“I should’ve just told him it would take about three weeks. Maybe even a whole month.”
Mia, the young lady of Camborough, muttered as she recalled what had happened a few days ago.
She recalled the Demon Knight coming to confirm her schedule, even though she’d already explicitly told them she would adapt her schedule to their departure time.
“Mia, what did you just say?”
“It’s nothing, Leon.”
At first, Mia thought there’d been some kind of miscommunication, but since none other than the Demon Knight had come to see her, she dismissed that assumption.
If this were really due to some miscommunication, they’d have likely sent a herald or the Archmage herself, who usually handled these external affairs. Certainly not the Demon Knight.
“Come on, don’t be like that. I’m curious.”
“…I told him everything would be ready in a week because I was so flustered.”
She’d cautiously asked, “Haven’t you heard anything?” and from his furrowed brows had gotten her answer.She didn’t know why, but for some reason, the Hero’s party was keeping certain information from the Demon Knight.
“Ah… It’s about that.”
To end the conversation somehow, she’d said something akin to “I suppose the message didn’t reach you, but I told the party it would take about a week” and left it at that…
“What I said wasn’t a mistake, but… it’s still a bit disappointing.”
Later, when she called the Archmage, she confirmed they really hadn’t shared this information with the Demon Knight.
They seemed to think he might actually sit still and rest if someone as high-ranking as the young lady suggested it, which was rather funny.
“I feel the same.”
“Really?”
“If he really leaves like this, we won’t be able to see him for a few months, right? Furthermore, our wedding will probably get postponed because of the city reconstruction.”
She leaned back against him as he came up to her, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. She went to touch his hand, feeling its warmth spread over the back of her own.
“Even after we're married, we won’t be able to see each other much. Are you really okay with that?”
“…Right. I should’ve just nagged my parents more to give me a younger sibling when I was little.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“My mother said she would, but my father kept yelling, saying he didn’t want her to because he couldn’t stand the sight of my mother suffering. That old man, seriously.”
The warmth he was sharing with her almost tickled, which made her giggle.
“Do you… resent your father?”
“Ah, how could I resent him over something like that? What my father said wasn’t wrong either.”
“I didn’t mean because of that thing with the younger sibling… but about giving up on you.”
However, her laughter didn’t last long. Mia lifted her head slightly. Most of her vision was filled with the face of the kind person she loved the most. 𝐫ἁN𝘖ᛒЁs
“No. Not one bit.”
“…”
“The night I told him I might have to offer myself to the Skyflow Tiger… I heard him crying quietly in his room.”
“…I guess you take after your father in terms of how much you cry.”
“Maybe.”
And because he was a person as strong as he was affectionate.
“If there’s anything to resent… wouldn’t it be those rebels you beat up and subdued?”
“Were you close enough with them to feel any resentment? They did try to kill you, right?”
“No… Rather than being close, hmm, I wanted to beat them up myself. They were the ones who protested in front of our manor for days, demanding we reveal the real culprit when neither I nor my father killed the former lord. I felt so infuriated back then…”
“Ah…”
She pressed her forehead against Leon’s to cheer him up. He then lightly rubbed his forehead against hers and planted a kiss on her, leaving a mark.
“Mia, don’t you feel any resentment toward your own family?”
“Ah, I’m fine. I’m way past resenting them… I can’t even see them as a bother anymore. That’s how done with them I am.”
“…Did they lose their power over you?”
“Something like that.”
She thought of her family, who’d been keeping their heads down ever since the people rose up like that. Only then had they realized she could have their stomachs cut open with just a single order. How truly foolish.
“Those idiots can’t stop me anymore.”
In fact, it was all thanks to this that she could afford to leave her position for a while.
Now, they wouldn’t dare scheme against her even if she wasn't there. The entire city was watching them, after all.
“That’s a relief.”
“Right?”
Still, she figured she would have to return soon. But she thought it would’ve been nice to have postponed that for one more month. She sighed softly, feeling regret.
Knock, knock. Just then, they heard a knock on the door.
“Young Lord!”
“…?”
“Come in.”
“Yes… Ehem.”
