Isekai No Gakusei: Students From Another World
Goodbye Friends

The next day, Darren returns to the castle to visit Katherine and Tomatsu. As he arrived at the castle, the soldiers there greeted him warmly. They treat Darren with respect, a sign of how much Darren has done for the country.

Katherine and Tomatsu were lying on the bed when Darren arrived. When she saw Darren, Katherine moved on.

"Darren-sama," he said.

Darren rubbed it with a wave of his hand and approached him. But he felt very guilty about Katherine.

"Catherine..." Darren said slowly. He was going to tell her about Remi.

"I already know, Darren-sama," Katherine cut in. He then wiped his own eyes and started to smile.

Darren knew that smile was a fake smile. "I'm so sorry" Darren said. "I couldn't save him."

"No, Darren-sama. It's my fault" Katherine replied. Tears came back from his eyes. "If I had the power. Remi won't experience this."

Darren fell silent. Katherine was silent. It became quiet for a moment.

Suddenly Katherine cried loudly. "Why? Why should Remi?" Tears on his cheeks. "Why not me? Remi was not wrong. He was a good young man."

Katherine then looked at Darren. "Right, Darren-sama? You must think so, too, right?"

Darren remained silent. He saw how emotional Katherine's expression was. He continued to look at Darren with teary eyes.

Darren holds Katherine's shoulder. "Beautiful flowers are sure to be picked first" Darren said.

Hearing that, Katherine fell silent. He lowered his face and wiped his tears.

Darren let go of his hand and walked away from him. Katherine must have taken some time alone in the meantime.

Darren moved and walked towards Tomatsu who was still lying down. His expression of frustration did not change even after seeing Darren.

"Tomatsu," Call Darren slowly.

Tomatsu looked at him with his eyes. Upon seeing Darren, he turned to his back. And he covered his face with a blanket.

Darren just stared at Tomatsu. He thought it might not be a good time to talk. But he had to keep telling her that he was going to continue his journey to the demon continent.

Darren sat next to him on the bed. After that, Darren started to speak slowly.

"Tomatsu, I'm leaving now" Darren said.

He glanced a little and still saw Tomatsu not reacting.

"I won't force you to come along. The choice is in your hands" Darren continued. "However, if you need my help, you can find me."

Darren glanced back. Just like earlier, Tomatsu remained silent.

Darren took a slow breath and continued, "If there's anything, just say it. I'll always be there to help you, Tomatsu."

There was no answer for a moment, but Tomatsu suddenly spoke.

"Thank you, Esema-kun," he said as he unfolded his blanket. He then moved up and sat down beside Darren. "But I found what I was looking for."

Darren looked confused.

"The Demon King showed it to me. The truth I always feared" Tomatsu continued. "I have destroyed my kingdom."

Darren looked at Tomatsu's gloomy face. "Tomatsu's..."

"I hate to admit it, but what the man said was a fact. I am a coward" Tomatsu continued. "I was too afraid to accept reality and kept trying to find someone else to blame."

Tomatsu looked at Darren. "I'm pathetic, aren't I?"

Darren looks surprised to see the pessimistic Tomatsu. This was the first time he had seen his weak side. She is a strong woman and has the title of a true Demon King. But her heart was no different from other normal women who were fragile and easily hurt.

"Tomatsu," Darren said softly. He wants to make Tomatsu feel better, but he himself is confused as to what to do.

Tomatsu suddenly spoke. "I heard you're going to the demon continent today. Aren't we?" Her speech.

Darren nodded slowly. "Yes. Before I left, I was thinking of seeing you first."

"I'm sorry. I can't accompany you there" Tomatsu continued.

"Yes, it's okay" Darren replied. "You found what you were looking for. So now you have no reason to help me anymore."

"Don't think so. I will try to keep helping you" Tomatsu said. "But I can only help a little. I'll tell you a little bit about the Dark Demon King."

Darren's eyes opened. "Really?"

Tomatsu continued. "I might not be able to say everything. Because this is my agreement with him" Tomatsu continued. His face immediately became serious. "By my mind, the Dark Demon King's name is-"

Tomatsu suddenly fell silent.

