The moment Anemos woke up, I prostrated myself.
"I'm so, so, so, so sorry!!!!"
I performed the Soil Under Occlura at the speed of light to apologize.
"Huh? Huh? What?"
Anemos just stood there, dumbfounded.
"I really, truly am sorry!!!!"
I lifted my head once, then pressed it back to the floor again.
The double prostration—a killer move from my past life, from when I worked at that black company.
In this world, you might call it the Soil Under Occlura, Second Serving.
"Wh-what? Wh-what's going on?"
Anemos was bewildered.
"This one here didn't notice, you see."
"Meow."
"W-what do you mean, 'didn't notice'—whoa, kitty!"
Leaf jumped onto Anemos's risen body.
"I'm sorry. I never once considered the possibility that you might mistake it for a theatrical role. I really did make you the King of Wind's Death, and I don't even know how to apologize."
What have I done?
As I apologized, I thought about it once more. I'd let a misunderstanding happen and ruined Anemos's life.
"Oh, so that's..."
Anemos seemed to catch on, in a sort of lighthearted way.
I kept my forehead pressed to the ground and continued to apologize.
"No matter how much I apologize, it's never enough. How can I make this up to you?"
"It's really fine."
"I... no, I can't just—"
"Please raise your head, Wof."
I did as I was told. I stroked Reef, and Anemos giggled softly.
The smile was somehow pure, yet mischievous—really cute.
"...?"
I was dumbfounded.
"Well, just as you said, I too thought it was nothing more than a role in a play."
"So it was."
"I'm so sorry..."
I lowered my head deeply.
"...Listen, Wof."
"Yes. I'm listening!"
"So, the thing is... yesterday, I was expelled from my party."
"Oh."
"Yeah... expelled, huh."
"..."
The expulsion type, huh.
But it wasn't exactly rare. It happened all the time among delvers.
The number of bar fights that started over expulsion-related drama was ridiculous.
"Yeah. It was a shock. Honestly, how I was treated in the party wasn't exactly great, and I figured it wouldn't last much longer — but I never thought they'd actually kick me out... That's what got me."
I get it. I totally get it.
There's a world of difference between quitting on your own terms and getting pushed out before you can.
"So why did you decide to audition?"
Pakira asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
Anemos stroked Leaf and answered with a wry smile.
"The honest reason is I was broke. I thought maybe I could scrape by doing theater... but what really pushed me to apply was this line: 'Is this really the life you want? Are you truly content with this?' — That's what did it."
"Hey, that's a catchphrase I came up with!"
Narcissus puffed out her chest proudly. Anemos smiled warmly.
"I mean it. The people who saved my life are without a doubt Wof and Narcissus."
"Obviously!"
"...Saved... my life? Me?"
I blinked.
Wait, no. Didn't I ruin someone's life?
Let me rewind a bit.
This was in Yomid's strange pocket of space.
"The true King of Death...?"
"Yeah. The real deal. The King of Death of Wind."
"Not a performance?"
"The true King of Death of Wind."
"......You mean... me?"
"Anemos. You already are. The King of Death of Wind."
Yomid relayed the facts in a flat, slightly drowsy tone.
"So... that means I'm already dead?"
"No. You're not dead."
"But the King of Death is the king of the undead... right?"
"No. The King of Death is not undead."
"That's a relief."
Anemos let out a breath of relief.
"The word 'death' gets attached. That's why. People get the wrong idea."
"It's true that having 'death' tacked on does make you think of the undead."
"But it's different. The King of Death. It is. A part of the soul-return life-and-death system."
"Um... what does that mean?"
"The role of the King of Death. That is. To carry death."
"...To carry death?"
"Fire blazes and carries death. Water flows and soaks and carries death. Earth digs and buries and carries death. Wind howls and carries death. Light pours down and carries death. Darkness enshrouds and carries death."
"Um, so more like... the boss of a delivery service, or something like that?"
"The King of Death is a marker. A pillar. It stands in opposition to the King of
Life
—who carries life. That is part of the system of life and death."
Anemos made a face upon hearing the explanation.
"So, as the King of Death of Wind… is there anything I need to do?"
"No."
"Huh? Nothing at all?"
"A necessary existence. But there's nothing you particularly have to do. You're free to live as you please."
"L-Live as I please…?"
"All of them. That's what they do. Simply exist. That's all. And in doing so, the wind carries death once more."
"…It carries death?"
"Anemos. All life in this world lives and dies. When they die, their souls return to the sea. They drift across the sea and forget everything. Then they are born into the world again. That cycle—that is the system of life and death through the cycle of souls in this world. Death is necessary."
"Th-that, I understand."
Anemos, through Seihou's teachings, also understood the cycle of life, death, and souls.
But the phrase that the wind carried death because of his own existence sat uncomfortably with him.
It sounded as though people were dying because of him.
"That's good, then. I have but one wish. To remain the King of Death. To fulfill that role. For that purpose, I have granted you power."
"Power?"
"The power of the King of Death. The Relic [Gale] has already become suitably attuned."
"Oh—thank you very much."
"As the King of Death of Wind. Do your best."
"I-I'll do my best."
Though confused at being suddenly cheered on so normally, Anemos replied.
"One last thing. Anything you want to ask Yarawa. Whether there is or isn't."
"Um, well, something I'm a bit curious about—how come you look so strikingly similar to Pakira?"
"Pakira. That much. Resembling?"
"Yes. Your hair, skin, and eye colors are different, but your appearance is almost identical."
"To that extent. The reason for resembling. Even Yarawa doesn't know."
"You don't know…!?"
"There are many things Yarawa doesn't know. Becoming the King of Death of Wind. Anemos. I didn't know that either. Yarawa is not omniscient and omnipotent. No one is."
"Not even a god…?"
Anemos voiced a simple question.
"Rather. Because I am a god. That's why."
Yomido smiled.
And then Anemos woke up.
Present.
Log house "At the Mercy of the Wind," private room.
Pakira let out a sigh.
"What is it with you. Accepting the King of Death of Wind, are you."
"I'll accept it. Lord Yomido gave me a thorough explanation, and I've decided to go ahead with it."
Anemos looked straight at Pakira and stated her position clearly.
I laughed bitterly to myself. Well, she'd notice eventually.
"So that basically means you forgive Wof, right?"
"Of course. Forgive—well, there is just one thing I'm upset about."
"Oh? Just one?"
"Yes. Wof, please stand up."
"O-okay."
I stood up.
"Come here, please."
"Y-yes."
I cautiously approached Anemos.
Huh…Anemos seems somehow more beautiful than before.
Her short-cropped green hair was silky smooth, and her jade-green eyes shone with a deep, refreshing light.
Her skin was soft and supple, her lips a delicate, plump peach-pink. She was cute, but also pretty.
Well, I know it's a strange thing to say, but I really did feel like she'd gotten more beautiful than before.
"Wof. Could you close your eyes and lower your head a little?"
"Ah, yes. L-like this?"
I did as I was told, but what was she planning to do?
"That's perfect. Here goes!"
"Ow!"
A small pain stung my forehead with a snap.
She flicked my forehead.
I rubbed my forehead gently and opened my eyes to find Anemos smiling softly at me.
"I can't believe it was the real thing. Honestly, Wof."
Anemos looked so amused, so delighted.
I gently rubbed my forehead and silently watched Anemos just smile at me.
Anemos really is a woman, isn't she. I thought that while watching.
I reflected on my actions.