A few moments after everyone left Luna's room
In her room, Luna remained curled up beneath the blanket, her protective energy still lingering on the bed. She had come all this way to meet Rima, but she wasn't there. Then, the temple statue suddenly informed her that the other Skill Masters had also vanished. Her journey had been in vain. If God or the Deities truly existed, then what was the purpose of sending her to this world? Why had they never appeared to deliver a message or command? She couldn't understand.
Now, her friends were gone. So were the other players. Was she to be alone in this world?
sniffle sniffle
Only the sound of Luna's sobs filled the room. Eventually, exhaustion overcame her, and she fell into a deep sleep, having spent all her energy on crying.
The next morning
Tweet tweet tweet…
The chirping of birds woke Luna in the morning.
"Is it morning already? I didn't even realize when I fell asleep."
Before getting out of bed, she glanced at the mirror. Her hair was a mess, still wearing yesterday's clothes, eyes swollen with dark circles beneath them.
"My eyes? Is this from crying all night?"
Her expression turned somber again as she recalled what had happened. But that didn't last long when she heard a sound...
GRRRROOOWWWLLL
Her face turned red in an instant.
"Oh right... I didn't get to eat after coming back from the temple yesterday."
Luna quickly brushed her hair and headed downstairs for breakfast.
Tap tap tap
The sound of Luna descending the wooden stairs echoed through the house. She made her way to the kitchen to get some water.
"Good morning, Lusserina!" Luna greeted while yawning.
"Good morning as well, Mistress!"
Luna glanced toward the lake before taking a sip of water. As she turned back to the dining table, she was startled by what she saw.
"Ah!"
She accidentally dropped the glass she was holding. Reflexively, it flew from her hand. However, Lusserina caught it just before it hit the floor.
cough cough
"Here is your water, Mistress."
"Mom... are you okay?"
Three people were seated at the dining table. One of them was Rania, who had just spoken. The other two were a brown-haired dwarf man and a silver-haired elf man.
"Mo—mmm!" The elf man seemed about to say something before being silenced by the dwarf.
Rania approached Luna.
"Mom! I was so worried when Lusserina said you weren't feeling well."
"I'm fine now. Sorry to make you worry."
"By the way, why are you here so early? What's going on?"
"We stayed over last night."
"We?"
Luna turned to look at the other two at the table.
"Don't tell me you forgot? We promised to have dinner together last night."
Last night? Dinner? Oh right. How could I forget?
"Sorry, Rania. I forgot. It's just that yesterday..."
Luna trailed off without finishing her sentence.
"You can tell us, Mom."
"We?"
The two men at the table approached.
"Do you still remember them?"
Elf man? Elf man? Elf man? A young elf boy?! Could it be...?
"Radhimar?!"
As soon as Luna uttered that name, the elf man suddenly burst into tears.
"MOTHER DEAR!!!" Radhimar exclaimed, hugging Luna tightly.
"Shh shh shh..."
After his sobs subsided, Radhimar released his embrace.
"Why does your face look like that?"
When Luna asked this, everyone exchanged glances, as if recalling something.
Wait a minute. Don't tell me you're the one I accidentally slapped last night because I thought you were a bad person?!
"Sorry, Radhimar. I didn't realize it was you," Luna said, gently rubbing Radhimar's face.
"I'm fine, Mother Dear."
"But why is the mark still there?"
"Hehehe... this is a sign of your affection, so I won't erase it," Radhimar replied proudly, puffing out his chest.
Huh? Am I hitting him too hard?
"Don't mind what he says, Mum. You'll get a headache," Bhartasz interjected.
Luna turned to the interrupter.
"You..."
"Bhartasz, Mum."
"Bhartasz! You've grown so much. I didn't recognize you."
"Of course, Mum. I'm over 200 years old now..."
But since Bhartasz was shorter than Luna, she couldn't help but laugh a little.
