FWHEEEEET . A high-pitched sound rang out .
It was a whistle . Soldiers could be seen atop the watchtowers .
Stern-looking men appeared on top of the protective wall surrounding the village .
I had heard that Army soldiers were stationed at the village .
The soldiers that had been defending atop the wall at first were probably them . When I looked closely, they were wearing the same gear as the Army soldiers accompanying us .
So then the ones who appeared a bit later were the villagers?
The armor they wore looked old as did their s.h.i.+elds, and some metal plates were distorted, indicating traces of repair .
Much of the equipment appeared to be disposals of the Army’s equipment, but a few were wearing handmade leather armor . The weapons were well maintained, though nonuniform .
Now then . Arriving at the village like this was nice and all, but I couldn’t help but stir up caution towards mischief when intruding with a great number of people .
First, several knights under Leader went to explain the situation .
The discussion ended modestly . I later heard that the leading contractors had apparently given a brief explanation several days prior .
After that, only the transferees and half of the knights were invited into the village .
This was because there was not enough room in the village to accommodate close to 500 people .
Silane came over and invited me, so I rode into the village in the car .
The protective wall was made of stone, but the one-story houses in the villages were made of wood . As I advanced down the path between the fields, I ran into the protective wall several times over and went through the gate .
When I looked at the fields stretching from the left and the right of the road, there were villagers gathered here and there staring this way .
It seemed they were aware that we were transferees——or in other words, heroes .
Anxiety and curiosity, and longing and faith . ……The gazes gathered on me were not one bit comfortable .
“The reclamation of the Sea of Trees beings with the creation of protective walls on pre-cleared land . To build a solid protective wall, stone is transported from a distant quarry . ” (Silane)
Sitting next to me, Silane began speaking while serving as our guide . Perhaps she sensed my inner thoughts and did that with my feelings in mind .
“As the reclamation progresses, the protective wall will be further expanded . Since the transported stone is routed there, it is normal to use as much lumber as possible on the buildings the villagers live in . The lumber acquired when the Sea of Trees is cleared is sold to the outside several times a year by the Army’s arrangements . ” (Silane)
“Does the village make a living from forestry?” (Majima)
“Crops grow poorly in the village . This is said to be due to the excessive magical power dwelling in the soil interfering with the growth of anything other than the many trees able to grow in the Sea of Trees by nature . Therefore, the what isn’t covered by just the harvests from the fields has to be made up for by the money made from selling lumber . ” (Silane)
“Is your home village like this too?” (Majima)
“Its scale is about one-fifth of the village here and it is much poorer, but the atmosphere is similar . This place is also a stop point for Fortress Tilia, so it is quite the big category for a pioneer village . ” (Silane)
Possibly recalling her hometown, Silane narrowed her eyes .
The car slowly advanced as she did so, drawing attention from the villagers .
The villagers would never imagine monsters were riding inside of this car .
Even if our circ.u.mstances were revealed, nothing would happen as long as the knights were there, but there was no need to needlessly sow seeds of discord .
The ones that had entered the village were the Alliance’s Knights Leader had put together, so my secret would never be leaked . Even if there was some problem, it would be impossible for them to manage to do anything with the fighters in this small of a village .
We arrived at a building close to the center of the village .
It was prominently-made, compared to the other buildings . A sign was hanging from under the eaves, depicting a design that made the letters of this world seem even more abstract .
When asked, it appeared this was a tavern that also served as an inn .
Leaving the car to Silane, Lily and I got off of it .
“Yo, Majimkun . Been a while . I saw you guys . Protecting all the soldiers must’ve been a lot of work, huh?” (Miyos.h.i.+)
“Miyos.h.i.+-san . Yeah . Well, Lily’s the one who did it, not me . ” (Majima)
Miyos.h.i.+’s group of four—all survivors of the attack on Fortress Tilia—got out from another car .
Miyos.h.i.+, having the temperament of a leader, was wryly smiling with two pale-faced people . They seemed to be car sick .
Apparently Leader-san and the others would be coming in a little bit . Until then, we were told to eat and wait .
We entered the tavern along with Miyos.h.i.+’s group and the knights .
