Chapter 99: The Star Necklace and the True Caretaker

Thud.

I collapsed onto the bed, enveloped in shock.

To think that I’m an ancient one. An ancient one!

“Sigh….”

“Are you alright?”

Elenia flew over to me with a worried expression.

“What happened down there?”

“…Well, apparently I’m an ancient one.”

“Who said that?”

“The gnome did. The relic reacted.”

“I see.”

Elenia was surprisingly calm.

“What’s with that bland reaction?”

“I had a vague suspicion when you first arrived here.”

“What? You knew?”

“It was just a guess; I wasn’t certain.”

“…Ugh.”

I swallowed a groan.

“You seem quite shocked.”

“I’m not sure. My mind is all jumbled.”

My thoughts were scattered, unable to find direction.

This should be a moment of joy, having discovered the roots I’d longed for.

“It must just feel unfamiliar. It’ll take time to accept.”

“I suppose so?”

“Don’t think about anything and just rest well today.”

Elenia patted my shoulder with her small hand and flew toward the front door.

Outside, the family members were peeking in with concerned looks.

“Let’s give Fabir some space to rest.”

Elenia led the kids away.

Thud.

Lying on the bed, I stared blankly at the ceiling.

The high ceiling seemed especially distant today.

That’s how being an ancient one felt to me—an existence too distant to grasp.

Yet, to think that I am one.

My curiosity about my roots grew, but so did the confusion.

“…How foolish.”

Suddenly, I felt pathetic for agonizing like this.

If I was going to waver so much, why did I even harbor expectations of meeting my parents?

I thought I was prepared, but perhaps I’m still not mature enough to be a proper adult.

Gurgle.

“…”

Even in times like this, my stomach clock chimes right on cue.

“The kids must be hungry too….”

I can’t just mope around.

From the day I left the orphanage on my own, I vowed to be strong.

“That’s right!”

I sat up straight.

Let’s set aside worries about who I am or what my roots are.

What’s far more important is the person I am right now.

Who I am in this moment, the people around me now, and what I can do.

It’s time to focus more on the present me.

A faint smile spread across my face.

The long, drawn-out self-reflection that started in my adolescence felt like it was finally concluding now.

I rose from the bed feeling lighthearted.

Whoosh.

I sprang up and walked outside.

As I stepped through the front door, I saw the family all slumped in a circle.

They seemed worried about me. I’d unintentionally caused them concern.

I called out loudly to everyone.

“Hey, kids!”

Elenia, Dorori, the oily cow, and Puu looked at me with wide eyes.

“Let’s eat!”

Only then did smiles bloom on their faces.

Tap tap tap tap.

I immediately started cooking.

Today, I put a bit more care into the food.

Bubble bubble.

I simmered a savory soybean paste stew.

Chop chop!

I took a fresh head of kimchi from the jar and sliced it.

Swoosh—

And I scooped freshly cooked, steaming rice into bowls.

“Come on over, everyone.”

“It’s food!”

“Piiit!”

“Puuwuu!”

“Mmooo!”

The kids came running with bright faces.

“Eat up, all of you.”

Munch munch smack smack.

Seeing them eat happily gave me strength instead.

But then.

“Why are you sitting here so naturally?”

The gnome was boldly seated at the dining spot.

“Ahem. You said it yourself. We’re all family on the Floating Island.”

“I said that?”

Oh, when did I say that? My mouth gets me in trouble.

Blinded by the underground resources, I spouted nonsense. It’s my fault.

Munch munch smack smack.

“Well, it’s not much different from my cooking. One more bowl here!”

The gnome grumbled but ate heartily.

His eyes sparkled, and his lips kept twitching upward, making it obvious.

“Ah, that was good.”

“Piiit!”

“Puuwuu!”

“Mmooo!”

Finishing the meal deliciously improved my mood considerably.

A full belly really does give you energy.

“Human.”

As I was nearly done cleaning up, the gnome approached me. 

He fidgeted, his lips twitching.

“…”

“What? If you called me, say something.”

“…I’ll allow it.”

“Hm?”

“I’ll permit you to come and go in the underground.”

“R-really?”

“A bet’s a bet. But that doesn’t mean I’ve acknowledged you!”

“I wasn’t expecting acknowledgment anyway.”

Still, it felt like I’d grown a bit closer to the gnome, which made me happy. 

Plus, I’d be able to mine underground resources freely from now on.

The gnome extended his hand.

“Let’s introduce ourselves properly. I’m the guardian of the underground. ‘Gnome.'”

“I’m Fabir. Let’s get along from now on.”

We shook hands.

Ding.

[You have acquired underground management authority.]

[Integrating surface and underground management authorities.]

