Book 4: Chapter 38
Book 4: Chapter 38
The sunlight was harsh today. It was the height of summer.
Apparently, the seasons are also the same for both the “Front World” and the “Back World.”
Even in this situation, the dragonewts wanted to take a hot bath. But since their purpose was to remove the leftover scales during shedding in the bath—which seems to be an unimaginably pleasant sensation for the dragonewts—the public bath was a great success every day.
「I don’t think I can live without the bath anymore. nuro.」
When I saw the green elder grinning, I wondered if I might have introduced some kind of addiction. …Well, it’s just a bath, right?
「Well then, the oldest remnants of our city I can remember is here.」
Today, I was listening to information from the elders again, the most knowledgeable people in Dragonewt City. By the way, they were floating in the public bath while I was taking notes outside the bath.
The elders came to the public bath every day even though there should be no scales left to shed.
What I wanted to know was the footprints La Fisa left behind.
I wanted to know how he went to the “Front World”.
And so, I was told the oldest city remains of the dragonewt people was near the site of the Holy City of Kruvan Holy Kingdom. And also, somewhat closer to the Underground City.
(But… I’m curious about what El-san said before.)
A rabbit high-priest from the Holy Kingdom, El-san, said this:
ーWell, of course, we can’t observe the “Back World” at the moment, but it seems that there was traffic between the two worlds in ancient times. But in order to stop the traffic, the gate that connects the two worlds was closed.
I don’t know how long ago it was. I have no choice but to hope that it was long before La Fisa’s time.
(In the first place, who “closed” the “gate”? Was it god? It’s god, isn’t it?)
As there are many elements such as magic and skill orbs that cannot be explained by science, it wouldn’t be strange if there is a god. Non-san belongs to the church, and the church believes in God. Though, I personally don’t know if god really exists.
「Sumeria-san, please at least use a spoon to eat.」
「…………」
「Please reply.」
「…………」
As we were dining at Kimidori Papa’s mansion, Asha called out to Sumeria who was eating with her bare hands. But Sumeria plainly ignored her.
It seems that these two are not getting along well. Rather, I was still uncertain how to handle Sumeria who has regressed to a child mentally. I thought it would be dangerous if I left her back at the Underground City, but thinking about it carefully, perhaps I should have listened to what the Marshal had to say.
I heard from Sumeria the other day that she has no parents. She said that innocently, which strongly motivated Asha to educate Sumeria.
「Well, it’s alright. She can learn slowly, nu!」
「That’s right. Kimi-chan used his hand when he was a child too…」
Kimidori Papa and Kimidori Mama said.
「—Reiji-kun, are you going to leave the city, nu?」
I lowered my fork as Kimidori Papa suddenly asked.
Did he sense that the atmosphere around me was different?
「Is that true, Reiji-san?」
Asha asked confusedly, while Sumeria looked around restlessly.
「Yes, I was thinking of leaving soon actually. I was going to talk to Asha about it after the meal.」
「Have you decided on your destination, nu?」
I nodded and told Kimidori Papa that I was heading to the oldest Dragonewt City.
I might find some clues there—it was more likely that I wouldn’t, but I have to go.
The crack in the sky might still be in the “Undeveloped Land Canion”, but I decided to take on that task only after examining La Fisa’s travel footprints. There is too much danger in going to Canion, after all.
「I see… Umm, Reiji-san. Can I come with–」
「Of course. Let’s go together, Asha.」
Asha’s expression suddenly brightened up.
「O-Okay!」
There is danger in taking her along.
However, she gets too lonely if I leave her, so I have no choice.
I will let the Lev master sergeant know as well. I don’t think he will be strongly against it.
「…………」
Sumeria was looking at me.
I was troubled if I should take her along or not.
「It’s better if you stay in the city nu.」Kimidori Papa said to Sumeria.
Sumeria was taken aback when she heard that. She speaks like a baby when talking to us, but she seems to understand about 80% of what we say to her.
「No!」
She rejected the notion without any room for doubt.
「He has a job to do. It’s your job to see them off.」
「No.」
「I understand your feelings…」
Kimidori Papa looked up at the ceiling with his arms crossed.
I thought it wouldn’t be good to let her refute Kimidori Papa any more. It was me who brought Sumeria here, and it is me who was trying to leave her here again.
「Sumeria–」
「Reiji-san.」
Kimidori Mama stopped me by shaking her head slightly. She doesn’t want me to say it
But why? If I don’t say it, I’m sure Sumeria wouldn’t agree.
「Sumeria, I am sure you know well that it’s dangerous outside the city. Reiji-san can protect himself. But you–」
「NOOOOOOO!」
Sumeria screamed to interrupt Kimidori Mama. She stood up and pointed to Asha with her food-stained fingers.
「Nn! Nnー!」
She was trying to say Asha will be in danger too. So why am I taking Asha, who is younger than herself, but not taking her along too?
「She has made her resolve, nu. If Reiji-kun is ever put in danger because of her… she is resolved to take her own life.」
Eh?
Did Asha really think that way?
I look at Asha in response to the unexpectedly heavy words from Kimidori Papa. Asha’s mouth was shut tight, and she responded with nothing.
「No! No, no, no! Noooo!」
Sumeria shouted with tears in her eyes. And she rushed out of the dining room.
It was the first time I had seen her so distraught since I brought her here.
Since then, her deathly pale skin complexion had improved and her lips regained their luster. It’s clear that it was because I pulled out the skill orb. Although her memory was still impaired, there was no danger to her life. She had recovered so much.
「Why didn’t you let me talk to her? Sumeria would have surely listened to me.」I reflexively asked Kimidori Mama.
「You don’t have to burden yourself too much… you are also still a child.」
As Kimidori Mama said that, I felt like she was patting my head, even though she physically didn’t.
It felt like a mother patting her child’s head.
(I am still a child, huh…)
It has been a long time since I was treated like a child. It had been too long that I no longer remembered what it was like.
I thought it was my responsibility to stop Sumeria since I brought her here, but Kimidori Mama said I was burdening myself by thinking like that.
「You shouldn’t make bitter memories with Sumeria, nu. We can make as many happy memories with Sumeria while she is with us. So, you two can leave on your trip without worrying about her.」Kimidori Papa said.
「…Thank you.」
While feeling the warmth of their concern… I was still filled with worry.