The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 125

Chapter 125: In the Light

Just after I heard Yomi’s last words, a magic circle appeared above the floating Gate of Yomi, like a shattered moon, illuminating the gate. A rocky arm extended from the ground.

The arm reached up from the earth and grabbed the Gate of Yomi, closing it. With a rumbling sound, the arm sank into the earth along with the gate.

(It’s over… This time for sure.)

With the presence of Yomi’s monsters completely gone, the tension that had bound me snapped. The simultaneous magic effect was canceled, and Futsu no Mitama returned to its short sword form. After a brief moment of weightlessness, I fell to the ground.

(I can’t move…)

Perhaps due to the strain of exceeding my limits with the simultaneous magic, I couldn’t even move my fingers. My magical energy was exhausted, and the Chaos Crusaders wouldn’t be able to help me right now.

Amidst the sound of the wind cutting through the air, red feathers fluttered around me. Immediately after, a pair of arms wrapped around my body from behind, scattering sparks like fireflies, slowing my fall.

“I’m glad… This time, I could save you.”

A familiar voice came from behind me. The warmth of the flames and the emotions in the voice brought me relief, and sleepiness quickly overtook me.

“Thank you… and also… “

I tried to speak, but my mouth wouldn’t move properly. I wanted to say “just a little longer,” but the arms around me tightened slightly.

“You’ve worked hard, now rest.”

The moment those words reached my ears, my eyelids closed, and my consciousness drifted away.

When I became aware again, I found myself standing on a hill with a good view. The sound of the wind passing through the grass and trees calmed my heart.

(This place is…)

I walked as if guided toward a grave on the hill. As I neared the place where the grave should be, I saw someone standing there.

When I got closer, I saw it was a woman with black hair, just like mine. She turned slowly as if she had noticed me, and smiled warmly, like sunlight.

“You’ve grown so much, Serk.”

I gasped. Seeing the person in front of me stirred a mix of emotions. There were so many things I wanted to say, so many questions, but I couldn’t find the words.

The woman reached out and touched my cheek. She spoke gently, with a smile and a tender gaze like the warmth of sunlight.

“You’ve really grown so much… Your hair is just like mine, but your eyes are just like his.”

“Mother…”

“Hehe, I never expected the day would come when we could talk like this.”

My mother chuckled softly. After clearing her throat, she gave me a gentle smile and continued.

“Honestly, I want to talk more, but… it seems we don’t have much time, so I’ll say the most important thing first.”

“Y-yeah…”

“…Thank you.”

My mother said those words with a smile that looked like she might cry. I was surprised by her unexpected words, but she continued speaking.

“Thank you for growing up healthy, for becoming strong, for growing up so well… I’m really proud to have been your mother.”

“…It wasn’t all my own strength. If it weren’t for my brother, Aria, the Chaos Crusaders, and the power you gave me, I wouldn’t have come this far.”

“Even so, it was you, Serk, who chose this path… It’s because you kept going, no matter how hard or painful it was, that you are here now.”

My mother said this as she gently hugged me, holding me tightly in her fragile arms.

“You’ve done well. I’m happy and proud of you because you’re you, Serk.”

“Mother…”

The surroundings began to glow faintly. My mother released the embrace and took my hand.

“It’s almost time.”

“Wait! I’m not… ready…”

I was confused by her words, but she smiled as if to reassure me, and spoke again.

“I think you’ll be fine, but make sure you get along with Bardle and that person, okay? And don’t take those who care for you for granted.”

My body began to rise into the air, and my hand slipped away from my mother’s.

“Live the way you want until the very end. I believe you’ll choose the right path.”

My mother’s figure began to fade into the distance. I reached out, but I couldn’t reach her.

“…Mother!”

So.

“Thank you! I’m so glad I’m your child, mother!”

I finally said what I had always wanted to say.

“…Thank you.”

My mother’s figure disappeared. The last face I saw seemed to have tears running down her cheeks.

“Serk, I love you… forever.”