With Young Lord Leon’s permission, his aide entered the room. Of course, upon seeing the two of them so close together, he couldn’t help but awkwardly cough.
“I know you’re quite reluctant to leave, my lord, but I’m feeling quite chilly over here.”
“Then go fall in love with someone.”
“Then you should actually give me time to do so…”
“Haha. Okay. Once everything’s settled, I’ll give you some time off.”
“Alright!”
“So, what’s the matter?”
“Ah, it’s nothing urgent, but… I thought it would be rather odd to delay my report.”
“What?”
The aide cleared his throat once more and spoke in a composed and determined manner.
“The forest that burned down during the subjugation of the Skyflow Tiger… has begun to regenerate, albeit slightly.”
* * *
Ah, I felt like yawning.
“What's with the mood here?”
“Ah, you’re here.”
“Aren’t we leaving?”
“We will. But the route seems to have changed a little. We’ll be taking a detour… I think we’ll be stopping by the forest where we caught the Skyflow Tiger.”
Feeling a yawn almost escape my mouth due to a lack of sleep, I lightly bit my tongue to hold it back.
Yeah, I mean, even good-looking people looked weird when they yawned. And what would looking weird mean for my character? That would practically be like asking for my death.
“Why?”
“We heard something unusual was happening there.”
“…The Demon?”
“I don’t think so. On the surface, it appears to be a positive change.”
“A positive change…?”
“It seems grass is growing there again.”
“Huh.”
“Still, we shouldn’t let our guard down! There can’t be a change without a cause!”
But right now, the heaviest things in this world were my eyelids.
With the warm sunlight pouring down on me and the gentle breeze tossing my hair, I was getting increasingly drowsy. If we were forced to march somewhere to avoid dying, that might be different, but this peaceful atmosphere only made me feel seriously sleepy.
“Madam Archmage, it appears we’re ready to go…”
“Ah, everything’s set? Then let us go ahead. Don’t worry about me.”
“Yes.”
Fortunately, before I actually fell asleep, we received the signal of our departure. It was time to ride.
Neigh.
My riding skills had significantly improved over the past few months, but that didn’t mean I’d become capable of riding while sleeping.
So, I focused on the horse’s tempo. The horse, which initially seemed a little uncomfortable, soon showed signs of relaxing.
“Um…”
Alright. Now began my battle against boredom.
Whenever we traveled between cities, it always felt like I was driving down to the countryside, but much slower and way less fun.
“Erm, Demon Knight. Are you feeling alright…?”
Still, I wasn’t hoping for some kind of incident to happen or anything. All the Quests that might pop up here were pretty annoying since they always tied back to the main storyline somehow.
Seriously. All I wanted were trivial Sidequests that could be completed in a day or two, not Main Quests.
“Demon Knight.”
Of course, the Sidequests I was referring to were things like “Collect Salad Ingredients” or “Deliver a Salad”.
I definitely wasn’t looking for stuff like “Exterminate Bandits: Complete Annihilation” or “Cleanly Cut Down Heinous Criminals★”.
“What are you doing, iron wall?”
“No, I… Never mind.”
In the meantime, the person who kept trying to talk to me finally gave up. My efforts to distract myself with random thoughts and not look at her really paid off.
Just like the past week, time passed without incident.
“…”
I heard the horse that had approached me getting further away again. Once I felt she was a safe distance away again, I let out the breath I had been half-holding in.
Seeing that red-haired head drooping down in disappointment made my heart ache for no reason.
“Hah.”
Still… this was for the best. Yes, for the best.
I looked up at the sky, letting out a small sigh, so quiet that no one would be able to hear it. The sky, seeming unbothered by my troubles, was beautifully blue.
* * *
Whooooosh.
“Ah, summer snow.”
“Everyone, cover your mouths and noses with a cloth. I won’t take responsibility if summer snow gets in your nose.”
Just then, as the wind blew strongly, seeds from wind-pollinated trees scattered all around us at once.
It seemed the fruits and seeds had fully ripened during our stay in Ednium. The fluffy seeds fluttered about like snowflakes.
The term “summer snow” fit this phenomenon perfectly.
