LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 54: The Path We Take
Notes / April / Year 2
…the first of five recorded major and minor magical anomalies (ref. Notes / August / Year 1) dubbed as "Point Alpha" experienced a rapid onset episode of chaotic activity. Until this point, these anomalies had shown no signs of activity beyond existence. All five showed signs of slow, yet constant, deterioration.
The hypothesis at the time was that these points were under the influence of an unknown factor, dubbed as "Factor Y" for the time being, and that this factor was neither consistent nor constant. Thus, it was assumed that the anomalies, assuming no outside interference, would dissipate without intervention. Our procedures regarding these anomalies have followed this hypothesis since then.
As of right now, it was correct. Of the five anomalies, the four noted to have the lowest levels of size, speed of rotation, magicules accretion, and overall cohesion have dissipated entirely. It is only a matter of time before number five followed suit. However, this lone remaining anomaly was indeed the first, and features the greatest number of all four aforementioned traits. This is Point Alpha.
A Body Double from Souei was in the area when Point Alpha began its chaotic activity, and he reported it immediately. Souei and I dispatched and investigated the area soon after.
The situation as we found it was thus: the magical anomaly within the area – which until this point had been steadily diminishing in size, speed, and spiritual pull – burst, for lack of a better term. The structure of the anomaly did not so much as collapse in on itself – as hypothesized upon initial inspection – as it did collapse outward.
This was not as much of a surprising find as it was a worrying one.
Utilizing my evolved Unique Skill: Tetra Breaker, I extended my will over the area as a grid, and forcibly stilled any violent magicules. Then, I collapsed the remainder inward, stabilizing Point Alpha into its previous form. After, Souei and I approached the center of the now magically calm area. Upon doing so, both of us noted the existence of unidentifiable noises coming from Point Alpha.
Or perhaps, not coming from Point Alpha, but from within Point Alpha. A brief silence occurred, which was them followed up by more noises that Souei claimed to be unidentifiable. He was incorrect, however. I recognized them. That noise was Germanian, butchered and scattered yet distinct to my ears.
What did it say? I have no idea, unfortunately. It was identifiable, not comprehensible.
[Ink is dotted along the open space of the page, as if the writer were in deep thought and tapping their pen unconsciously]
…
I don't like this.
-=-
Notes / May / Year 2
…the clearing and forest immediately surrounding Point Alpha have been cordoned off. Two rings of defense lines the forest: an inner layer of Razor Steel Thread and an outer layer of Sticky Steel Thread. The top of the clearing has been left open to the sky.
No further activity has been recorded from Point Alpha in the month since its chaotic episode. Due to my intervention via Tetra Breaker, the clearing has remained largely clear of magicules. Further, the anomaly itself has fully reverted to its previous state, and is once more experiencing slow, yet constant decay of existence.
However, it was determined that this decay was slower than before. It is unknown why this is, though Souei and I have proposed multiple hypotheses each. We will continue monitoring Point Alpha until it dissipates entirely, or "bursts" once more. Souei has stationed a Body Double near the clearing permanently to this end.
I asked, partly out of curiosity and partly of… would boredom become an issue?
Souei claimed it would not. Body Doubles are not literal living existences the same way as him or I. They merely think and act either on the orders of the original or based on the character traits transferred over. The Body Double of Souei that accompanied Mary, Souka, and I to Xerxes was the latter, and thus it could, for the most part, think for itself and act independently.
For this situation, Souei had created the Body Double in question as more akin to an automaton. It merely followed preprogrammed orders. This was a relief to me. It's the difference between a human on an assembly line and a robot. The human needs breaks; the robot does not. However, maintenance is an issue. Body Doubles though?
There is more yet for me to learn about the inner workings of magical abilities in this world. Yet more research…
-=-
Notes / June / Year 2
…Previously, upon rereading through my notes and reexamining the map of the initial five anomalies, I noticed an odd pattern. Regarding Factor Y, I don't believe it is the source of them. No, that's not quite it. Source implies a singular origin.
All of the mapped, noted locations pertained to instances from my time here in this world. Correlation does not equal causation; thus it would be foolish to base my theory off of this. However, I've lived in too many worlds with too many irritating factors to consider mere unlucky circumstances as the root. Let's assume these phenomena are related, for the time being.
Logically, there must be two sources. That's the conclusion I've drawn. A Factor Y which served as the catalyst for Point Alpha's chaotic outburst, and another factor entirely that allowed the anomaly to form in the first place. I will refer to this as "Factor Z".
I have no way to test my hypothesis.
No, that's a lie. I know exactly how to test it, but I'm unwilling to do so. Only one anomaly remains. And while there must be a reason this one has outlasted the others, I don't care to potentially worsen the situation. The reason matters far less than a swift end to this phenomenon. For good.
I am certain of few things. The entire phenomenon requires reclassification. These are not "magical" anomalies. Rather, they are a form of spacetime anomaly with the potential to influence the magicules on this plane of existence.
Let's leave it at that. I intend to leave it at that.
