Several years have passed and I’m already in my forties.
The Manyu Brigade has grown in size, and its base on the southern continent has continued to expand, becoming a city.
Since then, Krisnadam has remained peaceful without any significant events.
I had intended to go straight to Krisnadam if anything happened, but it turned out that Spike was responsible for all the trouble on the island.
The whole series of unfortunate events was a result of Spike’s decision, and our group received a sincere apology from the king and a considerable amount of gold coins. Since then, they have decided not to do anything that could inconvenience us in any way.
Of course, they remain cautious because it is obvious that Krisnadam’s ideology is not compatible with mine, and they have no intention of leaving things as they are.
On the other hand, the babies have grown up and are running around everywhere.
Nei’s twins have an excellent sense of combat and are already skilled in melee combat, comparable to adult adventurers. There are other children who seem to excel in areas other than combat, and they all have unique personalities.
The eldest daughter, Clara, has gone into the interior of the southern continent alone to train. Knox and Dragon wander around together.
They all come back from time to time, but they leave quickly, so they haven’t had much time with their father in a while.
Chiba has also joined our group.
After sending all the artifacts he found in the Isus Base to that country, he expressed his gratitude and promised to use his power to repay the favor. He is currently actively working as a direct subordinate.
So, all in all, everything is going well, but there is one thing that worries me.
It’s the ancient beings I awakened in the modern era. They lived in the ancient city in an extremely quiet and abnormal way, doing nothing. With their knowledge and advanced abilities, I considered them dangerous and worried about them.
“It’s been a long time since I came to the old city.”
“I know you’ve been busy with work and raising your children. You’ve done a good job, Toru.”
“Really? Sometimes I had doubts about being a good father.”
“Everyone feels that way at some point in their lives. Only high performance golems like me can do everything right from the start. Yes, I am a powerful golem.”
“Why did you say it twice? Well, it’s true. Grandma Naze seems to have regained her true self as she gets closer to the Ancient City.”
Grandma Naze and I passed through the gate and entered the strange world where the Ancient City is located.
“What is this?”
Countless rectangular white boxes floated in the sky where two moons shone.
They looked small from a distance, but they were actually huge. The boxes were fixed in the sky and didn’t move, and next to them, a large imposing ship could be seen from afar.
“Is that…? It can’t be!”
“Grandma Naze!”
Grandma Naze ran towards the city.
In the room with the three statues, a tall old man with white hair and a beard was sitting on a chair.
He is one of the three kings leading the Neutral Faction.
The Neutral King. That is, my ancestor.
“We have decided to leave this place. We will look for a safe place in the Sea of Stars.”
“Isn’t this place safe?”
“It used to be. But it’s different now. This place is engraved with countless sins and punishments that cannot be ignored. There is no place for us. We no longer have the right to be embraced by our mother. Even if there were, this feeling of guilt would prevent us. It will take a long time to return here, where our roots are.
They made mistakes to escape their old mistakes.
Even if they are freed from the eternal chains, the memory and the pain remain. It was too ugly and foolish to face. Even if they wake up from the nightmare, the hangover lasts for a long time. For them, this place is a symbol of sin and punishment that cannot be ignored.
However, Grandmother Naze didn’t approve of the creators’ departure.
“Please reconsider. Please reconsider.
“It is already an irreversible decision. We will leave this place in search of a new home for those who wish it. Perhaps our descendants will return one day. Until then, it will be in your care.”
The old man continued without changing his tone. It was the same when I woke him up with the key.
I got angry and hit him, but he didn’t change his expression and just said, “I’m sorry. Not only him, but everyone was similar in their expressions and thoughts.
It was really stupid to get angry. It was pointless.
“My descendants. I entrust you with all the heritage that lies in this ancient city. If you desire knowledge, you may seek it. It is also your freedom to give it to the surface dwellers.”
“This responsibility is too much for me.”
“Well, you may be right. But you are free to choose.”
Should I hit him again? I’m starting to get angry with him again.
Suddenly, I noticed a hint of hesitation in Grandmother Naze’s eyes.
“If you want to come with us, just say so.”
“No… I have decided to stay with Toru and act as a human.”
After the king heard these words, a sound like a trumpet was heard from outside. As we stepped outside, the fleet began to move slowly. At the same time, the king disappeared.
Grandmother Naze bade them farewell with her gaze.
“What is the sea of stars like?”
“If you live long enough, you can go there one day. Even now, if you want to.”
Even the design of the ship was part of the knowledge that remained.
Maybe there is a real ship. But I don’t feel like looking for it now. I only came to see how things were, but ended up witnessing an unexpected departure.
“Let’s go home, Grandma.”
“Yes, we have to bake cookies for the children.”
Grandma Naze smiled softly.
