NOVEL WEB Chapter 97 - Eugene
Eugene
Wait. What? That’s right.
D-Dad was friends with the Demon King!? And Meg’s mother too!? I was also surprised to find out that the origin of Meg’s name was actually from me!
It’s a small world… To think it would be this small even after crossing over to another world.
“Meg? What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
The Demon King seemed concerned about how stunned I was.
“No, I’m fine…”
But there was something that bothered me. His name! Not mine, Dad’s name.
Why was he using the name “Eugene”? And then, I remembered an everyday scene, a long time ago.
『Eugene? What’s that? 』
『That’s my name. In the game!』
『Why that name? Isn’t Tomohiro fine?』
『Megu, you don’t get it… Tomohiro, it doesn’t fit the atmosphere of this world! See? Just by changing how it’s read, it suddenly fits the world view, don’t you think? 』
『Yeah, yeah, whatever. We’ll be late if we don’t eat quickly! 』
『Ahh, crap!』
…That’s right. We’d definitely had that conversation. But I hadn’t been paying attention, I’d just wanted to finish the dishes. But who would have imagined that he’d be sent to another world and use that name?
“Eugene…”
But that wasn’t it, there was something else that bothered me. It felt like I’d heard that name somewhere else… Um, where?
“Ah, Meg, you’ve actually met Eugene before, you know?”
“Huh?”
Lost in thought, I couldn’t help but let out a strange sound, surprised by his words. I mean, I’d definitely remember if I’d met him before! I might have changed, but Dad was still Dad, there’s no way I wouldn’t recognize him.
“We haven’t met.”
“Hmm? Really? But I came here after hearing about Meg from him?”
………………Eh?
“Ah, that’s right, he did say you were asleep at the time. I see, then you haven’t met him, have you?”
H-Hold on.
Why? Why is he talking about him like… he’s still alive…
My heart was pounding, “Dokun, Dokun.” It felt like it would burst out of my chest if it beat any harder.
“Um… Eugene… is human… why… is he… still…”
Alive?
“Hmm? I see, you’re still young, so it can’t be helped if you don’t know. You see, he exchanged half of his soul with me. It stopped me from being overwhelmed by my power, and extended Eugene’s lifespan. My lifespan has been shortened, and Eugene’s power has grown stronger, but it’s within an acceptable range.”
Demon Kings live twice as long as demi-humans. His lifespan was now that of an average demi-human. And Dad, a human who couldn’t even live for a hundred years, had gained a lifespan comparable to that of a demi-human.
Dad… is still alive?
“Wh-Where is he now? Do you know… how he’s living…?”
“You’re asking strange questions, Meg. Could it be that you don’t know his name?”
I knew the answer—
『It was a truly tumultuous era… back then, securing our next meal was a constant struggle.』
『But then, someone changed all that.』
Schlie-san and Gil-san had been talking about it when I’d first arrived at the guild.
『His name is Eugene. The founder of this guild, and our leader, the Don.』
—That’s right. That’s when I’d first heard the name “Eugene.” I should have realized back then. But I figured it was a common name…!
“He’s the Don of Special-grade Guild Ortus, you know? Eugene.”
Ah… No way, is that… true? It is?
“The Don’s back!”
A voice echoed throughout the guild. Ahaha, what incredible timing.
“Welcome back, Don!”
“Welcome back, Schlie-san!”
“Good work! It looks like you’re unharmed!”
I slowly turned my gaze towards the guild entrance.
“Ooh, I’m back. You all been good?”
“What do you mean by good?!”
Laughter filled the guild.
『I’m home, Megu. Have you been good?』
…Dad, it’s Dad.
“Hmph, Eugene’s still the same as always. He’s popular among the guild members.”
“Hmm? What’s up, Ash? You’ve been here this whole time? That means you’ve…”
The Don, noticing the Demon King, walked towards us.
His kind gaze, his good posture.
He looked a little older than I remembered… But you’re aging gracefully, Dad.
And that blue tie. The gray suit might have been made in this world, but that blue tie, I was sure of it, it was the one he’d shown me when he was leaving for a business trip, saying that he’d wear it when he came home.
『Happy birthday, Dad!』
『What!? Megu… why… how did you…? 』
『Ehehe! I saved up my allowance and bought it! With my own money! I really wanted to get you something!』
『Megu… you should have gotten something for yourself…』
『But I wanted to get you a present! 』
『I-Is that so… Thank you, Megu. This is the first present you’ve ever bought me. I’ll treasure it forever!』
When I was in elementary school, I’d saved up my allowance, doing chores for my grandmother, and bought Dad a birthday present. It was the first time I’d ever bought something with my own money. It was even my first time shopping.
We’d always given him handmade cards and crafts before, so it felt good to finally be a little more “grown-up.” I still remember that feeling.
That blue tie I’d gotten him was now worn and faded, it was obvious he’d been wearing it constantly. Back in our world, he’d only worn it on special occasions, saying that he wanted to take care of it.
He must have been so lost and confused after coming to this world, all alone.
Maybe that tie had given him strength, I thought. Maybe I was being a bit self-centered?
“Yeah, as you said, it’s certain that Meg’s my daughter, and Yenna’s.”
“…I see. What do you say, isn’t having a daughter a wonderful thing?”
“We haven’t spent much time together yet, so I’m not sure… but I’ve already experienced ‘moe’ many times! ”
“Huh? What’s that?”
Ah, but, even if I was his daughter, Megu, right now, I was the Demon King’s daughter, Meg.
How could I tell him?
“Hey, Meg. This is the first time we’ve spoken like this. Nice to meet you. I’m the Don of this guild, and I’m friends with your father, Ash. Nice to meet you.”
The Don, Dad, knelt down to my height, placed his hand on my head, and stroked it. Those words, “Nice to meet you,” pierced my heart.
“Ah… u-ah…”
No, it wasn’t nice to meet you. I’d wanted to see you, for so long.
I’d been so lonely, all alone. I’d believed that you weren’t dead, that you’d come back someday, that I wanted to see you.
That we’d see each other again someday.
“Nice… to meetchu… I’m… Meg.”
But I swallowed all those words. I couldn’t find any other words to say.
“Hmm, Meg, what’s wrong? Are you really feeling unwell?”
“Um… my head… hurts a wittle… Can I… west in my woom…?”
“What!? A-Are you sure you’re okay!? To the infirmary—”
“I’m okii! I’ll feel bettew after a nap!”
I managed to calm everyone down, but they weren’t convinced, so I used my trump card, “I want to sleep in my own bed.” And so, they finally let me return to my room. Honestly, I didn’t want to make a fuss, I just wanted to be alone as soon as possible.
“Get some rest, okay? I’ll be at the guild for a while, so we’ll talk again soon.”
“Okii…”
I returned to my room with Gil-san, who picked me up with a worried look on his face. The Demon King seemed to want to talk to the Don for a bit, so he went to another room.
“Are you okay, Meg?”
I just clung to Gil-san’s chest, desperately trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill out.