It was a memory from days long past, already in the realm of nostalgia. From before Juvia Rayne was hailed as one of the Seven Maidens of Midgar. Back when she was still immature and reckless but an adventurer burning with dreams.
Back then, almost all elves still stayed cooped up in their forests, and it was rare for one to travel the outside world like her. She was a strange one to her race, an oddball, an eccentric. Juvia remembered a lot of those insults being thrown her way. However, she didn't mind, and more than that, she was enjoying traveling the wide world on her own two feet. She met many people, parted with them, and then met more in the next town.
Just like that, Juvia traveled around the world. It was around then when she met Naru.
Back then, every day was fun.
"This is what I think: Elves all coop themselves up in their forests too much. They should experience more of what this wide world has to offer. They need to turn their eyes outside."
Juvia told her friends her dream as they all sat at the same table in a dingy bar. It definitely wasn't a good bar, and the alcohol they offered was, likewise, of the same quality. However, everyone was there. Friends that were gone now. Even Naru, who she cut ties with, was there. Back then, everyone was with her, and they all laughed together.
"That's why, someday, I want to make a country where elves can live proudly. Not in the back of some small forest, but in a more gorgeous urban place. I want to prove that elves can make it in a country like that."
"Oohh! You sure dream big!"
"Hahaha! You talk pretty big, too, don'tcha? That's right! Girls have to have big dreams!"
After that, the future Blacksmith Princess and the Adventurer Princess joined in on the laughter, which brought everyone else in, too.
Next, Naru stood up and declared proudly with her booze in hand: "That's too naive, Juvia! If your dream is to found a country, then mine is to conquer the world! I'll make a paradise with my own hands! One where nobody has to be afraid of grimmfolk!"
The table boiled over with excitement in a flash. Her dream, which was too big to even be called a dream, caused everyone to do a spit take.
In response, Naru's face reddened, and her voice started to raise.
"Wh-What's so funny?! I'll tell you now, I'm serious! I'll make you eat your laughter someday, Neo!"
"KYAAAHAHAHAHA! Conquering the world is too much, even for you, Naru! If you really manage it, I'll eat pasta through my nose!"
"All right, you said it, Neo! It's a deal! No going back; if I conquer the world, you're definitely eating pasta through your nose! Hey, come on! Don't you laugh, too, Juvia!"
It was so fun back then. Everyone talked about their dreams, which were half delusions, something they weren't even sure they could achieve. They laughed together, and although sometimes they played pranks and fought, they'd always make up and laugh about it.
But-unfortunately, they had the power to make the girl's dreams a reality. And once it became real, everything started to go wrong a little at a time.
Just where did it start?
I… We… Just where did we step down the wrong path… Naru, if it was you, would you know the answer…?
***
The fight with Fiona ended, and I was immediately invited to the Nobles district by Juvia.
Each of the four bridges that led to the center were constantly guarded by over one hundred soldiers, and it didn't seem like they moved, even during that whole fuss.
I see. So while the border guards and the mercenaries with Teuchi were buying time, they were planning on concentrating their might here to try a counterattack.
It's true that this Nobles district is the center of the country with its castle, as well as its heart. It's the place they can least afford to be destroyed. However, that also meant leaving Teuchi and the others who fought so hard to die, so I can't really praise that behavior. Like this, there would have been no point to the deaths of all those people who sacrificed themselves believing help was coming.
…Well, I may have my own opinions, but everybody has their own way of doing things. It's not my place to step in.
Still, I suppose I should have expected this out of the Nobles district. It's really pretty. This country itself was pretty well developed and designed. The Nobles district just completed the picture. There was not a single shabby looking house, and everything was basically a mansion. Even the people walking the streets were wearing fancy clothes like they were going to a ball, and they acted elegantly and fearlessly, as if they didn't even know about the battle at the border.
Well, on the point of clothing, I don't really have the grounds to comment. Under my robe is the usual dress, too.
