4-12. Departure 2 (2/2)
”Satou-san, your next destination must be either royal capital or duke-sama capital right?”
”No, I intend to go to the labyrinth city.”
”There are a lot of demi-human in labyrinth city, life will be easy there.”
Come to think of it, I haven't meet the most famous demi-human, the elves. I thought that Seryuu city should have them.
”That's right, I'd like to see the elves the most.”
Nadi-san is showing a subtle expression hearing my reply.
She looks at the back and calls the manager. It's the old man who were always sleeping.
”Manager~ please come here for a bit.”
The manager comes here while stroking his beard. He's much younger than I thought. He's a bit small and skinny, but he's a handsome man with a matching greenish black long hair.
The manager who got here doesn't say anyhing, Nadi-san lifts one side of his hair up. They're quite familiar.
Lookie lookie, she points her finger.
The manager's ear, the tip is a bit sharp. Is he demi-human too?
”Satou-san's reaction is too light.”
”I'm sorry, what's wrong with manager-san's ear?”」
Nadi-san is mad after hearing my answer.
”Mou~ What are you saying, I'm showing you the proof since you said that you want to see an elf.”
”Eh? He's an elf? I thought that elves' ears are longer though?”
Is he a half-elf?
The manager-san looks grumpy from my reply. He goes back to his position and resumes his nap.
Looks like I've offended him with my answer somehow.
”Mou~ manager! Just because you were mistaken with long-ears tribe (Booch), please don't immediately sulk!”
”What kind of tribe are long-ears tribe? It's said that elves has ears this long from my hometown?”
I make a motion to express long ears with my finger.
”What Satou-san said is a tribe among ears tribe called long ears tribe (Booch). They're taller than normal people in average, and their hair is blond instead of green. They have talent in magic and live as long as the elves. The saga empire first emperor was an ears tribe and was a king of the hero, so the tribe is considered to be sacred. They seldom ever goes out of Saga's empire, since they even have a sanctuary there, so they're rarely seen. However, they're hated by the elves and is called 『False Elf』.”
I see, let's not get it wrong next time.
I apologize to the manager for the rudeness. Since the manager answers by fluttering his hand while napping, I take that I'm forgiven.
◇
The next morning, we've finished having breakfast in the stalls. I have paid for the inn too.
Martha-chan said, ”Stay here next time too~” as a carefree farewell, I leave the inn by driving the wagon.
I thought that Zena-san will come to see me off, but she had an all nighter, she's probably still asleep. Let's send her a letter next time.
When we're departing I inadvertently see a white dot moving along the inner wall.
I greet the knight Soun at the gate entrance and leave the city. I'm troubling people if I wait here.
When I got a bit away from the gate, I hear, ”Wait~”, from behind.
Since I'd be a hindrance for the traffic here I go to an open space outside the gate and stop the wagon.
The traffice at the gate looks to be in disorder when I look at it. One horse is slipping out from there. I wave my hands from the top of the wagon.
”Satou-san!”
Zena-san is coming here on a horse while smoothing her hair which got disheveled by the wind. She's wearing a dress unsuitable for riding a horse. She wears different cosmetic than the usual.
”I'm glad that I made it!”
”Zena-san, I'm also glad that I got to meet you before I leave.”
It's good that I don't end up being ungrateful.
”You're going to the labyrinth city right? Please send me a letter when you've settled down. I will absolutely reply back!”
”Yes, I will wihout fail.”
I thought that she'd say that she wants to go together, but I'm glad that it's about letters.
”Pinky swear~”, Arisa shows her smirking face from the wagon while saying unnecessary words.
Zena-san bites it and vigorously asks for ”I want to pinky swear!”, I couldn't refuse and we pinky swear.
Doing it at this age, I'm a bit embarrassed.
I'll properly say farewell to Zena-san who stares at her bend little finger ecstatically.
”Then, let's meet again some other time! I will send you a letter for certain after I arrive at the labyrinth city.”
”Yes! I'm looking forward to the day I'm be able to see you again.”
It's good that it didn't become a sad farewell.
My reunion with her will happen faster than I thought, but I still don't know at this time.
Zena-san earnestly waves her hand until the knight Soun grabs her by the nape to the station.