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Chapter 258 (Self Edited) – Momentary Reminiscent – Part 4

When Soma stopped walking suddenly, he looked back.

However, there was only a vast grassland. Far from the appearance of shadows or monsters, there was literally nothing else. Only vegetation and trackless paths were spreading.

Was it a bit too poetic to try to compare that to human life? But it was true that he thought about that for a moment.

It had been about twenty years since Soma arrived in this world. It seemed like it was in a blink of an eye, or it was terribly slow.

If there was still one thing that was certain, it seemed that it was finally the case. And that was a very luxurious thing.

Perhaps Soma was blessed. The thing that gave him the strongest impression seemed to be the first place where he arrived, which was that country. As he learned while traveling repeatedly, that was an exceptional place in this world.

At least, there was no other place where Soma had traveled easily and calmly. That was why that place was special, and… he was glad that it was. It had a double meaning where he was able to spend a few years there while he didn’t spend much time in other places.

Without time like that moratorium, Soma probably couldn’t stand the harshness of this world. He might not have been able to see swordsmanship. He was able to move forward no matter what because he was able to build up the basics during that time.

However, if other places were also kind places, Soma wouldn’t have come this far. It was because this place, where he was at the moment, was moderately severe and painful.

“Well, there was a lot of fun when it came to it.” (Soma)

He went to a place called a labyrinth, and even fought with many monsters and sometimes even dragons. All of them were valuable and important experiences, and he thought that it must have accumulated in this body. He had been refining his swordsmanship without wasting a minute.

He ran desperately, ran, and ran through everything, and… when he realized, the back he should have been chasing wasn’t in sight. He overtook and left it before he knew it.

He suddenly remembered that moment. Was it three years ago? He remembered the time when he succeeded the one he knew as the master swordsman, and overcame an opponent, who called himself a master swordsman, yesterday.

He felt a sense of accomplishment, and he thought so himself. However, what Soma remembered when he looked down at his knees on the floor was a feeling of hunger.

This wasn’t enough yet. He had such a conviction that the path was going further, probably because he got there.

But it was up to that point that the people of the past could reach. From that point onward, he had to walk that path by himself. It was his turn this time, as the others did.

It was like this grassland. A place that no one had stepped into, believing that there was something that he wanted ahead of him. He, then, proceeded earnestly.

It would be a lie if he said that he wasn’t impatient. The physical constitution was progressing to decline, and after that, it would continue to fall like a stone rolling on a slope. Currently, the speed of swinging the sword was still faster than that, but he knew best that the limit was near.

That was why he came here. He did everything he could. He could proudly say that he was the best now.

Next was…

“…I just have to prove it.” (Soma)

He muttered, and resumed walking.

There was a small hill in front of him, and he couldn’t see what was ahead. He couldn’t see it, but he didn’t say that he didn’t understand. That was because he could feel it without seeing it.

Beyond that, there was a vast land again. However, there was no vegetation growing there. It was only a desolate land.

It was as if there was no need for anything else.

There was only one giant dragon at the end of the line of sight. It didn’t say anything, and it didn’t do anything. It was just staring at him, but his body didn’t stop trembling.

Fear was natural. However, it wasn’t for dragons. It was a feeling of what if he couldn’t reach the place he was aiming for.

But that was why Soma pulled out his sword. After all, that was the only thing he could do.

The dragon started to move slowly as if it understood everything. There was no ridicule or carelessness in his eyes. If it wasn’t because of his mind, he would have a little fun.

Thinking up to that point, Soma slowly lifted the end of his mouth. That was right. He realized that it was true.

This was a battle and a challenge to confirm everything. If so, why would he do if he couldn’t enjoy it?

When the thought reached that point, there was a clear smile on Soma’s face. The arm with the sword pulled out was slowly lowered. It was Soma’s stance which had reached only by the extreme of his style that wasn’t playful. He only did so when he was alert.

“Well then, let’s do this.” (Soma)

He didn’t need to say any extra words. At the next moment, Soma kicked the ground and the dragon soared into the sky.

And then…

—

“Well, for some reason, it has become like this.” (Soma)

Soma, who finished telling a very nostalgic story, let out a sigh as if to break the story here. It was ambiguous in some parts of the story because he was remembering it, but then, that happened more than ten years ago. Based on the time when he came to another word, there were the events more than 30 years ago by the subjectivity of time. Rather, it could be said that he remembered it well.

