It was truly a shame.
A few hours had passed since I defeated Scylla, and the sea level had returned. It didn't return to normal as a huge volume of water evaporated from my attack, but at least the city wasn't submerged anymore, thanks to everyone's effort.
They deployed people who could use <Water Magic> to drive the water out of the city. It seemed like they had experienced a flood a few times, as their reaction was quick.
Some houses and lodgings were destroyed, including where we had stayed before. As a result, we were forced to move to the lodging near the gate's entrance and far from the church.
This lodging was better than before and was high enough to see the sea, so the price was rather high. Not that I cared, though. The room was better, and the bed was bigger.
So we ended out rented out two highest floor rooms. As for the record, Cecil joined us and was currently in another room with Garcia, so my beloved perverted nun could explain to the minotaur girl what kind of thing to expect when following me.
As for me, I sat on a chair, facing a bed whose occupant was sleeping soundly with a relieved smile on her face. That smile reminded me of the past, and I wanted to stroke her hair so badly.
The lustrous platinum blonde hair that looked similar to mine and her small cute face reminded me of an animal. Her size had shrunk from before, her height similar to Milea now, and her chest area deflated, leaving nothing.
However, this figure was comforting to me as I had already used to see her for 3 years.
"Glad to have you back."
With a simple <Appraisal>, I noticed her (Severe Trauma) had turned to (Mild Trauma). It wasn't a perfect cure, but I was glad it wasn't as bad as before.
And when I appraised her, I noticed her Level had changed. Not only that, her skill set was also different from before. The Lv 8 <Swordsmanship> remained, but there were also Lv 9 <Archery> beside that.
At that time, she was the best archer who managed to achieve Lv 9 in just 3 years of constant grind. Her title had one additional, but I could now see the effect of [Horizon Online's Survivor] unlike before.
"So that's the reason." I nodded in understanding after reading it.
Isabelle had regained her body, Tristan. And according to the description, it seemed like she had indeed died and was reborn to this world.
That was why she said it was 12 years for her instead of 2 years.
I didn't know how to feel for her to throw away the identity she had for so long. I was happy that she returned to her previous appearance, but I was worried that she had become like me and couldn't get revived after she died.
It might be only deleting her title for her, but I didn't know whether I needed to risk it. I needed to protect her so she wouldn't die. Thankfully, the effect of her bonus skill was only limited to 6 months.
I bet she would scream and yell at me because her breasts were gone, but I already had something in my inventory to appease her anger.
For now…
"I hope for your fast recovery."
***
In a dark environment devoid of anything, Tristan opened her eyes and looked around.
Unfortunately, it was too dark for her to see even her own hand. She could only see her long blonde hair falling onto her face.
"Huh?"
Nothing made sense at first, but her memories then returned as she remembered her last memories. It was when she used the bonus skill to transform back to the 'Player' state, or so the system said and took her bow to save Arthur.
"That's right." She muttered in a low voice. "I've become Tristan again, not the scared Isabelle."
The character she created, Tristan, was a sign of her strong self. Nothing scared her, but she felt sorrow and pity for her weak self.
In the end, she decided to change and gained courage, something she had rediscovered just a little while ago. She was happy. Arthur seemed to be safe, and she believed he could beat that monster easily.
Within her thoughts, a question appeared.
"Where is this?"
The darkness enveloped her warmly like she was within a cocoon that protected her from everything. It felt comforting… But it was at the same time lonely.
Without realizing it, she stood up and began to walk, looking to her left and right to see where she was. At first, she stumbled and fell on her face.
"Ouch!"
It wasn't because something tripped her or anything. But it was because she wasn't used to walking yet. The balance, the legs' length. Everything was different from when she was Isabelle.
"I need to get used to it quickly."
Fortunately, this place was perfect for that. She did react earlier, but she felt no pain attacking her when her face planted on the dark ground. That confirmed this was within her dream.
Nothing stopped her then. But she needed to return fast.
"Maybe the crybaby needs my help."
Her body suddenly felt light as she stood once again, jumping lightly to sense her new center of balance.
Nodding to herself, Tristan kicked the ground and accelerated quickly. After traveling for a few seconds, she increased her speed and began to laugh.
How did she forget this joy? No, she didn't forget it. She just ran away from the truth and from everything.
This dream, the dark space, was indeed a cocoon to protect her from any external danger. She shut herself, even to the person she was close with.
But she wasn't afraid anymore. No, she couldn't afford to be afraid. Even if she felt that way, the person beside her would blow it away.
"Arthur still needs me by his side." A smile appeared on her face, breaking off her ice-cold expression. "He will now help me."
The dark space changed. Light entered the dark space, blinding Tristan's eyes. She immediately stopped and closed her eyes at the sudden brightness increase.
When she opened them again, they felt heavy, and she felt like she was lying on a bed, wrapped by a warm blanket.
Only a glance was needed to know that she didn't recognize the ceiling. However, she recognized the person who smiled brightly after seeing her opening her eyes.
"You finally woke up, flat chest."
Even his irritating voice spewed out a familiar insult. Normally, she would hit him on his head, but now she could only smile widely at that insult.
"You talk big for a crybaby."
Both of them laughed at the insults they often threw at each other in the past, showing how close they were.
Tristan felt like something that burdened her all this time left her, and she returned to the good, old past. She knew that it wouldn't change anything, but she enjoyed this time. And she had decided on something.
"Arthur." She called out the name of her closest companion. He just nodded in understanding, listening to her. "Let me tell you what happened to me after that story. But in exchange… Can you tell me how they died?"
Arthur didn't need to hear who 'they' Tristan talked about. So he nodded.
"Alright. I'll listen to the continuation of your story."
"Hold my hand, please." Tristan requested, and Arthur squeezed her hand gently.
His hand was bigger than hers, and it was warm. Nothing scared her anymore if she was with him, and she could now face her scary past.
Then she told him what had happened to her after meeting the scary Scylla in that dungeon.
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