Barring outside influence, Point Alpha should fully dissipate before the end of the month. It will be of no concern to anyone once July rolls in. I, for one, am glad that one of my problems has chosen to get rid of itself for once. The pessimist in me is shouting to pay more attention, that it will never be that easy. But I'm not sure what more I could do, that I have not already done.
I [what follows is series of words is hastily scribbled over, leaving them illegible. The sentence continues after this] would like to take a break, I will admit on the safety of these pages.
Rimuru visited again and informed us all that they'd learned the location of the Dwelling of Spirits. It's in the Ulgrasia Republic, south of the Western Nations. Additionally, Vesta completed Tempest's warp pad ahead of schedule. The physical pad and the circle on top of it are necessary. Together, they are a unique existence, and now, Rimuru can craft warp circles using the Tempest warp pad's existence as a planar cornerstone.
That should mean this idiotic situation should resolve sooner rather than later. But I'm neither an idiot nor an optimist. Realistically, I'd imagine Rimuru will remain as a Professor until the summer semester closes. That, at the very least, is a potential deadline. It would be near the end of July.
I would not be surprised if they stayed until the end of summer break, too. That would be the end of August. I will refrain from commenting my personal thoughts on this matter.
However, I do have plans of my own. Once Rimuru and Mary return for good, I think I'll leave for a while myself. King Gazel has happily informed me that Dwargon will host me again if ever I wish it. Gobta has chatted about a natural hot springs in the mountains. Hakurou mentioned an excellent lake somewhere in the Forest.
Hiking, researching, relaxing, swimming, fishing…
I've never really fished before.
Shuna can come with. Mary, too.
We'll all go fishing.
-=-=-=-
Tanya was hiding something.
Oh sure, to anyone else except maybe Mary, she hid it perfectly.
But Shuna shared a bed with this woman. They were lovers. They spent so much time together compared to everyone else, it be odd if she hadn't noticed. So, to her, little things like that? She noticed.
They begged notice.
Now, before we go any further, don't get the wrong idea.
Shuna trusted Tanya wholeheartedly. If she was keeping something a secret, there was a damn good reason for it. There was no problem here, that should be made clear. No suspicion, or anger.
She had no intention of prying, not really. Not that she wouldn't ask. Nor was she worried about them going behind the other's back. They'd begged each other's names enough for the thought to never even occur. Such a thing was beyond ridiculous, for the both of them.
But it was still a fact that Tanya was hiding something. It was the faint crease to her brow, a slight stiffness in her shoulders on certain days, an almost imperceptible hesitance in touch. Tanya's nightmares had steadily gotten better over the months, but now it seemed like something in the waking world was dogging at her heels.
A dark curiosity filled Shuna at that. She was both impressed and worried at how well Tanya was at hiding this sort of thing.
It spoke to experience. It spoke to a burden one had simply grown used to carrying. Her brother had a similar look, before they met Rimuru and had been named, but after their village had been destroyed.
Benimaru had gotten better. Tanya had gotten better too. But there was a distinct look to one who'd been forced to carry burdens beyond the natural world. The eyes told all.
Responsibility. Worry. Standing strong despite them.
If only it were a simple case of overwork, but no. Tanya had learned her lesson. She had a schedule, and duties were appropriately divvied out.
Her early mornings were spent training, then doing paperwork – wooden tablet work, we've been over this – until it was time for lunch. After that, if it was necessary, she took care of whatever needed her personal touch.
Sometimes, it was a meeting with Geld to discuss Tempest's expansion. Sometimes, she met Vesta to brainstorm new projects. Sometimes it was speaking with a merchant that wanted to speak to "the one in charge"… a role that, at least as a figurehead for the time being, had been shoved upon her whenever Rigurd was unavailable.
Tanya led well, Shuna thought.
Most of the time, however, Tanya spent her afternoons doing personal research. Shuna accompanied her when she herself wasn't busy, but that didn't always happen. Thus, she couldn't possibly know of everything that worked or exploded.
Regardless, Tanya was active from her first waking moment until approximately 5 in the afternoon. After that, she was apparently "off the clock". Tanya's words, not her own.
It was a busy day, nearly every day – weekends were less intensive by far – but it was well structured. Far from overwhelming for someone like Tanya, who'd once offhandedly mentioned forced overtime with a look of disgust that rivalled the worst of things. A workday in Tempest compared to that much the way a breeze compared to a gale; comically less intensive, and much more refreshing.
The mundanity of working out and paperwork would always trump the frontlines, in Tanya's mind. And they'd been without conflict for months now. Rest occurred more often than ever.
Shuna was happy that Tanya had come so far in her ability to perform self-care. It lowered her own stress levels, that much was certain.
But then, it made the fact that something was weighing down on Tanya that much more irritating. Why couldn't they just enjoy themselves, dammit. Tempest was at peace. Couldn't the universe let up, even once?
Shuna didn't know what to do, or how to really react, other than to support her lover the best she could. She did know that if she ever found out what was causing all this trouble, she'd make damn sure to deck it or them in the face as hard as possible. Then she'd choke them out a bit, just to make sure they truly understood how badly they'd fucked up by fucking with the one she care so much about.
