Chapter 305 - Chapter 304: Kifrod's Wish
Late in the second month of Fire.
The Great Cathedral in the Royal Capital. Kifrod's private quarters.
Mika lifted Kifrod, who was lying in bed, while Pope Blahoslav and the Cardinals watched over them.
"Then, I'll be going."
When Mika turned around and said that, Blahoslav nodded.
"Divine Messenger《Apostle》, please take care of us."
At Blahoslav's words, Mika nodded firmly as well.
When Blahoslav knelt, everyone in the room knelt.
"Lord Kifrod. Thank you for your long years of service. We will never forget your guidance."
The sincere gratitude of the kneeling people reached them.
Kifrod smiled weakly.
"Please don't worry about an old man like me... There are still many seeking a helping hand. Be sure to..."
"Yes."
The kneeling people bowed deeply.
Mika silently watched that exchange.
Kifrod had fallen ill.
For about two years, his legs and waist had weakened, and he had used a cane.
And recently, it had finally become difficult for him to even get up.
Kifrod, whose mental strength was fading day by day, was painful just to watch.
Even though he wanted to be scolded and sent back like before, he was in a state where even speaking exhausted him.
When Mika visited Kifrod like that, he murmured quietly.
I want to go home...
Hearing that murmur, tears spilled from Mika's eyes.
It was the first time he had seen such a weak Kifrod.
Kifrod, who was always resolute, had said he wanted to go home.
Thinking of how much emotion was contained in those single words, Mika could not stop his tears.
And when Mika asked Kifrod if he wanted to return to his birthplace, Kifrod shook his head.
The place Kifrod wanted to return to was not his birthplace.
He said he wanted to return to Rish Village.
The place where Kifrod had spent nearly half his life was Rish Village.
While he was working hard as the Chief Priest of the Great Cathedral, he was framed by those who envied Kifrod.
And thus, he was demoted to a priest in a pioneer village.
What pulled Kifrod out of his despair were the villagers who were building the pioneer village from scratch.
Building a village from nothing on empty land.
Kifrod's heart was moved by their positive and single-minded appearance.
Let's walk forward together with these people.
The teachings of the Gods are within Kifrod.
Wherever we are, the Gods are with us.
With that resolve, while helping with the pioneering, he had laughed with the villagers and shared their sorrows.
For Kifrod, Rish Village had become a home greater than his birthplace.
Hearing Kifrod's words, Mika immediately set to work.
He spoke with the Pope and made arrangements with Rish Village as well.
Within two days, all preparations were made to grant Kifrod's return home.
Mika connected the space to Rish Village right there.
Turning his back on Blahoslav and the others, he signaled to Rimliche standing beside him.
Confirming that Rimliche had grabbed Mika's robe, he stepped forward.
When Mika walked a few steps, he was in Rish Village.
In front of the church, a crowd of people had gathered.
Well, saying "many," there were fewer than three hundred in total.
Probably, almost all the villagers had gathered.
Sister Radi was waiting in front of the church.
When Mika and the others appeared, she showed a surprised expression for a moment, then made a gesture of prayer.
And with beautiful manners, she bowed her head.
"Welcome back, Lord Kifrod. Thank you for your hard work."
Radi's expression as she raised her face seemed to be forcing a smile to cover up her sadness.
"Welcome back."
"Lord Kifrod."
The gathered people called out to Kifrod with smiles on their faces.
Among them was Diego's figure.
But Diego looked terribly wounded, then pressed his lips together and turned his back.
He must have been shocked by Kifrod's greatly weakened appearance.
That was the same for Radi.
An indescribable feeling pressed heavily on their chests.
"Are the room preparations done?"
"Please, this way."
Guided by Radi, they entered the church.
They were led to a back room they had never entered before.
Mika carefully followed behind, making sure not to bump Kifrod, whom he was holding, against the walls or anything else.
"Ah, Lord Mika. Lord Kifrod this way."
Inside the room, Nerisfeene, who had prepared everything necessary, welcomed them with a smile.
It seemed they had been cleaning even while Kifrod was away, so the room was originally clean.
But, as expected, there was no dried grass on the bed.
Mika had bought various things that seemed necessary for Kifrod's care and had them set up in the room.
When Mika gently laid Kifrod in the bed, Radi put a sheet over him.
Kifrod made an apologetic face.
