Author: Akashari	Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Mui	English Source: Re:Library

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

“To get straight to the point—Yuuri Rin’s death was murder.”
“Sh-She died!?”
“Momo, we’re talking about a thousand years ago. Most living things are dead by now.”
“Ah… right, that makes sense…”

Well, knowing her, it wouldn’t have been surprising if she were still alive, as long as she kept drinking.

But Yuuri Rin died a thousand years ago—not peacefully of old age, but at the hands of senseless malice.

“M-Murder? No way… what kind of monster could’ve done that!?”
“A human. Not that I know of any other creatures capable of handling firearms.”
“That… yes, I suppose it would have to be a human.”
“I wasn’t there when it happened. By the time I got back to the inn from running errands, she was already dead. One shot to the heart—instant death.”

For someone I thought couldn’t die no matter what, it had been an unexpectedly abrupt end.

I’d done my best to lay her to rest in accordance with the customs of her homeland, yet even after a thousand years, her death still didn’t feel real to me.

“There was a war going on back then. I’ve long forgotten the stupid reasons behind it. But a lot of kids in the slums lost their families in the fighting.”
“A war from a thousand years ago… You must mean the Cataclysmic War!”
“I wouldn’t know what it’s called these days. All I remember is, they were desperate for manpower back then. Wizards and sorcerers were valuable assets.”
“I see… and Lady Rin was one of them.”
“She hated war. Refused conscription too. So I understood why she was killed.”
“They feared she might turn against them, so they decided to eliminate her themselves, I see.”

But understanding isn’t the same as accepting. I could never accept Yuuri Rin’s death. And so I lashed out at the war itself, using the means she would have hated most.

“…If I say any more, this will get long. I’m tired. Have I cleared myself of suspicion?”
“More than enough. I owe you an apology for ever doubting you.”
“Indeed! How dare you suspect the Hero of Aldebaran!”
“You’re too quick to accept everything, that’s the problem! That’s exactly why people say wizards have no sense of restraint—”
“Take your argument elsewhere. If you’re done here, we’d like to head back. I’ve got students waiting outside.”
“My apologies. I’ll offer a proper apology later…”
“Just send some sweets to our inn. That’ll settle it. Come on, Momo.”
“Yes, sir!”

I took Momo with me and began climbing (floating up) the stairs back to the surface.

They still seemed intent on arguing for a while, but since it was underground, there was no risk of the fight spilling outside. Best to leave them to it.

“Momo, that was a textbook example of how reckless actions can ruin you. Don’t ever copy that.”
“Yes! I’m really sorry about this time!”
“I’ve given my warning, and you’ve reflected on your actions—that’s the end of it. If you don’t improve, I’ll just leave you behind.”
“I’ll do my best! And if you do leave me behind, I’ll cling to you anyway!”
“Please just give up when that time comes…”

With Momo, it wasn’t just a possibility—she was almost guaranteed to actually do it.

What she’d need then was both physical endurance and mental fortitude. Might be a good idea to start training now.

“Oh, have you finished your secret talk? We’ve been handling the aftermath over here.”
“White-haired teacher, this saint is a slave-driver!”
“Get used to it, Plerion. That’s how people in charge always are.”

When we returned to the surface, we found the saint—wearing a helmet and directing the site.

Around her, the soot-smeared followers of Ascles were busily moving rubble and timber. Plerion was among them, grumbling as he helped.

Though her condition was cured, Stell—still convalescent—was sitting at the edge of the work site watching. Someone must have treated her, because she was holding a baked snack in her hand.

“They’re surprisingly efficient. Might be more experienced than the professionals.”
“Well, it seems this kind of conflict isn’t a first for them. I’ve heard this isn’t the first or the second time their homes have been destroyed.”
“They’re all powerful, so stopping them by force is tough. I’m guessing the reasons are always stupid anyway.”
“Last time, apparently they were arguing over whose territory was larger—measuring it down to the millimeter.”

“That’s at least ten times dumber than I imagined.”
“No matter how silly it seems to outsiders, people always have their own lines that can’t be crossed. Isn’t that true for you too, Ms. Laika?”
“…Hah. Who knows?”
“Hey, white hair! Stop ignoring me already and let me go home!”
“Plerion, don’t call a girl ‘white hair.’ Master has beautiful, true white hair.”
“Don’t treat me like a little girl. And how is that any different?”
“I don’t know, it just feels different somehow!”

I didn’t get it either, but it seemed Momo had her own personal sense of what mattered. Better not to get involved—too much trouble.

Still, being treated like a woman still felt weird to me. I had only myself to blame, but this body really was a hassle.

I wonder if I’d ever get used to it. And if I did… what would that mean for how I saw myself? Would I actually end up dating men?

“…Yeah, I should stop thinking too hard about it. Saint, I think we’ll head out now.”
“Understood. Then, may I borrow Plerion just a little longer?”
“I don’t mind. Come on, Stell, let’s head back.”
“…Mm.”
“Wait, no one told me about this!? I’m a wizard! Let me go with you—!!”
“By the way, in Thuru’s teachings, there’s this idea that strong men are popular with women,” Saint added.
“…This is helping people, that’s all. I’ll stick around a bit longer before heading back.”
“Right. Do your best.”

Leaving the poor lamb to be toyed with in the palm of her hand, I set off for home with the sleepy Stell in tow.

The sky was already completely dark. That drowsiness probably wasn’t a lingering symptom of Magic Crystallization Syndrome—just plain exhaustion.

As for Plerion, well… he was definitely going to wake up sore tomorrow. He had my sympathies.

“…Come to think of it, I should probably start training my body too.”
“Master, shouldn’t you begin by building enough stamina just to start training?”
“Don’t underestimate me. I can handle basic workouts just fine, even with this body!”

I didn’t yet know that, later that night, I’d pass out before completing even a single sit-up. Nor that, come morning, I’d be giving my lecture while suffering from the same muscle pain as Plerion.

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