GalaxyTL
“You all did great. We’re almost at the entrance to the mine! Though it’ll still take a full day to get there.”
At night, in my simple tent, after we’d finished dinner, Ravi-san said that. We’ve really done well to make it this far safely. As I realize this, I’m so deeply moved that I feel like crying!
Since then, we haven’t stopped at any villages or towns, and have just been traveling through remote forests and cliffs. Sometimes, when we’d hear the clanking of armor or sense people nearby, we’d spray that spray and hold our breath… Thanks to that, the spray’s all used up now. If we’re found again, we’ll have to hide or run properly. Phew, it’s been thrilling.
“You all really did well, not a single complaint. I thought I’d drop out halfway through.”
“We did our best, but Meg was amazing! At the end, she was able to walk without being carried by Ronny!”
“Yeah, amazing athleticism. Quick learner, and once her stamina improves, she’ll get even stronger.”
Everyone’s praising me. R-Really? Aren’t they praising me too much? But I’ll take their words at face value and giggle shyly. Everyone’s still way more amazing, but being praised makes me genuinely happy.
“You might be humble, but it’s true, Meg. There’s no doubt you’ve improved the most in this short time, so be confident!”
“Y-Yeah! Thank you! I’ll keep doing my best!”
Ravi-san’s really come to understand me well in this short time! Well, Licht and Ronny too, but… a-am I that easy to read?
“Now, there’s one important thing I want to talk about before bed…”
When Ravi-san sat up straight and said that with a serious face, we also sat up and straightened our posture. I wonder what it is…?
“I feel really bad saying this when we’re almost at the mine, but… there’s a place I’d like to stop by.”
“A place you want to stop by?”
When Licht asked, Ravi-san nodded.
“I heard a rumor during our journey that an acquaintance of mine is there… I thought I’d like to see them one last time.”
One last time. I didn’t need to think about what that meant. Ravi-san is now being chased as a criminal on this continent. Even though she’s not actually a criminal!
I really want to clear up that misunderstanding, but… it’s not that easy. I don’t think she’ll never be able to return, but depending on the situation, we might have to consider that. She’s coming to the Demon Continent with us, after all.
“I thought I’d at least like to say goodbye, but…”
Ravi-san said that, her eyebrows lowering, and then she cut herself off and looked down for a moment. I can’t completely understand how Ravi-san feels, but the pain of having to leave a familiar place… I kind of get it. She must be conflicted.
“N-Never mind. You want to go as soon as possible, right! Sorry, I said something weird!”
And then Ravi-san looked up again and said that with a smile. In an overly cheerful voice, forcing a smile.
“Th-That’s not weird at all!?”
Licht broke through that odd atmosphere. That’s right. We’ve been together all this time. There’s no way Licht wouldn’t notice Ravi-san forcing herself. Even I, who’s said to be dense, noticed!
“You’re the weird one, Ravi! Don’t hesitate over something so stupid! I don’t mind if it takes a little longer at this point. I don’t, but…”
“I don’t mind either.”
“Me neither! Ravi-shan, let’s go say goodbye!”
Following Licht’s words, Ronny and I quickly chimed in. I heard Ravi-san mutter, “You guys…” softly.
“Are you sure it’s okay…?”
“Of course!”
For a moment, Ravi-san’s expression clouded. She doesn’t need to be so considerate. We’re the ones who’ve been helped and taken care of by her so much.
“If it’s decided, let’s go quickly! Where’s this acquaintance of yours?”
“…Alright. I’ll make up my mind too. Follow me then!”
“Okaaay!”
When Ravi-san said that, sounding like she’d made up her mind, I cheerfully responded. It must have been my imagination that everyone was smiling at me with a soft gaze!
We followed Ravi-san in silence. If we were heading for the mine, we’d keep going straight, but we veered off to the left. We went through the forest on a path that could hardly be called an animal trail. I’m used to these kinds of places from our training, so I have no trouble walking, but… does Ravi-san’s acquaintance dislike people? I wondered.
“Ah… Well, they do tend to avoid interacting with people.”
When I asked that simple question directly, I got an understandable answer. They might be an oddball. When Ravi-san and her acquaintance are talking, we might need to wait a little ways away. When I mentioned that to Ravi-san,
“…Hmm, that’s true. They might be a bit difficult… Well, I’ll tell them too.”
Ravi-san put her hand on her chin, thought for a moment, and then said that. Ohh, so they are difficult! I resolved to keep my mouth shut.
After a while, the thick trees thinned out, and stumps could be seen here and there. Ah, maybe Ravi-san’s acquaintance is… As I was thinking that, Ravi-san’s voice saying it was in view brought my attention back.
“That cabin? Don’t tell me they’re a lumberjack?”
Licht voiced what I was thinking. The area around the cabin was open, with a space to cut the logged trees and a fine wagon for transporting them. There was also a structure that looked like a stable in the back, so it must be right.
“That’s right. They’re usually in this cabin around this time of year. That’s why I wanted to stop by…”
I see. So the timing was just right. As I was figuring this out on my own, Ravi-san quickly knocked on the cabin door. It wasn’t a cute little knock. It was a bang bang, like a debt collector. W-Wild…!
“Gordon! You there!? It’s me, Ravi!”
As she called out a few times while knocking, a shout of “Shut up!” could be heard from inside the cabin. Quite a loud voice. But I understand the urge to yell, so my face must be twitching spectacularly right now.
“Ravi… You’re still as rough as ever, huh!?”
“Heh, you’re getting old too, right? I thought your hearing might be going.”
The door was roughly opened from the inside. Without missing a beat, Ravi-san responded to the homeowner’s gruff voice by crossing her arms nonchalantly. Ravi-san, so manly…!
“What’d you come here for?”
“Can’t you tell by looking? I came to see you.”
“Oh?”
The two bantering seem to get along well, despite their rough way of speaking. It feels like they’ve known each other for a long time.
“More like you’re on the run, right? You’re a kidnapper, aren’t you?”
The homeowner said that with a smirk. He has an intimidating face, but he probably knows what he’s saying.
“I guess the news has spread this far. I’ve become quite famous.”
To him, Ravi-san shrugged lightly and replied. The homeowner smiled wickedly, glanced at us, and told us to come in. …H-He’s not really a bad guy, r-right…?