I found a Dark Elf man I was interested in within Ryoku’s drawing.
Ryoku, now cleaned up, had become a little grumpy. Still, it was better than living half-naked and covered in dirt.
“Hey, do you have any acquaintances, Ryoku?”
I sat down on a tree root, which served as his home. After a slight pause, Ryoku nodded. Of course, he probably had one or two acquaintances. For example, family.
“Aren’t you going to see your family?”
This time, he shook his head. I see, it seems things aren’t going too well between them. But if I could get closer to the truth through his acquaintances, that would be lucky.
“Then, could you introduce me to one of them?”
After a little hesitation, he started walking. Alright, I don’t know what kind of person they are, but it seems I’ll be able to get a lead. Ryoku kept walking deeper into the forest. He easily pushed through the bushes, making it difficult to keep up. Even though our strides should be different, I was being left behind.
Then, amidst similar scenery, he continued walking without a word. I was getting worried. Where on earth was he planning to go? Was there a village in this direction? Still, there was no sign of any people, let alone homes. I had left everyone behind without a word. I hadn’t expected to go this far.
“H-hey, are we really going the right way?”
He said nothing. It’s no wonder since he can’t hear, but it felt eerie.
Finally, Ryoku stopped in front of an old hut standing alone. Its moss-covered exterior blended with the surrounding greenery, and I might not have noticed it if it hadn’t been pointed out. And, of course, it was small. I wonder if anyone really lives in a place like this?
Ryoku approached the hut and knocked on the door. Then, a woman of the same race emerged from within.
“Oh, what is it? It’s unusual for you to come visit.”
This was my first Hummingbird Har other than Ryoku. She had blue and pink feathers and greenish hair. She also had beautiful feather colors. Ryoku pointed at me, and she turned to look at me as well.
“Is he your… friend?”
To the woman’s question, Ryoku tilted his head. Her cold gaze, as if seeing an outsider, pierced through me.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Hiroaki.”
As I took a step forward, she took half a step back. I was clearly being viewed with suspicion.
“I know this might sound suspicious, but I’m traveling with companions. To put it bluntly, I’m tracking a Dark Elf.”
“A Dark Elf? What exactly are you?”
She looked back and forth between Ryoku and me, her eyebrows furrowed. She was clearly wondering why such a man had suddenly appeared and what his relationship with Ryoku was.
“I, uh… he tried to kill me… Well, it was our fault for intruding without permission. That’s right, the Spring of Life has been revived.”
“What? How do you know that? Ryoku, who is this person? And what’s with your outfit?”
Her pointing at his clothes seemed to remind him that he was currently wearing a dress.
“I greeted the King of Spirits. Well, actually, one of my companions did. But we revived it. Come see for yourself if you don’t believe me.”
She seemed to be thinking, her wing resting on her chin. Was what I was saying really true? And why would an outsider have done such a thing?
“Understood, Ryoku saw it, didn’t he? That’s why you believed this person.”
He nodded. Though he had tried to kill me in earnest.
“Yes, I am Blue Moon. I live here alone. I don’t like noisy things. Ryoku saved me when I was attacked by porch hounds.”
“Porch hounds?”
“Yes, they look like big mice, and also like small dogs. They attack in groups. One is manageable, but many of them are a formidable threat. They’re also intelligent. They raise their young in a pouch on their abdomen.”
Was she talking about the weasel dogs that had attacked us? We, who were in a group, had a hard time dealing with them, so if one encountered them alone, they would be easy prey.
“But you said one is manageable?”
“I have this one with me. So I’m not entirely alone.”
As Blue Moon said this, a scorpion appeared on her shoulder. I almost blurted out “Ah!” Its black shell glinted dully in the light.
“I see, so that is your spirit.”
“You know about it? So, why did you come to see me?”
Her strangely colored eyes stared at me, seeming to peer into my very soul.
“You get straight to the point. There are other Hummingbird Hars, aren’t there? For example, in a village. Could you guide me there?”
“…I suppose. That’s what it boils down to. You probably know already, but lately, the Dark Elves’ activities have become more active. Many people have fallen ill, crops aren’t growing, and hunting isn’t sufficient.”
Even though she was far from the village, she seemed to know a lot of information. Combined with Ryoku’s drawing, I had a few things I wanted to ask her.
