I Want to Live a Normal Life

Episode 13: Short Story: A Story of a Certain ‘Spirit’

Diene is adorable! She’s kind and always plays with me. There’s always a lot of people around Diene. Everyone is laughing. They say they’re praying to God together.

Ludger is always saying, “You wanna go? You wanna go?” Sometimes he gets scolded by Bell and grumbles. Everyone is friendly and having fun.

Diene gave everyone names. She said I’m Kulkur. I love Diene! I hope we can all stay friends forever.

Someone who acts important came. He wants to make Diene his wife because she’s cute. But he’s a jerk, so no way. Diene said she doesn’t want him, so he left. Serves him right!

I hate those guys! They bully Diene and the others. They say we should leave town. But Diene and the others aren’t bad. They’re good people. Those guys are the worst!

Diene is still kind, but she doesn’t smile much anymore. Everyone seems down. It’s all that guy’s fault. So annoying!

Ludger and Bell got married. They had a child. The baby is the cutest next to Diene! Today, Diene is smiling too. So cute!

Ludger disappeared. Lots of others disappeared too. Diene and Bell were crying. Lots of other people were crying too. I wish those guys would just die!

That guy came back. He says everyone here is bad. But no one has done anything wrong. He said he’s going to kill Diene and the others. Unforgivable. I’ll kill him first!

‘God’ said no. Why? They’re using magic too! I hate God! I’ll protect Diene!!

—

“……”

“Are you awake?”

“……Where am I?”

“This is my realm. You were causing too much trouble. You almost lost your own existence.”

“What about Diene!?”

“She’s safe. You saved her.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Seriously… I told you not to do it.”

“But those guys…”

“Spirits can’t use magic, no matter the reason. That’s the law of this world.”

“……”

“But you broke that law magnificently. It’s fascinating, but I can’t let it go unpunished.”

I was given two punishments. The first is to live a thousand years as an elf. Even for me, who has lived as a spirit, a thousand years is not short. But I was able to protect Diene. I have no regrets.

The second punishment is to not interfere with anything related to the ‘Miltia Church’—the organization Diene and the others belong to. No matter what path they walk in the future… But I’m not worried. Diene is there.

As an elf, I’ve come to understand something. Spirits are too indifferent to humans who aren’t their ‘beloved ones’. I was like that too.

The Miltia Church that Diene protected wasn’t just filled with good people. There were those who secretly committed evil deeds, and those who tried to manipulate Diene for their own purposes. Many bad people. But I can’t do anything about it.

Diene passed away. Memories flooded back, and I couldn’t stop crying. The other spirits told me she passed away peacefully, surrounded by everyone. If she found happiness in her final moments, there’s nothing more I could ask for.

Ludger and Bell’s child left the Miltia Church. It seems he was fed up with the arguments over who would succeed Diene. Some spirits went with him. Perhaps one day, a ‘beloved one’ will be born from his lineage. I hope his future is filled with smiles.

—

A hundred years have passed. Recently, I’ve discovered the fun of magic. Depending on the idea and ingenuity, you can do so much more. As a spirit, I wasn’t even allowed to use magic, but now that I can, it’s quite interesting. I might study magic for a while. I have plenty of time.

The Miltia Church is stable, for better or worse. I can’t imagine it becoming righteous, but I hope it at least stays as it is.

—

Four hundred years have passed. Finally, a ‘beloved one’ was born from Ludger and Bell’s descendants. A boy named Luke. Several spirits came to inform me. They must be very happy. There have been a few ‘beloved ones’ before, but this child seems particularly special. As someone who is no longer a spirit, I can’t understand that feeling anymore.

The Miltia Church is gradually expanding. With every increase in numbers, the organization becomes more corrupt. All I can do is watch, and it’s frustrating.

Luke became a noble. It was worth the effort of teaching him magic multiple times. Although I have mixed feelings about serving a country that once cornered Diene and her people, that was a long time ago. There’s no point in dwelling on it now.

Luke asked me to give him a family name, so I combined the names of two of his ancestors who were close friends with Diene. Now, the names of those two, who only I remember, will continue on forever.

—

Eight hundred years have passed. I have stopped paying attention to the Miltia faith. They have grown powerful enough to establish a nation. However, what they have become is entirely different from what Diene tried to protect. They incite public fear, exploit weaknesses, and oppress people.

I tried various ways to stop them before, but in the end, I couldn’t do anything. When I attempted to get close to those connected with Miltea, my body would freeze. This must be what the ‘God’ meant when they said I couldn’t intervene with Miltea.

All I can do is hope that someone else will stop them…

—

As a millennium approached, I finally learned the magic of [Future Vision]. It allows me to see future scenes. I became engrossed in magical research to avert my eyes from Miltia, but the visions I saw with [Future Vision] were nothing but despair.