"Tomatsu, what's wrong?" Ask Darren. He looked at the silent tomatsu.

Tomatsu suddenly sweats. "Eh, why? What's going on?"

Darren just stared at Tomatsu while continuing to show a look of wonder.

"Tomatsu, are you okay?" Darren asked as he slightly touched Tomatsu's shoulder.

Tomatsu. "Why this? Why did I suddenly forget?" Her speech.

"Are you not feeling well?" Connect Darren.

"Ah, it's okay. I'm fine," Reply Tomatsu. "Only, why can I forget it? As I recall, his name is-"

Darren immediately calmed Tomatsu down. "Calm, relax. No need to force it. You've been locked up in that ice wall for centuries."

"T-But-" Then Tomatsu was silent. "I'm sorry, I. I can't remember it."

"Yes, take it easy" Sahut Darren. "I'll find out for myself."

Tomatsu then continued. "But why didn't he catch you? And also, how did you survive? You're dealing with him one on one."

"He escaped. I can't stop him" Darren replied.

"I-He's running away!?" Tomatsu surprised. "Esema-kun, what exactly happened? Did you manage to beat him back until he was forced to flee?"

"I was going to kill him because he killed Remi. But he got away," Darren said.

"It seems you are stronger than I imagined" Tomatsu said. "It seems your strength is not an ordinary power. You have a chance to beat him."

"Oh yeah, talk about power" Darren said. "I have one more question."

"What's that?"

"Actually, what is light magic and dark magic?" Ask Darren. "If ice magic could manipulate ice elements, and fire magic could manipulate fire elements. What about the two magic?"

Tomatsu folded his hands. "To be honest, I don't really know" he replied. "But I know some form of dark magic."

Tomatsu continued. "Space manipulation, such as teleportation and non-eucledian, is a form of dark magic. And also, the spells of the wither include dark magic."

"Withow?" Darren Sahut. "Isn't that non-elemental magic?"

"Wither magic is dark magic, but because humans can use it, it is removed from the category of dark magic" Tomatsu explained. "And you know. Heal magic is also one form of light magic, but it is categorized as non-elemental magic because monsters can also use it."

Darren nodded in understanding. "If that's not the answer I'm looking for. But, thank you, Tomatsu."

After that explanation, Darren realized that the day had begun to day. He went to the castle gate to continue his journey to Noordoos.

While preparing to leave, Tora suddenly came forward and faced Darren.

"Darren-sama," he said while lowering his body.

Darren was shocked and replied. "What's up, Tora?" Ask Darren. "Aren't you going to come?"

Tora lowered her head respectfully. "No, not that" he answered. "I'm happy to follow you, Darren-sama. But, anyway, I still haven't forgiven myself."

"Ah, about yesterday? Its alright. I've forgiven you" said Darren.

"No, Darren-sama. I don't deserve to follow you anymore. Even as your slave."

Darren was silent for a moment. "Then, what do you want?"

Tora raised her face and looked at Darren. "You've always treated me like a friend. You don't hesitate to put your trust in me, and you always share what you have. But, even with all your kindness, I was still blind and doubted you" Tora continued.

Darren kept quiet and continued to listen.

"So, so that I don't repeat the same mistake. Please, give me the slave necklace," Tora continued.

Darren shakes. "No. I'm not gonna do it."

"Why?"

"I don't like that way. You betrayed me once, but that's just the past. No one is harmed anymore than me. And I've forgotten that too."

Tora was not satisfied with Darren's response. He actually just felt guilty and unworthy to call Darren a partner again.

"If Darren-sama doesn't want to do it" Tora continued. He then looked at Shiro. "Shiro, please make me your subordinate."

Everyone there was surprised.

"Tora, do you know what that means?" Robert. "That means you're inferior to monsters like us."

Tora replied, "I know."

Tora then spoke back to Shiro. "I beg you, Shiro-sama," he said, bowing before Shiro.

Shiro was just confused not knowing what to do. He is also still a subordinate to Darren. That meant, Tora would be a subordinate of someone's subordinate.

