Otherworld TRPG Game Master - Chapter 270



270 – Last Farewell – Part One –

How should she say goodbye?

She couldn’t speak honestly. She didn’t have the courage. Oh Dae-soo would surely be sad, and Kim Lulu herself would probably cry her heart out.

She didn’t want to see his sorrow. If possible, she wanted to part with a smile. If that wish was unattainable, then at least she hoped he would be less sad.

Because she was happy with Dae-soo, she wished for him to be happy because of her too.

—

If she had met many people and built relationships, it might have been different, but Kim Luru had lived a life with very little time and experience. She lacked the wisdom to unravel the complex riddle of her own death.

After days of contemplation, what flickered through Kim Luru’s mind was a story she had heard from a fellow knight about pets.

Dogs, it was said, tend to isolate themselves as death approaches, as if trying to hide their demise from their owners. Perhaps it would be wise to borrow the insight of these loyal and intelligent creatures.

So, what if she were to embark on a long business trip lasting about 90 years?

If she simply blurted this out without any orders, Oh Dae-soo would scold her for lying. Kim Luru cunningly prepared even evidence to back her claim.

At first, she had forged the order herself.

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

Looking at the wildly twisted, free-spirited handwriting, it seemed obvious to anyone that it was Kim Luru’s. She decided to outsource this part. She sought out Ronald, the head of the 3rd team of the Capital Knights.

“Could you write a business trip order for about 90 years…?!”

“Sure.”

“Hmm, do you want to go on a trip or something? A proper rest is indeed necessary for those who uphold justice… But if you leave for 90 years, who will maintain order in the imperial capital?! By then, everyone will have forgotten the name of the knight commander!”

“That would be great. I hope it’s completely forgotten!”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

Ronald stroked his mustache, which had grown back after being singed by the ‘Blue Rose.’ Being a department head, he had a vague understanding of Kim Luru’s lifespan.

As one approaches death, they become more of an adult. Even if one does not wish to grow up, their heart wilts, and they inevitably do.

Luru’s expression held a sentiment akin to bare branches swaying in the wind. It was strikingly mature yet sorrowful. Was she preparing for her end?

“Just as the forms of justice are countless, so too are the shapes of endings. If you wish to make a sudden departure your final act, I won’t stop you… But are you really okay with this? What about your friend, the ‘Blue Rose’?”

“⋯⋯Oh, you knew?”

“There are numerous eyewitness accounts of a woman who bears a striking resemblance to the ‘Blue Rose’ regularly meeting and having fun with you. As the light of justice shines upon the capital, all secrets are bound to be revealed someday!”

And surely, the transcendent-level knight commander would not frequently overlook just a vigilante group.

If, by any chance, the ‘Blue Rose’ were a transcendent powerhouse, the capital would have been reduced to ruins long ago from a battle with Kim Luru, so that was not the case either.

Luru hesitated, then lowered her head.

“I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to apologize! Protecting a friend is part of justice too! I didn’t mind the vigilante group── Here, this is the business trip order for 90 years. I’ll write it, but think again about where you’ll use it!!”

“Uh… Thank you, Ronald. It was noisy and smelly, but it was fun.”

“⋯⋯The smell! It’s something unavoidable for an adult male!!”

“Dae-soo doesn’t seem to mind?”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

With a flutter, Luru stepped out of the Capital Knights building, waving the order behind her, while Ronald racked his brain to interpret the information that had just reached his eardrums.

Dae-soo. Considering it was a name that Luru spoke of with great fondness, it was presumably the name or nickname of the ‘Blue Rose.’ If that were the case…

—

—

The beautiful girl known as the ‘Blue Rose,’ adorned in a flowing dress, had secretly captured the hearts of several members of the Order of the Holy Knights… was actually a boy?

“………!!”

Ronald was frozen in immense shock.

—-

Countless tea times at the dessert café had been repeated so many times that he could no longer count them. Originally, this time was just for the two of them, but due to recent events, the number had doubled.

