Turning it Off and On Again Doesn’t Work IRL – Part 2

Chloe and I were so drained from the fight, we ended up lounging around the common area doing much of anything. Tanney had since got herself back together, or at least as much as was humanly possible, and insisted on going back to work.

At some point, when the sun was starting to set, Fianna made her appearance after her stint piloting the Airdrake.

“Before anything else, I want to apologize for having put you two in danger. Attacks by Griffins are very rare in this area. You were quite unlucky.”

“N-no, it’s alright. You have nothing to apologize for.”

If anything, we should be the ones apologizing. No way I can tell her Yzara being on board was to likely blame!

“Well then, if that’s done,” she said, as if the whole apologizing was merely pro forma, “I would like you to come clean about that ‘gun’ of yours. And what you two are really up to. Depending on your answer, I might have to act differently when we land.”

Yikes. Guess I should be careful about this.

“Well, huh…” And there am I flopping this whole thing already! “This is a unique item that I got during my previous visit to this world as a Hero. It basically works as Restoration Magic… more or less.”

“...I see. Something this powerful has the potential to change the world. You do realize that, right?”

“Of course. Right now, all I can say is that it’s not a full solution to the White Death.”

“Hmm.” She paused, considering her options. “So I assume the restoration of Luribel was your work?” I nodded. “What about Chloe?”

“She’s an actual priestess,” I said. “But she can’t use Restoration Magic yet. Everything else we told you is the truth.”

“I don’t buy that for one second,” she immediately retorted. “I’ve lived long enough to know that you’re still keeping secrets. On the other hand, you did save Tanney, and you aren’t infected, so understand those are the only reason I’m not throwing you off board right this instant.” Yikes, she’s totally serious! “Still, my consciousness doesn’t allow me to let you in to Adaville like this through the normal customs. If you do end up being a problem later, it’s my integrity that’s on the line.”

“We understand,” Chloe said, her voice noticeably flat.

Well, that’s better than staying out here in the middle of the Wastelands with no food or shelter.

“That’s all for now,” she said as she stood up. “We’ll talk more when we get to port.”

A short while after Fianna took her leave, the intercom crackled to life.

“T-Takashi?” A quiet, nervous voice of a certain fox girl sounded. “C-could you please come to the observation deck? There’s only space for two people here, so please come alone.”

Huh? What does she want me for?

I glanced at Chloe, who urged me to go with a lazy nod. With more questions than answers in my mind, I climbed the long ladder that went right through the inside of the ship in a long metal tube, popping up right on top of it through a light manhole.

“Eek! T-That scared me!”

“Didn’t you ask for me?”

“I-I did, but… Well, just come in.”

When I climbed out, the cold evening wind beat on my face immediately. The observation deck was a small circle, with a sort of birdcage surrounded the entire thing, preventing anyone from falling off, but still allowing arrows and attacks from flying out. That naturally didn’t prevent the wind for rushing through the gaps. I didn’t think we were moving particularly fast, but being up here, the speed was quite noticeable. Tanney, with her heavy purple mantle, probably didn’t feel the cold too much, but I certainly did.

“That’s a beautiful sunset,” I commented.

The setting sun, bathing us and the sky in beautiful reds and oranges, truly was breathtaking from up here. In a way, the Wastelands, in their pure grayscale tones, were rather beautiful when you weren’t being mauled by flying monsters or getting your leg chomped.

“Apparently I r-really liked taking watch up here… but this is a bit too cold, ah-ah.”

Her comment immediately filled me with guilt.

“I think those l-lights up ahead are from Adaville.” She pointed straight ahead of us. At the horizon was a bunch of small artificial lights and tall chimneys piercing the sky. “At least, I think so. You can already smell it.”

Now that she mentions it…

There was a certain whiff in the air, an odor difficult to pinpoint.

“The entire city smells like that,” she added. “All the woodmills and stuff.”

“Really? That doesn’t sound too pleasant a place to live in.”

“Ah-ah. Well, on the ground level, it’s much better. I can’t… remember how it was up h-here.”

I just couldn’t take it any longer.

“I’m… I’m so sorry!” I said, bowing deeply to her. “Because of me…”

“N-no, Takashi, it’s f-fine! I didn’t… ask you to come up here… to make you feel bad.” She paused. “In fact, I-I… wanted to thank you!”

“Thank me?” I asked as I got up.

“Fianna… I mean, the Boss told me what happened… you saved my life, didn’t you?”

For a moment, no words came out; but she was right. Despite everything, I did save her life.

I nodded.

“So, huh… I w-wanted to thank you in person. I’d probably be gone by this point if you hadn’t i-intervened.”

“No worries. I… only did what I had to do.”

“Although, losing my memories… doesn’t feel too… p-pleasant.” When she noticed her words, she blushed furiously. “Ah! I d-didn’t mean… sorry! I’m very grateful, really!”

Her enthusiasm somehow hurt even more. What did it feel to suddenly be transported elsewhere you’d never been to before and be told you lost a year of your life? I couldn’t imagine what it was like, and it felt wrong to even say anything to comfort her—not that I was any good at that.

We just stood there, the evening chill making it abundantly clear this world wasn’t just a game anymore. Somehow, even if it was uncomfortable, I felt like I needed the reminder, especially now.

It wouldn’t be long before we landed.