The Seirei Gensouki Spirit Chronicles
End Chapter 8: Bonds + Bonus

“Even if Onii-chan decides to leave, I have already decided to wait for him in the village!”

Latifa said with a carefree smile, as tears suddenly rolled down Ursula's cheeks.

“Oho .. So yes, I'm so much easier to cry in old age .. Rio-sama, thank you for saving this child.” Ursula clasped her hand, as if she were praying.

◇◇◇

A year passed in an instant. One day, as Rio's departure from the village to the Yagumo region drew near, he was summoned by the village elders, and went to the council hall in the town hall.

“Hm. welcome. ” Syldora, Dominic, and Ursula stand in front, welcoming Rio with a smile.

“Erm .. Do you need anything from me today?” Rio asked somewhat cautiously due to the somewhat exaggerated reception. Syldora was the one who started the conversation.

“Yeah, there is something we want to give to Rio-sama, because you are our village benefactor and sworn friend. First, please accept this as a gift from the village. ” With that, Syldora gave Rio a bracelet. It was made of a mythril metal called silver magic and had an intricate formula carved into it, along with a huge spirit stone embedded within it.

(Tln: mythril is a metal that is stronger and lighter than steel)

“What ... is this Time-Space Cache? I can't accept something so precious.” Rio's eyes widened, rejecting the gift almost reflexively.

Rio was quite familiar with the Time-Space Cache. Filled with space-time magic that cannot be reproduced by humans through magic, it was a magic artifact that had a rather incredible effect. This creates a semi-eternal isolated dimension that is comparable to the essence of the registered owner, from which items can be stored and retrieved freely at will.

“Don't think about that. It is a symbol of our friendship. Your journey should be a lot easier with this, right?” Syldora shook her head, and pushed the TimeSpace Cache to Rio.

“Maybe easier, but ..” said Rio, expressing his doubts receiving the gift. Then, from the side of –

“Don't think about the details, Son. That is the meaning of sworn friendship. And the reward isn't just from the village, you know? The dwarves have prepared a set of weapons to give you. This sword is made of mythril. It can absorb your spirit arts and encapsulate itself in them. There was also a set of armor made from Black Wyvern leather that you defeated. To be honest, it makes the armor look like paper,”

dominic said in a good voice, with several dwarves carrying weapons and armor following him. The precious sword was embedded with a beautifully glittering spirit stone. The armor sets were designed like clothes, with gloves, boots, and long coats all made of Black Wyvern leather. It was sparkling with a jet-black luster.

“Because you still have room to grow, we make the size a little on the bigger side. We will make further adjustments once you return to the village. And, just so you know, it was made especially for you, so you have no right to refuse it,” Dominic said with a satisfied look.

“The dwarves are not the only ones who prepare gifts – we elves have prepared a large number of medicines as well. There is an inventory list of everything included, which you can check later,” Syldora said, giving Rio a piece of paper and pointing towards the large wooden box on the floor beside him that must have been filled with medicines.

Many elf medicines were made using precious ingredients and made with spirit arts, and their effectiveness was a league beyond what human medicine could do. The list handed over even included secret potions and magic herbs, making Rio's eyes widen.

“Is it really okay for me to take such potions and potions from you?”

“Hahaha, don't worry. I was the one who gave instructions on how to make all those recipes. As long as you have the materials, I can teach you how to make them as well, Rio-sama. ”

“Isn't those ingredients very valuable?” Those were all items that were difficult for humans to cultivate; some items even required the sap of a Dryas tree.

“They may be difficult to obtain in human territory, but that is not the case in this village. Please take as much as you want,” Syldora said with a gentle smile.

“Now, there is still a werebeast section to account for. We have prepared the ingredients harvested in the village – so much, even you will never run out. Due to the large amount of materials, we can't bring it here to this place, but you can store it in your TimeSpace Cache later. Oh, and this one isn't just from werebeasts. ”

Finally, as if to deliver the final blow, Ursula served a mountain of food and drink.

“Everything ... You guys prepare a lot of things ..” Rio clenched his fists as his face twisted apologizing.

“That's ridiculous to say, son. You underestimate how much you've done for us up until now. We are not grateful to let you go from this village without bringing anything!” Dominic said with a laugh.