First, there was the oddly-shaped, furry beast, Mungae.

“This black tea has a deep flavor, you know. It’s a subtle taste that you can’t find in commercial products. But I think it would be better with a bit of ice.”

“Do you want to die, Mungae?”

And then there was the girl with amnesia, whose name and age were unknown, mimicking Odaesu’s words with a blank expression.

“Mungae, do you want to die…?”

“Kim Hayang, don’t try to learn such harsh words.”

“Kim Hayang…?”

“That’s right.”

It was a bit more lively and fun. Of course, if the time alone with Odaesu had decreased, I might have felt a bit of regret.

“I’ll take Hayang away soon. Today, we’re going to study ethics and world geography.”

“I hate ethics…”

“If you do well this time, there’s a reward of marshmallow-flavored smoked herring prepared for you.”

“I like ethics…”

Since Mungae was effectively playing the role of Hayang’s caretaker, their time alone was definitely guaranteed, which was nice. No, it was nice. But now, it was a bit painful.

As Hayang carried Mungae on her head and headed towards the small retreat prepared by Lulu, a strange silence flowed between Lulu and Odaesu.

After a while of hesitating, Lulu pulled out an order from her bosom and handed it over.

“…I think I have to go really far.”

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

“This order just came in. So, it’s from 1990…”

“What, 1990?! Give it here. What the hell are those crazy Holy Knights doing, handling things like this—”

Odaesu grimaced and snatched the order away in one swift motion. He read through it quickly, and there was nothing strange or wrong in the document. Ronald had filled it out meticulously.

She let out a groan and placed her hand on her forehead. A sudden business trip…

Lulu glanced at Odaesu with a worried expression. If Odaesu were to just say, ‘It can’t be helped, I guess this is where we part,’ it would be perfect.

Then she would go to some nameless, remote place and die, and Odaesu would grieve less. Perhaps the girl named Lulu would be forgotten quickly and find a new partner.

But things could not unravel that way. When a precious person suddenly leaves, what man would simply let them go without a fight?

After a moment of contemplation, Oh Dae-soo made his decision.

“Let’s go together.”

“…Huh?”

“I said let’s go together, you fool.”

Lulu waved her hands in a fluster. It was different from what she had thought. Wasn’t Dae-soo busy with a lot of work?

“No, no, you… you have family matters to attend to. You’re supposed to change the family…”

“Enbus will handle it. Or I can just follow you on your business trip and expand my influence.”

“But, but…”

“You seem a bit strange today… Kim Lulu, I’m saying this just in case you’re misunderstanding something.”

His tone shifted. The soft femininity that had recently begun to emerge faded away, replaced by the solid and steadfast feeling he had when they first met.

Creak.

He stood up from his chair and approached her. Before Kim Lulu could respond, Rodeleus took her by the cheeks and looked her straight in the eyes.

Lulu had been trying to run away more often lately. She was keeping her distance, speaking less, and smiling less than before. Rodeleus had even stayed up at night, wondering if she was tired of him.

But Lulu’s gaze towards Rodeleus hadn’t changed. It was clear to anyone that she liked him, and Rodeleus knew that too. He confirmed it every time.

So.

Since their feelings hadn’t changed, she couldn’t just run away on her own.

“You said Oh Dae-soo is mine, didn’t you? Are you planning to change your words now?”

“Th-that’s…”

“If he’s yours, you should take good care of him. I don’t know why you suddenly seem damp, but I have no intention of letting you go. Because I think you’re… well, I like you.”

From noble mtl dot com

“Ah, ah…”

Kim Lulu turned bright red and averted her gaze. The person who had never done this before, who had been shy about expressing affection, was now mustering the courage to say such things, making her heart race as if it might burst.

Rodeleus seemed to want to say something more but quickly closed his mouth, as if holding back. He wanted to say the next words in a more appropriate setting.

