Kuishinbo Elf - CH 56

Soul Fusion

「Ahhhhhhhh! ?」

Why! ?　Why! ?　Hermit Crab-kun was there!?

Even though I’m completely exhausted, I tried to raised my body that had fallen over. However, contrary to my will, it wouldn’t move.

Such a thing doesn’t matter! ! Move! !

After forcefully moving my body, I somehow managed to stand up and I started walking towards Alp-ossan.

And finally……I’ve reached where Alp-ossan is. I thought about blaming Alp-ossan for what he had done.

…… However, I wasn’t able to say a thing.

Because Alp-ossan is ……

…… Crying.

There aren’t any tears coming out of his eyes. However, what replaced the tears was blood that was dripping down from his tightly gripped fist he.

「…… I don’t mind if you hold a grudge against me.」

Alp-ossan was sweating non-stop. Deep wrinkles are engraved on his brow. His mouth is shut tight while biting onto his lip. If I look closely, blood can be seen dripping from it.

What I saw was a face that is exhausted by remorse and regret …… the face of a man.

Seeing that, I lost all my strength and collapsed onto the ground. It seems that I had become relieved.

…… No, not yet, I can leave that for later.

「………………」

I stood up while still wobbling and headed toward Hermit Crab-kun. He’s so far away, even though it should only be a distance that I can normally reach . But right now……it is so far away.

Eventually, I reached it.

The surrounding was destroyed in various places by the magic and the smell of scorched flesh drifted in the air. The lump bastard’s corpse is in the way.

Move. I have don’t have any business with you!

And then …… I finally found it.

My friend.

My comrade.

My … savior.

「Hermit …… Crab …… kun?」

There he is.

He is in a terrible state.

His body is completely burnt, and his legs and shell were blown off. And one of his boasted scissor is missing too.

「That …… 」

This is a lie …… ! Someone …… tell me that this is all a lie! !

I remembered Hermit Crab-kun’s energetic figure.

His large seashell that I climbed onto with the help of Danan and Rick ……

Now…it has shattered and is in a miserable state.

His wonderful scissors that had brought me a fish.

Now … one of his scissor had broken off and it can’t be found anywhere.

His plentiful legs that were moving at full speed when we were saving Linda.

Now …… about half of them are missing.

「Such …… Such a thing ……! !」

My vision became distorted.

But …… it can’t be said that he’s dead for sure yet!

Heal …… If heal works then… ! !

『Junior! Behind you! !』

「Eh….. ?」

Senpai’s shouting voice made me turn around.

When I turned around …… the lump bastard was facing me and is in the middle of opening its large mouth! Unbelievable! ? It was still alive! ?

「Uwah! ?」

The lump bastard started to attack.

Dodging …… I won’t make it in time! !

At that time, someone behind me moved.

Su~don! !

And then something pierced the lump bastard.

That familiar and wonderful scissor is ……

It was Hermit Crab-kun’s last scissor ……

Even though it is completely tattered …… it still protected me.

Pokiri* And the scissor snapped.

Following that, Hermit Crab-kun collapsed.

「Vuooooooo…… 」

The lump bastard collapsed while melting away. Apparently …… this time it is defeated for sure.

…… Leaving that aside, Hermit Crab-kun! He was still alive! If that’s the case, then I can still make it!

「Hermit Crab-kun! I’ll heal you right now! ! Heal!」

The light of healing overflows from my hand.

And it wrapped around Hermit Crab-kun.

Just endure it for a bit more! Hermit Crab-kun! !

…… However, there is no sign of the wounds healing.

That shouldn’t be possible! ? One more time! !

「Heal!」

Why! ? What’s the meaning of this! ?

「…… Damn it! Heal! Heal! !」

It wouldn’t heal.

…… I have a bad feeling.

I realized that my face had turned pale.

I mustn’t admit it.

「Heal! Come on! ! Please heal! ! HEAL! ! !」

『Stop it already. He …… by the time you had come here, he was already dead.』

『Already dead.』Hearing those words, I snapped.

「That’s a lie! Because, because he …… protected me just now! I can still make it!」

I continued to use Heal.

『Stop! ! Your life that was saved …… are you going to throw it away in vain! ?』

When senpai scolded me, I returned to myself.

My magical power is on the verge of deleption. And then …… I clearly realized it. That this is the same result as the soldiers that didn’t make it during the war with the demon race.