[The Floating Island’s affinity has greatly increased.]

Ding.

[You have been reborn as the ‘True Caretaker.’]

“True Caretaker….”

Finally, the moment the Floating Island truly acknowledged me.

***

I headed to the dwarf village’s workshop after a long time. Winter had arrived even in the warm southern mountains, with snow piled softly.

“I’m here.”

“You must have had a hard time coming in the cold. But, you.”

Kadu looked at me intently and asked.

“…Did something happen?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Hmm… You seem different somehow? Like you’ve matured?”

“Do I?”

Had I grown taller in the meantime? I scratched my cheek embarrassedly.

“Um, I have something to discuss.”

“Go ahead.”

“It’s because of this.”

I took out the meteorite and placed it on my palm.

“Hm…? What’s this? A gem I’ve never seen before?”

“It’s a meteorite.”

“…What? A meteorite?”

Kadu quickly snatched it and examined it closely. His expression turned serious, and he asked in disbelief.

“You mean this is really a meteorite?”

“It caused quite a commotion when it fell on the Floating Island.”

“Heh, hehehehe.”

Kadu suddenly let out a silly laugh.

“A meteorite. A meteorite!”

“W-why are you acting like that? It’s worrying.”

“You never cease to amaze me!”

Kadu’s eyes gleamed with more than enthusiasm—almost madness.

“If this is truly a meteorite, it’s no ordinary matter!”

“What do you mean?”

“Meteorites are mostly made of meteoric iron. But this clearly isn’t iron!”

“Well, that’s true.”

“That means it could be some new substance!”

It looked more like a sparkling gem than iron.

“This is going to strain my heart.”

Kadu looked at me with a flushed face.

“So, what do you plan to do with it?”

“Well? Wouldn’t it be hard to process?”

“You’re right. Meteoric iron can be forged into weapons or tools, but this is closer to a gem.”

Tsk.

Kadu licked his lips as he eyed the meteorite. It seemed to have ignited his challenging spirit.

“How about accessories, then?”

“Oh?! Yes!”

Kadu’s eyebrows shot up.

“We can set it like a gem! You’re a genius!”

“Th-thank you.”

“Given the size, it’ll be perfect for a necklace! Let’s make it right away!”

An excited Kadu urged me on.

Rummage rummage.

He began searching through boxes for materials.

“Yes, this too, and this is needed.”

“Wh-what’s all this?”

Platinum, gold, titanium, and more.

He laid out all sorts of precious materials on the table, hard to even list.

“For something worthy of a meteorite’s value, these materials are a must.”

Kadu’s eyes sparkled with determination. He showed the drive as if creating the masterpiece of his life.

“First time with accessories? Watch closely and learn.”

His attitude was so firm I couldn’t stop him.

“Phew.”

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and centered his scattered mind.

An immersion I’d never seen before. Kadu’s concentration was at its peak.

Clang! Clang—!

He struck the anvil with full force. His shoulders were tense with power.

This solemn atmosphere.

This intense strength.

Gulp.

Is this the visage of a master artisan?

Unconsciously, my shoulders tensed along with his.

The forge’s flames roared up, filling the workshop with heat.

Clang! Clang~!

Sizzle.

Clatter clatter.

With utmost care, he struck once, then again.

“Hand me the meteorite.”

“Here it is.”

Click.

As the meteorite was finally set into the gem holder.

Flash—

An indescribable wave of light dominated the space. The radiance emanating from the necklace was so beautiful it was blinding.

“T-to think such a masterpiece would be born…!”

“It’s so beautiful.”

“All the honing of my skills up to now might have been for this very moment.”

Kadu wiped the sweat from his forehead with a relieved look.

“We need to name it. Hmm… Yes, ‘Star Necklace’ sounds good.”

“Star Necklace… That’s a really cool name!”

A necklace imbued with a star.

A beautiful form unlike any I’d seen before.

It exuded mystery along with nobility.

“Come here.”

“Huh?”

“Hurry.”

I approached Kadu in a daze. He then hung the necklace on me and said.

“It suits you well.”

“Wh-why are you giving this to me…?”

“What are you saying? You brought the meteorite.”

Kadu smiled contentedly.

“I’m satisfied just having been able to make it.”

“Th-thank you. I’ll keep it close to me always.”

“You should. Items made from meteorites have long been symbols of good luck.”

“Good luck?”

“Yes, that’s why people wish on shooting stars, right? Having this might bring you great fortune.”

Good luck….

The year I’d spent as the Floating Island’s caretaker was already a fortune to me.

Could there be anything greater?

“I hope so.”

I touched the necklace.

Sparkle—

Strangely, feeling like a powerful force emanated from the necklace— was it just my imagination?