episode_0092

“Now then, let’s decide on a nightstand.”

Before the group went to bed, Charlie said.

It was a natural and necessary procedure.

No matter how prepared you are, something can happen in the forest.

So, I had to keep an on-call watch just in case.

“Me and this guy, Andel, will be in charge of the night watch.”

I was a little taken aback by what Charlie said.

That’s right, because we didn’t discuss anything beforehand.

According to the proposal, Charlie and I would both stand watch, which would put a lot of pressure on both of us.

Well, I don’t have a normal body, so even if I don’t sleep for a few days, it won’t have much of an effect, but if you look at it from a normal perspective, it’s definitely harsh.

Especially since I won’t be spending a day or two in the forest from now on.

From the beginning, I had no intention of putting Elle on guard duty, but I was a little embarrassed that he showed up like this without consulting me.

And I had a feeling that this guy would even leave his time zone to me.

I’m not going to leave everything to the rest of the group, but I think they’re probably thinking about dumping a lot of it on me.

Because this guy didn’t seem like the type of person who would willingly sacrifice himself.

What would Charlie do if he really came out like that?

I was thinking about how to respond.

“No. That’s not possible. I will also be on alert.”

Dorothy shook her head and stepped forward.

“Me too.”

And then Elle slowly raised her hand.

“You can’t do that.”

Immediately Dorothy opened her eyes and glanced at Elle.

“But, it’s not fair.”

Although the gaze stung, El immediately shook her head and protested.

“I’m in the same group. It’s not right for me to be the only one left out.”

Then, the logic put forward by L was quite reasonable.

It’s definitely not wrong.

However.

“Even if the lady stays on watch, she won’t be properly alert.”

Dorothy cut off Elle’s resistance with firm words.

“Ugh… … .”

At those words, El could no longer open her mouth.

Even if you don’t explain it, you know it well.

That it is difficult to react when something happens on your own.

We might be in a field or an ordinary mountain, but the place we are in is different from those ordinary places.

If something happens, it’s clear that El won’t even have time to react.

And that means the party is in big trouble.

“… … .”

El eventually entered the tent with a sullen face.

So, only me, Dorothy, and Charlie remained.

“Don’t do that, Dorothy, just rest. We alone are enough to keep watch.”

“No. are you okay. Because my body is strong too.”

“Umm… … .”

Charlie seemed to want to exclude Dorothy from the watch list as well, but Dorothy showed no signs of bending her will, so he fell silent.

In the end, Charlie reluctantly accepted Dorothy’s opinion, and three people were to stand watch today.

***

Tadak─

The branches in the campfire burned with a dry sound.

The outside world is still filled with muggy air, but the night in the forest is chilly.

The faint warmth coming from the flame made me realize that I was truly here in the quiet forest.

I raised my head and looked up at the sky.

Perhaps because the campsite was located in a relatively open space, the night sky was clearly visible because the trees did not block the sky.

Basically, the night sky here is brighter than that on Earth.

This may be because there is no pollution, and even though it is a city, it may be because the lights are not as bright as those on Earth.

However, the night sky looking up from the forest was shining even brighter than the night sky seen from outside.

“… … .”

When I stay still like this, many thoughts come to my mind.

What is Lakenwood like now, and are the people of Viscount Bluenoa doing well?

Are the people at the academy living without any problems?

Is it really true that I am doing this here?

And on a rare occasion, I looked up at the sky and remembered something about the Earth for the first time in a long time.

My original hometown before I fell into this world.

If you ask me if I miss it, I can’t say I don’t.

Because I have lived there longer than the time I was born and lived in this world.

However, if you ask whether the degree of that longing is strong, the answer will be that it is not that strong.

Sometimes I think of a game I enjoyed playing, a show I watched often, or a food I liked, but that’s about it.

It’s just that kind of longing.

Because there is no one waiting for me over there.

The original me, before I became Wade Heblon, was always alone.

There were no parents from the beginning.

My earliest memory began in an orphanage.

Even after I got older and left the orphanage and became independent, I was always alone.

It wasn’t that I didn’t have a normal social life, and it wasn’t that I couldn’t communicate normally, but I didn’t take those relationships into personal relationships.

It wasn’t that difficult to deal with people, and I didn’t feel unpleasant, but I didn’t really feel like getting involved with anyone.

The reason is, honestly, I don’t know.

Maybe it was because I didn’t feel the need, or maybe I was unconsciously reluctant to become close to someone.

Anyway, for that reason, no one on Earth will be waiting for me.

I guess the people at work were curious about me right after I disappeared.

Even that would have been quickly forgotten.

Well, the point is that I have no intention of going back.