"Thank you, Radi. And Mika, I'm sorry... To ask such a selfish thing, I can no longer speak of you."
"I didn't do anything special."
Mika grinned.
"It seems dragon meat is very nutritious, isn't it? Next time, I'll catch two or three of them."
"Two or three, you fool... If you say that, it won't be a joke."
At Kifrod's words, Nerisfeene and Radi let out dry laughs.
Rimliche also had a somewhat ambiguous expression.
In this way, Kifrod would spend his time in Rish Village.
Nerisfeene also stayed at the church for a while, taking turns with Radi to care for Kifrod.
The villagers also helped, and it became clear just how much Kifrod was loved by everyone in the village.
During that time, Mika ordered a super-express custom item from the young masters in the Royal Capital.
It was reckless, taking less than two weeks from design to completion.
"Okay, then I'm going."
Mika placed Kifrod in the newly completed wheelchair and looked around the village.
On his first walk, the villagers came to see him curiously.
This wheelchair.
It is a ridiculous specification wheelchair using "Copper-type Rare Metal《Orichalcum》" as material.
[Enchantment] was applied generously, making strength and weight reduction perfect.
It is also equipped with springs to absorb shock.
Or rather, the wheelchair itself has [Impact Resistance] applied.
The tires are properly attached.
This country still does not have rubber tubes, but there is an excellent shock-absorbing material《Shock Absorber》.
It is the thing《that》attached to the refrigerator door.
It is processed from monster intestines, but they used it instead of rubber tires.
"You really came up with such a thing..."
Kifrod, riding in the wheelchair, murmured while looking at the surrounding scenery.
"How is the ride?"
"The ride is good. This cushion is also comfortable to sit on."
Saying that, Kifrod stroked the fur cushion.
This fur is Sou-Labi.
It was certainly not something Mika hunted, but processed monster furs are sold normally, so they used that to make the cushion.
If it were Mika, carrying Kifrod for a walk outside would not be a problem.
But Nerisfeene and Radi could not do that.
Mika also visits often, but he thought it was pitiful that they could only go for walks when Mika was there, so he made the wheelchair.
He taught them how to transfer without strain and wanted them to enjoy safe outdoor walks.
Amalia and Loretta also helped care for Kifrod.
In this village, everyone is being taken care of by Kifrod and Radi.
To avoid overburdening Radi, everyone went to cook meals together or took turns cleaning inside the church.
■■■■■■
One day, Nerisfeene contacted Mika via communication, saying Kifrod was calling.
When he went to meet him immediately, Kifrod was napping in bed.
Seeing Kifrod's figure, Mika felt a sharp pain in his chest.
...Was he this small?
Kifrod seemed to notice immediately and offered Mika a chair beside the bed.
"I'm sorry... Even though you must be busy, Mika."
"That's not true. I'm just reading books at home."
They talked about such trivial things.
While looking up at the ceiling, Kifrod murmured.
"There is nothing left to regret now."
At that deep murmur, Mika's vision blurred in an instant.
Looking at the place Kifrod was looking at, Mika also looked up.
"What are you saying? I intend to ask Lord Kifrod to plan my funeral, so it's too early to say such things."
"How long do you intend to let me live?"
At Kifrod's exasperated voice, nostalgia surged.
Scolded enough, angered enough, scolded enough.
Mika's chest grew hot, and for a moment he was at a loss for words.
"An old man is summoned to the Gods. It is the decree of the Gods."
At those words, Mika realized that Kifrod had already realized his time was near.
It was not just that he was becoming weak; Mika felt something like certainty.
Mika tried to say something, but the words would not come out properly.
Kifrod continued speaking.
"Thank you, Mika. Thanks to you, I have nothing left to regret."
"...S-such a thing..."
It was always Mika who had been a nuisance to Kifrod.
While saying "oh dear," it was always Kifrod who had helped him.
When Mika looked at Kifrod's face, his expression was truly peaceful.
"In the past, the Church was in truly dire straits. To be honest, I had given up..."
Kifrod tilted his head and looked at Mika.
"It was a disaster for you, but thanks to Mika, the Church has been purified."
Hearing that, Mika weakly shook his head.
At that timing, tears spilled.
Once they started, they continued to fall, drop by drop...
The one who removed the corruption of the Church, and the one who is still diligently removing it, is Blahoslav.
It is Wagnare and Kararebas.
Mika did nothing.
