Chapter 37

I have returned.

19

After paying our respects to the victims of the forest of trees, we returned to the surface.

I thought we would just disband after coming up, but then Shiran made a proposal.

"By the way, do you and Mihou-sama plan to join the training?"

I thought we would just disband after coming up, but then Shiran made a proposal.

"I heard from the captain just now that the other heroes are about to wrap up their training. Since... well, you missed out on the opportunity because of my circumstances, I thought I might teach you swordsmanship and spear techniques. What do you think?"

Honestly, it wasn't a bad offer.

The training I had been doing with Gerbera was very beneficial in getting my body used to combat. However, there was one issue with handling weapons.

While Gerbera is an excellent fighter, her overwhelming combat ability comes without any tricks, so she lacks martial arts knowledge. She can't teach what she doesn't know, and for someone weak like me to not hold back my companions, martial arts, which are a form of trickery, are absolutely necessary.

In that sense, Shira's proposal isn't bad.

Although we've only known each other for a short time, I understand her character to some extent. She wouldn't make such a proposal unless she judged that she had the ability to teach me, whether I was a 'hero' or not. In other words, it means I can expect at least a higher level of instruction than the other transferees.

Besides, Shira has already figured out that I can use magic, so there's no reason to fear that it will be exposed through training. Since there are no other transferees around, I can relax. Additionally, if I train at least once, I can have an excuse for not participating in future training.

I glanced at Lily, confirmed her nod, and turned back to Shira.

"Then, can I ask you?"

"Yes."

Shira nodded and smiled happily. As she did so, the stern atmosphere faded, and a more vibrant side of a girl her age emerged. She might have opened up to me a bit.

At that moment, Kai, who had washed her tear-stained face and looked embarrassed, returned, and we all moved to the training ground.

However, things didn't go as planned. After the transferees left, the regular soldiers' training was taking place in the training ground.

If we insisted, we could have asked for a space to be made for us, but I hesitated to use my authority as a hero. Since it was just us, we didn't need a large space. We decided to be guided to a smaller room and receive martial arts instruction from Shira there.

Still, there's only so much you can do in a day. Today, we only managed to learn how to swing a sword.

Even so, there was a lot to learn, from weight shifting during strikes to the proper way to hold the blade. Shira's teaching method was also excellent. It will take a lot more time to get to the point where I can practice, but it was a good start.

Incidentally, Lily had cut her training short early on and was watching.

This wasn't because she was slacking off, but to avoid having her unusual stamina scrutinized.

In fact, there was a moment when the type of sweat she was producing changed.

"Kouhiro-sama, your handling of magic is unique."

The blood rushed from my face, which had been flushed from the physical activity.

I learned to handle magic from Gerbera, a High Monster, a white arachne. Moreover, since I receive magic from Gerbera and her other followers, there's a possibility that the quality of my magic is different from that of ordinary humans. I didn't expect her to figure it out.

"Can you tell that?"

"That's a characteristic of spirit users. Without excelling in handling magic, it's impossible to resonate with spirits."

Most of the time, elves seem to have a cheat-like quality.

Perhaps that's why they have been persecuted.

"I learned on my own. It might be different from how ordinary soldiers handle magic."

"No, even if you learned on your own, magic shouldn't flow like that."

"......So, that's it. Then, how about this? Maybe it's because I'm a transferee. I'm not originally from this world, after all."

"Indeed. That could be it. Heroes can do extraordinary things, after all."

Despite this incident, we spent a fulfilling time without any particular problems.

In the end, I continued training until the evening.

Since the room had no windows, I didn't realize it was evening until I noticed.

Shira arranged for dinner to be brought to our room, and Kai prepared water and towels for me after my training.

Lily, who had finished her training, seemed to enjoy taking care of me, wiping my sweat and so on. As a guardian, she had been watching my training the whole time, but even during what could have been a boring time, she seemed to be having fun.

"What is it?"

"......No, nothing."

As I stared, Lily turned to me, having noticed. I shook my head.

It was a pleasant sight to see her enjoying herself, and I let her take care of me, humming a tune.

***

After thanking Shira, who had returned after arranging dinner, I returned to the room with Lily.

I washed my body with the water Kai had brought and changed into a tracksuit before eating the dinner that had been delivered.

I also had to spend some time with Aya and the others, who had been confined to the room all day.

