Chapter 1033: Final Goodbyes

Everyone couldn’t believe what they were hearing from me. I usually don’t say anything like this even when something hard has been happening and even then, I remained positive with my outlook that my new actions are not something they think I would be doing.

"Manato?!" Riko frowned and had a worried look on her face.

"Son! Why are you saying your goodbyes? Shouldn’t you say positive stuff instead of being like this?!" Father is also not looking fine and is about to cry.

"Dad. I can’t guarantee the success rate on this one. I may be always confident in many things but this time around, I have some doubts about whether I can survive this or not. It is better to say these words in advance than be late and never be able to do it in the future. Please, let me be selfish for once. I don’t want to say anything before leaving. I will make sure to return, but I will not take my chances and do this while I still have the chance."

Despite everyone’s worries and protests, all of a sudden, someone unexpectedly suddenly steps forward. Everyone was shocked as well, seeing that the one who suddenly took a step forward was none other than Janus himself, using the avatar he was using in the "game."

"Let’s hear out Manato. He might be saying some parting words but that doesn’t mean he will be dying today. This is just a way for him to relay his message in case he fails. If we stop him from doing it, then not only will we not hear any final thing from him, but we will regret it for the rest of our lives as well. So please, let him speak."

Although I have many questions about why Janus is here, I don’t want to waste my time and use the time to make useless talks. Therefore, I decided to do my final parting words.

"Everyone. I know that we have been fighting for so long even during the time that we are together with some who just joined us recently. However, it has finally reached the point where we will have to go on the final decision. I wanted to run away forget everything here that happened and live my normal life. However, that is no longer possible for me. I have already ventured far enough. Things are also the same for everyone as well, and I am thankful for all of you who helped us reach this point of this battle."

I sighed and cleared my throat as I looked at everyone. "I am sorry for being unreasonable everyone but I will try my best. I know that this battle might end with my death, but please, if it happens, please don’t grieve for me. Please live your lives to the fullest. I am not asking for all of you to join me or continue my work. I am just happy that you all stick with me for all of these years. Especially to my friends and my followers. You guys are the best. Even for someone like me who is nothing much but some kind of normal guy with a weapon that can devour other weapons. But without you all, we would have not made any wonderful memories together."

My friends started crying already. Even my followers are also starting to cry as well. Even the Desert Wolves are looking down as well.

"If things get bad and I am not going down again from this staircase, please, live your lives to the fullest. Make sure to remember me, even my embarrassing moments. To my followers and pets, please do what you all want to do. You will all be free from my influence and you all can do whatever you want to do without me."

"Master! Don’t worry, we will protect everyone you love in here until the very last. We will not fail you, Master!" Atlas firmly said, even though I could hear some sniffles under his helmet.

"Master, even though you ordered us this, we are already family, so we will not leave. Even if it takes you long to return, we will wait. We are a patient bunch. Don’t worry about the future and worry about today. Make it happen and come back, Master. I know you can do it," Lina firmly encouraged me. She had reddish eyes as she cried just now but she held her best to stop it and show me her strong front.

Lucia steps forward as well. "Master, I know you will be back. I know you are worried about us, but I am certain that you can do what you are going to do. e will also do our best as well. Remember, Master. We are not just your followers, we are now your family. You can do it."

I smiled as I moved in to hug every one of my followers. They are all crying but they are trying to make themselves strong. Even Cotton who is still a kid is sad as well and handed me a solid ball of honey candy that she made herself. She seems to be still having a hard time speaking but she is doing her best. Tina silently gave me an acknowledgement but her eyes were also getting red. But that alone is enough for me.

My friends also hugged me one by one.

"Idiot, Manato. Come back, safely alright? Don’t you dare die on us and leave us like this!" Riko’s tears are flowing as she angrily slams her fists on my armor.

I could only smile bitterly at her but I couldn’t say my certainty that I would be coming back.

