Several days passed after the night where it was known that Lefille had been cursed. While Suimei and Lefille remained wary of Mazoku attacks, the two continued to walk through the forest depths.
The path they tread was dense, often shrouded by various types of trees.
Although the sky seemed clear, seeing as the brightness of the sun and the sky was obstructed by the tall trees, the amount of sunlight that poured into the forest was quite faint.
The future from here on, unlike the faint rays, could be said to hold no worries, so long as one’s outlook was positive. Yet, it would appear that adopting such an outlook was unlikely.
Of course, while there was the issue of the Mazoku’s presence, the most pressing matter was with regards to the two’s poor relationship.
The two walked together, side by side.
At first glance, their relationship appeared to be fine, uneventful yet definitely not foul. Seeing as nothing that would create discourse between the two had occurred, this was only natural. However, if one were forced to indicate something of interest, one could not deny that there was a subtle interval of space between the two’s walking distance, as well as a gap between each other’s hearts.
Indeed. After that night, it was in no way not awkward.
With that said--
“Say……”
“Suimei-ku……”
Suimei, together with Lefille, displayed the behavior of turning to their side simultaneously before they froze, like a frog who had been trapped within a snake’s ensnaring gaze.
““Ah……””
And then, almost as if someone had coordinated it, the two who simultaneously attempted to start a conversation realized that, in the midst of their own carelessness, their voices sounded terribly awkward.
--Indeed, between these two human beings was nothing that could be considered as threatening. Nor could it be called a rift. Yet suddenly, just like what had transpired moments ago, the timing between the two’s conversation seemed to connect no longer. If one had to say whether or not the timing was perfect, then perhaps one could say that the timing was a little too perfect.
“Please, go ahead……”
“No, what I want to say isn’t really that important. I’m fine with Suimei-kun speaking first.”
Like so, this is how the two ended up, their breath uneasy due to the fact that they were unfamiliar with talking to members of the opposing gender. Suimei, reluctantly holding out his hand with a red face, and Lefille, the one whose gaze kept darting here to there in order to respect her partner.
Owing to the fact that their conversation topics weren’t particularly crucial, the two could not engage in verbal exchange. Perhaps due to the fact that their hearts had been captivated by boredom for far too long, this strenuous tension continued to persist.
Sure enough, the origin of this did not need to be said.
Suimei did not possess the sort of personality that would cause him to become overly aware of Lefille, especially after finding out that she was cursed. Even if this were not the case, however, after thinking about the details of the hex, somehow it became difficult for both his mind and mouth to move. He had seen through everything. Touched everything. Though Suimei hadn’t done it out of vulgar, carnal desires, as well as the fact that it was necessary at the time, the person in question had kept the appropriate boundaries when doing so, even if he still felt some inhibitions towards her.
On one hand, it was clear that he should tell Lefille that her secret had been exposed.
That kind of thing had occurred with someone whom he had just started to get along with. It couldn’t be helped if their relationship soured due to this.
“......ah”
“......u”
In the end, the two simply continued to simmer. And so, both of them simply continued to let out various moan- and groan-like voices.
As though something were manipulating them into having awkward moments time after time, the two of them nonchalantly went through several days while continually missing the chance to hold a proper conversation.
--however, if they were to continue in this manner, both their relationship and their path would swerve out in a disastrous manner. Therefore, thinking that this was where a man needed to do his utmost, Suimei took a firm step forward as he asked Lefille, the one who was walking next to him, about their movements from now on.
“H-hey. I think it might be best not to head towards Kurand City……don’t you think?”
Although he thought that they should discuss whether or not they should change their route to their destination, Suimei’s tone grew somewhat awkward as he raised his voice.
However, in reality, due to the fact that the two were currently advancing while wary of encountering Mazoku, they had yet to leave the forest, diverted off of their planned path, and had yet to determine the route they would take to get to Kuranto City.
Because of this, Suimei raised the topic of how they would try to get to Kuranto City. However, whether it was due to having her head in the clouds, Lefille, the other party of the conversation, seemed to be unable to properly grasp the contents of Suimei’s discussion.
“Eh?”
“Iya, we need to have a proper discussion about this, so……”
“Ah, yeah. You’re right.”
Her answer to Suimei’s proposal, more than a step late, was mingled with unheard deception. As her eyes turned into dots, Lefille displayed an uncharacteristic impatience, her head nodding every now and again.
