After-Story Chapter 17: Merula Returns to Her Homeland

This was a jungle path on the Mother Island of the Garlan Spirit Kingdom.

Merula Merlin was traveling along the unpaved road, riding a creature somewhere between an ostrich and an ornithomimus. The creature, named Jagjag, only lived on the two islands of the Garlan Spirit Kingdom. Though too timid for military use, it was a common means of daily transportation for the High Elves (akin to a city bike).

As she exited the jungle onto a wider street, she could see a settlement where houses were fitted directly into the hollows of gigantic trees or built atop thick branches, like treehouses. This was a typical townscape in the Garlan Spirit Kingdom.

(The scenery hasn’t changed, even after hundreds of years… for better or worse,) Merula thought, gazing at the landscape of her homeland, which she had not visited for a very long time.

Merula had been ostracized as an outcast by her fellow High Elves and banned from her homeland when she chose to leave the Garlan Spirit Kingdom during its period of isolation. However, recently, the Spirit Kingdom, led by King Garula and Princess Elulu, had pivoted towards reform and openness. Furthermore, Merula’s role as a liaison with the Kingdom of Friedonia had led to her ban being lifted.

And so, on this day, Merula returned to her homeland after an invitation from King Garula, treading the soil of her birth after an unimaginably long time. Due to the long period of isolation, the landscape of this settlement had barely changed.

(Ah, but a fountain plaza has been constructed,) she noted.

A fountain plaza featuring a viewing orb for broadcast programs had been installed in the center of the settlement. Since the Garlan Spirit Kingdom did not produce its own broadcasts, this must have been installed to view foreign ones. It was a sign of the High Elves’ shift in attitude toward the outside world.

(This antiquated country will also change eventually, won’t it?)

The High Elves, a long-lived race, are patient. Since their lifespan is far greater than that of the Humans or Beastmen, they are not rushed to change things quickly. Still, if they begin accepting the outside world, they will gradually change.

Just as Merula was thinking this, a voice called down from above.

“You must be Lady Merula.”

Merula looked up and saw three female High Elf soldiers with bows slung over their backs on the treetops. Since they were not aiming their bows and the group consisted only of women, they were likely just messengers sent by King Garula to greet her. Sure enough:

“We have come to meet you by command of King Garula. Please follow this way; we shall lead you,” one of the female soldiers said, then leaped from tree to tree, guiding Merula.

It seemed they were heading not for the settlement, but the mountain behind it. Merula urged her Jagjag to follow. After proceeding along the mountain path for a while, they reached a clearing on the mountainside. There stood a colossal tree, perhaps thousands of years old, and at its base was a small shrine about the height of a person.

In front of the shrine stood King Garula of the Spirit Kingdom. Garula seemed lost in thought, gazing at the shrine, unaware of Merula’s arrival. Merula dismounted her Jagjag and approached Garula. It was then that Garula finally noticed her.

“Merula Merlin. Thank you for coming.” Garula said in a gentle voice.

Merula smiled back. “Thank you for the invitation, King Garula.”

“There is no need to be formal. You are neither my retainer nor a citizen of this country now.”

“Oh, really? Then I’ll speak normally.” Merula’s tone immediately became casual as she looked at the shrine. “Is this shrine perhaps…”

“Yes. It is Gerula’s grave.”

Gerula Garlan. Garula’s younger brother, who held a general-like position in the Spirit Kingdom. He passed away after contracting the demon-bug illness, which was an unknown disease at the time. However, Gerula contributed greatly to establishing a cure by offering his diseased body as a specimen to the medical team in the Kingdom of Friedonia, so his death was not in vain. That man now rested beneath this shrine.

“It seems too small for a royal grave, doesn’t it?” Merula commented.

Garula chuckled softly. “He was never a man who favored lavish decorations. I thought it best to bury him quietly at the base of this great tree, which overlooks the settlement.”

“Hmm… Well, that’s fine, isn’t it? It looks like it gets plenty of sun here.” Merula said, then stretched widely.

Garula then turned to Merula and lowered his head. Merula’s eyes widened at the sudden gesture.

“W-What? What’s wrong, all of a sudden?”

“I summoned you here because I wanted to thank you at this very spot. You saw Gerula off, didn’t you?”

“…I didn’t ‘see him off.’ I just had a short talk with him at the end.”

“Even so. To be able to exchange words with a fellow countryman, even in a distant foreign land, would have been a comfort. For Gerula… and for me, who could not be there.”

“…I accept your sentiment. So, you’re welcome.”

Garula wanted to do what was right. So Merula allowed him to do so, as a tribute to the deceased Gerula. Merula cleared her throat, breaking the somber atmosphere.

“By the way, isn’t Princess Elulu here? She returned to the Mother Island, didn’t she?”

Garula shook his head with a wry smile. “No, Elulu is imposing upon Lord Shuukin in the Great Tiger Kingdom. She claims she wants to be a bridge between this country and the continent, to study the continent on the continental side… but she likely just wants to be near Lord Shuukin.”

“So, she’s fully intent on marrying him. Is that alright with you, as her father?”

“…I’m not without my concerns, but if that is what she wishes, I don’t object.”

“Oh, you’re surprisingly understanding. Are you really sure? Even if she marries Lord Shuukin, the Celestial Race only lives as long as Humans, so she’ll likely pass away suddenly within a few decades.”

“It cannot be helped. That too is the fate of a long-lived race.” Garula looked toward the shrine. “Even a long-lived race can lose their life young, due to illness or war. That is no different from the short-lived races. In that case, I believe that spending that day and that moment with the person one wishes to be closest to is the way to truly enjoy a long life without boredom.”

“Ah… I kind of understand that.” Merula thought of Excel Walter.

Because she is a long-lived race, Excel has experienced countless encounters and farewells, yet she enjoys life by continuing to engage with the people who are present in the moment. Of course, those around her who get dragged along might not appreciate it.

Garula then looked at Merula. “Is there no one for you? No one you wish to be close to in this era?”

“…Well, I wouldn’t say there isn’t anyone.”

Soji and Mary’s faces immediately came to Merula’s mind. They were religious figures, which in many ways made them Merula’s natural enemies as a scientist, but she enjoyed the life of lighthearted banter they shared. Being with those two—that was probably how Merula was enjoying the present most…

So, she said, “Alright then. I’ve accepted your thanks, so I’m heading back.”

With that, Merula turned on her heel. Garula’s eyes widened at this.

“You just arrived! I thought you would stay for a while, since this is your first return home in ages…”

“I intended to, but hearing your story made me homesick.”

Homesick. Merula may have been born on this island, but her true home was the house she shared with Soji and Mary. Garula, sensing her feelings without needing to know the details, spoke to her back.

“If you ever tire of life on the continent, you are welcome to return. I will accept you anytime.”

“Sure. I’ll think about it in about a hundred years.”

And without looking back, Merula started on her way home.