The Lone SF Transmigrator in the Otherworld Forum
Chapter 194: Final Act (4) (End)

“Speaking of which, Karl.”

“Yeah?”

“Isn’t it about time you told us?”

“Huh? Tell you what? Ohhh…”

Maxien fixed a serious gaze on him. Though initially puzzled, Karlstein quickly understood.

“You mean about me being back for a while now?”

Like the others, Maxien had changed significantly during his absence. It was why she could sense his presence, albeit faintly. Of course, Karlstein had intentionally leaked traces of himself to ease her worries too.

“Karl. As you said, we’ll be entering a new world together.”

“Right, right!”

Maxien ignored Camilla’s flippant agreement and continued.

“If you’re hiding something, there must be a reason. But I’d still like to know. We’ll be together forever now.”

“Forever is a bit heavy…”

“Stop avoiding the question!”

“Haha, alright. It’s not really a secret.”

Karlstein had not intended to hide it. While he had only reappeared in the Galactic Empire 20 years later, he had been able to move freely for about 10 years prior.

He remained in seclusion, and Maxien was asking why.

“Hm. Well you see…”

Karlstein’s explanation was tinged with both a shy awkwardness and a wistful fondness. It was about his younger sister.

“There was a girl… who’d carried a heavy burden for a long time.”

“What’s your relationship with this girl?”

“Don’t tell me! Don’t tell me! A secret daughter?!”

“Haha, no way.”

“Then why 10 years?”

“Hm.”

Karlstein began to explain. Those 10 years were precious. They were the time Yui had finally broken free from her shackles and lived as an ordinary human. Karlstein spent that time with her, living a normal life as ordinary siblings, sharing her remaining days.

There had been some initial resistance from Yui, of course.

-Why?!

-You’ve been through so much.

-Sniffle. You idiot.

But knowing it was all for her, she did not protest further.

Yui’s soul was damaged beyond repair, even with the Galactic Empire’s technology or his transcendent powers.

Karlstein devoted himself to making her remaining time as fulfilling as possible. He rebuilt their old family home, got a dog. They tended a garden together, went grocery shopping. Yui drew pictures, practiced the piano, and even studied old school textbooks.

It was an ordinary life, insignificant to most. But for her, it was a dream she had longed for over countless eons.

Karlstein poured all his attention into their time together. He wanted to fulfill her wish.

-All this, after daring to ruin my meticulously crafted plans?!

-Haha.

Her wish was simple.

-An ordinary life with family.

So Karlstein did his best. It would be a lie to say he was not heartbroken when he had to let her go.

-Silly brother. I won’t worry anymore… so take your time coming to see me.

She did not seem sad, even facing death. Her closed eyes, never to open again, held a gentle curve. It eased some of the weight in Karlstein’s heart.

Knowing they had both done their best, he bid her farewell with a smile.

“…”

“…”

Camilla and Maxien were stunned by the unexpected, heavy story.

“Haha.”

Yes, unlike him, they too would face their end someday. He might grieve, remembering these times.

But Yui had taught him something. If they cherished the time they had together, the sorrow would not be so unbearable.

“I’ll be counting on you, Maxien, Camilla.”

“Uh, uh…”

“Sob! That’s so sad!”

[It would be hurtful to leave me out, Master.]

Aria chimed in with a joke.

“And Virdel is the last.”

“Huh?”

“…?”

Even the stoic Maxien looked surprised.

“Five, including Aria. That’s all I’m taking. We might not return.”

“…”

“There must have been many who objected?”

“Leira as well. Hmph.”

This had been a long and difficult decision for Karlstein. Who to take with him, and who to leave behind in the Galactic Empire?

In truth, he had already spoken to Leira and his other followers. Some had vehemently insisted on joining him. Karlstein had gently dissuaded them.

“I want them to live their own lives.”

“And what about us?”

“Haha.”

“Don’t be childish, Camilla.”

“N-no, it’s not that I mind…”

Karlstein was sincere. He did not want them to live their lives blindly tethered to him. Most had adapted well to the Galactic Empire, forging their own paths, gaining loyal subordinates, friends, and fulfilling careers.

Leira and the other two still looked to him, however…

“From now on, mediocre strength won’t cut it.”

Even Virdel had barely made the cut. In terms of raw power, Virdel and Leira were comparable, with Leira perhaps slightly stronger. But Virdel’s growth potential was exceptional.

“Besides, there are quite a few people who need Leira.”

Whether or not it was romantic, being needed by others gave a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Leira would overcome her pain and find her footing again.

In the first place, Virdel’s problem was how she completely isolated herself from others.

