A familiar white wall towered before me, it was a fence made out of brick, and within its perimeters was a big lot that used to belong to a former kazoku [2], that lot was purchased and a hospital was built on it. The name has slipped through my memories, but that hospital had a big garden that was always tended to.
When it was turning summer, I looked up at the blue sky, but its blue was so dazzling that it seared the back of my eyelids.
Yes, I remember. There was no way I could forget.
It was summer then. Amidst summer’s cruel heat, a refreshing breeze blew, bringing reprieve to my skin, if only temporarily. I narrowed my eyes as I sat on the narrow bench.
On the fourth floor was a window, and the wind just happened to lift the curtain veiling what lay beyond.
Regret, so much regret, filled me as I chased after that memory.
Soon a hat flew out of the window.
And she stretched out her hand toward it in a panic.
Oh… It hurts, it hurts so much, it feels as though my heart is being gouged out. It’s so painful I want to pluck out my brains.
Ah, what was her name? Yes, her name.
My dearest… Her name was…
No… No!
Ohh, why? Why? Why can’t I remember? It was engraved into my soul. And yet, it feels so strange, as though something is missing. Humans, forgetful creatures, indeed, but not this… No. This isn’t that.
Day after day, after day, after day… I screamed her name. How much did I cry as I screamed that name, thinking those days would never return?
…So why? Why can’t I remember?
Those pale hands that seemed as though they’d never known the touch of the sun, they chased after that hat, and one of them reached out the window, but it was in vain, air was all she could grasp.
Impatience filled me as I watched, enough to set me aflame, and my heart throbbed like mad, it beat again and again like a galloping horse, and then…
The straw hat fell into my hand, and I looked up to her, and she was—
Ohh, why? Why? Why do my eyes fail me!!? Why does my brain betray me!!?
I looked up at her, but the light veiled her from me! No! This cannot be!
Burn it! Burn it all!
…I have to return. I have to go back. I must! To that world. To that world where she is!
Her face hidden from me by the light, I swore to my heart. I swore! No matter what I might be reduced to… This oath alone will never change!
One day, one day for sure, I will return to that world where she is.
Like the voice of destiny, that voice whispered solemnly, and I nodded.
◇◇◆
At the temple where the Goddess of the Underworld(Altesia) lived was Altesia herself, who was peeking through a giant mirror, and a one-eyed snake who served her. The strongest of her many servants that have been spoken of in the legends. The snake who was named by the Goddess of the Underworld herself, his master, as Pitch Black(Verid). He stood there quietly.
Verid’s great and absolute master sat herself upon her throne. She crossed her beautiful legs and rested her back on her throne. Just that act alone was sufficient to cause a charming effect on her servants. Just by existing, the powerful gods could influence the world.
In fact, magic was nothing more than a side effect of the movements made by the powerful gods.
All the more so the Goddess of the Underworld when she was in her own world.
Verid once worked alongside three others to protect his master in that world. For a moment, he became nostalgic.
—That goblin I called my younger brother… Is he fighting?
“…A crack has formed upon the world,” Altesia said.
The clear and beautiful voice of the goddess resounded happily as she peeked into her giant mirror.
“As you’ve willed,” Verid said.
That goblin’s achievements had fulfilled Altesia’s wish.
“Ahh, at long last, the time has come!”
A tinge of red colored her cheeks, but very quickly she slapped herself to rouse herself from that state, then she writhed as she separated herself from the mirror and embraced herself with one arm.
As she shook, earthquake-like laughter filled the halls.
“—Ku, ku ku, aha, ahahahahahahahaha! AHAHAHAHA!!”
The end of her gaze was pointed further east from Alrodena, to a young man, who was standing.
“Found you! Oh, I’ve found you at long last!”
Altesia laughed like mad, and even Verid found himself fearful. That was how much the world was rumbling right now. Water spouted from the seas and rain fell from the clouds.
“Oh, who would’ve thought that you would take that form! Ahh, my beloved!”
After containing her laughter, all emotions left her face, and she looked at Verid with a sagacious expression.
“Verid… I’ve made you wait long. Do you still remember your oath 400 years ago?”
“I couldn’t possibly forget it.”
“Good. For now, we watch. Before long, that time will show itself. As long as the small goblin keeps walking forward, it will come. That time will surely come. And when it comes, I shall have you fulfill your oath.”
“—Without fail.”
As the words of the Goddess of the Underworld resounded, hell dwelled within his eyes, and he nodded.
[1] Emperor to Great Emperor (Just a correction.)
[2] Kazoku refers to a kind of nobility that’s specific in Japan. It’s different from the usual nobles, which is usually referred to with kizoku. ClICK HERE FOR MORE INFO