I had been made to drink a lot of sake by Karubene to celebrate the recovery of the stolen wine.
The next day, Karubene appeared with a dagger at his waist and a leopard-print fur draped over his shoulder.
“Brother, are you ready? Alright, let’s go!”
She confidently advanced into the forest. However, I felt a heavy headache due to the sake from yesterday.
“You’re energetic even though you drank more than I did…”
“I told you, didn’t I? Wine runs through my blood.”
I had thought it was a joke, but it somehow felt true.
“So, you’re always drunk then,” Philiana said from behind, sounding exasperated. But her expression didn’t seem to be good.
“Hey, are you okay? Is something worrying you?”
At my words, she averted her eyes and looked down slightly.
“Well, I’ve thought about it since then, and I feel like it’s as Cecilia-san said. I’m worried if I can go on from here.”
“That’s not true. After all, it was you who caught up to the culprit of the incident, Philiana.”
Philiana replied, “That may be so,” but she remained looking down.
“I got scared… The person I met then was far stronger than me; I felt it even though we didn’t fight. To think that he would fall so easily. I feel like I’ll end up like that too…”
“That’s true, but considering that I, who am completely weak, am still alive, I think you should have more confidence.”
As I laughed to hide my embarrassment, she suddenly raised her head as if she had realized something.
“Ah, excuse me, that’s right. Hiro-san’s world was more peaceful, wasn’t it? And then you were suddenly brought to an unknown place all alone… I will protect you, Hiro-san.”
With that, Philiana smiled brightly. It felt like something was off, but if she had regained her spirits, I would consider it good enough.
After that, we continued to walk along the forest path. After having lunch and advancing for a while longer, I caught a glimpse of a settlement in the distance.
“Is that the Dark Elf village?”
“Indeed. Arisugawa, what should we do? We might be repelled if we go in as we are.”
Just as Sharin said, with this small group, we might not even be able to have a proper conversation. Should we ask Karubene’s companions to come? Or should we ask the Elves for cooperation once more?
As I was struggling with my decision, Sharin nudged my shoulder.
“Sorry to interrupt your thinking, but I can’t see Cecilia.”
I hurriedly looked around and saw her figure walking alone towards the Dark Elf village.
