A few days after that, Cordelia went to Oulu Village with Ronnie and the Witch.
There were six students today, and Toto.
Toto always fell asleep quickly, but she remembered things that impressed her. The materials that Cordelia had made for the classes were a bit difficult for Toto to read, but she enjoyed circling words that she liked with a pen.
(Lara’s pencil will be of use to Toto as well when she’s finished with it, but she said that it’ll take a bit longer to complete.)
The prototype that Cordelia had used felt good enough, but Lara’s standards were too high, and she wasn’t quite satisfied. However, she had to respect Lara’s decisions since she had left the task to her. At least it was almost finished.
“Then, we’ll continue from the last lesson and continue with the early days of our kingdom. I would also like to touch on the clothing of those days and their meanings. In those days, it was especially popular to engrave scabbards, and the patterns of those times are still being engraved onto the handles of swords as charms. So, I also want to…”
It happened not long after Cordelia had started her class.
A moment after the door slammed open, Mick flew into the room with heavy footsteps.
“Mick-kun, did you also come to listen?”
Cordelia asked, just in case, even though his face told a different story. I chose my words carefully because he would probably quarrel with me if I asked him what he came here for, but either way, these words don’t mean much to him. He’s sneering as proof.
“What benefits will I get from listening to your class?”
Mick said, then he stood by Toto. He reached out his hand and grabbed Toto’s class materials.
“Toto, you can’t read this well, can you?”
“That’s Toto’s! Give it back!”
“You don’t need it!”
“I do!”
Toto raised her fists at Mick, but it didn’t hurt him much because of the difference in their bodies.
“What? Do you want to give me a shoulder massage?”
He agitated Toto more with his arrogant tone.
Cordelia slowly approached them.
“Toto-chan, you can’t. Violence isn’t good.”
Cordelia stopped Toto first, then she turned towards Mick and held out her hand.
“That’s Toto’s. I’ll give you a new copy if you’re going to attend this class. So, give it back to her.”
Cordelia remained as calm as possible as she told that to Mick without any anger in her voice. She couldn’t say that Mick wasn’t in the wrong. He had taken someone else’s belongings. However, she didn’t think that he hadn’t come there with a purpose, since he had gone out of his way to go there from the back room.
However, Mick clicked his tongue in response to Cordelia.
“No way. It’s rubbish, isn’t it? Rubbish. I don’t want it.”
“Then, you don’t need that either, do you? Why do you have it?”
Cordelia said, as she stared at Mick. He looked as if he was holding in his anger. His face gradually got redder, and he screamed.
“You’re annoying!”
“Why?”
“Shut up. Go somewhere else if you just want to play around! Get the hell out of here!”
Mick said as he held the class materials in front of him and vigorously tore the papers. He also threw two pieces of paper into the air, and they fluttered to the ground.
Toto started crying at the same time, as if a dam had been broken.
“Mick-kun. Apologise to Toto.”
“Why do I have to…?”
“I know that you don’t like me, and I don’t mind if you say that my actions are only to satisfy myself. But you can’t put them down as well.”
Cordelia said as she looked at Toto, and then she looked around the class. After that, she looked back at Mick again. Mick-kun probably can tell the mood in the room.
“… Tsk. That’s why you’re annoying!”
He opened the door with a loud bang and flew out.
“Mick!”
Immediately after the children’s cries in the classroom, the children in the other room also raised short shouts of surprise. However, the children in the next room shouted a question as soon as they saw Mick dashing off.
“Mick, where are you going~?”
“Sensei, I’ll chase after him too!”
Two children chased after Mick and flew out of the room.
Cordelia had been delayed because she had her eyes glued on the scene, but she immediately ran to the entrance of the classroom where she had collided with the director, who had come because she had heard the commotion. Although they were both surprised, the director smiled and put her hands gently on Cordelia’s shoulder.
“You must have been surprised. I’m sorry. It was a bit choppy, but I heard what had happened.”
“Hmm…”
“It would put my mind at ease if he stays in the village after dashing out of here, but I’m worried that he will enter the forest, so I’ll go after him. Mick goes into the forest sometimes, even if I tell him he can’t, and he doesn’t come back until he’s hungry. It only happens sometimes, so don’t worry.”
She said as she called out to the Witch, who was outside.
“Green, I’ll leave this place to you. I’ll be going after him.”
“Ok. Be careful.”
Is it true that he only enters the forest sometimes?
The Witch responded without being particularly surprised, “Quickly chase after him.”
However, Cordelia watched their exchanged and couldn’t determine whether it was alright to leave it to the director.
