Chapter 166
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ED: LonelyMatter
Chapter 166 – It’s Okay! It’s Chris-oneesan, You Know!
Make haste while the going is good.
It’s a phrase that was often said. Ishtalika followed this advice, as did Ain and the others this time.
As he had said many times before, it’s better to act quickly, considering the situation around Heim.
So it was decided that the plans would be drawn up the day after Chris’ permission was confirmed and that they would leave three days later.
As the luggage was hastily prepared, the knights who would accompany them to the nearest town were also selected.
Of course, this included Dill, but this time, Krone would not accompany them.
The reason for this was that even if Krone accompanied them, she would not be allowed to enter the village. In fact, she would only be able to wait patiently in the next town.
In that case, it would be more efficient to work in the capital than to accompany them.
However, perhaps influenced by the fact that Elena was also in Ishtalika at the moment, Krone finally accepted the decision.
Unlike the investigation in Baltic, this time, Krone was to wait in the capital for Ain’s return.
Then Ain, Chris, Dill, and the Royal Knights boarded the water train to the elven village.
“――Hmm. I see.”
…They boarded, and the three-day train ride seemed like a happy thing. Such a scene unfolded before their eyes.
“I know a good word. It’s a word that is especially good for describing a path like this.”
The group arrived at the nearest town and rented a hut to use as their base.
However, it wasn’t for Ain to stay there, but rather for the knights and Dill to wait for them.
From here, they would travel along a path for half a day, but the knights would not accompany them.
According to Chris, monsters didn’t seem to appear outside of areas where the miasma drifted, and it seemed that those monsters didn’t come out of the miasma either.
That’s why Ain and Chris were able to go to the Elven Village on their own.
…Until now, there shouldn’t have been any problems.
“This is called a hidden place, I’m sure.”
There was a path that seemed to be a shortcut, but in addition to the uneven ground, the trees were too dense.
The tall trees, which he had never seen in the cities he had visited before, greeted Ain.
It is truly a hidden place, untouched by human hands.
“Well, um… please don’t force yourself. You can turn back…”
Chris replied with an apologetic expression, but Ain quickly denied it.
“I-I’m sorry! It’s not that I want to complain about Chris or the elves, but I’ve never seen such amazing nature before…”
The nearest town. It was a little town called Holtra.
It’s the largest town in the area, but to those who lived in the capital, it felt smaller than the area around the academy district.
The place where Ain and Chris were at was only about half an hour away from Holtra.
Even though it was only that far from the town, Ain was surprised that such beautiful nature was so close.
“Besides, the atmosphere is nice at this time of day.”
The two of them had come here as soon as the sun had risen in order to arrive at the elf village in the evening.
The rich scent of nature tickled their nostrils, and they felt as if their entire bodies had been cleansed.
It was true that they had hoped to be spared the half-day journey, but somehow, they had begun to feel as if they were on a pleasant picnic.
At first, Ain was surprised, but the scenery might not be so bad after all. Yes.
“Well then, Chris-oneesan. Please show me the way.”
“Ugh… you don’t have to drag that joke out!”
Ain could tell that she was embarra.s.sed but also happy and that she probably didn’t feel bad about it. She was probably just embarra.s.sed.
Determined to use it again later, Ain followed Chris as she started to walk.
The occasional glance down at his feet showed glimpses of her kindness.
Come to think of it, this area was not one that the elves recognize as their village.
So unless there was a specific name, there were no buildings left.
If he had to pick something, it would be the big tree, the birdsong, and the clean air. And again, the big tree.
It’s a world where the trees are even taller than the giant trees Ain grew in Ripple, probably twice or three times as tall.
He wondered if he could build an entire house with just one of those trees?
“Hey, what do you call that big tree?”
“In the elf village, they call it a ‘pillar tree.’ …It’s a bit of a simple name, but it’s because it’s as tall and thick as a pillar.”
Surprisingly, the elven race might be easy to approach.
Ain also smiled at the simple meaning of the name.
“I wonder how old the pillar trees around here are…”
“The big ones have easily lived for a thousand years. There are even bigger trees at the back of the village, but according to the chief, they might even reach five thousand years.”
“…As expected from the elven village. It’s beyond my imagination.”
He didn’t really understand what she meant.
The only thing he understood was that he had only been alive for the blink of an eye compared to these trees.
“Wait, Chief? The chief is the most important person in the elf village, right?”
He apologized for his ignorance.
He apologized in his heart and asked Chris, who was walking in front of him.
“Yes, that’s right. She’s the oldest woman in the Elf Village where I live, and she’s very knowledgeable. I also plan to ask the chief about the story you’re asking about.”
“By the way, how old is she?”
“Hmm, I’m not really sure. She said she doesn’t count more than three hundred years.”
Ain can’t help but feel that her words have a strong aura.
He would like to be able to say such words himself, but he doesn’t know how long dryads live.
Could it be that they can live for a thousand or five thousand years, like the pillar trees? Maybe it’s too easy to make connections between trees.
It’s too early for Ain, who was less than fifteen years old, to worry about such things.
“I see… I really want to meet this chief as soon as possible.”
As he said this, he looked at the road ahead.
There was still a long way to go. While Ain talked to Chris, he made up his mind to do his best on the half-day journey ahead.
＊＊＊
If he hadn’t experienced the journey to the old demon lord’s territory in winter, Ain might have given up.
Maybe it was because of that experience, but he was able to make his way through the muddy forest path with surprising ease.
