Chương 254: Chapter 35: “With These Hands”

When I touched her, only Alice started moving in the stopped world. She is surprised that I suddenly came in front of her. Backing away two or three steps, looking around. She must have noticed the abnormality that everything other than me has stopped moving. Perhaps bewilderment won over sadness, she stopped sobbing. She asks fearfully.

"What's going on? And, that man...?"

"I killed him." Her eyebrow twitched pikuri.

"Right now, I'm stopping time with my power. It shouldn't be painful." The effect of the technique tormenting you is also stopped now. You should be able to talk normally. She hugged herself as if checking her body.

"The heat is gone."

"The only ones who can move in this place are me and you." The reason I made you able to move. Is because I wanted to convey at least words. But when it came to it, I hesitated to say it. Alice watches my state intently and peers straight into my eyes. I still have the power of my heart released to maintain the time stop. My whole body is wrapped in a black aura. It must be scary to face me in this state. She shook her head once as if shaking something off, and walked up to me resolutely.

"Say it. You have something you want to say, right?"

"... I'm sorry. I couldn't save you." With a face saying 'as I thought', she drops her gaze darkly. Is it because she was already told her fate by Vitterweitz? She didn't get upset.

"If time starts moving again—you will die. Taking the world with you." While saying it, I realized myself that the tone of my voice was terribly cold.

"So... what will you do?" It was in the form of a question, but she must know already. I told her.

"I. Have to kill you." Once activated, his technique cannot be stopped even by me. And if time starts moving as it is. She will meet death in the most unfortunate form. Taking this world with her. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. I am the only one who can stop it. I am the only one who can kill you right here and now. So. I... I... Slowly raising my left hand, I point it at her. Thus, we stared at each other. Just putting a little strength into this hand.

It ends. Alice is staring at me silently. Waiting for my decision. Even though it should be scary enough to scream and cry at any moment. You're going to die. Strong person. You are. Really. And yet, I... —What are you doing. What's the point of hesitating forever. Alice is just acting tough. Her shoulders are trembling. Actually, she's scared. Isn't it natural. —Do it. You have to do it. Alice. You. I... Alice closed her eyes and sighed deeply.

When she opened her eyes again, she was no longer directing fear at me. There was no feeling of hatred either. She showed a gentle expression fuh. And took another step forward. To a distance where our bodies almost touch. Wrapping my confused left hand warmly. And, she smiled.

"Your hand, it's trembling." I didn't notice at all myself. Her hand gently touches my cheek as I opened my mouth ah.

"Yu is. Just the person I thought you were after all." Still smiling. Why do you make such a face—"I know. Actually, you're a delicate, sensitive, and kind person."

"Such a thing."

"Because. You've been making a face like you're about to cry all this time." Ah. Why do you. So much. Enter straight into my heart. Even at a time like this. Barging in with muddy shoes. Even though I tried to suppress it. Even though I tried to kill it. No good. Such a thing. My hand trembles, and I can't aim. Alice. The one stroking my cheek was not a powerless girl sobbing in hatred. It's you who always laughed by my and Milia's side. You are there.

"......" In the end. No matter how far we went, you never pushed me away, did you. Not just you. Everyone. Hopeless idiots. You should have just feared someone like me. Should have hated me. Should have left me alone. From the back of my eyes, something hot wells up. Again. I didn't feel like hiding it anymore. The trembling hand could no longer hurt her. Instead, I was hugging her tightly. Clinging pathetically, I was hurling the welling heat as it was.

"I... I...!" Alice also wraps her arms around my back and accepts the embrace. I was raising a sob as if squeezing it out.

"I wanted to save everyone..."

"Yeah."

"I wanted to save. You. Milia. Inea. Argus. Karla too...!"

"Yeah." A body one size smaller than me, fragile. Her warmth I feel now. Is so fleeting.

"I couldn't win...! Sacrifice is unavoidable... I have no choice but to accept it...!"

"Yeah." If I let go of these arms, she will vanish forever. No one will be left.

"This town, too... actually...!"

"Yeah." Scared. I hate it. Why do I have to taste such suffering again!

"Everyone. Were precious companions... were friends...!"

"You finally said friends." To me raising my face with a start. Alice, with eyes full of tears. Laughed sorrowfully.

"I'm happy." She rubbed her eyes and pulled her arms away. To confused me, she says sincerely and gently.

"It's okay now. It's enough." I know what comes next. I don't want to hear it. But you. Putting your hand on your chest, said.

"Kill me." Suddenly, that time overlaps in my mind. How frustrating it is to offer one's life oneself. She had a future. You should have had it too. If true, there should have been a bright future to walk with everyone. I took it away. I will take it away now. But. Hearing your words, strangely my resolve hardened. It's the same thing. Just doing the same thing as that time. I tell myself. I shouldn't make you suffer any more. I shouldn't make you accompany my indecisiveness.

"It's beautiful." Turning around following Alice's gaze, a beautiful island floating leisurely in the sky was reflected. The figure of Edel. For such a thing. How many were sacrificed. But... it was certainly beautiful. Beautiful enough to be hateful. —Right. The ultimate Space-Time Magic he mentioned. 《Chroluender》 It seems like nothing but a tall tale. But if such a thing really exists. I felt like clinging to it from my heart now.

"Hey. If there is a different future... what do you want to do?" Suddenly asking such a thing must have been strange. Alice tilted her head, but answered.

"Let's see... Please. If there is a different future, make everyone happy."

"Yeah. Understood. It's a promise." Even if such a thing really exists and the past can be changed. The fact that I couldn't save you guys doesn't change. Still. If there is such a wonderful future. If there is a different fate. I couldn't help but wish so. Making up my mind, I hold my hand out again. My hand was trembling all the time.

"Alice. I'm really glad you were my friend."

"Me too. Yu." I forced a smile. Alice returns a smile too. —At least. So that you don't suffer.

"I'm sorry." I took Alice's life with these hands.