Overlimit Skill Holder

Overlimit Skill Holder Epilogue Chapter 6

Epilogue: Overlimit Skill Holder

★ Eva Sillys ★

There were already many people coming and going to House Sillys’ residence before dawn.

The mansion was lit up all night. Everyone was busy preparing for today.

The heroine for today, Eva Sillys, also woke up before dawn and had a large schedule ahead of her; taking a bath in the morning, praying to God, taking care of her skin, putting on makeup and doing her hair.

「…………」

Little by little, Eva was getting closer to perfection thanks to her maids.

The maids lost their breaths looking at Eva.

With her radiant beauty, she was the main character today.

It's just that the person in question herself wasn't aware of it…

(The day I have waited for is finally here.)

Just how long had she waited for this day to come.

She met Reiji when she was 11.

She didn't think anything of him at the time. She just thought, "What's wrong with father? He hired a young boy as my escort?"

She realized Reiji was useful when he agreed to go along with her selfish whims. Climbing trees, visiting downtown areas, and efforts to eradicate slave trade.

She felt lucky to have such a convenient escort. On the other hand, she wondered what kind of person he was and how he was able to acquire such power at his age.

The truly strange thing to her was when she felt Reiji talking to her father, Earl Sillys, on an equal footing.

At first, she simply thought it was strange, but as the days went by, she began to wonder why only Reiji was equal to her father and not her—it took quite some time before she realized this feeling was “jealousy”.

At the same time, he became strongly aware of Reiji as a boy.

What happened after that was the "Sprouts and New Moon Banquet", the attempted assassination of the Holy Prince, the battle with the mediator at the “Skill Orb Awarding Ceremony", and even the Ouroboros disaster.

Reiji was at the center of everything.

He demonstrated ability which easily surpassed Eva's imagination.

Then he discovered the secret between her and her father, canceled the contract magic on her, and made Eva and Earl Sillys stand as true equals.

(…He was driven out of the Holy Capital.)

He thought Reiji would take her out of the Holy Capital.

She felt like she had been forsaken by Reiji when he asked her to go back.

But Reiji said,

「You and the Earl are the only family left to each other in this world.」

Those words struck her heart. Eva knew that she had to go back to her father now that they were on equal footing.

However, Eva also thought this:

——Then you will be all alone.

But it was not something she could say.

It wasn't because Reiji "promised" that he would take her out of the kingdom one day.

But because he finally treated her as an equal.

(There wasn't a day that went by where I didn't think of you.)

For the first time, she learned that parting was painful.

For the first time, she learned that parting would make her anxious.

The parting was the impetus which led her to learn about her feelings for Reiji.

After that, many incidents happened around the world. And when she heard that Reiji had "disappeared", she was so worried that she almost lost her sense of self. And when she finally saw him in the Lev Magic Empire, she couldn’t stop her heart from throbbing in excitement.

Though, she didn't know Reiji had such a beautiful sister, and the fact that a high elf royal girl had joined the party was also a source of frustration.

When she heard that he had fallen into a coma after fighting the goddess, she couldn’t believe it.

As if she had lost her memories, she could hardly remember the 1 year when Reiji was asleep.

It could be because she was overwhelmed with work, or it could be because she was overwhelmed with anxiety that Reiji would never wake up. Or it could be both.

(I am so glad he woke up…)

Hearing that news, she felt as if color suddenly returned to the gray world around her.

She was simply glad that Reiji had woken up.

She never imagined him expressing his feelings for her.

「——My Lady, the preparations are complete. After breakfast, we shall help you change into your wedding dress and head to the cathedral.」

Eva stood up in response to the head maid's words.

Breakfast had already been prepared, and her father was waiting for her when she entered the dining room. Her father looked surprised when he saw Eva, but he immediately smiled.

「…You are very beautiful, Eva.」

「Thank you, father.」

The father and daughter were quiet at the dining table, but Earl Sillys, who was at the center of the administration of the Holy Kingdom and was extremely busy, still made time to be with Eva as much as possible.

