Maid Final Chapter

[…Hey,]

Ketorami approached me with an indescribable look on his face.

[Maito… have you been left behind?]

Hunter approached my feet with a look of concern.

[Oh dear, you got left behind? You really are clumsy,]

Glida came over, her voice gentle.

[…Is this a bad situation for Maito-sama?]

[Is it?]

[Is it?]

Stop it. Stop tilting your heads all at once. I’ll throw a shrimp fry at you.

…And then, even Terra and Shura came over, looking concerned.

The maid dolls also had a “huh?” look as they stared at me.

Yes. It’s good to have such fine monster companions and doll friends.

…Well, I know what the solution is.

…I’ve always had a feeling I’d be left behind. Not in this sense, though.

What I felt for them was more respect than friendship.

So, I thought I couldn’t catch up, or maybe I’d always be like this.

…But I never expected to be left behind in this way.

Especially since I had just started to feel like I wouldn’t be left behind.

…I think I wished not to be left behind when I came to this world.

And perhaps, as a means to that end, I was given the abilities of a “Maid” in this world.

I was meant to wait.

Not to progress alongside everyone.

But in the end, I wasn’t left behind.

…Now I can say it.

I probably won’t be left behind when I return to the original world.

In just over a year, we will part ways. …Well, because of the difference in academic abilities… yeah, let’s not think about that.

So, probably, we’ll head in different directions.

But the speed, not the direction, but the magnitude of the vector…

…I think I can stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

If I’m going to be left behind, I might as well leave them behind first. Let’s stop that.

After all, we’re human, and we’ll part ways someday, but there’s no need for it to be now.

It wouldn’t hurt to enjoy ourselves a little longer.

“Goddess, Demon Lord,”

When I visited the Abyssal Crystal Palace, the Demon Lord and Goddess were sitting across from each other with a chessboard between them.

“Please tell me the third way to return to the original world.”

“…I see. So, you’ve been left behind,”

After explaining to the Goddess and Demon Lord, I received an indescribable look.

Then, the Demon Lord made tea, and the Goddess brought out incredibly delicious fruits as a substitute for tea snacks.

This is super delicious.

It has a floral aroma, juicy yet smooth texture, a strong but clean sweetness, and a slightly strong acidity that complements it.

It’s similar to peaches or pears but smoother and richer.

I want to take this back with me.

“I have something to confirm. Have I become one with the Origin?”

While enjoying the tea and fruit, I asked about my concern.

“If you have become one, it would have been when you were dropped into this world. ‘Sharing’ was supposed to slightly alter the direction of the magical power from the ‘Void Sphere’ towards Maito herself. However… it is no longer the ‘Void Sphere.’ …Its form has completely vanished, and it has become a mere conduit for transporting magical power to your world.”

Hmm, so can I assume I’m not counted among the Origins?

…Considering the compass pointed at me, the temple’s count must include me.

“Because of this, even though your magical power was high, the usable magic was low. If it was being siphoned from the Origin, it wouldn’t be useful. …For that, we put undue strain on Maito. Truly sorry.”

Ah, so that’s the logic behind my zero combat ability. Huh.

It’s somewhat of a relief.

“Well then… the third way to return to the original world,”

The Goddess stood up and said,

“Go beyond the edge of the world. Keep believing and move forward.”

After a moment of hesitation, she added,

“The key to surpassing the world’s edge is here.”

A beautiful blue key appeared in the Goddess’s hand.

“And… if you desire it, defeat me!”

…So that’s how it is.

The Goddess looked stern yet pained.

The Demon Lord also looked tense.

Well, that’s how it is.

It’s decided, but they really don’t want to do it. That’s the impression.

I have no complaints, and I’m actually eager.

“How about we decide the outcome with a game of Daifugo?”

After all, how often do you get the chance to play card games with a Goddess and a Demon Lord?

When I suggested playing Daifugo, the relieved expressions on the faces of the Goddess and the Demon Lord were priceless.

Yeah, because even the Demon Lord would be gone in an instant in a physical fight, there’s no way I could win.

“Is Domitrius participating too?”

“…Fiana, if we play just the two of us, all the cards I don’t have would be in your hand. It wouldn’t be a fair game.”

Right. That’s the situation.

“So, if I rank higher than the Goddess, I win.”

“Very well. Let’s begin.”

We borrowed a deck of cards similar to playing cards from the Demon Lord’s collection to start the game.

…These cards, apparently crafted by the Demon Lord himself, were made from thinly shaved gems and metalwork, reaching the realm of artisanal craftsmanship.

And true to the Demon Lord’s reputation, each card was enchanted with anti-cheating magic, ensuring a fair game.

“Domitrius will start then.”

The order was Demon Lord → Goddess → me.

“It’s been a while.”

The Demon Lord laid down the Club of 5.