The inside of the tavern was s.p.a.cious . The tables inside were black and mottled from the years and months .
Miyos.h.i.+’s two unlucky companions were shown into the rooms ahead and made to rest, and the rest of us sat at the tables .
Perhaps the villagers usually spent their relaxation time here .
Unfortunately, there were no villagers as today the tavern had been cleared of people .
The knights were there, but they remained standing .
Maybe it was a relief that only Miyos.h.i.+ and his other female companion——Ryoko Tada——were sitting at the table .
Miyos.h.i.+ and Tada were probably in『that kind of relations.h.i.+p』 . They had an intimate atmosphere . Considering Lily and I, it might have been balanced .
Meals were soon carried out .
Bread and root crop soup . Distilled liquor was also brought out, but I refused . Lily might have been able to drink it, but she refused it since I wasn’t drinking .
When I checked with Silane, who’d arrived late, I made arrangements for the same meal to be brought to the car .
Without hesitation, I reached for the meal .
During the meal, Miyos.h.i.+ and I were the ones who mainly talked .
Advertis.e.m.e.ntNot only Miyos.h.i.+ but Tada, too, seemed to be looking at Lily, but neither talked to her .
Miyos.h.i.+ talked about what he’d heard from the knights about the royal capital from beginning to end .
His talkativeness might’ve been the flip side of his anxiety . There was that incident caused by Juumonji Tatsuya of the ‘Scouting Corps’ . As one of those involved, he naturally couldn’t help but worry about the near future .
While we talked, Leader-san and the knights arrived .
The man approaching his 40s that came with Leader-san seemed to be the head of the pioneer village . He was acting so humbly towards us that I thought he might start prostrating .
It was so uncomfortable I ended up eating my meal to escape him .
Thankfully, Leader-san understood my nature, and by her arrangement we were soon led to the room we were staying at tonight .
“Are you tired?” (Silane)
I sighed as soon as I entered the room . Having followed, Silane unintentionally smiled at me .
“A little . I’m worried . ” (Majima)
“There is a shared bath in the village, so how about you go into it with Lily-san? I believe they will let you use it if you ask . ” (Silane)
As she spoke, there was a knock at the door .
“Excuse me for interrupting . May I have a bit of your time?” (Leader)
Two people were at the door—Leader-san and Mikihiko .
After thanking me for defending the soldiers from the monsters during the journey, Leader-san cut to the point .
“The plan was to leave from this village soon, but I want to change a part of the plan . ” (Leader)
“Meaning?” (Majima)
“I wish to stay in this village tomorrow, if possible . I would like for you to understand this, Takahiro-dono . ” (Leader)
According to Leader-san, the soldiers were apparently showing more fatigue than expected from walking in the h.e.l.lish Sea of Trees .
There was also concern that this pioneer village would suffer from monster attacks more frequently after this due to the loss of Fortress Tilia . In fact—there appeared to be signs of such, and leaving behind uneasy villagers was a no-go .
So, while the soldiers rested, some of the less-fatigued soldiers had apparently gone out after subjugating the monsters around the village .
“I understand . If you like, Lily and I will partic.i.p.ate, too . ” (Majima)
“Thank you . By all means, please do . ” (Leader)
When I offered to join, a smile formed on Leader-san’s slightly tired-looking face .
Afterwards, we were informed about the plan for tomorrow and the geography of the area .
It appeared we would leave the forest for the subjugation after noon . Seeing that, I decided to make a request .
“If you have the time, I would like you to watch over my family until noon, Silane . ” (Majima)
“The matter I heard of beforehand? I do not mind, but……” (Silane)
Receiving Silane’s gaze, Leader-san nodded .
“I do not mind . I am really indebted to you, Takahiro-dono . We will also be receiving your a.s.sistance tomorrow . I do not have any work until noon . Do as you like, please . ” (Silane)
“Got it . ” (Majima)
Thankfully, it seemed she had received Leader-san’s approval as well . I thanked her with a smile .
“All right . Thank you, Silane . Oh, right . If you have the time, I would like for you to help me with my training then, too . ” (Majima)
“Oh, are you being taught, too, Takahiro? Then, me too, let me join . I want to try using long swords . ” (Mikihiko)
When I asked her, Mikihiko raised his hand and appealed .