(I may have said too much.)
I hadn’t said anything wrong, but is it okay to leave this to others when I was the cause? However, the Witch saw the director off and smiled at Cordelia.
“It’s fine, Dilly-chan. It’s dangerous if he goes too deep into the forest… but, as the director said, Mick often goes into the forest.”
Still, Cordelia couldn’t agree.
The Witch, who saw how Cordelia was acting, approached her and quietly whispered in her ear.
“You may be worried, but some children are anxious because of the commotion. And the director understands that child very well. It’s okay.”
The Witch placed both hands on Cordelia’s shoulders and turned her around.
“It’s okay, Dilly-chan. Mick knows the forest the best out of all these children. Now, good luck with your class.”
Cordelia had a bad feeling for some reason.
She turned her head to look at Ronnie, but he shook his head because he knew what she wanted to say.
Cordelia saw that he was moving his mouth even though he wasn’t speaking, ‘You can’t go because you’ll be chasing him into the mountains’.
Ronnie was here as 『Ojou-sama’s Escort』, so what he said was reasonable. That was the most important matter to him, and if he were to go against it, then it wouldn’t be from Cordelia’s orders.
(I hope I’m just worrying for no reason.)
She thought, as she returned to the classroom again.
The children were like, “Did Mick go into the forest again?” and, “He’s mischievous, so Sensei always tells him that he can’t enter the forest.”
“But Mick’s been in a bad mood lately.”
“He really has. He always does things that he’s told not to.”
“But I kinda understand why he does those things when he gets told not to.”
“Argh, why would you say that…? Don’t copy him, Lana and Tina.”
The shocked child then urged Cordelia to resume class, “Dilly-chan, it’s about time to start.” Cordelia closed the door while feeling extremely reluctant to.
Then, Cordelia let them take a break and finished the rest of the class.
She had looked outside during the break, but there were still no signs of the director or Mick. It was quiet out, but that had made Cordelia uneasy instead. However, even though she couldn’t calm down, she was able to finish the class without any difficulty, since she had prepared well and because the children were focused on her class.
After she had finished teaching, Cordelia had the children clean the blackboard and quickly left the room.
“Sensei, has Mick returned?”
“Not yet. But they should be back soon.”
The Witch answered Cordelia, who had asked that question straight away, while frowning. Cordelia heard the doors open almost at the same time as she listened to the answer. It was the director and two small shadows. However, Mick wasn’t here.
“Green, has Mick come back yet?”
“No, not yet.”
“I see… I thought we had just missed each other…”
Even though she said that, the director pushed the children’s back and reassured them, “Go help with dinner.”
“I’m going to look for him again. I still have some other places I want to look… Green, I’m sorry, but could you look after the children for a little while longer?”
“Of course, I don’t mind… but I wonder if Mick is lost in the forest. Should I ask the villagers to help?”
“Yes. I don’t want to make a big deal out of this, but it gets dark straight away when the sun starts to set. I’ll go ask the chief.”
The director said, before leaving to search for him right away.
(Monsters rarely appear in that forest, so there’s hardly any danger…)
But wild animals such as stray dogs may show up, and he wouldn’t be able to see his own feet once it gets dark. If that does happen, then there’s a high likelihood that I would get blamed.
(I can’t say that the forest is safe even if monsters don’t show up.)
From the uproar, it might be the prolongation of 『quite often』. However, I haven’t been able to settle down since daytime, and I’m becoming more restless as the sun sets.
(This might be too much of a leap, but I might be here because of something from my previous life; even though I don’t remember.)
I don’t know why I was born into this world with my memory intact. Still, I might be here because my previous life ended, for some reason.
I can’t leave Mick alone, given that something unexpected might have happened.
“Ronnie, we’re going too.”
Cordelia said, and Ronnie answered briefly.
“It’s the forest.”
“That’s why we’re going. It’s dangerous for children.”
“Dilly, you’re also a kid, and I’m worried that you’ll get lost in an unfamiliar forest… Well, we have no choice; but only if you don’t pass me.”
Ronnie accepted Cordelia’s proposal while scratching his head. He compromised because he would still be doing his job if he didn’t leave her side.
However, it was the Witch who was surprised.
“You’d better stop. The return coach will be here soon. I’ll be staying the night, but your family will get worried if you don’t go home, right, Dilly-chan?”
“I’ll make arrangements for my return. But we have to find Mick as soon as possible.”
It will probably be a serious matter if I go home late without contacting home. Then, I’ll also be causing trouble for the poorhouse.
