Chapter 203
The Lef people's appearance was nearly identical to the dragonfolk's, so they naturally came as a shock at first. But because their very existence proved that the "surface world" I had come from was real, some of the dragonfolk gradually began to believe in the "surface world."
Well, since we're the ones calling them the "surface world" and the "underworld," this world would probably be the surface world from the dragonfolk's perspective.
"Then—why don't you tell us all about it, nu?"
Kimidori Papa was presiding over the meeting.
It was a spacious meeting hall, but there were only a few dragonfolk who looked like scribes or officials. Apart from them, there were only us and the Lef people.
"Um... Isn't this when the elders usually come out?"
"The elders..."
Kimidori Papa gazed into the distance.
"They've been in the baths all day ever since. When they say, 'I don't have much life left, so let me use it as I please,' there's nothing I can say, nu."
"Sorry, I guess."
"No, no, it's fine, nu! They'll get bored eventually, and when they do, I plan to give them a mountain of work, nu! Wahahaha!"
Kimidori Papa laughed heartily.
Although he had lost a finger, he was highly influential in the city, so he would apparently be entrusted with the job of coordinating everyone from now on.
"All right, then. Let's start by exchanging information."
The Lef sergeant had now assumed a position like that of the group's representative, and he told us what had happened since they came to the "underworld."
Kimidori Papa seemed particularly interested in the situation in the underground city, and questioned him intently.
Most of it was information I already knew, but one new piece of information was that the other of the two airships had already crashed—which was bad information, sorry.
But, of course, what we were really interested in was how to get home.
"Most likely, the rift in the sky connecting to the other world is above the 'Uncharted Land Kanion.' Still, it's strange that Reiji-dono and our group landed in places so far apart..."
"I have an idea about that too. While traveling through the rift, I had the sense that we could choose our destination ourselves. I think it'll be the same when we go back."
"Choice, huh... Maybe it was because we were aboard the airship, but we didn't have that option. Before we knew it, we were in the middle of monsters swarming thick as clouds and mist. As we desperately fled, we encountered a ghost goat and were knocked out of the sky..."
"We don't really understand the mechanism that connects the worlds, after all."
"Why did a phenomenon like that occur?"
"After the pillar of light appeared, the sky split open, right? Since that light was emitted from the 'Labyrinth of Nine Emotions,' I think Ra-Fietsa created a system to connect the two worlds."
"What...?"
I then told them what I had heard in Dragonfolk City.
Ra-Fietsa was one of the dragonfolk from the underworld, and crossed into the surface world by some means.
After that, Ra-Fietsa created the "Labyrinth of Nine Emotions."
"Then... there must be a way—the one Ra-Fietsa used to cross between worlds...?"
"Yes. I don't know if it's still usable, but it might be somewhat better than flying into Kanion in an airship right now."
Then Kimidori Papa said,
"What? Are you planning to leave this city? I was sure you'd join our army, nu."
"We're not joining."
"What about that one over there, nu?"
The person he pointed at was Sumeria.
But she merely hid behind me.
"It may take her some time before she can speak properly."
"I see."
Kimidori Papa nodded, but I realized that we really did need to think about what to do with Sumeria.
The meeting ended at dinnertime. I returned to the mansion with Kimidori Papa, opened the last bath of the day, and then had dinner. Sumeria was nodding off, so I put her to bed.
(I should go to bed early too... I feel like I've been working like crazy every day.)
But as I was heading back to the dining room, Asha was waiting for me.
"Would you talk with me for just a little while?"
Moonlight streamed in, bathing Asha in pale blue.
Sounds from the large public bath drifted in from outside like distant clamor.
I went out into the mansion's garden with Asha.
"Is something wrong?"
"————"
Asha, who had been standing in front of me, turned around and embraced me.
The sudden event left me standing frozen, and then my brain panicked at the thought of what would happen next.
But—when I noticed that her body was trembling slightly, I regained my composure.
"I was scared when I thought you might not come back, Reiji-san...!"
I see—the one waiting has it harder than the one making them wait.
I had casually thought that leaving a message with the reconnaissance team would be enough, but Asha, too, had been all alone in this Dragonfolk City, where she didn't know left from right.
"I'm sorry, Asha. But I couldn't take you with me..."
"...Yes, I understand."
Asha gently pulled away and smiled softly.
"I know this is just me being selfish—the fact that I wanted you to come back quickly, wished for your safety, and even troubled you just now..."
Back in the Empire, Asha had been a caged bird. Her hair, tended to every day like that of a precious doll, was now covered in dust and sweat, and her clothes were worn out.
But the straight, unwavering core within her remained unchanged from before.
Like a lone flower blooming on a cliff, she was noble, beautiful, and strong.
"Um..."
I didn't know what to say. She, who possessed unbelievably strong self-control, had just let fierce emotions show. She had shown them only to me, of all people.
And yet, I couldn't think of anything to say—the next words simply wouldn't come.
"You must be tired after today too, Reiji-san. At least get a good night's rest."
Asha slipped past me and returned to the mansion.
What should I have said?
Had I pushed her away?
Was it just wishful thinking on my part that she had seemed satisfied nonetheless?
"...I don't know."
The moon hung in the sky.
The same moon as in the "surface world."
When Hebugichanku appeared in the Lef Magocracy, Lark had been there, bathed in moonlight.
I wonder if Lark is looking at the moon now, just as I am.
Thinking that made me feel a little better, while also driving me to return to the "surface world" as soon as possible.
"For now, finding a way home comes first."