GalaxyTL
The patriarch, Schelmelhorn. My grandfather, a person I clashed with in the past. I haven’t even seen him since then, so I don’t know what he’s like. But he’s currently in this High Elf Village.
And he’s the only one who can see my special ability.
Ugh, what am I going to do! I didn’t expect it would be this easy to find out what my special ability is. But I thought it would be difficult to find information, like not being able to find any records, or it being a hassle to search. To think I’d be struggling like this!
“…So we have no choice but to ask that guy, huh.”
Even Gil-san’s calling him “that guy.” It’s understandable that he can’t easily trust him, because of what happened. He’s completely different from me, I’m already thinking he’s probably not a bad person, after hearing Wiz-san’s story.
B-But no matter what happened, he’s still my relative… Even when I was Megu, my only relatives were my grandfather and grandmother, so I can’t help but feel like I have to value those kinds of relationships. They were both incredibly kind.
“I can understand how you feel, so how about I go with you? No wait, there’s someone more suited than me. There’s a woman whose special ability is absolute defense. It’s fine even without her, I don’t think there are any safety concerns, but you’d probably feel more reassured, wouldn’t you?”
“Yeah, thank you for your consideration.”
Wiz-san smiled wryly and gave us that suggestion. It’s because he understands the situation. I’m so sorry. But it is reassuring.
“It’s the woman sitting over there. The one with her hair in two high pigtails, see? Her name’s Philjupipi. It’s getting late, so I’ll introduce you tomorrow.”
Philjupipi-san… My pronunciation’s gotten much better, but I don’t think I can say that properly. I was expecting long names, but still!
I can’t see her clearly because she’s far away, but I can tell her long silver hair—the kind that’s common with elves—is in twintails. They’re slightly wavy, which is cute. I’ve seen her a few times. If I remember correctly, she looks like a teenage girl. However! She’s also a High Elf. Her actual age is much, much older!
“I’ll also… give her a heads up.”
“Sorry for troubling you.”
“Thank you, Wiz-san!”
I bowed after Gil-san thanked him. “It’s fine, I’m doing this because I want to,” Wiz-san said, patting my head. Such a good person…!
“And also, she’s… well, I’ll save that for tomorrow. It’ll be a surprise.”
A surprise? What is it? Well, it’s fine if I find out tomorrow.
Phew, I’m nervous about having to ask Schel-san, but I’m happy to have this opportunity to gradually get to know the other High Elves. I have to consciously think positive and stay calm. It’ll be fine, it’ll be fine.
“We’ll rest early today, so we’ll be ready for tomorrow, Meg.”
“Okay. And Gil-san, you’re going outside after dinner to rest, okay?”
“Yeah, I haven’t forgotten.”
It’s our promise, twice a day! I’m also coming with you! Gil-san and Wiz-san laughed when I said that enthusiastically. I’m not trying to keep an eye on you, you know! I’m just worried! I’m usually the one being looked after, so please excuse me for this.
“Geez, you don’t have to laugh that much,” I said, puffing up my cheeks, but it goes without saying that my mood instantly improved when Gil-san said, “Thank you.”
After dinner, we left the Village together. The dark forest was eerie, but I wasn’t scared at all because Gil-san’s with me. He created light with magic. I thought he’d be bad at Light magic because he’s a Shadow Eagle demi-human, but apparently, he’s actually quite good at it.
“Because… there are no shadows, where there’s no light.”
I completely understood after hearing that. He’s naturally gotten good at Light magic, which creates shadows, because he’s so skilled at Shadow magic. That makes sense!
“So you’ve always been good at Light magic, right!?”
“No, not really.”
It was a casual question, but his response was unexpected. I widened my eyes, surprised, and Gil-san chuckled wryly and said that it’s only natural.
“Everyone has to start somewhere. I wasn’t good at using magic from the start.”
Ah, I see. Gil-san was also a child once, and there was a time when he used magic for the first time. It’s only natural, but for some reason, I’d forgotten. He’s so perfect now, that I’d probably be convinced even if he said he was born strong!
“You must have worked really, really, really hard.”
And that’s why he’s who he is today. It’s not just him, but everyone else too. They wouldn’t be as strong as they are now, without working hard. I have to do my best too. Just as I was feeling motivated, Gil-san quietly said,
“…Because… I wouldn’t have been able to survive, if I hadn’t.”
Gil-san, narrowing his eyes as he looked into the distance, seemed different from usual. Like a completely different person… I wonder if something bad happened to him in the past. It probably did. I mean, he lived through those times when there was a war.
