Finally, with Shimon’s help, the group was able to meet the Sage.
“Um, hello. Do you remember us?”
“Ah, yes… the people from Spring Harbor. I’m glad you’re all safe.”
Something felt off. We were certainly covered in mud and might not have looked fitting for this place. But there was no need to stare at us with such strange faces.
“These people want to meet you, Elder Sister.”
“M-me…?”
I brought out Sen no Tsurugi, who had been waiting behind me.
“We discovered this child on our journey. It seems they’ve been separated from their parents. You’re going to Bicorn next, aren’t you? Please take them with you.”
The Sage’s mouth remained half-open, seemingly speechless. Then she looked at Shimon’s two attendants. They simply returned the Sage’s gaze with strong eyes.
“R-right, then I’ll take the child under my protection. You must be tired. Please rest for a bit. I have a few empty rooms. Use those.”
We were guided to the empty rooms by an attendant. The spacious and beautiful private rooms were equipped with sofas, a large table, and even a bed and shower.
“Yay, this is amazing! It’s so spacious!”
“Hey, Piyo, don’t make a mess. More importantly, I forgot something crucial.”
We had to do something about Karubene’s horn. Could it be reattached with magic?
“Cecilia, can you do something to reattach it with magic?”
“It’s impossible.”
She stated it plainly. Of course, it wouldn’t be that easy. Although the horn is part of the body, it’s not a part that has blood flowing through it.
Just then, Shimon entered the room.
“Hello, are you settling in well?”
“Yes, thank you for letting us use this. We never expected such a nice room. Sen no Tsurugi, you’ll be reunited with your parents soon.”
She remained expressionless, but she would surely feel better once she returned to her companions. Pauline then presented her with an embroidered dress.
“Here, please take this. It looked a bit plain, so I added some patterns.”
“Oh, how lovely. That’s wonderful.”
Shimon smiled as he watched the scene.
“You’re good companions. It must be fun to travel like this.”
“It’s mostly trouble, though. Say, what kind of group is White Horn?”
“Ah, that’s right, I forgot to explain. The White Horn is a group that has been led by the Unicorn tribe. In the past, they were also affiliated with the Mage Guild.”
So, perhaps they might be on that magic island not marked on the map.
“Now, they serve as Sages, protecting the peace in various regions. However, one cannot become a Sage without a horn. You can see it from me; not everyone is born with one.”
To be born of the same blood, yet unable to be recognized as a Sage for lacking a horn.
“Do you envy your older sister?”
“Hmm, when I was a child, I did. I wondered why she was treated so specially. I thought no one even saw me. But that was wrong. I was free. I went to school, played pranks with friends, and stayed out late playing. However, my sister was expected to live a predetermined life from a young age.”
So, she couldn’t become a Sage because she lacked a horn, but conversely, she didn’t have to. She could freely choose her own path.
“We’re siblings, but we barely talk.”
“So you wanted to be a little closer, is that it?”
He nodded at my words.
“Hey, Hiroaki, what will you do after this? Where will you go after entrusting the child from Bicorn?”
“Hmm, we’ll probably head towards another town.”
“That’s amazing, you truly are a wanderer. I envy you, though I don’t think I could do it.”
Shimon, his eyes sparkling, then returned to his room for treatment of his injury. Well, I guess traveling isn’t as fun as he imagines. Or maybe it is fun. If there were no assassins attacking, that is.
As Shimon left, Sharin nudged my shoulder.
“Hey, Karubene woke up.”
Ugh, I hope this turns out for the best. For example, maybe having only one horn looks cool, like a battle-hardened warrior…
“…Huh? What? M-my horn, my horn is gone from one side!!”
It didn’t work. Karubene, upon waking, immediately noticed the strangeness on his head and screamed when he looked in the mirror. Everyone tried to calm him down.
“It’s alright, it’ll reattach.”
“Yes, yes, we should go to the hospital.”
Nina also had a strained smile. Karubene’s shoulders trembled.
“Reattach a horn at a hospital?! What kind of hospital is that?!”
“It might grow back.”
“It’s not going to grow back, is it?! I’m not a plant! Besides, where are we?!”
We exchanged glances.
“Um, this is the Land of Satyrs.”
“Ahhh, it’s over. I’m too embarrassed to walk outside. It’s over.”
Nobody knew what to say to her stunned expression.