「Hey …… senpai. Would you help me …… I beg you. He’s a friend …… he’s a comrade…… ! He saved my life, a benefactor…… ! !」

『……………….. 』

Senpai …… responded with silence.

There is nothing that can be done. Realizing that, I despaired and collapsed. It was already over. Tears started to overflow from my eyes. It wouldn’t stop.

And I’m suppose to be the saint …… I can’t even save an important friend.

Damn it, DAMN IT! !

「Damn it ! !」

Without any outlet, I sent my anger towards the ground. I punched the ground repeatedly …… over and over again.

「Hey …… stop it, El.」

Rioto grabbed my arm in order to stop me. From my tiny fist, red blood is dripping down.

「Her, Hermit Crab-ku …… n?」

Linda …… sorry. I wasn’t able to save him.

I could hear Linda’s quietly sobbing.

「Such, such a thing. I, I haven’t even give him my thanks yet. Why, something like this …… it’s so awful …….」

The last part was so soft to the point that it couldn’t be heard.

「Hermit Crab-kun …… 」

Folbert was also crying. Even though it was short, he was a friend that we’ve spent enjoyable moments with. The length didn’t matter.

Everyone started to gather. We were all mourning …… for the death of a friend.

And suddenly …… by the time I had realized, there was a light floating, as if it gathering around me. A gentle… pale green light. When I traced the origin of the light …… it led to Hermit Crab-kun’s corpse.

『Kouhai ….. He wishes to perform 『Soul Fusion』with you.』

「…… Eh?」

Soul Fusion …… it is a technique that takes in the target’s body and soul. In other words, it is to eat the target.

「Are you telling me to …… eat Hermit Crab-kun! ?」

『That is so.』

Before I can shout「Don’t fuck with me! !」, Senpai continued to talk.

『This light …… is his soul itself. Only when there is someone with a special Soul Fusion …… that this phenomenon happens.』

「…… And that is me?」

『That is so.』was what Senpai said.

『He probably understood. That there is someone he can intrust himself to …..

That’s why …… to save Linda-kun, he jumped to his death.』

Linda’s wailing voice echoed.

「How did he know that I can use …… Soul Fusion?」

『…… Do you believe in something like fate?

…… Whether you believe it or not …… something like it does exist.』

Fate ……? What is that…… ! ?

『…… Let me tell you a story. In the past, I had a partner that was a man.』

From Peachy-senpai’s voice, a bit of loneliness could be felt.

『That man …… when I first met him was a hopeless man. He would also say things like he’s tired or its troublesome. However …… for his comrades, he would risk his life …… he was that type of man.』

For his comrades ……

『Eventually, as he grew … he gained a lot of comrades. Of course there were humans …… and even animals had helped him. However …… at one point, an enemy appeared.』

…… An enemy.

『They would harm anything that is alive. Eventually …… they became called as『Oni』The man who became a Peachy User defeated the 『Oni』with the power of peachy power and his comrades.』

(T.N. The raw uses the character 鬼. Since this shares a similarity with the story of Momotaro, I’ll keep it as oni since most online translation of the story either translated as oni or demon. If I use demon, it may be confused with the demon raced that had appeared in the story.)

『Oni』……

『As he had fought against the Oni, his comrades fell one after another. Peachy power is the power of the soul itself …… using it excessively would eventually lead to death. However the only one who could fight against the Oni is a Peachy User. The weapons of that world wasn’t even able to  hurt the Oni at all. And unluckily …… the only Peachy User of that world was that man.』

Peachy power …… Power of the soul ……

『…… And then, the animals that were his comrades offered themselves to the man. Of course the man had refused. However, the situation didn’t allow it. If he hesitated, all his comrades would have been annihilated. That man …… was a reckless person. Junior, just like you.  However, that caused one of his comrades, the dog to receive a fatal injury. The man …… had also collapsed』

My chest tightened as I listened to Senpai’s story. Why is that …… ?

『Eventually, his comrade, the dog that received the fatal injury breathed its last breath. And then, the light of its soul wrapped around the man. Do you understand? It is the same light as the one …… that is wrapping around you. The animals …… understand the mysterious power that we don’t understand. And that is the …… 『Final Destination of Fate』and『Inheritance of the Soul』.』

…… ! First generation …… ! !

