Chapter 133
TLN: Hey guys, Reigokai here!
Didn’t manage to say this the previous chapter, but Happy New Year, hope you had some awesome holidays!
Let’s hope for an even better new year!
“From around here onward, I used magic to harden the soil so weeds wouldn’t grow. But for the parts of the village farther away from home, I didn’t have the energy to maintain it. I think they must be covered in weeds by now.” (Melt)
“I see. So…you’re going to go clean it up?” (Shizuma)
“Hmm… I’m not sure. There are a lot of memories there. But no one who used to live there will ever come back. So, I’ve been thinking that maybe…it’s better to just let it return naturally to the forest we live in now.” (Melt)
“I get it… I’ll leave it up to you, Melt.” (Shizuma)
“Yeah. Quietly and slowly returning to nature… I think that’s fine too.” (Melt)
We left Melt’s house and headed through the forest toward the village.
Along the way, she shared her thoughts…ones that, in a way, felt like her own form of parting with the past. …Maybe that’s for the best. It wasn’t like she was erasing it all at once. Rather than forcing it to remain, she was choosing to let nature take its course. It felt like a natural flow, one that mirrored her heart slowly letting go.
“There’s a big tree in the village. Not exactly a grave for everyone, but I used magic to make it grow as a memorial tree. I was thinking of going there to pay my respects.” (Melt)
“I see. Then I’ll come too. For an offering… hmm, maybe I could offer some of the curry I made yesterday?” (Shizuma)
“What!? That’d be such a waste! I’ll eat that myself!” (Melt)
“Hahaha, alright then. Let’s just go say hello.” (Shizuma)
She smiled naturally.
I realized that Melt had already begun walking toward her new life, her new path.
—————–
The Silver Fox’s village was about the same size as the abandoned one I saw while crossing through Golda.
There wasn’t anything particularly unique to their race in the architecture: just scattered houses, a large pond in the square, a small park, and some old playground equipment. A simple, ordinary village that could have existed anywhere.
Yes, just an ordinary village.
And yet, its people were sacrificed…for reasons not their own.
I couldn’t bring myself to forgive King Golda, nor the shadowy figure like Fus who fed him information.
“The weeds have really taken over. This way…over here. At the very back of the village, there’s a flower field. There used to be a tree there that I poured a lot of mana into to make it grow.” (Melt)
“Ah, I can see it from here.” (Shizuma)
Even from a distance, that giant tree stood tall enough to be seen from anywhere in the village.
As if to watch over the empty homes, as if to carry all their souls to the heavens…reaching ever higher, and higher.
When we reached the base of the tree, there were many personal items neatly arranged at the altar; belongings that must have held meaning for each villager.
“Someday, all of this might be swallowed up by the tree too.” (Shizuma)
“Yeah. I think it’ll absorb everything and grow all the way up to the sky.” (Melt)
“Yeah… I hope it does.” (Melt)
Melt pressed her hands together before the altar.
Even in a different world, in a different culture, people prayed the same way.
I followed her example, joining my hands and offering a prayer for the villagers who had perished.
“It’s all over now, everyone. The bad guys are gone, and even the Dungeon Master’s been defeated. This village belongs to all of you again.” (Melt)
Melt spoke softly to the tree.
Leaving her by the altar, I took Lent and stepped away from the flower field for a bit.
There were surely things she wanted to say…things that only she could.
—————–
While walking around the village with Lent, she spotted the old playground in the square and stared at one of the swings. I let her sit on it.
I gave her a gentle push since she didn’t seem to know how to swing. Watching her sway back and forth so stiffly…it was oddly funny in a surreal way.
“…If we keep exploring dungeons, we might eventually run into Fus’s group.” (Shizuma)
They seemed obsessed with dungeons and their cores.
I also wanted to keep challenging dungeons.
Which meant…it was possible our paths would cross again someday.
“…There’s only one dungeon left on this continent. I get the feeling they’re not even here anymore.” (Shizuma)
It seemed like they tried to start a war between two nations…to run some kind of experiment.
Artificial dungeons, I assumed, were easier to obtain cores from than natural ones.