"The Church is returning to the right path. I was able to witness that with my own eyes."
Kifrod smiled.
"I had thought to bury my bones in this《Rish》Village... But I thought it would not come to pass."
The distance between the Royal Capital and Rish Village usually takes two weeks.
When going to the Royal Capital, they moved in two days, but for Kifrod now, even that was difficult.
"Really, thank you. Mika. I never thought I could actually return."
Kifrod reached out and placed his hand over Mika's.
That hand, which should have been inside the sheet, was very cold.
Mika placed his other hand over it as if to warm that hand.
Looking down, tears fell drop by drop onto that hand.
"I was able to return again. For me, this is the greatest miracle."
Mika tried to say something in return, but his breath caught and he could say nothing.
He could only sniffle.
"That Mika, you know..."
Kifrod murmured that and gripped Mika's hand.
But that power was truly faint.
At that fragility, Mika's tears overflowed even more.
"...I will explain to the Gods myself. That 'Divine Messenger《Mika》' is doing well on the ground."
"...Ki...frod, Sir...!"
Mika could no longer even murmur Kifrod's name...
Bang!
"Ah, Mika-kun!?"
Rimliche, who had been waiting in front of Kifrod's room, was confused by Mika suddenly bursting out of the room.
Mika, who had come out of the room, ran down the hallway without saying anything, then burst outside.
And then, he took flight.
"Rimliche-san."
Radi, who was in the chapel, called out to Rimliche and hurriedly entered Kifrod's room.
Kifrod seemed to be sleeping with a peaceful expression.
Radi sighed with relief.
"Mika-kun burst out..."
When told that by Radi, Rimliche nodded.
She had only caught a glimpse, but Mika must have been crying.
Mika must have wanted to be alone.
He must have wanted to cry alone.
He must have not wanted to be seen crying.
So he burst outside.
Radi went out into the hallway and gently closed the door to Kifrod's room.
Mika and Kifrod.
She did not know what the two had talked about, but it must have been a very important conversation.
And it must have been a very meaningful conversation.
That was evident from Kifrod's peaceful expression.
"Rimliche-san. Let's take a short rest here. Mika-kun will be back soon."
"...But."
Not being able to stay by Mika's side as his guard was a somewhat troubling situation.
"Above in the sky, the guard is fine for now."
Saying that, Radi smiled.
"Mika-kun is strong. That has been the case since he lived in this village. It will surely be fine."
Admonished by Radi, Rimliche nodded.
Mika's Order was to protect Mika, and to protect what was precious to Mika.
Since Mika had separated on his own judgment, Rimliche should switch on her own judgment as well.
Since Mika-kun is away, I will switch my mission to protecting what is precious to Mika-kun.
Switching her feelings in her mind like that, she decided to stay by Nerisfeene and Radi's side.
■■■■■■
Mika rose to the upper sky in an instant and looked down over Rish Village.
And then, he vented something that had accumulated in his chest and was about to burst.
"Ugh... Ah... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"
Looking up at the sky, he screamed.
Wailing.
His vision was dyed red by passion, and a desire for destruction surged up.
Tears flowed endlessly.
For Mika, this was his first experience.
He had touched death before.
In his original world and in this world, he had seen the death of people many times.
Even so—
For the first time, he mourned.
He had been sad about someone's death before.
But he had never felt it as his own pain.
"I can't take the day off for work, so I'll just show up for the wake."
"I guess since they're family, how much should the condolence money be?"
That was everything regarding death for Kuhashi Ritsu.
Pulling out mourning clothes and a rosary, seeing them off with the proper etiquette of a "Social Person."
It might be slightly irreverent to say it out loud, but to put it bluntly, death was just that.
But Kifrod was different.
He had scolded Mika seriously with great love and guided him.
That had already become part of Mika.
"UAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"
As if pushed by a surge rising from within, Mika scattered "Water Splash" toward the sky.
If he did not expel it in some form, his body felt like it would be torn apart.
At that moment, Mika's hair floated and lengthened...
Slowly lowering the arm he had stretched toward the sky.
"Really..."
Murmuring that, he lightly wiped his face.
Not just tears; his whole body was soaked from "Water Splash."
"...You know it's dangerous to use magic according to your emotions, right?"
So, Fee murmured.
Using magic when emotions are high directly damages Mika's Source.
Mika's Source has already changed, but the condition is not that bad.