Cordelia tried to write a message. How much do I have to pay to get the coachman to deliver this to my house?
“Ah, Dilly. I’ll write that.”
Ronnie said, as he received the pen from Cordelia and quickly wrote the gist of what was happening.
Cordelia questioned the Witch while waiting for him to finish.
“Sensei, I want to confirm this again. Mick-kun often goes to the forest, doesn’t he?”
“Yes. Monsters don’t show up there, so it’s perfect for exploring. But there are a lot of places with bad footing, so Mick gets scolded a lot for going there. But that’s why he knows the forest just as much as the director… no, he knows the forest better than anyone.”
Then, he won’t be lost. It’s hard for me to think that he got lost since it was already time for him to go home and it’s getting darker outside.
“The coach is nearly here.”
“Okay. Let’s go.”
Cordelia left the poorhouse with Ronnie, who had skilfully folded the letter.
The Witch stopped them, “Wait.”
“If you have to go… if you’re going, then I won’t stop you. There’s a gap in the hedge at the entrance of the village, please go to the forest through there. But… don’t overdo it. It will be a disaster if you two get lost.”
“Yes, I promise. Then, I’ll be off.”
Cordelia responded with a grin.
Cordelia and Ronnie headed to the coach when they left the poorhouse.
“We’re departing now~.”
Ronnie slowly replied to that laid-back voice.
“I want to confirm this, but this coach is ending at the royal capital today?”
“Yeah, it’s alcohol time once this trip finishes. Do you want to drink too, bro?”
“No… I want to ask you a favour. Could you deliver this letter to someone named Hans at this address and say it’s from Ronnie? And, it might not be much, but please use this to buy snacks with your drinks.”
“Is that… alright?”
“Yes.”
“Alright, looks like I’ll get to drink good alcohol tonight. So, are you guys not boarding?”
“No. Not this time.”
“Then, I’m off. Bye.”
The carriage left after that exchange. Cordelia and Ronnie turned away from the carriage while listening to the sounds of the wheel turning and headed towards the forest.
They immediately found the gap in the hedge that Mick had probably entered the forest from.
Ronnie asked Cordelia as soon as they entered the forest.
“Ojou-sama, how are you going to find a kid who someone familiar with this forest couldn’t?”
“I might find something strange because I’ve never been here before.”
“That’s a cliché used by amateurs, isn’t it?”
“You’re very pessimistic. Or rather, it’s rare for you not to be confident.”
She looked at Ronnie, who had spoken in monotone, and saw that he had waved his hand lightly to create light. That light acted as a lamp.
(… Ronnie really is a good magician. He doesn’t even need tools.)
Cordelia also had a magic tool that resembled a small flashlight for when she went out, but the light Ronnie had created was much brighter. However, magic like that was trivial to Ronnie. He slowly let out a long sigh.
“My brother, who is two years older than me, would often run out of the house when he was Mick’s age. I also helped look for him. But we never found him until he came out… but he knew everything we did. That’s why I’m sure that that kid found a good place to hide and is watching us.”
“I would feel relieved if he is watching us. Because then he won’t be hurt.”
“Well, this is a forest. Let’s quickly find him and get out of here.”
The forest was thicker than she thought it would be. They could occasionally hear the sounds of insects too. There was a forked road along the way, but one side had a spider web in a relatively low position, so they didn’t hesitate to choose their path.
(There’s a lot of places for a child to hide.)
She looked around the vicinity so that she wouldn’t overlook small areas and let out a loud voice which she usually wouldn’t use.
“Mick-kuun. Mick-kuun!”
However, not even her voice echoed back at them.
Ronnie approached and parted the grass every time he found a thicket, but he couldn’t find any human traces. Should I be pleased that there aren’t any traces of Mick going off the main road, or should I be worried that we can’t find any traces of him?
“Let’s go a little further.”
“… Okay.”
I want to quickly get some kind of response ――― she wished, as she continued to carefully observe her surroundings while they progressed further. Ronnie muttered while they were searching for Mick.
“At any rate, I was surprised when you said you were going to teach, Ojou-sama. However, it’s even more surprising that Master gave you permission to.”
Cordelia tilted her head when Ronnie suddenly brought up the topic. Why not? But she wanted to answer him, since he was helping her.
“Is it that strange?”
“Definitely. However, I’m sure normal noble ladies wouldn’t be able to put up with it if Mick lunged at them. Ah, I don’t think you’re normal.”
“… Say, Ronnie. Why do you think Mick-kun hates me?”
