Nagai Koto c10

Nagai Koto Chapter 010
The Long Journey Until I Reunite With You

Parents

Though it was simply essential, I was able to purchase something good. The teacher’s canes, which are basically batons, were placed in holders at the sides of my waist. Since they are very heavy for a child, it would take some time before I could get accustomed to them, but nonetheless I feel like I’ll dual-wield them. Since I can’t go about testing them on a human opponent, I’ll go home and try it out by hitting a tree instead.

「But it’s become really late. My overprotective mom and dad might be worried, so I’ll hurry back...... What a pain.」 (Velt)

I left Taira and the others with the usual, but while making my way back, my pace had slowed down. That is, since Asakura Ryuuma’s memories returned, I have been able to reunite with my previous life’s teacher, and though I have my conscience as Velt, my other conscience as Asakura Ryuuma has gotten stronger. When I think about it, Velt Jeeha’s parent’s love for him was a bit strong. It’s not like I dislike them, but if I were asked whether or not I loved his parents, answering would be a bit difficult.

「Mom and Pop huh? They’re a bit nosy, but well, it’s not like I hate them or anything.」 (Velt)

Recently I’ve been thinking over stuff like the future and magic, but these thoughts had come up out of the blue. However, these thoughts immediately dispersed.

「Eh?」 (Velt)

Is that the color of the sunset? No, my field of vision was wrapped in flames, and in it I could see my house. I was immediately thrown off. Right now I was still trying to understand the situation.
But when I realized it my legs were moving at full speed.

「MOM! DAAAD!」 (Velt)

What was happening? A fire? All thoughts had stopped and all I could do right now was scream.

「VELT, DON’T COME ANY CLOSER!」 (Aruna)

It was the first time I had ever heard my mother yell that loud. Because of that, even though I was told not go any closer, I had no choice but to head towards them. And then, I saw it. My father bleeding from one of his knees, and my mother sobbing right next to him.

「DON’T COME HERE, VELT! RUN, RIGHT NOW!」 (Bonapa)

The moment my father’s words reached my ears, a strange figure with a wicked smile was reflected in my eyes.

「What? A kid?」 (Demi-human)

Its entire body was covered in pure, white hair. It had the face of a monkey and the ears as long as a rabbit’s. Its limbs were abnormally long, within inches from touching the ground. From top to bottom it was nearly three meters tall. It was a demi-human. I understood that in an instant.

「That was close. But look at the flames, by the time the knights from the kingdom arrive it will already be over.」 (Demi-human)

Why was there a demi-human here? Why was it attacking my home? No, that wasn’t the biggest problem here. It’s just that... I’m scared.

「I’ll kill everyone.」 (Demi-human)

At the moment the demi-human uttered those words, my dad raised his axe as if possessed, and lunged at the demi-human.

「UOOOOOOOH! ARUNA! TAKE VELT AND RUN!」 (Bonapa)
「Dear!」 (Aruna)

It’s impossible. There’s no way we can run. My dad doesn't have any experience fighting nor a great deal of magic to use. There’s no way he can win against the demi-human by himself.

The demon faced my dad’s spirit, grabbed his head with its long arm, and casually threw him onto the ground.

「Die.」 (Demi-human)

I was scared. I was trembling, I couldn’t speak. But, at the moment I thought my father had died, I undid both of the holsters and took out my batons, shaking off my mother’s screams restraining me and faced demi-human.

「This, this guy’s a strange one!」 (Demi-human)

I put out all the strength in my body and struck the demi-human’s head. The recoil shot through my arm, a numbing sensation spread throughout my body. However,

「Hm? Something tickles.」 (Demi-human)

If it had the body of a human, then it would’ve dealt a good deal of damage. But, this enemy had a body that was many times stronger and more fortified than a human’s. Even if I were to hit him with the baton using slender arms of a child, there wouldn’t be any damage.

「Hey, stop that!」 (Demi-human)

There was a response. I had given him an axe kick on his forehead. If I can......The moment I thought that, the world had turned upside down.

「D-Don’t! Don’t lay your hands on my child!」 (Bonapa)
「VELT! NOOOOOO!」 (Aruna)

Like my father, my head was restrained and I was thrown onto the ground. My power left my body. I couldn’t breathe very well, and my vision was distorted. More than anything, my entire body was instantly afflicted with a pain to the extent that I couldn’t even yell.