But if he continues to use magic according to his emotions, it will worsen.
That was the warning he had given, but Mika was not listening at all right now.
Therefore, Fee forcibly pulled Mika back and appeared herself.
Mika did not resist particularly, so they could switch places smoothly.
Fee grabbed her robe and sighed.
"I feel gross if I don't change clothes..."
It was summer, so he wouldn't catch a cold, but there was no meaning in drying it off like this.
He would return to the church and have someone change his clothes.
Fee weakened "Blast" to maintain altitude and began to fall toward the ground.
Kifrod passed away two days later.
He died during the day, as if he were napping.
Many people were comforted by that very peaceful expression.
■■■■■■
Mid-month of the third month of Fire.
After Kifrod's funeral ended, Mika was at the Noisheim residence.
Although unofficial, it was a funeral impossible for a single priest, with the Pope and ten Cardinals attending.
But the Pope and others attended only in the form of condolences; the funeral rites were conducted by Radi.
A funeral where all the villagers participated well told that Kifrod was admired by many people.
After such a funeral, the Pope and others had already escorted Mika to the Royal Capital.
Nerisfeene was still remaining at the church and seemed to have things to do.
Kistil and Cleiria also attended the funeral, but Mika had already escorted them home.
Rimliche was also assigned as Kistil's guard, so it was the first time in a long time that the three of them were alone.
For the past few years, Rimliche had always been attached as a guard, and Kistil and Nerisfeene often came along.
There had never been a time when it was just Amalia, Loretta, and Mika.
"...It's a bit lonely, isn't it?"
When Mika said that, Loretta sniffled.
Amalia nodded while looking at Loretta with gentle eyes.
"He was the grandfather of all the villagers. He always watched over us kindly."
"Yeah... Sometimes he was scary."
When Mika said that, Amalia chuckled.
"He was the type to speak clearly about bad things and wrong things... Mika, you were scolded a lot."
Being told that by Amalia, Mika shrugged his shoulders.
He shouldn't have done anything that bad...
When Mika thought such a feigned thought, Amalia murmured with nostalgia.
"Prepare yourself..."
Amalia, who had murmured, smiled at Mika.
"Mother was scolded too."
That was the day Mika's entry into the Magic Academy was decided.
Those were the words Kifrod said to Amalia, who panicked because Mika would leave the village the following spring.
"As Lord Kifrod predicted, Mother doesn't understand even the farthest places, but Mika has gone there."
Mika, who was standing right in front of her, within reach, seemed terribly far away.
Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing was another matter, but at least Mika had spread his wings in a world far removed from the narrow world Amalia had wished for.
She did not know if he had foreseen that at that time, but at least Kifrod's prophecy came true.
Now Mika's name echoed throughout the kingdom, and even the King could not ignore him.
He had the power to turn back the forced remarriage of Amalia and Loretta's marriage, which nobles had tried to force upon them, head-on.
Mostly, the detailed circumstances and solutions were still not well understood by Amalia and the others.
"I was never scolded. Mother always praised me. 'You're great for helping Mother so much,' 'You're great for taking good care of Mika,' that kind of thing."
Loretta spoke with nostalgia.
It seemed Loretta, who had watched over Mika instead of Amalia, was often praised by Kifrod.
"...That's definitely favoritism. I don't have many memories of being praised."
"That's because of your conduct."
Loretta crushed Mika's objection with just one word.
Unfathomable...
They talked about such nostalgic memories with Kifrod.
Memories with Kifrod would remain in the hearts of all the villagers as warm things.
A priest who pioneered the village.
This priest, loved by all the villagers, was a great priest who even made the Pope kneel and seek his teachings.
Mika learned a lot from such an amazing priest.
Mika sincerely thanked the Gods for being reincarnated in this border village called Rish Village.
Kifrod.
Taking Kifrod's death as an opportunity, Mika proposed building a monument in Rish Village.
However, a monument for Kifrod alone would surely not make Kifrod happy.
So, they decided to build a monument for the pioneers.
A monument engraved with the names of all the initial members of Rish Village's pioneering.
They wanted to build it next to the church so that Kifrod's name would remain.
Mika intended to pay all the costs, but when the villagers heard of this plan, many offers of donation came to the Village Head and Radi saying, "We definitely want to participate."
Although it was a very small amount for the total cost, they decided to engrave the names of the donors on the stone as well.