Like the director had said, one of the reasons is because he wasn’t good with interacting with people. But I don’t think that’s all. Mick-kun doesn’t talk to Vernoux-sama or Gille-sama, and he doesn’t attack them at all. Even though there was the thing with the muffin, the difference in our treatments is too different.
“Why do you think he hates you, Ojou-sama?”
“… I can only imagine that he thinks of me as unpleasant.”
I understand that he might think of this as a rich person’s sympathy and pastime, since he had said 『if you want to play around』. Of course, I have no intentions of playing around, but I already know that those thoughts don’t matter.
(At the time of the fake Flora Silk incident, there was a disparity in wealth since he thought that his sister’s illness could be cured with money.)
Ted’s incident was different from the truth, but this could be similar to what had happened to him. If Mick-kun lost his parents to illness… then this violent reaction against Cordelia might be stronger.
But, in the end, she couldn’t know what he was thinking just from hypothesising about it.
But Ronnie chuckled when he heard Cordelia’s response.
“… Why are you laughing?”
“No, well, isn’t it just that? Hating and unpleasantness aren’t that much different.”
“…”
Now that he mentions it, it certainly does seem like just another way to phrase it.
In any case, the answer which she wanted to hear from Ronnie wasn’t that, so she gave a long sigh. Ronnie shrugged.
“Ojou-sama, you’re becoming very impatient.”
“… Yeah. A lot of things come to mind, but they don’t come together.”
“Well, it’s charming from my point of view.”
“Charming?”
Where? Cordelia got a little irritated as she looked at Ronnie. In contrast, he looked a little happy.
“Because you don’t give up easily, do you? It’s charming to see who will persist between you and him. However, the current situation was beyond my expectations. Let’s look over there next.”
Ronnie stiffened his expression as he said that and pointed to the right side of a forked road. The road on the left was filled with decaying trees and was hard to pass through.
“… Ronnie, you have quite bad taste.”
“Huh? For choosing roads? It’s normal, isn’t it?”
“Not that. When you said, it was fun to see who will persist… Wait. Say, can’t someone go through here?”
Cordelia stopped, bent over and looked at the tunnel which was made from shrubs. The shrubs went quite deep, and even Ronnie couldn’t guess where the exit was.
“The entrance is a bit small, but it seems a bit easier to move once inside, since it looks like it gets wider.”
“You’re right… But that’s only if it was a kid. It would be quite tough for someone of my physique to crawl through there.”
“Then, shall I go? I’ll come back right away if he’s not there.”
“No, it’ll also be tough for you to crawl through it.”
“It’s more important for us to find out if Mick-kun went in here than to worry about my condition.”
I couldn’t do this in a dress, but it should be okay if my current clothes get damaged or dirty. It’ll be okay if I mend them.
But in contrast to Cordelia’s enthusiasm, Ronnie sighed.
“Well, it would indeed be hard for the director to pass through here with a skirt, and she probably wouldn’t search here. I wonder if I can pass through… if I take off my robe and crawl.”
Ronnie took off his robe, hung it on a tree and lightly turned his arms. Afterwards, he took a breath in determination and put his knees to the ground. He wasn’t going to let her go by herself, even if he was close by.
“Then, I’ll go first… ouch, it hurts! A twig poked me. Wah, it might be stuck on my clothes. Oh, it would be very unpleasant if you get a wound on your face, so be careful. There are also twigs on the ground, so don’t hurt your hands.”
“Thanks. I’m fine for now.”
She could guess that Ronnie was occasionally breaking branches with his magic from the sounds she heard and the speed they were moving at. Unlike Ronnie, who was crawling, Cordelia was on all fours.
(I can pass through here like this, so it’s definitely easier for Mick-kun to go through here.)
She thought, as they proceeded, and Ronnie eventually spoke in liberation.
“Yay, I can see the end.”
They crawled out of the tunnel and Ronnie stretched his back.
“Alright, I can walk now! But it’s already dark here. Do you think he’s here?”
“I think it would be great if we found him.”
“But, if he really is here, then it would be pointless to search for him elsewhere. I think we were over there. You can’t see this place well from there.”
Ronnie looked over at the direction beyond the shrubs, just like the ones they had seen before they had entered the tunnel. But the robe that Ronnie had hung up was nowhere to be seen.
Cordelia slowly observed the area.
There was relatively tall grass growing around there, and there were brightly coloured flowers blooming everywhere. She also saw some plants with warm coloured leaves growing in the middle. This place would probably look more colourful and beautiful in the daytime.
(The plants before and after the tunnel are quite different.)