「A hindrance. Hurry up and kill them, take the wheat back. We can sell it in the country at a high price. Kaizer-sama died, leaving his position behind, but I will become rich.」 (???)

The demi-human straightened its fingers and prepared to slash into my head. I took a good look, and could see the sharp fingernails glisten. It was without a doubt going to swing its fingers downwards and tear my child-like body apart. Am I going to die? Is this going to be the second time I face death? Am I going to die right after I’ve finally decided that I would search for Kamino?

「S-Save...... me......」 (Velt)

It was the first time, including my past existence, that I begged for my life. I was so afraid, my tears wouldn’t stop. Was it that I’m afraid that I’ll actually die? This can’t even be considered the result of a fight.
(TN: It wasn't even a fair fight, just a one-sided slaughter.)

No.
I don’t want to die.
I’m scared.
I’m so scared that I can’t think of anything anymore.

「Not a chance.」 (Demi-human)

I’m going to die here. The moment I thought that, the demi-human swung his arm down, and fresh blood was splattered across my face.

「......Eh?」 (Velt)

Fresh blood had viciously splattered all over me. However, it wasn’t my blood.

「Velt...... please...... run......」 (Aruna)
「Mom......」 (Velt)
「Mama...... prote-......」 (Aruna)

What happened? What just?
Her smiling face was right before me.
Her body had been pierced by the demi-human’s hand, bathing me in her blood.
Mom...... Why......

『I’ll sleep by myself. You’re annoying.』 (Velt)
『Calling mama and papa annoying, punishment punches! Bad! Bad! Bad!』 (Aruna)

Why, why am I remembering these things now!?

「It was all a lie! I was just embarra.s.sed!」 (Velt)

What am I saying?

「I was lying when I said you were annoying! It’s just that I was shy! I was confused, I didn’t know how to rely on you, but, I really, really-!」 (Velt)

At a time like this, what am I saying?

「......It’s ......okay Velt ......I......lo......ve you.」 (Aruna)
「MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!」 (Velt)

Why was I crying?

「Noisy.」 (Demi-human)

The demi-human once again prepared to swing his arm. He was going to kill me like my mom.
However,

「LIKE I’LL LET YOUUUU!」 (Bonapa)
「Hm?」 (Demi-human)

My father tackled the Demi-human from the side and tore him away from me.

He spoke to me while panting,
「Velt, are you hurt?」 (Bonapa)

Am I hurt? There was some pain. But I could move a bit. But, my mom was much more injured than I was. When I realized it, I was in a pool of blood, and my mom was no longer moving. At this rate, she was going to die. But my father wasn’t saying anything. The only thing he did was bite his lips as his shoulders shook.

「Velt. Papa is going to fight this guy. In the meantime, run to the castle.」 (Bonapa)
「N-no, but, mom, at this rate... it’s dangerous, I...」 (Velt)

I couldn’t speak right. I couldn’t say what I wanted to say. I didn’t even understand what I was trying to say.

「All of you will die.」 (Demi-human)

It was easy to understand as the demi-human stood up. There's no way we can win. We are absolutely going to die.

「No...... We can’t run......」 (Velt)

That was the only thing I could squeeze out. But, at the moment I said it, my father, for the first time in my life, grabbed me by the collar.

「Didn’t you hear me? I told you to hurry up and RUN! You should listen to your parents once in a while, you d.a.m.ned idiot of a son!」 (Bonapa)
「Ugh!」 (Velt)
「GOOOOOOOO!! RUUUUN!!!」 (Bonapa)

When I didn’t run, my resolve to die was easily and completely shattered by my dad’s words. Even though I was injured, I simply lost myself as I ran.

「No, somebody, help, they’re going to be killed. My dad is... My mom is…!」 (Velt)

Somebody help me. They’re going to die. Somebody help!

「Velt...... Mama and papa...... will no matter what, and no matter when, protect you because......」 (Bonapa)

I could only faintly hear his voice at this point.

「Somebody, SOMEBODY, SOMEBODY COME! COME AND HELP!!」 (Velt)

I yelled towards the direction I was running.

Somebody, please hear my voice, that’s all I want.

Wis.h.i.+ng for that, I could see something in the distance. It was an uncountable number of horses.

「Velt-kun!」 (????)

It was Guard Captain Galva and the knights. The moment I saw their figures, I felt complete relief, causing me to lose consciousness.

―――Of all the things in the world, we love you the most, Velt.

I felt as if I could hear the words of my father, as if they were whispered on the wind.