Chapter 270 - 270. The End of One Journey and the Beginning of Another (Part 2)
“So, we’re going to the village where Fam used to live, right?”
Mizuki asked me, straightening her back as if to reaffirm herself.
“That’s right. The whole point of this journey is to break Fam’s curse.”
“Wasn’t our goal supposed to be defeating the Demon Lord…?”
Mizuki tilted her head skeptically. We can’t defeat a Demon Lord whose existence is even uncertain, not to mention the slim chance we’d stand a chance.
No, it has to be Fam’s curse first. It’s Racshell’s wish, but it felt like something unimportant now.
“What about using my Special Skill, Hundred Flowers, to return to the original world?”
Mizuki pressed on.
Her eyes flickered, a mix of hope and anxiety.
“Are you saying you want to go back right now?”
I asked.
“It’s… more about what Mash thinks. Even with these battles, do you want to stay in this world?”
I flashed back to when we first came to this world. I was hesitant, while she was the more eager one. It seemed like the reverse now.
“I already explained to Rinako and the others, there’s no guarantee it’ll even work. I want to keep it as a last resort. Plus, Clovis suggested that the Ark had a chance of taking us back to the original world. If there’s a surefire method, given our limited time, I’d want to use that.”
I glanced at Shira, who tightened her grip on my hand. She has only four years left to live in this world. Also, there might be other acquaintances of ours who have also come to this world.
“I wasn’t asking about that. I wanted to know if you wanted to go back.”
Her brow furrowed.
Yuuki said he would rule both worlds. I don’t have such ambitions, but being able to move freely would be ideal. However, once we reach the other world, coming back to this one will be impossible.
“Mizuki… I…”
“Wait, never mind, I don’t want to hear it yet.”
Mizuki flustered, stopping me from speaking further with a raised hand.
We’re headed to Fam’s village, but what about the others?”
“Fam’s village is difficult to enter by carriage and can’t easily lead into Demon Lord territory. That’s why Carpana and the others will take a different route towards the Demon Lord’s lands.”
Checking my phone, the date was September 16th. Three months had passed since Mizuki and I were transported here. I wanted to visit Fam’s village and break into Demon Lord territory before winter.
“We’re going with Carpana.”
Hyakka added, as if appending to my statement.
“I think I’ll stay in Migul…"
Rinako and Airi said, exchanging glances.
“Shizuka and the others said they’re staying too, so I’d appreciate it if they were there to help. If word of the trouble in Migul spreads, transferrees might flock here after hearing about it. There might even be people trying to enforce what Isokami said.”
“Seriously…? Tiger-kun is fine, but Shizuka is a little hard to talk to…"
Rinako grinned wryly, stroking her cheek. I was about to say that taking Shizuka on the journey would be impossible, but swallowed the words.
“So, I heard about Irisalie, but what about the other two who came with her?”
Rinako turned her gaze towards Shira and Sumaim.
“I’m thinking of leaving Shira with Shizuka.”
““““Are you sure?”””
Not just Rinako, but Mizuki, Airi, and even Hyakka widened their eyes in surprise.
“I’d like to bring her along, but forcing her into combat is… Shizuka is the only one. Lini seems fond of her…”
Saying that, Shira clung to my waist.
“I want to go with you, Mash… I don’t mind fighting.”
She can provide perfect defense with ranged weapons or magic. Her compatibility with Mizuki is good. But I don’t want to put her through the same thing as Yuuki and the others. I don’t want to see her huddled in a corner, clutching her head and squatting down every battle.
“I’ll be coming back, so couldn’t you just wait for me at a magic school like Cecily does?”
I thought that staying in a dormitory would be better for her emotional education compared to Shizuka.
However, upon hearing that, Marmy chided me as if she were angry.
“…We don’t know if she has magical aptitude. Plus, magic schools open in September, so Shira would have to wait until next year to enroll.”
“Can’t Marina do something about it?”
“…You’re mistaken about Mother. She’s not a general store.”
She’s unparalleled when it comes to magic. I was thinking I should ask Marina for a favor when Shira tugged at my sleeve.
“Mash, you don’t have to go that far if it’s difficult. I’ll wait for you.”
“Well, don’t be shy.”
I tickled and patted her sides.
“Kya-ha-ha-ha, stop it!”
Trying to escape, Shira wove out of my grasp.
“I’ll definitely be back. If you wait patiently, we’ll play again.”
“Gya-ha-ha-ha, stop it, Makku! I know, I know, so stop!”
Shira shook off my arm and ran away. As I watched her back, I realized that everyone was staring at me with cold eyes.
“Mash… she’s your niece, isn’t she?”
Rinako’s eyes grew even colder.
“W-Why? I just tickled her! It’s fine, right?”
“Well, it’s fine…”
As I listened to Rinako’s sigh, I silently vowed to make her laugh until she died one day.
