Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 81: The Sender and the Sent
“I see… We were too late.”
In the capital of Asgard, Valhalla, a report arrived at the Supreme Command headquarters.
The preparations for reinforcements to Japan had been completed.
The report stated the defeat of the stationed troops in Japan and their retreat.
It was originally a surprise attack, and the overwhelming disparity in strength had worked against them.
All the conditions had been unfavorable. If only Lord had been able to lead, if the troops had been intact, if Kenya had woken up just a few hours earlier…
But that was not possible.
The reorganization of the army was now the most important task, and Lord had been focused on it, preparing for the future.
“Yes, Sieg Sylphid… He was killed in action. He continued to fight on the frontlines until the very end.”
“I see… Thank you for the report. Please take a rest. Everyone has done well. Thanks to all of you, the reorganization of the army has been completed without issue. Now, we are ready for battle whenever the enemy comes.”
“We couldn’t make it in time… I’m sorry.”
“No, this was the best we could do. Thank you.”
Everyone deeply bowed and left the room, leaving only Lord behind.
Lord sat deeply in his chair, staring at the ceiling alone.
“Sieg…”
Flashback – Immediately after the Nichia Alliance was formed
“You’re quite the odd one, aren’t you? I’m on a sinking ship. Why are you boarding it?”
“Because I truly believe you are fit to be Emperor. When I killed your uncle, I thought you would always hate me. I even thought you might one day kill me.”
“I hated you, at first. But it’s fine. After getting to know you, I understood. It wasn’t you, but the war that was at fault. Wasn’t your uncle the same?”
“…It’s strange to tell someone not to hate the one they killed. And even after your mother Scarlet died, you kept going to the battlefield. Do you remember what you said when I asked why you continued to fight?”
“…I don’t remember.”
“You said, ‘Even if the world calls me a demon, I will not stop fighting for true peace. No matter what I have to sacrifice. It’s the last contract I made with the demon who killed my mother.’ A ten-year-old child shouldn’t say such things.”
“Was it just those words?”
“Yes. I was certain that you would accomplish something. Even though it embarrassed me, to believe in a ten-year-old child like that.”
“…I see. You are an odd one too, to follow me even knowing my true purpose.”
“Yes, I suppose I am. But I’ve already boarded the ship, so let’s aim for world peace. Even if it’s a path of hell hated by everyone in the world.”
“…Thank you.”
Sieg smiled widely and knelt down.
“I will follow you until the end. Until this life is no more.”
—Back to the Present—
“Sieg, I will not stop. Just like I said back then.”
Lord continued staring at the ceiling alone, otherwise, he felt like the papers scattered on the floor would be tainted.
—The Next Day—
“The World Union has won!!”
Byakuren began his speech, and the footage was broadcast to the entire world.
Even in the Asgard Empire, it echoed across the world.
Of course, the common people could not see it, but some of the high-ranking officials of the Asgard Empire could.
“History has reached a turning point! After the liberation of Japan, the World Union has defeated the Asgard Empire!!”
The 100th Lord of Asgard, the supreme leader, watched the footage from the Supreme Command headquarters.
In the place where Odin once sat.
Beside him stood the Sword God, Sword Sylphid.
The strongest knight of the empire, and the strongest knight in the world.
However, both were wearing ceremonial uniforms today.
For what came next.
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“Has there ever been a time when we took territory from that empire? Have we ever defeated them? Today, we have won. The World Union has won against that nation!”
Byakuren repeated the word victory over and over, with the voice of triumph echoing worldwide, along with the fact of Japan’s liberation.
“We will not stop. We will defeat the Asgard Empire, overthrow Lord Asgard, and liberate the world! Those who have been oppressed, those who have lost their families, now is the time to rise! The signal for counterattack has been raised!! I promise you!!”
Byakuren declared loudly.
“We will unite the strength of the world, and we will defeat the Asgard Empire!!”
And then, the speech ended.
“Lord… what will we do from here on?”
“…For now, let’s go. I need some time to think.”
“…You’re right.”
Then, the two of them stood up. Their destination was the place of the funeral, to bury Sieg, whom Kenya had brought back.
The dark sky.
The sun was hidden, and though it was day, it felt dim.
Under the sky that seems about to rain.
Sieg’s body is being carried, surrounded by over a thousand soldiers.
Beside him, a silver-haired girl walks beside the coffin with her face lowered.
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“Senpai, why… why didn’t you call for me… if only you had called for me… Aaaaah!!”
Lamia, one of the Three Heroes, sheds tears as she watches the coffin being carried.
“You fool… You probably kept fighting on the frontlines until the very end, didn’t you? That’s just like you. Always at the front… you fool…”
Org Obelisk, too, is silent for the day.
In a hoarse voice, he speaks to Sieg as he is carried away.
There were those who once admired Sieg, those who were saved by him, and those who raised him.
The death of a single soldier brought military officials from all over Asgard to attend.
Then, more than ten Imperial KOGs carrying the Asgard flag form a path for Sieg’s procession.
It was like an arch, to send off the greatest soldier, the one called the War God.
At the end of the procession, Lord Asgard and Kenya are waiting, as well as the grave that had been carved to bury Sieg.
They place Sieg’s coffin down, and the KOGs aim their guns at the sky.
With three shots fired in tribute, they express their mourning for the fallen soldier.
Then, Lord speaks words to honor Sieg.
“He fought bravely, until his last moment. As a soldier of Asgard, I have never known a man as brave, kind, or respectable as him. He fought to protect what he must protect, and he did so until the end. He did not lose; he won. He always fought to protect, and because of that, he won. The name of Sieg Sylphid, the War God, will be eternally engraved as the way a soldier should be. As the 100th Emperor of Asgard, and as a single man, I express my deepest gratitude for his loyalty to my Empire. Thank you, Sieg. Now, rest in peace.”
Lord bows his head towards Sieg’s coffin.
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At the same time, all the gathered soldiers, including Kenya, bow their heads.
And then Sieg is buried.
The War God has died, and Japan has been lost.
This pain will leave a deep scar in the Asgard Empire.
At the same time, it will turn into hatred and become a great power.
But only one girl cannot hate, as her father’s words prevent her from doing so. Instead, she creates a wound in her heart and bleeds.
She continually sheds tears, which are as pure as blood, endlessly flowing.
The funeral ends, and the people begin their journey home.
The rain begins to fall, hiding the mourners’ tears.
“Kenya…”
“Can you go ahead… Lord?”
“Ah, take this. With her.”
Lord hands Kenya his umbrella and motions for the attendants to step back.
“Thank you. Are you sure? Don’t you mind?”
“Ah, I’d like to get a little wet and go home. This rain is convenient… I thought it had already withered away.”
Lord looks up at the sky, slowly walking away alone.
His back seems too lonely for an emperor, walking all by himself.
And left behind are a boy and a girl standing by the grave.
Kenya holds up the umbrella, standing next to the girl so she won’t get wet.
Without saying a word, he simply stands beside her, his shoulder getting wet.
The rain grows stronger, and only time flows.
The boy and girl continue crying.
Until they wither, for as long as the rain can wash everything away.
“Reina… I want to take you somewhere.”
“…Huh? Where?”
Kenya gently holds Reina’s shoulder and softly tells her.
Before they realize it, the rain has stopped, and a faint light shines down.
“Let’s go to Japan.”