Chapter 95

After that, I ate a lot of meat, had Kuna wipe my body and rewrap the bandages, and then went to sleep.

Kuna and Anne apparently enjoyed the hot springs.

There is a large bathhouse in Elsie, and it is said that it can be used for free.

Once my burns and miasma burns are fully healed, I would like to use it. It must feel great.

If possible, I would like to bathe with them.

While thinking about such things, I fell asleep.

◇

The next day, I was woken up by the unusual noise outside.

Thinking something was happening, I looked out the window and saw Cyril. At his feet was a mountain of monster materials.

Dragon fangs, demon beast claws, and amber hearts possessed by high-ranking golems.

All of them were materials from ultra-high-ranked monsters.

The elves and fire foxes were carrying the materials Cyril brought.

"What are they going to do with all that?"

"They will process it in the village. Weapons and armor made from high-ranked monster materials are valuable exports for Elsie."

I muttered to myself, but when I got a response, I was startled and turned around to see a girl with silver fox ears... Yukina.

"You scared me."

I couldn't sense her presence at all.

I never let my guard down. Yukina completely hid her presence and sneaked up on me.

That's an incredible skill.

"I came to wake you up because breakfast is ready. Soji, it's good that your grandfather is back. Your injuries will be healed now."

"I'm glad. I want to be free from this inconvenience."

I smiled wryly.

My patience is almost at its limit.

"Grandfather will do a good job. Healing your injuries will require a lot of energy, even for him. So, eat a good breakfast. I won't forgive you if you leave any."

"I'll eat it all. I won't leave any of Yukina's delicious food."

Actually, yesterday's meal was very delicious.

Thanks to the rich nature around here, the deer and wild boar were well-fattened and had a strong meat flavor.

It's hard to find such good meat elsewhere.

The cooking was rough, but the seasonings used were excellent and rich in flavor.

Are they unique to Elsie? I want to eat the miso-like seasoning again.

Elsie has everything. After breakfast, I'll ask if I can get some of the seasonings.

◇

After finishing breakfast, Rina, Kuna's brother, and Yukina went to their respective workplaces.

Kuna, Anne, and I were getting ready.

A female elf who helps at Cyril's house appeared and informed us that Cyril had finished preparing the treatment at home and that we could come to his mansion anytime.

My body ached. I would soon be free from this pain.

"Shall we go, Soji?"

"I'm ready too."

Kuna and Anne were very determined.

They seemed to be paying more attention to their appearance than usual.

"Kuna, why are you so tense about going back to your own house?"

"Ugh, because Father is there."

"Cyril has already accepted you, hasn't he?"

When I said that, Kuna puffed out her cheeks.

"Soji, have you forgotten about the fox thing? I have to report that we are officially bound, don't I?"

"…That's true."

Even though Kuna and I are engaged, the situation was more about necessity.

We need to properly communicate our feelings to each other.

"Don't worry. I've already told your grandfather that I will take Kuna and have his permission."

"When did you do that!?"

Kuna's eyes widened, and she screamed.

The first time I met Cyril, I fought a duel to get his recognition of our relationship and won.

There's no way he would deny our relationship now.

◇

"Still, it's a grand mansion, isn't it?"

"Hehehe, surprised? I'm a princess, you know!"

"Don't say 'I'm a princess' like that."

The house Kuna led us to was more magnificent than the guest house we were shown on the first day.

It was a brick-built Western-style mansion.

The decorations were minimal, but the design was elegant. It smelled good.

This is where Kuna grew up.

"Then, Soji, I'll show you around my house."

With that, Kuna opened the door and went in...

"I'm home!"

She said it with a slightly excited voice.

Perhaps she really wanted to come back.

Then, I heard the sound of someone running over.

A beautiful woman with semi-long blonde hair, who looked to be in her late twenties, appeared. She resembled Kuna in some ways.

"Finally, you're back, Kuna. You've worried us."

The beautiful woman hugged Kuna.

"Mother."

Kuna also relaxed her cheeks and hugged back.

Indeed, this must be Kuna's mother.

Kuna's beauty seems to be inherited from her mother. And her adorable fluffy tail too. I've seen quite a few fire foxes since coming to Elsie, but I haven't seen anyone with as beautiful a tail as Kuna and her mother.

"I was really worried. I was afraid you might be deceived by some strange person."

"Mother, you worry too much. I'm a grown adult."

"…Kuna, try to see yourself more objectively."

The beautiful fire fox woman said this and released Kuna from the hug.

Then, she smiled warmly and turned to us.

"Kuna, I'm glad you're safe. The person behind you...?"

"Yes, these are my companions, Soji and Anne."

Kuna introduced us with a proud look.

"So, you are... Thank you for being good to Kuna. I'm her mother, Kuu. She can be a bit absent-minded, cheerful, and clingy, and might cause you trouble. But she's a good person at heart, so please don't abandon her."

With that, the beautiful woman bowed.

Kuna blushed.

"Mother, stop it, it's embarrassing."

"No, you should properly greet the people who are taking care of you."

"Stop it, Mother, really, stop it."

Kuna tried desperately to stop the beautiful woman.

Yeah, I understand how she feels. It's embarrassing.

"Please stand up, Mother-in-law. Kuna is far from a troublemaker. She has been working very hard for us. She is an irreplaceable companion to us."

"Yes, Kuna has been working hard. I spoiled her as a sheltered girl, so I was worried about how she would do outside."

"Don't worry. Kuna is not as much of a child as you think."

"That's right! Tell her, Soji!"

I smiled wryly.

She's getting carried away again.

That's why Kuna isn't trusted.

But, in a way, this is typical of Kuna.

While we were arguing, a man appeared.

"Kuu, that's enough."

The man who appeared had the long ears characteristic of elves and the emerald eyes of a High Elf, Cyril.

Behind him was a beautiful elf woman with long, sleek hair, who looked to be in her late twenties. To have such a beautiful elf wife in addition to Kuu, what a terrible man.

"Ah, sorry, Cyril."

"Soji, Kuna, and Anne, thank you for coming."

"No, we're the ones causing trouble."

Cyril had gone into the underground labyrinth to heal me and was now taking time to treat me.

I can't thank him enough.

"These are the injuries you sustained for Kuna. I only feel gratitude. And thank you. It seems you managed to stop Kuna in that state. I couldn't have done it. If it happened again, I would have given up. Soji, you are Kuna's savior."

Cyril looked at me with sincere eyes.

"You don't need to thank me. I helped Kuna because I like her. That's all."

"Still, thank you. ...There's no point in saying more. Actions speak louder than words. Let's start treating Soji's body. I promise to restore him to a better state than before."

"That would be a great help."

Cyril is probably talking about optimizing my magic circuits.

I can't modify my own magic circuits, so I've been neglecting it. But Cyril can probably do it.

If my magic circuits are strengthened, I might be able to withstand the backlash of the [White Silver Fire Fox].

I had a little hope for that.

Then, I was led by Cyril to a separate building.