GalaxyTL
I’d thought that my ability, Dream Walking, the ability to interfere with dreams, was terrifying. Because even without any malicious intent, I could mentally damage someone. But Father-sama told me that I saved him. So I can also save people. Knowing that made my heart swell with emotion.
“…I’m so glad… that Father-sama’s okay…!”
More than anything, I was incredibly relieved that he was fine. I knew it would be okay. That he’d be fine even if something happened. But, he is my father. I feel so guilty, that I attacked him, even though it was unintentionally. I know he’s strong! It’s just an emotional thing!
『Meg, you were worried about me, weren’t you? Ugh, my daughter’s so precious! I want to hug you right now! 』
I couldn’t help but chuckle, hearing him switch to his usual self. Ah, I’m glad. I’m so glad.
『But still, to think you’d appear in my dream, that’s an incredible ability! I rarely sleep, and I barely dream, but if it means you’ll appear in those dreams, then I’ll make sure to sleep.』
He’s even happy about it! Well, that’s how he is. I was wondering what to do if I enter his dream again, but I feel like it’ll be fine. Maybe he’s just saying that to reassure me, but with him, he’s probably ninety percent serious.
“Geez, in that case, make sure you have a schedule where you can get enough sleep!”
『Hmm, that’s true. I’ll make sure to finish my work quickly, so I have time to rest.』
At any rate, these were the words I wanted to tell him most.
“…Thank you, Father-sama.”
It made me realize that he really is my father. That he’s thinking about me, that I felt his love. He is, well, incredibly incompetent, so I sometimes think of him as like a younger brother, but… he shows this reliable side at times like these.
『I’m the one who should be thanking you!? Why are you thanking me, Meg!?』
Well, he’s not really self-aware! But that made it even better, because it was an unintentional reaction. Thank you. I’m glad you’re my father, Father-sama!
I wanted to explain a few other things, but it’s not good to take up his time, so we ended the shadow bird call. We promised to discuss the details in a letter. I could tell he was trying to drag out the conversation, but I had to be strict, for Kron-san and everyone else! We might have talked until sunset if Gil-san hadn’t mercilessly cut us off, saying, “That’s enough.” Good job, but my face twitched at how merciless he was. It can’t be helped!
“That’s good.”
Gil-san, seeing me watching the shadow bird vanish, smiling wryly, said that and patted me on the head. He probably knew that our conversation had made me feel relieved.
“Yeah, thank you for letting me talk to Father-sama, Gil-san.”
“It’s fine.”
“But,” he then said, sitting down across from me at the table, and resting his cheek on his hand, as if he knew everything.
“It’s not just that you’re relieved, is it? What are you thinking?”
“Wow, you’re amazing, Gil-san… can you also read minds, like Schel-san?”
I was honestly impressed. I’ve been wondering if Gil-san’s reading my thoughts, because he’s been figuring out what I’m thinking lately. He’s always been considerate, but I feel like he’s become even more understanding.
“I can’t read your thoughts, but… I kind of understand. Meg, you’re my…”
He trailed off there and then looked down, as if deep in thought. What is it?
“I’m your… what?”
“Ah, never mind. You’re… easy to read, Meg. It shows on your face.”
Eh, really!? I know I’m easy to read, but I thought it was getting better as I grow up! But it’s true that some people are always easy to read, even as adults. Maybe it’s something I’ll never be able to fix. Ugh, that’s embarrassing in itself. I quickly covered my face with my hands.
“See, easy to read.”
He laughed even harder. Ah, that’s also part of it! What should I do? I guess I have no choice but to give up. Sniff. It’s rare to hear him laugh out loud, so it makes me happy, but—I’m the one being laughed at, Meg. Work harder, facial muscles!
But that’s not important now. I’ll tell him, since he’s ready to listen. I started to talk, fanning my face, which had flushed red from embarrassment.
“I heard Father-sama say that Dream Walking isn’t just about hurting people… and I was truly relieved to know that. But… that doesn’t change the fact that entering people’s dreams is dangerous.”