Following this, in order to sort out her emotions, Lefille took a deep breath, and even cleared her throat before she responded to Suimei.
With this, Lefille’s serious visage finally returned to the conversation.
“--yeah, it would seem that the chances of being ambushed are high if we were to continue to proceed in a strictly west direction. If we wanted to make the utmost effort to avoid contact with the Mazoku, it would be best to redirect our route slightly towards the south, or so I believe.”
“An ambush, huh? Well, it does seem probable.”
Indeed. As Lefille had indicated, there was always the possibility of the Mazoku being spread around the forest outskirts. On top of Rajas extensively moving his subordinates, it was appropriate to assume that there would be various Mazoku stationed between the forest and Kuranto City.
With that, upon hearing Lefille’s predictions, the map which he had seen once before began to surface within his mind.
Their current position was in the middle of a forest, deviating slightly south from the Omoto-route highway. At the border of the highway which connects the cities of Mehter and Kuranto, from the foot of the mountain to the plains nearby Kuranto lay an expansive forest, one that spread in parallel with said highway.
If you were to continue even further south from there, it would be one considerable detour to Kuranto City.
With regards to provisions, seeing as they had secured a sufficient amount of it, the two did not have any problems about facing hunger. However, if they took this route, the two would find resting properly to be an arduous task, seeing as they would have to constantly camp out. And, because of this, they would inevitably find themselves wasting energy.
However, as one would think, this would seem to be an inescapable predicament.
“If we’re heading to Kuranto City, it would be best if we were to delay to some degree. If we can continue to go unnoticed by them, then I think we should be able to skillfully get past them.”
“Do you really think it will go so well?”
“Even their war potential can’t possibly just up and leave the plains nearby Kuranto City.”
Placing her chin onto her hand, Lefille spoke with a pondering visage, her line of thinking reasonable.
Although humans were no exception to this, even the Mazoku could not continue to keep their troops deployed indefinitely. As time went on, the troops, much like them, would consume food and energy. If their base wasn’t within close proximity, before the troops became completely exhausted, it was highly likely that they would withdraw.
Furthermore--
“Well, if they were to openly utilize their military might, they would be discovered by the people of this country and draw out the disciplinary forces. In which case, it would probably turn into a full blown battle. If they desired such a thing, then the situation changes, but……”
“It’s unlikely. While Kuranto City may certainly be a large town, in the end, it is a city of humans. It doesn’t hold any strategic importance in a military sense, and there are little to no merits for them to cause a large scale battle here. Even if they felled the city, were they to forcibly induce a war around here, even they would be subjected to losses, to the point where they would eventually become isolated and vulnerable upon victory.”
“I know what you mean. In their eyes, such a situation would only bring them to a decline.”
Looking up at the umbrella of trees and foliage-filtered sunlight was the one who agreed with Lefille, Suimei. Even if the Mazoku wanted to assault and bring down the surrounding city, in their perspective, such an act would not be profitable for them.
Certainly, while there would seem to be chances of victory on a microscopic scale, if one were to consider things on the macro level, one could only say that they would be involved in a reckless farce that unnecessarily depleted their military might.
If their commander was a decent one, then such a thing would surely be prohibited.
(However……)
With that said, their reason for coming all the way here still remained a mystery. If Lefille was not their original goal, then what reason did Rajas have for bringing his troops all the way out here? Even if the situation had devolved into such a disaster, it could be said that this didn’t concern Suimei and Lefille.
Well, for the time being anyway.
“Indeed, that may certainly be the case. Instead of obsessing over us, the possibility of them pulling out before any problems occur seems to be more plausible, huh.”
“Although that’s only true if they don’t enter the forest to come attack us, but……well, they wouldn’t make such movements now, anyway.”
Lefille phrased her unlikely concern into words before immediately denying it. Usually, it wouldn’t be strange for the Mazoku to dispatch at least a reconnaissance force within the confines of the forest. Nevertheless, the fact was that they had not.
“Do you think that they have no idea about our current whereabouts? I mean, seeing that the only ones who know that we’ve entered the forest are the people with the caravan.”
“Maybe. Normally one wouldn’t think to enter deeper into a forest to escape. That possibility does exist.”
Lefille also seemed to share the same thoughts. Although her manner of speech was slightly ambiguous, Lefille also displayed agreement with this projection.
However, Suimei, who presented similar predictions in optimism, felt a tinge of anxiety in the pit of his stomach.