A girl who looked like Diene, a descendant of Diene’s two friends, was killed by Miltia, the very group Diene protected. Such a thing shouldn’t happen…!

—

I tried every possible way to change the future. I contacted people in the church, Luke’s descendants, a boy and his companions who would overthrow Miltia in the future, a former saint candidate disillusioned with the church, a boy forced to fight to the death because his sister was held hostage, a boy manipulated by his hatred for his real parents, and even guild members who sold the girl’s family to Miltia.

I also tried to reach out to others who might connect with the girl, but I couldn’t convey the crucial part. Even though I could change other aspects of the future, the fate of the girl’s death was unalterable.

Someone, anyone, please save her…!

—

“Hey, hey, it’s been a while.”

“…’God,’ is it?”

“Well, a thousand years have passed. Did you enjoy life as a mortal?”

“…Can I not go save her?”

“No, you can’t.”

“….”

“There are some things in this world that are predetermined. Her death is one of them.”

“That can’t be—”

“But don’t you find such certainties boring?”

“Hmm?”

“Ah, that’s right. I need to give you a reward.”

“A reward…? For what?”

“For amusing me by breaking the ‘laws’ so splendidly. I can’t grant anything, though.”

“I want to save her. I desire nothing else.”

“Well, I figured. But you can’t act. If you do, the future will be set in stone.”

“…”

“The future should be free. That’s what I believe.”

“….”

“All I can do is give you a chance.”

“A chance?”

“Here are ten souls and ten vessels. Choose one of each.”

“…For what purpose?”

“To introduce an anomaly into the story. Even I don’t know how the anomaly will act. She might be saved, or she might not. It’s all up to the anomaly. Will you take the chance or not?”

“I’ll take it…!”

“Good, it’s decided. Now, choose a soul and a vessel.”

There was only a slim chance, but it was better than nothing.

—

The ten souls ranged from teenagers to those in their sixties. All of them possessed varying degrees of knowledge about this world, especially its future. This gave me hope that they might save her…!

The most promising candidates were a man in his twenties, a man in his forties, and a woman in her thirties. All three had extensive knowledge of the future.

Next, I had to consider their personalities… Hmm, the man in his forties was unsuitable. He’s the type to get sexually attracted to young girls. I couldn’t let such a dangerous person near Seira! Hmm, the woman in her thirties was also out. She was obsessed with relationships between men. I had seen something outrageous…!

When it comes to this, a man in his twenties seems safe. There are no issues with his personality or preferences. He’s pleasant to be around, seems strong-willed, and has a sense of justice. His soul seems to be the right fit.

Next is the vessel. They are all people I previously tried to contact. Since the soul is male, a male vessel would be preferable. In that case, the boy who defeats Miltia… No, perhaps that would be too long to wait for the boy to get involved with Miltia, and it might not be in time.

At an early stage, there are two candidates who could have contact with that girl: a boy whose sister is taken hostage or a boy expelled from his family. The boy whose sister is taken hostage would end up having to save both his sister and Seira. It might be a bit tough.

In that case, how about the expelled boy? Good at using earth magic, suitable for combat with explosive attributes. Moreover, even if it’s a sneak attack, he has the potential to just kill the “Sword Saint.”

The soul is a man in his twenties, and the vessel is a boy who kills his family. Hmm. I thought I chose a solid option, but I still worry if this can really save Seira.

First of all, can a man with a strong sense of justice use explosive magic without hesitation? Moreover, due to knowing the future, his actions might unconsciously be restricted, and he might get involved in troubles even before meeting Seira. … This guy might not be suitable.

In that case, how about this man in his thirties? Moderate knowledge of the future, not very interested in others. Yet being fond of children could be convenient. I’m worried he’s a bit easy-going, but if he doesn’t actively engage with others, there shouldn’t be a big issue. Due to low interpersonal skills, it doesn’t seem likely he’d get deeply involved with women.

As for the vessel, the boy from earlier should be fine. This man in his thirties seems to have a rough personality, so it’s good that he might make a flashy mess with explosive magic.

It may be a somewhat daring choice, but I have no choice but to pray anymore. Please, save Seira…!

—

“Huh… Unexpected combinations, huh?”

“We’re changing the future. We can’t just go about this normally.”

“I see. Then I’ll give him resistance so he can kill people as a service.”

“Hmm, why?”

“Not just him, but those ten have led lives free from violence. It would be troublesome if they hesitated and died easily in crucial moments, right?”

“I see.”

“That’s all for the service. He’ll have to handle the rest himself.”

—

“Good grief… That’s troublesome.”

“…”

“Isn’t it cheating to make contact with him?”

