"Even if you use <> and <>, it's just a life-prolonging measure."
"......"
"Originally, this method was developed by Erza-sama for her elderly master Jin-sama ......400 years ago."
"......"
"At first the effect lasts for a day or two, but gradually the duration becomes shorter."
"......"
In short, Liese concluded, we are half-way to extending the life of a dying person.
"...... but Marikka is not that old yet. ......"
Jin was about to say something like that when he recalled that no one knows how long a person will live.
"Then what should we do ......!"
"Four hundred years ago, the master said, <>."
"......"
But that doesn't seem to be the case to Jin now. I imagine that he said that because he is much older than he is now.
"...... It's harder for those who are left behind than for those who leave behind."
As a survivor, I could not say such an enlightened line.
"And ......."
Jin recalled the 700672.
"I remember the <> were also concerned about this."
. Their followers take the loss of their masters especially seriously.
"We must prevent the <> from being destroyed, even if by some chance."
But how to do that?
"...... we must go to the <> as soon as possible."
Then Jin said,
"Marikka is feeling better now, so I'm going home. I've left Rubina and the others on Horai Island.
He left Marikka's house.
He then used the warp gate to move to via Horai Island.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Oh, Jin-dono, welcome!
<700672 seemed to be enjoying his life in Hale. But when he saw Jin's unusual behavior,
"What's wrong, Jin-dono?"
Jin asked.
"Yes, as a matter of fact. ......"
Jin explained Marikka's condition.
"...... I see."
I thought he would panic, but 700672 he remained calm.
"I knew that day would come."
Indeed, the had spoken of the some time ago. Jin recalled.
"I thought about it a lot. I even thought that as long as it was a duplicate of ...... Marikka-sama, its memories and personality wouldn't matter."
"That's ......"
Jin was about to say something when the <> interrupted him by extending his hand.
"...... but I don't want to do that. The Marikka-sama whom I have chosen as my new <> is a Marikka-sama, including memories, experiences, and everything else, and not just a being whose <> matches mine. It should not be.