“Because it wasn’t peaceful…?”
“That’s part of it, but… in my case, it’s because of my home environment. But it’s not like everyone experienced that. It’s actually quite rare. Children were cherished, back then, and they still are now.”
So, Gil-san wasn’t cherished as a child…? It must be my imagination, but it sounded like he was carrying a heavy burden, like he overcame a painful past…
His home environment was so bad that he wouldn’t have survived unless he was strong? That’s definitely a serious issue. Realizing that, I couldn’t say anything. All I could do was look down, silently.
“Ah… sorry. It’s something from the past.”
Gil-san, sensing my mood, gently patted me on the head and smiled softly. The usual Gil-san. He must have been a kind person from the start, to be able to be so considerate, even though he’s experienced so many hardships.
“Are you… happy now?”
“……Well, yeah. Maybe I could call this happiness.”
Because he’s kind, he’s easily hurt. He’s incredibly strong, but his heart is fragile. And yet, I’m always making him worry. I can’t help but to reflect. I want to protect him, because he’s always protecting me. This was my first time hearing about his past, and I’m glad I was able to. Because it made me reaffirm my resolve!
“Gil-san. I’m going to become strong. I’ll properly control my magic power, and I’ll protect this happiness!”
Put into words what you’ve decided. Have someone listen. That’s how you close off your escape route! There’s even the saying, “Words have power”, and I feel like resolutions are more likely to come true if you declare them!
“So I’ll ask Schel-san properly! Because I need to know what my special ability is. It’s important to know yourself, right?”
I can’t just say I’m scared and give up. I have to try, if the answer’s right before me. And it’s probably not dangerous. I mean, it’s probably fine.
“…You’re dazzling, Meg. So incredibly… straightforward.”
“Ehehe. Is it too much for you to handle?”
His praise was so embarrassing, I asked that teasingly.
“No. …You’re the light that I (the shadow) need. The stronger you are, the stronger I can be.”
Gil-san, saying this, placed his hand on my cheek. A warm hand, so large it’s almost covering half my face.
“I’ll never look away.”
His black eyes, filled with determination, seemed even more straightforward than mine. So I also met his gaze, properly accepting his feelings.
“Well then, I have to work even harder. Watch me, Gil-san. I’ll show you I can do it!”
When I clenched my fists and declared that, Gil-san widened his eyes slightly and then, well, smiled, I think. It’s even harder to tell because he’s wearing a mask, but I can tell by looking at his eyes.
We then spent some time leisurely gazing up at the starry sky, and then returned to our room.
“It’s getting late. Time to go to bed.”
“Okaaay.”
He said that as soon as we were back in our room. He’s right, and I am sleepy, but his fatherly tone made me want to laugh. You really are a good papa, Gil-san.
Because it was late, we skipped the bath and cleaned ourselves with life magic. No matter how many times I experience it, it’s incredible how I can be so clean from head to toe in an instant. But I can’t get used to it, I prefer baths. I’ll have a bath tomorrow—I changed my clothes thinking this, and all that was left was to go to sleep!
I was ready to go to bed, and Gil-san was already waiting for me in the bedroom. He had taken off his cloak, so he looked more casual than usual. It felt fresh.
“We’re sleeping together, right?”
“That’s right!”
I was both happy and embarrassed that he remembered. We always have skinship, like holding each other, but this is the first time we’ve slept together like this, so I’m still nervous. Gil-san got into bed first and then lightly patted the space next to him, so I quickly slipped in. As soon as I lay down, the futon was softly pulled over me.
“Fuoooooh…”
“What’s wrong?”
I couldn’t help but to make a strange noise. I mean! It was even more comfortable than I’d imagined! To be embraced by Gil-san, and by the futon, this is heaven.
“I feel… so safe… Gil-san, amaajing.”
I slurred. It’s been a while. But it can’t be helped. It’s all because of Gil-san’s healing aura. The moment I laid down, I was overcome with sleepiness. Yeah, I am sleepy too. It can’t be helped that I’m slurring my words.
“Yeah, I’m here. There’s nothing to worry about. So sleep at ease.”
“Okii…… good… nnigh…”
I’m sure he’s not going to sleep. He usually only sleeps once every few days, and besides, this is the High Elf Village. It’s probably not a place where he can let his guard down.
But I hope he’ll be able to rest even a little. I want to create that time for him. Ah, but I can’t even think anymore. I can’t fight it. I gave in and closed my eyes.