NOVEL WEB Chapter 112 - The Northern Mountains
The Northern Mountains
“Meg, we’re here.”
“Nnyu…?”
I must have fallen asleep. When I came to, I was in human Gil-san’s arms. I rubbed my eyes and looked around. Were we in a forest? No, no, that’s not right. Gil-san had said we’d arrived.
“The… nowthern mountains…?”
I felt a shiver run down my spine. Maybe Meg was feeling agitated, uneasy. I felt it. I rubbed my arms, as if to hug myself. It’s okay, Meg. We’re not alone.
“Are you okay?”
“…Okii.”
See? There’s someone right beside me, protecting me. Someone I can rely on. So it’s okay, Meg. As I was reassuring her, rubbing my arms, I calmed down a little. I’d calmed myself down, but Meg’s inside me too. Hmm, it’s hard to explain, but I could tell that this unease wasn’t mine.
“Well then, let’s head deep into the forest. We have no choice but to go on foot from here.”
“That’s right. I’m sure they’ve already sensed our presence, but if we wander around in our beast forms, we might make them wary. And this is my second time here in a short period of time, so I need to be especially careful.”
That’s right. Nika-san had been going back and forth. And Juma-kun had been on a dragon-slaying rampage here… It’s a miracle he’s okay! Because I could feel a tingling sensation, like magic power, in the air.
“Can you feel it, Meg? High Elf magic power, it’s incredibly dense here. Malicious magic, imbued with the will to eliminate any intruders without hesitation.”
According to Gil-san, anyone who specialized in magic would be able to feel it. And those who didn’t, wouldn’t. Those who used magic to enhance their physical abilities, like Juma-kun and Nika-san, wouldn’t feel it. But they should still be able to sense it if they paid attention, Gil-san had added with a grimace. Ah, so Juma-kun had probably been engrossed in hunting dragons, completely oblivious… And Nika-san’s so wary. Well, that’s Juma-kun for you.
“Well, conversely, if you were carelessly hunting monsters like Juma, they’d probably leave you alone.”
This area was also known as a good hunting ground, so there were always a certain number of people hunting here. They probably wouldn’t bother eliminating every single one of them. I guess that’s a good thing? But we’re different, we’re aware of this malicious magic, and we’re walking around, not hunting. Yeah, it wouldn’t be surprising if they were wary.
“Let’s try to find that place where the space is distorted as quickly as possible.”
“That’s my specialty. But the area is vast… I’ll do my best.”
“No, there’s no need to push yourself, Shadow Eagle. Your duty is to protect Meg.”
Gil-san immediately reacted to the Demon King’s words. It’s true that tracking magic power was Gil-san’s specialty. But the Demon King still refused. It seemed like he wanted Gil-san to focus solely on protecting me. And because he understood that, Gil-san didn’t argue. Ah, I’m sorry!
“Or maybe Meg-sama can find the entrance.”
Kron-san looked at me with a slightly worried look in her eyes. Hmm, it’ll be fine! I have to do this, it’s the reason I’m here!
“I’ll find it! I can… kinda… feel the flow of magic!”
I declared this confidently, clenching my fists. It’s true, I could feel it, the flow of magic power coming from the top of the mountain, like a draft coming from the depths of a cave. No one seemed to have mentioned it, so I figured they hadn’t noticed.
“Hmm, the flow of magic? It exists?”
“Yesh. It feels like it’s flowing… from over there.”
I pointed in that direction, as Gil-san asked in surprise. Even he hadn’t noticed. So this must be something only High Elves can sense.
“Hmm. I’m sure your High Elf blood is guiding you. Let’s head that way. Stay alert, everyone.”
We nodded at the Demon King’s words. I then took Gil-san’s hand, and we started walking.
We walked for about two days. We were traveling on foot, taking frequent breaks so I wouldn’t get tired, so it probably took longer than usual. I’m sorry for slowing everyone down! At night, they’d take turns keeping watch as we camped, but it was comfortable inside the tent, and the meals were freshly cooked, straight out of subspace storage, so it didn’t really feel like camping. It was so comfortable that it was a bit of a let-down. I’d been expecting something more… hectic. Of course, I was happy that it was comfortable, but still…
But even though we were moving at a leisurely pace, I was certain that we were getting closer to the High Elf Village. It’s incredible! The power of High Elf blood!
And so, today, on the third day of our journey, we would finally arrive.
Honestly, my heart was pounding with every step we took. It felt like I both wanted to go and didn’t want to go at the same time. I couldn’t hear Meg’s voice, it was just a feeling, but…
For my body to be reacting so strongly… maybe it’s because of my conflicting desires to see Yenna-san, my mother, and my anxiety about what would happen once we arrived?
“…Meg, are you okay?”
Gil-san, whose hand I was holding, must have felt me trembling. I’m okay, but Meg… Each step was getting harder and harder to take. Maybe it was because our emotions were a jumbled mess? I’d take this opportunity to rely on Gil-san.
“I’m okii, but, can you cawwy me, Gil-shan…?”
We have to keep moving. I’m sorry, Meg. But we have to go. I’m here with you this time, so please… be patient for a bit longer.
I apologized to Meg in my heart as Gil-san picked me up. “Haa,” I felt myself calming down. I hoped his comforting embrace would reach Meg too.
“Sowwy…”
“It’s nothing.”
He patted my head. I had to admire Gil-san’s paternal skills.
“Ugh… I also, I also want to be asked for a hug someday…!”
“That’s right. Now, let’s hurry, Zahariash-sama.”
The Demon King and Kron-san were the same as always. Well, maybe I should be grateful, it lightened the mood.
But I couldn’t joke around anymore. As we approached the entrance, my whole body started to tremble. Even though I was okay. It felt like… Meg was terrified, and I was standing there, close by, understanding her fear, but unable to do anything. That’s what was happening inside me. And my body was trembling.
But the only reason I wasn’t crying was because of Gil-san. He must have felt me trembling, and yet, he continued to stroke my back, his touch warm and comforting. His embrace tightened. His heartbeat was strong and steady. It was all incredibly reassuring.
And then, after we’d walked for a while… I saw it.
“Ah…”
“What is it?”
“Nothing… just go a wittle further…”
I answered the Demon King, who’d been the first to react to my voice. And then, when it was right before me—
【Welcome home! Our family! Do you want a bath? Dinner?】
I was dumbfounded.