It’s not a fundamental solution. It was just a coincidence. I have to remember that I was just lucky. I can’t just be optimistic, thinking that I can now enter people’s dreams without worry. I have to understand the dangers. Or I might end up unintentionally hurting people.
That’s why I want to investigate this ability in more detail. When I told him that, he suggested that we go investigate.
“Philjupipi told me, when we were leaving, that it’s okay for us to look at the documents. It seems like Schelmelhorn also gave us permission.”
“…So he knew… we’d be doing that, huh. Wow, as expected of Schel-san. It would have been easier if he just told us directly.”
I thought it was typical of Schel to go out of his way to tell it through Pipi. But at least we know he’s cooperative, and that’s enough for now. Or rather, it seems like that part of him will never change. That’s what makes Schel, Schel.
I had some things I wanted to say, but we decided to take advantage of his offer, so I left the cabin to head for the archives with Gil-san. But we didn’t know where to go, so we first searched for Wiz-san. Because he said to ask him if there’s anything we need.
We headed for the area with those cabins, and immediately found him. Apparently, he was about to go sort the herbs and nuts they’d gathered in the morning. Did we interrupt him?
“The archives? Sure, it’s fine. You have permission from the patriarch, right? And it’s on the way, so I’ll come with you.”
“Don’t worry,” he said, smiling. Huh? Did my “I feel bad” face show again? My facial muscles are not cooperating, so I pinched my cheeks. Embarrassing…!
We followed him for a few minutes. After walking for a while in the direction to the right of the graveyard and spring, we saw a few cabins in a row. The exterior blended in so well with the surrounding trees that you wouldn’t even notice them. They’re even more integrated with the trees than the residential cabins. It’s almost like a treehouse? But it’s still a cabin, what a strange design.
“The one on the far right is the archives. Look around as you please.”
“Eh? But aren’t there things we can’t look at? Things we can’t touch?”
It’s only natural to feel bewildered after being told to look around as you please, right? It’s the High Elves’ collection of books! All kinds of knowledge are in those documents! I’m actually scared to just look around. So I asked, but Wiz-san just tilted his head, looking confused. Eh? Did I say something strange?
“You’ll only be able to see information you’re searching for, so there’s no problem. Ah, I wonder if it’s different at other archives?”
What’s with this strange management system? So basically, only documents with information I need become visible? Gil-san, who’d been staring at the archives, narrowing his eyes, then explained:
“They’ve cast a complicated spell. You can investigate anything you want if it’s the information you’re searching for, but if it’s not, then you won’t even be able to search for it. They’ve also cast a recognition inhibition spell.”
“That’s right, because irrelevant information isn’t necessary. It’s pointless if you get distracted by other things, right? It’s a system that makes sure you can concentrate.”
So in other words, it means that if I don’t properly know what I want to investigate, then I won’t be able to get it, even if I enter the archives. Wow, what a complicated magic spell. And to think they’ve installed it just to make things more efficient, it really shows the level of their skill in magic.
Apparently, if you suddenly become curious about something while investigating, you’ll be able to see those documents too. Such a convenient design! But I think it’s also fun to search for interesting books, you know, when you’re at a library. I guess efficiency is important to them.
But it is also dangerous, in a way, being able to get any kind of information you want. If someone with bad intentions enters, then who knows how that information might be used.
“That means he trusts you. The patriarch too, since he gave you permission.”
Wiz-san, as if seeing through my thoughts, said that with a smile. I see, so he trusts us. That makes me happy.
“I’ll be working in the second cabin from the left, so let me know if you need anything. It would be good if you also let me know when you’re leaving.”
“Okay! Thanks, Wiz-san!”
We thanked him and then turned to face Gil-san. We started walking towards the archives when Gil-san, after making eye contact, nodded slightly.
I repeatedly thought, “Special ability, Dream Walking,” in my mind. It would be good if there are any records of those with the same ability in the past. And even if there aren’t, I at least want to get information on how to deal with this. I stood before the cabin, hoping that. Then took a deep breath, and nervously opened the door.