Sure, we spent some time in the tunnel, but I never dreamt that the plants would change this much. It might not be that weird for different plants to grow at this distance.
Is this also the influence of magic on the land…? She thought up until there, and a tree, which looked easy to climb, caught her eye.
“That tree looks like it’s been broken. And it looks fresh.”
“You see quite well in the dark.”
“I can’t see it clearly. But the tree’s magic looks broken.”
“Let’s get a little closer.”
Cordelia approached the tree with Ronnie. They saw a slightly thick branch on the ground. That was proof that the branch had been broken with unreasonable force.
“Somehow, it feels like a kid fell and broke the branch.”
“It does. And if he did fall from that height, then he may be hurt.”
“There’s a spring over there. I can feel strong water magic.”
“Let’s go look.”
We have to find him quickly if he is injured… Cordelia thought, as she jogged towards the spring.
However, there was no one at the spring. However, there was a wet child-sized top drying beside the spring, on a rock.
“He’s a bit further back.”
Cordelia took a deep breath when Ronnie tried to go further.
“Mick-kuun! You’re here, aren’t you?!”
She screamed with all her might, and her voice echoed back.
Her voice was so loud that it made Ronnie freeze, and the birds, who were resting nearby, fluttered away.
Cordelia, however, didn’t miss the noise of the thicket swaying in front of her. She quickly ran into the depths of the thicket.
Mick, who was half-naked, was sitting there.
“W-why are you here?!”
“I should ask you that. Why are you here, Mick-kun? And why are you dressed like that? You could catch a cold or get bitten by insects.”
“St-stay away from me!”
Mick moved back while still sitting to distance himself from Cordelia, but he soon hit the thicket and couldn’t distance himself any further.
“Why did you come here?”
“To look for you. It’s dangerous at night even if you’re familiar with the forest.”
“It’s none of your business. Why you…?”
“You are certainly none of my business, but everyone in the poorhouse and the village are worried about you. Let’s quickly go back.”
“…”
Mick closed his mouth. He thought of something when she’d said, everyone. Cordelia leaned over to his side. She looked over his whole body, and her eyes stopped on his left leg.
“You’re hurt after all. You have to get this treated as soon as possible…”
She couldn’t see any dirt in his wound, so he must have washed it in the spring. However, he had a bruise and traces of blood on him. The trails showed that he had grazed a large area even though he may have washed it off.
(His bone might be cracked)
I have to get him back quickly or else… She thought, as she tried to call Ronnie, but then she was suddenly shocked.
“I don’t want to go back with you!”
“Eh?!”
Cordelia was suddenly pushed back, and she fell on her backside. Despite that, she got up as soon as she saw that Mick was about to run away and chased after him. Luckily or unluckily, Mick’s leg was wounded, so he was slow.
She quickly caught up to him and grabbed his arm. However, Mick didn’t obediently let her catch him.
“Let go!”
“Ah!”
Mick’s swing was stronger than she had thought it would be, and she let him go. Her balance also broke at the same time. The ground and Mick’s feet were reflected in her eyes.
But that was when she realised.
Mick’s injured left leg was floating in the air, and the ground came to an end.
This was a cliff.
(He’s going to fall…!)
The moment she understood this, Cordelia stepped forward with all her might and extended her right hand towards Mick’s arm. I managed to grab his wrist… She put her hand into her left pocket as she thought that.
Mick finally realised that his left foot was no longer on the ground. He gulped and widened his eyes. To her surprise, Mick didn’t brush off her hand, or he didn’t plant himself on the ground with his right foot.
Mick’s weight wasn’t light enough for Cordelia to pull. Shortly after, she was dragged along by Mick and also floated in the air.
She heard him scream, but she had no time for him.
She quickly pulled her hand out from her left pocket and channelled her magic into the seed she had taken out.
(Make it in time…!)
That was her only wish as she threw the seed directly below them.
Cordelia and Mick were diving onto a thick grass cushion. The unripe smell of the leaves reached her nose.
“… I made it on time.”
I had a second and little more to spare. I felt a strong wind resistance, as we were falling, so Ronnie may have used some kind of magic to help us. So, I had about two seconds? She thought as she looked up at the cliff from where they’d fallen. It looked to be the same height as falling from a second floor.
“Ojou-sama!”
“I’m fine, Ronnie! I’m not hurt.”
I can’t actually check, so I’m probably not.
She added in her mind as she narrowed her eyes. Ronnie had a light, so his surroundings were bright, but she could only see his pitch-black silhouette because he was backlit. However, she could guess his complexion by the tone of his voice.