(That’s right. If there’s anything to be worried about, it’s that strange thing that he mentioned…huh.)
Ruminating over the words he heard from Rajas the day prior, a thoughtful expression lingered on Suimei’s face. What in the world did that Mazoku come up with? Those words that incited anxiety. The fact that his enemy had conjured up something diabolical unavoidably resulted in fostering Suimei’s torment.
Due to the limited amount of speculative material, the two were rendered unable to discuss this concern, resulting in frustration. After all, if they were to simply leave things as they were for a lengthy period of time, they would undoubtedly begin to fall behind.
“Well, whatever the case, at the moment, we need to cover a certain distance, right.”
“I guess so.”
Shaking off the unnecessarily swelling anxiety was Suimei’s words. And, displaying agreement without uttering a single objection, Lefille’s voice entered Suimei’s ears as the boy pushed the green of the forest to the side.
Just like how future policies begin to pile up, the two’s tread grew somewhat lighter, or so it seemed.
Whatever the case, it was here, with this conversation, that Suimei would eliminate his most pressing concern--
“Phew……, somehow, we were able to hold a normal conversation……”
Sweat formed on his brow. In a small, whisper-like voice, Suimei smiled silently as he released a genuine sigh of relief. If he were to continue to remain silent as they had been, wondering what to do without establishing a mutual understanding, there was no doubt that Suimei’s mind would be significantly burdened with anxiety.
This point may have also proved to detail the shallowness of his life experience. This may have been unavoidable, however, due to the fact that he dedicated his all to the study of magic.
However, at the current time, Suimei never expected to hear a reply towards his words of relief.
“……I apologize for causing you such concern.”
“Uoraba-!”
To think that he would receive a reply to his monologue. As an apologetic voice entered his ear from the side, Suimei made an excessively panicked cry. Whether he he had received a fatal blow, or perhaps was even caught in the throes of death. Whatever the case, as he experienced an extreme, unheard of agitation, Suimei jumped backwards.
In response to this, Lefille, with a mystified expression-
“……what’s wrong? You made such a strange sound.”
“Y-you heard!?”
“That’s obvious. I mean, we’re this close to each other.”
Almost as if she were about to make a “What in the world are you saying” interjection, Lefille’s demeanor began to blur towards amazement in response to Suimei. Now that she mentioned it, this was certainly true. If one were to heave a sigh of relief at this distance, even if one didn’t want to, they would certainly hear it.
Upon seeing her face, Suimei displayed a foolish smile in an attempt to cover up his mistake. However-
“A-ahaha. Yeah, that’s right……”
“Fufufu.”
What came back was an elegant and naturally feminine laughter.
And in the face of this, Suimei asked the following with a blank expression.
“……what?”
“No, I was just thinking that Suimei-kun is quite the careless individual.”
“Ugu!”
When you hit a bull’s-eye, it is no different from delivering a lethal blow. Releasing a groan that would seem to be expressed during such a predicament, Suimei dejectedly dropped his shoulders.
And in the face of this, as if continuing to add insult to injury, Lefille spoke.
“If I recall, on the day that I first went to the Guild--”
“Please don’t bring that up again……”
Suimei slumped over, his head cradled between his hands. If one were to add onomatopoeia, then it would probably be “hemo hemo”. Certainly at that time, in order to manipulate his rank, Suimei placed a strong suggestion--Malm・Hypnotic on the Guild Staff Dorothea and the others. However, what he carelessly didn’t prepare any countermeasures for what had happened on that day.
In which case, the topic would probably be raised here. The people who were there were quite plentiful so they would obviously start rumors.
Crestfallen, he fell into despair--. As Suimei made an expression that implied this completely incomprehensible example had hit the mark, a grin surfaced upon Lefille’s face.
“You’re surprisingly riddled with openings.”
“He- he-, after all, I’m just a careless individual”
Pouting, Suimei grew sulky as he issued a voice that sounded similar to a pig’s cry.
Seeing this, Lefille’s smile only grew brighter. Rather than criticizing it as ridiculous, she enjoyed Suimei’s change in expression.
……however, it was quiet. In such a peaceful atmosphere, the distance between the duo shrunk as the conversation grew reasonably animated. This was, in no way, a bad thing--however, for some reason, the calm winds seemed like the ones that always preceded the larger storm. Although they should have been placed out of their crisis, it was such a frightening calm that, conversely, baseless fears began to spread through their minds.