“Hmm, then this.”

The Goddess followed with the Diamond of 6. Sharp move.

“Then, I’ll play this.”

I put down the Heart of 2.

The game progressed steadily.

And I wasn’t nervous at all.

The Goddess said, “Defeat me.” She didn’t say, “Don’t lose to me.”

So, I could challenge her again and again until I eventually won, probably.

“Let’s cut with an 8 and start a revolution.”

“Counter-revolution.”

…Well, with just three players, and those players being the Goddess and the Demon Lord, I anticipated a tumultuous game, but this is something else.

What’s with this counter-revolution!

“Double 9. No one? Then sequence 9, 10, J. No? Then cutting with an 8 and finishing with a 5.”

I won.

Having played Daifugo countless times with everyone, remembering which cards were played became a skill I mastered.

Thus, in aspects other than luck, I stood on equal ground with the Goddess and the Demon Lord.

…And since it was a game involving luck, had it been a pure strategy game like chess, I definitely wouldn’t have stood a chance.

“Hmm, I’ve been defeated.”

The Goddess said, seemingly a bit pleased.

“Here is the promised key. Use it when you reach the edge of the world to open the door.”

As she placed the chain with the key around my neck, the Goddess closed her eyes.

“The journey will be long and arduous. Proceed with caution. …You may resent me if you wish. Please.”

“I will resent you. A lot. So, in return, please take care of this world.”

Cutting off the Goddess’s words and looking straight into her reopened blue eyes, the sky quivered slightly.

“Let’s make a promise. This world will never again be subjected to such events.”

With no magical power left, there’s not much the Goddess can do.

But there are always ways, and I believe this Goddess will find a way.

“Take this with you. It will support you.”

The Demon Lord handed me headphones made of red stones and metalwork.

“If you grow weary on your journey, place these to your ears. …Though they could be a narcotic to the weak-hearted, you should be fine.”

I tried them on.

…And I heard voices.

Casual conversations, strategy meetings, calls of my name.

“Thank you. I think I can do this.”

These voices will become nostalgic, and the journey might be so long I forget them.

Yet, I will return. Return and, from now on…

…This resolve is one of the things I’ve gained in this world.

I believe coming to this world wasn’t unfortunate.

After returning to the surface, I began packing.

“Teleportation” might not work, so I took food and water.

And, sentimentally, items that would remind me of this world.

How long the journey will be, I have no idea.

In the end, I decided to go with the flow.

If “Teleportation” doesn’t work, I’ll think of something then.

[Hey,]

I heard Ketorami’s voice.

[I’m going. I’ll give you a ride.]

…Looking around, everyone was there. Hunter, Glida, Marbello, the dragons, even the maid dolls.

“It’s going to be a long and hard journey. Are you still coming?”

The Goddess said it would be a long journey.

…So, I probably shouldn’t take them, I think.

But they understand and refuse to back down.

“Yeah. Then, please.”

Ketorami’s tail brushed against me, affirming my decision.

“Alright, ‘Teleport’!”

First, we moved to the edge of the world.

It was the same as the last time I came here.

The lacy patterns the waves drew on the sand, the distant horizon, and even the madder-red sky.

Walking towards the sea, I again touched something like a wall.

“This is it, right?”

Inserting the key the Goddess gave me, I slowly turned it.

…I thought I heard a clicking sound.

I continued on, beyond the edge of the world.

It seemed I could walk on the waves here, as if there was glass laid over the water.

Watching the setting sun, I progressed, carried by Ketorami.

Eventually, the moon rose in the sky.

…Come to think of it, I forgot to ask Suzumoto about the stars in this world’s sky.

It would have been interesting to hear.

…Since it’s going to be a long journey, it might be nice to memorize all the stars in this world before returning.

After a while, I realized something.

It seems neither eating nor sleeping is necessary here.

Neither tiredness nor hunger afflicted me or Ketorami and the others.

Yeah, maybe we didn’t need the food after all.

Probably about a month had passed.

Well, I stopped counting along the way. It turns out I’m not very patient.

As I proceeded, talking with Ketorami and sometimes switching to ride Glida or Marbello (and occasionally, Terra and Shura, along with the dragons, would carry me), I occasionally relied on the headphones given by the Demon Lord.

Just moving forward endlessly.

Continuing endlessly.

The scenery doesn’t change; it’s always just the sky and the sea, with no significant alterations.

Neither the sun nor the moon seems to get any closer, and the shore has long been out of sight.

The distinction between day and night keeps me from losing track of time.

Whether that’s fortunate or unfortunate…

…Well, it’s better than losing my sense of time altogether.

I’ve genuinely lost track of how long it’s been.

It feels like we’ve run out of topics to discuss.

Or maybe I’ve forgotten what we talked about at the beginning, and we’re looping, or maybe it’s new topics; I can’t tell.

