Chapter 20: The Dragon Cradle, and then to the Beastmen Village 29
The next morning, we departed from the Beastmen Village, seen off by Ms. Māri, Mr. Zendar, and the others.
As we were leaving, Ms. Māri hugged Lani and said,
“In the end, what you said was right, Lani. So make sure you stick close to Mr. Soushi. And, just once a year is fine, so come show your face.”
Lani, looking embarrassed, replied, “I get it. I’ll come again. So, let’s leave it at that,” but it seemed she had tears welling up slightly in her eyes. Perhaps it was because she’d met Ms. Māri after so long and felt her affection.
However, it wasn’t just Lani; Sphenia, Marianne, Shizuna, Sakurahime, and Maricier also had homes and families. They too would probably need to visit their respective homes from time to time.
It’s just that in this world, even returning to one’s family home becomes a long journey. As someone who was a modern Japanese person, I can’t help but feel that for such a fantastical world, there should be technology to make travel a bit easier.
Meanwhile, Karma was being handed a large amount of what looked like clothing by her mother, Marza-san.
“Hey, Mom, what is all this?”
“These are baby clothes and things we used at home. You’ll need them when you have a child, won’t you?”
“That’s way too soon! I’m not planning on having kids until this journey is over.”
“You never know about things like that! Just take them quietly!”
In the end, Karma, who had the clothes foisted upon her, looked at me with an expression that seemed to be pleading for something.
Having no choice, I thanked Marza-san and stored the clothes in my Item Box.
Sphenia, Dorozitte, and other members who seemed to have guessed what was going on looked at me with knowing glances, but I deliberately pretended not to notice.
“Soushi-sama, next is the ducal territory, isn’t it?”
Freynil came up beside me, gazing towards the southwest, our upcoming destination.
There was no trace of anxiety in her profile, only a resolute light in her eyes.
“That’s right. I never thought we’d end up going, but since we are, I’d like to see various things.”
“As a town, it’s second in size only to the Royal Capital. It’s a place where music and theatre flourish, so Soushi-sama might enjoy it.”
“I’m looking forward to that. Come to think of it, it feels like all we’ve done is fight, and we haven’t really enjoyed any entertainment.”
“If I’m with you, Soushi-sama, I feel like I could enjoy music and such too. However, before that, we must resolve the matter of the Netherworld Candlestick, mustn’t we?”
“And your matter too, Freynil.”
At my words, Freynil turned to look at me and gave a gentle smile.
“Because I am already Freynil of the Guidance of Sol.”
Just how much meaning was packed into those words, I wondered.
I secretly resolved in my heart that I had to do everything in my power to make the next journey a good one for her.