273. Epilogue: I’m Home

When I came to, I was in that strange space again.

Countless gears floated in the air around me, with an equal number of light streaks flitting between them. It was a bizarre place where, despite having no floor, I stood firmly in the void.

“Chaos Frontier System Server…”

Why am I back here?

For that matter, what happened to the real me?

≪—Your body in reality has shattered. Therefore, I have summoned only your consciousness here.≫

A voice spoke.

Turning around, I saw that white girl. Pure white hair, pure white clothes—the mysterious girl whose eyes alone glowed a brilliant gold.

≪It has been a while, Kazuto Kudo. I have been looking forward to the day we would meet again.≫

“…It’s been a while.”

She’s still talking directly into my brain without moving her mouth. I think it would be fine if she just spoke normally.

≪I am simply prioritizing efficiency.≫

“Is that so…”

The white girl didn’t change her expression at all, but she suddenly bowed her head.

≪Thank you, Kazuto Kudo. For stopping him—for stopping Randall.≫

“…”

≪Thanks to you and your companions, the system’s bugs have vanished, and it will function normally from now on. The continental fusion and immigration can now be carried out as a complete integration with nearly zero load on the foundation world.≫

…Is it impossible to return the world to the way it was?

≪That cannot be done. The two worlds already exist as a single new world. Reverting this is impossible.≫

Well, I figured. Libera-san had said that returning to the original world was impossible, too. I guess that part is truly beyond help.

“……Could we at least get a little more time?”

If Libera-san’s prediction was correct, there were only about two months left until the second stage of continental fusion. That’s far too short to prepare for everything. She also said the lifespan of the other world was about a year, but I feel like Randall had tampered with that. If it’s been fixed, could the lifespan of that world be extended a bit more?

≪—You and your allies have done well. It may not be much of a reward, but I shall grant you the maximum preparation period. —Ten years. I cannot extend the lifespan of the other world any further than that.≫

Ten years, huh.

Considering it was originally about a year, that’s a significant extension.

≪Furthermore, while it may not be a proper reward, I will answer your questions if you have any.≫

“Then tell me: who are you? Libera-san’s mentor—or her mother?”

≪No, I am not. Her mother, Ruriel Lebenherz, exists only as the core of the system to maintain it. Her consciousness is already gone. If I were to define my existence, I suppose I am a support program for the system that has been granted a pseudo-personality.≫

An existence granted a pseudo-personality, huh…

“Then, if Libera-san’s mother—Ruriel-san—has no consciousness, why did you help us? Arrogance’s unique skill, and that last bit of help… that was your doing, right?”

Actually, because of that, I died.

Thinking about it made me feel pretty angry. But it was also true that without her help, we couldn’t have defeated Randall.

≪It was all to ensure the system operates normally. To resolve the load caused by Randall’s intervention, the cooperation of the people of the real world was absolutely indispensable.≫

“Then couldn’t you have lent a hand sooner?”

≪Even just my direct intervention with you all places a considerable load on the system. All I could manage was a one-time transfer of Administrator Privileges to you and assistance with the manifesting unique skills. That final bit of power was only possible because the system’s bugs had been nearly eliminated. Further intervention beyond this will likely be impossible.≫

“The system is quite incomplete, isn’t it?”

I couldn’t help but grumble.

≪This world, Chaos Frontier, is still in an incomplete state. The system supporting it could also be said to be incomplete.≫

“Even if it’s in a normal state, it’s not in a finished state?”

≪Correct. The transition to a complete state will occur after the completion of the third stage: ‘Immigration’.≫

…Immigration. The full-scale transfer of residents from the other world to this one. I talked big to Randall, but I wonder what will happen from here on out. Well, I’ll have to leave that to Ichinose-san and the others.

After all, I’m dead.

—Dead.

Yes, I died.

“Ah… ah… uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…”

As I realized the weight of that fact, tears began to overflow. I tried to act tough, but I hate this. I didn’t want to die. I wanted to stay with Ichinose-san and Momo and everyone else for longer.

And besides, what was that final line? I definitely had other things I should have said. I should have said “I love you.” I should have confessed. No, but saying that right before dying is a bit… actually, it’s pretty heavy, isn’t it? I want Ichinose-san to be happy, but I want her to think of me at least a little bit.

Ah, damn it. If I knew it would end like this, I should have just confessed to her sooner. I couldn’t say it because I thought if she rejected me, the party dynamics would get awkward afterward.

Really, what am I doing? I think Ichinose-san didn’t hate me that much, either. Probably, maybe. I want to believe that. I hate this, I don’t want to disappear like this.

“……What happens when I die?”

≪Dead souls are returned to the system and reincarnated into new life forms. What kind of creature you are reborn as is random.≫

The system-san answered me dutifully. Reincarnation, huh. That kind of thing shows up a lot in web novels. So the system of this world works like a web novel?

Wait a minute.

Does that mean, depending on where I’m reincarnated, there’s a chance I could see Ichinose-san and the others again?

≪If Kazuto Kudo were to be reincarnated, there is a high probability of being reborn as either moss or Vibrio bacteria.≫

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Why?! Why those two choices? Surely there are better options for reincarnation? I think I built up a decent amount of merit in this life, you know? I worked hard. Why moss or bacteria? At least make me a dolphin or a Shiba Inu!

…Hm? Wait a second?

“……Um, why did you say ‘if’?”

I’m already dead, so there’s no need to say “if,” right?

The white girl looked at me, her expression unchanging, and said flatly—

≪—Because you are not dead yet, so it is only natural to use ‘if’, is it not?≫

She said it.

“…………Hah?”

Not dead?

What does that mean? Didn’t my body shatter and disappear?

