Chapter 264

“First of all, there’s so much I want to say… But rather than laying it all out, I think my body will turn into a solid rock faster, so I’ll keep it brief.”

I let out a small sigh and looked at Arthur.

“When did it start?”

“Huh?”

“When did you start liking me?”

I never picked up on any signs that Arthur liked me rationally… Just when did he start having feelings for me?

After all, why would someone like a being made of roughly stacked rocks…

“Well, if you ask when it started… Hmm… I’m not entirely sure.”

Arthur continued with a troubled expression, unsure of the answer.

“At first, you felt like a moving rock, which was kind of scary… But as time passed, I began to see your kind side. Though your teachings were harsh, the way you cared for me and Bibe was gentle. I think it started around then.”

A slightly vague answer. Still, how can someone fall for a non-human entity like me? Why are humans so incomprehensible?

I don’t understand. I really don’t. Even though I was originally human, I can’t comprehend the human heart.

I give up. Truly. I have no idea.

“I don’t get it. Why do you like me? I’m not even human, we might not be able to properly function as lovers, and having children is impossible. You should know I’d have to reject you.”

Unless it’s my main form, this rocky body makes it absolutely impossible.

“Of course, I didn’t think you’d accept my feelings. I just wanted to convey my heart. I didn’t want to regret not expressing it.”

Arthur looked at me seriously. Now that he’s Emperor, he could easily gather countless beauties, yet why does he look at me like this?

Was there something wrong with his education as a child…? I don’t recall teaching him such strange desires.

Questions kept arising, but let’s move on. Time isn’t endless.

“This ring… When did you start preparing it?”

“I began right after ascending the throne.”

“Right after?”

So instead of stabilizing the nation after becoming Emperor, you immediately thought about making this ring?

“Though I wanted to give it right away, I couldn’t find a ring that fit your finger, so I personally ordered one from a talented dwarf in Sirius. It took some time thanks to that.”

The ring, shaped with intertwined gold and silver, featured a finely cut emerald in an oval shape.

You were preparing this all along… I thought you were just busy with work. Ugh. Neglecting your duties as ruler!

Well, you did stabilize the nation after becoming Emperor! The country is secure, but if you had focused on ruling instead of this ring, things might have settled quicker!

The ring on my finger, designed with an open band rather than a closed circle, was much larger than my rock-like fingers.

Hmm. Well, it makes sense given these rough, thick fingers would require a much larger size.

Arthur lightly touched the broken part of the ring and applied a bit of force.

The separated ring slowly contracted, adjusting to fit my finger perfectly.

“Teacher. Even if you don’t accept my confession, knowing that I loved you is enough.”

Such a heartfelt declaration filled with deep emotion. If I were an ordinary human woman, I’d definitely have fallen for it.

But I’m not an ordinary human woman!!

“No, even so, liking a rock pile like this is unacceptable. Arthur needs to meet a good person and be happy. You need to welcome a proper queen, have children, and continue the Romania Empire! It’s your duty as Emperor! Your happiness isn’t a right but an obligation!”

“How can I be happy without you by my side?”

“Ah, come on…”

How can someone like a form made of roughly stacked rocks?

Unless they saw my true form! Even I admit that appearance is that of a beautiful young girl!

Sigh… How did you end up with such strange desires?

I sighed again.

What a troublesome student indeed.

Though I can’t accept his feelings…

“I’m sorry, but I still can’t accept your feelings.”

“Teacher…”

“No, I’m not human, just this rocky body, and I’m practically on my last legs? Accepting your feelings would only wound you, Arthur.”

“You’d wound me either way.”

“No, that’s not what I mean!”

Arthur seemed to be trying to lighten the mood with a playful tone, though the emotions behind it were incredibly complex.

“Seriously… I wanted to have a calm final conversation before departing. Look what you’ve done, Arthur.”

“I’m sorry, Teacher.”

With his head bowed, Arthur wouldn’t look up after hearing my words.