“I’m angry too! Wait there for me and don’t move. I’ll go down when I’m ready!”
He sounded worried instead of angry. Ronnie looked at the cliff and pulled his face back.
(When he’s ready? What does he need to get ready?)
I wonder if we should do something here as well, while we wait… She thought, but her body felt heavy, so she didn’t ask. She laid down on the grass, with bad manners, and thought, is this sluggishness the result of me channelling all my magic?
“Mick-kun, are you hurt anywhere else besides your leg?”
“Ah, no. Are you ok?”
“I’m not hurt.”
It was troublesome to move even a finger, even though she could speak. But she didn’t feel any pain from being injured. It wasn’t impossible for her to move her body, just because it was troublesome, but she was exhausted from feeling relieved and didn’t feel like moving at all.
(… But I can’t let Mick-kun get anxious because of the dark.)
Cordelia thought, as she took out her flashlight magic tool. It was small, so she could light it somehow, even though her magic had almost been exhausted.
“Your hair looks horrible. It’s stuck.”
“I see.”
Mick reported the situation to her when she lit the flashlight. She couldn’t see it herself, but she was somewhat aware that he was right. But it would be nice if I don’t have to cut it short, she thought, but still didn’t move.
Mick sighed and bent down next to Cordelia’s head. Then, she heard the sound of leaves rustling.
“Oh my, are you removing them for me?”
“…”
“Thanks.”
“…”
Mick didn’t say anything, but that was probably the answer. She moved her heavy neck a little and looked at him.
“Mick-kun, you said you weren’t injured anywhere else, but you have a wound on your body. Did you get stabbed by a twig? Or were you cut?”
He may have been unharmed had he been dressed, but there is a small injury on his body.
“It won’t go into this wound.”
“Yes, but you have to disinfect it when you get back. And you have to get your left leg examined.”
“…”
His silence this time was accompanied by a disgusted expression.
Cordelia resisted the urge to spurt out and turned her head back, so she was facing upwards. She slowly closed her eyes as she looked up at the starry night sky…
“Don’t close your eyes!”
She opened her eyes when she heard Mick’s loud voice.
“Huh?”
“I don’t like it. You made me remember something unpleasant because you’re pale.”
Is he talking about the colour of my skin? It may look that way from the light, but Mick also looks pale to me. However, she thought a little on the word 『unpleasant』and was able to come to an educated guess on what that was referring to. So, she didn’t close her eyes.
“… Why did you jump out?”
Mick’s small voice reached Cordelia’s ears between the sounds of the insects and the sound of leaves rustling.
“Why…? It would be weird to watch someone fall. So, I jumped out, and it would have been fine if I could pull you back.”
“There’s no reason for you to save me!”
“Is it not enough that I just wanted to save you?”
Cordelia muttered as she looked up at the sky and she heard him suck his breath in. Cordelia continued.
“You don’t have to worry. I don’t plan on dying. And Mick-kun, you may hate me, but I don’t know you well enough to hate you.”
“I don’t get what you mean.”
“Then, shall we talk until you understand?”
“… You’re definitely an oddball.”
“I don’t think I am, but my friends do tell me I’m weird sometimes.”
“I’m not your friend!”
“Oh my, that’s too bad.”
Cordelia slowly moved her neck as she laughed at Mick’s sudden flustered tone. There weren’t any more sounds of the leaves rustling. But Mick, who was next to Cordelia, sat down and turned away. But he didn’t look like he was going to run off.
“What’s wrong?”
“… Are you a magician?”
“It’s not that big of a deal, but I can use a little bit of magic.”
“… I don’t mind listening to stories about magic.”
“Puf.”
“What!?”
“Nothing.”
I can think of many things, but Mick will get angry no matter what I say… No, he might already be mad. However, he probably won’t run away anymore.
“Oh yes, I said a little too much during class. I’m sorry.”
“… You don’t have to apologise.”
“Well, then… Do you need to apologise to Toto-chan?”
“I know!”
Cordelia was relieved to see that Mick didn’t refuse, even though he had been a little rude. She was relieved that Mick knew that and that he had told her that she hadn’t been wrong.
Then, they heard the sound of the ground being disturbed while they were talking. Cordelia slowly turned her head towards the sound and Ronnie was standing there while pressing his temple.
“Jeez, I’m glad you’re having fun, but I wish you would understand how I feel.”
“I’ve caused you trouble, haven’t I? Thanks.”
Ronnie used a nearby vine and made an impromptu rope with it. He had tied the vine to a tree on the cliff. The vine was thick and braided, and she could strongly feel Ronnie’s magic from the vines. He had used his magic to make the vines stronger.