They probably transformed some locations through some means to serve that purpose.
If that was the case, then it likely meant they couldn’t ready the power needed to conquer a natural dungeon on this continent.
“I see… So that’s why they initiated the Hero Summoning. The dungeon transformation was just preparation for that…?” (Shizuma)
That meant they have been setting this up for over ten years.
With that much time, they could have gathered forces from abroad…yet they didn’t?
I don’t know. I don’t even know the true scale of the enemy…or where they are hiding.
“…If the ones summoned by Order Summon really have wills of their own…and if I could summon one more person… Still might be the right choice.” (Shizuma)
I felt bad about placing all the burden of chasing and cornering the mastermind on one person.
But… Still would probably accept that role without hesitation.
…Even though I was so cautious, I am now thinking of pushing the hardest role onto him. I really am something else.
“Hey! You two!”
At that moment, Melt came back from the flower field.
“Sorry to keep you waiting! You had her on the swing?” (Melt)
“Yeah, she seemed interested in it.” (Shizuma)
“That’s nostalgic. These have been here since long ago. I used to get pushed on them too.” (Melt)
We made our way out of the village while talking about old memories.
I think it is fine now. The final closure in her heart has already been made.
“Alright! Let’s head back to Lindblum! Or should we stop by Golda’s royal capital first?” (Melt)
“Hmm… I don’t think we need to. We still have to go to that town…Izbel, right?…to pick up your light armor.” (Shizuma)
“Oh, that’s right! I can’t wait for my new armor! Having proper gear makes me feel like a real adventurer!” (Melt)
“You already are. You’re a Ruby Rank adventurer now, one of the elites, Melt.” (Shizuma)
“What, really!?” (Melt)
Excuse us for intruding, everyone in the village.
The last survivor…this girl…I’ll take her out into the wider world.
I’ll make sure no one disturbs this place again.
So please…rest easy.
“Shizuma?” (Melt)
“Hmm? Oh, I was just saying goodbye.” (Shizuma)
At the village entrance, I bowed my head toward the village one last time.
Even if no one was physically there, I could still feel everyone’s presence.
“I’ll do it too.” (Melt)
Melt gave a small bow as well, and with that, we finally left the village behind.
—————–
On our way out of the Dreamhill Great Forest, we did as we said: picking mushrooms as we went.
Once we emerged from the woods, I shifted from Shizuma’s form back to Seimu’s.
“Hmm, I wasn’t planning to go to the capital, but maybe we should stop by. There might be a carriage leaving from there.” (Shizuma)
“Oh, right. But…would I even be allowed in?” (Melt)
“It’s fine. Golda’s practically collapsed as a nation. Besides, you’re an adventurer now.” (Shizuma)
That’s true…there might still be people at the guild there who helped me before.
It’d be good to show my face, at least once.
And so, we set off toward our next destination: the royal capital of Golda.
—————–
The sun had already begun to set by the time we arrived.
The red glow of dusk made the ruined, war-torn capital seem even more tragic.
Perhaps that’s because I was the one responsible for it.
“Excuse me, may we enter?” (Shizuma)
The guards at the gate weren’t soldiers of the kingdom, but guild staff wearing guild uniforms.
“Pardon me, are you residents of this country?”
“No, we’re adventurers from Lendia. We’ve received permission to enter this territory, but since it’s already late, we were hoping to stay overnight.” (Shizuma)
“In that case, may I see your guild registration tags?”
Melt and I showed our tags. Once they confirmed they were genuine, we were allowed to pass, but…
“Apologies, but we’ll need to have the guild perform a more detailed inspection. We’re still maintaining a state of alert after the war.”
“Understood.” (Shizuma)
That made sense. They were likely trying to prevent looting or banditry from spreading.
A second guard led us…well, escorted us…to the Adventurer Guild, with Lent following behind without comment.
“It feels strange…me, being inside the capital.” (Melt)
“It’s your first time, right?” (Shizuma)
“Yeah. But…the smell is awful. They’ve cleaned up, but the whole city still reeks of blood.” (Melt)
“…Yeah. Shilent carried out a massacre here.” (Shizuma)
“…I see.” (Melt)
Melt didn’t say anything more…probably out of concern for me.
