'On that day, I lost the two of them... The spiral of light released by the Crystal Man swallowed them, and they vanished. Their figures are still burned into my eyes now.'
The Crystal Man... Probably that bastard Gila, the one from the ruling species. Albus had told me that Chrom Ranchesse’s wife and child died from a particle cannon fired by Gila.
'I will bring the two of them back. To do that, I’ve paid countless sacrifices and come this far. I’ll transcend time and save them. No one will get in my way!'
"...Wait a minute, your goal is to bring those two back to life—or rather, keep them from dying, isn't it?"
As I faced Gold, whose right hand had transformed into a sword with burning determination, I asked the question that had been on my mind.
'There is no other purpose...! No matter what happens, I will...!'
"You... don’t know, do you?"
'...?'
If he doesn’t know, then this is a tragedy. No, it’s not that he doesn’t know. His... the memories of Chrom Ranchesse implanted in him—are the memories after the rampage missing? Was the memory transplant incomplete?
The golden Golem in front of me, without knowing what happened to his wife and daughter... just for the sake of bringing them back, has he done all this to the world?
"Do you remember what you did after you lost your wife and daughter?"
'After I lost them? I... I transplanted memories into "Gold"... No, I don’t have those memories...? But I have Chrom’s memories...?'
"How did you defeat the Crystal Man who killed your wife and daughter?"
'That... that...?'
Gold stopped moving, as if thinking deeply. He was probably starting to understand. Unlike humans, Golems do not forget. Their memories are stored in the Q-Crystal that serves as their brain.
Therefore, if the memory exists, there’s no doubt that he should be able to remember it. If the memory is there...
We had assumed that the Crown of "Gold" transplanted Chrom Ranchesse’s memories before the rampage, but from Gold's words and actions, it seems the transplant happened after the rampage.
Perhaps Chrom Ranchesse tried to hold onto his memories before they disappeared.
But that memory was only transplanted up until the point when his wife and daughter died.
Whether it was intentional or due to memory capacity limitations, I don't know. However, that’s what’s causing this tragedy.
"I have the 'White' Crown. I had to reset the 'Black' Crown, but fortunately, I was able to keep the 'White' one with the memories from five thousand years ago."
'"White" and "Black"...!'
"Yes. Five thousand years ago, they were the two that followed Chrom Ranchesse. According to the memories of the 'White' Crown, after Chrom Ranchesse’s wife and daughter were killed, he caused the abilities of 'White' and 'Black' to go out of control. As a result, the Fraze—those crystal monsters—were pushed into the dimensional rift, and your wife and daughter’s death was 'erased.'"
'Wh-...what...!'
Gold opened his eyes wide and stared at me. Perhaps he couldn’t accept the fact that everything he had done was utterly pointless... or that the goal had already been achieved.
This is not Chrom Ranchesse himself. He’s just a Golem that had the memories implanted. But I can’t help but feel sympathy for him.
If I had lost my family right in front of me and had the chance to bring them back, I would have done whatever it took, no matter the sacrifices or the obstacles in my way.
'...When I awoke, a thousand years had already passed... Using this memory, I tried to go back to the past with the power of "Black," but it went out of control. And instead of traveling to the past, I was thrown into the future due to the distortion of time that was created...'
Back to the past with the power of "Black"...? [Time Travel], I heard from Grandma Tokie that going back to the past is more difficult than traveling to the future.
If you try to go back a thousand years, it must cause quite a strain. The power of "Black" went out of control, causing a dimensional quake, and as a result, Gold was thrown into the future.
And during that rampage, another Gold... Gold was created...
The doctor had said that the 'Gold' Crown was sent to the future when Chrom Ranchesse went out of control, but it seems that wasn't the case.
'Heh... Hahaha!'
Suddenly, Gold laughed wildly. His laughter seemed to mock me, or perhaps it was mocking himself.
'Did I... do everything completely in vain without knowing anything!? I was thrown into the future, and using the power of the Evil God there, I finally thought I had fulfilled my purpose... only to find out it was all for nothing!? Such foolish nonsense...! Did you really think I would believe that!?'
"You..."
Anger flared in Gold's eyes. Was it directed at me, or...?
Gold's right arm transformed into a large great sword. The next moment, Gold’s figure vanished into the darkness. This is just like earlier...!
"?!"
I felt the killing intent and twisted my body, only to have something whoosh past me with the sound of cutting wind.