“Indeed, exactly as Dominic said. You can think of it as the collective will of the village. ”

“Betul. So, please – we want you to receive it.” Both Syldora and Ursula spoke in a determined voice. Behind the three chief elders, the other village elders nodded deeply. Rio slowly raised his head and looked around at the faces in the room.

“The words of thanks are not enough for the greatest good you have given me that is unworthy. If any danger will befall the spirit of the people, I swear to help you as your sworn friend – with my whole being.”Rio uttered his oral promise, and bowed his head.

◇◇◇

Finally, it was time for Rio to leave the spirit village. There were so many people who wanted to drive him, they had to borrow the Dryas temple as a gathering place before his departure.

“Everything, thank you very much for this past year and a half,” said Rio, thanking everyone who came to see him.

“May your trip be fun, Onii-chan!” Saddened by the breakup, Latifa hugged Rio until her appearance became a little messy – but Rio found that everything was getting more charming.

“Latifa, Rio in pain,” Sara said desperately with a smile on her lips.

“Since we won't meet again for a while, I replenish Onii-chan's energy as much as I can! This is your chance if you also want to hug Onii-chan, Sara!” Latifa said from where she clung to Rio.

“A-What ?! I don't want to hug her at all!” Sara denied with a reddened face.

“Then I'll hug her, not Sara.”

“...I also. Excuse me.” Orphia and Alma said, Just showed up.

“Hah?” Sara said with astonishment.

“Good for you, Sara! Orphia and Alma will do it at your place. Okay, I'll stop for a second, then!” Latifa said with a triumphant smile, releasing Rio so that Orphia and Alma could get close.

“Uugh ..” Express Sara twitches.

“Ehehe, a little embarrassing. Then .. excuse me. Goodbye, Rio. Let's live together again when you get back!” Orphia said her parting words with a bright smile as she hugged Rio gently.

“Thank you. I will look for delicious recipes while I am on my way,” Rio replied, smiling shyly. Then, after Orphia released him with a slightly regretful look, Alma stepped forward.

“Rio. Please make sure to take care of yourself. I will pray that you have a safe journey.” Alma also hugged Rio with a reddening. Rio had grown quite tall during his stay in the village, so compared to the smaller size of a dwarf like Alma, it was like the difference in the size of an adult and a child.

“If I find delicious sake on the way, I will bring it back as a souvenir. We can drink it together. ”

“Ah .. T-Sure. If there are not too many problems, then please do. ” While she thought it was a bit strange for a young girl to be offered alcohol as a souvenir, it still made her happy, which made Alma's facial hue even deeper.

“Come, Sara, you too!”

“Wah! H-Hey, Latifa! ” As soon as Alma releases Rio, Latifa pushes Sara from behind. Losing his balance and tripping over his legs, he found himself in front of him.

“Ah, umm. Hey, Rio ...” Sara stood in front of Rio timidly with deep red cheeks.

“Hai, Sara. What can I help you with?” Rio replied with an amused laugh.

“T-Please train me again when you get back!” Sara said somewhat hurriedly, before moving quickly and hugging her gently.

“Sure. Continue your own training so that you can win over me next time. ”

“Ugh ... alright. I won't lose! ” With a small groan, Sara clenched both fists with motivation. Then, Uzuma, Anya, Vera, and Arslan, as well as the crowd of other spirit people, all came forward at once.

“All people at once?” Rio looked around with wide eyes.

“Sara's group is special!” Vera explained.

“Rio, I hope your trip is fun. Let's play together again when you get back.” Vera hugged Rio sweetly.

“Gosh. Did you win over Sara's sister too? I shouldn't be surprised anymore. ”

“What do you say, Anya?” Rio's smile twitched doubtfully.

“Rio! Stay healthy! Train me too when you get back! ”

“Ya, sure. You take care of yourself, too, Arslan. Please be good friends with Latifa. ”

“I-That's for sure, of course.” Arslan blushed and looked away a little.

“Rio-sama, I am also looking forward to the day that you can fight again with me. I will try to discipline myself more than you, to become stronger,” Uzuma said next.

“Yes, I will train myself as well. I'm looking forward to our rematch.” With that promise, Rio and Uzuma shook hands with each other.

