I myself am not in the best mental state, but... No matter how much I've run this conversation over in my head, I couldn't find a way to make it more bearable for her. Hell, how can anyone tell someone that their mother just died and expect anything other than this?
What follows is a clear expression of shock and sadness. As tears start to fall from her eyes to her cheeks, I brace myself to not give in to my own feelings.
Miwen: "... It's possible that she killed Prince Normyu."
Mia: "....."
Miwen: "Knowing her, she might've even done in the Seven Rainbow Miracles girl."
Mia: "..."
I guess there's nothing I can say to improve the situation. Well, there's one thing that might give her hope, but...
The chances are so low, that I feel bad just telling her about it. It's an infinitesimal possibility, but... I can't stand seeing her sad and hopeless like this.
If this helps her in any way, even if it's just the most minuscule rope... as long as she has something to grab on... as long as she has a reason to continue...
Miwen: "... You know... my Gift can do many things. Licia and Claire, for example, were brought back to life thanks to it."
Mia: ".....?"
While crying and sobbing, I see her trying to wipe the tears off. I take it as a good sign, so I continue on.
Miwen: "The chances are ridiculously low but... I might be able to bring Melissa back..."
Mia: "...You can do necromancy without access to her body?"
I hate to be called a necromancer, I really dislike the idea, but even I can't call what I'm proposing anything else other than necromancy.
Whatever, I promised I'd make her happy anyway, I don't mind accepting any sin for it.
It's also good payback against Melissa. I can't imagine what kind of expression she'd make if I brought her back to fulfill the very promise we made.
If all of her schemings proved to be for naught, as I have the last laugh and force her to live with Mia... then that would be the perfect ending for me.
Well, even though it's magic, I can't help but accept reality. If my Gift works the way I think it does, then, the chances of getting someone specific in the [Companions Banner] is just 1/everyone who ever died, ever. In every single world.
Miwen: "It's an indescribable low chance... but... someone has to be summoned. Melissa's chances are the same as everyone else."
Mia: "...I see."
I don't think this had much impact. I guess she might even be a bit conflicted about using essentially necromancy to have her mother back, and given the chances I can't make any promises either...
But at least she started to reply again...
Miwen: "... If I get stronger, I might be able to summon more people each time. If you were to help, I could summon three people at once tomorrow."
Mia: "Why three?"
Miwen: "I plan on getting them to my level, but I need their numbers to be fewer than the people I can count on, just in case they try anything funny."
Mia: "I don't mind helping you out. But... I feel like being alone right now. There's a lot that I want to think about if you don't mind."
Miwen: "I get it. I'll bring you dinner later though. Of course, you're also welcome to join us if you want to."
Mia: "...Thanks..."
So I'm back at this again huh? Offering clothes, food, shelter, and company to girls who've lost everything.
Though this time hurts especially badly. When it comes to Licia and Claire, there was nothing that I could've done to prevent their situation. But this right now is the result of my own powerlessness, I was there, if I was strong enough, then...
Then this girl wouldn't ask to be alone right now.
The connection with the event is gone, so now that I try to leave the kingdom, I find myself back in my own home, as I expected it would happen.