As it passed, I think I saw glowing red eyes through the gap in Gold’s visor.
It was probably camouflage. His entire body made of Orichalcum slime must have been blackened. He couldn’t make his camera eye black, so he lowered his visor.
In the pitch-black darkness, the black body was hard to see.
"[Divine Power Release!]"
'Guh!?'
With [Divine Power Release], I release the divine light around me. I dodge Gold's attack and shoot through his left arm with the divine weapon, the gun blade.
Gold’s left arm, struck by the divine energy, was torn off from the elbow down.
"Give up. Your goal was already achieved. In the world from five thousand years ago, Chrom Ranchesse should be living with his wife and daughter."
I speak to Gold like that, but in my heart, I thought I couldn’t make that statement with certainty.
Even if we erase the assault by Gila and the others, we don’t know what kind of life they led afterward.
Unexpected misfortune is always lurking around.
It’s not impossible that his daughter fell ill and died young, or that his wife died in an accident later on.
What is certain is that Chrom Ranchesse, the man, must have gradually lost his memories until eventually, he forgot all of his past.
The vast knowledge of the Golem engineer, the magical knowledge he gained as he traveled the world, and the memories of his beloved family were all lost.
But, if his wife and daughter had been there, perhaps he could have started building new memories.
The price of the 'White' Crown is to take away the memories up until that point, but it cannot take away the memories after that.
Even if he forgot his name, his wife would have taught him. Even if he forgot who he was, his daughter would have told him.
And so, although he might no longer have been the genius Golem engineer Chrom Ranchesse, he could have lived as a husband and father, as just Chrom Ranchess... that’s what I think.
Of course, it’s just a fantasy to suit my own convenience... but... I wish it could be that way.
'Now, can you still believe that!? If that’s true, then why am I here!?'
What Gold has done is unforgivable. Even if it was for his family, it does not justify sacrificing others.
But, if I were in his position, I’m not confident that I wouldn’t have made that choice. Even though I’d know it was wrong, I might have stained my hands with blood.
But if he finds out that everything he did was meaningless, he will lose the mental justification for what he has done.
When the excuse of "for my family" is gone, he will realize the weight of what he has done. Would I be able to bear that?
He might feel like he betrayed the very thoughts of his family, which had been his support.
Could it be that he wants someone to judge him? Or is that just my own interpretation...?
Suddenly, I notice the area to my left becoming brighter. It seems like the exit of the time tunnel is near. It’s as if I’m in a river flowing backward, and I’ve been automatically heading toward the exit.
Gold... Chrom Ranchesse... where is he headed after all?
"[Space... Distortion]"
'Wha...!'
A distortion of space appeared at the tip of Gold’s raised right arm, and while I was still shocked, he disappeared into it.
Teleportation magic here can only be used within this time tunnel.
Even if we head back toward the entrance we came from, with the time tunnel not yet completed, the rushing flow of time prevents us from returning to our original place in the real world. Unless we use something like [Spatial Transition], that is.
So then...!
Turning my gaze toward the left where light was shining, I saw Gold appear from the distortion that had emerged there.
And just like that, he disappeared into the exit of the time tunnel.
What surprised me wasn’t just that he used [Space Distortion], but also that he used his Crown ability in that state.
At this point, he can no longer use those wings to pay the 'price.' So, the only option left is to use his own body as the 'price.'
Is he really going to go that far, even to return to the past world? The sheer obsession behind that desire... I couldn’t help but feel awe.
That said, I couldn’t just watch. I immediately made my way to the exit of the time tunnel and leaped into the past world.
Is this a forest? Gold’s figure wasn’t anywhere to be seen, but there were small footprints, like those of a child, on the damp soil. It seems certain that he appeared here.
Naturally, the flow of time differs inside and outside the time tunnel. Although I don’t think a minute has passed from my perspective, outside it might be significantly different.
I don’t think it’s been several hours, but... who knows?
As I looked around, I saw a large mountain range in the distance. That mountain range looks very similar to one near the research lab I found in Xenoah.
Is this... near the place where Chrom Ranchesse lived?
'Gogaaaaahhh!!'
Suddenly, a beastly, monstrous roar came from deep within the forest. A magical beast?
If this is indeed the world from five thousand years ago, it could be a strong magical beast.
The sound came from the direction Gold’s footprints led to. Should I check it out?
I used [Accel] and dashed through the forest, being careful not to collide with the trees.
