Published at 26th of May 2021 02:00:19 PM

324 Farewell to Bella

Having asked a favour of Nell, I head back to the village. On the way, I run into Bella giving medical treatment to some Lithovar warriors. It seems shes been going around with a team of Lithovars to collect the warriors who fell in battle and treat them with magic and medicine.

Seeing me, they raise cheers of joy and rush over. Bella gets them to calm down, then entrusts the medical treatment to the person next to her and hurries over to me. She speaks her usual chant and closes her eyes to prepare for [Telepathy].

Dragon-god-sama! Just now, all the children came back! Its all over now!

Shes rather excited, considering she just remonstrated the other Lithovars for trying to get close to me. A faint smile is visible from her eyes-closed expression. Despite being so young, shes had to bear the burden of contacting the dragon-god, reconciling the villages, preparing countermeasures for the enemies, commanding in the actual battles, and healing on the battlefield. Its inevitable that shed have a reaction appropriate for her age now that she feels relieved.

I watch her, finding her current state charming. Its all over, finally. All the calamities that have befallen the Lithovars who live on the frontier are over. The manticore, the antagonism between the villages, the strange increase in abysses and now, the war with that idiot nobles private army. This ever-perilous forest should be a bit easier to live in now.

Its a shame I have to leave just when its become easier to live in. But I definitely dont think it was pointless. Theres no way I could think that. With this, peace has finally returned to the Lithovars and this forest.

Dragon-god-sama?

Unsure of what I was doing, Bella cracks open her eyes. Then, releasing she spoke out loud rather than with [Telepathy], she hurriedly closes her eyes again I can understand normal speech though. But it would be a hassle to explain that now.

Gaa

My partner sends me a lonely glance. I shake my head, suck in a breath then close my mouth and think towards Bella.

Sorry, but Im thinking about leaving this village. Some of the enemies survived, so itll become known that Im here. Probably, all the humans living nearby will know. When that happens, theres a chance this forest might truly become a sea of flame.

Eh, eh?

Her eyes still closed, her mouth opens in bewilderment. Noticing our unease, the laughing expressions of the Lithovars behind Bella disappear.

as long as dragon-god-sama is with us, no matter who attacks, we wont be afraid. So

Looking at her tear-stained face, I slowly shake my head.

Theres no way to know who might come. I cant let the Lithovars get wrapped up in it. Tolmans last words weigh heavily on my mind.

No matter where you run, it would be pointless! No matter how strong you are, eventually a hero or saint will destroy you! That is inevitable!

Guessing from those words, beings that are a match for the hero or the slime still lurk in this world. Probably, theyll have the backing of [Gods Voice]. Based on how its gone so far, they wont be good people.

Now that Ive become so famous, I cant evade them any longer. Not even once have I seen a monster as strong as myself, an A rank. My existence should be a considerable threat in this world. With the hero dead, theres a good chance that the saint or someone might come after me next.

If the saint is even stronger than the hero, then no matter how many Lithovars face her, they wont be a match. I absolutely cant let them get caught up in that battle. Im driven by necessity, so I have no choice but to leave, but its becoming a difficult path.

Seeing that I have no intention of staying, Bella hangs her hands clasped in front of her. Her eyes open weakly, tears spilling out.

W-without dragon-god-sama.. Without dragon-god-sama What should I, what should we do?

My resolve sputters out. For her to say that much for me, I cant help but wonder if its okay for me to stay. Besides, I might have added additional layers of insurance, but its not absolutely certain that all those who would go after the Lithovars will go after me instead.

In the first place Ive worked really hard. So it should be okay to reward myself a bit every now and again.

Im headed to unknown lands again And this time, I really cant get involved with anyone. An ouroboros isnt a monster that should live with people. Humans definitely wont accept my existence. My power is too overwhelming. Through battling Tolmans army, Ive come to understand that well. Anything that can easily defeat hundreds of soldiers can only be a god or a monster.

Once I leave here, I probably wont get involved with humans again until Im able to somehow resolve my dragon body. I dont know how long thatll take. It might be a year, or a decade. Thinking about the lifespan of a dragon, it could even take a millennium.

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So even if its not all the time, isnt it okay if I visit here every now and again?

I stare at Bella as I think, and guessing I have something I want to say, she wipes her tears on her sleeve and squeezes her eyes closed.

Bella, look Ill

After thinking that much, my thoughts harden. In my mind, an image flashes by of dead Lithovars lying strewn throughout the forest, and that hero laughing in the centre.

I dont know if the Lithovars will always be safe. But if Im here, theres no doubt that the saint or someone will come. I have a strange conviction of that. I know how bad the personality of [Gods Voice] is.

I dont know if its an enemy, an ally or even something I can oppose at all. But until I die, its safe to say theres no predicting what will come of my surroundings.

I look back at Bella whos waiting with her eyes closed. Her expression is a little strained.

One day Ill come back one day. It might be in ten years Or even a hundred years. But Ill definitely come back.

The silence continues for a few seconds. Bella sobs once, then sniffles.

I see We will wait for you. Even if I am no longer alive, the Lithovars will wait for dragon-god-samas.

Any more than this will blunt my resolve. Sorry, but Im going to leave explaining to the other LIthovars to Bella. Next is talking to Aro, the spiders, and the treant

As I think that, I hear the sound of a whistle from the direction of the village. If I remember right, thats the sound of a truga, a tool made from grafant bone for communicating over long distances.

It seems someones playing around in celebration of their safety. I smile, but that fades when I see the expressions of the Lithovars. All of their faces have turned pale.

From that, I deduce trugas are never used in play.

N-no way, the remnants are still attacking

Bella murmurs. Even after I rampaged so much Theres still an idiot trying to mess with them!? I hurriedly break into a run towards the sound of the truga.