Master and Slaves

"How can I return to my original world?"

I asked Mateus the most important thing I wanted to know right now.

"The original world... I see. Well... In the methods I know of, there are two. They haven’t been confirmed, so it’s only a possibility."

"Two... what are they?"

I unintentionally leaned forward.

"Please continue."

From the side, Helene placed a saucer and teacup in front of me and poured tea.

I sat back on the sofa.

"Sorry. I got distracted..."

"Hahaha. Of course. It’s natural to want to go home."

Mateus took a sip of the tea Helene had poured for him, then continued.

"Alright, the two methods. The first is... Sir Hiroyuki dying."

"...That... ..."

I was speechless.

I couldn’t believe it when he said something like that out of nowhere.

"When a summoned person dies, at least their soul will disappear from this world. Whether that leads back to the original world or results in complete extinction is unclear."

"...So that’s a possibility?"

It was ridiculous.

I had no intention of gambling with such a dangerous bet.

"What about the other one?"

I asked with a stronger tone.

Was that also a dangerous bet?

"The other is... killing Tiria."

"Killing Tiria...?"

Why would killing Tiria let me return to the original world?

I looked at Tiria. She was trembling violently.

Was she thinking I’d kill her?

"Why Tiria?"

I turned my face to Mateus and asked.

"Of course. You were summoned by Tiria."

That was right.

Tiria had summoned me to this world.

"And because you formed a Dule contract with Tiria, you became deeply bound to this world."

"...What would have happened if you hadn’t formed the contract?"

"You would have been able to return to the original world once your purpose was fulfilled or after some time."

...So that’s it.

I was called here at this country’s convenience and forbidden from returning to the original world.

"...So there are only two ways to return to the original world?"

"At the moment, that’s all I know."

Kill Tiria?

I couldn’t possibly do something like that.

But dying... I didn’t want to die.

If I died and came back as a corpse, it wouldn’t even be a joke.

My spirits sank.

"I can’t... return... can I?"

"...Yes."

I see... hahaha.

I really couldn’t go back anymore...

...Everyone must be worried.

Yuki must be fine.

A drop of water fell from my hand.

Am I crying?

"Ugh... hic..."

When I realized I was crying, tears started overflowing uncontrollably.

"Ugh... hic..."

I clenched my fists and bit my teeth.

"I’m sorry!"

A loud voice suddenly rang out.

When I looked toward the voice, Tiria had her head on the floor and was apologizing.

"Because I... I used magic... I became a Dule... I’m sorry... I’m sorry..."

Tiria apologized while crying.

But I had no leeway to look at Tiria.

"Sorry. The wind is a bit strong here."

I stood up from the sofa and left the room with Tiria in my peripheral vision.

...

I wandered around after leaving Mateus’s tower and finally reached the top of the city wall.

It wasn’t a full view of the entire city, but I could see the outer enclosed area.

...I finally felt calmer.

Maybe because I had cried my eyes out on the way here.

Or maybe the scenery here was nice.

...I’m pathetic.

I had run here with a snotty, teary face.

I probably hadn’t been seen by anyone.

...Sigh.

What should I do now~?

For now, I should just stay here.

Of course, I don’t know anything else.

Come to think of it, I don’t know anything about this world.

I should learn more.

Also, since I have the chance, I want to learn magic too.

It’s a real fantasy world.

I have to get used to this world quickly.

...Farewell, Dad and Mom.

Farewell, Yuki.

I’ll live in this land.

I’ll never see you again.

Farewell...