We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Our journey is enjoyable.
“Hahahaha! Lady Revalia, we must part ways again.”
“Hmph. You may go on your own. I will take Rim and Fio and head north.”
Before departing for Count Mondo’s capital.
Laira was sadly bidding farewell to Revalia.
Naturally, I couldn’t bring the wyvern Revalia on a journey within the empire. For divine race and heavenly race, dragons are natural enemies.
Revalia seems to be heading north from this border village with Rim and Fiorina. North of here are deep forests, leading to a giant lake. Crossing that lake, you reach the Dragon Forest, guarded by Old Man Sleigsta.
I wonder if Revalia and the others will go to the Moss Garden via that route?
It’s training for Rim and Fiorina’s long-distance flight. There’s no place to rest even if they get tired over the lake.
“Laira, if you’re sad, you may go with Revalia.”
“Laira, if it’s difficult, you may depart with Revalia.”
“Huuuu. Please don’t say such a thing.”
“Now, now, Yufi and Nina. Don’t tease Laira, okay?”
We, as usual, playfully frolic.
We’re used to traveling by now. We don’t get nervous even in unfamiliar lands.
On the contrary, Alex and Amira seemed a bit nervous.
“Alex, protect Amira well.”
“Brother, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Brother, I’m off.”
Apparently, this is Alex’s and Amira’s first journey without Alex. Or rather, they’ve barely left the village, it seems.
Well, considering Amira’s voice, it’s probably better to live quietly in the village, and consequently, Alex, who is Amira’s bodyguard, would have fewer opportunities for long trips.
“If you have any trouble, rely on Elnea-kun and the others.”
“Tch. To think I’d be outdone by Elnea at a time like this.”
Alex shows his honest regret at his own immaturity, being unaccustomed to travel.
Amira joins the women’s circle and is already chatting merrily.
I called out to Amira before we departed.
“I have something I want to give to Amira.”
“What is it?”
Alex, Alex, and the villagers gather around, wondering what it is. Amidst them, I hand a small drawstring pouch to Amira.
“What is this? May I peek inside?”
“Yes, you may.”
I and all my family members smile with “Fufufufu.” Amira, looking puzzled, loosens the drawstring and peeks inside. Then, with a “Woah,” her eyes widen in surprise.
“It contains a beautiful… jewel?”
Alex also peeks and is surprised by the contents of the pouch.
“Amazing. I’ve never seen a jewel that constantly changes color before.”
That’s right. Inside the pouch was a jewel that changed into seven colors.
“Elnea-kun, what is this?”
In response to Alex’s question, I proudly answer.
“That is the jewel where Amira’s power is sealed!”
“What!?”
Not only Amira but all the villagers stare blankly.
“No… Elnea-kun? Why are you giving such an important thing to Amira!?”
Alex’s voice is also trembling with surprise at the unexpected gift.
Well, it’s understandable.
After all, we’re returning the power that was sealed away to the person herself. Even Charlotte kept part of her sealed power away from her immediate surroundings. Yet, we were trying to give it back to Amira.
“Um… uh…?”
And the one most bewildered is Amira. So, I add an explanation.
“We discussed it with the whole family, and we still think it’s best for Amira to keep this jewel.”
The Spirit Tree’s jewel firmly seals Amira’s “voice that governs all things in nature.” However, we can’t keep it. Because it’s a part of Amira’s soul, and something she cannot do without. Even if it’s sealed.
“Besides, we are confident that Amira will be fine. Amira has always endured not using her voice with strong self-control, and we believe she won’t recklessly break the seal and unleash her power.”
I add with a smile, “Besides.”
“Even if the seal is broken and Amira goes berserk, it’s okay! No matter where Amira is in the world, we’ll rush to her and seal it again and again!”
My entire family confidently puffs out their chests, saying, “Leave it to us.” Amira, seeing this, tears well up in her eyes and she smiles gratefully.
“Thank you. I will treasure it. Ah, but I promise I will never break the seal!”
If Amira says so, there’s no mistake. Everyone knew that Amira’s words would manifest as reality, even if it wasn’t the “voice that governs all things in nature.”
“It’s a good gift as a send-off. This makes me look forward to traveling the world, doesn’t it?”
“Laira, if Uncle Luludodo ever tries anything, don’t hesitate to release your power, okay?”
“Amira, if Uncle Luludodo doesn’t take a bath, release your power without hesitation, okay?”
“Hey, hey, twins! What kind of things are you saying together!?”
Uncle Luludodo, shoulders slumped, muttering “Isn’t my treatment too harsh?”, is consoled by the villagers with laughter.
“Now, go on. It’s a practice for your long journey, but have plenty of fun with Elnea-kun and the others.”
“Brother, I’m off.”
“Can’t be helped. I guess I’ll learn how to enjoy traveling from Elnea.”
“Hahaha. Leave it to me!”
“If it’s taught by Elnea, won’t you become someone who causes disturbances?”
