Volume 3 Chapter 47 Even If It's Sad, Tomorrow Is Waiting
When the wavy view settled down, it turned out to be a peaceful countryside scene.
A vast forest and huge mountains.
Scattered wheat fields.
A small house on a hill.
"Is this Victor Territory?"
Randy muttered with a frown, and Ellie quickly turned back to the oval device.
"It looks like it worked."
Just as Ellie nodded, the device showed a date from 7 years ago in the center.
"Weren't we talking about something from 1,200 years ago?"
"I don't know. This is my first time time-traveling too."
Randy whispered, "That makes sense," as he watched Ellie stare at the device with a serious face. They had said this was a stopover, so something might happen when they activated the tower next.
"For now, let's focus on why we came to this time──"
"My home──."
Luke, who had been looking out the window, quietly said. When they rushed to the window, they saw Luke's small childhood home right below them. Luke and his family had chosen to live on the outskirts of town to avoid bothering the people of Victor, and Randy recognized the place well since he had visited many times.
After Luke's mother passed away, he grew up with Randy and the others in the mansion, so even though it had been a while, he still remembered the house clearly.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Alright then."
As Luke and Randy nodded, Ellie touched the crystal in the center again.
"I'm going to create a path between here and that house... We don't have much time. Also──"
"Don't worry. I'll make sure no one sees us."
Randy turned back, and Ellie silently nodded before activating the crystal again. For a brief moment, the scenery distorted, and then a house appeared outside the window. They didn't know how it worked, but it seemed they could use this path to get to Luke's house.
Just as they thought that, a path of light appeared in front of them. It stretched straight toward the house, and as they realized it was the path, a small Luke suddenly jumped out, shouting, "Shut up! Who asked for this?!"
"That's..."
"That's me as a kid. Damn, I was so cheeky."
Luke clenched his fists, and Randy pushed him, saying, "Now's not the time to be talking! Let's hurry!"
If Randy's memory was correct, her mother, Grace, would visit here a few hours after Luke ran out of the house. By then, her condition had already worsened, and they had rushed to call a priest, but it was too late to save her.
Many people visited Luke's mother, and just before young Luke returned home, she passed away surrounded by many residents.
So they had a few hours until Grace arrived. But they didn't know how much time they had before her condition got worse. There was no time to waste, so Randy pushed Luke toward the glowing path.
The 3 of them──Luke, Cecilia, and Randy──made it inside the house through the glowing path. Ellie stayed behind at the tower, ready to handle any unexpected situations.
They moved straight through the familiar house until Luke stopped in front of a door. He raised his fist to knock but hesitated, stopping a few times in front of the door.
No one could tell Luke to hurry. After hesitating 2 or 3 times, Luke slowly knocked on the door with his trembling fist.
'...Yes?'
A weak woman's voice came from behind the door. It was a voice he recognized, and for some reason, it made Randy's heart ache.
Luke slowly opened the door with his still shaking hands──
There was Luke's mother, Martha, sitting up in bed. She had a face very similar to Luke's and blonde hair. Even though she looked sick, the wind blowing in from the window gently swayed her hair, making her look beautiful.
"...Luke?"
Even after 7 years, she recognized him right away; she was definitely his mother.
"Mom..."
With tears in his eyes, Luke rushed to Martha and hugged her.
"W-What happened? You left suddenly, and now you've grown up and come back."
Martha looked confused, and her eyes met Randy's. She was wearing a robe and had her right arm in a sling, looking completely unwell...
"Sir Randolph, you've grown a lot, huh?"
"Long time no see, Ms. Martha."
Randy scratched his cheek awkwardly, and Martha gave a confused smile, saying, "But we met just yesterday."
"Well, there are some things going on... we came from the future."
"The future, huh?"
Martha tilted her head, and Luke hurriedly apologized about the fight they had that morning, saying, "Yeah, Mom, 7 years ago... I mean──"
"You came from the future just to say that?"
Martha's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Luke, saying, "Wasn't it dangerous?"
"Oh, it wasn't dangerous at all. With me and Randy here, we can handle anything."
Luke pouted, still looking like the boy he was 7 years ago. Martha smiled gently at him and said, "You haven't changed at all," while patting his head with kind eyes.
"Come on, stop it... I'm already 19, you know?"
Luke looked embarrassed, but he didn't push Martha's hand away.
They continued their little moment for a while, but then Martha sadly looked out the window.
"Yeah... 7 years from now. So, I guess this really is goodbye today."
Seeing Martha's sad face, Luke shook his head vigorously, saying, "No way, that's not true."
"I apologized, so there's nothing to worry about──."
Martha shook her head and showed him a small bottle on her bedside. It was a strong painkiller. It stops pain and eases suffering... a medicine for someone who can't be saved anymore, to help them feel less pain.
This showed that Martha was already in a situation where she could go at any time.
"That's a lie... if I just apologize..."
Kneeling down, Luke had been worried all along.
He thought that maybe his mom's sudden change in health that day was because they had fought. So, he probably thought that if he came here to apologize, maybe he could save her... but reality wasn't that easy.
Even though time was running out, Luke still knelt there, whispering, "It's a lie." Back when he was just playing around, his mom had already been in a body that couldn't be saved.
As Luke felt crushed, Cecilia wiped away the tears that were welling up in her eyes and said, "Luke..."
