"A-Ah... right..."
The boy pulled my hand, trying to lead me out of the room. Guided by him, I stepped outside.
I heard the sound of running water, accompanied by a mouth-watering aroma floating through the air.
The boy led me straight into the living room. Beyond it, in the kitchen, stood a single woman—
"Oh, good morning, Vali. It looked like you were working hard late into the night studying for your exams. University students sure have it tough."
"—!"
The words caught in my throat. Looking at her face, my heart trembled violently. It felt as though something inside me was about to shatter.
Ah, I knew. I knew this was an illusion created by Azi Dahaka.
And yet, my younger brother, my younger sister, and... Mom were right here. They were showering me with the same gentle smiles I had once seen in that rural town.
Just that alone was enough to make me...
"Just wait a moment, okay? Food will be ready soon."
Saying so, Mom continued preparing lunch. Still held by my brother's hand, I took a seat at the table, and my brother and sister sat on either side of me.
After a short wait, Mom stepped out of the kitchen. Placed onto the table was the pasta she used to make for me long ago. It wasn't the simple seasoning from back then; it was filled with various ingredients like clams and mushrooms, smelling so good it instantly stirred the appetite.
"""Thank you for the food!"""
Mom, my brother, and my sister said in unison as they began eating.
Confused and overwhelmed, I couldn't even bring myself to pick up my fork. Seeing me like that, my brother asked:
"Big Brother, aren't you going to eat?"
"My, do you not have an appetite?" Mom added, tilting her head.
"N-No, I'll eat... Thank you for the food."
How long had it been since I last uttered those words? That's right, back then, I used to sit like this with Mom and...
Picking up my fork, I ate a bite of pasta.
It was delicious. Warm, and incredibly delicious.
"How is it? Is it good?"
"Yeah... It's good. It's really delicious, Mom."
When I answered, Mom nodded with a gentle, warm smile.
"That place is a temporary world I created. A magic realm designed to manifest the world you desire from the very bottom of your heart. The world expanding before you is what you truly wish for."
Azi Dahaka's voice echoed inside my mind.
"To think that what the strongest White Dragon Emperor in history wanted... was just an ordinary, everyday family."
I couldn't offer a response to those words. Yet, for some unknown reason, a faint smile spilled from my lips.
I surprised even myself. To think that deep down, in the deepest subconscious of my heart, I had yearned for a family this much...
No, I had to admit it. This world expanding before me was precisely what I had been searching for.
"Big Brother, let's play soccer!"
"No way! You promised you'd help me study today!"
"I want to play!"
"He's helping me!"
"My goodness, you two. If you pull on him like that, Big Brother's arms are going to fall off, you know?"
My brother and sister squabbled over me. Mom watched over us with a warm gaze. In that moment, without even realizing it, I was smiling.
After that, I helped my sister with her studies, then played soccer with my brother until evening. The three of us helped Mom with the household chores, and after dinner, we shared a peaceful, quiet time together.
I never knew... I never imagined I was capable of smiling like this.
"If you desire that world, you can stay and live in it forever. Many of those faced with a world they desperately desired ended up falling into it."
There was truth to Azi Dahaka's words. Every strong warrior had something precious—or used to have something precious. Faced with such a vivid recreation, it was completely understandable why one's resolve would break.
A gentle world. A peaceful world. A happy time spent simply living alongside family flowed on.
Part of me wished it could last forever. I thought it wouldn't be so bad to just give in and fall. At the same time, it made me realize that such happiness had existed all along. Was this the ordinary happiness found in a normal family...?
But... I know this is an illusion.
I could clearly recognize it as a lie. And that was what made it so agonizing.
Why... why can't I live in this world forever...?
Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face. Tears for the happiness of being with this family, and tears for the pain of understanding that it was all an illusion.
"Big Brother, what's wrong?"
"Big Brother? Are you in pain?"
My brother and sister, who had been playing moments ago, peered up into my face. I pulled them both into an embrace.
"...I..."
I don't even know your names. I can't even call you by your names.
I'm sorry...
But because of this, my resolve is set.
"I have to go. I... can't play with you two any longer. ——I'm sorry."
Even if this was a dream, an illusion... I was glad I got to meet you, talk with you, and see Mom. Just this alone is enough to keep me fighting, to keep me living.
"Are you leaving?"
A voice spoke softly behind me. Turning around, I saw Mom standing there in her apron. Her expression carried a touch of sadness.
I stood up and nodded.
"Mom... we probably won't meet again... and we won't be able to talk like this anymore. But even so, I will always be watching over you—over all of you. ——Thank you. And... goodbye. I'm going now."
I will fight to protect you all. I won't let anyone wipe those smiles from your faces. I promise, from here on out—
Stepping through the front door, a man was waiting for me.
Come to think of it, there had been one thing missing from that family inside: a father.
Likely, the man standing before me was the image of a father I held in my mind. Thinking about it felt a bit embarrassing, but... I didn't think it was bad at all.
"Are you going?"
"Yeah, I'm going, Azazel. I promised a friend I'd go eat ramen with him, after all."
At those words, the illusion of Azazel cracked a smile.
I smiled back, speaking to the illusion before me.
"Meeting the real you was the best thing that ever happened to me. I am... Vali Lucifer."
[Vali's POV End]
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