MHGA Chapter 354 – A Story That Begins With Death (2)
"Mr. Himmel, your story… it must have only begun after I took my own life, right?" Setsuna Shimazaki said. "Because if it had been a story from before then, I think I would've remembered someone like you clearly."
"And the other characters who are here too…" A trace of regret appeared on Setsuna's face. "They're here because—like the characters I already knew—they were acknowledged, weren't they?"
"Did that many stories appear… even after I died?" Setsuna hugged her shoulders, her expression darkening. "I really want to know their stories, but…"
"..."
Himmel could see that Setsuna Shimazaki's mental state wasn't good.
For a teenage girl who had once taken her own life due to the pressure of the world around her, her mental resilience was not strong. And now the emotional effects of the Frenzy Virus only pushed her further into despair.
So, after a pause, Himmel pulled out a few more Nullberries from his pouch and placed them in front of Setsuna Shimazaki, then spoke.
"I'm not the protagonist of my story."
Himmel's voice was gentle, soothing as he addressed Setsuna.
"The protagonist of my story… is the elf who defeated the Demon King alongside me—my comrade, Frieren."
"Her story began after my death." Himmel glanced at Setsuna. "As an elf, she has a lifespan far beyond anything we humans can imagine. But when I learned of everything that happened after I died… I was happy."
"She changed."
"She chose her own purpose, found new companions, and gradually began to understand the meaning behind every story on her journey."
"What stories mean to you… I may not fully understand." Himmel wore a slightly helpless smile.
Though he looked young now, within him was a soul that had lived a full life. Everything he knew came from his own world—and he could only slowly learn what the other worlds were like.
"But there's one thing we have in common," Himmel continued. "I had things I wanted to change. I had things I wanted to do. So I did them."
"I became a Hero. I chose to become one by my own will. Because I made that decision, set out on my journey, and gained companions—my story came to be."
"Live well. Make your decision. Create your own story."
Himmel gently took Setsuna Shimazaki's hand.
"That child who was born from your pen…"
Himmel smiled warmly. "It's her story… that you should be the one to witness."
"You are her beginning—you are her past. In all the time that follows… she will always carry the influence of you within her."
Himmel looked directly into Setsuna Shimazaki's eyes. "So what do you truly want her to become?"
"When you gave her life—when you began the story that belonged to her… what was your heart feeling at that moment?"
Himmel said no more, simply watching Setsuna with warmth in his gaze.
"I…"
Setsuna looked up in confusion, staring at the sky choked with the Frenzy Virus. "I…"
Staring at the sky, Setsuna suddenly said, "Flight…"
"Hmm?" Himmel responded gently.
"Altair… it means flight." Setsuna took a deep breath. "I wanted her to be more free, unafraid of any obstacle, filled with conviction… That's why I named her Altair."
"A beautiful name," Himmel smiled. "That's the meaning you wanted to give her, isn't it?"
"Let's go." Himmel said to Setsuna, "I'll bring you to people who can protect you. After that… I have duties of my own to fulfill."
Through the Gathering Hall interface, Himmel had already noticed that Kero-chan and Mamika Kirameki had arrived at the Birdcage.
He planned to entrust Setsuna Shimazaki to Kero-chan's care.
And after that… it would be time to fight.
——————————————
"DRINK IT!!"
Right now, Joseph had already regrouped with Kazuma and Naofumi Iwatani.
After hearing what Kairo Retsu had just said, the three—who had become Hunters at nearly the same time—fully understood how dire the situation was.
So at this very moment, Joseph was clutching Kazuma by the neck, forcing potions into his mouth like a madman. "Come on! Bust out that thing you used when we fought Dalamadur last time!!!! The situation's critical!!!!"
"Hey! I've only got one mouth—glllkkkhhh…"
Kazuma had barely opened his mouth to speak before Joseph shoved three bottles in and started pouring all kinds of buff potions down his throat in one go.
"I'm starting on the concoctions now!" Naofumi Iwatani had also begun using his Four Holy Shield to mix up all sorts of buffs from his world—prepping to amplify Kazuma's Explosion Magic once he transformed into a Crimson Demon.
"Calm down, you lunatics!!"
Kazuma, nearly drowned in potions, lashed out in frustration and shoved Joseph and Naofumi away with a flurry of wild punches. "Did you forget how massive Explosion Magic's range is?! There's no open battlefield here! Are you trying to blow the entire Birdcage sky-high?!"
To avoid another force-feeding ambush, Kazuma distanced himself and continued, "Besides… Explosion Magic isn't guaranteed to beat that Shagaru Magala. I'm not even specialized in Explosion Magic… and it's not nearly as powerful as you guys make it out to be!"
Joseph and Naofumi froze for a moment—then gave up at the same time.
Joseph clenched his fists and muttered bitterly, "Yeah, guess that makes sense. After all, you are from a gag anime…"
"HEY!!!! What's wrong with gag anime?!" Kazuma flared up instantly at Joseph's remark.
Naofumi took a deep breath. "Still… the only thing the three of us can really do to affect that Shagaru Magala at all—might be your Explosion Magic after you use the Transform Mushroom and turn into a Crimson Demon, Kazuma."
"My plotline's already been completely altered. I don't have the Wrath Shield from the Seven Deadly Sins series anymore." Naofumi lifted the Four Holy Shield on his right arm. "I haven't unlocked any of the other powerful shields either. And Shagaru Magala, as an Elder Dragon, is resistant to a lot of control effects."
"So what can we do?"
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