Eventually, I came to an open area where I saw Gold fighting a two-headed Tyrannosaurus that I had encountered before. No, it’s bigger than the one I saw, and it has horns, so it must be a different species. If this is indeed five thousand years ago, it might be the original species of the one I saw.
Gold, whose right hand had turned into a charging spear, lunged at the Tyrannosaurus that was attacking.
The charging spear pierced deeply into the Tyrannosaurus’s chest, but it snapped off at the base with a crack.
'Guh...'
Gold vomited blood from his chest and mouth, and the two-headed Tyrannosaurus collapsed on the spot. At the same time, Gold also fell forward.
Gold’s body had already begun to break down. The parts of his body were crumbling and turning into sand. The Orichalcum slime that made up his body was probably paying the 'price.' If left unchecked, it was certain that his functions would stop.
"Ah..."
I heard a small voice leaking from somewhere and scanned the surroundings. Then, under a large tree, I saw a young girl crouching.
She looked about seven or eight years old... roughly the same age as Linne or Elna. Her light flaxen hair was tied into two bunches, and she wore a dress like an apron.
When I saw her, I couldn’t help but gasp. This was a child I had seen before.
No doubt about it. She was the child in Chrom Ranchess’s photo. So, this child is...!
As I was looking from the fallen Gold to the girl, she hesitantly spoke to me.
"Um... when I was about to be attacked, that child suddenly saved me... Are you a Golem like him?"
"...Do you know what a Golem is?"
If this is indeed the world from five thousand years ago, Golems shouldn’t exist here. There might have been robots like the support machines made by Dr. Babylon, but the term 'Golem' probably didn’t exist. To know that means...
"I have two children who are similar to that child. Their names are 'Albus' and 'Noir'... they don't move anymore, though..."
They don’t move...? If that's the case, could this be the world after 'White' and 'Black' went out of control?
Gold must have wanted to go to the time before they were attacked by Gila... Did the time shift in the tunnel happen because we fought using divine energy?
Albus and Noir are already non-functional. Chrom Ranchess never made another contract with them.
The next time they awaken will be four thousand years later, by the hand of Arthur Ernest Belfast, an ancestor of the Belfast royal family.
She knows Albus and Noir. This child must be...!
"I’m Mochizuki Touya. Could you tell me your name?"
"Ah, I’m Ryuri. Ryuri Ranchesse."
No doubt about it. This child is Chrom Ranchesse's daughter.
...After exiting the time tunnel, he find his own daughter, in danger of dying, and Gold—who holds Chrom Ranchesse’s memories—rescues her. Is this a coincidence?
If Gold hadn't created the time tunnel, this girl, Ryuri, might have died.
It almost seems as though he came from the future to save his daughter's life from the beginning. Was this how history was meant to unfold, or is it just a coincidence...?
"Ryuri!"
"Ah, Mom!"
A young woman rushed toward us from deeper in the forest, looking frantic. She seemed to be in her late twenties. Her flaxen hair was gathered into a single bun, cascading down her shoulder.
She embraced her daughter, trembling with fear at the fallen two-headed Tyrannosaurus. Her eyes showed a wariness toward me.
"You are...?"
"This is Mochizuki-san. He saved me."
Ryuri began explaining everything to the woman in her arms. After hearing it, the woman bowed deeply to me.
"I’m Edda, the mother of this child. Thank you for saving my daughter. I don’t know how to express my gratitude..."
"No, actually, I wasn’t the one who saved her..."
I turned my attention to Gold, who lay face down and motionless. He seemed to be trying to move his body, but it was clear that he had reached his limit. It seemed like he could barely make the slightest movement.
I approached Gold, cautiously speaking to him. His body was already beginning to collapse. ...It wouldn't be long now.
"Need a hand? ...You’d want to see your wife and daughter one last time, right?"
'P-please...'
I used [Levitation] to lift Gold, propping him up against the base of a nearby tree.
"The one who saved your daughter was this Golem. I just arrived later..."
"This is terrible... To think it protected my daughter to the point of breaking down like this..."
Edda gasped, but I couldn’t really say that I had done most of it.
It seems Edda knows what a Golem is. Well, she is Chrom Ranchesse’s wife, so that makes sense.
"Big brother, does this child have a name?"
"Huh? Oh, it's Gold."
Ryuri approached Gold and took his small, battered hand in hers.
