Chapter 92

Returning to the port town of Zacharhaven in the Kingdom of Light Knights was a breeze when traveling through the sky. After all, even in Japan, where railways and highways are widespread, air travel is overwhelmingly faster... In this world, it must be an incredible technological innovation...

"I'm sorry, but I must return now."

It was just dawn. The rosy sunlight was shining, dyeing the grassland as if it were on fire.

We were in the outskirts of the town, where the magic airship had landed temporarily. The engine was still running as I, Asha, and Matvey hurriedly disembarked.

However, this was where we would part ways with Matvey, who was to return to the Kingdom of Sylvius. It seemed he had borrowed the airship in a rather reckless manner, and the fuel was almost depleted.

"Matvey-niisan, thank you so much for everything. Please forgive me for leaving so soon."

"It's fine, Asha. Take care."

"Yes..."

The embrace between the high elf siblings was a beautiful sight. The elven crew members of the magic airship seemed moved by the scene.

I think Matvey was genuinely worried about Asha, who had gone to the Lev Magic Empire. That's why he was happy to see her return, yet sad to see her go, as he wanted her to be free.

Knowing there was such a warm and emotional person like Matvey, I felt reassured that the Kingdom of Sylvius would be just fine.

Incidentally, the elven crew members were also very cooperative with Matvey, treating him as a high elf despite his reputation as a "drop-out."

"Rage, take this..."

"Huh?"

Matvey, who had reluctantly parted from Asha, handed me a small wooden box.

"It seems Yuri had hidden it in my luggage... I can't win against that guy."

His deliberately gruff tone might have been a sign that his resentment towards Yuri had diminished. He pushed the box towards me before I could check its contents.

"Well... I'm off."

Matvey was about to return to the magic airship.

"You two, you're always welcome to come to the Kingdom of Sylvius. This isn't a final farewell—however, Rage, you are a human. Your lifespan is much shorter than ours. So try to visit as often as you can. After all, we've become... friends."

Matvey, blushing, said this.

"Yes, I will definitely come again!"

I clearly answered.

Matvey should be fine now. With Yuri's help, he can lead the elven forest in a positive direction.

As the magic airship lifted off, a strong wind blew—using my [Wind Magic], I created a wind barrier to protect us.

—In the ancient forest, the floating oil, the burning life, like flames

—The gods descended, made their home in the forest, and bestowed eight-colored leaves upon the people

—First, the god of trees, then the god of grass, and finally the god of flowers

—Blessed the forest, calmed the wind, made the rain fall, and invited the sun

Asha was humming this song. Although it wasn't appropriate to sing it in such a place, she must have felt the urge to do so.

Golden dust, like sparks, danced around Asha and me.

Looking up, I saw the "Owl's Wing" bathed in the morning sun.

Matvey, who shouldn't have been on the deck during takeoff, had rushed out.

"Asha! Anastasia, the princess of the Kingdom of Sylvius!"

Flustered elves tried to pull Matvey back, but he held onto the deck railing, standing firm.

"You have always been a princess! No matter what anyone says, you have always been a noble and proud princess!"

Asha's refined magic power intensified, and the surroundings turned into a sea of gold.

The magic airship moved away.

"May boundless fortune be with you—"

Finally, Matvey was pulled away and taken back inside the ship.

As the magic airship grew smaller and Asha's song ended, the surroundings seemed to suddenly darken, even though the sun was rising.

"Hehe, Matvey-niisan, doing something so dangerous..."

"Didn't he just want to hear Asha's magic song?"

"Maybe..."

"Yes, he did."

"...If that's the case, it's fine."

Asha smiled.

No matter how serious, how hardworking, or even when crying, Asha was always cute—but I thought she was the cutest when she smiled.

"By the way, what about that small box from earlier?"

"Oh... this one?"

Even without opening the wooden box, I had a good idea of what was inside, but I opened it in front of Asha.

"Th-this is..."

Surprised, Asha picked up the vial inside.

"...I owe Yuri a huge favor."

It was an elven secret potion.

"Yes... I want to repay Yuri-oneesan someday."

"There will surely be an opportunity."

In the distance, I could see Zacharhaven's knights riding their horses towards us. Of course, they would come if the magic airship was parked.

Let's head to town. I wonder how everyone at "Silver Scales" is doing.