Karlstein did not regret his choices. He had spent considerable time with them, offering comfort and support.

“Umm. Ahem!”

Unbeknownst to Camilla and Maxien, a faint blush crept onto Karlstein’s cheeks. The others had demanded a memento as a parting gift, and he had obliged.

…Since they promised to ensure their children would be loved enough to make up for a father’s absence, he could only trust them. They and their children would be financially secure for generations.

Of course, excluding Aria, Camilla and Maxien were blissfully unaware.

“Ahem.”

“Huh?”

“What’s wrong?”

“N-nothing.”

Karlstein quickly averted his gaze, a twinge of guilt pricking his conscience.

“Anyway.”

“?”

“…?”

Maxien and Camilla were puzzled by his reaction, but not for long.

Virdel was about to appear, signaling they were ready to go.

Pzzt-

A fissure appeared in the air, and she stepped through.

“It’s good to see you again.”

“Ready?”

“Her growth rate is definitely on par with ours now.”

“Aren’t we rushing this a bit?”

[I am prepared, Master.]

Virdel wore a coat and held a pair of thin rapiers.

Aria resided within the ACC, a computational device the size of an asteroid.

Maxien Asteria summoned twelve lightsabers, suspending them in mid-air.

Camilla Bashatiret materialized her personal weapon vault, the size of a battleship.

Meanwhile, Karlstein looked as if he were on a casual outing.

“Of course, I’m not leaving everything to you. I’ll at least even the playing field.”

Karlstein began conjuring a spear of light, growing larger and larger, absorbing the surrounding light like a black hole, radiating immense power.

“I’ll start it off for you girls, since I do need to seal at least one of its transcendent powers.”

Single Number No.1 possessed the power to manipulate reality and illusion, the tangible and intangible. Its domain, the size of a star system, was undetectable and inaccessible to any known technology.

Karlstein gripped the spear of light, assuming his stance. He aimed and—

“Haa!”

Shwooo-

The spear of light quickly became a single, searing line, shooting off into the unknown.

BOOM-

“!!”

“Uhh?”

“…”

The entire universe seemed to tremble.

“Alright, let the raid begin!”

They stared at him, dumbfounded, before sighing and launching themselves toward their target.

***

Karlstein watched their battle, lost in thought.

“Ahhh!”

“Virdel! Support me!”

[Deploying support fire to the designated coordinates.]

No.1’s power to manipulate the boundaries of reality was the final piece, the key to a new world. Once it was defeated, this world would likely transcend reality, moving to some place beyond.

What lay beyond, he did not know. A terrifying hell? A surprisingly habitable place? Something unimaginable?

But one thing was certain—it would not be a paradise. Entities like the Outer Gods, the ones who had ensnared Yui, surely existed there.

This isn’t just about revenge.

Standing before the final piece, he knew it instinctively.

“It’s just part of what our world also had to face eventually.”

He simply made the first move so others would not have to. He only accelerated the inevitable.

“Beyond reality, huh…”

Were those Outer God-like beings watching them now, amused? Or were they indifferent?

“I hope it won’t be too much of a struggle.”

They had suffered enough. But even if hardship awaited, he would not give up.

“Hmm, I wonder what the civilization of this new world will be like.”

Would they possess overwhelming technology, beyond even the Galactic Empire’s wildest dreams? As a true devotee of SF, Karlstein found the prospect intriguing. But it would not matter even if that was not the case.

“If it doesn’t exist, we’ll just create it.”

It would not be impossible with Aria around.

Though it seemed like they were abandoning the Galactic Empire with just the five of them…

“Maybe we’ll return someday?”

Hahaha.

Perhaps they would grumble and complain about the hardships of leaving home. Even so…

“I don’t think I’ll regret it.”

He had a strong feeling about that.

-Virdel! Leave this side to me and fall back!

-Aria! I don’t need long-range support anymore! Assist the others!

-[Understood.]

Already, No.1’s defeat was imminent.

Rumble-

Tremors? Wind?

No, there was no atmosphere in space.

Crackkk- Crack- Crackk-

The world fractured around the fading No.1.

Whoosh-

A wave of energy erupted, shaking their very existence.

“Whew. That wasn’t easy.”

“I was worried for nothing!”

“Good work, everyone.”

[Single Number No.1 has been eliminated.]

They smiled at him.

“Let’s go already.”

“Hehe, adventure time!”

“…”

[Please take care of us, Master.]

Karlstein grinned and followed them. A blinding light enveloped them, obscuring his vision.

This, too, was another journey.

Karlstein surrendered himself to the light, standing shoulder to shoulder with his companions.

Together, they ventured toward an eternal horizon.

-Fin

***

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