episode_0100

Reunion in Sabra

“…..What on earth is this…?” “We sincerely welcome all adventurers! Welcome to Sabra, the Village at the End!!”

Upon arriving in Sabra, we received an unexpected welcome from the villagers. What is this…? Do adventurers need to be welcomed to this extent…? Or is this a tradition unique to the Village at the End, only found in the Herlos region…? As Aria and I were flustered by the sudden grand welcome, a burly man spoke to us.

“Why are you so surprised! After such an arduous journey, you’ve finally reached the Village at the End, so of course, we have no choice but to welcome you like this!!” “Oh… is that so? Haha… Hahaha….”

Now that I think about it, even in Luam, they sometimes hold competitions for those who arrive at the Village at the End…. Maybe this is just normal? Right… It’s only been about three days since we arrived in the Herlos region, so I’m probably worrying for no reason.

“Ah… yes… it was truly a difficult journey…. By the way, I never imagined you would welcome us like this…” “We welcome other adventurers this way too! Thanks to the adventurers who make our village their destination, we can make a living! Now! You must be tired, so I will guide you to the inn!” “Ah, yes. Let’s go, Aria.” “…”

‘Huh?’

When the villager kindly offered to guide us to the inn, I turned my head to Aria and told her to go. At that moment, Aria, who would normally smile and say okay, looked at the village with a strange expression. I had no idea why she was making such a face. Why was Aria acting like this? Something wasn’t like her usual self….

“Aria? Are you okay?” “….! Yes! Let’s go, Zeke-nim!”

At my question of whether she was okay, Aria seemed to snap out of it and answered with a smile. What was it…? Did she sense something…? It was rare for Aria to react like this… Seeing Aria’s reaction, I started to feel uneasy. However, resting was also a priority, so we followed the villager’s guidance, arrived at the inn, unpacked our bags in the room, and rested.

“Haaah… Still, it’s a relief we could arrive in Sabra by lunchtime. By the way, did you see the buildings along the road? Almost all of them were wooden structures.” “…..” “…? Aria?”

When Aria didn’t respond to my words and just stared blankly out the window, I felt that strange feeling again. Why on earth was Aria like this? I had to find out why. Otherwise, Aria wouldn’t be able to relax.

“Aria, what’s wrong? You keep making a face like something is bothering you.” “…. Oh, it’s nothing. I just think I’ve been a bit sensitive lately.”

“…..You’re usually very sensitive towards me, so what now….” “Th-that’s natural!! No matter how many times…” “No matter how many times you say it, you care a lot about me…. Right?”

I chuckled, finishing Aria’s sentence for her. When I cut off what she was about to say, Aria stared at me blankly, then smiled and nodded. I then got up from the bed, extended my hand to Aria, who was sitting in a chair, and said.

“Come on, let’s go! A new village is waiting for us. Let’s explore this village together!” “…! Yes, Zeke-nim!”

When I held out my hand and told her to go, Aria immediately grabbed my hand and stood up. And so, hand in hand, we left the inn and began to look around Sabra. Hmm… All wooden buildings. How did they get wood in a plain with only grass? Hmm? That’s….

“A pot, isn’t it?” “Oh my~! Adventurer-nim! Would you like to buy a Sabra specialty pot? Pottery is famous here~”

“Hmm… It seems a bit too big to carry, so it might be difficult. Do you sell anything else?” “Hmm… We also have small pots, would you like to take a look at those?” “Ah, yes. Let’s go have a look, Aria.” “Yes.”

We entered the pottery shop and began to browse the displayed pottery. Let’s see… animal-shaped pots, pots that could be used as flowerpots…. With a variety of pottery spread before our eyes, I began to ponder what to buy. Something too small risked breaking… something too big would be hard to fit in a backpack…. I needed to find something just right….

“Are you having trouble finding something? Then how about this?” “Hmm? That’s….”

