Chapter 100 - 100
"It has been a long time. Thank you for meeting me despite your busy schedule, Theodore-sama."
Theodore-sama's eyes narrowed with a gentle warmth at my greeting. Kuro, having just hopped down from the carriage, scurried over to him with a soft meow and rubbed his side against Theodore-sama's right leg. Theodore-sama responded by scooping the black cat into his arms. "It has been a while, little one," he said, looking directly into Kuro's eyes.
I took a step closer to stand directly before him, and Theodore-sama shifted his gaze back to me. "Um, it was you who carried me back to the estate after I collapsed, wasn't it? I know I am late in saying this, but thank you so very much."
"Do not let it trouble you. You look as though you have rested well in the royal capital. That is all that matters."
When I had met Katrina-sama in the Bousquet Territory, I had lost consciousness. It was Theodore-sama who had transported me back to my family's villa in the capital. While I had expressed my gratitude in a letter, I had not seen him in person since, so I offered my thanks once more. Theodore-sama held Kuro with one hand and used the other to gently pat the top of my head.
"Theodore-sama, you really do treat me like a child."
"Is that so?"
"Look, even now. You are soothing me like a toddler..."
"Ah, my apologies. I did not mean it that way. It is just that whenever I see how hard you are working, Rachel-jou, I cannot help but want to encourage you. You are doing quite well."
'You are doing well'... He really does treat me like a child.
Though the thought crossed my mind, I kept it to myself. I lightly smoothed the hair where his hand had been moments before. Theodore-sama seemed to notice my lingering dissatisfaction, his eyes crinkling as he let out a stifled laugh. "Well, do not dwell on it too much. Now then, shall we begin our search?"
"Yes. I look forward to your assistance."
Theodore-sama glanced over to confirm that Roger and Leonie-sama had finished their preparations before setting Kuro back on the ground. He laced his fingers together, stretching his arms high above his head with a grunt, and announced our departure to the group.
We had already confirmed the route with Roger and Leonie-sama. Leonie-sama, who was most familiar with these woods, took the lead. Theodore-sama and I walked side-by-side behind her, with Roger bringing up the rear. When I had visited previously, the ground had been covered in dead leaves, but the season had changed. Now, flower buds were plentiful, and the mild, pleasant climate made for an easy trek.
"As I thought, we cannot reach the other side."
Two hours had passed since we began. Just as Leonie-sama had warned me before, we could not reach a specific corner deep within the forest. The path seemed to shift on its own, as if something were intentionally blocking our way. At my observation, Theodore-sama pointed toward a spot where the nature was particularly lush and the flowers bloomed with ethereal beauty.
"There is likely something there protected by spirits."
"By spirits?"
"Indeed. It is a common occurrence in places known as mystical forests. Forests where spirits dwell, or woods they hold dear. Lands containing something they wish to hide. Humans are normally unable to enter such places. Thus, we call those unreachable areas the Spirit Land."
I see. So the reason the path seems to change even when we appear to be walking straight is due to the power of spirits. But if what Theodore-sama says is true...
"Then there must be something here that the spirits are going to such lengths to protect. Is that it?"
"Most likely."
Theodore-sama nodded, then placed a hand to his chin as if struck by a sudden thought. His gaze shifted to Kuro, who was standing between us. "Perhaps... Rachel-jou, you mentioned that the little black cat went missing in this forest before, did you not?"
"Kuro? Yes. He suddenly ran off."
"In that case, there is a possibility that this cat knows the way to the entrance."
"The entrance?"
I looked down at Kuro, who tilted his head and looked back and forth between Theodore-sama and me with a look of feigned innocence. "In forests like these, there is said to be an entrance—a gateway to enter the Spirit Land. That is where the spirits pass through. However, not every spirit can enter. Much like our own homes, a spirit's ability to enter a specific Spirit Land is limited by their 'key'—meaning, whether or not their magical signature is accepted by that land."
"Which means, if Kuro entered the Spirit Land, then he is one of the limited spirits with the right to be there... is that it?"
Feeling our combined gaze, Kuro let out a startled meow and scurried away to hide behind Roger, who was guarding our rear.
"He is not going to tell us, it seems."
Theodore-sama shrugged at Kuro's reaction. "But if only specific spirits can enter... then I will not be able to get in either, will I?"
"Normally, yes. But Rachel-jou, why were you so certain that there was something here?"
I hesitated, wondering how to answer his question. I could hardly tell him that I had died here once before. However, Theodore-sama had been so helpful that keeping everything a secret felt disrespectful.
"Actually... while I was unconscious, I had a dream. No, rather than a dream... it felt as though I were actually there."
"And?"
"During that dream, I entered the Spirit Land."
"How did you know it was this specific place within the Spirit Land?"
"...Because I had been here once before. Furthermore, Kuro, who was supposed to be lost in the forest, appeared and guided me."
That was as much as I could tell him. To say more would mean revealing events from the past. Neither Theodore-sama, Roger, nor Leonie-sama knew that I had once lost my life. Theodore-sama crossed his arms and let out an intrigued hum. "Perhaps it was not a dream after all."
"Pardon?"
"The spirits may have intervened somehow to call you to this place."
"The spirits... but why?"
"That, I do not know. But this confirms it. I suspect you will be able to enter the other side, Rachel-jou."
"Truly!"
"However, we must find the entrance first. Judging by the black cat's behavior, he will not be giving us any hints. It seems you must find it on your own."
Find the entrance... but how? I cast a pleading look toward Kuro, but he pointedly turned his face away. Theodore-sama laughed at our exchange and spoke in a soothing tone. "It may take a few days, but let us search the forest for a place where the cat's mana fluctuates."
"I wonder if I will be able to tell..."
"Who knows? But there is no other way, is there? Do you intend to give up?"
Despite his smile, Theodore-sama's gaze turned sharp as he challenged my moment of weakness. Give up?
"No, I will not give up."
"Good. Then let us search every corner of this forest."
Theodore-sama's expression softened into a nod at my response. He turned toward Roger. "Roger, bring out the map of this forest." Roger immediately pulled a map from his bag and spread it out. Leonie-sama joined them, and they began to re-evaluate which areas to cover for the rest of the day while checking the time.
As I moved to join the circle, I felt Kuro approach my feet with a soft meow and knelt down. Kuro let out a weak, somewhat guilty cry. I stroked his head to encourage him, and he happily rubbed his head against my hand.
"It is alright, Kuro. I am sure you have your reasons. I understand that this is something I must find for myself. You do not need to worry."
Kuro meowed again. It seemed he knew far more than anyone else here, yet he was unable to provide the answers. I could see the guilt in his behavior. Once I had finished petting him to reassure him, he seemed satisfied and ran off toward Theodore-sama.
"In the end, you go straight to Theodore-sama... You really are a fickle one, Kuro."
But you are still cute, I whispered. My cheeks relaxed into a smile at his antics. Just then, a breeze swept through, rustling my hair. It blew from the direction of the Spirit Land, as if the forest itself were watching my resolve and offering a response.
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I realized we've hit 100 chapters! I'm surprised...