Chapter 227 Let'S Go Meet Them
When I woke up, it was already time for Maya-chan to finish giving Centrena and Wilshion their breakfast. Hurrying to wash my face, we were seen off by the two as we headed to the dining hall on the first floor.
Today's breakfast was the 'long grain' risotto that has been made recently. With slightly less ingredients and more soup, it became more watery, giving it a porridge-like feel rather than risotto. It's exciting to see it getting tastier every day.
I had two portions packed to give to Berberiguru-san and Dorchuneta-san when they return, which Maya-chan stored in the inventory.
After breakfast, Maya-chan and I went to the shrine. After telling Jag-san about today's schedule, the three of us headed to the hall for treatment.
There's a shrine priest in charge of pre-treatment interviews and a shrine maiden who explains post-treatment. They have their limits, so we finish with about 300 people in the morning as usual.
"Alright, let's head to the security department."
"Master, good job. I'll join you later."
"Great job, Jag-san."
"Yes, thank you too, Maya-sama."
Wilshion, with Maya-chan on board, continues to dash ahead as usual. Centrena is running on the snowy ground without overdoing it. She might be more skillful running on the slippery snow.
At the security department, we inform Head of Security Alverate-san that our two members will return from the investigation tonight. Then we receive additional information from Jillietta-san.
My existence was known through rumors carried by the wind. It seems that some members of the upper echelons of the Celestial Race were concerned about my involvement with the Dragonkin and had mentioned that they would have to take action someday.
It turns out that this time I was kidnapped by Bergalide for a mission that seems to be a solo operation. It feels like us non-flying races are being looked down upon. What a situation.
Since the return date was left undecided, no one is worried even if I'm a little late. Besides, I shouldn't be caught in the first place, so there shouldn't be any search parties coming.
As for Bergalide, he seems to be incredibly cooperative. Whether it's a ploy or a strategy, it's unclear, but he seems to be quite obsessed with the prince on the other side, Grotesqueum-san. That's what Jillietta-san says.
"Brother, could it be that..."
"Yeah. It might be a way to survive, but he (Bergalide) should know that I won't kill him."
"Has a new world opened up for him?"
"Only the person himself would know for sure. I don't really want to think about it."
"If it's a cute and wholesome BL story like Pyua Pyua, Maya might be into it, but the more serious stuff is not really my thing. Though, Jillietta-san and Mahiru-chan surprisingly seem to get along well in their conversations."
"Really?"
It seems like Bergalide is so friendly that he even asks Jillietta-san when the teacher (Grotesqueum-san) will arrive with her meal. He appears calmer than before. It might be a truly terrifying situation in a different sense.
As Jillietta-san enthusiastically shares such updates, both Maya-chan and I are slightly taken aback. Failroud-san and Alverate-san also look really troubled.
At lunch, we had a hearty vegetable udon soup made with boiled meat and bones from a big Magic Beast. The wheat was kneaded, left to rest, cut, boiled, and it was ready. I learned how to make it from Genarueid-san, who is an expert chef and owner of the 'Essence Inn'. Of course, we made it so it can be taken home in a bento box.
"Well then, I'm going for a walk with Wilshion-tan."
"Make sure not to fly higher than the other running dragons, Maya-chan."
"I understand, brother."
Maya-chan saluted and left for a walk, even though it's cold. I heard she can't sit still.
She's fine with her family growing. It's natural for her to leave the nest. But she can't bear her family disappearing. That's why she can't relax until Berberi-san and the others return safely.
Using the 'Display Self-Status Mystery System,' it was around 4 p.m. I was actually feeling a bit overwhelmed with various things. It's understandable to be worried. So, I decided to just sit in my room and not think about anything.
"Hey, big brother."
"Yeah?"
After she is back, Maya-chan is sitting next to me on the sofa. She's snuggled up close, clinging to my left arm. It's like she's listening to my heartbeat with her ear against my chest, just like last night. Even taking Wilshion for a walk didn't seem to ease her anxiety.
"How much longer until sunset?"
"I think it's about 2 hours according to the 'Display Self-Status Mystery System' time."
I had a conversation with Maya-chan that might lead to this. Our race in the 'Display Self-Status Mystery System' is listed as demon, so maybe we'll live longer like everyone else.
To begin with, our year over here is actually 932 days long. That's about 3 times longer than the world we used to live in, so even if we were human, we might live 3 times as long, right?
In that case, for us...
"I see... 2 hours, well, compared to the time Maya and the others will live from now on, it's not that big of a deal, right?"
"Yeah."
"Maya, you know..."
"Mm."
"In the MMO, Maya used to meet with brother every day, right?"
"Yeah."
"So, when brother were in that country, Maya was a bit stressed. It was tough until Maya could connect your phone."
"Oh, that's, um, I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault, brother."
Using summoning magic, they kidnapped Maya-chan and the others over here. In the end, I got involved because of that former king and that family. Maya-chan understands that too.
Just that, and the stress Maya-chan is carrying are separate matters. If by speaking out, even a little bit of healing can happen, then I guess I have to accept it.
* * *
Finally, the sun has set. Maya-chan and I are riding on Centrena, with Wilshion following along, climbing the sky towards the top of the rocky mountain.
Maya-chan is sticking close to my back. It's so we can talk in hushed tones.
'Big brother.'
'Hmm?'
'Ber-san, Dorchune-san. They'll come back, right?'
Maya-chan is anxious. That's why I have to say it firmly.
'Of course. There's no merit for both of them to take on such a dangerous mission, right?'
'Yeah.'
'They're doing this because Maya-chan and I asked them to. Of course, it's a request until they come back. If they don't keep that promise, what's the point for it?'
'That's right.'
Yeah. Berberi-san and Neta-san are following our orders.
'Hey, isn't it about time?'
I can faintly see the sparse starry sky and the gaps that are not like that in my eyes. Both Centrena and Wilshion are flying faster than yesterday, so they easily passed by.
'Oh, there's a light.'
'Yeah, Centrena. Descend slowly.'
Centrena nodded towards me. She remembers the same place as yesterday, so she landed without hesitation.
As Centrena lowered me to the ground, I waited a little. Then, two dark figures approached from the opposite direction.
'Oh, it's Ber-san and Dorchune-san.'
'Oh, Maya-chan can tell them apart?'
It seems like her Appraisal Skill can even see name tags on the two approaching figures. That's a relief.
'Yeah."
Two figures stopped in front of us. Their eyes looking up seemed to shine a little. Ah, maybe it's because they are Cat-people men.
'Maya-sama, young master, I'm back now.'
'Tatsuma-sama, as you commanded, I have returned.'
Maya-chan embraced the two of them by wrapping her arms around their shoulders.
'Welcome back, Ber-san. Welcome back, Dorchune-san.'
'Yeah, yeah. We need to get down quickly. It's cold here, you know.'
'Oh, right.'
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