When the pottery shop owner showed me a small animal-shaped pot, I examined it. This was… definitely a bird-shaped pot, but what was this hole? Unable to figure out the identity of the pot, which had one hole in the tail part and one in the top of its head, I tilted my head. Seeing my reaction, the pottery shop owner suddenly poured water into the pot and said.

“This, you see… is less of a pot and more of a musical instrument. Have you heard of a water flute?” “A water flute?” “Yes. Here… This pot doesn’t have water in it. If you blow it like this…”

When the shop owner blew into the hole in the tail, a whooshing sound started coming from inside the pot. Well… that’s to be expected…. However, when the shop owner blew into the pot with water inside, a flute-like sound began to emerge from it, and I was greatly surprised to hear it.

“No way…?! Just by putting water in, it makes this sound…” “Yes. How about this?” “Great. I’ll buy it. Oh, give me two of the same.” “Alright~ I understand!”

When I ordered two, the pottery owner handed me two bird-shaped water flute pots from the display. I then handed over a spirit stone to pay, and after purchasing the pots, we exited the shop. And then…

“Here you go. This one’s yours.” “….!! Ze… Zeke-nim!! If you give me another gift like this, it’s… too much… Ughhh….”

When I suddenly handed her one of the flutes I had bought, Aria was greatly flustered. She then blushed and started trembling, so I chuckled and placed the flute in her hand. Aria’s face then grew even redder.

“Ugh… Uwaaaah… Ca-can I really accept a gift from Zeke-nim…!!” “Why wouldn’t you be able to? You already received the brooch. Besides, if you have that flute and feel down later, wouldn’t it be nice to play it together?” “….!!! To… together with Zeke-nim…!! Ahhh… Hehehehe…..”

Aria, imagining playing the flute with me, grinned widely and started drooling from happiness. I wonder if she’s *too* happy…. Still, it’s good that she likes it…. Right?

“Oh? This song….” “Yes? Ah, it’s coming from over there.”

Just as I was watching Aria, pleased with the flute I gave her, a familiar voice singing a song reached my ears. Aria then pointed her finger in the direction of the song, and we started walking towards it. Then, suddenly, applause began to sound.

“What is it? A bard?” “Hmm… It seems like a bard we know.” “…! No way!!”

When Aria said it seemed like a bard we knew, I realized the identity of the singing voice. Then, a large crowd started passing us, and as people moved past, I was able to see a truly welcome face.

“Riera!! Riera’s kids, right!!” “….? That voice…? Zeke-nim?” “Oh?! It’s Mister!!”

The Riera sisters, who had just finished their song in the village square, heard my shout, smiled, and waved at Aria and me. I never thought I’d see the Riera sisters here…. Unexpected things keep happening… But this is the fun of exploring!!

“How did you come here, Zeke-nim?” “I stopped by to explore the Herlos region. But where’s Melian?” “Melian is resting at the inn right now. By the way… I’m very happy to see you again, Zeke-nim….”

“I’m happy to see you too. Aren’t you, Aria? Riera helped you before…?” I turned to Aria, emphasizing that Riera had helped her previously. However, unlike me, who was excited to see the Riera sisters after a long time, Aria was glaring at them with a frown, and the Riera sisters were greatly flustered upon seeing Aria glare at them. Then, the trembling Tiara spoke to Aria.

“Sa-Saintess-nim, perhaps… you still haven’t forgiven me and my sisters…?” “I’m fine now, Aria….” “Oh, it’s nothing. Anyway… What were you doing here?”

“Since we’re wandering bards, we travel around singing. It feels good to be able to travel too. Oh, the villagers are planning to hold a festival in the evening, Zeke-nim. They say it’s a festival for adventurers…”

Another festival…? We already enjoyed a festival in Luam…. And I can enjoy one here too…? To have such a good opportunity come twice!! I was greatly delighted, feeling that my luck would be good this time.