"I don’t have much to say, Manato. But please, don’t die on us. Remember, you are not the hero. And it’s not worth it to become a hero. So avoid that path, and come back to us, alright?" Rika has a much stronger emotion than everyone but I can tell she is also sad.

"Brother! You need to be safe! We will not be saying goodbye with my sister to you. We will definitely meet again!" Akira is very positive despite the tears in his eyes.

"I agree with Brother, Big Bro. You are the greatest benefactor we have, we still haven’t repaid you for all the things that you gave to us. So come back, so that we can do that!" Sora nodded vigorously.

Renatta, the elves, and Pixie also approached me. "We are indebted to you, Manato. You might just be a human, but you showed us how to be strong and how to remain one despite adversity. Now that you are facing the greatest challenge, don’t just give up. There will be hope and with that hope, you can rekindle that and become the flame that will guide you back to us, safely."

Then they hugged me. The only one who refuses to hug me is Izmir, but she only gave me a tap on my shoulder and I think that is enough.

Next is my parents. They both hugged me as they cried. However, they are not stopping me.

"Manato. Remember always, that we are waiting for you. We will always wait for you, no matter how long will it takes. You are the hero in our eyes and even if you are not treated as the savior, you will remain as one for us... I know this is a daunting task, but please, make sure you are going to be safe," Mom then shoved a few potions on my hands. Most of them are something I haven’t seen before.

"This is a decoction that I helped create with your Mother, Manato. Treat it as something that you will use if you are in a pinch. Don’t worry about it and drink it if necessary. Stand proud, son. You have reached this far. And we wouldn’t be here, if not for you, so come back safely."

I nodded and pocketed the potion. "Thanks, Mom, Dad. You two really are the best."

Queen Tanya patted me on the shoulder and smiled. "Manato, I order you to come back. You are my rival after all. And we have not settled who is the best between the two of us, so don’t you dare die without us settling the final bout, alright?"

"I will think about it," I grinned.

"Don’t think, do it!"

I can only smile with how Queen Tanya is still looking happy as usual. She is positive that I will survive this battle, huh?

Janus approached me as well and gave me a bump on my shoulder. "I am sorry for not listening to your words, Manato. But, I didn’t regret every second of my decision."

"Shouldn’t you be on the side of Nobuhiko?" I asked.

"My contract with him ended already. Now I am back to my independence again. And I also know that you can’t forgive me for my betrayal. But don’t worry about it. You can get mad at me all you want, but I already made my decision. However, I didn’t come here to ask for forgiveness, Manato. I came here to deliver something that might be useful for you on the final battle."

He then handed me an orb that looked like it was filled with something.

"What is this?"

"One of the life essences of the Goddess of Life. I got it from the main base of operations. Since the goddess left, I managed to grab it from her. I don’t know what you can do with it, but the Goddess beside you can do something to it, yes? Use it if you need to."

I looked at Almira and she nodded, silently saying that we do have indeed some uses for this thing.

"I will be helping here as well, so focus on your battle. Like what everyone said, come back safely."

"Heh, if that is the case, it is good to have your back once more, Janus."

"My pleasure, Manato. It’s good to be back."

Janus left and I was about to leave but someone yanked my hand and I was surprised to see Pandora. Before I could say anything, she lifted my mask and suddenly kissed me on the lips which caused me to be shocked. Everyone else also cheered like they seemed to already know something.

"Idiot. Don’t say goodbye to us just yet. We still have so much to do. So please..."

I blushed, but I smiled back. I didn’t know Pandora had those feelings for me. I might have already known this before but I keep on ignoring it as I don’t want to start a new relationship just yet. However, this time around is different. This only strengthens my resolve.

"Yes. Wait for my return."

She hugged me before giving me something. A necklace that is shaped like a sword.

"It’s time Manato. We should get going."

I nodded as I looked back at everyone. I smiled and faced the ladder before us. It’s time to start closing the final curtain.