“Uh… Mick, can you climb up the cliff while holding this? You can grab onto my back if your leg is hurt and you can’t climb.”
Ronnie said, as he leaned down. But Mick shook his head and looked at Cordelia.
“I can do that… but she’s…”
“Oh, it’s fine. Don’t worry. Nothing horrible will happen to you if you leave us and go home.”
“Then, I’ll climb.”
Mick grabbed the rope and slowly climbed up the cliff. Cordelia watched in suspense as she wondered whether his leg hurt.
Ronnie muttered when Mick got half-way up the cliff.
“I’m a little angry.”
“I’m sorry, I know. But I didn’t have any time to tell you.”
“I guessed as much… Well, get up for now and climb onto my back. Please bear with the sweat smell.”
Cordelia somehow got up slowly when Ronnie told her that. But she couldn’t get on his back right away. It wasn’t because she was hesitant to ride on someone’s back, but she just didn’t have any energy to do so.
Ronnie seemed to have understood that by the way she was acting and didn’t pamper her.
“Please do your best to get on. It’s impossible for me to carry you in a princess hold.”
“…”
Of course, it’s impossible, she thought as she adjusted her breathing and slowly got onto Ronnie’s back. Ronnie held the rope with both hands, so he couldn’t support her. Therefore, she clung to him, and Ronnie’s face turned pale.
“Gah, you’re strangling me! Ojou-sama, put your hands somewhere else!”
Cordelia felt bad for Ronnie, who looked to be in a lot of pain, but she was desperate. She didn’t know how to make it better. Therefore, Ronnie eventually created a gentle breeze with his magic and supported Cordelia while climbing up the cliff.
On the cliff, Mick was tense, as he waited for the two to climb up.
Cordelia looked at Mick’s leg. She could see it better than before, thanks to Ronnie’s light, and it looked painful.
“Ronnie, could you carry Mick-kun?”
“Well, I can. But then, how are you planning to walk Ojo… ah, sorry, Dilly?”
“With willpower?”
Of course, that reason wasn’t enough for him to agree. Ronnie looked at her in amazement, but she couldn’t back down now that she’d seen Mick’s injury. So, she made up her mind and got down to stand, but her legs were trembling.
“It doesn’t seem like you can walk.”
It was a bluff, but it wasn’t impossible. Ronnie sighed for the millionth time today when he looked at Cordelia.
“… Just for today.”
Ronnie muttered a chant and lifted Cordelia with his right hand and Mick with his left. At the same time, Cordelia felt wind pushing her up. I don’t think Ronnie is that strong. So, he probably used the same wind magic as the one I felt earlier.
“Thanks, Ronnie.”
“Yeah, yeah. But, I’m taking the day off tomorrow. My muscles seem like they’ll ache.”
Then, he collected Mick’s top, which had been left on the side of the spring, and went back down the road they had come here through. Ronnie questioned Mick when they were close to the tunnel entrance.
“Say, did you come through here, Mick?”
It also sounded as if he was worried about how to pass through the tunnel. He certainly couldn’t bend over while still holding onto us.
But Mick answered quickly.
“I came here through there. I came through the grass over there.”
Mick pointed to what looked like a dead-end to Cordelia. Ronnie parted the grass with his feet, and another wall of grass appeared before them. It happened several times and was actually somewhere you could walk through.
“… I’m surprised you went through here.”
“Am I amazing?”
“Yeah, you’re an evil brat. However, I’m glad that we can pass through here without going through the tunnel. I was wondering what I should do since I can’t carry you both while crawling through the scrubs. At least it would be easier for me if Dilly walked.”
Ronnie’s words were attacking her for jumping off the cliff rather than her current situation.
Cordelia obediently apologised because she knew that she had worried him.
“I know I did something wrong and I’m sorry.”
“Obviously. Well, I knew that you would have been alright, but it’s bad for my heart.”
Mick’s dissatisfied voice interrupted.
“She didn’t really do anything wrong.”
He had spoken fast, but he also sounded grumpy. Ronnie widened his eyes.
“You’ve become friendly enough to cover for her.”
“I… I’m not covering for her!”
“No well… It doesn’t matter to me.”
Ronnie didn’t say anything else because he thought it was better to not question Mick. However, he looked like he was having fun, even though he said it didn’t matter. But Mick didn’t realise that because he was glaring at the ground.
