We live at the foot of Dragon Peak.
Things we know and things we don’t.
After seeing the earth dragon parents off, I turn back to the rescued clergy members.
There were two miko and three priests.
Their robes were dirty, and some had torn hems, but no one seemed to be seriously injured.
Of course, with the miko present, even severe injuries could likely be healed with magic.
“Madrine, I’m so sorry. Thank you for going to such trouble to come here…”
“What are you saying? Rather, forgive me for sending you out unprepared to such a dangerous place without knowing it was so dangerous?”
A young miko, held in Madrine’s arms, was crying. Madrine continued to speak gentle words to her.
“The Goddess sometimes gives us strict trials. However, this is because the Goddess expects us to grow. The hardships you’ve faced this time were likely the Goddess’s trials. But you have overcome them safely. You successfully collected the holy water for your mission, didn’t you? So please, hold your heads high and smile, okay? Happiness always awaits at the end of a difficult and painful journey.”
“Yes, that’s right. Since we’ve overcome the trial given by the Goddess, we should smile instead of cry.”
“That’s right. Otherwise, the Goddess who so kindly bestowed the trial upon us would become sad.”
Gently stroking the young miko’s head, Madrine smiled first. Then, the clergy members, whose bodies and minds were exhausted from the fear of being chased by the earth dragon, began to smile again.
“Madrine, you’re an amazing person, aren’t you?”
“Hey, Elnea-kun. I am, you know, a Head Miko!”
From our perspective, having witnessed Madrine’s personal actions so often, we tend to see her more as a companion to Yufilia and Nina than as a Head Miko. Without saying this aloud, we rejoice in the safe rescue of the clergy members.
“It’s thanks to Fio!”
“And Rim, too!”
“Yes, that’s right. It’s thanks to Fio finding the miko and Rim persuading Revalia. Thank you too, Revalia? This is all the Goddess’s guidance!”
“I don’t know any Goddess!”
If it were the Revalia from her days as a feared tyrant, she would never have helped people even if asked. Furthermore, if she’d faced the earth dragon, she would have likely turned it into a feast for inferno without question.
However, Revalia listened to Fiorina and Rim’s requests and saved the clergy members. Moreover, she only threatened the earth dragon and avoided unnecessary combat, not even causing it serious injury.
From our point of view, this is significant growth for Revalia. However, for the clergy members, who don’t know Revalia well, the fact that they were protected by a passing wyvern must feel like a true blessing and mercy from the Goddess.
Moreover, that wyvern was related to me, and the Head Miko whom I admired had personally come to their rescue.
What else can this be called if not a miracle?
Freed from the unexpected misfortune and fear, the clergy members reinterpreted their experience as overcoming a trial from the Goddess through a miracle and were able to regain their smiles.
And so, one disturbance is safely resolved! …Or so it might seem, but things aren’t that convenient.
A field trip isn’t over until you’re back home.
“Well then, I was thinking of moving on to the next task. Here’s a question: we can’t take the miko to any more dangerous places, and we can’t just leave them here, can we?”
“Elnea-kun is right. We need someone to escort the clergy members out of the forest.”
Sefina, with her finger on her chin, ponders.
Then, at my suggestion, Friel frowns in frustration.
“That’s right. I, too, believe someone should escort them out of the forest. However…”
The problem here is the maze trap set by the spirits in the Forest of Paradise.
If no one who can break through this maze trap accompanies the clergy members, we’ll end up getting the people we just rescued lost.
“Those who can break through the Forest of Illusions are… Priscilla-chan and her sister, Sefina, and Elnea-kun, I presume.”
“Hahaha… Friel, I…”
“Um, Elnea-brother can’t do it!”
“Priscilla-chan just said so yourself!”
Well, I can’t deny it.
In fact, if I were to be the guide, I would get lost with terrifying regularity.
After all, I have a history of getting lost countless times!
“Th-then… what should we do?”
Friel, with a wry smile, asks me again.
“Hmm, this is a problem.”
My instincts tell me it’s dangerous to leave Priscilla-chan and Alicia-chan out of sight at this point.
And yet, we can’t let Sefina, who pinpointed Yugra and the bandit group’s locations, leave.
So, should it be me after all?
No, no, that’s impossible.
Even with Ares-chan’s help, I’m sure to get lost. In fact, Ares-chan would probably lead me astray on purpose.
So, who will accompany the clergy members?
Then, I had an idea.
“I’m getting a wonderful premonition!”
“You’ve thought of a great idea?”
“Tch. I only have a bad feeling.”
