NOVEL NEXT Book 20: Chapter 3 (4)
As for the physical body, Shin only asked incidentally because of what happened to Milt. That was what he wanted to know the most.
“I don’t know exactly when. But there is no doubt that the power on the other side is increasing its pull on your spirit. And we have no power to stop it. Ever since you gained the power of Origin, the other side’s pull seemed to be weakening, but it still won’t last forever. If the other side seriously tries to take it back, it will only take a moment.”
That was already the principle of the world. It was a fate he couldn’t escape.
“I had made up my mind to stay here! Isn’t it usually the case that one can’t go back?”
“That is not my concern.”
Shin raised his voice involuntarily, and Hades replied calmly while rearranging her crossed legs.
“I’m sorry…I just took it out on you.”
“I don’t care. I can understand that it’s not an easy story to accept.”
Hades was just giving out information.
If you let your emotions get the better of you and take the brunt of your anger, it’s no surprise that you might feel uncomfortable.
Realizing this, Shin immediately lowered his head.
However, Hades, understanding Shin’s feelings, did not raise her voice or show her anger.
“Hmm, I can’t say for sure, but from my perspective, if the flow of power continues as it is, it will be around 50 to 60 years. But if you use the power of Origin within you, that time will be shortened. The greatest power that keeps you in this world is the power of Origin that resides within you.”
She said that there would be almost no change in the power of Origin in a normal battle.
“I can tell that you have already used this power several times, probably in battles with the same guardians as Eleven.”
“I do remember that a strange power was working when we fought those guys.”
Shin had something in mind, like the ability to prevent the suction of Gryphon-type guardians, and the aura surrounding his body when he fought Ishkar.
“50 to 60 years, huh?”
That was also on the condition that he didn’t have to fight against a guardian-like being.
However, considering the journey he had taken so far, he had a feeling that it would be inevitable for him to interact with unusual people in the future.
Yuzuha had already explained that Shin would be led to such a place.
“Is there a way to extend it?”
The first thing Shin thought about was Schnee.
High elves have a long lifespan. If the settings were right, 50 years would be just a moment for them.
If he couldn’t avoid going back there, at least he wanted to stay here for as long as possible. Shin thought so.
“That is impossible. Even if we gather all the power in this world, it will only last a few years.”
“I see, that’s not possible.”
It was no longer something that one person could handle.
“Shin…”
“If we were both just humans, I could have been satisfied with that.”
The time Hades told was more than half a lifetime for a human.
Even if we assume exactly 50 years, Shin would be over 70 years old by the time it ended. Shin believed that even though it was too early to die in the modern era, he was old enough to look back on his life.
Schnee, however, was a High Elf. According to the settings, the lifespan of a long-lived species was a combination of race and status-based compensation. Hence, their lifespan easily exceeds 1,000 years. That was literally an order of magnitude difference.
“For me, 50 years is enough time to live. But, it’s too short for Schnee…”
Schnee waited 500 years before meeting Shin again.
Still, the time Shin had left was only about a tenth of the time she had waited.
If Shin could have lived his life as a High Human and remained in this world, there would have been no problem.
Humans were a short-lived species, but High Humans were a long-lived species. It was even said that a High Human has a lifespan longer than a High Elf. Normally, they could have spent more time together than the time she had to wait.
“Kuh!”
Yuzuha suddenly squealed over Shin’s dejected head. Yuzuha kicked Shin in the shoulder and jumped up, transforming into a humanoid form.
It was the one Shin recognized the most, as she had grown even more than the last time he had seen her.
She has waist-length silver hair and a beautiful face. She has grown taller and her body shape has become more defined.
She has nine swaying tails. Other than her clothing, she was the same as the Elementail of the past.
Her clothes didn’t seem to come off like before, so she wasn’t completely naked.
However, the automatic size adjustment did not seem to have been activated, and various lengths were missing. Some of the clothes seemed quite tight and uncomfortable.
“Have you grown?”
“This body is temporary. It’s not perfect yet. Just give me some more time.”
To Shin’s surprise, Yuzuha smiled kindly.
Her smile was incomparably more beautiful than anything Shin had ever seen before.
“There is… a way for Shin to live with Schnee.”
Yuzuha said, turning to the Hades with a tense expression on her face.
“…What do you mean?”
Shin reacted immediately.
Hades had just told him that there was nothing that could be done.
“Don’t waste our time and say it quickly.”
“I don’t mean to be presumptuous, but instead of getting angry, wouldn’t it be better for you to tell him?”
Hades asked Yuzuha who exuded anger.
“If I could do that, I would do it already.”
“I see, it seems that your knowledge-related part is still not perfect. I can’t believe that you would go out of your way to unleash your power just to intimidate me… No, I see, you…”
As if realizing something, Hades’ expression changed.
“If that’s your decision, then that’s fine. Now… let’s continue the talk. Shin, you’ll eventually return to the other side. If you don’t want to leave the woman you have set your mind on, you should just take her to the other side.”
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