As if she was thinking, “Can’t be helped”, a faint smile etched itself onto Leader-san’s face .
A gentle atmosphere flowed into the room .
“……” (Majima)
However, Silane was the only one showing a different response .
When she heard my words, her expression did an about-face, and a wrinkle formed in the s.p.a.ce between her thin eyebrows .
Apparently having noticed it at almost the same time as I did, Leader-san’s expression changed to one of confusion .
“What’s wrong, Silane?” (Majima)
“……What you said just now is…” (Silane)
After hesitating in speaking as though she was hesitating, Silane matched her gaze with mine with a determined look .
“……This…may be the perfect chance . ” (Silane)
“Silane……?” (Majima)
“Takahiro-dono . I understand the matter of watching your family . I do not mind teaching Mikihiko-dono, either . However, I would like to refrain from teaching you . ” (Silane)
Albeit rudely, I stared at Silane’s face .
“……What do you mean?” (Majima)
If she just couldn’t train me, then I understood .
Training my family was fine . Same for Mikihiko, too . But I could not understand only me being “impossible to train” .
“Takahiro-dono, you should not fight anymore . ” (Silane)
“……I don’t fight because I like doing it . ” (Majima)
I couldn’t hide my confusion .
I could only feel what Silane was saying to be too sudden .
“But, I can’t say that . Unless I protect myself against any possible dangers, I’ll just burn to death . That is something I won’t let happen, so I need to get the power to fight . ” (Majima)
“Even if there is danger to acquiring the power to fight, you mean?” (Silane)
Next to me, Lily reacted to those words .
Even if they were unmissable words, the emotions in what she said appeared in her sharpened eyes .
“Hey, Silane-san . What do you mean by that?” (Lily)
“Exactly as I stated . There is risk in Takahiro’s ability . ” (Silane)
Lily asked in a firm voice, and Silane replied .
“……No . Wait a minute . ” (Majima)
I interrupted the two’s conversation .
Saying only arbitrary things would get us nowhere . With open arms, I protested to Silane .
“What do you mean by ‘risk’? Are you saying that something like that is somewhere in me?” (Majima)
“Indeed . Do you not worry about it at all?” (Silane)
Suddenly, Silane turned her gaze to the tip of my stretched-out arm .
From there, Asarina grew and trembled .
“I mean, where in the world is there a human growing a monster from the back of their hand?” (Silane)
“That……okay . But, if it’s just about appearances……” (Majima)
“It is not simply about appearances . ” (Silane)
Silane spoke in a confident tone .
“Has any effect appeared in the hand that Asarina stayed in?” (Silane)
“……” (Majima)
I sunk into silence .
In this case, however, the silence was positive and mutual .
I had not found it necessary to go out of my way to confirm it, but from the beginning there was an uncomfortable feeling in the left arm Asarina stayed in .
That was natural . Asarina, a parasite, was sticking her roots in my flesh . It was strange for this to not have some kind of effect .
At first, I determined this feeling would disappear sooner or later .
If that was the case, then it might have been like that .
……However . I couldn’t forget .
In order to implement the way of movement using Asarina I mentioned beforehand, I『reinforced myself by stretching Asarina’s roots from the back of my left hand to partway down my forearm』 .
That was a necessary step so as to not injure my joints . However, if the root pa.s.sed through my wrist—a moveable part, my movements would have to be more or less obstructed .
Also, the human hand was an unexpectedly delicate organ . If the roots dug deeper, an effect would appear as much .
“Leaving aside whether you can hold a s.h.i.+eld, are you not unable to do delicate work?” (Silane)
“……How sharp . ” (Majima)
Lily and Mikihiko stared at me with concerned faces as I let loose a bitter smile .
I shook my head .
“A little lack of ability in my fingers isn’t that big a deal . I’m right handed, anyway . Only speaking in terms of power, it’s rather strong . ” (Majima)
“That is not all . ” (Silane)
Silane’s serious expression, half hidden behind her eyepatch, did not collapse .
