Special Emotional Afterword Short Story
Author: Sigsawa Keiichi
Fare Thee Well, My Weapon -Farewell to Persuader-
The one and only Kino (Note: A traveler. The leading character of this story) was standing beside a relatively vast pond.
Kino wore a black jacket, with a thick belt fastened around the waist. On Kino's head was a hat, with a pair of goggles strapped on the forehead. Of course, just because there was no prior description does not mean that our friend here was wearing only the jacket and was nude otherwise; Kino was properly wearing a shirt, trousers, and a pair of boots.
The azure sky was perfectly clear, and the water in the pond had the clarity of a mirror, reflecting the blue above. In the surrounding prairie, fresh verdure peacefully swayed as they were wafted through by the radiant wind.
Although it was such a refreshing prairie indeed,
"......"
Kino's countenance suggested sadness.
"You're planning to stay right there and worry yourself to death or something, Kino?"
Hermes called out to Kino from behind. Since it would be horrifying if the motorrad were to fall into the water, Hermes had been parked slightly further.
"No... I've already decided to do this."
Although still in the expression of sadness, a glimpse of determination could be caught in Kino's eyes. From the right waist holster, a persuader (Note: Refers to firearms) was taken out. It was called 'Canon,' a .44 caliber revolver that had saved Kino's life countless times before.
"Goodbye."
As the persuader was drawn out, Kino proceeded to fling it into the pond.
A heavy splash resounded, breaking the silence in the vicinity. Ripples formed on the water surface, warping the reflected sky.
Canon promptly sunk, and was out of sight.
"......"
Kino said nothing, only letting out a big sigh. Hermes simply stayed silent.
Then, from the bottom of the pond, the Goddess emerged. Held in her right hand was a Canon made of gold, and in her left was a Canon made of silver. Without offering any greetings, she posed the question:
"Dear traveler, was it this gold persuader that you had discarded? Or was it this silver (snip)?"
Hermes replied before Kino could,
"That 'snip' was a tad bit unnecessary, don't you think?"
...And was promptly ignored by the Goddess. In no rush, Kino denied either choices with a shake of the head,
"No, the one I discarded was a normal persuader. Nevertheless, it was one filled with myriad memories of our time together..."
So the Goddess proceeded to speak, her countenance a gentle smile,
"Why would you discard such an important thing? You better explain your situation right now, alright? We can talk it over, say, a drink or two? There is this nice izakaya I know, so what do you say?"
She was so kind indeed. Talk of liquor this early in the day was questionable, however.
Kino answered,
"Because it is no longer necessary for me to have it, Goddess. I travel with a motorrad, so I do not have the luxury of carrying around unnecessary items."
"Is that so? But I do not understand... A traveler often treads dangerous grounds, so what might be the reason for you to discard a persuader that has served to keep you safe? Is there anything troubling you right now? Do you need to get a few drinks, after all?"
One might think the Goddess just wanted to go drinking.
Kino denied it with another shake of the head. The traveler extended forward the right hand that had just thrown Canon away earlier, then turned to the side. Beyond those fingertips, a tall mountain stood at the distant side of the prairie. Pure white snow still lingered on its summit.
Kino let a short yet powerful shout,
"Fireball!"
From Kino's right hand, a sphere of fire emerged and flew off soundlessly. In two-point-eight seconds, it made a direct hit at the mountain, and after roughly five more seconds, the mountain crumbled down and completely disappeared from the landscape. It took ten more seconds for the sound of the scene to be audible.
Kino then turned back to the Goddess,
"I learned the art of sorcery from the country I just departed from. I can fire unlimited shots. And they are far more powerful than Canon. That is why I no longer have a reason to carry Canon around."
"Is that so... I see that you are resolute in your decision..."
The Goddess produced a faint smile. The gold and silver Canons had disappeared from her hands. Although it was because she had dropped them out of astonishment for the earlier scene, she had the dignity to not be visibly fazed by such things. She proceeded to impart a few words to the traveler before their inevitable parting,
"Be on your way, then, traveler. But before you go, please do not forget that my invitation to go drinking together still stands. It will be my treat, so what do you say?"
Kino answered, eyes sparkling with a hint of determination,
"I don't drink, so I would like to eat only the snacks, please. Things like karaage, for instance."
Probably The End.
Uncertainly To Be Continued.
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