We handed over our tags for inspection at the guild.
Each tag apparently had a function that allowed a brief note to be stored, and the guild had a way to read it.
It wasn’t public information, but according to them, ours stated: “By authority of the General Guild, these adventurers are granted permission to travel freely within the continent.”
“Inspection complete. You two have confirmed authorization. You’re free to move around the city.”
“Good. We were hoping to stay here tonight. Is that possible?” (Shizuma)
“Yes, though the inns are currently closed, so you’ll need to stay in the guild.”
“That’s fine.” (Shizuma)
Most of the residents had already fled the country, and only a handful of shops were still open.
“By the way, are any carriages running? We’re planning to head to Lindblum tomorrow.” (Shizuma)
“Public carriages aren’t running at the moment, but there are many people hoping to head that way. If you join as escorts, you might be able to travel with them. There are few adventurers left in Golda who can take on escort duties.”
“I see. Then we’ll do that.” (Shizuma)
So most of the local adventurers had already relocated to Lindblum before the war.
Then how was this city even maintaining order now?
“Oh my! Wait a second…aren’t you Seimu-san!?”
Just then, I heard a familiar female voice call my name from the back of the reception area.
When I looked over…
“It’s been a while! How did you end up here?”
It was the same receptionist who had overseen my practical test when I first registered as an adventurer.
“It’s been a long time, ma’am. I actually earned some recognition at the Lindblum guild, so I was granted special permission to cross territories. I came to check on someone who helped me before the war.” (Shizuma)
“Oh, I see… Could those two be who you mean?”
She seemed to assume both Lent and Melt were related to that benefactor.
“No, she’s also an adventurer from Lindblum. Though she was born in this country.” (Shizuma)
“Oh, is that so… Then that child?”
“Yes. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anyone else. Luckily, I know some people in Lindblum who take in those without families. I plan to entrust her to them, so we’re traveling together for now.” (Shizuma)
…Yeah. Having Lent appear as a child really came in handy here.
Nice play from Lent, Still, and Hash.
“I see… And what’s your name, dear?”
“…”
“I’m Melt!” (Melt)
“Haha, right…of course I should ask your name too. And you are?”
The woman laughed at Melt’s earnest response. Honestly, I almost did too.
“She…went through something traumatic. She hasn’t spoken since. It’s like she’s starting to close off her heart.” (Shizuma)
“Oh no… Well, that’s understandable. War always leaves victims like this. I knew that…but seeing it hurts.”
I felt a bit guilty for deceiving her…but in truth, there are children like Lent out there.
And if anyone had witnessed what Shilent did, or if the soldiers I killed had families…
It wouldn’t be surprising if they ended up the same way.
…No, I don’t care.
Anyone who joined that war knew what they were signing up for.
I would never apologize. Never regret.
I silently reaffirmed that conviction.
“So, what brings you here?”
“We’re staying the night, and tomorrow we’ll join the escort for a carriage bound for Lindblum.” (Shizuma)
“Oh, what a coincidence! Those passengers are actually employees and families from the Pigeon Company… You remember them, right? The caravan you used to work with?”
“Really? That is a coincidence… I’ve kept good relations with the Pigeon Company ever since.” (Shizuma)
“I see. You’ve done well for yourself then. In that case, I’ll be counting on you to handle tomorrow’s escort.”
With that, the woman disappeared into the back of the guild.
Man… that really brought back memories.
“Was she someone you knew?” (Melt)
“Yeah. She was the receptionist who helped register me as an adventurer.” (Shizuma)
“Whoa! She’s super strong, isn’t she!? Probably stronger than me!” (Melt)
“…Huh?”
Wait, seriously?
“I can tell from her aura. Amazing… if they have someone like her, this guild will be fine.” (Melt)
…Are you kidding me? She was that strong?
She must have been holding back a ton during the test…
And so, after a nostalgic reunion, we rested in the guild’s lounge to recover from the journey.
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