Nanahoshi's choice

"Ah?"

After hearing Luo Ge's advice, Paul couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Hey, isn't this a bit too early? Aisha and Norn are only six years old!"

Six years old?

Luo Ge grinned, leaning calmly against the wall. "It's getting late. Six is an age when you should be out there making your way in the world."

"Old Deng, have you forgotten that when I was only five years old, I dared to fight the Dragon God of the Seven Great Powers? As my sister, Luo Ge, you certainly can't be any less capable."

Paul opened his mouth, wanting to refute but unable to find the words, and in the end could only sigh and rub his forehead.

"You think everyone's like a monster like you...?"

He rubbed his temples, his tone softening, "I'm not worried about Aisha. That girl is shrewd and clever; she'll never get taken advantage of anywhere."

"But what about Norn..."

"Father."

Luo Ge's voice suddenly turned serious, and he dropped his previous playful demeanor.

"I believe Norn can do it; you should give her more confidence."

Paul didn't reply immediately; his fingers tapped lightly on the table, his brow furrowed.

"And..."

Luo Ge continued, "I will personally escort them to the Northern Ranoa University of Magic, and after settling them in, I will go to the Begaritt Continent to meet you."

"If we hurry, we should make it in time..."

He paused, then suddenly added, "Oh, and while we're at it, we can also look for Rudeus on the way and call him over too."

"Is that so...?"

Paul was clearly hesitant.

He lowered his head, his thick arms crossed over his chest, and after a long while he mumbled, "Wait for me a moment," before turning and walking out.

Luo Ge didn't pursue the matter, nor did he continue to try to persuade him.

He just leaned against the wall and waited.

He knew where Paul had gone.

About half an hour later, the door was pushed open, Paul returned.

He walked up to Luo Ge, raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder with considerable force, carrying the solemnity of a father towards his son.

"From now on... I'll leave Norn and Aisha in your care, brother."

"Good."

Luo Ge looked him into the eyes and nodded.

"A year later, my son and I met again in Gapan, the labyrinth of Begaritt."

It's a deal!

On the balcony, moonlight streamed down, casting long shadows of the two people.

Paul extended his fist, Luo Ge glanced at it, smiled, and raised his fist to meet it.

The two fists collided cleanly and decisively under the moonlight.

"Excuse me, um! I'm just interrupting!"

A voice suddenly came from behind.

Luo Ge and Paul turned their heads at the same time and saw Nanahoshi standing at the entrance of the corridor, wearing slippers and loose pajamas, holding a book in his hand, looking particularly thin in the moonlight.

Luo Ge was somewhat surprised.

It should be noted that during this period, Nanahoshi rarely appeared in public except for attending banquets and a few important occasions.

She kept herself locked in her room, engrossed in various books, learning about magic in this world.

This homebody actually showed up in public tonight.

"Nanahoshi? Something's up?"

"Um... Good evening, Luo Ge."

"Good evening."

Luo Ge nodded. "By the way, what did you want to see me about?"

Nanahoshi hugged the book in her arms tighter, as if carefully considering her words.

"I was in the next room just now and overheard your conversation."

"Was the sound too loud and disturbing you?"

"No, it's not that bad."

Nanahoshi shook her head, then looked up, her gaze serious. "After hearing your conversation, I've come up with a new plan. It might seem a bit abrupt, but right now, you're the only person in this world who can help me."

It's quite rare to see Nanahoshi so serious.

Luo Ge immediately reached out to help her straighten up.

"No need for such formalities, we're all comrades after all... Just tell me what you want to do."

"That's true, but I've already received a lot of help from you."

Nanahoshi Shizuka suddenly looked at Luo Ge seriously, her eyes filled with a kind of almost earnest determination that Luo Ge rarely saw in her.

"Please send me to the Ranoa University of Magic in the North too!"

"I can learn more about magic there... maybe I can even find a way home."

Luo Ge looked at her.

He knew, of course, that Nanahoshi always wanted to go back.

She returned to her original world, to that place with tall buildings, electric lights, and everything she knew.

Going home has always been Nanahoshi's dream.

Ranoa University of Magic is the world's premier institution for magical research; if there's no solution there, then there's no point in even thinking about other places.

"Good."

Without the slightest hesitation, Luo Ge nodded.

"I promise you, Nanahoshi."

Nanahoshi's eyes widened slightly, then curved into a relieved smile.

She bowed slightly again.

"If you ever need my help in the future, I will do my best to assist you... Arigatou, Luo Ge."

"You are welcome."

Listening to their conversation, Paul stood to the side, scratching his head with a strange expression.

Wait... what are these two saying to each other?

What language?

Why can't he understand any of it?

And why can't he get a word in edgewise???

After Nanahoshi left, Paul came over, patted Luo Ge on the shoulder, and grinned mischievously.

"You're quite the ladies' man, aren't you?"

"Now we have Roxy, and then there's Nanahoshi... and that Lara too, that makes three now."

Luo Ge glanced at him sideways, his eyes full of contempt.

"Get out of here."

Then he left without looking back, leaving Paul standing alone on the balcony, muttering to himself with a wronged expression.

"Hmph, really... his son has found a new love and has forgotten about his old father."

Luo Ge walked down the corridor back to his room, his footsteps echoing softly on the stone bricks.

Suddenly, Paul's words reminded Paul of something, and a figure that looked exactly like Roxy surfaced deep in his mind.

Long blue hair, a single ponytail... always with a mysterious smile.

Lara, a girl who seemed almost unreal under the moonlight.

He stopped and looked up at the moon outside the window.

He didn't know when it started, but the girl who suddenly appeared just vanished from his world inexplicably.

They left without saying goodbye.

As if she had never existed in this world, she vanished without a trace, without saying goodbye or leaving a mark.

She's truly an enigmatic girl.

Luo Ge had to admit that the only person in the world he couldn't understand was her.

At least he could see that the Hitogami was using him, that the god had his own schemes, and wasn't genuinely trying to help.

He could also see that the Dragon God was filled with hatred for the Hitogami, so much so that he had regarded himself as the Apostle of the Human God and was almost insane... wanting to kill him as soon as possible.

He can see through people in the world, whether they are human or gods... to some extent, and discern the motives and purposes behind their actions.

But the only thing he could see through, even with his Transparent World, was the one who saved him from the Dragon God.

Demon Race girl with whom I spent several months inexplicably, and then suddenly disappeared from my life.

Lara.

Was the surname Greyrat a truth or a lie she told?

Who exactly is she?

Where did they come from?

Why save him?

And why did you leave?

Luo Ge stood in the moonlight for a long time, but ultimately couldn't come up with the answer.

He shook his head slightly, looked away, and continued walking towards the room.

Some questions can probably only be answered when I see her again.

Of course, that's assuming we can meet again.