“Just as Mist-san says. I’m worried Alex might cause various disturbances and break things on his travels.”
“Mistral!? Ruiseine!?”
After Uncle Luludodo, it’s my turn to be teased by everyone. And then, while being seen off by the villagers who seemed reluctant to part and Uncle Luludodo and the others who had switched their warhammers for hoes, we set off busily.
“Umm, Priscilla wants to make hair ornaments with the feathers of the heavenly race.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. Then, we’ll have to ask for some feathers when we get to Count Mondo’s capital, won’t we?”
“Yeah!”
Amira is walking, holding Priscilla-chan’s hand. Priscilla-chan has really taken a liking to Amira, who was always good at taking care of others. They were already close, but now that Amira can speak normally and communication is no longer an issue, it’s even more so.
“Alright, you guys. When you meet divine race or heavenly race on your travels, you’ll call me Master to avoid trouble, okay? Good, let’s practice now. Elnea, say it.”
“Master!”
“You’re lying!!”
I’ve also become good friends with Alex. When we met during the subjugation of the Demon King, there seemed to be an unconscious barrier of “divine race and human race” on Alex’s side, and it felt like we couldn’t get close, but after this incident, Alex’s mental barrier seems to have completely disappeared.
On the forest path, not long after leaving the village. Since it’s a border area, we haven’t encountered any people or travelers so far. So, we walked, chatting casually. At the front are Sefina, who is excellent at reading the surrounding presence, and the free-spirited trio of Madrine, Yufillia, and Nina.
“I can’t forget the feeling I had when I held hands with Elnea-kun and everyone and resonated our powers.”
“Sefina too? Actually, me too. I’ve held hands with miko many times for great magic, but it was a different sensation.”
It seems they are talking about the time they held hands to seal Amira’s voice. I can’t forget the feeling of that time either. The powers and thoughts of everyone flowed through my body, and it felt like we all became a single being. Moreover, I could clearly feel spirit power and magic power, even of different types. Madrine was surprised when I told her about it later.
“It’s very rare to hear of a male who could feel magic power. While it’s possible for a divine child, Elnea-kun doesn’t possess magic power.”
“Could it be, I have the potential to be a divine child!?”
“Fufufu. The magic power that resides in a divine child is congenital, so that possibility is low, I think?”
“Too bad. Speaking of which, miko gain magic power after receiving a baptism, right?”
“Yes. Rarely, some miko are born with congenital magic power, but they are rare.”
We had such a conversation. In any case, not only me and Sefina and the others, but all of my family members remember that time as an impressive experience.
“Surely, if even one person had been missing that day, the sealing magic would not have succeeded, wouldn’t it?”
“Oh, Ruiseine. If you say that in front of Revalia, she’ll become grumpy.”
“Hahahaha. Everyone, please keep this conversation a secret from Lady Revalia.”
Behind the free-spirited trio follows the gentle trio: Mistral, Ruiseine, and Laira. Unfortunately, Revalia is not part of this incident. However, even if Revalia had joined everyone, the result would probably have been the same. Although she is still sometimes called a “tyrant” for past events, Revalia actually possesses a truly sincere and kind heart. Therefore, she would have surely lent us her power without reservation for Amira’s sake.
“Alright, when we get back, let’s do an experiment with everyone, including Revalia!”
“Knowing you, you’ll break something and get yelled at, won’t you?”
“Alex, that’s terrible!”
“That’s right, Brother. Elnea-kun is our benefactor, so if you say mean things, I’ll get angry!”
“Don’t call me Brother!”
Alex seems to really want Amira to call him “Brother.” However, if my family finds out, they’ll surely tease him. The free-spirited trio starts singing in chorus, “Brother, Brother, Brotherrrr!” The gentle trio laughs without reservation, and Amira also chimes in, “Brother is Brother!” teasing Alex.
“You guys, just you wait!”
Everyone laughs even more at Alex, who stomps his feet, vowing revenge someday.
“Ah, I wish the training journey around the world would be this fun.”
“Amira-san, it’s okay. Travel is fun anytime, anywhere. Besides, Grandpa said something.”
Grandpa, of course, refers to Old Man Sleigsta. Old Man Sleigsta also traveled the world and devoted himself to training in his youth. Old Man Sleigsta once gave us these words.
“You know, journeys are more memorable later on when you experience hardships, difficulties, and tough times than when you have fun. And those memories become funny stories that liven things up when you talk about them later.”
Indeed, when you meet friends or family you haven’t seen in a while, you tend to talk more about unexpected problems and disturbances than the daily happiness, and ultimately, those become funny stories, don’t they?
“So, Amira, I want you to experience various things on your journey and tell us about them as funny stories?”
“Yes. I’ll bring back lots of stories.”
“Hey, hey, Amira. Your training journey hasn’t even begun yet? Then, enjoy your current journey first.”
“That’s right, B-R-O-T-H-E-R!”
“You…”
Deep in the forest, a narrow path stretches endlessly. We proceed noisily and cheerfully.
