Chapter 214: A Lecture from Yuri
I had just sent the Elder Worm, the leader of the Worms, flying with a newly developed Fire Magic. Shortly after, I encountered Leonardo Gascoigne, the chairman of the Council of Sages, who delivered a cryptic lecture that left me bewildered. He had warned me about Rest before teleporting away, and now I returned to the campsite with a large question mark floating in my mind.
Upon my return, I found everyone who should have been asleep was now wide awake, creating a chaotic atmosphere. Torches were lit all around, illuminating the area, while soldiers from the Lavender Barony dashed about in a frenzy.
“Ah, Rest! Where have you been!?”
As I landed, Yuri’s voice rang out, her eyes narrowed in concern.
“Where have you been? I was worried sick!”
“Sorry… but what happened here?”
“What happened? Didn’t you see? There was a massive explosion over there!”
Yuri pointed towards the Wetlands, the very direction where I had battled the Elder Worm.
“I woke up to the sound of something thrashing about, and then there was a huge explosion visible even from here! You disappeared, and I was really worried!”
“Ah… my bad.”
I had completely forgotten about the commotion caused by the fierce battle. It was no surprise that the sounds had traveled far and wide. Not to mention, it was an explosion caused by the God of Flame. There was no way anyone could sleep through that.
“I just couldn’t fall asleep… I was, um, off fighting.”
“Fighting? You don’t mean…?”
“Yeah…”
I nodded gravely. I had been riding high on the thrill of cooking with Worm meat, but now that I was calm, I realized just how dangerous my actions had been.
“That explosion was me… I used it to blow away the leader of the Worms.”
“Rest… what were you thinking!”
Yuri grabbed my shoulders tightly, shaking me back and forth.
“Why didn’t you invite me along? If you were going to fight, I would have gone with you!”
“Oh, so that’s what you’re mad about?”
“Of course! If I can’t fight alongside you, then what was the point of coming along?”
I found myself unexpectedly on the receiving end of a lecture. Considering Yuri’s personality, it made sense. She wasn’t going to lecture me about environmental destruction or anything conventional.
“Honestly! If you leave me out next time, I won’t forgive you. It’s absolutely not okay!”
“Ah… I get it, I get it. I’m sorry. Really…”
To be fair, it was Yuri’s cooking that had led to this situation, so I didn’t think it was entirely fair for her to blame me. However, arguing that point with an angry girl would only make things worse. It was wiser to simply apologize.
As I endured Yuri’s barking like an upset large dog for not taking her on a walk, I glanced around at the others.
Ostre was absent from the scene. He seemed to be giving orders to the watchful soldiers, ensuring the area was secure.
“…”
Ula was watching me from a short distance away, her gaze steady. Beside her stood her attendant, Arly.
“I’m sorry for waking you two.”
“…”
I offered my apology, but Ula continued to stare up at me, her purple crystal-like eyes devoid of emotion.
“Um…?”
“So it really is you…”
“Huh?”
“Your magical power is truly beautiful…”
“…?”
What was she talking about? Ula spoke as if she were in a dream, her voice distant and hollow. In her lack of comprehension, she reminded me of that youthful sage. I could only tilt my head in confusion at Ula’s incomprehensible demeanor.