Chapter 76

While cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

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"Sorry for prying, but I was curious about what kind of person you are," Matvey said as he served tea. It was a flower tea, where the buds bloomed in the teacup. As I blinked, confused by the sudden turn of events,

"Don't be so on guard. If you're worried about poison, you can switch cups with me," he said.

"Ah... No, that's fine."

I was surprised by his sudden change in attitude but took my seat and accepted the cup of tea. I knew not only that this tea was harmless in the [All Things] but also that it had a "calming effect" and a "mild detoxifying effect."

A rich, fragrant aroma wafted up my nose. This is good tea (though I have no way of knowing if it's good or not).

"You drink well. Even a dropout can make a good cup of tea, you know."

"... Sir Matvey, I—"

"Hold on. Just call me Matvey. Aisha calls me by my nickname, you know?"

"That's..."

But you can't do that, I thought, and said,

"... Matvey-san."

"Alright, that's fine."

"Matvey-san, I came here to talk to Aisha. If she wants to stay, I won't stop her."

"What if she wants to run away?"

"That's..."

"Would you help her escape? Even if it means making all the elves in the 'Three Days Forest' your enemies?"

"..."

Of course, I would, but I don't know this person well enough to say "yes" here.

"Alright, never mind. But after you hear my story, you might change your mind."

Matvey said this as a prelude and took a sip of the tea he had made. "This is the best," he said, and began to speak.

"Aisha was treated even worse than a dropout like me. The trees in the forest hate fire. But Aisha was a being who spread fire... so they sealed her voice. Even her father, the king."

"Officially, it was a curse by an evil sorcerer, right? Is it okay to tell me such important information?"

"Yeah, because you restored Aisha's voice, didn't you?"

"... Well, yes, but ultimately, it was her effort."

"You're not being decisive. But you're amazing. Even the healers in this forest gave up on her illness..."

I see, I understood.

The royal family couldn't have just left Aisha's problem unattended. They must have tried to solve it in some way.

"But they were fundamentally wrong."

"It's not a disease. It's Aisha's constitution."

"Constitution...?"

"Along with her voice, Aisha also weaved [Fire Magic]. Her body had an extremely high affinity with [Fire Magic]."

"... No, wait, wait. Isn't that the same as a disease?"

"No. A disease can be cured by cutting off the root cause, but a constitution means you have to live with it. Aisha received training to control her magic. She had talent, so at first, she would produce flames while speaking, but gradually the flames became smaller—now they only appear when her emotions are high."

"..."

"What's wrong?"

"Ah, no..."

Matvey's intense gaze made me feel uncomfortable. Being stared at by a handsome man is not good for one's health.

"... I thought she didn't want to talk."

"That... I don't think so. I didn't feel that way."

"Of course, that makes sense. When she spoke, fire came out, and everyone panicked. Then her voice was sealed. It's natural that she would be afraid to speak."

I see—indeed, that might be true. But as I told Matvey, I didn't feel that way.

"Aisha... seemed desperate to talk. At least, that's how I felt."

"Hmm, I see."

"?"

"In other words, Aisha was desperate to talk to you about everything."

Matvey grinned. Handsome men can get away with grinning, which is unfair.

"Of course, she would become a better talker. Hmm, I see."

"..."

"But she didn't tell you the most important thing, did she? My sister is so shy, it's embarrassing."

"Um, Matvey-san?"

"No, it's fine. Let me finish."

Matvey seemed to have come to a conclusion on his own, leaving me behind.

"By the way, how much do you know about us?"

"You and Aisha were teleported somewhere, right? I haven't seen it, but it exists. I also know that Aisha used [Fire Magic] before that. It took you about a month to come back."

I see... So not much is known about the "other world."

No, connecting the Red Gate and the "other world" requires knowledge.

"Where is Aisha now?"

"Probably with the king, talking about what to do next."

Matvey said.

"Whether she stays here or returns to the Lev Magic Empire. Oh, I called them lizards earlier, but I have no prejudice. Lev's technology is amazing. If Aisha says it's good, I'd go to the empire myself."

"Ah..."

This guy is too straightforward. He's closing the distance faster than Aisha.

"But Aisha doesn't know you're here."

"That's probably true."

"Then, let's go."

"Go where?"

"Where else?"

As he said this, Matvey stood up and activated [Flower Magic]. I felt the concentration of magic, and then the small house began to shake and move.

"We're going to the High Elf's mansion."

"Eh, eh!?"

I was amazed. Aisha was the first to be surprised by the High Elves, and now I'm the second. I never thought magic could be used like this—our house, along with the trees, was moving.