「…You resemble Adele more and more.」

「Mother?」

Adele, her mother, injured Eva when she was still a baby due to Eva's magic eye activating without control. Adele, who was originally in a bad postpartum condition, died of the prolonged distress caused by that incident.

And after a series of incidents, it led to the use of contract magic between the Earl and his daughter. So it was rare for Eva to hear about her mother straight from the Earl.

「Our wedding ceremony was also very sunny. …I did not think I would witness my daughter’s wedding so soon. Time sure flies, doesn’t it?」

「Father, you are still young yourself, right?」

In Eva's eyes, Earl Sillys still looked young, and she heard the same thing from noble’s high society. Many madams say, "The secret of Earl Sillys' youth is worthy of a state secret."

There were still many young women who wanted to become the second wife of Earl Sillys, but until now he had refrained from doing so because of Eva.

「I am worried about the future.」Eva said.

「Are you worried about me? Hmm, it does not feel too bad to have you worried about me.」

「Please don’t make fun of me.」

「I understand. …More importantly, Eva, you should be worried about Reiji-san.」

「…………」

Even though it was the day of the wedding, there was no information that Reiji had entered the Holy Capital.

An excellent liaison was stationed at the mansion, so there should be no contact leaks.

She had a feeling that something like this would happen because it was Reiji, after all.

The reason for this was that he was going to save a pioneering village in a remote area of ​​the Holy Kingdom, so she couldn't stop him.

「It's okay, Father. Reiji will definitely make it in time.」

「!」

Her father stiffened when her daughter smiled so brightly.

「Is that so…」

And he smiled sadly. It might be the loneliness that Eva has found someone she trusts more than her father.

**

The Holy Royal Palace was located in the center of the Holy City. And the "1st Wall" is built to surround it. There are walls up to 8 walls, but the section between "1st Wall" and "2nd Wall" is called "1st Holy District".

Since the “1st Holy District" houses many facilities that facilitate the central administration of the kingdom, only nobles and those who work there can enter and exit.

For that reason, it is usually quiet. But today, it was crowded with numerous carriages.

Noble from various places gathered here.

There were many honored guests not only from the Holy Kingdom but also from abroad.

Eva Sillys, who is the daughter of Earl Sillys, who is the Minister of Internal Affairs and has the trust of the Holy Queen, is said to be the "flower" of the Holy Kingdom in noble high societies.

Reiji, one of the "Five Heroes" and the leading figure in the subjugation of the goddess, is known to the upper echelons of every country.

These two people were going to get married.

The inside of the cathedral where the wedding ceremony was to be held, however, was quiet, unaffected by the noise from outside.

「W-W-W-Wow, Eva-sama! You are b-b-b-beautiful!」

Mira Mule approached Eva in her waiting room. Her eyes twinkled as she ran up to Eva, who has changed into her wedding dress.

「…Mira, you're going to fall again. Calm down.」

Charlotte Phrase had an astonished look. She is the daughter of the House Marquis Phrase, and is the same age as Eva and Mira who participated in the "Sprouts and New Moon Banquet".

「Oh my, you are really pretty.」

「…Ah, is it okay if I come in?」

Following them were Ethan Ebene and the Holy Crown Prince Kluvshrat.

If Louis of House Duke Rosier was here, he would have participated in the "Sprouts and New Moon Banquet" and would have sat around the same table as the members here — but he had already passed away.

It was more than five years ago, so they didn't remember much.

They had all grown taller, and dressed in mature clothing.

And their relationships have changed.

Charlotte was engaged to Ethan, and Kluvshrat has relinquished the title of "Holy Crown Prince"—which may have had something to do with Louis' death—and now operates as a local noble.

Mira was the only one who remained the same, at the border territory, still holding the reins of her rampaging father.

「Of course. All that's left is to wait.」Eva said, with a bright smile.

Ethan was captivated for a moment, causing Charlotte to elbow him.

「Y-You're going to get married soon…」Mira said.

「M-Mira-sama, please wipe your tears. It will ruin your makeup.」Eva said.

