Chapter 437 The Present Is A Gift

-----

As we moved back to the city, I continued thinking about what mother had told me… About taking the responsibility by herself, as long as she could be alive.

But aren't elves very long lived? Is mother planning to be a Hero for thousands of years?

Even when… father, Shade, Nepheline, Ninhursag, or everyone here pass away… Will she continue doing "her duty" for her friend's legacy?

Ah… It is sad to think about it that way.

I've been having a blast through my entire life that I didn't realized eight years had already passed.

Life goes so fast when you're having fun…

Eventually, will I live as long as well?

Will I… see Aquarina and Zack… pass away as well?

Just thinking about it makes me so depressed…

But mother is an elf like me…

Maybe it is also my duty to stay at her side for all these years.

Maybe that's a part of my purpose too? To give my beloved mother company through her long life?

Huh…

Well, it is not worth it to overthink it.

If I overthink it, I may end up all sad like yesterday.

I love Aquarina and Zack so much… I can't really think about seeing them old and wrinkly and then… pass away.

It would literally kill me.

Ugh…

Has my mother also seen other friends she had in the past pass away similarly?

And uncle Arafunn, who has lived even longer, might had gone through similar things as well, perhaps even more than my mother, who lived in seclusion for hundreds of years.

Suddenly, I felt the large hand of my father petting my head.

It was warm and comforting.

"What's gotten into you? Are you gloomy, Sylphy?"

"I… Ah… Nothing…"

"Hmm…"

My father seemed a bit curious about what I had in mind.

But then he smiled.

"Sylphy, just take it easy."

"Eh?"

"You're young, you've got a ton to live. You've got friends, and parents that will do anything for you."

"Ah…"

"Just live the present, don't think too much about a future that has yet to come."

"…"

"After all… The present is called like that because it is a gift! This life, this world… I love it all, you know?"

"Even after all you've gone through?"

"Of course!"

My father then spread out his arms, pointing at the beautiful blue sky, the clouds, the sun, the surrounding grasslands, the woods, the rivers, lakes, animals, people, towns, everything.

"Isn't all of this… Just amazing? It's beautiful."

"…"

I looked around, and then I also realized it was all so beautiful and calm somehow… even after I had already fought monsters, true demons, and everything else.

"Right… You're right dad!"

"Right? Heheh… Come here!"

My father quickly held me with his big arms, lifting me up.

"Let's see if you can reach the sky!"

"Uwaah! Papa you're lifting me too high!"

"Hahahah! Soar the skies, my daughter!"

My father lifted me high and then began moving me. I couldn't help but play along, as it felt like I was a bird flying around. With magic I had yet to fully become capable of flight, so this was actually quite fun.

"Geez, can't you give our girl a break, Allan?" Sighed my mother, giving my father a karate chop in the head.

BAAM!

"Geh…! S-Sorry, okay sorry! I got a bit carried away…"

My father quickly let go of me as he apologized.

"Ugh… My belly was shaken too much…"

"See? She got nauseas because you lifted her too much! Geez, you really act like a kid sometimes!"

"Hahah… Sorry, sorry!"

My mother reprimanded my father as my father laughed a bit.

These scenes were all I was living for to be honest.

Seeing the two of them just interact like wife and husband without a worry of the world.

"Sylphy, you're really a spoiled girl sometimes!" Aquarina pointed out, walking to my side.

"Eehh? Aren't you though?" I asked with a smirk.

"M-Me? Papa… doesn't spoil me that much…" Aquarina blushed a bit.

"Aquarina, I think your custom equipment will be done soon, let's go look for it. We can also buy you sweets if you want to." Said her father.

"Yeah… Oh! How about we buy you some new clothes though? I am sure you're bored of the same tribal clothes, right? My daughter will look precious with some dresses, or maybe some shorts or a skirt?" Nepheline wondered.

"W-Wha…? Well… sounds like fun!" Aquarina said cheerily.

"Ehhh~? So you said you weren't a spoiled girl, huh?" I wondered while raising an eyebrow.

"T-That's totally not it! Papa and mama are just… doing the bare minimum…." Aquarina said while averting her gaze from me.

"Hahaha, you can't really run away from that now, Aquarina." Zack laughed.

"Uuuggh…" Aquarina felt slightly embarrassed.

"Here we are then!"

My cheerful father pointed at the gates. Just by seeing my father's face, the guards immediately made way for us to enter without issues. It seems he had already made himself quite famous around these places.

"G-Good day sir!"

"Have a nice trip!"

"I hope you have a good day!"

The three guards, including the one that got punched by my father back then, all lowered their heads to him.

"Hahaha, thanks!" He said with a cheerful smile, patting their shoulders.

As we walked forward, I noticed the hateful look of the guard my father had punched. He really was looking at us with a murderous intent… Did father had to punch him?

Ah well, I would had ended doing the same if he didn't do it anyways. We didn't brought Celica nor her mother today because it was more safe to keep them in the camp. Celica really wanted to meet Mist and Celeste, and show them her mother, but that'll have to be for later.

When we finally arrived at the streets where the orphanage was located, we found a commotion. There was a large group of guards holding weapons in front of the orphanage, trying to break through the magic barrier my mother set up there!

"Open this magic barrier! In the name of our Lord, we have come to apprehend you Demons!"

-----