Fiorina and Rim, rubbing their heads against me, their eyes shining with expectation. In contrast, Revalia glares at me with utter disgust.
“Anyway, Revalia and the others weren’t affected by the spirits’ pranks, were they?”
Even Yugra is subject to the spirits’ mischief when flying over Paradise. Yet, Revalia and the others were not caught up in any strange phenomena even when flying over Paradise. Moreover, they weren’t pranked when they saved the clergy members.
As you say, everyone looks at me with questioning expressions. I point out Revalia’s presence.
“Though it’s a land far from Dragon Peak. I think the spirits here instinctively realize that if they prank Revalia, the whole forest will be burned down!”
The three members of the dragon race nod solemnly, as if to say, “I see.”
Revalia, who indulged the young dragon’s whims to save humans, is unforgiving of any trouble that befalls her.
To the extent that if the forest inhabitants carelessly approached her, she would unhesitatingly choose the option of destroying the entire forest.
The spirits likely understood Revalia’s terrifying nature and refrained from pranking her.
“So, I have a proposal.”
‘I refuse.’
“Nooo… Revalia, pleeeease!”
With Fiorina and Rim, I rub against Revalia.
Additionally, Priscilla-chan and Ares-chan join us, and we beg cutely.
“We’ll thank you.”
“It’s Elnea-brother’s request!”
“It’s a request!”
“Um, we’ll give you a reward?”
“Please, please!”
As we cling to her with smiling faces, Revalia bares her fangs and threatens us. However, she doesn’t breathe fire or run away.
Well, I was the only one who got flicked away by her claws!
“I’ll escort them out of the forest. I won’t do anything beyond that.”
“Thank you, Revalia!”
“It’s not for your sake. I’m just creating a favor with the old man I sense deep in the forest.”
“Fufufu. It’s a pretense to grant Fio’s request, isn’t it?”
“You should shut up for a bit.”
It seems Revalia had also noticed Yugra’s presence.
Perhaps the reason we came to Paradise was to have Fiorina meet Yugra?
Only Revalia knows for sure, but it seems my request has been heard.
Oh, wait.
It seems she’s agreed to Fiorina’s request.
Revalia reluctantly agrees.
“However, I have no intention of carrying them. They’ll have to walk back on their own.”
“In that case, Fio will be the guide!”
“Rim too!”
“Revalia, you can watch over Fio and Rim from above while also keeping an eye on the clergy members.”
If Revalia watches from the sky, I don’t think the spirits will dare to harm those on the ground.
Also, it serves as a deterrent to other dragon races inhabiting Paradise.
“Fio and Rim, please take care of them too.”
“Leave it to us!”
“We’ve got it!”
I explain the situation to the clergy members.
The miko seemed relieved to hear that the dragon race who saved them would continue to escort them and agreed.
Then, an unexpected offer came from the side.
“Elnea-kun, could I have a moment?”
“Yes, Madrine. Is something wrong?”
Madrine’s demeanor, suppressing the carefree attitude she usually shows when with us, makes me instinctively brace myself.
I could tell from before that this was a serious matter.
“I want to go on more adventures with Elnea-kun. However, I cannot accompany you further this time. I cannot leave the injured miko behind.”
“You are the Head Miko, after all.”
“Yes. And more than that, it’s not just my duty as Head Miko, but something I strongly feel I must do myself.”
At this moment, I was finally made aware of my own lack of virtue.
Come to think of it, I don’t really know Madrine well in her capacity as a member of the clergy.
I assumed that as Head Miko, she must be busy, or that while she’s a handful when with the Twin Princesses, she’s generally diligent in her duties.
However, my perception was terribly wrong.
And I realized that it was disrespectful to Madrine.
Madrine has feelings for me.
That makes me very happy, and I reciprocate those feelings positively.
But I’ve been indulging in love, simply going with the flow of people’s feelings and the world’s currents.
If I truly love Madrine and wish to marry her in the future, I must get to know her better.
Madrine as the Head Miko.
Madrine when she’s off duty.
Not just superficial things. What does she think, what does she value, what does she want to accomplish?
I must earnestly face Madrine and understand and love her more deeply.
I’ve just realized this, now of all times.
Ah, how belated is this realization…
I am disgusted by my own inadequacy.
“Elnea-kun, is something wrong? Did I say something strange?”
“No, it’s not that. I’ve just been strongly reminded of how immature I still am. Truly, I’m very sorry.”
“……?”
“Um, please don’t worry about it, Madrine. And I respect your decision.”
“Thank you.”