…Let's make something more normal to wear with alchemy eventually. The castle was also very well designed. It's hard to explain, but… Let's see, it's like if they took France's Chambord Castle and just made it a size bigger, I guess. The main coloring was centered around a mixture of blues, and the combination of white and blue was really beautiful.
As I passed through the castle gates, the soldiers there looked at me dubiously, but I ignored them and followed after Juvia, who's moving with a flying hover pod.
"Ohh, Lady Juvia! I was worried!"
"I was so worried about what would happen to you when you went out by yourself… Oh, I'm so glad you're alright!"
When we entered the castle proper, a group of well-fed men dressed in uselessly extravagant clothing came to meet Juvia. My instant impression upon seeing them was "pigs wearing clothes," but I admonished myself for how rude that was. Well, they say obesity is a sign of wealth, so I guess it's not totally bad. More importantly, it's wrong to judge people based on their appearances.
"However, I'm loath to say this, but you should be more aware of yourself, Lady Juvia. You and Levia are irreplaceable treasures to this country."
"That's right. You are several times more precious than anyone in that Trade district."
…Ah, crap. I already want to take back what I just thought. These guys sound like they're worrying about Juvia, but I can't feel any actual emotion in it. All I can feel is a sense of relief that they themselves were saved. This is basically that kind of thing… You can translate it to something like, "You and Levia, who protect us, are way more important than other people."
"Truly, it's great that you're safe."
"Indeed. This means the country is still safe. Hahahah!"
Those pigs in clothing were saying whatever they liked, but Juvia just ignored them and passed through. Haruka and I followed, and eventually, we left through the opposite side of the castle and came to a separate mansion.
I see, so Juvia doesn't live in the castle, but in a separate place like this. Certainly, this way it's much quieter since she won't be constantly in the middle of all the bustle in the castle.
…Hm? But then, wouldn't it have been fine to go around the castle instead of through it?
"How was it? Awful, right? Those were this country's elite, meant to protect the people. But all they have in their heads is their own safety and the favor of those above them."
"…So you wanted us to see that."
"Yes. Since it's you, I wanted you to see the proof of my mistakes."
I want to tell her not to cut through the castle just to show me something like that, but I'll hold back on that.
As we entered the mansion, a butler-like person tried to take off my mantle, but I refused. The butler seemed disappointed by that, but still proceeded to hand Juvia a crutch, after which he took the now-empty hover pod somewhere else.
Then, I was shown to a noticeably fancier room which seemed to be for receiving guests.
"We've come this far; it should be good enough. There's no one here other than me and no prying eyes, either.… Would you show me your face?"
"All right."
Urged on by Juvia, I undid the clasp on my outer cloak, took off the attached hood, and quite literally spread my wings.
As for the feeling of release and finally being free to move my wings, it's hard to describe. Actually, I've been feeling constrained and squeezed this entire time. I'll probably cramp up if I don't let my wings free every once in a while.
"…It really was you… Naru."
"Yeah. It's been a while, Juvia, old friend."
Now then, this means one of my objectives has been achieved. Now I just need to know if this woman's a player like me inside…
Of course, I'd like it if she's the same. Someone also from Japan, who for some reason is possessing their avatar and is a comrade in the same position as me.
But… Yeah, it's different. She's different.
I understood already. I was made to understand. If she were the same inside, she wouldn't be looking at me like that. The feelings showing through Juvia's eyes… were fear and regret. As if she was trying to apologize to me. They were pitiful eyes, like the sort a child would give to their parent after having done something bad.
If she was a player, she'd have no reason to fear me. There wasn't a single reason to regret what she did to me if she was. That fight was started with consent from all sides, and she would know that it wasn't anything near a betrayal. If she truly was afraid and regretful of that fight, then that meant she was a resident of this world.
I see… So you're the same. You, too, are a resident of this world, Juvia.
"…So, even you look at us like that…"
So, I guess I'm still alone in this world, in the end. That's just a little… No, really disappointing.