Translator: ShiroiKaze/Soyokaze Translations
4th Act, Supplemental
Authorâs Note: A bonus.
Itâs short, but it felt a little long when I put it in the main story, so I pulled it out to post separately.
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To Levy, in this current season,
Aw heck, formalities like that donât feel right between us.
Once again, welcome back. Iâve been waiting a long time for your return.
After what happened, do you know how much I worried that you might have committed suicide or something?
I knew you were stronger than that, but considering even the slightest chance of something like that happening is just part of this business.
Itâs been about a year since you left.
That seems pretty short, but it felt long for me.
You and your group were like a light of hope to me, when you cleared 100 floors in only a year after registering.
I thought if anyone could conquer the labyrinth, it would be you.
So I believed you were sure to return.
Do you remember when we first met?
You had hardly arrived at the counter before saying, âIâm going to climb the World Tree, so give me the qualifications.â
There were plenty of people who came to register before adulthood, but even among them, youâ¦You seemed a little spacey.
Thatâs why I introduced you to some companions, and gave you a recommendation for the academy. And while I was taking care of you in all sorts of ways, a strange sentiment bubbled to the surface.
It felt almost like I had gained a little sister.
And so you continued clearing floor after floor.
The days you spent in the labyrinth increased from one to two, and the days you showed your face in the guild decreased in direct proportion. I was a little lonely, to be honest.
But the stories you brought back were really fun to hear.
What kind of traps you encountered, what types of monsters you fought, and what sort of klutzy things you did.
Even though you were desperately clearing the floors, I could only look at it like I was watching a play.
So without any basis for it, I was certain that you, Levy, would conquer the World Tree. Like a well-made play.
That day, when I heard the party was annihilated, is when I realized my mistake.
Why hadnât I told you to always be more careful?
Why hadnât I informed you that danger always springs when things are going well?
Even though I had heard those things countless times in the past, I got it into my head that those rules didnât apply to you.
If it was you, who seemed so adult as you saw through practically everything, I felt certain you wouldnât need advice like that.
Even though I thought you were âspaceyâ the first time I saw you.
I had seen you let your guard down, and knew you had⦠And yet I didnât warn you.
So that incident wasnât your fault alone. It was my fault too.
So I wanted to apologize.
But I thought I probably shouldnât at the time.
After all, if I had said, âItâs my fault,â while you were feeling down, it probably would have had the opposite effect and hurt you.
So when you disappeared from town, I wondered; had I made another mistake?
But you came back.
With new companions in tow, to challenge the legend again.
Itâs only been a year since then.
There are plenty of people who remember that incident, and the wounds on your heart probably havenât healed.
But when I see you stand back up anyway, I feel like Iâm watching a hero.
And so, Levy,
Welcome back.
Thank you.
And Iâm sorry.
No matter who else despises it, I gladly welcome your return.
From your dearest friend,
Remy