「By the way, Eva-sama. I can't seem to find the Mythril Hero-dono…」Kluvshrat said, looking around.

「He hasn't arrived yet.」

「Huh…? But the ceremony is about to begin…」

「I'm so sorryyyy! Papa's movements are so slow… I will scold him when he gets home.」

「I-It's okay, Mira-sama. Border Earl Mule has taken charge of cleaning up the aftermath… Besides, it was Reiji's own desire to help the village.」

Although Reiji was fighting at the border, it was not in the Border Earl’s territory, but next to it.

However, the Border Earl was the only one with a highly mobile unit, and Silver Balance had asked the Border Earl to clean up after the battle in advance.

On a side note, it was the Dark Elf unit who could move in such a situation. Although they are a militant faction who are part of the Border Territory, they have made a name for themselves due to their outstanding achievements, and now they have been granted their own territory.

「Monster subjugation just before the wedding huh…」Kluvshrat said.

「He is not a hero just for show.」Ethan said.

「Ara? Ethan-sama, you also rarely reply to my letters when you get absorbed into your research, don’t you?」

「Ah, ahahaha…」

It seemed that Ethan was already being dominated by Charlotte even before their marriage.

However, the engagement between Ethan of House Duke Ebene, who supported the Holy Queen during the chaos caused by the goddess, and Charlotte of the wealthy House Marquis Phrase, was big news for the nobles.

Gong… Gong….

The bell rang.

The cathedral doors were finally opened. And the guests started to enter.

「——Her Majesty the Holy Queen——」

「——Head of House Duke Ebene——」

「——Keith Gran Federation Mayor of Valhalla——」

「——Valhalla City Guildmaster Gurgio-sama——」

Kluvshrat’s cheeks twitched as he heard the announcement of the arrival of guests.

「A-All the VVIPs are here.」he said.

「Yes. It is Reiji’s… the Five Heroes’ influence.」Eva said.

「I don't think so. The fact that Eva-sama serves an important role in our country's politics, is known to almost all the important nobles and higher ups.」

「Fufu. Thank you for saying that. But it is also true that I have tried to follow in Reiji’s example.」

「……Eh?」

「As much as I feel the pressure…the fact that I have someone to catch up to, gets me fired up inside.」Eva said.

Kluvshrat caught Eva’s eyes gleaming for a moment.

If Earl Sillys had seen that, he would have thought this — The look that Eva had many years ago, when she met Reiji, had returned.

「Oh, are you all here? The bride is beautiful today.」

An unexpected visitor appeared in the waiting room.

Eva stood up in response.

It was a plump elder who was dressed in bishop attire.

「Cardinal Thomason, thank you for agreeing to perform the ceremony today…」

「Oh, no, no. Raise your head. You shouldn't bow your head to such an old man.」

Thomason had returned to the Church, and was once again appointed Cardinal at the Pope's request.

It was then that he announced that he would be the priest who will conduct the wedding ceremony for Reiji and Eva. And his inherent ability to get things done was why he was here.

「Sometimes I forget the scriptures because I have not done this in a while.」

Although he was speaking casually as usual, not only Eva, who did not have much contact with Cardinal Thomason, but the four others in the room were also nervous in front of him.

「Leaving that aside, is he still not here? Your bridegroom.」

「Yes.」

「Hmm, to cause such a beautiful bride to worry. I have to lecture him later.」

「No, I am not worried. Reiji will definitely come.」

「……Hou.」

Cardinal Thomason blinked at her conviction.

Right then,

「Lady Eva~」

A voice called out from outside the room, which seemed to originate from someone who was running.

Cardinal Thomason, as well as Eva and the other noble children, naturally, had escorts with them, and they were on alert.

「There is no problem. That person is the liaison of our House.」Eva said.

「Liaison?」Mira was dumbfounded.

「Yes… and I think it's good news.」

A woman burst into the room dressed in formal attire, but was still undressed.

She was flustered, but somehow she was still her usual self – it was Zerry.