In the end, the names of these supporters became the names of all the villagers.
Even newborn babies were made to hold a copper coin, taking the form of a donation.
For Mika, it was just self-satisfaction, but it unexpectedly left a big result.
Radi.
She dedicated her life as the acting priest of Rish Village.
She continued unpaid service that was outside the church's agreements, and the diocesan bishop who knew about this even considered it a problem, but thanks to the Pope's consideration, it did not become a major issue.
Because the birthplace of the "Divine Messenger《Apostle》" was in Rish Village, some believers revered it as a Holy Land.
By revealing episodes of the "Divine Messenger《Apostle》"'s childhood to such believers, some of them, a very small part of that group, revered her as a 'Missionary.'
Ninetiana, Diego, Dur.
Since the Village Head had no heir, Diego would later take over as Village Head.
Struggling as a couple, they served as Village Head safely with the villagers' cooperation.
Thanks to the stone wall made by Mika, damage from beasts was drastically reduced, but whenever a beast appeared, the Village Head himself would take up a sword and face it, so the trust from the villagers was deep.
Unlike his parents, Dur showed his talent in academics.
He studied politics and such at the school in Sarbengeal, and when Diego retired, he succeeded him and became the Village Head of Rish Village.
Cherusis, Mosmir.
Since Kistil married Mika, they indirectly became relatives of the Marquis family.
Because of this, they tried to be careful about direct contact, cutting off contact even more.
But since they had a communication device at the Village Head's house, they exchanged news and such with Kistil occasionally.
Cherusis had a slightly weak body, but she was fully accepted in the village and could live peacefully.
Mosmir became the person in charge of a section of the cotton fields, working hard to support his mother, and became a significant figure in the village.
He became one of the central figures supporting Dur, who became Village Head.
Amalia, Loretta.
They lived peacefully in Rish Village.
But six years later, Amalia's health began to fail.
After her husband left, she had strained herself to raise young Mika and Loretta.
To repay debts, they cut back on their lives, and in winter, food supplies sometimes ran out.
Since she had given even that meager amount of food to Mika and Loretta, her body was falling apart.
When Amalia's health failed, Mika brought her to his mansion to recuperate.
Kistil and Nerisfeene helped with nursing, and he bought anything that was good for the body.
However, despite such nursing efforts, she passed away one year later.
Even during her illness, Amalia hardly let out any complaints, maintaining a smile.
And, despite being ill herself, she only worried about Mika, Loretta, and the people around her.
Mika even raised his voice, saying, "Think about your own body first!"
Amalia, who had a gentle personality and always kept a smile.
But her core had a strength beyond Mika's imagination.
She always put herself second and thought of Mika and Loretta first.
Mika was made to realize the strength of a mother during that year.
When Amalia went to the mansion to recuperate, Loretta came along to help with nursing.
However, while nursing, she began to think about various things.
Mika's mansion was a world far removed from Loretta's life up until then.
She had come to know that such a world existed.
After Amalia passed away, she traveled for about two years, visiting the Kingdom of Ektrem and the Am-Tast Trade Alliance.
Of course, the wallet was Mika's.
Mika also assigned a guard adventurer and let Loretta do as she pleased.
When Loretta returned from her travels, it seemed she became interested in fashion design.
Until then, she had not even cared how the cotton fabrics she made were used.
She had just made them as daily work.
But, by broadening her horizons, she seemed to be attracted to the clothing of dressed-up women.
Mika, who had a wallet with infinite money flowing out, made a workshop for Loretta within the mansion grounds.
Relying on memories from his original world, he taught her things she remembered about women's fashion and simple color coordination concepts.
Furthermore, he utilized his own name value and gave his seal of approval to the clothes Loretta made.
Stylish clothes for commoner women, not dresses worn by nobles, became popular in an instant.
A good economy acted as a tailwind, and she came to own multiple stores and workshops throughout the kingdom.
When she provided clothes for free to orphanages and such with Mika's advice, Loretta's reputation soared.
That is the sister of the Apostle, after all.
But her own face was somewhat ambiguous.
She had begun to wonder if it was okay to earn money so easily.
Having seen Amalia struggle with money during her childhood, it seemed she could not simply rejoice.
She established a vocational training center for children with no family, and many children came to call her 'Mother.'
But, in the end, she remained unmarried and spent her life that way.