It’s been about a week since we came to the faraway town.
Chris is gradually recovering, and seems to be getting back on her feet.
“Is it time to talk to Chris too?”
I’m chatting to Rurika and Mia after dinner.
Sera is watching over Chris, and Hikari is busy with Kotori.
Kotori seems happy about meeting a girl that’s even younger than her.
There are other kids in this town, but apparently they treat her kind of like a little sister because she’s new here, especially the boys.
And so, since Hikari feels so much closer to her, she wants to spend time with her. I feel like knowing about Hikari’s circumstances helps too.
“…Yes. We could probably help out around here tomorrow.”
“I’m a little curious about the mood around town too. Apparently the adults always tell the kids to never leave the town.”
Mia’s right, the atmosphere in town is a little tense.
The demon Ghido showed up here once, and told us that humans have gotten close to the demon king’s castle. That’s probably why.
This town is even deeper in the forest than the castle, so people almost never come here, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. I hear humans have actually gotten lost and wandered in here.
One of the effects of the barrier around this town is to block people with ill intentions. That makes me wonder just who exactly created this barrier.
◇ ◇ ◇
The next morning, Chris comes out of the room, and we all eat together.
Ten elves live in this building, and they all visited her because they were worried, so she already knows all of them. And with the young children beast people here, there’s a lot of noise around us.
Chris thanks everyone, and then walks over to us.
“Are you all right, big sister Chris?”
“Yes, I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“Yes. I was worried.”
Hikari hugs Chris tightly, and Chris holds her.
It doesn’t feel like Chris is forcing herself to appear well, so I think it’s time to talk.
But I’m not the one to do it, it’s Rurika. I was going to do it, but Rurika said she absolutely should be the one to talk.
Everyone gets up one after the other, and eventually, only our party and Kotori are left.
“Chris, please stay calm and listen. Actually, before that, remember that letter Sora received from a slaver he knows?”
“…Yes. The one that said elves were being sent to the Kingdom of Elesya?”
“Yes. Apparently it’s true. Kotori says she met an elf in the castle.”
Chris is surprised to hear that, but as Kotori explains it further, her expression gradually darkens.
“U-unforgivable!”
After listening to it all, Chris yells with a rough voice, something rare for her.
She’s so angry that she’s visibly breathing heavily.
“Calm down Chris. I understand why you’re angry, but…”
“…I’m sorry. Yes, I’m all right, Rurika.”
“There’s more. Should I continue?”
“Of… Course…”
Chris says, and closes her mouth.
“If you want to do it, I’ll be with you. But.. What will you do?”
Rurika isn’t lying, but realistically speaking, rescuing an elf from the castle means infiltrating it.
If Chris wants to go there, she has Rurika and Sera’s support. And mine, of course. But it’s going to be incredibly difficult and dangerous.
Chris doesn’t know what to say, because she also knows that.
It’s not like traveling from country to country to look for Eris. Traveling has its dangers too, but people do move around normally, so it’s not unreasonable.
“Master…”
I feel Hikari pull on my sleeve.
“What is it Hikari?”
“We can get in the castle.”
She says, and everyone’s eyes focus on her.
“There’s a secret path we used. But I only used it one time.”
So an unofficial route, that’s rarely used, except by the organization that Hikari belonged to.
From what she says, Hikari just happens to have used it, and most people don’t know about it.
She writes it on a piece of paper and explains it. It’s a place Kotori knows too, but she’s never been to exactly where Hikari says.
“So we can enter without being spotted?”
“It’s guarded, but I think it’s safer than going in through the front.”
It’s been a long time since she used that path, so it might not be the same now, but it’s still better than not having a plan.
And if Kotori draws us a map of the castle, since she knows all about it, could it be that we have an efficient way to look for Eris?
“H-hum! You’re talking about saving the elf, right? Can I go too?”
As we put everything together, Kotori suddenly raises her hand.
Join my patreon to support me and read ahead.
Happy New Year!
Thanks for the treat.
You to
Back in new years for more chapters to read. I’m confused how hikari has been to demon Lord castle before since she worked for that kingdom if she was doing that wouldn’t she be ordered to take down demon Lord
Not the demon lord castle, but the one MC and the hero’s were first summoned to Kingdom of Elesya