Chapter 353.1: Alistair (I)

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As Fran was clinging to Kiara's body and sobbing, I saw several people running back into the room.

It was Mea and the others. However, there was a woman with them that I didn't recognize. Who was that? Right now, my appraisal didn't work as it should have either.

She must have followed Fran. Mea and the others rushed into the room in a panic, and when they saw Kiara lying there, their faces contorted.

"Master Kiara!"

"Kiara!"

Mea and Mianoa were the first to rush over. Aside from Mea, I've never seen Mianoa look so serious before. Both Quina and Guendalfa, who was carrying an unconscious Asura on her back, looked upset too.

They all seemed to understand the situation when they saw Kiara and Fran's condition. Everyone knew already that Fran could utilize recovery magic, and mythical ones too. Despite that, the fact that Fran was currently weeping without casting the recovery magic meant.....

"Fran, did you manage to hear Master Kiara's last words?"

Mea spoke to Fran, as the tears flowing down both her eyes wetted her cheeks.

"Master Kiara was concerned about us. For Master Kiara, who had no family, we were close to her enough that she felt that we were like her own grandchildren."

"... she also said to be kind, cool, and live freely"

"I see. That sounds like things Master would say."

After hearing Fran's words, Mea gave a big nod.

"Hmm......"

"Live freely.... Master Kiara had a hard time because of that old bastard."

Old bastard? I wondered who that referred to, but it was probably the previous Beast King. He was the one who enslaved Kiara, but when I thought about it, he was a grandfather to Mea.

"But in the end, Lady Kiara looks happy with herself."

Everyone nodded at Mianoa's words. Mianoa, who was the lady in waiting, must have had a stronger bond with Kiara than anyone else. Understanding this, Mea and the others gave way for Mianoa to come close to Kiara.

Even Fran started to make space for her. Perhaps, she came to realize that she wasn't the only one mourning Kiara's death. She stood up, rubbing her eyes with her hands, which were bright red because she was crying.

"Thank you very much..."

Mianoa knelt down and wiped the dirt off Kiara's face with her handkerchief.

"Kiara-sama... you're smiling...."

Yes, Kiara was smiling. She seemed to be really satisfied with whatever she managed to do just before she departed.

Perhaps, when she released her last move, Kiara could barely feel her entire body anymore. I think she was not even aware that not only could she not see Xellos Reed, but her attack didn't even hit him directly and was also assisted by my telekinesis.

Still, she said she was content and said her goodbyes to Fran with a smile. Her face seemed really blissful. Would I end up with a smile like hers on my face like that if I was destroyed right now and it was all over?

That was definitely impossible. I'm sure it would have been unsightly instead. I won't be anywhere near satisfied and I would have cried with regret as I called out Fran's name.

Kiara must have experienced all sorts of things throughout her long life, both good and bad.

Talking and drinking with friends, tasting the sweetness and bitterness of life, sipping muddy water - no, that's wrong. She must have lived a life that cannot be imagined even by a monk already in his thirties. In other words, Kiara's life probably couldn't be fully expressed with such a simplistic outlook.

Thus, I think it's because of all of her life experience that Kiara was able to laugh and pass away so peacefully like that. It was impossible for me to be as such now. I admire her. I want to gain more experience so that I can end up laughing at the end too, together with Fran, hopefully after many fulfilling years to come.

Therefore, I cannot just do nothing and be broken in such a place. I managed to try to fix myself somewhat, but the intense pain didn't help.

"Guga...!"

What in the world has become of me?

While everyone was surrounding Kiara, one mysterious woman, who was not standing together with the group, approached me.

She was tall, with long silver hair and a white robe. Her eyes were sharp, no- her eyes were unsettlingly intense. Could it be that she was angry at being left alone?

I could see that the muscles on her body were well-toned despite being so lean. Merely from the fact that she was in a place like this suggested that she was not just any regular woman.

Her right eye, with only a slit opened, peeking out from between her long bangs, stared at me, holding me firmly in place. Owh... What shall I do... If Mea and the others were the ones who brought her here, then she was probably not an enemy. But if this woman starts to pick me up and tries to equip me, we'll all be in all sorts of trouble.

It couldn't be helped. I know Fran would have liked to be around Kiara a little longer, but If this woman suddenly picked me up in silence......

"Fran... Guh..."

(......Hm?)

"This, woman..."

Maybe it's because the adrenaline of battle had dissipated, but I could no longer hold back the pain. Still, I managed to ask Fran for help by sending her a telepathic message.

I think Fran then turned and saw me and the woman and understood what I was trying to say. She got up hurriedly, wiping away her tears, and ran up to me. Then she picked me up before the woman could.

(Master.... Are you okay?)

"Ou......"

Having said that, I couldn't shake this strong feeling of discomfort. No matter what I tried to do, I kept feeling this pain coming back again and again, and I couldn't even begin to repair myself. Moreover there was no sign that my magical power would recover.

Will I be cured if I get a blacksmith to repair me? No, I'll be in trouble if I can't heal. I couldn't do anything as it is now. This was a difficult moment for Fran, as she just lost someone she truly looked up to. I have to be strong, at least just for her.

"That......"

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