Previous Life was Sword Emperor. This Life is Trash Prince.

Volume 2 Chapter 21.2 - Digital Version Short Story – A Certain Day’s Memory

When did it happen again?

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A long time ago, when I still spoke my mind honestly.

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I was talking with my mentor who was sitting on the ground next to me.

White hair, a rarity in this world.

Hair white like snow over an expression that seemed somewhat lost, entranced.

I felt that my mentor’s first question had a certain motive, so while asking the reason why he asked it, I also answered it.

<<…not really, it’s not painful.>>

My mentor did not say anything and simply smiled wryly.

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A wasteland extended before our eyes.

My mentor continued, while looking at the sky painted by the sunset.

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My mentor’s expression darkened, and he laughed bitterly.

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He then placed a hand on the sword at his side—

<<—this world is really filled with sadness.>>

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My mentor’s lips turned slightly.

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The smell stuck to my nose for years. The smell of metal, rust, flesh, dried soil stained red.

Those were all created by the sword. I had experienced them directly too, so I couldn’t say anything in response to my mentor’s words.

<<…I…>>

I think that…

Simple words, but I couldn’t even utter them. Because I knew that even if I talked about my ideals, nothing would change.

I was lost in such thought when a large, warm hand rubbed my head.

<<***, you’re easy to read so I taught you to laugh all the time. I taught you to hide. But I never told you to discard those feelings, or that they were wrong.>>

His hand still on my head, my mentor continued.

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You picked the wrong world to be born in.

My mentor and the others said it all the time.

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<<…I know that already.>>

I had been protected all that time.

So I would never deny those words. I had no intention to.

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My mentor’s words sounded like they came from experience.

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Those words inspired a dream of the future in me.

I saw myself living in ordinary peace, with my mentor and the others.

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I didn’t utter a word, but my mentor seemed to have read my thoughts.

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