Right. Anyway.
Was it weird, or merely good timing, that she was baking as she thought about these things? Shaping dough into interesting shapes had never been easier than when she was contemplating how best to torture someone.
Oops, a little dough person lost a leg. What a shame. Shuna scraped her palm along the powder-covered wooden cutting board, forcing the little dough being into a pile and rolling it into a ball.
"Careful."
A warm shiver trickled down Shuna's spine, as a familiar voice drifted across her ear. Tanya reached around her, sliding away a knife that had been sitting on the side, the tip of its blade half atop the cutting board.
"I know healing is easy, but that's no excuse to allow danger. Complacency is the enemy."
This was another thing Shuna didn't know how to react to.
Shuna realized this quickly enough, but Tanya didn't openly speak about feelings, emotions, or love. She wouldn't, or maybe couldn't. It was hard for her to even think about them, much less… well, she'd never been that sort of person.
It went against the foundation of the being that was "Tanya von Degurechaff". There was a power to words, because to say something meant to give it existence in some form.
So, admitting things like that out loud was… hard. Impossible, practically. That'd be a dangerous acknowledgment. However, that kind of lead to… this sort of thing.
Tanya leaned halfway against Shuna's shoulder and side, her left hand pressing against the small of her back.
"This" being touch.
Tanya liked to touch.
All. The. Time.
It was the quiet "Excuse me" as Tanya slipped behind her, her fingertips skimming Shuna's lower back. It was the feathery palm presses against her shoulder. It was the slight squeeze as their fingers locked together. Brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, the casual kiss to the forehead while she drank that delightful coffee, followed by "I'll see you later".
Shuna both loved and hated this.
Well, that was a lie. She loved and loved it.
But she also hated it, because those constant touches drove her fucking crazy.
"Tanya. You're going to distract me. If I'm distracted, these cookies may come out subpar. And then I will be very upset."
"I am just standing here."
Yes, I'm fully aware of that.
There was something to be said about how electrified this other woman made her feel just from casual touches. Part of it was magic, both literally and in that sappy metaphorical way. Tanya's body was warm, but less in a regard to temperature and more so like a subconscious sense humming with content.
It felt good to be near her. More than good. Calling it just "good" was an insult to the feeling.
It was almost comical, now, that Shuna had initially pursued Tanya for incredibly selfish reasons. In her defense, the other woman had an enrapturing aura to her. That, and the sex was – she uses "was" here, not because it had diminished in quality, but because now, with real feeling behind it, it far transcended merely – fantastic.
For Veldora's sake, she'd had half of a crush on Rimuru back then. And while she does still love him, it's absolutely not in the same way that Shion or Milim do.
She'd never been more thankful for the utter obliviousness of her slime little brother, because otherwise she might never have… no, it was just unimaginable, at this point.
How does one describe it, when someone's hung the stars in your heart?
Shuna wondered if no one loved Tanya before, the way she does. She wondered who could ever be so foolish as to not love this woman, flaws and all.
She would also admit to a bit of bias here. For obvious reasons, her opinion on the matter is skewed.
But really, had Tanya's 203rd ever realized just how much they meant to their Commander? Had the feeling been mutual? Did Tanya even realize it herself?
Possibly. But then again, perhaps not.
Tanya valued reason over emotion. Rational thought over powerful feeling. It was a hard pill to swallow. Even of those who claimed such a mindset themselves, most of them were liars.
Tanya now, however, did not make an overt habit of it. At least, not with her, not here.
It's different now. There were no more generals, no more frontlines, no more cold nights wondering if tomorrow would be the day a wannabe god would get tired of the whole charade and just say, "Fuck it, and fuck you".
Tanya is a logical, reasonable, stubborn person. She's brilliant, and lovely, and expresses herself in a way that others may find off-putting or irritating. But that's simply who she is.
She told the truth far more often than she didn't, even if it hurt. But on the occasion that she did truly lie… it was to most often to herself.
So, with that in mind, it's likely she had realized all of it. Examined those thoughts and feelings, from herself and others, and then pushed them away to somewhere deep inside herself, where it would hopefully never see the light of day.
And that made it all the more heartbreaking.
Because Tanya died and lost everything.
Shuna could not imagine how it felt to die.
Tanya had died, and then she came back elsewhere. Shuna found it hard to imagine how that felt, too.
But she did imagine that, in the aftermath, it was impossible to die and come back the same.
Tanya could never go back to the old her. The road to accepting this fact is long and hard, yet she's already started herself down that path.
After all, the old Tanya would have never let herself fall in love.
One day, when Tanya finally released that whole truth from within herself, there would be a lot of pain.
There would be an incredible fight. If Tanya were to accept that which she hated about herself, about humanity, then how exactly could she react, finally understanding that which she'd lost?
How would Mary react?
Hopefully, the pain is one they can all bear together.
I love you.
Shuna leans further into Tanya's warmth. Tanya leans back, saying it without words.