NOVEL WEB Chapter 81 - It'll Be Okay
It’ll Be Okay
And so, the meeting ended somewhat inconclusively, but after final confirmations, it was over. By the way, Kei-san was going to inform Dr. Ludo, one of the core members who wasn’t present, about this. We had to tell Maryla-san, after all. Would she be okay with the sudden expedition, would she have enough time to prepare? Gil-san answered my question.
“Guild members are basically always prepared for expeditions, we keep our things in subspace storage magic tools. It’s common sense to regularly restock them, it’s part of being a guild member.”
Wow, so that’s how Special-grade guilds are. So, they all have subspace storage magic tools…? That was my completely off-base takeaway. E-Everyone’s so well-off!
“You’re not ready for expeditions yet… But we never know when we might have to evacuate. Let’s get you prepared.”
Evacuate… so there was a chance that could happen. No matter how safe this place was, if it became a battlefield, if it was attacked, it would be dangerous. It’s better to be safe than sorry. I decided to just nod obediently.
“You’re asking your spirit to do some work tomorrow, right? Rest early today.”
“Okii.”
Now that he mentioned it, I was getting sleepy. Was it because I’d eaten dinner, because I felt relieved knowing there was something I could do? A big yawn escaped my lips.
“I’ll ask one of the female guild members at the reception desk to help you with your bath. …Because you’re a lady.”
“P-Pwease…!”
Gil-san said this teasingly, a smirk on his lips. Ugh, how mean! But I couldn’t say anything. He was still a gentleman, after all, being so considerate.
And so, thanks to Gil-san and Saura-san, who was surprisingly helpful, my bedtime preparations were quickly taken care of, and the next thing I knew, I was in bed. The female guild member who’d helped me out had literally given me a bath… I just went with the flow. She seemed like an older woman, so I didn’t really know how to talk to her…! But her touch was gentle, and it felt like she knew what she was doing, from the way she washed me to the way she dried my hair. I wonder if she had children?
“You might feel uneasy, sleeping in a different place tonight. Don’t worry, I’ll come immediately if you need anything.”
Gil-san said this, tucking me into bed. Hmm, I actually felt a little lonely. I was always surrounded by people when I was in the infirmary, but once Gil-san left, I’d be all alone. The thought of a silent, empty room made me sad.
I could summon my spirits, but that would make it too noisy to sleep! It wasn’t like I didn’t like it, but I’d probably end up chatting with them! I needed to rest, to prepare for tomorrow.
That’s why, you see… um, what I’m trying to say is…
“Gil-shan…”
“Hmm?”
“Can you… stay here… until I fall asweep…?”
Tears welled up in my eyes. This body was making me teary! I didn’t know if it was this body feeling lonely or if it was me. It was probably both.
“…Okay. I’ll stay by your side. So, sleep soundly, Meg.”
He said this, stroking my hair gently, and my consciousness drifted away, quickly entering the world of dreams. I’m such an easily swayed little girl… Good night.
—Ah, a dream. I’m dreaming. I feel like I’ve had a dream like this before. I don’t remember it clearly though.
“Ah, huh?”
I looked at myself, and it wasn’t the beautiful little girl form I was finally getting used to, but my familiar Megu Hasegawa body. Maybe I took this form in my dream because it was easier to imagine? I’d always been thin, my body hadn’t changed much even after I became an adult. Ahh, how sad. But this familiar body evoked a sense of nostalgia that almost brought tears to my eyes.
As I was lost in thought, looking at my body, I noticed a figure in the distance. I went closer, and it was a familiar sight. A beautiful little girl. Her beautiful hair, shimmering pink… And her deep blue eyes, devoid of light. She was just standing there, not doing anything, not looking at anything.
“Meg…?”
She didn’t react when I called out. She was simply standing there, expressionless, like a doll with no will of its own.
But I felt like I could understand her heart.
Even with nothing inside, it seemed like she was starting to develop a will of her own. I understood her faint sense of anxiety and fear.
I couldn’t help but hug her tiny body. It was so small and fragile. Her body temperature was so low that she felt like she could disappear at any moment.
It’s okay, it’s okay. You’re surrounded by so much love, you’re very happy now. Everyone’s protecting you.
I was reassuring her, hugging her tightly, when I suddenly heard a beautiful voice. …Crying?
『…I’m so, so sorry, Meg.』
I looked up, searching for the source of the voice. But no matter how much I looked around, I couldn’t see anyone. It felt like the voice was resonating directly in my mind, not through my ears. I covered my ears, but I could still hear it, a beautiful woman’s voice. Maybe because it was a dream?
『It’s all my fault. I’m sorry for giving birth to you… My child. My beloved child.』
An image appeared in my mind. A woman with long hair, shimmering paler than Meg’s pink, her eyes, as clear and beautiful as the spring sky, filled with tears. It was her voice.
『The light will shine upon you. Please… live.』
The beautiful woman, Meg’s mother, I’m sure, said only that before disappearing from my mind.
I don’t understand. Confused, I looked at Meg, who was still in my arms. She was still just standing there, her eyes devoid of light.
But then, suddenly, she started walking. She pulled my hand and led me somewhere. Her actions, her strength surprised me. I could sense her will.
She led me to a piece of paper and a pen. Ah, she’d drawn a picture before too, hadn’t she?
She took the pen and started drawing furiously.
Ah… that drawing is…
I felt a sense of dread as I looked at the frightening face she’d drawn. And I hugged Meg again, tightly.
“…It’ll be okay. I’ll protect you.”
Her deep blue eyes, so deep they seemed to draw me in, were still devoid of light, but I felt like they flickered slightly at my words.
Ah, I’m waking up. I have to remember. I have to tell everyone about this dream.
I repeated this over and over in my mind as I regained consciousness. Gil-san, please listen. Please listen to what Meg’s trying to tell you.