Because of this, I didn’t find a way to do anything, and I didn’t do anything special until I became an adult.

“… … .”

I look at the stars again.

Actually, immersing myself in thoughts like this doesn’t really help much.

No matter how much I think about it now, I can’t come up with an answer or the situation will get better.

It’s just that my mind becomes complicated with so many thoughts.

However, I didn’t hate this time that much.

To the point where being on watch doesn’t feel boring.

As I looked up at the night sky, lost in thought.

Rustling─

I could feel the presence of people in one of the tents.

I immediately turned my head and saw someone coming out from inside one of the tents.

“… Hello.”

It was Dorothy.

She came out of the tent with a slightly sleepy face and slightly messy hair.

“It’s not time yet.”

It was true that she was my next, but there was still quite a bit of time until her turn came.

There is no need to check the time, you can tell because the sky is so dark.

However, despite my words, Dorothy completely left the tent.

Then, he sat down on one of the chairs next to the fire.

“I know… . I just woke up… . It doesn’t seem like I’m even in the tent… … .”

The ending subtly droops, as if the sleepiness has not yet worn off.

Her eyes, resembling orange lights, flashed, reflecting the color of the flame that resembled her own.

“There’s too much time left to stay up like this.”

She is the last to watch.

This means that if you stay up like this, you have to stay up all the way until morning.

“It’s okay… . My body is strong… … .”

Speaking in a loose tone, Dorothy shook her head gently.

“… I see.”

Since he said it himself, I didn’t think it would be a good idea to force him to sleep again, so I silently nodded.

Because it’s not wrong.

Although she is not as strong as me, she is a strong enough warrior.

Even if you don’t sleep a little, there is no problem with your physical condition or physical condition.

So, here, I decided to do as she said and hand over the watchdog.

but.

“… … .”

‘Oh really? ‘Thank you,’ he answered, and went straight into the tent, which seemed a bit presumptuous.

What can I say, it feels too snobbish.

Moreover, as I said before, I don’t hate looking up at the starry night sky, so I didn’t give up hastily.

Is it because I hesitated for those reasons?

I missed the timing and ended up creating an atmosphere that made it difficult to leave.

I wonder if this situation could possibly be good, as I am hesitating.

“I said Mr. Andel… ?”

Dorothy spoke to me.

“Ah, yes.”

Although I was a little embarrassed, I affirmed her question without showing it.

I glanced over and saw Dorothy looking down at the campfire with slightly clearer eyes than before.

“I’m sorry.”

“… Uh, yeah?”

To the sudden apology, I ended up giving a stupid answer.

Well, I expected her to say something, but I didn’t expect her to suddenly apologize.

However, Dorothy continued talking without taking her head off the campfire despite my reaction.

“The lady caused trouble.”

“… Ah.”

That’s it.

Only then did I realize the reason for the apology.

“It’s not really something Dorothy needs to apologize for. No, there is no need to apologize in the first place. It is true that the young lady suggested it, but in the end, it was my choice.”

Even though I could have refused, this is the path I chose on my own.

So there is no reason to apologize.

“… But the forest is a dangerous place.”

He continued speaking without turning his head.

I didn’t look this way, but I can tell by the glance in their eyes.

That she is truly sorry.

Maybe he feels sorry for making the suggestion itself.

Do you think that’s why I came here?

If that’s true, she must be a warm-hearted person.

Actually, I’m worried for no reason.

“It’s okay. Because I can at least keep my body healthy.”

Speak calmly.

So that her worries can be alleviated just a little.

“… … .”

Only then did Dorothy raise her head and look at me.

However, what was still in his eyes was concern and regret.

… Well, since I’m completely hiding my skills, she’ll only see me as a braggadocious person with no skills.

That fact made me feel a little bitter.

Even so, I had no intention of revealing my skills.

Soon Dorothy turned her head back to the campfire.

“… Still, nothing much will happen.”

Then, he spoke quietly.

“The lady chose you with confidence.”

The added words contained unwavering faith.

As if he had no doubt that it would really happen.

“… … .”

That expression, that unwavering voice.

It bothered me a little.

It was difficult to believe that it was simply because he trusted L, but his voice was so firm that it felt like he was confident.

Even if you look at Dorothy’s usual attitude, she is not soft enough to approve of Elle’s everything.

That’s why I was worried.

Where does that confidence come from?

I tried to open my mouth to answer the question, but—

“… Now go inside and rest.”

The order to congratulate guests was gently handed down, but the intention was not achieved.

“… yes. See you again in a few hours.”

After saying hello, I went into the tent.

With the thoughts from a moment ago buried deep in my head.

And so, the first day in the forest ended.