GalaxyTL
A day and a half had passed since Meg-chan fell asleep from magic depletion after forming her spirit contract. Schlie said she’d be asleep for two to three days, so it’d be a while before she woke up. I knew that, but Gil was practically glued to her bedside, so I gave him some work to do and sent him away. A doctor was one thing, but a tall, dark man lurking around the infirmary with nothing to do was just a nuisance. He was a valuable asset with great abilities, I couldn’t allow that. …Though it was a good thing in a way, because I got to see a different side of Gil.
I was pondering this, back in my room, leaning against my beloved kyatru and stroking its fur, when that long-awaited message arrived. I sat up abruptly, and the kyatru leaped away with a meow. But I’m sorry, this was more important! I’d been waiting so long!
The message said… Eh!? Tonight!? That’s too sudden! Honestly, why couldn’t he give us more notice? I had to contact everyone immediately!
“Ludo! You’re with Gil, right! Emergency meeting!”
“Saura, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”
It was a good thing I came to the infirmary first, figuring they’d be here. As expected, Gil was there. I didn’t miss that relaxed expression he had while watching Meg-chan sleep, you know? He quickly composed himself when he heard my voice. It was true that her sleeping face was as angelic as a cherub’s.
Ludo, who emerged from the back of the infirmary after being called, was about to have Reki, who’d been taking care of Meg-chan, leave the room. I stopped him. It was fine for Reki to be here. He respected the Don, so I’m sure he’d be happy to see him.
“He’s coming back tonight. The Don!”
““!! ””
“Gil, let everyone know. We’ll hold it here because of Meg-chan. She’s not going to wake up easily, and I’m sure the Don would want to see her.”
“Got it.”
Gil immediately launched a shadow bird. Hmm, such a convenient power! He could deliver a message to anyone, anywhere, instantly, by tracking their magic power! Though there were limitations, like distance.
Now, all we had to do was wait for him to arrive!
“Oh, everyone’s here! I’m glad to see you all doing well.”
It was almost dawn when the Don casually arrived at the infirmary, where everyone was gathered and waiting. As if he’d been here all along. Same as always.
He’d slicked back his salt-and-pepper hair and was wearing that dark gray suit he always complained was restricting. And his usual cool blue tie, loosened, but still there.
The Don, who always gave us a sense of security, had returned after several years.
“It’s good to see you haven’t changed, Don.”
“Yeah, so unchanged it makes me want to cry. The investigation’s been tough. No leads for years.”
He wasn’t being pessimistic, though, and he seemed determined to see it through. He’d said that there was no time limit for the request he’d taken on, so he’d probably keep at it until it was resolved, or until he died.
It was about twenty years ago, I think, when the Don announced that he’d taken on an important request and would be away from the guild for a while.
He wouldn’t tell us what the request was, but we figured it was at the client’s request, so none of us pressed him further. But I never imagined it would take this long. How many times had I regretted not prying it out of him? I didn’t know if there was anything we could do to help, but still.
『I’m leaving the guild to you. I’m counting on you, Saura.』
Honestly, he’s so sly.
Well, he’d come back once every few years, and we kept in touch, so we weren’t worried! But you know, emotionally, I wanted to be needed!
“…So, that’s about all I have to report from the documents. And according to Gil and Kei, who observed her yesterday, she’s never seen the half-demon form… so it’s almost certain.”
It’s been a while since he got back, but time was precious, so I’d quickly given him an overview of what had happened. I’d already sent him detailed reports, of course.
Meg-chan had amnesia, but judging from her basic lifestyle habits, her greetings, her ability to read… Ludo said that it didn’t seem like she’d lost her basic knowledge. It wouldn’t be possible to have never seen the half-demon form. Schlie had said that even the Elven village had merchants and tourists, so there were opportunities to see it. For Meg-chan, an elf, to have never seen it, meant that…
“She was born and raised in that secluded land, the High Elf Village.”
The Don gave an accurate assessment after hearing my report.