The road that Mick had taken was a rather steep road with a rock that they had to climb up, but the roots of the tree made a stairway. Ronnie said in amazement, every time they came across an obstacle, “I’m surprised you went through here,” and Mick looked proud.
They finally got out of the forest when Ronnie’s breathing got rougher. They arrived at the back of a hut where farm equipment was kept, near the poorhouse. Part of the fence was broken.
“… Did you go into the forest through here?”
“Yeah. I can climb over it if the fence isn’t broken, but it makes you want to go if it’s broken, right?”
“There’s a fence there so that you don’t go through, so you can’t.”
Cordelia retorted the proud Mick and the three visited the chief’s house, which was located in front of the poorhouse, first. The director had said that she was going there before Cordelia and Ronnie went into the forest, so that was probably their base for their search for Mick.
The chief’s house looked long and was built a little larger than the other houses. The chief was extremely surprised by their sudden appearance.
“This… I’m sorry guests. Mick, you apologise too.”
“I already did.”
“Chief, Mick injured his leg. Can you take care of him?”
Cordelia didn’t remember Mick apologising, but Mick, who had turned away, needed treatment first. However, the action which the chief took when he’d heard that was to hit Mick’s head with his fist.
“That’s why I always told you that! You’re too naughty!”
“Ouch!”
“Guests, I’m sorry, but I’m going to take Mick back to the poorhouse and get him treatment. I also have to tell the villagers that we’ve found him. Could you wait here?”
The chief said as he pulled Mick’s arm and put him on his back. Mick was still holding a hand to his head, but he closed the door when the mayor went outside and looked back at Cordelia and Ronnie.
“… Thanks.”
The word that he had spoken while looking sulky and embarrassed seemed to have vanished, but Cordelia had heard it clearly.
The chief returned shortly after.
“The Witch is treating him. It seems like his bones are fine.”
“Were the children at the poorhouse worried?”
“No, none of them were. They were all saying, 『Mick wouldn’t get lost in the forest, he probably just overslept』. So, Mick also acted as if he had.”
“I see.”
“Well, for the time being, you could say that Mick overslept.”
The chief joked a little, but he immediately returned to his calm manner.
“Thanks, guests. I was surprised to see that Mick warmed up to you two. He was abandoned by his dad after his mum passed away. So he’s timid about uncertain connections because of those circumstances… Did you already know about that?”
Cordelia remembered what the director had said as she listened to the chief.
『He’s keeping his distance because he’s a bit sensitive to separation. He’s afraid of suddenly not being able to see someone again, so he keeps people away.』
If that’s because he had been abandoned, then it’s difficult for me to put my thoughts into words. On the other hand, I also feel like our connection isn’t uncertain.
“Of course, we’re already friends.”
“I see. That’s promising. Anyway, do you like tea, Ojou-san?”
“Yes.”
“Then, I’ll go make some. Of course, I’ll make some for you Onii-san too.”
Cordelia watched as the chief laughed and withdrew to the back before slowly approaching the window. Her legs still felt paralysed, but she felt a little better.
She looked at her reflection through the glass. She had a few scratches, but they had already stopped bleeding. Luckily, she could cover them up with her hair, so it wasn’t a problem.
Now, all we have to do is go back to the royal capital… She remembered about the Witch when she thought that.
“Say, Ronnie. Can you go ask Sensei if she wants to come back to the royal capital with us? I think we can send her back.”
“I’ll go ask her.”
Ronnie nodded to Cordelia and was about to go to the poorhouse, but he turned back and looked at her.
“Ojou-sama, you can’t leave here.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t move.”
“It would be nice if you were someone who would make me feel relieved.”
Ronnie said. He probably thought that nothing else would happen to worry him. He reminded her again before walking to where the Witch was at a quick pace.
“Oh? Did your Onii-san go outside?”
“Yes.”
“I hope he gets back before it gets cold.”
The chief came back with tea not long after Ronnie had left. The tea that he had prepared was very warm. She stared outside while drinking her tea as she waited for Ronnie to return. Today will end once the carriage comes to pick us up. She relaxed more once she thought that.
Therefore, she couldn’t imagine that she would feel nervous again in the next second.
“Excuse me for visiting you at night.”
Cordelia understood straight away that this voice was directed at her.
However, she also thought, no way. There weren’t many people who had a low voice that she was used to hearing.
“Don’t tell me…?”
There’s no way I misheard it. But it was hard to believe it when he’s here so suddenly.
But she couldn’t think of it as a mistake when she saw him.
“O-otou-sama…”
She had asked someone from home to pick her up, but she couldn’t have imagined that Elvis, the Earl, would come in person. _ _