What he also noticed was that his physical strength had increased considerably.
Even when he moved his legs continuously as if it were a simple task, he didn’t feel as mentally tired as before.
He wondered if the influence of becoming a demon king was showing up here in a different way than when he was training with Lloyd. Could you say that it was a blessing in disguise?
It’s hard to find the right words, but he was grateful that his physical strength had increased.
Ain was relieved in his heart to be able to walk without worrying Chris.
“Ain-sama… you seem to have a lot of energy.”
Chris noticed this as well, and when she walked in front of Ain, she asked him.
“Yes. It was winter on the road of the former Demon Lord’s territory, so it was pretty hard. Compared to this, it was surprisingly better.”
Ain had so much energy left that he could let out a silly laugh.
Even though it had been a while since they’d walked this path, Chris was also a little tired, but Ain had the energy to enjoy the scenery.
He really had grown up strong and magnificent. Chris, who had watched over Ain since he was a child, was overwhelmed with feelings of joy and deep emotion.
“That’s the best thing. We should be entering the territory of the elven village soon, so please hang on a little longer.”
They enjoyed a picnic lunch in the afternoon and had a light meal as a break at snack time.
As the food and drink they had brought with them became scarce, their luggage also became a little lighter, and they had a little more room to walk.
They had prepared emergency food, but that was a minor problem.
There were times when they had to climb up a mountain-like slope and other times when they had to cross a deep valley-like area.
Up to this point, they had been walking for almost ten hours, and if they hadn’t been together, the mental strain would have been quite heavy.
“Well then, Ain-sama? Shall we change our equipment soon?”
“Equipment?”
When Ain asked the question, Chris took two cloaks out of her bag.
“We’re going through an area where the miasma is leaking, so please wear these just in case.”
The cloak she handed to Ain looked like the skin of some kind of monster. It was thick and heavy to hold in his hands, but it was essential equipment for safety.
Although the miasma didn’t affect Ain, Sylvird, Warren, and, of course, Krone would not allow him to leave without the equipment.
In other words, they seemed to be telling him to be prepared for any eventuality.
“I don’t think I’ll need it…”
“Hahaha… I think there were miasma caves during the monster training as well, but the density of the miasma is similar. So it’s not that dangerous, but since you’re the Crown Prince…”
Chris also spoke up and said, “Please wear it properly out of consideration, okay?”
Ain put on the cloak, somehow, because he understood the reason why he had to wear it and that everyone was worried about him.
…As expected, it was made of thick leather, so it was very heavy.
It gave a different sense of balance than wearing armor, and when he moved his arms and legs, he felt a dull sensation.
――What if the Demon King was overcome by the miasma? What kind of funny story could you make out of that?
It might be a really interesting story.
However, Ain had no intention of making such a story at the cost of his life.
He decided to keep it to himself.
“By the way, what kind of monsters are there?”
“Well, there are no big ones. Like a boar this big.”
Chris says, putting her hand on her waist.
“And then there are the big bats and snakes.”
“Then we should be able to make it.”
“…Ahaha. Whether we make it or not, if you can fight Lloyd-sama like that, it’s harder to get hurt.”
You can’t be too careless, but there are no dangerous opponents.
To begin with, Chris is also present, so there are no problems at all in terms of fighting power.
“In my opinion, the most dangerous thing on the way to the elven village is to get lost. The forest is full of similar landscapes, so if you get lost, it’s a matter of life and death.”
“――By the way, did Chris ever get lost?”
“…When I was little, a few times.”
He was worried about the future.
She said it was when she was little, so he wanted to believe that she was okay now.
It’s going to be okay. Surely, Chris is the kind of woman who gets things done when she has to.
“Aah! You don’t believe me? It’ll be fine! I’m an adult now, too!”
Suddenly, Chris turned and noticed Ain’s expression.
Chris, who was sensitive to Ain’s subtleties, easily read his innermost feelings.
She was making a sour face and complaining, but she was only relatively cute and not very forceful.
The eyes of beautiful women often have a powerful presence, but in Chris’ case, it’s probably also influenced by her own personality.
“…I believe you, you know?”
“D, don’t look like you don’t believe me! It’s okay; I’ve come this way dozens of times by myself!”
“――I see. Dozens of times, huh?”
Yes, it’ll be fine.
If it comes to it, he might be able to get the elves to come and help them if he shouted really loud.
With this faint hope, he continues on his way.
“That’s right! Watch me. I can do it if I have to.”
She puffed out her chest and let out a sigh, but what Chris was doing wasn’t anything special.
It was just showing her the way to the village, but Chris’ smile was so cute that Ain nodded her head in agreement.
“I understand. Then please take care of it, Chris-oneesan.”
He replied with a smile.
“Yes, I’ll take care of it! After all, I am the onee-san!”
He realized something after all this time.
Chris has always been weak when forced into a situation, but she seems to be happy when she is relied upon.
The fact that she is so happy and shows her true self when Ain relies on her is proof of this.
She walks forward with such a light step that you can tell just by looking at her.
When he listens closely, he can hear her humming a secret song, which is quite endearing.
“――I think they’re coming to greet us from over there. Yeah… it’ll be okay, it’ll be okay.”
“…I’m worried.”
Chris muttered, and Ain muttered in an even lower voice.
With the elves’ sense of smell and wonderful ability to sense things, Ain also prayed that they will come to greet them from over there.
However, it cannot be denied that Ain also enjoys traveling with Chris, as they did on this trip, and feels that it is a precious time.
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