“Yes. It’s almost certain… But we can’t be completely sure without concrete evidence.”
“What does your gut say?”
“…I’m certain. Unfortunately.”
“Hmm, then I guess it’s true.”
Don’t rely on my intuition that much. Well, not that I minded!
“Well, this is what they call ‘hiding in plain sight,’ huh… To think the clue was right here at home.”
“Clue?”
“Yeah. A clue to the request I’m working on. It’s a real mess, an unreasonable case. I finally have a lead after ten years.”
“…Don’t tell me…”
“That’s right. This child is definitely the key. But I don’t have concrete evidence for this either.”
The Don’s unexpected words made the air tense. Gil was even letting out a little bit of murderous intent. Everyone was worried about Meg-chan being put in danger. I understood. I was worried too.
But the Don ignored our reactions and grinned. It was a cynical smile, but his eyes were filled with affection.
“Heh, it’s fine. She’s someone we need to protect, both for my sake and for the client’s. She might get caught up in this mess, but don’t worry. I promise to protect her with all my might. So stop giving me those scary looks, it makes your father sad!”
I wanted to retort, “Who’s my father?” but he was, in a way, a father figure to us. Everyone, including myself, was relieved by his words.
“So, Schlie.”
“Yes.”
“You were probably thinking the same thing…”
“…You want me to go back to my homeland?”
“That’s right. And I’m going with you this time.”
“! An expedition with the Don. It’s been a while. Understood, let’s go.”
The Don and Schlie quickly came to an agreement, but it wasn’t a problem. It was something I’d been thinking about as well.
I needed Schlie to return to the Elven village and thoroughly investigate the writings about the High Elves.
“You can leave after this child wakes up.”
“Eh, is that okay?”
“She’s your apprentice, isn’t she? She’ll cry if you’re not here when she wakes up.”
“That’s definitely something I want to avoid.”
Schlie’s immediate response made the Don chuckle. Good… he was being considerate of Meg-chan. He really is a kind person.
“I need to go talk to the client first. So, Schlie, after you explain things to the child, meet me at the port in Centrei. I’ll be waiting there.”
“Understood.”
“Ah, Don, there’s something I want to confirm…”
It seemed like the meeting was over, so I quickly interjected. He could be a bit impatient.
“Can we officially… recognize this child, Meg-chan, as one of us?”
I was nervous. I’d never directly asked him to accept someone before. I wondered if all those people who’d asked to join the guild felt this way. I’d keep it in mind.
“Meg, huh.”
“Eh?”
“…No, it’s a nice name. There’s a flower called ‘Meg,’ and its meaning is ‘love.’”
“…You know a lot about flowers.”
Love, huh. That’s nice.
“So, um…”
“A guild member, you say? If that’s what she wants, then I’d be happy to accept her.”
“! Thank you!”
Whew, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. Now I could confidently call her one of us!
“Hmm? Boy, you’re the one watching over her?”
It seemed like the Don had noticed Reki standing in a corner of the room. Why is he hiding back there?
“Yes. …As a member of this guild, I’ll do my best… sir.”
Oh, his eyes… they’d changed. Reki, looking directly at the Don with clear eyes, seemed a little more mature. It seemed like Meg-chan was having a positive effect on him.
“…I see, you’ve finally decided.”
The Don’s eyes crinkled with happiness. He’d been putting off deciding where Reki would belong for a while now.
“Well then, let me say this once again. Welcome to Special-grade Guild Ortus. Keep up the good work, Reki.”
“! Y-Yes!”
Reki, called by his name for the first time, straightened his back as if jolted by electricity. Fufu, it seemed like his control was still lacking, because a fluffy, rainbow-colored tail had appeared! Hmm, it seemed we needed to be a bit more mindful now!
Then, without even a moment to reminisce, the Don said, “Well, I’m off,” and left the infirmary. Always saying goodbye so abruptly. Even after such a long time.
But for some reason, I felt like we’d meet again soon. And how did I know? A hunch?