But I shouldn’t let it be like this.

One-sided farewells leave only pain. We should face each other directly and part without resentment.

Thus…

“Arthur, lift your head.”

I said while looking at Arthur.

“You’re my proud student. Lift your head. With confidence. You’re the finest person among all humans on this land.”

Because you’re the Emperor. The sovereign above all others.

There likely isn’t anyone more excellent than Arthur.

“Teacher…”

“I’m leaving, but Arthur must continue living. So forget about me.”

“How could I possibly do that? You’re my benefactor, my teacher, and the person I love. How could I ever forget you?”

“The farewell will be painful. The hurt will linger for a long time. But such wounds from parting will gradually heal over time. Time is the special medicine that heals those wounds.”

Arthur’s eyes were already moist with tears.

Unable to suppress the overflowing sadness, perhaps.

“So even if I leave, Arthur must go on living. Be happy. Achieve your goals and revive this nation. And try to mostly forget about me. Just remembering that I once existed in a corner of your heart is enough for me.”

“…”

“Can you do that, Arthur?”

“I don’t know. How could I ever forget about you, Teacher?”

“Time will reveal the answer.”

Shaking his head slightly in response to my words, Arthur replied.

“I lack confidence. Just imagining a world without you is already so painful. How can I endure this pain? How long can I bear this suffering? Without you, even breathing seems difficult. How could I ever forget you and continue living?”

Speaking with a voice dampened by moisture, Arthur continued.

“It’s alright. Arthur will be fine… But if you lack confidence in yourself…”

I raised my hand and gently patted Arthur’s head.

“It’s alright. Since Arthur believes in himself… If you lack confidence in yourself, believe in me.”

“In me?”

“Believe in me who believes in you. I believe you can do it.”

Since Arthur can… After enduring long education and training beyond the limits of humanity, Arthur surely can.

“It’s alright. Though this body will cease here, I will always watch over you and Bibe. So please, move forward. Be happy, Arthur.”

Slowly, the rock that had paused at my chest began to rise again.

It seems my time has truly come.

“Teacher…”

“Don’t cry, Arthur. And Bibe too.”

Bibe, who had been watching us from a distance, was already quietly sobbing.

I signaled to her with a light gesture, and she quickly approached me.

“There’s always a parting where there’s a meeting. Neither of you should be too sad.”

“I’m grateful. Everything is just… Thank you so much…”

“T, Teacher… No, Mama…”

I briefly embraced Arthur and Bibe. Now, it’s truly time to part.

“I’ll give Arthur a final gift.”

“Huh?”

“Since there’s famine throughout Romania, it’s causing quite a headache. As my final act… I’ll resolve that problem for you. This will be my last gift to Arthur.”

Arthur couldn’t fully raise his head in response to my words.

Is he happy? Sad? Regretful? I don’t know. Too many complex emotions were swirling inside.

At my words, Bibe nearby made a slightly pouting face… Ah, trivial. It’s trivial.

Then, my final farewell to both of you.

“I was happy to be your teacher.”

With that, the wise one quietly closed their eyes.

The rock rising from the chest spread over the breast, neck, and shoulders.

The sounds of Arthur and Bibe’s crying reached my ears. But it’s alright. These two will surely do well.

Even without me, they can become happy.

And thus, the sage’s body completely turned to stone, unable to move.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

The deep forest sage, now fully transformed into stone, ceased moving.

Simultaneously, the sage’s body, which resembled crude rocks, began crumbling apart.

As if no longer able to maintain this form, the rock body started scattering.

Despite Arthur and Bibe’s hurried attempts to do something… Their actions were slower than the scattering of the sage’s body.

Accompanied by a bit of dust, the rock mass that was the sage fell away like shedding a shell.

Inside revealed a beautiful marble statue of a woman.

As if this was the sage’s true form.

The only thing remaining on the statue’s left ring finger was a beautiful ring adorned with an emerald.