304 - - return home

"The swarm that swept into the village contained monsters that looked like demons, and Sora-kun's grandfather stopped them with a magical technique. And now, those demons must still be there, stopped. ....... It's hard to believe this story no matter how many times I hear it."

At Oren's words, which still carried a hint of doubt, Thor turned to look away from the drifting clouds.

When he heard Oren's words again, it was certainly understandable that he felt this way.

"I guess the only way to know for sure is to see it for yourself.

"You don't know for sure if they are really demons or not, do you?"

"Yes, but I think I can probably live up to your expectations."

Thor's conviction came from Sola's attitude.

When he encountered the demons at the level of the fire cell in the underground prison, Sola was so shaken that he became unsettled.

It is true that the monsters she saw up close were eerie, but Sola is not so sensitive as to be frightened by them.

The reason why the country girl was so disturbed was probably because, like Thor, she was familiar with the monster's appearance.

Moreover, unlike Thor, whose memory has faded over the years, for Sola it was only half a year ago.

I conclude that it is difficult to mistake a being who has made such an impression on us, even though it was in the abominable past.

Oren blinked a few times and then raised his voice, as if the wind whistling through his ears had made it difficult to hear him.

"I'm sorry if I offended you. I guess it was too convenient and I was just a little suspicious. By the way, how close are we to the village?

"I think I should be able to see it by now, but it's been a long time."

Thor and his friends were currently in the middle of their air journey in a flying dragon boat.

The decision to depart was made quickly at the request of Oren, who wanted to see the demon tribe right away.

Of course, Thor, who is about to have a rematch with the master of the labyrinth that guards the maze, does not have a lot of time for side trips.

He should concentrate on his training for now.

However, Oren, who heard Thor's explanation, made a comment.

"Under normal circumstances, it is unlikely that demons would appear on the ground unless they are near a large miasma-causing hole. If this is true, they might have had some other purpose.

The hometown of Thor and his family is a small village in the mountains, a desolate place with nothing else to see.

However, in the dozen or so years that Thor has been away from the village, he has not encountered a single person who possesses not only his own magical skills, but also those similar to those of Sora and Sora's grandfather.

It would be unnatural not to question the fact that several users of such terrifyingly powerful magic have been born in the same place.

I had asked the old priest about this before his death, but he had given me only a vague answer.

There might be a possibility that they could gain something by finding out their origins and what the demon tribe is trying to do to them.

And it may be a new weapon to confront the black skeleton that is the pride of the warriors.

It was for these reasons that Thor and the others accompanied the group on this investigation.

Are you all right, Sora?

"Yes, Thor, are you all right?"

Thora, who was sitting behind him, smiled naturally at Thor's words of concern as he turned around.

In her arms, a white package is tucked tightly.

It contained the items Thor had brought from the wardrobe before his departure.

"I've already made up my mind," Thor said. ...... don't push yourself too hard. If things get hard, you can count on me right away.

"Hmm, that Tall girl has become so dependable. As a big sister, I'm sad to see you go, but I'm really happy.

The girl with one eye closed leans back slightly so that she can hear the bustle behind her.

"And since it's so lively, maybe I don't have time to be sad..."

"Oh, look!　Grandma Yu. Something's flying!

"That's ......, that's a very big bird!　I've never seen anything like that before, Mr. Mumm. Is it some kind of monster?

Where is it?　Let me see it, Euril.

"Don't push me, Audre. It's too small. Hey, stop it! You'll fall in!"

It seems that ash-eared ladies have a habit of getting excited when they are in the sky.

In addition to the usual two men, Yuril and Moo, the one who was making noise at the stern of the small boat was Aurindor, an apothecary who is also an authority on botany.

They had been asked by the Adventurers' Bureau to accompany us on this survey of a demon tribe that closely resembles plants.

And he was in such a high state of excitement.

According to him, ordinary people rarely have a chance to ride in a flying dragon boat, so it can't be helped.

As Thor's mouth relaxes at the sight of the three of them clutching the railing, Sora, who was also gazing at the scenery, suddenly points ahead of them.

"Look, Thor-chan. Don't you recognize that round mountain and the pointed mountain over there?

"Oh, now that you mention it. Hey, head over there!　I just want to check it out."

Thor called out loudly, and the wings of the flying dragon flapped wildly as it turned to go.

Thora's eyes seemed to be right, and it looked just like the mountain range that could be seen from the village.

Working backward from there, they hit a valley that looked like the one they had seen.

Before the sun went down, the group reached a secluded hollow surrounded by deep mountains.

Although they had wandered the distance for more than two months when they escaped, it took them only two days to return home, even though Thor continued to restore the flying dragon's strength with .

The high fence at the entrance to the village had fallen into decay.

The area where there used to be fields is now overgrown with grass.

However, thanks to this, the white bones lying here and there do not seem to stand out so much.

Thor and his friends get off the flying dragon and ask Mu to check for any suspicious signs.

"I don't see anything, Tor-chan.

"It's beautifully nestled between the mountains. The entrance and exit are on cliffs on both sides, and you really wouldn't notice it unless you were told.

"I see, it seems to be less affected by the wind. So that's why the miasma didn't come in.

"Hmmm, it's like a natural fortress. Or should I say, a hiding place.

While the two ash-eared women and the head of the archive office were expressing their opinions, Thor was able to get a rough idea of what was left of the barely remaining pillars and walls.

This must be where Morik's house used to be. Then the house across the street is Roshin's."

"That's the village headman's house over there. Next to it is Kinsa-chan's house, I think.

Dusk was already falling, and darkness was approaching even here in the mountains.

Thor hurriedly walks up to the ruins of the house of a former familiar face, puts his hand on the ground, reads the history, and immediately it.

Thor's magic had already become so accurate that he could almost completely restore the house if only the past records were known.　

Seeing Thor's for the first time, Odle and Oren drop their luggage to the ground with surprised faces.

"We'll be stuck here for the day. We have a hearth right here."

After reheating some preserved food and finishing dinner, the group lies down soon after.

Perhaps because they had made too much noise in the flying dragon boat, they soon began to fall asleep.

Thor wakes up in the middle of the night and notices that the bed next to him is empty.

When he went outside, he found the girl standing alone in the grass, looking up at the night sky.

Thor quietly joins her.

The sky, separated by high mountains, is a deep black void.

The stars were shining in clusters, as if a child had innocently grabbed them and thrown them into the sky.

Thor gasped at the sight of nothing had changed.

Various scenes come back to his mind.

A line of migratory birds soaring over the thatched roofs.

A wheel of water wheels cutting through the sunset.

A flock of dragonflies that I chased with my friends.

My father holding a hoe with a stern face and my mother smiling kindly.

But these are scenes that have long since been lost.

Sora's hand rests on Thor's.

The two said nothing, but continued to gaze up at the starry sky.