Finally, the forest’s judgment fell upon Nigpyura.
After seeing Nigpyura’s end, the Giant Clan and Puzu Tribe returned. It was over; the battle had felt long yet was short. As relief washed over me, all the strength left my body, and I could no longer stand.
“Hey, Arisugawa, snap out of it.”
“Ahhh, I’m alive.”
For the time being, I was alive. That was good, but I had pushed myself too hard in this battle. I saw Wyverns flying in the red sky. It was incredible that they were still intact after such a fierce engagement.
“Thank goodness you’re alive.”
“Chieftain, you’re unharmed too!”
She was surrounded by the freed spirits. It was good that Nigpyura hadn’t killed her. With her here, the village would likely be rebuilt.
“This is yours, isn’t it?”
What she held out to me were the shield and cloak I had thrown. Both were tattered beyond recognition from when I first received them, but it was good that they were still usable.
“Let’s go. First, we need to get you treated. I hope there are some supplies left.”
Sharin and Lauren supported me as I stood up. Nina, Pauline, and Piyo were also there. Karubene must have gone somewhere. Right, what about Veronica? I had spoken to her on the radio, but I hadn’t seen her.
“Hey, where’s Veronica? Has anyone seen her?”
Philiana, carrying Elana on her back, shook her head.
“No, I was too focused on fighting and forgot… no, I didn’t forget. I just didn’t have the余裕.”
“She ran off and left us behind.”
Sharin, who was supporting my shoulder, looked embarrassed.
“…Sorry.”
“N-no, it couldn’t be helped at the time.”
“It’s really awful, ditching your older sister like that.”
Where did this guy always appear from?
“You stopped me when I was trying to help you, too.”
“Huh? Is that right? I stayed until the very end, though.”
How convenient. You told me to run, pulling me away. I told Sharin not to mind what Karubene was saying.
I somehow endured the returning pain throughout my body and finally reached the village. As the smoke had cleared, my thoughts were sharp, but conversely, the pain in the fine details was clearly transmitted. Even the fragments of wood stuck in my fingertips dutifully informed me of the pain.
As I had seen before, most of the buildings in the village had been destroyed by the trees that had sprung from the ground. First, we had to deal with these trees. Many had also been burned down by fires.
“Hiroaki! Were you okay?!”
This voice belonged to the Chieftain’s husband. He also had scratches all over his body, but he seemed energetic.
“What a terrible state. You did well to return alive. We would have liked to welcome you grandly, but alas, the village is as you see it. Head to the clinic first.”
Following his instructions, I headed to the clinic. As expected, patients were overflowing outside. Even members of the Puzu Tribe were there to help.
“It seems there’s no room for me here.”
“Indeed, it’s a problem. However, you are quite severely injured.”
Was my condition so bad that Sharin said that? Well, certainly, I had been blown away by tree roots, strangled, and crashed while riding on the back of a blazing Wyvern. I was impressed with myself for being alive. Just then, a doctor who noticed us approached.
“You’re that outsider I met underground, aren’t you? What happened to those injuries? It looks like you went through quite a lot.”
He glanced at the companions around me.
“You seem to have suffered particularly badly. I would like to examine the extent of your injuries, but I can’t right now.”
“It’s okay, I just need a little rest.”
Suddenly, the strength in my legs gave out. Ah, I thought calmly in the back of my mind, I’m at my limit. Sharin’s voice calling me gradually faded into the distance. I could no longer tell if the cause was fatigue, hunger, or injury.
I felt extremely sleepy. Come to think of it, I hadn’t gotten much sleep at all…
A faint, sweet fragrance tickled my nose. My eyelids slowly lifted, like a butterfly anticipating spring.
A wooden ceiling, and then a butterfly on my nose… As I blinked, the butterfly in front of me flitted away. I couldn’t believe a butterfly had actually been there.
It seemed I had collapsed as I was. And now, countless butterflies were gathered on my body. This spirit belonged to the young man I met at the clinic. He had said it had healing abilities. As I basked in a warm feeling, Kaines suddenly appeared before me.
“Ah, you’re awake! Yo, me, remember me?”
“You’re that mischievous kid, of course I remember.”
He also had injuries, but he seemed energetic. I had been worried because I left him behind. His spirit was not suited for battle, unlike the night watch.
“By the way, what about the night watch? You know, the night eye, they were together, right?”
“Ah, yeah, they’re alive. I, uh, I took down the enemies, so they were able to escape.”
“So, you’re the fastest runner in the village.”
“That’s not true!” he said indignantly, mimicking fighting alone like shadow boxing.
This marks a temporary end. However, it seems there won’t be much time for a leisurely rest. Auroa, Nigpyura’s brother and the source of all this, is still alive.