“Then, Master. What about Sam…?”
Fam asked, and I shifted my gaze to Sumaim.
She narrowed her eyes and lowered her jaw slightly, but immediately masked her expression and avoided my gaze.
I’d make this girl laugh to death someday too.
“I…"
She stopped, then looked down and remained silent. Tulsa cleared her throat softly as if unable to bear the silence.
“Half of the Crimson Brigade has been defeated. The rest are being pursued. We’ve eliminated a man named KaiBa, but it seems there’s one more person called the Chief, who wasn’t involved in this battle…”
“What’s with that man? Do you know where he is?”
Tulsa nodded to my question.
“He’s called JinBa. A man around thirty. His location is far south of the mountain range Mash is planning to head to. It’s their base.”
Even if it’s the same mountain range, it’s a mountain range that stretches for hundreds of kilometers north and south.
“The place you mentioned before?”
Tulsa nodded. She didn’t tell me the exact location, but said that it was difficult to send troops without provoking the Demon Lord’s country because it was on the border.
“We should have been more vigilant so that such a stronghold couldn’t have been built. Allowing the Crimson Brigade to run rampant is our responsibility. I apologize.”
Tulsa lowered his head. Fam and Sumaim didn’t answer, only staring at him silently. I couldn’t discern their thoughts.
“If you’re truly apologetic, would you remove Sumaim’s slave mark?”
Tulsa shook his head quietly to my question.
“That’s not possible at the moment. Even though she was formerly a slave, she is a member of the Savior who has killed several adventurers. It would be better for her to remain under Mash’s protection.”
“Returning to the subject, we will advance the army to hunt down the remaining Crimson Brigade forces and take down their stronghold.”
Tulsa said in a calm tone, as if making a vow.
“Is that Marianne’s will? She’s too busy rebuilding Migul too, right?”
Migul is governed by the four noble families and a council of elders that supports them. This upheaval has greatly shaken that system. The Starunion family, led by Marmie’s mother, has gained more influence. The council of elders was also attacked, resulting in a large number of deaths. And Marianne has become the de facto ruler of the city. Even Seim, who was acting as regent in Marianne’s stead, is dead. Her influence has only become relative, and the Starunion family’s power has also waned.
“It is Lady Marianne’s order. By taking firm measures, she intends to display how Migul should be to the surrounding cities.”
“I see…"
Tulsa gripped my shoulder as I gave a listless reply.
“If that’s the case, then I’d like you to meet with Lady Marianne.”
“But, I’d just be in the way even if I go, right?”
“That’s not the case at all. Mash is the only one who can become Lady Marianne’s emotional support.”
“O-Okay. I’ll go.”
Feeling a little embarrassed, I returned to Samaim’s topic.
“Is it alright for me to speak?”
Sumaim looked at me.
“Well, you can just say it. But, Samaim, you shouldn’t go with Tulsa to defeat the Crimson Brigade. You guys are weak like Fam now!”
“I’m not weak anymore! I’m stronger than Mash!”
Fam immediately interjected.
“It’s nothing to brag about that you’re stronger than me. There are a lot of people stronger than me. There are few people weaker than me.”
I glanced at Mizuki, but she sighed as if she wanted to retort.
“Stop saying pointless things and focus on what to do with Sumaim.”
She said, then glanced at Sumaim.
“I… would be able to work at this mansion?”
“Huh?”
Since she looked deep in thought, I thought she was going to say she wanted to come with us to their village. But she made a bitter face and lowered her head. Her eyes seemed to hold tears, but I couldn’t see clearly. Thinking of it, I glanced at Fam, but she was looking at Sumaim with a surprised expression.
“What is it? Are you angry at the people who bought you? Or do you want to give orders?”
“It’s not. Any work is fine.”
Sumaim shook her head. Tulsa, perhaps noticing my and Fam’s bewilderment, knelt before Sumaim and looked up at her.
“The Wanland house has taken in some of your villagers. Why not try living with them?”
Kinship, perhaps.
It was a kind voice that didn’t match his appearance.
But Sumaim shook her head silently.
“I can’t do that for now. I don’t have a face to go back with…"
“Sam…"
Fam murmured.
“I’m sorry. I’ve said a lot of things to Fam, but I, I…"
Spots of water dotted the floor at Sumaim’s feet.
No one could touch her heart, and could only watch as the spots increased. Only Fam seemed to have steeled herself.
“Sam, it’s already autumn. The harvest will be difficult, but we must start preparing for winter. If we’re not properly prepared, we won’t be able to greet a warm spring. Yes, let’s return to the village together when it warms up.”
Sumaim’s face remained lowered.
Her shoulders trembled slightly. She nodded, small but resolute, to Fam’s words.
Thank you for reading! I appreciate likes, bookmarks, and ratings. Spelling reports are also helpful. Thank you very much.