Flutter.
I caught one of the seeds. Maybe because I rarely saw this kind of sight where I’d come from, it felt quite unfamiliar.
It looked like we were trapped in winter in the middle of May. Even though it wasn’t even May, nor was it winter.
Still, to me, it felt like winter.
“Take this.”
At that moment, Deathbringer suddenly handed me something: a piece of cloth.
“If this stuff gets up your nose… it’s pretty hard to deal with. So, well…”
I couldn’t tell whether I should be happy about this.
I opened my mouth slightly before closing it again. Clip, clop. Recognizing my signal, my horse picked up its pace slightly and moved forward.
Rustle.
In the meantime, I took out my handkerchief and covered my mouth and nose. Oh, this thing was so useful. I was glad I’d bought it.
“…You tried.”
“…What are you saying?”
“You’re not giving up already, right?”
“What are you even talking about? Just watch where you’re going, iron wall.”
“Huh. I’m already doing that—Yuck!”
“That’s why I told you to watch where you’re going.”
“A-Achoo, achoo!”
“Geez.”
“Achoo! Y-You! If one of those fluffballs was flying toward me, shouldn’t you have warned me or something!! Achoo!!”
“That’s your job, though, right?”
…Let me just say it again: I was really glad I’d bought this handkerchief. It also hid my lips, which had pulled into a slight smile.
“You’ve really changed.”
Anyway, after walking for quite some time through the summer snow, we reached our intermediate destination. It lay right between Ednium and Camborough, in a place those Demons had burned to the ground.
“Moss…”
“The trees have grown back to such an extent since that day?”
“This started exactly one week ago.”
“…Is that even possible?”
“…One week? If it started a week ago, it was when Mister…”
“Well, there’s no point in discussing the possibility of something that’s already happened. Rather, what really matters is whether this is a problem. Madam Archmage, if you don’t mind, I would like to ask your opinion on this, if possible…”
“Please wait a moment. I’ll need some time to analyze the phenomenon myself.”
Ah, I stayed up all night for nothing. I didn’t think I would end up back here.
Thinking that, I looked around.
The ground that had been charred black only a few days prior was now covered in soft moss and grass. Young saplings were growing here and there as well.
“Young hunter, why are you looking like that?”
“What’s the matter, troublemaker? Do you have any ideas about this?”
“No, well… I do have some suspicions.”
“In that case, shouldn’t you tell the Archmage?”
“Let’s just wait a little longer!”
They only came up to my knees for now, but in a few years, those saplings would form a lush forest.
Thud.
> [Well, now, didn’t you say you wouldn’t be able to meet me? Seems like you haven’t left yet.]
…Or maybe in just a few days.
> [Then, would you mind chatting with me a bit more…? Would that be alright?]
I took a deep breath as I looked at the snake peeking out from one side of the forest, its tail swaying gently beside its head.
> [Ah, but I suppose I should first take care of what I have to do. Shall I begin right away? But you know, I’ll need the others to step back a bit.]
“…Wait.”
I was worried I might actually laugh at its familiar tone and actions.
“Wizard.”
“…Are you speaking to me?”
“Young Lord.”
“I’m listening.”
“Move the people back.”
“…?”
“Right now.”
Without taking my eyes off the snake, I made a somewhat forceful request, or rather, a demand.
The two exchanged glances, seeming confused.
“…Well, alright.”
“If Sir Knight says so. However, might we know the reason…?”
But even though they were somewhat skeptical, neither disregarded my instructions. Their doubts would surely be resolved if they saw this enormous snake in a bit.
> [Ah, you don’t have to leave, Sir Knight. Just the others, yes. That should be about far enough. Shall I start?]
“Demon Knight, is this far enou—”
“Do it.”
“—?”
> [Hehe.]
The white snake laughed frivolously as it shifted its massive body. Rumble. It then plunged its massive head into the ground, stirring up a lot of wind.
“Wind?!”
“Whoa!”
At that moment, the greenery began spreading like wildfire. Yes, it looked exactly like the flames that had previously engulfed this place.