Aya, who is straightforwardly adorable, and Asarina, who looks strange, are dear companions to me. Just being playfully tackled by them is soothing. I get bitten gently, my nose is pressed, and I get wrapped up. Perhaps I'm the one who is being taken care of by them. It was a time that allowed my mind to rest, and it also showed how tired I was.

After playing with Aya and the others for a while, I lay down on the bed, and a heavy sigh escaped me.

It wasn't just because I had been moving my body today. There was mental fatigue as well.

Since coming to this fortress, I have been constantly on edge whenever I'm not in the room. It might seem similar to the constant vigilance against monster attacks in the forest of trees, but to me, this was more exhausting.

Monsters other than my followers attack me on sight. It's black and white. In the forest of trees, in a way, the response was simple.

However, humans are different. They are gray. I have to be wary of every person I pass, yet I can't attack them. It's unbearable.

Today, I spent the whole day in the fortress, so the fatigue had accumulated.

The only fortunate thing was that it wasn't a futile effort. I learned a lot by coming here. On the other hand, there were no signs of the problems being resolved, which was a headache. The more I learned, the more the difficult situation became apparent.

I need to reflect on today and discuss it with Lily. I know that. But as I looked up at the ceiling, my consciousness gradually drifted away...

"......Ah, Master, you're awake?"

I must have fallen asleep at some point. I groaned softly, pressing my forehead.

"......How long have I been sleeping?"

"Not for very long. It's just past midnight, I think."

Lily's face was turned toward me. She was sitting on the bed, cradling my head on her thigh.

In other words, I was being given a lap pillow by Lily on the bed. The distance was close, and the sweet scent of a girl was strong.

Aya was curled up and snoring on the other bed. Asarina, sensing that we had started a conversation, was swaying her head to and fro, watching us.

"Lily?"

Lily, who was giving me a lap pillow, was looking at me with a serious expression. Something seemed off.

"......Did something happen?"

"No."

Lily shook her head quietly. The room was peaceful, with Aya's snoring echoing. If something had happened, it wasn't now.

I immediately recalled the events of the day. However, I couldn't find anything that would make Lily look at me like this.

On the contrary, Lily seemed to be in a good mood all day.

She was watching me happily while chatting with Kanshi and training with Shira.

Thinking back now, she seemed unusually cheerful.

"Master."

Lily, who called me, smiled with her well-defined features.

A sweet smile like a sugar candy. But for some reason, it seemed to me that she was putting on a smile to hide something she was carrying.

"Hey, Master. About what we do from now on, I have a proposal."

Before I could ask, Lily said. Confused by the sudden topic, I asked.

"Do you have any ideas?"

I had hidden my ability, obtained a translation magic stone, learned how to use it, and left the fortress. Then, I planned to establish a supply route from a village and find a place to protect Kato. We had discussed this at noon, but it was a difficult task, and I had no good ideas.

"Yes. I have two plans."

"Two?"

Surprised, I nodded, and Lily reached out to touch my cheek.

Her palm caressed my cheek, and her emotions were transmitted through the bond.

...What I felt was a sense of determination. Under her smile, Lily was resolved to something. A strong, unyielding will that made me feel uneasy.

Her voice, calm like a still lake, revealed the resolve she had hidden in her heart.

"One is to part ways with us."

"......"

"To pretend that you never had the ability to give hearts to monsters and lead them. That way, you can live a peaceful life in this world with the other transferees without any problems."

Lily's gaze was calm.

"Some of the transferees are trying to live as heroes now, but I think some will eventually choose a different way of life. Not everyone will awaken to their powers, and even if they do, they won't always be able to stay in sync. You should act together with such people."

Currently, the three exploration team members, Jūmonji, Watanabe, and Ino, who came to the Chiria fortress, seem to be managing the group well.

But as Lily said, it might not last forever. For example, Sakagami, who had a disagreement with the exploration team this morning, seems to be on the verge of leaving the group.

Even if not, there will be those who get tired of fighting. Whether they are rebellious or not is not a big issue. The students who have been transferred here were born and raised in modern Japan and still carry their values. Those who want to live quietly will surely appear soon.

Up to this point, I could understand what Lily was saying. However, the proposal she made based on this was a completely different matter.

It was a proposal I couldn't accept. It was a problem before even considering it. I want to live with everyone, but I can't make a choice that abandons my followers.

