Two weeks passed after that.
Marikka's condition remained in a state of temporary stability.
The people of Onogoro Island took turns coming to visit her.
"Since I get to see so many dear friends like this, being bedridden once in a while isn't entirely bad," she said, putting on a cheerful front, though her complexion remained pale and frail.
Even though Jin had overcome countless hardships, a person's natural lifespan was something he simply could not change.
(No... there's still the last resort of transferring her memories and personality into a homunculus or an automata, isn't there?...)
Considering the Elder, No. 700672, turning her into an automata would not be suitable this time.
(I wonder if the homunculus was a success...)
He was anxious to know, but having told Laojun and the others that he would leave the matter in their hands, he could not very well ask.
(Besides, even if she does become a homunculus, she won't be able to interact with ordinary people anyway.)
If the "living" humans found out, it would undoubtedly cause mass confusion.
(In that sense, retiring to Planet Hehl might actually be for the best.)
Suddenly, the phrase "Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss" drifted into Jin's mind.
(Calling it a Pure Land might be presumptuous, but I suppose it serves a similar purpose.)
Jin then recognized anew that, properly speaking, he himself was also an existence that ought to withdraw there eventually.
Two days later.
At last, the effects of Heilverfahren and Heilung began to wear off much faster.
Now, Lise was casting them anew every three hours.
"Marikka, is there anything you'd like to eat?"
Sion had practically been living at Marikka's house the entire time.
"Thank you, but I don't really have an appetite right now."
"Is that so? If you think of anything at all, tell me right away."
"Yes."
It seemed only Persica juice could still go down her throat, so Jin had brought over a large supply from Hourai Island.
However, even that was no miracle cure.
"Jin-sama."
"What is it, Marikka?"
Lying in bed, Marikka called out to Jin.
"I saw you off once before, you know, Jin-sama."
"Ah, that's right."
It was just under four hundred years ago, back when Jin had been in his original mortal body....Though the current Jin had no memories of that time.
"...This time, it's my turn to be seen off, isn't it?"
"..."
Marikka had likely sensed her own impending end. She wore a serene, transparent smile, as if she had come to terms with everything.
"Even so, I am so grateful to have met you, Jin-sama—you who saved us when we were called 'demons,' and even called ourselves that, and allowed us to live in peace like this."
"Marikka, you're younger than me, so stop saying such pathetic things!"
Sion encouraged her with sharp words, as if briefly reverting to the firmer tone of her younger days.
"Thank you. You're right, I still..."
Her words trailed off there.
"Heilverfahren! Heilung!"
Lise immediately cast the healing spells. With that, Marikka rallied slightly once more.
"......There are still so many things I wish I could see through to the end, but..."
"Marikka-sama, there are still so many things I want you to teach me!"
"Marikka-sama, please get well soon!"
Lordtoss and his younger sister Vita also came over to clasp Marikka's hands.
"Thank you, everyone."
(...What is the Elder doing?)
Jin felt a twinge of panic. If they were going to do something with Marikka's homunculus, wouldn't it be too late if they didn't act soon?
Time simply slipped away.
"Heilverfahren! Heilung!"
Every three hours became every two hours, and soon Lise was casting healing spells every thirty minutes. Even so, Marikka had reached the point where she could no longer lift her head from the pillow.
"......While... I can still speak, let me say this....Sion, thank you for all these years."
"Marikka...! Stop it, don't say such things! You and I are still going to watch over the future of our people together!"
"I'm... sorry..."
Then Marikka turned toward Jin.
"Jin...-sama. I give thanks to everything in this world for the blessing of having met you."
"Marikka..."
"I have... just one... wish..."
"What is it?"
"...Could you... pat my head... like you used to............?"
"Yeah, of course."
Jin gently reached out his hand and stroked Marikka's head, just like in the old days.
"Fufu... Doing this... feels like... going back to the past............ doesn't it.................."
Her voice faded into silence.
"Marikka?"
"Marikka-sama!"
"Marikka—!!"
At the age of 493, Marikka of All-Creation quietly departed this world, surrounded by her friends and loved ones.
Jin stood alone, gazing up at the sky.
(Laojun... Elder... you made it in time, right?)
However, Jin knew that Laojun would say nothing about it.
Indeed, not unless Jin's very existence was threatened.
That was precisely the "ego" that Jin had granted to Laojun, to Reiko, and to all the golems and automata of Hourai Island.
So that rather than following Jin blindly, they could choose the best path according to their own judgment.
"Father."
"Reiko, huh."
"Yes....There is only one thing I am permitted to say: 'Both Laojun and the Elder carried out their duties properly.'"
"I see. Then... there's no need for me to be sad, right?"
"Yes."
"...Even so... even knowing that... it's still hard..."
Jin wiped away his tears with his sleeve.
On that day, the sky over the Nord Federation was unusually gloomy, with low, heavy clouds that looked ready to pour rain at any moment.
"...Huh? I'm..."
"Hey there, Marikka."
"Huh? You're... Wait, where is this?"
"It's not 'heaven,' nor is it the 'afterlife.'"
"...Marikka-san, it's been a while."
"You are... You're here too?"
"Yeah, there are others here, too."
"Is that so...? Wait, have I become younger?"
"Hehe, apparently we return to the age when our bodies were in their prime, you know?"
"That's right. So everyone's... well, you see."
"Sion will come here eventually, too."
"We can just have fun together here again."