"Darren-sama?" Shiro glanced towards Darren.

Darren was silent for a moment. But then he nodded.

After that, someone gave Shiro a slave necklace to pair with Tora.

With that slave necklace, Shiro made a contract with Tora and made her his subordinate. That way, Tora would not be able to defy Shiro's orders.

Moreover, the slave necklace would also react once the slave had the thought of rebelling. When the slave thought of rebelling, then the slave necklace would channel special magic and give him tremendous pain.

Ceklek... The slave's necklace was now attached to Tora's neck. Shiro slowly removed his hand from Tora's neck and whispered.

"Tora-kun, are you serious?" Ask Shiro.

Tora nodded with a smiling face. "At least with this, I can follow Darren-sama without worrying about me betraying him again."

Darren approached Tora and patted her on the shoulder. "Tora, welcome back" he said.

Tora smiled happily and replied. "I'm back, Darren-sama."

Darren turned around and glanced at Tora from afar. "A feeling of guilt can only be treated by punishing yourself. If this is the only way, then this is the best."

Darren gets ready to leave, but Tora and Shiro seem to be busy with their business. So he waited a minute.

"Esema-kun," Tomatsu appears and approaches Darren.

"Oh, Tomatsu. Is your condition improving?"

Tomatsu. "Of course," he answered with a smile. "About that, I'm sorry I couldn't give you a clue."

"Yes, yeah, that's it. Don't think about it" replied Darren.

Tomatsu was relieved. "I'll probably try to live a quiet life" he said suddenly.

"Well, great. After all, your age has also been thousands of years. You better enjoy your old age in a relaxed manner."

"Hey, hey, that thousand years old don't know yet!" Tomatsu Sahut. He then laughed. "You know. I was thinking of trying to build a house and live quietly. Stay away from fighting and enjoy the rest of my life in peace."

"Only?" Darren.

"Maybe my thoughts toward men won't be the same as they used to be, so I'll try to find a partner."

"Ha, ha, good. Don't be alone, wait, I'm still alone."

Tomatsu approached Darren and whispered softly, "Maybe I'll try to find a man who looks like you."

"Oh, don't. You'll be sorry" Darren replied jokingly.

"yes too. Basic disciple nusahin," Tomatsu replied with a laugh.

After that, Darren, Shiro, and Tora also set foot out of the castle. Everyone there waved and cheered farewell.

Darren continued his journey towards the northeast, to the Kingdom of Noordoos. Together with two colleagues, he was sure that this trip would be full of various stories again.

"Tora, Shiro, I'm happy to be with you" Darren said

The two men smiled hearing that.

"Maybe it's time I tell you the truth" Darren said.

They were both waiting for Darren to continue his sentence.

"Actually..." Darren said slowly. "It's the first time since I last had a close friend. Thanks, yeah."

The two men smiled and answered together. "Together, Darren-sama!"

Meanwhile at the castle, Rendi returns to work under Lionna's orders. He became his trusted servant and the butler of the castle.

Robert, Mia, Sella, and Selly are also hired as servants at the castle. Their needs are guaranteed and their lives are better.

Slowly, the chaos in Vertrag began to subside. Within a few days, things were back to normal. The city was once again filled with merchants from all over the world. And Lionna established a new rule, the prohibition of the slave trade. Previously, Darren had asked him for that as well.

Meanwhile, Katherine disappeared. He was last seen during their separation from Darren. After that, it was not found anywhere. Every corner of the city has been checked, but nothing has been achieved. Eventually, Katherine was declared missing.

On the other hand, Tomatsu went from Vertrag and returned to his homeland, Erfroren. There he built a small house and lived there.

Within a few days, Tomatsu's home was known as a resting place for adventurers. Many adventurers were caught in the snow and rescued by Tomatsu. In the end, Tomatsu takes them to his house and provides a comfortable resting place.

By helping people, Tomatsu found peace in his heart. Slowly, the pain of his past began to fade every time he saw the smiles of the people he helped.

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The To Be Continued...