「Lady Eva! There is a message from bochan!」

「Did he say when he is going to arrive?」

「About that–」

Zerry pointed her index finger up.

「He said he's already here.」she said.

「… Already? Where?」

「W-Well…」

The room suddenly became dark.

「L-Look at that!」

Ethan looked out the window and shouted.

There was a huge shadow in the sky above the Holy Capital.

**

Eva ran.

She believed that Reiji was definitely out there.

When she got out of the cathedral, it was crowded with carriages. Quite a few nobles had gotten off. And they were all looking up at the giant shadow — a magic airship.

「Harvest Sky!」

Eva, too, has been on it. When she went to the Lev Magic Empire in search of Reiji who had gone missing.

The world's largest magic airship, which the Empire still boasts to this day, is the "Harvest Sky".

「Fufufu…」

「E-Eva-sama?」

Mira caught up with Eva, who burst into laughter despite herself.

Even though there was an uproar from the surrounding people, thinking that it was an enemy attack.

「Mira-sama.」

「Y-Yes?」

「…The person who will become my husband might truly be worthy of being called a Hero.」

Eva added.

「After all, how many people are there in this world who can use “Harvest Sky” instead of a carriage?」

★ Lark ★

A girl took out a pocket watch out of her pocket and checked it, her long blonde hair fluttering in the strong wind.

「Young miss~ Don't stay so far away in such a cold place. Why don't you come near the bonfire? Such cold winds are poisonous to the body.」

「…I know. More importantly, stop calling me “young miss“. I'm already old enough.」

They were at a certain mountain range where the surface of the mountain was exposed. The girl, Lark, was looking east—in the direction of the Holy Kingdom.

「Ah, is it Reiji's wedding today?」

Kook said, as if he suddenly realized.

The cave in the mountain was perfect for sheltering from the wind, and the bonfire was providing heat.

His friends were brewing tea.

「…Yeah.」

The ceremony should have started by now.

Lark was also invited to attend the ceremony by Reiji, but she was currently in a far away place.

「If you’re going to make such a lonely face, you should’ve just gone there.」

「I know, shut up.」

「Alright, alright.」

After Kook left, Lark sat down in front of the bonfire.

——Urggh, you’re so boring!

——Doesn’t matter even if you pout.

——But don't you wanna see it? You do wanna see it, don’t you?

——Fine, fine. I want to see it. So stop grinding your knuckles against my temple. O-O-Ouchhh!

——Phew, honesty is the best policy, little brother.

When she closed her eyes, she always recalled the time in the mine where the two of them lived as "brother and sister".

「…I am no longer the sister he needs.」

After leaving the mine, Reiji spent a lot of time away from her — he had grown up by the time they met again.

Rather than being happy, she was jealous that there were already so many people around him.

That's why… she wanted him to look at her more, she wanted him to rely on her more. So Lark used【Shadow King】extensively knowing that her body was under a serious burden.

「…In the end, I was saved by that younger brother…」

When he plucked out her skill, she lost her sight instead.

And when she was able to get her sight back – on that hill overlooking the harbor, when she saw Reiji, it was the first time she had come face to face with her own thoughts.

He was no longer her little brother.

She could only see him as a man.

However, the connection of "brother and sister" weighed heavily when she wanted to convey her thoughts.

When Reiji chose Eva — she felt somewhat relieved rather than "sad".

But she got angry at herself for being relieved, and then followed by loneliness.

Lark, feeling overwhelmed with herself, embarked on a journey around the world.

「Young miss, can you please call Gold-chan? I want to investigate “Canion” a little more.」

「Sure… alright.」

"Gold-chan" is referring to the gold dragon.

Since then, he has been working with Lark and still accompanies her on her travels.

Lark thinks of him as a whimsical guy.

Since they were going to travel the world anyway, Lark and her companions decided to survey unexplored areas, including the undeveloped land “Canion”.

「Just give me a minute.」

Lark stood up and went outside with her warmed up body.

「Oi, Gold!」

Lark waved at the gold dragon flying leisurely in the distance.