Vines grew, the stems of tiny buds sprouted tall before blooming, and trees spread their branches as they grew.
It was almost like the flames of nature were stretching their heads toward the sky.
“…It’s growing.”
“The forest…”
And standing right in the center, I could watch it all happen. It was truly amazing.
Swoosh!
> [Phew! The forest I live in is already thick and lush, so I’ve never had the chance to do this sort of thing. This felt better than I thought. Are there any more places that need restoration?]
Usually, I would say there wasn’t… but I now thought I wouldn’t mind seeing this again.
“…Good work.”
> [Uwhehehe. I worked pretty hard.]
I placed my hand on the head of the approaching Mountain Lord. Instead of recoiling, the Mountain Lord subtly leaned into my touch. I could feel its cold, smooth, serpentine body.
> [Ah, by the way, Sir Knight. I sensed some oceanic aura in this place before I arrived. That wouldn’t be your doing, perchance?]
Ah. So it could sense something like that as well?
I fell silent at that unexpected question. It was true that I had buried the bead here a few days ago to check its effects, just in case the Mountain Lord couldn’t come here.
In the end, my preparations had been rendered utterly useless by the Mountain Lord’s presence.
> [Oh well, if you rather don’t talk about it, you don’t have to.]
Still, my actions weren’t entirely meaningless. I had learned that if I separated the bead from my body, Divine Power dealt more dot damage to me, and the bead could also accelerate plant growth to some extent—this was definitely beyond just keeping some plants alive. I had been lied to!
> [Moreover, I heard that the punk living here was slacking off and only did useless things. So, does that mean the entire Eastern region looks like this? In that case, maybe I should wander around this place and lend some strength.]
Still, it was a good thing. It was pretty nice of this guy to bring it up before I was forced to ask.
“…Do whatever you want.”
> [Wow, really? Are you really saying I can just go wherever I want? Uwhehehe. Since you’ve given me permission, I’ll roam around as much as I want.]
“…”
Watching the Mountain Lord wag its tail, almost making it seem like a propeller, I clenched my teeth, trying to suppress a laugh from bursting forth.
> [Don’t look at me like that. I’m not a kid or anything. It’s just that if I leave for even a little while, those damn priests start crying and kicking up a fuss, so I’ve been stuck in that tiny part of the forest this whole time. If not for your request, they probably wouldn’t have let me go either.]
I wasn’t even looking at it that way, but I still felt a little guilty.
Still, it had been so kind to me, so I didn’t feel like teasing it and just let it blurt out its excuses. It was pretty cute and funny.
I slightly stroked the Mountain Lord’s chin—maybe more like its lower lip?—and then took away my hand.
“Demon Knight, this is…”
Ah, the Archmage came over at the perfect time.
When I saw the young lord standing near her, I turned toward the Mountain Lord, signaling it to show itself to them.
“Just what is that snake…?”
Now that I thought about it, it seemed like their eyes had been stuck on the Mountain Lord from the start, not me.
I didn’t recall seeing its figure until it began regenerating the forest. Had it already revealed itself?
“…This is the Mountain Lord of the Great Forest.”
“The Mountain Lord!”
This wasn’t a bad development. It spared me a lot of explaining.
“Why is the Mountain Lord…? No, rather than that, you have my deepest gratitude. The young lady of Camborough greets you.”
> [Goodness. Are all the people outside this pretty? Ah, could that be your partner, Sir Knight?]
There it goes again. Please don’t make me look like some kind of villain. That person already has someone, okay?
> [Ah, so you’re not. Oh my. What a shame. You two would’ve been a great match.]
Seriously. Why was it trying to pair me up with her when we weren’t even close? Had it always been so mischievous?
“…You called it here, didn’t you?”
I shot the snake a pointed look, but maybe it had been a bit too much.
The Archmage, who seemed to have figured everything out, sighed before speaking up. Hearing that, the young lady looked at me with slightly reddened eyes.
> [Siiigh. You really would’ve suited each other well…]
“…Give your thanks to the Great Forest. They allowed it to come here.”
> [But really, you would’ve been such a great match… Are you really not interested in her?]
Mountain Lord, please stop.
____
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