Vol 4: Chapter 32
The Levs look almost the same as the dragonewts, so the dragonewts were surprised at first. However, their existence is proof of the “Front World” that we came from, so some dragonewts gradually began to believe in the “Front World.”
Well, it was us who arbitrarily decided which is the “Front” and “Back”, so from the perspective of the dragonewts, this world is probably the “Front”.
「Well then, let’s begin.」
Kimidori Papa led the meeting in the conference hall.
Although the conference hall was spacious, there were only a few dragonewts who looked like secretaries and officials in attendance, and the rest was us and the Levs.
「Umm… are the elders not coming?」I asked.
「The elders, huh… They have been in the bathhouse all day since the first day. They said, “We’re already reaching the end of our life, so let us use the bath as we like”. So I can’t really refuse them.」
「I feel somewhat responsible. I’m sorry.」
「No, no, don’t worry, nu! I’m sure they’ll get tired of it soon. I’ll give them mountains of work at that time!」
Kimidori Papa laughed heartily.
Although he lost his fingers, he seems to have been assigned the role of coordinator due to the great influence he possesses in the city.
「Okay, let’s start by exchanging information.」
The Levs’ Master Sergeant was now the representative of the group. And he talked about his time in the “Back world”.
Kimidori Papa seemed to be particularly concerned about the situation in the Underground city, so he enthusiastically questioned that.
Most of the information was something I already knew. The only new information was that the other airship of the two had also crashed. It was bad news.
After all, we are interested in how to return back to our world.
「This is just my guess, but the crack in the sky which connects the two worlds must be in the sky above the “Undeveloped Land Canion”. But it’s strange that Reiji-dono and we landed far away from each other.」the master sergeant said.
「I have a theory about that. While moving through the crack, I felt like I could choose my own destination. I think it will be the same when we try to go back.」
「Our choice, huh… Perhaps because I was inside the airship, I didn’t feel that. When I came to my senses, we were right in the middle of a large swarm of monsters. As we were trying to escape, we encountered a monster goat and were knocked down.」
「We don’t really understand the mechanism that connects the worlds, after all.」
「Why did such a phenomenon occur?」
「The sky broke after the pillars of light rose into the sky. That light was emitted from the Labyrinth of 9 Emotions, so I think La-Fisa created a system which connects the two worlds.」
「What do you mean?」
I then told the story I heard in Dragonewt City.
La-Fisa is a dragonewt from the “Back World” who somehow crossed into the “Front World”.
After that, he created the “Labyrinth of 9 Emotions”.
「Does that mean… we can use the same way La-Fisa used to cross the world?」
「Yes, but I don’t know if it’s still usable. Though, it might still be a better idea than using an airship to rush into the monster swarm in Canion.」
「Oh, do you guys intend to leave the city, nu? I thought you were going to join our Army.」Kimidori Papa said.
「Not joining.」I said.
「Then what about that child, nu?」
Kimidori Papa pointed to Sumeria.
Sumeria was hiding behind me the entire time.
「Well, it may take some time for her to be able to speak properly.」
「I see.」
Kimidori Papa simply nodded, but he was right – I have to think about what to do with Sumeria.
After the meeting, I returned to the mansion with Kimidori Papa, took a bath in the last session of the bathhouse, and had dinner. After that, Sumeria started dozing off, so I put her to bed.
(Let’s go to bed early today… I feel like I’m working a lot every day.)
However, on the way back to the cafeteria, Asha was waiting for me.
「Can we… talk for a little while?」
The moonlight shone on Asha.
The noises from the large public bath can be heard from the outside like a distant bustle.
I went out to the garden with Asha.
「Did something happen?」I asked.
「————」
Asha, who was in front of me, turned around and hugged me.
I was stunned. I was panicking in my mind about what was going on.
But when I noticed that her body was trembling slightly, I calmed myself down.
「I was scared when you didn’t come back, Reiji-san! I didn’t know what to do…」
That’s right… Waiting for someone not knowing when they will come back can be quite scary.
I sent a message through the scout team without thinking too much about it, but in hindsight, I left Asha alone in an alien place.
「I am sorry, Asha. But I couldn’t take you with me.」
「…Yes, I know.」
Asha moved away, and smiled softly.
「I know I am being selfish. Wanting you to return soon, praying you were safe, and troubling you like this now…」
Asha was a caged bird when she was in the empire. Her hair, which was groomed every single day like a precious doll, was covered with dust and sweat here. And her clothes were worn out.
But her heart remains the same as before.
Noble, strong and beautiful. Like a sole flower blooming on a cliff.
「I……」
I didn’t know what to say. She, who has incredibly strong self-control, had revealed her emotions. And it was only to me.
But I didn’t know how to respond. Words wouldn’t come out.
「You must be tired today, Reiji-san. Please take a good rest today.」
Asha slipped past me quickly and returned inside the mansion.
What should I have said?
Should I have refused her?
Was it my imagination that she still looked happy?
「…I don’t know.」
The moon was shining in the sky.
The same moon as in the “Front World”.
When the snake anemone appeared above the Lev Magic Empire, I saw Lark under the moonlight.
I wonder if Lark is gazing at the moon as I am?
As that train of thought continued, I started feeling a little better. But on the other hand, the desire to return to the “Front World” as soon as possible burned even more intensely.
「For now, finding a way back home is the first priority.」
