True God In Another World (Tensura x Tbate)

Chapter 96 - Parting

Rimuru POV

The evening air hung heavy with unspoken words as I watched my family gather around Arthur. The garden, usually alive with the cheerful sounds of training and laughter, felt unnaturally still. Even the wind seemed hesitant to disturb this moment, barely stirring the leaves of the trees that had witnessed our childhood sparring matches.

Uncle Vincent moved first, breaking the heavy silence. He approached Arthur with his characteristic energy, though I noticed how forced it seemed tonight. The usually confident stride had a slight hesitation, and his broad shoulders carried an unusual tension.

"Look at how much you've grown!" Uncle Vincent's voice boomed across the garden, slightly louder than necessary. He clapped Arthur's back with enough force to make my brother stumble slightly. "From that little rascal who used to burn my grass during training to... well, someone who's going to train with the asuras themselves!"

I caught the slight tremor in his laugh, the way his hand lingered just a moment too long on Arthur's shoulder. Uncle Vincent had always treated us like his own sons, and I could see the worry etched in the lines around his eyes - the same look he'd given us whenever we'd attempted particularly dangerous training exercises.

Aunt Tabitha stepped forward next, her usual composed demeanor cracking slightly. Her hands trembled as she pulled Arthur into an embrace. "Remember to eat properly," she whispered, though in the quiet garden, we all heard her words clearly. "And don't push yourself too hard. Even in Epheotus, you need to rest sometimes."

She pulled back, cupping Arthur's face in her hands the way she'd done countless times when treating our childhood injuries. "You've always been like a son to us, Art. Come back safe."

My attention shifted to Lily, who stood slightly apart from the others. Her hands were clasped tightly together, knuckles white with tension. Before Lily could resolve her internal debate, Arthur made the decision for her. He stepped forward and pulled her into a quick embrace that made her cheeks flush crimson. I noticed how she stiffened initially before relaxing into the hug, accepting this rare display of affection from someone she'd grown up alongside.

"Take care of yourself, Art," she mumbled as she stepped back quickly, smoothing her dress in a nervous gesture I'd come to recognize over the years.

Then came Ellie's moment, and watching it felt like a physical ache in my chest. My little sister, usually so full of energy and mischief, looked small and vulnerable as she launched herself at Arthur. Her fingers clutched at his clothes with desperate determination, as if she could anchor him to this spot through sheer will alone.

"No, you can't go!" The raw pain in her voice made me want to step forward, to do something - anything - to ease her distress. "You promised to teach me magic!"

Arthur knelt down to her level, his movements gentle as he tried to loosen her grip. "Hey, remember what I told you about promises?" he asked softly, wiping a tear from her cheek. "I always keep them. I'll come back and teach you everything I learn, okay?"

"But that's not the same as having you here!" she protested, tears streaming freely down her face.

"You'll still have Rimuru," he reminded her, glancing up at me with a look that carried years of shared understanding. "And aren't you the one who always says that Rimuru is better at learning than me?"

I caught the slight quirk of his lips, remembering all the times Ellie had unwittingly sparked our competitive spirit with similar comments. Even now, on the edge of departure, Arthur was trying to lighten the moment for her sake.