CH 119

Chapter 119 – Further Changes of the World

After I explained my perspective, no one spoke for a while. They were probably examining and analyzing the information in their own minds. The first one to break the silence was Yofel.

“If this absurd situation was brought about by such a phenomenon like Master said, then… it may not be wrong to assume that this was all due to the Curseweaver.” (Yofel)

“Agreed. In fact, it makes sense. I have also been trying to figure out why the two worlds were starting to interfere with each other, and… this certainly seems to explain the matter.” (Izu)

“But in that case… The inhabitants of this world have done nothing wrong, but their peace was unreasonably disturbed.” (Yofel)

It was as Yofel said. If this was the work of the Curseweaver, who existed in the other world, the people of Earth, who should have remained uninvolved, had ended up getting caught up in the middle of it nonetheless.

If this fact became known, the people of the other world would surely be marginalized and resented, becoming scapegoats for the anger of the inhabitants of Earth.

“But is it really only the fault of the other world…?” (Bouchi)

Hearing the question I muttered, Izu asked me what I meant.

“No, I was just thinking. Izu, what do you think? Is this really the Curseweaver’s doing?” (Bouchi)

“….Honestly, I can’t say. There are certainly some troubling points to this. Until now, the Curseweaver has only caused a dramatic upheaval of a single world… in other words, the world we used to live in. This is the first time that another world has gotten wrapped up in something like this, so I understand your concerns, Master. However, in this case, the Earth could also be part of the cause. Does the Earth also experience great calamities at a set period that cause changes to its environment?” (Izu)

“Hmmmm… It’s not so much ‘periodic’. But certainly, such things have happened on Earth in the past.” (Bouchi)

But all of that had happened a long time ago. If only considering the past 1,000 or 2,000 years, there most likely wasn’t any kind of global destruction event on Earth like that.

If a great loss of people as a result of big wars was counted as a disaster, then there were probably several times in the past where that had occurred on Earth. But there would have surely been plenty of similar situations in the other world.

“I don’t think there are any major disasters that occur in a fixed, periodic cycle on Earth.” (Bouchi)

The only events similar to this situation happened in the long, distant past.

“I see. If that’s the case, then there’s a good chance that this calamity was caused by the Curseweaver alone.” (Izu)

“Then we must apologize. To think that our world caused such a complete change in Master’s world…” (Yofel)

Everyone aside from me nodded their heads in agreement.

“Well, as far as I’m concerned, I don’t feel any resentment or bitterness toward the other world.” (Bouchi)

“Huh? Why is that, Master? Without question, Master’s circumstances were changed as a result of this. Your peaceful world, where you didn’t have to worry about losing your life upon stepping foot out the door, was completely transformed. It would be normal to think of this situation as absurd and unfair, but…” (Yofel)

“Peace, huh…? At least, that would be the complete opposite of the circumstances that I used to be in.” (Bouchi)

“I don’t want to say it’s all because of the world transformation, but my circumstances have indeed changed. But at the same time, I’ve been able to break off the worthless relationships that used to drain me, and I’ve been fortunate enough to gain an ability that allowed me to have fun in this world. And I’m glad I get to spend time with you guys like this. I… feel like this was for the better.” (Bouchi)

“Puuuu~! Masteeer! Sol is… Sol is also happy to have met Master!” (Sol)

Sol jumped into my arms, overcome with emotion.

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“Hey, what are you doing, taking advantage of the situation to jump into Master’s arms?! Step away from him right this instant! Besides, you’re not the only one who feels grateful for this situation! I, too, feel more blessed than ever to have been bound to Master, our supreme being!” (Izu)

“This one feels the same way. It is the greatest pleasure to serve you, milord.” (Shiki)

Even Shiki followed Izu in expressing his feelings.

“That’s right. I also think that meeting Master was my fate. I’m really glad that I am able to offer my bow to you, Master.” (Yofel)

“Yofel, even you, too… Hahaha, thank you, everyone.” (Bouchi)

I had never believed in things like relationships and trust. Even now, I still wasn’t sure if I did. It felt like they were all just superficial and fake, something that could be torn apart easily.

I had already gone through the experience of seeing those bonds abruptly severed right before my eyes. That was why I didn’t have any more expectations towards others, and I wouldn’t do something as foolish as trusting them anymore.

But these guys were different.

They adored me from the bottom of their hearts, and they even entrusted me with their bodies and minds. I didn’t know if these could truly be called genuine bonds, but I still wanted to cherish my relationship with them.

If anyone ever tries to endanger or sever this connection, I will do everything in my power to stop them.

I was their master. Having acknowledged that, I felt that I had a duty to protect them, just as much as I personally wanted to protect them.

Father… Mother… I will cherish these guys, just like how you always cherished me… Because we’re family.

I suddenly felt like I could hear a voice cheering me on, telling me to do my best.

“Puuu? What are you smiling for, Master? Is something the matter?” (Sol)

“…No, it’s nothing, Sol. Well then, let’s wrap the meeting up here and start preparing dinner. You guys can help me out if you want.” (Bouchi)

Just like that, everyone joined in on the effort. That must also be because we’re a family, after all.

—

A few days had gone by after the world had descended even further into chaos, and I was at home watching the monitors. Through the view, I could see Sol flying around Japan through the [Camera Marker] attached to her.

I had Sol fly around Japan to see how the country had changed since then. With her speed, she could fly from Hokkaido to Okinawa in no time at all.

As a result, I found that fields from the other world, like the Red Desert, were appearing one after the other all over Japan. We also confirmed the existence of untouchable S-Rank monsters.

My concern was that other people might foolishly act out against them. If an S-Rank monster got worked up, the land around them could end up being wiped clean or even disappear altogether.

Well, the damage to others didn’t matter to me, but the loss of potential sources of income was a problem. I was even turning over the idea of taking advantage of the situation to break into an abandoned bank or rental warehouse and take the money and goods.

Maybe if the owners were gone, I would consider it, but it was still against my principles to steal at this point in time. It was a bit late to be talking about my principles now, though. I had already done some pretty unpleasant things.

“If Japan is like this, then the same thing must be happening all over the world, too.” (Bouchi)

I might have to start keeping an eye out for other places too. It wasn’t like I could only earn money in Japan. There were plenty of rich people all over the world.

“But this place is in an even bigger state of panic, huh?” (Bouchi)

Following the dungeonizations, fields from the other world were starting to make an appearance, and otherworlders were being transported over on top of everything.