This much should have been understood. Oh Dae-soo returned to his seat, fanning his flushed face.

The operation to make Kim Lulu disappear along with her 90-day business trip ended in failure.

—-

Since then, there had been various attempts.

#1: The plan to act deliberately unpleasant to make her detach emotionally.

“I-I’m not eating cake.”

“…Are you on a diet? But Kim Lulu, thanks to your fable ability, you don’t gain weight.”

“I’m not drinking black tea either! I-I won’t eat anything. I’ll just sneak a strawberry off the cake, and, and! I’ll steal Oh Dae-soo’s straw!”

—

How is it, Oh Dae-soo!

Kim Lu-ru felt a bit triumphant.

If Oh Dae-soo were to say just one word, “I hate you, Kim Lu-ru,” I might shed a few tears, but it’s a necessary step for farewell. She steeled herself.

If she committed such heinous crimes, no matter how great he was, he would surely be fed up with her. After her ominous declaration of crime, Rodeurus let out a shallow sigh.

“If you wanted it, you could have just asked. Here, ahh.”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯!!”

Was he really offering a precious strawberry skewered on a fork?!

When Hayan tried to snatch it away, he didn’t hesitate to give her a light smack on the head…!

Moreover, that fork was the very one Oh Dae-soo had just used. This meant it was an outrageous act, practically an indirect kiss.

Kim Lu-ru squeezed her eyes shut and clamped her mouth shut, holding her ground. She even shook her head to express her refusal. This was the secret of being insufferable, to waver back and forth.

However.

“Okay, here comes the airplane. Whoosh.”

“Ugh…!!”

She couldn’t withstand the airplane whoosh. Kim Lu-ru had to grant permission for the strawberry airplane to land, and sweetness and happiness were ruthlessly dropped into her mouth.

Lu-ru savored the strawberry deliciously and shot a sulky glare at Oh Dae-soo.

“⋯⋯So frustrating!”

“Why on earth…?!”

Anyway, it was frustrating.

#2: The Operation to Become Ugly.

“⋯⋯Are you asking for some strange makeup?”

“Yeah. Make me look super ugly…!”

If I look completely bizarre, like a lady with a big, curly afro, wouldn’t that make him lose interest? They say men like pretty women!

At Kim Lu-ru’s intense request, Mungae showed a rather perplexed expression.

“Well, whatever prank this is, can’t you just let it slide today…?”

“No way!”

“Tsk… Anyway, you’re a couple that requires a lot of effort. Fine, just sit there.”

Mungae pulled out the makeup tools with a sullen face. Then, in a very serious tone, he warned Kim Lu-ru.

“This forbidden makeup technique will indeed give you a terrifyingly ugly face… but you must never look in the mirror. Not at your reflection on the surface, nor on a shiny plate.”

“⋯⋯Why?”

“Because, if you’re too ugly… the Kim Lu-ru inside the mirror will be so shocked by her own face that she’ll shatter!”

—

Gasp. Kim Luru inhaled sharply.

If the makeup is that hideous, should I ask them to make me look a little less ugly…?

No. To part ways, I must steel my heart. With firm resolve, Kim Luru requested to continue, and Mungae began applying makeup, wielding various tools with flair.

After about thirty minutes (I thought I was going to die of boredom waiting), Mungae wiped the sweat from their forehead and said,

“…It’s done. I did it, but it’s a masterpiece. Just wear that beautiful dress, and it’ll highlight your not-so-pretty face!”

“Is it really okay?”

“I warn you again, absolutely do not look in the mirror!”

“Got it, thanks, Mungae!”

Kim Luru donned the pretty outfit, even putting on mismatched shoes. With this, Dae-su would surely hate it. If I act cute and clingy like this, I might just shatter his feelings completely!

She set out with determination.

Today was the day Dae-su had asked to meet in a quiet place, just the two of them. What perfect timing! This was the chance to break up.

“…….”

She held back tears that threatened to spill.