“Great! Let’s enjoy it together again today, Aria!” “Yes, Zeke-nim.” “Oh, Mister. We want to go with you too. This festival… will be a really fun festival!” “Okay, Eli. It’s more fun when we all go together anyway….”

Well… Of course, it might be an eyesore for Aria…. But festivals are usually better enjoyed by everyone together…. However, as expected, Aria frowned as if she really disliked it, so I scratched my head. Does she dislike it that much…? As I chatted happily with the Riera sisters under Aria’s gaze, the day gradually began to draw to a close. Then, the villagers lit a large bonfire in the square and started roasting meat over it.

“Wow… That’s a huge fire…. Don’t you think, Aria?” “Ah, yes. I’m sorry…. I should have grilled the meat….”

As I bought and ate a grilled skewer from a stall near the big fire, Aria started to look gloomy. What was I supposed to do if she was jealous of even cooking… Seeing Aria like that, I was a little displeased, but knowing that this was Aria’s unchanging affection, I didn’t feel particularly annoyed.

“I’ll be eating plenty of your cooking later anyway, so… it’s just a bit of something else, it’s fine.” “Ugh… But Zeke-nim’s stomach should be full of my cooking…” “My stomach is already filled with your devotion. So don’t be discouraged. Just enjoy it, Aria.” “….!! Yes!!”

As Aria rejoiced greatly at my compliment, a laugh escaped me. Yes… This is Aria. Well… sometimes she gets discouraged by trivial things, but… *Whoosh*…. Just for a moment….

“Aria, I’m going to get some fresh air for a bit.” “Ah, yes! I also have something to take care of… Please excuse me for a moment!” “…? Huh?”

When Aria suddenly ran off somewhere as if something urgent had come up, I was greatly flustered. Why was Aria acting like this all of a sudden? Normally, Aria would whine about wanting to go with me, but for her to suddenly act like that…. I felt uneasy again, but I tried to deny it and headed towards a secluded spot. Eventually, I reached the edge of the village and got some fresh air while looking at the night sky.

“Whoosh… It really is a bit stuffy near the fire…. Oh, the air is so cool…!!!”

The moment I was breathing in the cool air while getting some fresh air, I noticed Melian, dressed in gray, sitting on a chair next to me, staring blankly at the night sky. I was startled and choked. Her… Why is she here?! Where are the Riera sisters?!

“Ugh… cough… cough…. Why are you here…. Whoosh… You surprised me…” “Ze…. ke….” “…..!!! Uwaah!!!”

The moment I was trying to calm my startled heart by taking deep breaths after seeing Melian, she slowly spoke my name, and I was startled again and choked. Sh-she just spoke?! She should be in a state where she can’t do anything because of Aria’s mental torture, right?!

“Ugh… cough cough… Ugh… Me… Melian…. Did you just speak?” “…. Yes.” “…. But how did you… know my name…?” “…. I… remembered… everything….” “What…?”

I was dumbfounded when Melian, who should have forgotten even my name, replied that she remembered everything. I then sat next to Melian, took another deep breath, and looked at her face. Her eyes were still blank… but how had she regained her senses…?

“You… how did you regain your…?” “…. By… traveling with… my sisters…. I was able to regain my senses…. Everyone… was kind….” “…. I never expected that to be possible…. I’m truly surprised….” “So… there’s… something I want… to say….” “Something you want to say?”

When Melian suddenly said there was something she wanted to say, I tilted my head. Something she wanted to say… what could it be? The moment I was trying to figure out what Melian wanted to say, I saw tears falling from Melian’s eyes and was too surprised to speak.

‘….Tears?’

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…. I did something bad… back then…. I’m truly… sorry…. I’ve always… wanted to apologize…. I’m sorry….” “….”