For Uzuma, while it was just a practice match, Rio was one of the few opponents he could go all-out against. The same goes for Rio. Ever since he taught Uzuma techniques to fight with others, his skills have increased exponentially. The two of them anxiously waited for their rematch.

“Then, I will pray for your luck. Be careful.”

“Ya, look forward to your souvenirs.” With a deep nod, Uzuma left Rio's side. Then, the elders appeared.

“Oho. We will make this short and sweet for you; the elders will say goodbye to all of them. Riosama, come back to us at any time. This village is also your home,” Ursula said with a cheerful smile.

“Betul! Come back whenever you want!” Dominic said with a carefree laugh, grasping Rio's arm firmly.

“Iya. All of us present will be waiting for you to return, Riosama. May the spirit guide your journey.” Syldora smiled and said a prayer for Rio's safe journey.

“Thank you very much. I hope everyone here is also careful,” said Rio, nodding at all the elders.

“Hopefully your trip is fun and soon to see you again, Onii-chan!” Latifa came once again to give her final greetings, hugging Rio with

enthusiastic.

“Ya, I'll be right back.” Rio gently hugged Latifa back. Finally, he reluctantly let go of his hand and turned around with determination .. Just to turn around to face the spirit villagers.

“Everything! It is my greatest honor to be a part of you. I am deeply indebted to all of you for inserting my unworthy self among your ranks as a sworn friend,” Rio said in a loud voice, before manipulating the wind with spirit arts and drifting gently into the air. The villagers cheered at him and waved their hands.

“I look forward to the day we meet again!” With that said, Rio waved his hand and rose deep into the sky. Then, his figure disappeared, swiftly heading towards the sky horizon. The spirit of the people waved their hands until they could no longer see Rio's form.

“That's it,” muttered Alma slowly when Rio's form disappeared completely.

“Sara, Orphia, Alma. I will not lose,” Latifa said, her eyes fixed on the sky where Rio disappeared.

“...Huh? Lose to what? ” Sara replied in confusion.

“I like Onii-chan. As a family, and as the opposite sex. There may be someone other than us in Onii-chan's heart .. But I will not give up. So, just in case you all love her too, I will declare war now. Even so, it doesn't matter if none of you care about Onii-chan in that way .. ” Latifa looked at Sara and the others with a brave smile.

“A-Wha – I never said I didn't care!” Sara said faintly with a bright red face, her words neither confirming nor denying anything.

“Fufu, it's not very honest with you, Sara,” Orphia said with a sweet smile.

“Betul. Being dishonest because your shame is your fault, Sara.” Alma lowered her shoulders in despair.

“A-Are you not the same as me, Alma ?! You're not the one to talk to!” Sara objected.

“At least I'm honest when it's the most important!” Alma said nonchalantly and turned her face away. Sara knows this is the kind of behavior Alma does when she feels ashamed, thanks to the years they spent together.

“See! Like that! We are the same in the way we are ashamed! ”

“Not that I'm talking about.”

The way their conversation heated up like this was typical for Sara and Alma. If Rio was present, he would watch with a wide smile at such a familiar sight. The villagers present watched, all of them smiling, as the noisily girls argued.

It was the year of the 998 Sacred Era – over seven years had passed since Rio regained his memories of his previous life. The day when history will be moved is fast approaching.

Chapter 8: Bonds

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Eits is not finished... bonus!!!

Epilogues

One day, in the region of Yagumo, in the Kingdom of Karasuki .. On a small hill outside a certain village stood two small stone pillars. A man kneels before the pillar. Behind him, a calm-looking woman did the same. The man's clothes were inconspicuous, but he was wearing clothes that were similar to refined samurai clothes,

with a single-edged straight sword sheathed at his waist. The woman was wearing elegant and decent clothes with a nice pattern. Both of them were between the prime and middle-aged years, but they still looked young.

“Surely brings back memories. Make me think about the days when you said you wanted to see Zen's hometown, so we drove you out and took you to this village …” The man muttered towards the pillar with a sad smile engraved on his mouth. He seemed to be talking to himself, when the woman behind him showed no reaction; he simply remained on his knees with his eyes closed.

“... Miss Ayame, the view from this hill has not changed much since then.” The words of the man who muttered, wailing were almost drowned by the gentle wind that moved the grass on the ground.

End

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