“If that was it, I would not say anything like this . But……do you remember, Takahiro-dono? What I said when I went to train you for the first time,『There is something unique in how you handle your magical power』 . ” (Silane)
“……Now that you mention it, I do, yes . What about it?” (Majima)
If I remember correctly, that was on my second day of my stay at Fortress Tilia .
After seeing that I used body strengthening by using magical power, Silane said that .
I was hiding my ability back then, so I had gotten a cold sweat, thinking “Maybe she noticed my secret?”
“I was convinced after hearing your story . The flow of magical power you use to strengthen your body is the same as that of Gerberdono, the White Arachne of legend . It being unique could be called natural . ” (Silane)
“Ah, yeah . She was the one to teach me how to handle my magical power, after all……” (Majima)
“That is bad, Takahiro-dono . ” (Silane)
“……What?” (Majima)
My brow furrowed .
“Do you know that the ring we use to distinguish Ghouls distinguishes the difference in the pattern of magical power between humans and Ghouls? Ghouls have a unique flow of magical power . This is the same even for humans and other monsters . What makes it unique is that it cannot be reproduced . Normally, that is . ” (Silane)
Come to think of it, Rose had said something similar to this recently .
“You cannot use a monster’s unique ability . The flow of magical power cannot be reproduced by anyone but that monster . ”
“Do you remember the other thing I said when I first saw your magical power?” (Silane)
“If……if I remember correctly, it was『normally, your magical power should not flow like that』, right?” (Majima)
“Correct . No matter what you were taught, normally it is impossible for you to copy Gerberdono’s flow of magical power . ” (Silane)
Silane said I wasn’t able to, yet I was .
… . . I was able to do it . Silane saw that as a problem .
“Most of the magical power I possess comes through Gerbera . So……” (Majima)
“Even if that’s the case, still . Magical power is something that dwells within the soul . The shape of a soul differs greatly between humans and monsters . Magical power flows out from the soul . If the flow of that magical power is changing, then……” (Silane)
Silane’s gaze expressed it all .
“……So that’s what you mean . ” (Majima)
I let out a small but long sigh .
It was a necessary action to take in the reality .
Thinking back on it, we’d even gone so far as to give a magical power blood transfusion . Doing that once had changed the magical power in my body into Gerbera’s .
It wouldn’t be strange for some kind of irreversible change to have happened back then .
Now that I think about it, with that on top of keeping Asarina within my body, that might have been a big turning point for me .
“Basically, what you want to say is that『I might become a monster』?” (Majima)
“……If that was it, maybe it would still be preferable . ” (Silane)
Silane shook her head, her golden hair swinging with it .
“No one knows what will happen to you after this . Perhaps you will become something neither human nor monster . ” (Silane)
“……I’d rather you not tell me something so horrid . ” (Majima)
“This isn’t a threat . I really do not know what kind of defects will appear in the future . ” (Silane)
Silane’s lone blue eye pierced mine .
“Therefore, you should not grasp a sword anymore . ” (Silane)
Perhaps because of her peculiarness as my family, the path did not convey much emotion to Silane .
Still, it was clear from her sincere expression that she was worried about me from the bottom of her heart .
That was exactly why I felt sorry .
Because my response had already been decided upon during that one night I spent with Lily at Fortress Tilia .
“Sorry, but I cannot accept that proposal . ” (Majima)
“Takahiro-dono!” (Silane)
“I cannot remain a hindrance . That is absolutely not going to happen . ” (Majima)
If I remained a hindrance and unable to fight, I might lose Lily and them . The blame for that would fall on me and me alone .
That was the worst a.s.sumption I didn’t even want to consider . I had to avoid that much .
Once I lost everything I would die alone . I strongly felt that I didn’t want to have the bonds I formed be stolen away irrationally .
Once you were killed, or someone was lost, it was too late to regret it .
Wis.h.i.+ng I’d done it back then after I lost those important to me—there was not a chance I’d let that happen .
I couldn’t stay idle .
……Though, of course, I didn’t want to walk the path of tragedy because I enjoyed it either .
As Silane said, aside from her extreme argument of not even preparing to fight, I had to be more careful about the changes occurring in my body .
This was affected by my ability .
As long as I was careful, I would be able to sense dangerous lines beforehand .
For example, I was confident it was okay to increase my family normally .