——Take me to my brother's place!

She’s still a long way off before she is able to say that.

She most likely will after her emotions and thoughts have calmed down.

「Well, it's fine. We met in that shitty mine, after all. I am sure we can always meet again.」

After muttering that, Lark once again waved at the friendly dragon flying towards her.

★

「A-Are you really going to descend from here!?」

「Ah, yes. Thank you for everything, Lulusha-san, Director Abba.」

There was nobody on the deck of "Sky Harvest".

That's because the giant magic airship was currently in flight.

Due to the strong winds, Lulusha-san looked worried as she was supported by Abba-san – who is said to have been promoted from deputy director to director this year.

…Well, obviously she would be worried.

If someone said they were going to jump down from up here.

「…R-Reiji, we'll get down slowly later, okay?」

「Father, what are you saying? If we land in the outskirts of the Holy City, it will take a few hours to reach the cathedral.」

「B-But, to jump down in this attire…」

I was in my wedding dress, and Dante-san and Non-san were in formal attire.

「Please grip Mimino-san tightly.」

「I-I know, Non…」

Mimino-san, who had a fear of heights, had already passed out and was tied to Dante-san's back.

「Let's go.」

Asha was calm.

She has become able to use magic other than Fire Magic, and she is currently controlling the flow of air with a simple Wind Magic. As such, her long hair only swayed slightly in the breeze

「Thank you everyone!」

I said loudly and bowed to the people who were looking down at us from the bridge.

The commander-in-chief of “Sky Harvest" and other crew members.

In addition, the elderly Emperor was also there.

Well… In truth, I had anticipated that some kind of delay might arise and had requested in advance to borrow a magic airship. But I didn’t think they would send Sky Harvest itself, and that Emperor himself would personally come.

Since I anticipated that something like this might happen, I arranged for a set of ceremonial attires to be sent to the magic airship immediately. So I have grown… I think? Or have I grown in a wrong way for not being able to arrive normally?

(Well… it doesn’t really matter.)

I couldn't afford to be late for the wedding.

And the only way to do that was to fly.

The Lev Magic Empire was the only one I could ask for.

I noticed that the knights were running around in a hurry, and maybe because I didn't give them advance notice, about two magic airships have taken off from the take off zone. Let’s just say this situation couldn’t be helped and move on.

We crossed the deck railing and stood on the edge of the deck.

「I'll cast my magic now.」

I created a barrier-like wind membrane around us, stronger than the one Asha created with Wind Magic.

「Amazing… Reiji-san's magic is far more delicate and beautiful than mine.」

「That's not true. I don’t possess as much mana as you do, Asha, so I am just trying to figure out the most efficient way.」

「Reiji-san.」

「Yes.」

Asha smiled brightly.

「I will live much longer than you. Hundreds of years. Maybe even longer. So, in order to help me with my loneliness… please make a lot of children, alright?」

「Geh!」

I instinctively spat out at those words.

「P-Please don't say things like that right before the wedding.」

「Fufufu. Let's go.」

Asha then jumped off the airship as if it was nothing at all.

「Don't jump ahead on your own! Non-san, Dante-san, let's go!」

「Yes.」

「O-O-Okay…」

I jumped after Asha. Non-san took Dante-san's hand and they jumped down together.

As I looked back, the people on the bridge were making a fuss.

They were amazed and astonished that we were actually flying through the sky.

Only His Majesty the Emperor calmly stared at me.

(Oh……)

The Holy Capital spread out below.

A forest surrounded the Holy Palace.

The places that were destroyed by the appearance of Ouroboros had long since been restored, however, as if a scar left behind by old wounds, new buildings can be seen constructed in a straight line amongst older buildings.

(So ​​many things have happened…)

Too many things, really.

I never thought that I would be wed to a 17-year-old bride.

I am certain many more things will happen in the future.

(I have gone through painful situations and truly tough times, but I am glad I was reincarnated. I'm glad I came to this world.)

I could clearly see the cathedral building. The carriages going back and forth.

