Book 4: Chapter 39
Book 4: Chapter 39
When I informed the Lev master sergeant about the trip to the old Dragonewt City, he warmly supported my intention to find a way back to the “Front World”. However, three of his men had fallen sick, so they wouldn’t be able to accompany us.
For that reason, he tried to dissuade Asha and I from going alone. But when he realized that we were firm in our intentions, he was convinced in the end.
「How is Sumeria?」
I asked Kimidori Mama when I returned to the mansion that night. It seems that Sumeria shut herself in her room and wouldn’t come out.
…I wonder if I won’t be able to say goodbye.
I was planning to leave early tomorrow.
「By the way, I haven’t seen Kimidori Gorn-san.」
「That child seems to have found something he wants to do, so he has also shut himself in his room.」
Ah, I’m sure it’s related to the development of sorcery.
「It’s the same as when he was doing that mysterious research at the lakeside.」Kimidori Mama said.
「…………」
This research is certainly better than the “Dead Or Alive” research, I think.
**
「—Reiji-san.」
Asha called out while we were preparing for the trip in the room.
「What do you think about Sumeria-chan? I… umm, I think we should bring her too.」
It was a surprising statement, since it doesn’t seem like Sumeria and Asha get along well. If they were put in the same room, it is not hard to imagine that they would be constantly bickering.
「…Why do you say that?」
「I… I understand the loneliness of being left alone, and the pain of being alone in a town of another race… Oh, b-but I think your decision to rescue Sumeria-chan is definitely correct. But also… uhm…」.
Asha was fidgeting while looking all around.
「I-I am sorry. I feel confused… I’m not used to expressing my thoughts and complicated feelings like this.」
「—Let’s bring her along.」
「Eh?」
「Since you feel so strongly about it, I’m okay with bringing Sumeria along.」
Asha had a surprised look at first. Then slowly a warm, gentle smile appeared on her face.
「Thank you!」
However,
「—I won’t go.」
A voice came from the entrance of the room. I was surprised when I turned around. It was Sumeria.
Her red eyes were gleaming from the gap of the narrowly opened door. It was like something out of a horror movie. …Sumeria should be in her room, so why is she here?
「Go together.」
Sumeria said, slamming the door open. She ran over to me and grabbed my arm. Although she was older in age, her behavior was clearly like a toddler.
「…Wanted to go together.」
「Wanted?」I asked.
「Un.」she nodded in response. And said–.
「But no more.」
「Why?」I asked her.
Sumeria looked at Asha.
「To go, to not go. I decide.」
As though struck by those words, Asha’s back straightened.
「You wanted to decide for yourself, huh…」
I felt the weight of those words, as it was none other than Sumeria who said it.
I was the one who took her away from the Underground city. I don’t know what she was thinking, and I don’t know what happened in her past. Perhaps the skill orb was also given to her without her permission.
Sumeria wants to choose her own future. That is why she doesn’t want others to decide.
「…Are you sure, Sumeria-chan?」Asha asked.
「Un.」she nodded.
「You may not be able to meet Reiji-san anymore.」
Sumeria shook her head sideways and then pointed to Asha.
「Won’t lose.」
「…Eh? What do you–?」
Before Asha could finish her sentence, Sumeria did something completely unexpected.
She pulled my arm and planted her lips on my cheeks. Her lips were soft, but still felt a little rough.
「Wha, wha, wha, wha–」Asha trembled.
「Reiji.」
Sumeria grabbed my face and turned it to face her.
「—Will see you again. Definitely…」
She stated it like a declaration of war—and ran out of the room.
Just like a child, she did not close the door properly.
「Wha~~~~~~~ !?」
Fireballs exploded around Asha.
**
Asha and I decided to leave Dragonewt City early in the morning.
Many dragonewts came to see us off. Some were even crying. Though, the elders were mostly saying, “How are we going to take baths from now on, nuro?”
「Reiji!」
Kimidori Gorn-san called, squeezing through the crowd of people who came to see us off.
Just when I thought I hadn’t seen him for a while, he appeared with stained clothes.
He held a water pitcher and a metal box in his hands.
「—Did you do it?」
「It’s a prototype, nu.」
When he poured water into the metal box, it caused a slight steam to rise.
It was golden steam illuminated by the morning sun.
「Be careful… I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you, but take care, nu. I’ll see you again, nura!」
「Okay.」
Kimidori Gorn-san hugged me with his arms outstretched. There was an odor mixed with metal and catalyst on him.
It was the smell of advancement.
「I’ll see you all again!」
Asha and I left Dragonewt City after that.
Our aim is to find La Fisa’s footprints in the past.
Somewhere on this continent, there must be a way back to the “Front World”.