“But—”

“It didn’t affect his actions this time, so I’ll overlook it. But from now on, contact is forbidden until I permit it, alright?”

Just when I thought he’d given up on going to Melnier, he said something like “leaving west of Hatelia,” and I couldn’t help but call out. I thought I was being careful not to be noticed, but did I let it slip? No, that’s only natural. He’s still a ‘God’ after all.

Still, I never thought he’d shut himself away for five years. He seems to have trained quite a bit in magic during that time. To think that strange magic is due to not wanting to see blood or corpses… Now that it’s mentioned, I certainly hadn’t thought about that.

—

“Ahahaha!!!”

“Eh…”

“Well, at first he wasn’t moving at all, so it was boring, but once he started, it was amazing! Especially blowing up the castle and the temple was a masterpiece!! Tamaya, was it? Why is he the most panicked one? Haha, my stomach hurts!”

“…”

“You should be more delighted too. He saved Seira from there. Your wish came true, didn’t it?”

“Well, that’s true but…”

What’s with him? He was so laid-back all this time, but as soon as his family was bothered, he suddenly moved decisively. I was worried he wouldn’t move at all like this…

And blowing up the castle and temple… No, it was refreshing indeed. Tamaya, huh. I’ll remember that.

Descendants of Luke seem lively too. Especially the one who went to the temple resembles Ludger a lot. Particularly rough in various ways. That one is definitely the type to be toyed with by the “spirits.”

At any rate, we managed to rescue Seira. But…

“It’s not over yet.”

“What the heck!?”

“That girl, or rather the [Spirit Eyes]. There are still those who target it, you know.”

—

“Well, this time he was a bit more mature, but Stampede was quite interesting.”

“……”

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s more like he’s strangely skilled at it, or rather, what he does is cruel…”

“Yeah, you’re right. Well, even if he’s left, he’s still an Arlight. As long as it’s entertaining, I don’t really mind.”

This “god” is as unpredictable as ever…
But, taking down the scoundrel who made Seira cry did give me a sense of relief. No matter how much he messed with his mind, there are still things that are right and wrong to do. Good job!

—

“Hahahaha!! Oh man, that was flashy again!! He’s definitely interesting. Crushing Miltia like that, using such methods. Kulkur, how do you feel? The magic based on you dealt the finishing blow to Miltia.”

“And the last part…?”

“Oh, that? That’s my little gift. A thank you for entertaining me this far. Plus, it seemed fun, so I wanted to see it too. Oh, and it’s safe for you to go meet her now, too.”

“Is that okay?”

“Actually, it’s a bit early, but Miltia has no future left. So I guess it’s fine now.”

“Then I’ll go.”

“Yeah yeah, see you off.”

I got permission from “god” and teleported behind him as he protects Seira. Even now, my love for mischief hasn’t changed since my days as a “spirit”.
But really, who would’ve thought Milticia would be destroyed in such a way…?

—

“Tamaya or Kagiya, right? Ah, I’ve grown fond of them. Maybe I should increase the number of humans with explosive attributes.”

“……”

“Now then… What will you do from here?”

“What do you mean?”

“Return to being a ‘spirit,’ or live as an elf. Choose whichever you like.”

“That’s…”

“Well, you don’t have to decide right away. Miltia is gone now. You have no more constraints.”

In that case, I’ll watch over Seira’s condition for a while. I also want to teach her magic…

Right, but before that, I should make sure that idiot doesn’t do anything unnecessary.

—

“—Who are you!”

“It is me, Lord ‘Sword Saint’.”

“T-Those ears… ‘Sage,’ huh. What brings you here?”

“Just a little advice.”

“…Advice?”

“Aye, to refrain from laying hands on Mine and those around him.”

“Why do you support that incompetent fool!”

“…Do you really need to hear that from me?”

“…”

“If you interfere, both you and Alteria will be my enemies.”

“…I’ve already promised His Highness. I won’t lay a hand on them.”

“Aye, then that’s fine. I don’t want to resort to rough measures either.”

“Tch.”

“Well then.”

He may not be completely convinced, but there shouldn’t be any issues. If he acts strangely, I won’t show mercy either.

“Now that the formalities are done, shall I go visit Seira?”

I’ve also devised a new fireworks display. Those kids will surely be delighted.

—

“You’ve gone too far.”

“But—”

“”Grandpa Kukuru, that’s not okay!””

“Kulkur-jii, not okay!”

“Seira, Liela, Thor, I thought you three would be happy…”

“It’s not!”

“”No,no!””

“No way!”

[[[Kulkur, you’re in trouble~]]]

[[[So uncool~]]]

“Grrr.”

What’s the harm? I just did a little “Tamaya”. …But those three getting mad like this are cute.