I saw my bride– Eva looking up at me with a dazzling look.

…Even in this world, wedding dresses are pure white, aren't they?

Her hair was tied up and decorated with fresh white flowers.

—— Non-toxic. Edible.

【World Ruler】informed me of the flowers.

Oh, you can eat it, I see. …No, that’s not important.

With a light make-up on, and a radiant smile, Eva looked up at me with her large scarlet eyes.

…My bride is too beautiful.

「Wind Magic.」

When we were about 50 meters to the ground, I generated an updraft and slowed down our fall speed.

Both Non-san and Asha held down the hem of their skirts and descended elegantly. But Dante-san was looking totally pale.

「——Who are they!?」

「——The Five Heroes!!」

「——They don’t have mithrils.」

A donut-shaped space was created around us.

I landed in that spot and adjusted my clothes.

And then I walked towards the most beautiful woman in the world today – my bride, Eva.

「Sorry to have kept you waiting.」

When I said that, Eva laughed.

「Yes, I waited. For four years.」

「Let’s go.」

When I held out my arm, Eva twined her slender arm around it.

「Eva-sama~~」

For some reason a crying Mira-sama(why?), who was being supported by Zerry-san, started clapping, and the circle of applause spread.

Everyone cleared the way for us to head to the cathedral.

In the past, when I left the Holy Capital, I had to use force to clear the way. And I left this place as if I was exiled.

But today was different. Everyone congratulated us and welcomed me.

Earl Sillys, who was at the entrance to the cathedral, had a troubled look on his face, but I hope he will forgive me since I was able to make it in time.

I… am really getting married.

「…Hey, Eva.」

「What is it?」

「Let's live happily.」

「!」

Her eyes widened, and she started blushing.

「…Of course.」

To be honest, that alone made me more than happy, but this was not the goal of my life.

Today was yet another beginning.

The mine accident that brought back my memories as Harumi Reiji and my parting with Lark – that day was also a beginning.

The day I met Dante-san, Mimino-san, Non-san, and Raikira-san.

The day I ran away from town with Zerry-san.

The day I met the young lady.

The day I met Asha.

It was all a beginning.

「Are you nervous?」I asked Eva.

「No. I don't know why—Perhaps because I am with you?」

「I am sure it is.」

Eva and I stepped into the cathedral.

As if to bless our future, the bright afternoon sunlight streamed inside the cathedral.

★

★

★

Let's look at what happened after that—the world much later on.

House Earl Sillys was blessed with many children, and many of their descendants were active not only in the Holy Kingdom but also in various parts of the continent.

In particular, they showed remarkable results in their survey of the undeveloped land "Canion". But what they treated as a “Bible” of the investigation was a survey record known as "Canion Investigation Records" made by a certain investigation team in the past.

The central figure of that team was known as Harumi Lark, and it is said that their survey records have advanced the investigation of "Canion" by several hundred years.

The world is stable and there are still many monsters, but the strength of the people who live there is evenly matched.

The walls between the races are no longer as high, and exchanges progressed steadily.

Occasionally, babies with black hair and black eyes were born.

Even now, in the remote countryside, there was a prejudice against children with these characteristics as "Child of Disaster", but that gradually faded away.

The reason for this was that when rumors start spreading that a child with black hair and black eyes is born, a high elf woman nicknamed the "Queen of Spirits" appears out of nowhere and grants them blessings.

And it is said that the Queen of Spirits watches over the black-haired, black-eyed child, whether a boy or a girl, from the shadows until they grow up.

Black-haired, black-eyed children were often normal children who were no different from other children.

However, about once every 100 years, a clearly different child appears.

The child possesses abilities that surpass human limits.

It's been a long time since skill orbs ceased to exist in this world.

Most people don't even know that there are 8 skill slots. They no longer need to know.

Even so, people called such black-haired black-eyed children:

——Overlimit Skill Holder.

The High Elf woman is said to have spared no effort in guiding these children and helping them grow into adults who can support the world from the shadows.