What was wrong was everything else……being supplied magical power by Gerbera, keeping Asarina in my body, and taking Silane into my family, I think .
If I did something excessive like that, there was risk .
As with anything, it was necessary to make sure of it .
I appreciated Silane’s warning about that .
It was meaningful to know of danger beforehand .
I tried to thank Silane——but the words were put into the back of my throat .
“……Please reconsider, Takahiro-dono . ” (Silane)
Her earnest voice struck my earlobes .
A violent emotion blew against my cheek .
Silane’s single blue eye was staring intently at me . That eye was like a blue flame .
Normally, the path didn’t convey much of Silane’s emotions, but right now it was only conveying the pa.s.sion in her heart .
Contrary to the coldness of her pale body, I could see her body was being driven by a burning pa.s.sion .
To the point where she might lose control .
“Silane……?” (Majima)
What was she doing?
Her current appearance, in my eyes, even looked like she was possibly being cornered by something .
……Somehow, this wasn’t like her .
I felt like that .
“Stop it, Silane . ” (Leader)
Leader was the one to stop Silane from saying anymore .
“Takahiro-dono has already made his resolve . That is something that cannot be overturned by others . ” (Leader)
“But, Leader!” (Silane)
Turning her head as though she was flicked, Silane tried to say something but then held her tongue .
Leader-san stared back at her with a quiet gaze .
“……My apologies . ” (Silane)
Once she lost her vigor, Silane was quick to regain her composure .
She lowered her head .
“You projected too much . It looks like you should cool your head for a little bit . ” (Leader)
“Silane, if you don’t like it, then I won’t force you……” (Majima)
“No . I don’t dislike it . Not at all . ” (Silane)
Silane shook her head .
“I will properly teach you the sword tomorrow . ” (Silane)
“Are you sure?” (Majima)
“Your heart is set on fighting, is it not? Even if I were to not teach you the sword . Therefore, I would like to at least properly teach you the way to fight . ” (Silane)
A sincere gaze was directed at me .
That right there was a normal Silane .
“My way of teaching is strict . ” (Silane)
“……I wouldn’t have it any other way . ” (Majima)
“Of course . Yep, that’s how you are . ” (Silane)
Smiling a little, Silane left the room .
She had not been able to stop me .
Having watched Silane leave, Leader-san bowed to me .
“I apologize for my subordinate . ” (Leader)
“……No . I think it’s a good thing . ” (Majima)
I shook my head .
I thought she looked a bit strange……but now that I thought about it, even Silane was a girl the same age as me .
From time to time, she may be unable to hold back her emotions . But, as her rampage was done with my wellbeing in mind, I had no complaints .
Leader-san had a complex expression .
“I would like for you to understand what I am about to say . She really does care for you from the bottom of her heart . ” (Leader)
Saying so, Leader-san stared at the door Silane had left through .
“Takahiro-dono, do you know what we knights are?” (Leader)
“What you are……?” (Majima)
I tilted my head .
“Yes . Though we are humans that belong to the country, we do not dedicate ourselves to the country . Of course, we naturally are loyal to it, but that something different from how we are as knights . What do we take up our swords for? That is how we are different from the Army’s soldiers . ” (Leader)
“Okay?” (Majima)
“In short, chivalry is not the path of loyalty . Is that it, Leader?” (Mikihiko)
Realizing I didn’t understand, Mikihiko cut into the conversation . “That’s right”, Leader-san nodded .
“We lift up our swords only for the ideal of justice and to save the weak . In other words, in this world it is summarized as the heroes of salvation . ……Naturally, there are also knights who are not like that . There are those who prioritize fame, some are corrupt, and nowadays I have heard there are even bloodthirsty fighters . However, Silane is not like them . ” (Leader)
Leader-san continued to stare at me .
“She is a knight . I would like for you to remember that . ” (Leader)
Her expression was serious, to the point of being scary . That alone made this important .
Able to guess as much, I nodded firmly .
“Understood . ” (Majima)
“……Thank you . ” (Leader)
When Leader-san heard my response, she smiled as though relieved .
It was a surprisingly motherly smile .
“Please continue to treat Silane well . Takahiro-dono . ” (Leader)
