Mushoku Tensei: Life and Strife.

Zenith’s POV

…

Laurel walked back looking tired, returning to locking himself in the room once more. Zenith wanted to stop him, but she held back. Rather than anything, she needed him to remain in his room for it to work.

“Oi! What do you think you’re doing?”

Zenith hissed at Paul. Replying to her was Paul who nearly ran on all fours.

“Getting him a new pair of boots while I’m at it.”

“Now?”

“Yes, now. Or else I won’t make it in time.”

“Tch.”

Luckily, she had Lilia, and Sylphie was of help as well, so she could manage. But as she helped set up the decorations, someone knocked on the door. She received a letter, a small gift, and a strangely long gift box.

Whatever the case, seeing the warps and where it came from, she knew who it was for, so she put them there as part of the decorations as well. Hopefully, Laurel will receive it well. Today’s a good day, and Zenith wanted him to be so happy that he forgot all the troubles.

…

Laurel’s POV

…

Two months have passed since I left the manor. I was suddenly greeted by the cheery news of the end of the world as night settled on this fine eve.

“Happy birthday Laurel!”

“…?!”

It was my birthday, as well as the day before the advent called the Metastasis Event. Everyone was trying to cheer me up in their own way, so I kept up a front and gave the best smile I could, enjoying the gifts they gave me.

First up was Paul, who gave me a pair of boots and a boot dagger to boot.

“I know you can make weapons with magic but keep it with you. You might need it one day.”

“I appreciated it.”

Then it was Zenith, who gave me a scarf with small pictures of a blue cat playing with butterflies. On Sylphy’s turn was a charm depicting a cat's paw carved out of wood. Lilia’s gift sounded… pretty strange.

“I know you are interested in delving into swordsmanship, so I have prepared a suitable gift for you, young master Laurel. However, do forgive, but it’ll take a while for you to receive it.”

“I see... Thank you as always, Lilia.”

“Big Brother!”

“Aisha? What’s wrong?”

“Here!”

Aisha held out a picture. It was a magic circle—rather, it was a clumsy attempt of a three-year-old trying to imitate the art of drawing a magic circle. Seeing the circle, I couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

“… Thanks.”

“Oh! and there’s this as well.”

I stared at the strange duo of gift presents presented in front of me. One was a rapier that seemed quite bendy that I hardly believed could cut, and the other… An aphrodisiac???

I read the letter of the giver.

…

The weird stick of yours kept breaking when you fought Ghislaine, so I made you a better one. It can grow longer. Aren’t I just the best?

PS: The aphrodisiac was the one Rudeus bought last time. I was going to throw it away. I remember you said you want to study it. Consider it his gift. You’re welcome.

PS: If you use it on me, you’re dead. Got it?

Eris.

…

“Pft.”

I laughed. I remembered that one time Rudeus got caught having those and was confiscated. To think I’d see it again.

“I’m glad your expression had softened.”

I flinched hearing Lilia’s words.

“What are you talking about? I was enjoyin—"

“You don’t have to pretend.”

“…”

“What I’m trying to say is…”

Lilia said as she stared directly into my eyes.

“If there’s a problem, we could deal with it together. That’s what it means to be family. That’s what you told me. So, you don’t have to pretend everything is okay, because we’ll solve it together. As family.”

It was as if it were a script. No, perhaps it was a script. After all, Lilia wasn’t the type to say much, especially not emotion stuff. It was rather convincing to say that she had been preparing these words and rehearsing them.

“Laurel. Is everything okay?”

Zenith said with a voice filled with worry. The look on Zenith’s face wasn’t exactly comfortable for the eyes.

“Me? Of course I'm—"

Drip, drip, drip. Why am I bleeding again? My mana reserves should still have some, and I kept the bare minimum hours of sleep, so why—ah. Ah. It wasn’t blood. It was tears.

“Boohu! Big brother crying!”

“Big brother, why are you crying?"

Tears fell as I started crying. Who am I kidding? People are going to die. People I know were going to die. People who I could have saved were going to die. They were all going to die. Because I have been fooling around.

I have never drawn a circle so perfect and accurate in my life. Why didn’t I? Why was I so selfish, thinking the end would be happy anyway? Why was I so over the moon when I learned telekinesis? Why was I so obsessed with abs or dictionaries? Why was I so immersed in my own life when so many people are going to die?

Paul, Zenith, Rudy, Norn, Aisha, Laws, Rose, Sylphie, Philip, Hilda, Sauros, Ghislaine, Eris, the maids and butlers, the store owners, the bookshop owner, the lady who sells flowers on the other side…

Everyone I have ever known. Everything I have ever known in this life. I’m going to lose everything. I’m going to lose everyone. And there was nothing I could do about it.

What was there to say? I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream for help. But what would have changed? Comfort? A pat on the back? Soft whispers saying that everything would be okay? Really?

So, I kept smiling. Smile as brightly as possible. The lie was out in the open, but so what?

“Right? Why am I crying all of a sudden?"

I was happy. I am grateful for everything they have done for me. I am grateful for their support. I love them with all my heart. And now I will have to watch as Rome burns in front of me. The little meaningless experiments, the memories, everything… I will have to watch them all crumble before me like sandcastles.

“Sorry. I’m being a little too emotional. Give me a sec to wash my face. Right! How about I try the new things while I’m at it?”

I said, my voice slightly shaken.

“I’ll probably look good in them.”

Mustering all my strength, I smiled. I don’t think I could sleep tonight.

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