Elf Tensei Kara no Cheat Kenkoku-ki

Vol 05 Chapter 23-4: ​​Samsara Recursion

Vol 05 Chapter 23-4: ​​Samsara Recursion

The presence of the Erna disappeared from the surroundings.

「Don't live in a way you will regret.」

And then, Deet vanished. I gritted my teeth, enduring the sense of loss. Their sacrifices would not be in vain. With the sacrifices of three of my past selves, I had managed to halt the initial eruption of Erna.

「It's too early to relax.」

「Yeah, I know.」

What had just happened was merely an outburst of accumulated Erna. If the broken seal was left unattended, Erna would soon accumulate and begin producing monsters continuously again. In addition, Erna from other seals around the world would flow into the broken seal restarting the eruption. There was no time to waste. If I was going to reseal it, it had to be done immediately.

「Can ​​ “Me” perform the resealing?」

「It's possible.」

「Of course. That's why I made you believe you could always reseal it without any risk.」

I had always thought that resealing was a straightforward task without any risks, and that was because ​​“Me” made me believe so.

「Is it okay?」

「I'm prepared. It's about time for me​​ to disappear. The remaining “Me” aren't as kind as ​​me, so be careful.」

I closed my eyes. Reflecting on it, “Me”​​ had always toyed with me and had fun at my expense. But I didn't dislike it.

「Release, my soul. The mirage left behind in the sands of time, manifest here and now.」

My voice overlapped with that of a middle-aged magician. I invoked the magic, speaking strongly to my inner self.

「I desire the mad archmage who lit a light of hope in a world filled with despair, his name is…」

An old name. I recited the nostalgic name loudly.

「Suzina! ​​[Samsara Recursion]!」

My body was enveloped in light. My unique magic, [Samsara Recursion]​​, activated.

When the light subsided, my body had transformed into a figure befitting a magician, clad in a robe and holding a ceremonial staff adorned with earth, fire, wind, and water magic stones. My long white hair was held back with a silver jewel-encrusted hair ornament, transforming into the appearance of a man in his mid-thirties.

Only Suzina could perform the resealing. And in this situation, the only way to call upon Suzina was to call him unto a separated soul. Suzina knew that it would come to this.

「I should say this at least once. I liked you, Cyril. You're interesting, a good person, and a bit like me.」

I hadn't expected to be praised by Suzina.

「I'm starting the resealing now.」

Suzina spoke and raised his staff, amplifying his magical power. But then…

「Dad!」

A girl rushed in. A beautiful girl with golden hair. The only one in the world with the [Jade Eyes]​​, that mark her as a High Elf.

…So she was alive after all.

「It's been a while, Ashno.」

Ashno hugged Suzina and burst into tears.

「I've always wanted to see you, Dad.」

「I wanted to see you too, Ashno. I've always been worried about you.」

「That's a lie. You've been running away.」

「It was for you, Ashno. You needed to become independent. If we met, you'd expect a next time. I'm already dead, after all.」

「But you came back like this.」

「Yes, I am grateful to the gods that I could hold you like this,」

Suzina gently stroked Ashno's head, smiling warmly. It was a beautiful smile, one of a father full of love for his daughter.

「But there's no time left. In less than three minutes, I will be gone. No reincarnation, no continuation. A true end. Last time, I could say we'd meet again, but there won't be a next time.」

At Suzina's words, Ashno's expression turned sorrowful, as if she was about to cry.

「Dad, isn't there anything we can do?」

「There's nothing that can be done.」

Suzina asserted firmly. Then, Suzina and Ashno looked at each other and nodded.

「Dad, I'll help.」

「Thank you, Ashno.」

「My final act of filial piety. I couldn't do it alone, but together with you, we can do anything.」

「Yes, there's nothing we as a family can't do.」

The magical power of Suzina and Ashno surged. The magic they wove was breathtaking. The ultimate in magical theory. Extreme computation speed, supreme configuration. I was captivated. It was a realm I couldn't reach in my current state. Their combined magic completed, successfully re-sealing Erna.

Suzina's form started to blur. It was the prelude to the soul's dissolution.

「The last magic. I enjoyed doing it together with you, Ashno. You've really improved.」

「Well, I've grown, haven't I?」

「Yes, I'm happy to see my daughter's growth.」

Suzina's voice began to fade.

「I'm reaching my limit, Ashno. Can I ask two things of you?」

「Anything for you, Dad.」

「First, help the current me. He's still inexperienced and needs guidance.」

「Understood.」

「Second, be happy.」

As Suzina finished speaking, his form shattered and I returned to my normal appearance.

「You could at least have waited to hear my reply…」

Ashno, looking at me, smiled through her tears and said those words.