Chapter 1027: Isn't There a Lap Pillow?
"Don't overthink it. At least until after 2400, the Cursed God shows no intention of emerging. This means we still have at least 2400 years to figure out a solution."
Seeing her distress, Eiji spoke up to comfort her.
"With your abilities, 2400 years should be enough time to accomplish many things, right?"
He understood now.
No wonder future Morgan built the royal capital next to the Great Pit.
That was essentially to monitor the Great Pit—so she could react immediately if any anomalies occurred!
To prevent the Cursed God's emergence, she must have made extensive preparations around the Great Pit.
"You're right. There's no need for me to worry unnecessarily right now."
Thinking this way did make sense.
Upon reflecting, the worry on Tonelico's face lessened considerably, and her expression softened.
"How are you feeling?"
Once relaxed, she immediately turned her concerned gaze toward Eiji.
"Still can't move."
Eiji assessed his entire body.
His nerves remained in an extremely lethargic state, preventing him from mobilizing even one ten-thousandth of his strength.
Honestly, if Tonelico hadn't been by his side, he might have already died under the claws of wild beasts!
"It's a pity I didn't bring the Select Lance. If I had it, I could at least make you more comfortable."
Tonelico expressed deep regret. Had she known, she would have kept the Select Lance with her.
"The Select Lance—that's the weapon bestowed upon you as a Fairy of Paradise, right? Can it help lift my curse?"
Eiji thought of the Select Staff in Artoria's possession and asked curiously.
That staff indeed possessed remarkable power, though Cast Artoria couldn't unleash its true potential. He was quite curious about how powerful it truly was.
"It can't lift the curse—the curse on you is too dense. But it can make you more comfortable, at least enough to walk. After all, the Select Weapon carries power granted by Paradise."
Thinking of the Select Lance, Tonelico couldn't help but sigh again.
"Unfortunately, the Select Lance has been tainted by my emotions and has become something... less desirable."
"What do you mean?"
"Last time I resolved a conflict, the fairies were so self-righteous that I flew into a rage. The Select Lance's system changed—it now consumes lifespan instead of mana... So I sealed it away in Salisbury Cathedral and didn't bring it with me."
I see.
Eiji suddenly remembered.
Grimm had said something similar.
Noble Phantasms respond to their master's expectations. They can unlock deeper powers through training, alter their inherent forms, and even change their operational systems—from consuming mana to consuming lifespan.
"Could it be that your Select Lance was originally the Select Staff?"
"Whoa, how did you know? I've never told anyone that!"
Tonelico was startled.
Her flustered, surprised expression unexpectedly carried a youthful charm.
My wife is so adorable!
When she was dispatched from Paradise and drifted to the surface, the Select Weapon that accompanied her was indeed the Select Staff.
However, as her mindset changed later, the staff meant to protect her companions transformed into a lance meant to pierce her enemies!
"In the future, Grim once hinted to me."
"Grim... so he had already seen through it? Truly worthy of being the God of Wisdom, nothing can be hidden from him."
Cedar showed an expression of understanding, returning to her initial elegant and dignified posture.
The two fell into silence simultaneously.
For a moment, neither knew what to say.
"Speaking of which."
After a while, Eiji suddenly spoke.
"What?"
Cedar lowered her head.
"Isn't there a lap pillow?"
Eiji abruptly made the request.
"L-lap pillow?"
Cedar was caught completely off guard.
"Think about it—I rushed into the Great Cave despite the danger, got covered in curses by the Curse God, and now I can't even move. I did all this for you, right?"
Eiji stared straight into Cedar's eyes, persuading her with logical reasoning.
"Th-that is true..."
"Ah, how heartless some people are! I'm in this state, and I can't even get a small reward like a lap pillow. How chilling!"
"Stop talking! I'll give you the lap pillow!"
Cedar grew flustered.
She quickly glanced around, noticing that the others weren't nearby.
Gritting her teeth with difficulty, she moved Eiji's head and gently placed it on her lap.
"However, my legs aren't very fleshy, so it might not be comfortable to lie on."
"Indeed, they're quite bony. It would be better with a bit more meat."
Eiji thoughtfully pondered his impressions and suggestions.
Infuriated, Cedar delivered a sharp knock on his head!
You're the one who wanted the lap pillow, and now you're the one complaining!
Will this ever end!
As soon as she knocked him, she abruptly remembered that Eiji was currently a patient and had been injured for her sake, so she instinctively softened the force.
In the end, the knock on his forehead felt more like a gentle stroke.
"If you have complaints, then don't use my lap as a pillow!"
"Don't say that! I never said I wouldn't!"
"Then shut up!"
"Okay!"
Seeing that Eiji had truly quieted down, Cedar sighed in exasperation.
What kind of taste will my future self have?
Why would I fall for someone like this?
His strength is impressive, but his personality is hardly commendable!
Could it be because of his face?
Surely not?
Recalling the glimpse she had of him this morning, Cedar suddenly felt less confident.
Having lived for over three thousand years, she had genuinely never seen a more handsome man than Eiji. Could it be that my future self fell for him because of that?
Suddenly, I feel like I have terrible taste. What's going on?
"Hehehe..."
A lecherous chuckle suddenly came from nearby.
Turning to look, she saw Ecbert squatting in the grass, thoroughly enjoying the scene.
Beside him were Habbycat, whose eyes were sparkling, and Mash, who for some reason was lost in thought.
They had probably been drawn over by Eiji's earlier loud shouts.
Whatever.
You can watch if you want.
As she looked at Eiji, who had fallen asleep again on her lap, Cedar suddenly felt no rush.
After all, you all know he's my future husband. Sooner or later, I'll have to get used to this, so there's no need to feel ashamed.
While Eiji was asleep, Cedar thought for a moment, then bent down like a thief and removed all the disguises from his face, revealing a clean but weak sleeping countenance.
That vulnerable appearance pierced her heart like an arrow in an instant.
Cedar reached out, brushed aside the bangs on his forehead, and carefully traced the contours of his eyebrows and eyes, gently stroking his nose and lips.
As if wanting to forever etch this person's image into her heart.
She gazed for a long, long time.
"History possesses restorative power. Things that never existed leave no records, and even memories become distorted... After you depart, all memories of you will likely fade from my mind as well."
"But I will never forget you... Absolutely not."
Cenn firmly resolved in her heart.