"Hey, Luke... Lucas Highland!"
It wasn't a loud shout. But Randy's voice, deep and strong, made Luke turn around.
"Luke, lift your head. Why are you here? Did you come to show Ms. Martha your whiny self after 7 years?"
Luke looked at Randy with a confused expression, saying, "What do you mean...?"
"The only thing you should say now is one thing! Why did you come here?"
Luke's face lit up with realization as he wiped his tears and lifted his head.
"Mom... I worked hard for the future starting today. So, just relax, okay?"
Luke began to share his adventures that would continue for the next 7 years. He talked about training hard, almost dying at times, but having fun and growing with Randy.
He became a knight in Victor Territory.
Now, he was on a mission, protecting the Count's daughter from a neighboring country...
"Her name is Cecilia, the lady I'm serving."
When Luke introduced Cecilia, Martha looked genuinely happy and smiled at her.
"I'm Cecilia von Hartfield."
With Cecilia giving a graceful curtsy, the 3 of them started a conversation that seemed like it would never end.
They talked about how great Luke was as a knight.
Of course, they also shared stories from everyday life and little fun things, and Randy let out a small sigh. A lot of time had already passed since they got here. And Martha, looking a bit tired, was probably reaching her limit.
Randy wanted to let them enjoy the conversation a bit longer, but he thought it was time to wrap things up. Just then, he noticed Ellie standing there with an exasperated look.
"I've been waiting for a long time."
"We couldn't leave."
Randy shrugged, and Ellie murmured, "I see," as she walked over to the 3 of them.
"Luke, your time's up."
"Is that it already?" Cecilia looked down sadly as Ellie spoke coldly.
"Your mother, her body is already at its limit. It's best to lie down."
At Ellie's words, Luke muttered, "Mother?" and finally noticed the sweat beading on her forehead.
"This is too much for her body. It could even become a possibility to change the past."
Luke nodded and stood up, saying, "I understand," to Ellie, who sighed.
"But...I'm not a demon either."
Ellie laughed and raised her staff, and a faint light enveloped Martha's body.
"I can't extend your life. But until death embraces you, I can make sure you feel no pain."
Is that okay? Randy didn't ask such a rude question. According to history, by the time Grace arrived, Martha was already on her deathbed. In pain, her face contorted, and the panicked Grace gathered various people. Those who had a close relationship with Martha.
But if she can no longer feel pain, won't the future change? He thought, but if Ellie is doing it, there's probably no problem.
Martha, who can move again, will undoubtedly run out of time soon. A small carriage can be seen on the road outside the window. The carriage that Grace is probably riding in.
"Luke..."
Randy gestured to the window with his chin, and Luke also understood the situation. It was impossible to stay any longer in any case.
So...so finally...
"Mom, don't worry. I've become strong enough to defeat the dragon."
...It's a slightly embellished story, but half of it is true. As evidence, Luke showed her a photo.
"This is..."
Martha smiled when she saw it.
"You're silly. I've never been worried. You're my proud son."
As Luke hugged Martha again, Randy set up a tripod and camera efficiently, thinking, "Let's take a commemorative photo." It was good that he had kept a little film, and as Randy set the frame...
Liz's staff once again floated in the air.
"Alright, let's take it..."
The two photos taken were handed over to Martha with the warning, "Make sure you don't show this to anyone," and the other was carefully put away in Luke's pocket.
Just then, the carriage stopped in front of the house...
"Well, goodbye, Mom...I'll become a man whose name will reach the heavens."
"Hehe...I'm looking forward to it."
Randy and the others left the place, feeling a tug at their heartstrings as Martha nodded. Waving their hands over and over again. And as they disappeared into the dimensional wall, Grace appeared...
"Martha, how are you feeling?"
...Grace looked at her.
"...Lady Grace. I feel very good right now. If possible, I'd like to talk to everyone in the town."
Grace, pleased, said, "Really?" and sent someone running to call the people in the town who had a close relationship with Martha.
"Lady Grace, would you like to talk a little?"
Martha and Grace thus blossomed in conversation, imagining the future of their sons.
About two hours later...Luke's mother, Martha, closed her eyes, just as history recorded, with many people by her side.
With a happy look on her face.
"Dear ...what is this?"
In Grace's hand was a photograph. Of course, it showed Luke and Randy, who had grown up from this era, and two unknown ladies. And surrounded by them was Martha, smiling as she sat up in bed.
Alan, who was handed the photo, opened his eyes wide for a moment, then smiled bitterly.
"...Grace. Forget what you just saw. Absolutely, do not tell anyone. This is something we should not see or touch. Place it quietly in Martha's coffin."
Grace nodded, "Yes, yes," at her husband's unusual demeanor, and quietly hid the photo in the depths of Martha's coffin before the funeral.
Alan, who had been watching her, sighed as he looked up at the sky.
"Really...it seems like I'll be troubled by his future self as well."
Alan, who muttered this, patted Luke's shoulder, shaking with sadness.
"Sir Alan...I, I, Mom..."
"Don't worry, I know it's hard to say that right now."
Alan, who shook his head, hugged Luke gently.
"So it's okay to cry a lot right now. Cry a lot and get stronger. Be strong and big enough that your fame reaches Martha in heaven."
Luke nodded and roughly wiped away his overflowing tears.
"Alright, let's go... Even if it's sad, tomorrow is waiting for us."
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