I remembered about the woman that had made the current me.

『Magic of Inheritance』

A secret art that allowed me to inherit all of her knowledge and experience. Her joyful memories, painful memories, dream, hope, despair, and …… name. All of that …… I had inherited.

『The man cried, wondering why do he had to make such a painful choice. However, he still performed Soul Fusion. That was …… the proof of the man’s resolution. Soul Fusion isn’t just something that merely supplement the soul. It is to become one with each other …… live together.』

Resolution ……

『The animals were able to see it. Someone who they can entrust themselves to. And their own fate …… that’s why they enjoyed everyday and lived. And they face their fate …… along with the one who they trust. The animals that were with the man also followed. And the man eventually pushed back the『Oni』……』

「In the end …… what happened to that Peachy User?」

『…… Of course he became a hero.』

…… That’s a lie. If you say it in a voice as if wanting to cry.

『Junior …… no, Eltina. Do you have the resolution to accept him? Of course you can refuse. The amount of hearts broken by accepting, isn’t a few.』

There is no need to think about it. It is the will of Hermit Crab-kun who had abandoned his life in order to protect us. If the most I can do for him is Soul Fusion then …… ! !

The pale green light swirls around me as if gently wrapping around me. That is the glow of the soul. Hermit Crab-kun’s body …… as if it is dissolving, changed into light.

「Hermit Crab-kun …… let’s live together with me! …… Soul Fusion! !」

The pale green light, Hermit Crab-kun’s soul entered my body. Right now I am …… “eating” Hermit Crab-kun. The light entered from every part of my body.

That’s right, I am eating Hermit Crab-kun with my entire body.

~~~

『It seems that something small had came on top of me.』

…… Hermit Crab-kun’s memories?

『…… It looks delicious. Are you giving it to me? It’s delicious, it’s my first time eating something this delicious.』

Ahh …… this was when I first gave him the yakisoba……

『Let’s bring a fish to that tiny one. It looks like they had finished eating all their food.』

『Do you guys have no caution? For one, I’m a monster.

…… However, this isn’t that bad, to have a meal together.』

This was when we ate dinner together. It was fun. The dinner that we ate with everyone. I wanted to eat with everyone again……

「Fugu …… uuuuh …… ! !」

I can’t hold in the tears. Large drops of tear are flowing down my cheeks.

『Boy, do your best. If you don’t give up …… one day your feelings will reach.』

『You have it hard too …… However, take responsibility for your wife and satisfy her.』

…… There were even conversations like this.

There are also memories where he played with everyone.

『When I followed after them …… that place is bad! I wouldn’t be enough for this …. That’s right! Let’s ask him for help!』

『Young lady, leave the crying for later …… you friends are waiting.』

So he was worried about us and followed……

He had even protected Linda.

The memory of him fighting in the courtyard. The memory of carrying Linda and running. The memory of leaving the mansion and fighting with everyone.

And then ……

『That tiny one! ? Being so reckless, but I don’t hate that! So you’re trying to help you friend? Alright! I’ll accompany you.』

『It’s amazing …… so that is magic. It is a comfortable light……

This is your kindness. If it is like this, it’ll work! No matter what happens …… these two must live! !』

…… ! !

At that time, he was already…… !

『Firstly …… the young lady. And then…… what was it again……

Right, it was El-chan. I had finally remembered it. Seriously… to finally remember it at the last moment. Is that lucky or unlucky …… goodbye, El-chan.』

『…… do it! My friend! Our time together was short, but it wasn’t bad……bye!』

And like that …… I took in all of Hermit Crab-kun’s soul.

…… ! ? That’s strange? There isn’t the memory of him saving me at the end! !

…… Could it really be! ?

Even after death, you moved to save me! ?

Ah …… Thank you! Thank you very much! ! Hermit Crab-kun! !

My life that was saved by you … I will  never waste it! As long as I live, I would live with you! I gave him my greatest thanks and showed him my resolution.

「……Thanks for the meal ! !」

I put my hands together and gave my thanks. The tears that were running down my cheeks didn’t stop…

Hermit Crab-kun that was there is no longer there. Everything had became a light and fused with me. I will definitely not forget about this day of my life.

「Thank you……Hermit Crab-kun.」

I once again thanked Hermit Crab-kun who is sleeping inside of me……