Time Flows in Different Ways
We stood before the house where the girl from the fairy tale supposedly lived.
Lacy stood frozen, her face tense with nerves.
Aren't you going to go in?
W-wait! Hold on! Must thou always be in such a rush?
One needs time for mental preparation, I'll have thee know!
All right. Tell me when you're ready.
Understood. I'll tell thee soon. Just wait a little longer!
...
...After two hours, I was still waiting for Lacy to wrap up her "mental preparation"...
Lacy...
Aaaah! I can't do this!
Child, it seems today simply isn't the day! Shall we call it off and go home?
Don't you want to break free from your slump?
Of course I do! More than anything!
No one desires it more than I!
But meeting her doesn't guarantee I'll overcome it, does it?
What if she laughs in my face instead? ...Then I truly might never recover!
Nothing changes if you do nothing.
Ngh... Using logic against me...? Thou hast grown.
Very well. Thou art right.
Nothing ever changes—or begins—if one refuses to move forward.
I shall hesitate no longer. The only path left is forward!
Watch closely, child, as I take my step ahead!
Declaring boldly, she reached out toward the door...
...Er, should I knock, or ring the bell instead?
Either's fine!
Just as my patience reached its limit, the door suddenly opened, and a young girl peeked out.
Um, you've been standing outside my house for hours... Is there something you need?
She looked uneasy, and I wasn't sure how to explain, when...
...Long time no see.
Pardon?
I can still see thee clearly in my mind, telling stories in that cheerful voice of yours. Hast thou... forgotten me?
Ah, are you...?
So, thou dost remember after all.
Tell me, hast thou been well all this time?
The girl froze at Lacy's words, then tears began to fall down her cheeks.
Were those tears of surprise? Or of joy?
Why did you come so late?
To our surprise, the girl's tears weren't from happiness or shock.
Do you know how long... How long my grandmother waited for you to come?
...Grandmother?
Oh...
Her words hit me like a blow. According to Lacy, the book had been published decades ago.
Meaning the dragon and the girl had met a long, long time ago.
Unless the girl had somehow achieved immortality, she couldn't possibly look the same as she did back then.
Follow me. I'll take you to her.
Inside the house, an old woman lay motionless in bed, her eyes closed.
...
...Only a scant decades have passed. But how hast thou grown so old?
...
There was no reply. The woman's eyes remained shut. She looked as if she could slip away... at any moment.
If I had known, I would have come sooner... I should've searched for thee more earnestly.
I foolishly thought our paths would cross again someday... But I'd forgotten how differently time flows for thee and me.
Regret, sorrow... and countless other emotions spilled quietly from Lacy's lips.
Can't you wake her, even for a moment?
She's not asleep... She's in a coma.
Dost thou mean to say... she might never open her eyes again?
The doctor said it wouldn't be surprising if she passed away any day now...
Lacy closed her eyes, as if lost in thought... Before silently sitting by the old woman's bedside and gently taking her hand.
My dear girl... 'Tis me. I've come at last, bringing a bundle of stories just for thee.
This time, 'tis my turn to share my tales with thee. So listen well, and share your thoughts when you wake.
...
Lacy began to speak.
She told the long tale of her journey—from crossing from the Eastern Continent to becoming a Savior...
Pouring all those long decades into her words... Her story went on and on, never seeming to end.