"But to me, you're still like a little child." Luna smiled, ruffling Bhartasz's hair.
"Mum! Don't mess up my hair. I'm grown up now!" Bhartasz exclaimed, his face turning red.
Seeing this made everyone laugh. The atmosphere, which had been gloomy and tense, became cheerful.
Everyone except Lusserina moved to the dining table.
"So, Mom, what happened yesterday, if we may know?"
"..."
"I see... so you were sad and depressed after hearing about your friends who are no longer here from the temple statue."
Luna nodded in response.
"..."
"I understand how you feel, Mom."
"Yes... Most of Mum's friends were humans, and now it's been over 200 years, so it's normal that they're no longer here."
"But you don't need to be sad and feel lonely. We're here. We promise we'll always be here for you."
"And it's not just us. There's Lusserina and Aunt Rima too, so you won't be lonely."
"I agree with my sister."
"!"
That's right. Why should I be sad and depressed because I have no one in this world when I have them? What they said is true. Most of the Skill Masters were humans (or their avatars were human), so it's normal that after 200 years, they're no longer around. But I still have Radhimar, Rania, Bhartasz, Lusserina, and Rima.
I still don't know why I'm here in this world. I also don't know if I can return to my previous world, to my old life. But even if I can't go back and have to live in this world, I won't be lonely. Besides, there's no one waiting for me there. No one would mourn if I were gone. So, I've decided to live this life to the fullest.
I've made them worry. I've also hurt them, especially Radhimar.
"Sorry, everyone, for making you worry. And sorry about your cheek, Radhimar." Luna said, holding Radhimar's cheek.
"It's okay, Mum. I know you didn't mean to hurt me."
"Just like my sister said. If you have any problems or something you want to discuss, you can tell us or Lusserina. Even though we might not always be able to help, at least we can lighten your burden a little."
"Yes, thank you all."
Tears welled up in everyone's eyes. Rania and the others immediately hugged Luna. The touching atmosphere made Lusserina, who was tidying up the house, pause for a moment and smile before continuing her tasks.
This heartfelt moment didn't last long and was broken by the sound of Luna's stomach growling. Her face and ears turned red with embarrassment. Everyone burst into laughter.
After that, they decided to have breakfast together.
"Ah~ I'm so full."
"Big brother eats like he's starving."
"Yeah, good thing we're not eating in public. That would be embarrassing."
"Well, Lusserina's cooking is really good."
"Yeah, I agree. It hasn't changed since before."
"I also agree."
"Mistress is too kind. But I'm sure your cooking is also delicious."
"Yes, Mom, next time you cook, we miss your cooking."
"Just like my sister said, we've been wanting to eat your cooking again."
"How about later for lunch?" Radhimar suggested.
"But for lunch, I have to buy the ingredients first in the city."
"Then let's do it tonight! How about it?"
"AGREED!" Radhimar exclaimed.
"Aye! I agree too."
"Is that so? You miss my cooking?"
"Miss it! Besides, if we do it tonight, I can bring Elrik here."
"Elrik? Who's Elrik?"
"Secret. You'll know later, Mom." Rania winked at her.
"..."
"By the way, are you on holiday?"
"No," Radhimar answered.
"Then why aren't you going to work?"
"Oh, right! We were so caught up in reminiscing that we forgot the time."
The three of them suddenly remembered something and looked at each other in shock.
"We'll go to work now, Mom!"
"We'll go now, Mother Dear."
"I'll go now, Mum."
"Mom! Tonight, we'll have dinner together!"
In an instant, they all left the cottage. Luna could only shake her head and smile.
"Such..."
"Lusserina, sorry for making you worry."
"Mistress doesn't need to apologize. There's nothing to forgive."
Without saying another word, Luna hugged Lusserina.
"Oh, right, may I accompany you to the city, Mistress?"
"Sure."
"Then I'll get ready first."
"Yes, I'll get ready too."
After preparing, they left for the city.