≪Yes. That is correct. However, the system has not yet authorized the deaths of you and Libera. That is why I told you at the start: I summoned only your consciousness here.≫

“?”

Wait, hold on? I don’t understand what you mean.

≪Your bodies shattered completely, but your souls remained without vanishing. As for the reason why—no, you should ask him directly once you return to reality. You have been blessed with very fine companions. It should soon be time for your consciousness to return to the real world.≫

My body began to turn translucent.

“I-I can go back? I can really go back! I… I can see everyone again!”

The joy that welled up inside me was uncontrollable.

The white girl allowed a tiny smile to touch her face.

≪—When you return, tell that girl—Libera. Tell her she did a splendid job…≫

With those words, my consciousness faded to black.

—When I opened my eyes, Ichinose-san was right in front of me.

“…………Hah?”

Apparently, I was currently having my head rested on Ichinose-san’s lap. Ichinose-san’s expression was incredible—a messy mixture of surprise, confusion, joy, and various other emotions.

“…………Um, so…”

“Kudo-san!”

Ichinose-san screamed my name and hugged me tight.

“……You’re the real one, right?”

“Well, um… I’m the real one, I guess.”

“Thank goodness. I’m so glad. I thought I’d never see you again.”

I wrapped my arms around Ichinose-san’s back and gently patted her to calm her down.

“……I’m sorry for worrying you. But how did you put my body back together?”

“That was…”

Ichinose-san glanced elsewhere.

“—It was my unique skill.”

Sitting up and looking toward the voice, Ivar-san was there.

“My unique skill that awakened through Heroic Hymn is ‘Perfect Recreation.’ With this, I returned your and Libera-sama’s bodies to their original states. Unlike the ‘Recreation’ I originally possessed, this has no risks or backlash. It remains effective even after the effects of ‘Heroic Hymn’ wear off. ……It was also effective for Satsuki-san and the everyone at the campsite. Thank you, Kudo-san. Now I can finally apologize to them properly.”

“Th-that’s an incredible effect…”

Being able to recreate even a body shattered by the system is the definition of a cheat.

But why hasn’t the effect of “Heroic Hymn” disappeared? If my body shattered, my skill effects should have been forcibly terminated at that moment.

『It’s thanks to this little one. You should be grateful.』

“Wan!”

This time, accompanying Arrogance’s voice, Momo jumped onto me.

『Unique Skill ‘Resonance.’ It seems its effect is to manifest the same effect as the unique skill of a party member. Even after your body shattered, Momo maintained the effect of ‘Heroic Hymn’ by resonating with it. ……Though the individual—or rather, the dog—didn’t seem to understand the effect of Resonance until now and was doing it unconsciously.』

Resonance… Come to think of it, Momo’s unique skill had been a mystery this whole time. Perhaps the condition for it not activating until now was the death or withdrawal of a unique skill holder? If so, the reason it never triggered before makes sense.

『Well, there were other factors like Peony’s or others’ unique skills, or items from Nishino that allowed your revival, but none of it would have been possible without Momo’s ‘Resonance.’ You truly are blessed with allies. I’m almost jealous.』

“So that was it… To think I’d be saved by you at the very, very end. Thank you, Momo. For saving me.”

“Wan wan! ……Kyuun.”

As I stroked Momo while she licked my face, her fur and warmth reached me.

“Haha, your fur really is soothing…”

“Wan!”

As if to say she’d never let go again, Momo clung to me tightly and wouldn’t leave.

Looking a short distance away, Libera-san had also been resurrected. She looked like she was struggling, being hugged tightly by Shuram and Flamme.

“Kudo-san, Kudo-san.”

Poke, poke. Ichinose-san poked my shoulder.

“……You’re not going anywhere this time, right?”

“I’m not. I’ll be here with you. Right, everyone?”

As I looked around, Kiki, Aka, Sui, and Shiro all crowded around me.

“Kyuu!” “……(shake shake)♪” 『Papa…』

『Kazuto~! I’m so glad, I’m so glad~!』

Ah, I’m back. I’ve really come back to this world.

“……It’s a promise, okay? Absolutely. I won’t forgive you if you lied.”

“Of course.”

Ichinose-san and I stared intently at each other.

And then, as our faces slowly drew closer—

“Ahem!”

In that instant, Rikka-chan let out a forced, exaggerated cough.

Ichinose-san and I jumped apart.

“I mean, look. I get that you’re happy to be reunited and want to flirt, okay? But just so you know? We’re all watching… right?”

“~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ts!”

Ichinose-san’s face turned bright red, and she ducked back into Momo’s shadow. After a moment, she peeked her head out and glared resentfully at Rikka-chan.

“……Ricchan, you dummy.”

“Ahaha, sorry, sorry. But it’s fine, right? You’ve got plenty of time for that from now on. ……Since Big Brother is alive and all.”

“……Hm.”

While Rikka-chan was soothing Ichinose-san, everyone else approached.

“Kudo-san, I’m so glad.”

“You really had us worried there, man.”

“……It would be problematic if you died without fulfilling your promise to me.”

“I managed to survive too. We both had a close call, didn’t we?”

“Senpaaaai~, Kazuto-senpaaaaaai! I’m so glad! I’m so glaaaaad!”

“Nijo-san, calm down a bit. Kudo-kun, truly, good job.”

Everyone called out to me one by one.

“Nishino-kun, Shibata-kun, Igarashi-san, Goshogawara-san, Nijo, Chief Shimizu…”

There were also Fujita-san, Towada-san, Mayor Uesugi, and Ohno-kun.

A short distance away, I could see Schwarz too.

Ah, surrounded by so many comrades, I am truly happy.

“Everyone, sorry for making you worry.”

I replied with feelings of a thousand emotions.

“—I’m home.”

End of 273: Epilogue – I’m Home