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墨書 Inktalez
Probably because we've talked a few times, I've started to involuntarily care about him.
Recently, on the way back after dropping off deceased, I can't help but think: Maybe that guy is so bored that he's already turned back to the world to pass the time, and by the time I get back, he won't be there anymore...
However, as soon as I returned to the familiar beach, and saw his figure still nestled by the pile of rocks, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Although, the relief was truly inexplicable.
After that, whenever I had free time after transporting other deceased, as long as I saw him still there, I would habitually approach him and chat with him for a few words.
"By the way, I haven't asked for your name yet," he suddenly asked me one time.
I raised an eyebrow slightly in surprise.
"No," I responded calmly. "I said from the beginning that you can call me whatever you want. After all, names have no meaning here."
"Speaking of which, how long has it been since someone asked me this question? Or should I say, I don't seem to have any memories of this kind at all...
"No meaning? What do you mean? Are you the only one on the entire River Styx ferry boat?" he asked, looking surprised.
"How is it possible that it's only me? Of course, there are other Ferrymans! Otherwise, how could we handle so many deceased?" I couldn't help but laugh.
"But... so far, I haven't seen any other ferry boatmen passing by," he looked puzzled, gazing ahead at the River Styx.
The dark river surface was shrouded in a thick gray mist, obscuring everything except for the indistinct, hazy scenery.
"Of course, because this location is under my jurisdiction. Each designated point along the River Styx has its own Ferryman responsible for it, but they belong to different spaces and do not connect with each other." I casually pointed toward the other end of the beach, where the gray fog was dense. "So, if you simply walk along the riverbank, you'll just end up going in circles."
"Is that so?" He stood up, half in doubt, and walked along the riverbank into the thick fog ahead. Before long, he disappeared into the mist.
I turned to look the other way and, not surprisingly, saw him emerge from the fog coming from the opposite direction, his face filled with astonishment as he walked towards me.
"It really will come back!" His tone was full of incredulity. "So, you're saying that no matter how long we wait here, we won't be able to wait for another ferry boat?"
I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "If you want to switch to another boat, you have to return to the mortal world and come back."
"Are you saying that if I were to wander back into the world for a while and then return here, I might not necessarily meet you?"
"No, it's not a matter of might not, it's a matter of definitely not meeting me," I firmly replied. "After all, this is The Land of No Destiny, so meeting again is impossible."
"The Land of No Destiny?"
"All the Circumstances are limited to this time and place; once separated, there will be no further intersection."
"Is that so..." he murmured thoughtfully. "So, you and the ferryman don't know each other either?"
"If we are responsible for transporting the deceased to the same destination, we may occasionally meet at the other end, but it is only to acknowledge the existence of other ferryman. We do not deliberately engage in conversation or exchange pleasantries." So, names and such are completely meaningless.
"Destination?" he asked with curiosity. "Are there several places on the other side of the River Styx?"
"Well... it's probably similar to the feeling of 'good people go to heaven, bad people go to hell' that people talk about. Each person goes to a different place." Of course, it's not just heaven and hell, but there are countless other branches, which are really hard to describe one by one.
However, as the Ferryman, this is also the only pleasure for me in this monotonous River Styx where I have nothing.
Although everything I see is just a fleeting moment and will be forgotten once I return, being able to witness all sorts of scenes I have never heard of is enough to alleviate my boredom.
"Then... can you tell me what kind of place awaits me on the other side?" He gazed quietly at the misty river surface, his eyes somewhat vacant.
"No, I don't know," I replied calmly. "After all, I am just a Ferryman, solely responsible for guiding the ferry boat along the flow of the river to the other side. As for the direction of the river's current, that is determined by fate, and I cannot interfere."
"I see..."
A habitual smile curled at the corners of his lips, but this smile faintly carried a hint of gloom.
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