I was prepared, to be honest, but this is really long.

I wonder how much longer it will last.

I’m starting to doubt my own sanity.

I can still communicate with Ketorami and the others, so I’m probably fine. Probably.

…Feeling a bit ominous, I tried nibbling on some dried meat, and it was shockingly impactful.

“Flavor” is truly marvelous!

I feel like the stars are changing.

Or maybe it’s just my eyes or mind playing tricks on me.

Nevertheless, the headphones from the Demon Lord have been incredibly valuable.

Without them, I might have forgotten various things.

Unlike a tape, there’s no worry about them wearing out no matter how many times I listen.

If it were a tape, it would definitely be worn out by now.

When I came to a place with one door and one gate just sitting there, it felt surreal after so long of seeing nothing but Ketorami, the others, and the sky and sea. We probably spent a whole day there going, “Wow, what’s this? What’s this?”

Beyond the gate wasn’t the sky or the sea but a forest. Even going around to the gate’s opposite side, there was still a forest.

…Ah, it seems like a “Return from here” kind of gate.

[…Is this where we part ways?]

It seems this is where Ketorami and the others can return.

We all understood that.

[…Maito, take care.]

Hunter wrapped around my waist, saying farewell.

[Ha, I might have spent about half my life with you.]

Glida might be right. I wouldn’t be surprised if decades had passed.

[Well, take care.]

Glida said and quickly passed through the gate, true to her straightforward nature.

[Maito-sama, it was an indescribable period, but thank you for everything!]

[Miss Maito, I, Marbello, will never forget you!]

[Actually, I can’t forget you! Take care!]

Marbello also said goodbye and went through the gate.

[Please say hello to Kadomi-kun for me.]

[And to Hagasaki-kun as well.]

Terra and Shura (indeed, they had created a pass during this long time. Otherwise, we couldn’t have spoken) briefly bid farewell and went through the gate.

The dragons, each mentioning their masters’ names (they remembered well. Oh, monsters’ lifespans aren’t like humans’. So, it makes sense) and left.

The maid dolls lined up in the air and saluted, so I saluted back.

They stared at me for a second before disappearing through the gate.

Finally, Hunter and Ketorami remained.

[…I thought you were going to die.]

“Funny, I thought I was going to die too.”

I felt it suited me, and I couldn’t imagine anything else.

If I was going to be left behind, then so be it. It’s better to die from the start. That sort of thing.

[Seriously, what a letdown.]

Ketorami grumbled, giving me one last stroke with his tail.

[…Take care.]

[Take care, indeed.]

“Yeah. …Ketorami, Hunter… take care.”

Then, Ketorami wagged his tail in response, and Hunter rode on him as they looked back at me and passed through the gate.

And they were gone.

…I also need to go.

The other door, not locked, opened easily.

…It seemed to lead inside a building.

I found myself in a circular room, extending high upwards, with a spiral staircase running along the wall continuously.

Well, since I can see where it leads, it doesn’t seem like a struggle at all.

Reaching the top, there was a door.

Opening it, light flooded in all at once.

When I opened my eyes, I was at the top of a clock tower.

Below was a world that felt both entirely new and strangely familiar.

Giant gears meshed and turned in mid-air.

Beyond rows of decorative golden gears were silver gears of a more practical design.

The precisely moving gears, the large clock tower they seemed to power, and the mechanically themed world that somehow functioned despite its apparent contradictions.

Turning around, I saw a field of flowers stretching out behind me.

…It was reminiscent of the blue flower field in the abyss.

Everywhere I looked, 360 degrees around, was a world to my liking.

I’ve pondered where this might be.

A long time ago… after the battle with Glida, when I was on the brink of death or something ambiguous, I came here following the world of mirrors and glass made by Glida.

…Somehow, I can tell. This is probably my world.

The world inside me. Ahead, beautiful gears turn in the vast sky, the sky is endlessly beautiful, and behind, a field like the blue flower field of the abyss stretches on.

I’m truly happy that I could come to love this world.

Then, unnoticed until now… it was there.

Arms in four pairs, floating without legs. Its face, white and initially featureless, had glass pieces embedded where eyes should be, allowing them to be seen.

Those eyes seemed to be smiling.

It pointed behind me. There was another door there.

I waved at it and opened the door.

This door, too, didn’t need a key. It opened with a touch.

…Suddenly, I remembered the edge of the world from long ago. Perhaps, that wall didn’t really need a key either. Or maybe that’s just my imagination.

Beyond the door was a place that seemed to have nothing much.

But there was a very nostalgic presence.

Feeling as if I was being called, I couldn’t help but start running.

Just moving forward. Continuing endlessly.

It was to meet, to talk, to say “I’m home,” and to hear “Welcome back.”

In essence, to return.

I will keep moving forward, wherever it takes me.