However, apparently the other side wasn’t satisfied.

“That part of what happened at the end is the most important part, but why does it feel worrisome?” (??)

“It’s a secret. It’s a secret between me and the person concerned.” (Soma)

“I see… I guess I have no choice but to give up on that.” (??)

That said, the other person was… a stranger in the appearance of a girl who let out a breath in regret. She shook her head from side to side as if grieving while shaking her pink hair.

“That’s unfortunate… I wish I could find one of her weaknesses. In that sense, you’re probably the same, but… rather, you’re stronger. There’s no point in finding weaknesses from someone who doesn’t have weaknesses.” (??)

“Hmm… that’s too bad.” (Soma)

“Yes… that’s right.” (??)

While she let out a melancholy breath, she nodded meaningfully. Well, that mutter was only in the mind. She wondered what was wrong.

Or…

“By the way, can I ask you something?” (??)

“I don’t mind if I can answer it.” (Soma)

“Yes, that’s fine. Rather, there’s no one other than you who can answer.” (??)

“Hmm… if you say so, I wouldn’t say that I don’t know. So, what is it?” (Soma)

“Alright. I haven’t even told you my name yet, but is it alright to respond like this to a suspicious person?” (??)

Soma shrugged at the words. That was exactly the reason he was wondering what was going on, and he knew it.

However, of course, Soma didn’t tell her his past story pointlessly.

“There’s no problem. Perhaps, that’s what you most wanted to hear. I thought I would be talking about it later anyway, so I just talked about it before it became a hassle.” (Soma)

“Then, does that mean you already know who I am?” (??)

“Hmm… I would rather you ask me the other way around, but why did you think that I don’t know the one before me is the Saintess?” (Soma)

“…Uh.” (??)

With a smile on his face, he took a small breath. Apparently, the girl thought he didn’t notice it. She was considerably scornful.

“…Did I make a mistake? I don’t remember giving you an obvious hint.” (??)

“Well… If I have to say it, is it the existence itself? Or rather, should I have said that? There’s no way I don’t know who’s in front of me.” (Soma)

“…Did you mean it as it is? I see, it seems that I just scorn this. I apologize for being rude.” (??)

“No, you’re not saying anything rude at all.” (Soma)

By the way, what Soma said was true. When he thought that the window opened slightly in the middle of the night, there was someone like a girl… or rather the Saintess sneaking into his room. He noticed it, but he didn’t do anything. Not only that, he started talking about his past life because he could understand it the moment he saw it.

Certainly, Soma had never seen a Saintess. It was natural that she was said to stay in the Holy City and rarely came out from there. Even so, he had heard some stories and got information from Hildegard. Therefore, he was able to somehow guess just by looking at her.

“I see… I thought you know me, and you really do. Let me apologize again.” (??)

“That’s why I told you I don’t need that, but… I mean, I’m more concerned about something else than that.” (Soma)

“Oh my… what is it?” (??)

“Well, it’s your tone…” (Soma)

Soma had no complaint about the tone itself, but he felt that it was different from what he first heard. Before telling her about his past story, there were some exchanges of words. At the time, she didn’t use that tone, but…

“I thought it suits you when it’s with you, but… do you feel unpleasant? If so, I’ll stop right now.” (??)

“No, it’s not unpleasant. That’s certainly true…” (Soma)

“I see… Then, it’s alright. It’s my mistake. Anyhow, my name is Hitomi.” (Hitomi)

When she let out a breath as if she was relieved to say so, the Saintess, who was the Lord of the Holy City, once again turned her eyes to Soma. While looking at him, she picked up her skirt, and lifted it slightly. She gave a small bow as it was…

“Well then, shall we visit there now? I have some time to spare, but it’s not enough to be so laid back.” (Hitomi)

“Hmm… well, is that so?” (Soma)

“It’s very helpful to be quick to guess. Did you know it from the beginning?” (Hitomi)

“Well, it’s about me. So, I know that much.” (Soma)

That was why he was wondering what happened, but… it seemed that there was nothing he could do about it. Then, there was no choice but to give up obediently. As expected, there was nothing good about picking up a fight with the Lord of the Holy City.

“Yes, it really helps. Then, shall we? The newest -sama.” (Hitomi)

Soma shrugged at the words, which seemed to be mixed with half teasing. Soma followed her back as she began to walk, and then, he jumped out of the window.

—

TLN: