I managed to escape underground, but my fatigue had reached its limit.
Where is this place? My whole body feels warm and comfortable, like I’m soaking in a slightly lukewarm hot spring.
“Haa—!!”
When I sat up, water splashed. Since when had I been submerged in water? I need to remember. Right, Ryoku, then I joined up with Karubene, fought Nigpyura. Infiltrated a Dark Elf facility, rode a horse. No, the order of events is all mixed up and I can’t sort it out.
For the time being, I’ll assess my current surroundings. It seems I’ve been laid down in a sort of basin made of stone, filled with water. Why water?
Looking up, a bird peered down at me.
“Whoa!”
I instinctively jumped up and looked back. Three waterfowl were looking at me, as if asking, “What’s wrong?”
These spirits… they were the doctor I met at the clinic, weren’t they? So, had they been treating me?
“Hmm, it seems your stamina has recovered a bit.”
The doctor entered the dim room. It was indeed the same person from before. I must have collapsed from exhaustion.
“Thank you. Where is this?”
“Don’t move too much. My spirits can’t heal wounds. They only take away pain.”
Ah, that’s right. I don’t feel any pain at all. But they said the wounds weren’t healed yet. So, like anesthesia?
“I can perform surgery with this power. You had more contusions than cuts. If possible, I’d like you to rest a bit longer.”
“Um, where’s Ryoku?”
“I thought you’d ask. Then get dressed quickly.”
Ah! I didn’t notice. I was only in my underwear. When did they take off my clothes? It’s a bit embarrassing, but it’s better than being soaked. The waterfowl handed me my clothes.
The empty room was still filled with refugees huddled together. But no one came to blame me. They must have calmed down.
“This way. You’re safe. But your spirit is depleted.”
I was led to a nearby room. Ryoku was there, and Pauline was tending to him. Ryoku was awake and propped up on his upper body.
“Ryoku! I’m glad. I thought you were dead. Pauline, thank you.”
“No, it was Lauren who asked everyone to leave. It’s good to have a big person as a companion.”
So that’s it. To them, Lauren must seem quite giant. I’m happy she protected them with her body.
“Regarding that… his heart is beating, but he seems unconscious.”
As Pauline and the doctor said, he remained staring blankly, just as he was in the cage. We finally got out, but still… and his spirits shouldn’t have been taken yet.
“What’s wrong? We’re outside now. You met your spirits, didn’t you?”
“……”
“Can’t you hear the voices of the forest spirits?”
No way. Did the spirits leave him? Is that possible?
“Hey Ryoku, snap out of it. This forest will end without you. If you disappear, Nigpyura will do as they please.”
I gently shook his shoulder, but there was no reaction. What exactly is missing?
“Of course, you wouldn’t want to wake up.”
“Ah, Cecilia!”
Cecilia was standing at the entrance of the room. I’m glad she was safe. We’d been separated, so I didn’t know everyone’s situation.
She had a bandage wrapped from her shoulder to her chest. She must have been injured in the fighting as well.
“Is that okay?”
“Yeah, well, I can heal myself.”
“And everyone else?”
“They’re back. They’re being treated in a separate room right now.”
I really want to ask what happened to Nigpyura, but I don’t have the luxury right now.
“What do you mean you don’t want to wake up?”
“Just as I said. After all, you ignored us until now, and suddenly you want us to help you just because you realized we’re important? Isn’t that a bit too convenient?”
“That’s true. But then what are we going to do? We can’t do anything on our own.”
This forest is Ryoku’s home, too. Why isn’t he trying to protect it? If it were me, I’d be furious. To have it trampled on and occupied without permission. I wouldn’t forgive that.
“Hey Ryoku, if things continue like this, we’ll have nowhere to live. And if your spirits are taken, you really won’t be able to hear anything. Won’t you let them take everything like that?”
“……”
Does he really think that’s okay? Maybe he can hear the forest’s voice, but he doesn’t want to.
“Um, are you alright?”
From behind Cecilia, the timid Cowardly Ear appeared. I should thank them. The fact that I’m alive now is also thanks to their help.