I wanted to wear this dress at my wedding. I never imagined I’d be wearing it with such an ugly face. Dae-su had two appearances, so I thought we’d have two weddings.

When everything was over, I wanted to live under one roof, waking each other in the morning and falling asleep together at night.

I wanted to live together.

She walked briskly. As she climbed the hill where the flowers bloomed, she spotted Rodeleus in the distance. He was elegantly dressed in a noble’s tailcoat.

A handsome man with scarlet hair against the backdrop of the sunset was quite a visual shock. Why had he gone to such lengths? Dae-su.

“…You.”

“Hehe.”

As she approached, Rodeleus widened his eyes in surprise. Then he looked away. It seemed her plan had worked.

How ugly had she made herself that he couldn’t even meet her gaze for a second before turning his head! Mungae truly was capable of anything.

Alright, now to act cute. Kim Luru stumbled slightly in her unfamiliar shoes and leaped into Rodeleus’s arms.

Then, like a cat, she rubbed her face against his chest. How is it? How is it?

Kim Luru confidently lifted her head to look up at Rodeleus. Despite the sunset casting a red hue in the sky, his face was distinctly flushed.

Being so close, she could tell. His heart was racing wildly.

Feeling a bit strange, she gazed into Rodeleus’s eyes. Her reflection shimmered in his pupils. Inside his eyes, oh my… a stunningly beautiful girl stood there, looking flustered!

Mungae had deceived her!

As Kim Luru trembled with betrayal, Rodeleus seemed to think she was just cold. He took off his cape and draped it over her bare shoulders.

“…Did you notice, even if it’s just you?”

“Yes, yes?!”

“No, it’s not. Did Mungae meddle again…? A different look is nice, but to my eyes, you look prettier without makeup.”

“Uh?!”

My head spins. Why is Oh Dae-soo acting like this? He was sweeter than usual! If his usual self was a croissant, today he was a chocolate cake.

He swallowed nervously for a moment.

“Lulu.”

Kneeling in front of Lulu, he carefully lifted her hand and showed her a beautiful diamond ring from his pocket, saying:

“…Can I put this on you?”

“……..”

I know. Kim Lulu may be a fool, but she understands that this is a proposal.

With a hint of hesitation and anxiety, she painfully realized that the man in front of her was conveying his desire to spend a lifetime together.

I must have made him anxious.

I must have made Rodeus anxious.

His shaky, clumsy demeanor, and her wavering presence seemed to have provoked him. He didn’t want to lose Lulu, and after consulting with Mungae, he planned this proposal.

I want it. I desperately want that ring. But…

“Ugh…”

Tears burst forth. Like a broken faucet. The tears flowed freely, washing away her pretty makeup. Kim Lulu cried, both happy and sorrowful.

I’m so happy I could die. The scenery is beautiful, Rodeus is handsome, and the ring sparkles. This moment could truly be perfect, like a masterpiece. But.

Lulu had ruined everything.

She should have spoken up before he confessed. Before the worst timing arrived, she should have revealed the truth without hesitation.

At least not in this moment. But everything she thought was for each other turned into a deadly poison.

In response to Rodeus’s love, Kim Lulu had to answer with death.

Fool, idiot.

Idiot…!

The tears wouldn’t stop. Lulu sobbed, gasping through her overflowing cries, confessing about her short life that she had been putting off.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Rodeus… I’m really, truly happy, but… I… I’m going to die soon. I can’t be with you for a lifetime…!!”

“……..”

“I’m sorry, sob, I’m really sorry… Waaah…!!”

The ring was never delivered.

Rodeus held her silently. Until the sun set and darkness fell over the hill. Lulu cried endlessly, until she finally fell asleep from exhaustion.

The blessed and beautiful day that should have connected their hearts was tragically shattered by the two words: short-lived.

—-

Nevertheless, they must live on for as long as the remaining wax of the candle lasts.

“What if we go on a journey, Lulu?”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

They prepared for their final farewell.