Melian continued to apologize to me. Although tears were flowing, her blank facial expression remained unchanged. Seeing Melian, who looked like a doll shedding tears, I realized that Melian’s mind hadn’t fully returned. Even if that weren’t the case, Melian was originally a child without emotions. The first thing she ever expressed was fear of Aria’s torture…. In any case, it meant Melian was still unstable. Yet, what she realized in this state was guilt towards me…

“Rather, I’m the one who’s sorry. If only I hadn’t been late… you wouldn’t have collapsed so miserably. I’m sorry, Melian.” “….? Why… are you forgiving… me…?” “I also wished you hadn’t collapsed like this. I hoped that you, who had lost your emotions, would still find good people in the world… and most of all, that you would regain your emotions…. To think I had such thoughts when I was captured… Am I a bit strange? Hahaha….”

When I said I was sorry instead, I told the flustered Melian that I had actually been worried about her, despite her having abducted me. At that, Melian’s expression began to change. Tears stopped flowing from her eyes, and Melian slowly turned her head and began to stare at me with wide eyes.

“…. You’re… forgiving… me…?” “…. Well, something like that? I’m going to get another lecture from Aria… Haha….” “…. In a situation… like this… what should… I say…?” “Well… there’s nothing specifically set. Just say thank you… or something…” “Thank you….”

At my words that she could just say thank you, Melian quickly expressed her gratitude. Seeing a small, very small smile spread across Melian’s lips, I chuckled with relief. Still, it’s a good thing Melian hasn’t completely let her guard down to the world…

“Okay… so I’m going back to Aria now….” “Thank you…. So… I’ll tell you something…. Zeke….” “…? Tell me what?” “Run… away….” “What…?”

Melian suddenly told me to run away, and I tilted my head. At that moment, countless people suddenly appeared from the alleyway, surrounded me, and struck the back of my head with something. Wh… What is this?! Wh-what on earth is this situation…

‘Wh-what on… what happened….’

Without being able to grasp the situation precisely, I lost consciousness on the spot as the suddenly appearing people struck the back of my head. Meanwhile, Aria grabbed Riera’s arm, who had been enjoying the festival near the fire, and headed into an alleyway. Riera then shouted at Aria.

“Let go of me, Saintess-nim!! Do you still hold a grudge against me!?” “That’s not your true self, is it?” “Huh? What do you mean by that…? Oh….”

When Aria suddenly dragged her into an alleyway, Riera started getting angry at her. Aria then released Riera’s arm and lightly tapped Riera’s forehead with her finger. Riera then started swaying, as if disoriented, and then, seeming to regain her senses, she bent her upper body and began to gasp for breath.

“Do you realize now that you weren’t in your right mind?” “Gasp… Gasp… Sa… Saintess-nim…? How did you get here…? Huh? Where… Where is this…?”

Riera, who had regained her senses, was startled to see Aria in front of her, then looked around. She then began to feel confused, not knowing where she was, as if she had just arrived. Aria then grabbed Riera’s face and asked.

“Who on earth put the Siren’s Song on you? So…?”

The moment Aria was about to ask Riera who had cast the Siren’s Song on her, the roaring fire in the village suddenly extinguished instantly, and the faint light that illuminated even the alleyway completely vanished. Aria then muttered in great dismay.

“Oh no….” “What on earth is happening, Saintess-nim…? What about our children…?”

Aria, who seemed to have guessed something, muttered in a flustered voice, and Riera was in a state of confusion, completely unable to understand the situation. Meanwhile, I regained consciousness in a dark room.

“Ugh… My head… Who suddenly… me…? Huh? What is this?”

Upon regaining consciousness, I realized I was sitting in a chair, my body tied up, and was greatly flustered. Wh… What is this?! Why am I tied up?! What kind of situation is this?! The moment I was in utter confusion about this situation.

“Oh my~ You’ve woken up. Mis.ter?” “…. You… you’re….”

As the door slowly opened and someone entered, I couldn’t help but be horrified. Long yellow hair, blue eyes…. Dressed in blue clothes, with insect wings sprouting from her back…. It was Eli, smiling brightly with a flushed face, who walked in.