However, the one who understands my thoughts the most should be Lily, who is right in front of me.

I don't understand. Why is Lily saying such a thing? She should know my answer...

"I want to hear your answer, Master. Please, answer me."

Lily's whisper brushed against my ear.

What is she thinking?

She must be thinking something.

I trust her more than anyone in this world.

Lily must have a reason for making this proposal. If so, there must be some meaning in my answering her here.

Moreover, I can feel that her heart, transmitted through the bond, is seeking my words.

If so, there's no room for hesitation in responding.

"I can't accept that proposal. I can't even consider it."

As I said this, I reached out to Lily's cheek.

Soft. Warm. Precious.

I think from the bottom of my heart that this touch and warmth are important, and I don't want to lose them. I have no intention of hiding it.

"I have no intention of letting you go. No matter what, I won't."

My words, expression, and emotions transmitted through the bond must have all been conveyed.

As proof, Lily smiled happily.

"Thank you, Master. I'm sorry for being selfish. I just wanted to hear those words."

Come to think of it, Lily said she wanted to hear my answer. Even if she knew it without saying, she wanted to hear it in words. Is that what she meant?

"Yes. Thanks to you, I finally made up my mind."

Lily used the word "resolve." From this, it seems that what I felt earlier was not about parting with me.

Recalling, she said there were two proposals. So, this exchange must have been a kind of ritual to solidify the resolve needed to make the second proposal.

"Can I hear your proposal, Lily?"

"Yes. But it's not some outlandish idea. In fact, I don't think there is one. I think you might have a vague idea about it, Master."

Lily's smile turned slightly bitter.

"It's impossible for us to solve our problems on our own, to be honest."

"......That's true."

"Especially obtaining the translation magic stone and learning how to use it. Trying to do this without revealing our situation and without arousing any suspicion is just too difficult."

I couldn't argue with that.

In fact, while I said that a good idea might come to mind, I had no concrete plan. If I had a vague idea, I couldn't deny it.

But if that's the case, what should I do?

We can't do it alone. We're at a dead end.

Then, what should I do?

...The answer was clear.

"Should we find an ally?"

"That's right."

Lily nodded immediately, as if she had expected me to reach this conclusion.

"Explain the situation to some extent and ask for their help. You don't have to reveal everything. For example, that we plan to leave the fortress and don't want anyone else to know about it. I think it's okay to say that much."

It was a very reasonable proposal.

Until now, we could just cooperate with each other and fight against the monsters, our common enemy. It was a simple structure, and in a sense, it was easy because the response was always combat.

However, this is not the forest of trees. This is the realm of humans. It's only natural that things can't be done the same way as before.

I had always been aware of this.

Yet, I hadn't considered the option of finding an ally, largely due to my own distrust of humans.

But I can't afford to stop thinking here.

Humans are indeed creatures that betray. The state of that colony proves it. It was a tragedy caused by human foolishness.

However, not all humans are like that.

For example, Kato Mana. She helped me even when she knew I suspected her. Her existence, a friend of Rose, is proof that this world is not just filled with betrayal.

Not all humans in this world betray all trust. It might have been a fact I couldn't acknowledge before, but it is a simple truth.

Now, I can accept Lily's proposal as reasonable. Since we can't resolve the situation on our own, the existence of an ally is essential.

Of course, there is a possibility of betrayal.

As a leader, my responsibility is to judge the person in front of me.

If I can't do that, I shouldn't have left the forest. I should have quietly lived out my short remaining life while listening to the approaching sound of destruction.

...Yes, I understand that. Rationally.

If my emotions could accept it as smoothly as my reason, life would be much easier for everyone.

To find an ally and reveal our secrets means, in a sense, to trust others to some extent.

Just thinking about it makes an unpleasant feeling crawl up my spine.

The smell of iron fills my nostrils, flames flicker in my vision, and pain returns to my body. A twisted smile invades my mind.

My heart thirsts. My flesh feels like it's rotting. My head shakes, and I clench my teeth.

Giving in to this and stopping my thoughts is just a form of weakness. As a leader, I must fulfill my responsibilities. If necessary, I must overcome this hateful memory.

...But can I really do it?

A mental illness. A trauma. The festering wound left by the truth of betrayal and death, which I never even told Kanshi.

It might sound cliché, but this curse that clings to my mind like sludge is not something that can be easily resolved.