"Thank you, Gold-chan. For saving me."
'Ryuri... Edda...'
Gold looked at the two of them with blinking red eyes. Eventually, the blinking slowed down, and with a final flicker, the light faded. His head dropped, and Gold’s movements stopped completely.
He had completely shut down. Golems have a sleep function, but this was different. I could no longer sense any magic coming from the G-Cube, the power source of the Golem.
"He’s not moving anymore..."
"He was already at the end of his life. Don’t worry about it."
I spoke those words deliberately, not wanting to make Ryuri feel guilty.
I used [Cracking] to open Gold’s chest and retrieved the G-Cube inside.
Normally, the G-Cube would glow with a faint green light, but it had lost its glow and was now cracked beyond repair.
And within the G-Cube, I found a small, ominous core with a dark color. I could sense a slight amount of divine energy from it.
So this is the fragment of the Corruption God.
I took it out and surrounded it with my divine energy, crushing it completely, reducing it to fragments that could never regenerate. That should fulfill the request from the World God.
The destruction of the G-Cube means the death of the Golem. Unlike in a dormant state, the basic functions of the Golem are inscribed into the Q-Crystal, so they don't disappear, but all the experiences and memories up to that point are lost.
It’s like an old-school video game where you can’t save—it's like pulling the plug from the power outlet. You have to start all over from scratch.
As long as the Q-Crystal exists, it's possible to obtain a new G-Cube and regenerate the Golem body, but it would be in an initialized state.
Of course, the memories of Chrom Ranchesse that were transplanted wouldn't remain.
In other words, the existence of 'Gold, who inherited the memories of Chrom Ranchesse' has just disappeared from this world.
I wonder... was he satisfied to see his wife and daughter one last time?
No, this was a Golem, not the real person. Those memories and emotions were implanted, mere remnants in the data.
When I think about it, this small Golem might have been nothing but a pitiful clown, merely playing the part of the past Chrom Ranchesse.
However, I feel like the emotions he showed were genuine.
Does a machine have a soul? I wonder...
"Um, could you please give me this child?"
"Huh?"
I was just about to sink into a sea of thoughts when her unexpected words brought me back to reality.
"I want to be able to make Golems like my father someday. If I have a Q-Crystal, I can inherit the traits, right?"
That’s true, but Gold’s traits were installed later with the memories of Chrom Ranchesse, so even if it's repaired, it will probably become a body without the Crown ability, just like Gold.
"Are you planning to repair it?"
"I can’t do it now, but someday... I want to see this child moving around, healthy and alive, the way it was before."
"This one... is a Golem without traits... But if that’s okay with you..."
"Thank you! I’ll do my best to repair it!"
Ryuri smiled brightly and touched Gold. Her eagerness reminded me, somewhat nostalgically, of Quun.
"Um... you seem to know a lot about Golems, but are you by any chance acquainted with my husband... Chrom?"
"Uh... well..."
Acquainted, huh? I suppose in the future, we would be considered acquaintances, but in this case, the person standing before her is merely an existence that has had Chrom’s memories copied. It’s a tricky situation. I’m not lying, but I’m not being entirely truthful either.
"I’m sorry, my husband... he forgot many things after the accident..."
"Ah, I’m aware of that. Even though we’re acquainted, I doubt he would remember me. I didn’t come here with the intention of meeting him. It was just a coincidence..."
At my words, Edda clearly showed a relieved expression. From that, it seemed that Chrom Ranchesse had forgotten much of his past. Perhaps it would be awkward for her if he didn’t even remember someone he was acquainted with.
He doesn’t remember, but he’s not even acquainted with me. There’s no way I could meet him.
"Well, I’ll be going now... Please pass on my regards to your husband. Ryuri, take care of Gold."
"Yes!"
I turned my attention to Gold, whose body had already collapsed, now just a pile of scraps.
His golden body had lost its color, and the armor had crumbled, leaving behind something that barely resembled a body. Repairing this would likely turn it into an entirely different machine.
Would Chrom Ranchesse recognize this as the 'Gold' Crown? If he has lost his memories, he might not...
I don’t condone what Gold did, but I do respect the resolve he had to achieve his goal, even at the cost of becoming like this.
After exchanging my farewells with the two of them, I activated [Spatial Transition] and left the world from five thousand years ago.
Goodbye, little golden Golem. If someday... you’re able to move again, I hope you’ll protect them by your side.
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