Chapter 1, Episode 44: Final Episode

　Since then, seasons have come and gone.
　I'm a little bigger now.
　Now I live with Farne-sama in a big temple in Kardiana.
　Cyril and Libelle have gone back to the Eldia forest, but they come to visit us from time to time.

　I live with Farne-sama because Kardiana didn't take away my memories.
　About Sharla and the others after that.
　Apparently, the holy trees made them unable to die, and now they live in a tower controlled by the royal family, where they are eaten by monsters every day.

　May the people keep this in their memories.
　So that people will not betray the Holy Tree again.

　Kardiana-sama said that they will suffer forever as an example of that.
　Being eaten alive by monsters.

　She said my uncle, who had left my bullying unchecked, was found dead in a gutter, battered and bruised.
　She said that the people had tortured him to death.

　
　I no longer have an aunt, an uncle, or Sharla to abuse me.
　The pendant that mom had given me was back on my chest.

　This pendant was very precious to me, but Sharla took it away.
　
　When I see this pendant, it reminds me of Mom.
　It makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
　Cyril says it is a pendant that doubles your power. She said it was rare.

　……Finally, Mom was back with me.

　I hugged the pendant tightly.

　I've been through a lot of hard times.
　There were a lot of things I didn't like.

　Some people might say they would be happier if they lost their memories.

　But I am very happy.

　What would've happened if I lost my memory?
　I might've even lost the love I have for Farne-sama.


　My mom told me that after a hard time, there is always something good.
　I met Farne-sama because I had endured so much pain.
　I am very happy now because I endured the hard things.

　My memory is the proof that my mom lived.
　Because of Mom's words, I did my best to live my life.

"Is something wrong? Riese? "

　I was sitting in the garden, holding the pendant and swiping my feet, when Farne-sama approached me.

"I was looking outside. The garden here is beautiful, full of spirits."

　When I mentioned it, Farne-sama smiled and said, "That must be because you are raising them with love and care, so the spirits gather here".

　That made me happy and I hugged Farne-sama.

　I've practiced speaking a lot since then, and my speech has improved.
　Farne-sama told me to speak with my mouth from now on, so I worked hard to learn.
　He said that I couldn't get my thoughts across to him anymore.
　I was fine with that way of communicating, but Farne-sama said, "You will soon be old enough, Riese".
　However, I didn't quite understand what he meant by that.
　What does it mean?

　But because of that. I'm much better at talking.

　And I study a lot.
　And have lots of Saint's training.

　I have become the Saint of Kardiana.
　
　But I still have a lot of training and study to do.
　I like studying because it's fun.

　Because Farne-sama reads books to me.
　He has a beautiful voice and teaches me gently.
　I'd sit on Farne-sama's lap with the book open and learn to trace the letters with my hands.
　Farne-sama's body was warm.
　It makes me feel very happy.
　That's why I love studying.

"Ah, Riese, there you are."

　As Farne-sama and I were sitting in the sun, Lars-sama came to us.
　I can already talk to people other than Farne-sama.
　Kardiana-sama gave me a mysterious power to keep me from being afraid.
　The power to make bad people appear to glow red and those who are kind to Riese appear to glow blue.

　I'm fine with Lars-sama because he's glowing blue.

"I was having a chat with Farne-sama."

　When I hugged him tightly and said that, Farne-sama hurriedly put me down, and for some reason, Lars-sama blushed and cleared his throat.

　……Why is that?

"Today is the day we go to see the Holy Tree of Kardiana. Both Cyril-sama and Libelle-sama are here."

"Really!? I am glad! I am glad!
　I prepared a lot of candy for Libelle! "

　I kept the snacks they served me.

"……Candy? Is it? "

"Yup! Wait a second! "

　I said and dug with my hands into the secret hiding place in the flower bed.

"R-Riese!? "

　Farne-sama rushed over to me but I dug in before he could reach me.

"Look! I hid my haul!
　Libelle said that if you hide them in the soil, they won't rot! "

　I said and took out the candy I had tucked away in a can.

"I hid some tasty treats to give to Libelle! "

　Since I have been in this temple, I get two treats every day.
　The place I was at before it was only occasionally.
　All of the treats are delicious. They can be fluffy, crunchy, or soft and moist.
　They can be sweet. Sometimes they are sour. They may taste strange.
　But it's delicious food that was not available in the forest.
　I secretly saved some for Libelle and Cyril to eat.

　Farne-sama and Lars-sama looked at each other in front of the can.

"Riese-sama, have you ever checked the contents? "

"? "

"The candy at the bottom has probably gone bad."

　I hurriedly opened the can and looked at the snacks at the bottom.
　The color has really become strange and cracked.

"What should I do?! I wanted to give them to Libelle."

"Riese, you don't have to do that, we'll order the snacks for you.
　You are allowed to eat what is served to you, okay? "

　Farne-sama laughed amusingly as he said it.

"Really?" Really? Can you prepare the same candy for Libelle, Cyril, and the others? "

"Of course. After all, they are also saints. From now on, you eat your portion, okay? "

　It makes me happy to be told that. I wanted to eat some more, but I always secretly hid them because I wanted to give them to Libelle and Cyril.
　I can eat them all.
　I especially like sweet treats. Fluffy and moist cakes too. I also like the crunch of the cookies.
　And crispy biscuits.

　I'm looking forward to it, I want some fruit.

"Then, let's have the snacks prepared as soon as possible.
　Riese-sama, get ready to change your clothes."

　When Lars-sama told me, I nodded my head.

"You'll come too, Farne-sama?" "

　When I squeezed his hand and asked him, he smiled and answered, "Of course".
　That made me happy and I smiled.

　I am very happy right now.
　Because this way I live happily with everyone.
　I am sure I was happy because I followed my mom's good advice.

"I love you, Farne-sama."

　When I said so,

"Me too, Riese."

　He smiled and hugged me.


　I love, love Farne-sama.
　I hope you will stay with me for a long time from now.

　Let's make lots of memories.


　Please may this happiness continue for a long time.




～End of Part One～

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