It was at this time, when Suimei scratched his head whilst feeling unease towards this tranquility.
The thickets behind the two abruptly rustled.
“--ttch, Suimei-kun!”
“Got it.”
Sensing some kind of presence, Lefille immediately whirled around and shouted out a word of warning. In response, Suimei acted in a rather unexpected manner. Currently, behind her, numerous ghost-like beings had suddenly appeared. Their form seemed to be that of a dog, or perhaps a wolf. It was possible that they were demon beasts, or even Mazoku.
Preparing for the possible threat of being assaulted, as well as fully applying his speculative abilities, Suimei grew vigilant, not even a shred of carelessness remaining in his mind.
The surrounding atmosphere was abruptly filled with an increasing insecurity. As a consequence of the knight and magician’s tension, the atmosphere seemed to birth an innumerable number of thorns. However, what had appeared before the two was something completely different from what they had expected.
The swaying entity emerged from the parted thickets.
A man whose whole body was covered by wounds.
“H-Help……”
“--!?”
“O,oi!?”
Lefille and Suimei were stunned by the arrival of the individual they had not anticipated. Of course, the one who had entered the scene was a man that held the appearance of an adventurer. With uncertain steps, blank eyes, and ripped clothes that had been dyed with a bright red pigment, lacerations and burns broke out all over the man’s entire body, leaving marks and sores imprinted within the man’s skin. From what their ears could hear, a faint groan reminiscent of an insect’s breath and a “hyu-hyu-” like wheezing resounded through the atmosphere.
A body infested with wounds. In such a state, this man had travelled all the way here.
Due to his wounds, the focal point of the man’s gaze did not meet them. Towards such a man, Lefille immediately rushed over to him.
“Keep it together!?”
“Ah, gu……y-you’re……”
The man seemed to have come to his senses upon hearing Lefille’s loud voice. Although his still vacant gaze briefly wandered through the air, his focus finally managed to meet Lefille’s face.
It was then that Lefille posed her question once more.
“What in the world happened!?”
“M-Mazoku…attacked…us. In the……mountains……”
“Mountains? Mazoku?”
These words were the only ones that could be taken from within the man’s faltering speech. Towards Lefille whose face grew grim in the face of the man’s fragmented words, Suimei suddenly realized a certain something, causing him to tap her shoulder.
“Hey, Lefille. This man.”
“What about him?”
“No, this is the adventurer from that time.”
“That time? Ah--”
She suddenly raised her voice in realization. At this moment, it would seem that Lefille had also noticed. Although she couldn’t tell with a single glance thanks to the significant wounds and blood plaguing his body, during the time when Lefille was forced to depart from the caravan, this man was the escort who had caused the most commotion, to the point of outright screaming.
Perhaps after being assaulted by the Mazoku, he took flight and ran here all by himself? Or maybe he came to call for help? While whichever was more likely could not be determined, the fact remains that the current situation was quite bad.
Lefille, the cause of the adventurer’s suffering, was once more plunged into confusion and impatience due to the abruptness of the situation. No, perhaps due to the fact that she paused whilst holding the man in her arms, it might be better to say that her thoughts dulled upon realizing that he was the one who drove her away.
Yet, sure enough, while gathering magical energy into his palm, Suimei issued an order towards the paralyzed girl.
“Lefille. Put that man to sleep. I’ll apply the treatment now.”
“Ah, yeah. I got it.”
One could not deny that Suimei’s tone was quite blunt. Yet, while it took a moment for Lefille to regain her senses, she soon assessed the situation, returning a weighty nod before quietly lowering the man’s body onto the ground.
To the girl who was walking the path of righteousness with full force, it appeared that not even a trace of resentment remained.
“I’m counting on you.”
“Yeah.”
Upon hearing these words, Suimei nodded. Following which, he then began to apply healing magic. So long as it wasn’t instant death, or a serious condition very close to it, he could still use his techniques to compensate for the type of injury. With regards to physical trauma, Spirit Therapy was a viable and effective option. For severe blood loss, although there would inevitably be some residual symptoms, he could cover it up through the use of Restoration Magic.
Beneath the adventurer, a color similar to the Magic Circle that surfaced from Suimei’s hand could be seen. Being healed by a faintly rising, smaragd-colored Magical Light, the adventurer’s scars closed within moments.
However--
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login