Rumors of Glenn’s death spread through the town like wildfire. On the other hand, since there was no activity at the morgue, there was an opposing rumor that Glenn hadn’t actually died but just collapsed from overwork. Lindworm loved rumors and it didn’t take long for this one to take on a life of its own.
“Doctor…” Lulala said to herself at the fountain in the Central Plaza. She looked like she might cry. Even the song she sang that night was stiff and constrained, unlike her usual, carefree demeanor. The audience noticed, but they didn’t blame her. Everyone knew that the diva of the Plaza was in love with the young doctor in the clinic.
“I-it’ll be fine. Don’t be so down—I’m sure Dr. Glenn is fine,” her friend Memé offered.
“Mmm.” Lulala couldn’t muster up any words.
Lindworm’s dead were given a funeral once the hospital confirmed their demise. The council also immediately issued notifications of deaths. Large-scale funerals which many were expected to attend were conducted under the supervision of the manager of the Graveyard City. As there had been no such notification, it was likely Glenn was not dead.
On the other hand, however, the clinic that was open 365 days a year was now closed. Neither Glenn nor Sapphee were anywhere to be found.
It wasn’t like Lulala to be so depressed.
“I…” she started, resting her arm on the edge of the fountain. “I always wanted to be Glenn’s wife, but deep down …I knew it wouldn’t work out. Even though Miss Sapphee encouraged me, and I thought it could work with her and the Doctor…”
Memé let her go on.
“It always ends up like this. I try to hide it…but the truth is that I’m just really unlucky,” she said listlessly, her eyes hollow. She didn’t look like her normal self—the diva, the symbol of this town. She had lost her endlessly cheerful smile. “If he did die, I’m sure it was my fault…”
“…up!”
“Huh?” Lulala said absently. She’d been almost talking to herself, not noticing that Memé’s large hands were trembling.
“How selfish can you be?!”
“Memé?”
“What did you say? During the Draconess’s surgery, what were you doing? Weren’t you singing for the Draconess every single night?! What happened to the mermaid that forced me to come out here and listen to her sing?!” The normally shy and reserved Memé was screaming now, not caring who saw her.
“That was me, but—”
Lulala was reflected in Memé’s large, tear-filled eye.
“You were full of confidence, saying, ‘Everyone listens to my songs.’ Where is that Lulala?! You know I’m always shy, and I’m always scared…but it’s because you are here, in this town, that I can be just a little bit positive now,” Memé cried.
“But I actually—”
“Don’t say it!” Memé interrupted, grabbing Lulala’s shoulders with her large hands. Although the cyclops were known for their strength, Memé was always careful with others. “If you’re going to encourage me, don’t just go halfway! You need to hold on and shine bright in a way that I never could!”
Lulala didn’t answer at first. In fact, she was awestruck for a few moments. But finally—
“Gurgle—”
She stuck her face in the water of the fountain with a splash.
“Huh?!”
Memé watched as she stayed underwater for a few moments before eventually bringing her face back up, shivering and wet. She shook the water off her.
“You’re right,” Lulala resolved. She seemed to have had a burst of strength. “It’s just as you said, Memé. I need to make sure I always shine. If I don’t do that, I won’t be worthy of becoming Glenn’s wife.”
Memé gulped and nodded, still teary-eyed.
“Heeey, everyooone! It’s not on the schedule, but I have decided to keep singing tonight! If you have the time, I hope you will listen!”
The audience in the Plaza murmured. The band that had been playing at the bar gathered around the fountain.
“I think this is a difficult time for everyone, so I’m going to blow that all away with my music! Are you ready? Let’s go!”
The audience clapped as Lulala began to sing. She’d chosen a song in the ancient language, keeping time with the music. Memé sat in a special seat next to the mermaid, listening to her sing with a look of satisfaction on her face.
Where are you and what are you doing right now, Dr. Glenn?
Her single eye was filled with anger—anger directed at Glenn.
✦ ✦ ✦
Meanwhile, in the harpy village, the dozing gigas Dione opened her eyes.
“Hmm?”
She’d woken because she’d caught sight, through the hair covering her eyes, of the panic in the village. The young harpies were setting off to fly toward Lindworm.
“What happennned?” Dione asked a harpy who was waiting next to her.
“Oh, Miss Gigas—”
“Caaan I help youuu?”
“No, I think we’re okay. Apparently, the council has requested we search for someone.”
“A seeearch…”
Dione chuckled to herself. She would cause chaos just by descending from the top of the mountain. She wasn’t built to search for people. She wouldn’t be able to help.
“Whooo are they searching fooor?” she inquired.
“I don’t know the details, but apparently, the manager of the Graveyard City is missing. The harpies who know what she looks like will search from the sky,” the harpy said with a grave expression on her face.
“Ohhh?”
“I wonder if it has something to do with why Dr. Glenn collapsed the other day?” the harpy added.
“Hmm?” Dione didn’t know either. All she’d heard was that Glenn had collapsed and been taken to the hospital in serious condition. Some were even saying he had died.
Of course, it’s not the first time someone I know has collapsed.
Dione had watched the rest of her species collapse. Compared to the gigas, the lifespans of all other beings were like the blink of an eye. Even Glenn and Illy, who treated her so well—even the young harpy girl she was speaking to right now—were here only briefly, from Dione’s point of view.
There were some beings with long lifespans, like dragons and cylla. Or the undead.
Molly.
It was the second-generation Molly who was missing right now, but Dione remembered all the times she’d spoken to the original skeleton.
If he’s there, please save himmm.
Dione didn’t know anything about what was going on, but Glenn had once pointed out that her long life gave her both knowledge and instinct in times of trouble. She knew the first-generation Molly was the key. She had already ascended, which meant she should be in that place. If Glenn was in trouble, Dione wanted her to help him. She wanted Molly to save him all the more because she couldn’t move or help him herself.
Or maaaybe my species will save himmm?
Dione wondered if her fellow now-extinct gigas were in the Underworld. Even if they were, they all moved at their own slow pace, so they’d probably be no help.
She wanted to do something, but she couldn’t move. If only she could take his place…
“If only I could die insteaddd…”
“Huh?” the harpy looked at Dione.
“Ohhh, nooo, it’s nothinggg.” Dione tried to backpedal, taking back the words she hadn’t meant to say out loud. There was no cheating death. No one could take your place on your death bed.
The only thing Dione could do about what was happening in Lindworm was pray it all ended well.
That’s why…
She closed her eyes and prayed as she dozed off.
I’m sure it will all turn out just fine.
Dione wasn’t a god. But as the woman sat there motionless, offering only her prayers, she could have easily been mistaken for one.