“But after this is over, please make time for me, okay? I’ll face you earnestly too.”
“Fufufufu. I don’t know what you’re talking about, but be prepared!”
“Yes!”
I entrust Madrine and the others to Fiorina and Rim.
The clergy members also beamed with more joy than before, knowing that Madrine would be accompanying them.
As expected, Madrine is the Head Miko of the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
The clergy members know a side of Madrine that I don’t.
I want to know that too.
I want to understand and love Madrine more and more.
“Of course, Sefina too!”
“Huh?”
Called out of the blue, Sefina looks at me curiously.
I smile at Sefina.
I don’t just need to know about Madrine.
I want to earnestly face Sefina and learn many more things I don’t know.
Ah, but you know.
It’s not that I haven’t tried to understand them until now.
It’s just that compared to their resolve, my feelings were too shallow.
“Meow.”
From on top of Priscilla-chan’s head, Nimia looks at me.
I realized my mistake belatedly, but it’s too embarrassing to tell everyone, I think to myself. Nimia then lets out another cute meow.
“Um, let’s play after we get back, okay?”
“Let’s have Elnea-brother play with us a lot!”
“I’m looking forward to it!”
Priscilla-chan, with Nimia on her head, says goodbye to Fiorina and Rim. Meanwhile, we once again ask Sefina about our next destination.
“The bandit group… they’re a bit of a distance away. From here, the place where Yugra-sama is captive is closer.”
“Then, next is rescuing Yugra-sama.”
While the movements of the bandit group are also a concern, it’s best to efficiently resolve issues starting with the closest ones.
With that, we part ways with Revalia and the clergy members and move on to our next action.
“Madrine, let’s meet again outside the forest.”
“Yes. Elnea-kun and the others, please be careful. May the Goddess’s blessing be with you.”
We part ways with Madrine and her group and, with Sefina once again in the lead, dash into the depths of the forest.
As we weave through the densely packed trees, I hear the dragon race members behind us speaking with emotion.
“But it’s surprising. That tyrant has become so mild.”
“It’s not just that. Fio actually offered to cooperate.”
“We descended to the lowlands and experienced various things. We thought we had grown considerably, but it seems we weren’t the only ones who had.”
I know Revalia has been considerate from the start.
And Fiorina is a good child, even before meeting Yugra.
After all, she’s run away from her habitat against Yugra’s orders. If she were to be selfish, Yugra would scold her.
So, I think she’s holding back her desire to play with Priscilla-chan and the others and trying her best.
Putting aside such a pedantic remark.
As usual, Sefina proceeds through the forest without hesitation. Soon, we arrive at a suspicious location.
“This is…”
What we saw after breaking through the dense trees was a giant cocoon made of plants.
And it wasn’t just any cocoon. The materials forming it were flowers, branches, and vines. They were intricately woven together to form a cocoon that was enormous enough to gaze up at.
“We have guests.”
“Those are the people we almost let get away.”
“There’s a Mimicho Race member here.”
“But it’s not a Mimicho Race member from this forest.”
At the giant cocoon, Friel and his three attendants stand stunned.
Sefina, too, is speechless with surprise, gazing up at the giant plant cocoon. However, I and the Mimicho sisters notice the intense aura and unspoken voices wafting through the surroundings.
“As expected, it was the spirits’ doing.”
“Oh, this child knows us.”
“It’s the person who revitalized us.”
“It’s the person who gave us power.”
“Then, shall we include this person too?”
“Sounds good.”
“I agree.”
It seems the spirits remembered me.
However, there’s an ominous aura emanating… The spirits gathering around are somehow focusing on me.
I feel a chill and brace myself.
But just then.
“Um, you mustn’t do anything bad, okay?”
“Um, bad children get punished, you know?”
“Punish, punish!”
Alicia-chan, Priscilla-chan, and Ares-chan hug me.
Then, the ominous aura of the spirits dissipates.
“How scary.”
“Dangerous.”
“It’s the Spirit Tree.”
And then, the spirits retreat into the giant cocoon as if fleeing.
“Fufufu? You plan to hole up? A full-scale resistance?”
“You know, the spirits ran into a big cocoon.”
“Ran away, ran away.”
Priscilla-chan explains to everyone, who cannot hear the spirits’ auras or voices.
Still, from Priscilla-chan’s perspective, it’s an egg, not a cocoon.
In any case, it seems Yugra is trapped inside the cocoon, and the spirits have fled inside to resist us.
Now, what should we do?
More than the spirits’ schemes and pranks, I feel a bad premonition from Alicia-chan’s ominous smile.
