CH 181

Chapter 181

When Peaceful Times Cease To Exist : Each Choice, Part 3 — Stray Child

Translated by KaiesV

Edited by KaiesV

＊＊＊

After Alfiris and her group made the transition, they all checked their surroundings and Aerial was the first to discover the town.

「It’s small, but we have the town.」

「I believe Fair said we’re in a town called Febran or something like that. Let’s do a little shopping there and meet up with the North Road by the end of the day. Once we get to the main roads, even Lifeless won’t be able to set us off easily.」

「I hope you’re right…」

Alfiris looks worried. Is Lifeless really such an easy opponent? She couldn’t get rid of this anxiety.

「（Would someone who blows up hundreds of thousands of people for his own experiments care about such things? But it seems that taking the North Road is the fastest way to Arnelia anyway, so I guess we have no choice. I hope we can get away with it.）」

「For now, there is no sign of Lifeless in the surrounding area. At least within a one-kilometer radius.」

「1km? Lisa, are you that much more understanding now??」

「Yes, I am surprised at myself, but it seems that Lisa’s abilities have improved considerably. If I can narrow it down to a straight line, I can even see the town from here.」

「Wow…」

Aerial is impressed. Although it may still be quite a distance to the town, the training with Phalanx had greatly enhanced Lisa’s overall performance.

「It’s been a long time since I’ve been out on the prairie, and my sensor capabilities are in great shape.」

「Come to think of it, isn’t this the first time Aerial have been out on the prairie?」

「Right, so this is out on the prairie.」

Aerial looks around with deep emotion. But this place isn’t far from the swamp, so it’s not much different from the grasslands yet. Breathing in that air with her chest full of air, Aerial makes her eyes water.

「It’s still like the prairie, right?」

「No, it’s already very different from the prairie. There’s less Wind Spirits, less Wind smells, less Wind tastes.」

「That much different?」

「Oh, it’s something else entirely. I have chosen this…」

Suddenly Aerial looks at Alfiris. Her eyes were moist with tears and a little glazed over, so for some reason Alfiris was embarrassed and looked away a little. Lisa noticed this and quickly added a hint of sarcasm.

「What’s with your reaction, like a lover at the beginning of a relationship?」

「S–Shut up! Leave us alone!」

「Well, in a way it may be true.」

「Hey, Aery?」

「Hahaha.」

Aerial smiles wryly. The smile was radiant, and no hesitation or regret could already be felt.

「But it’s weird to call Alfiris my sister.」

「I’m fine with the way things have been.」

「It’s all very exciting, but it’s time to go.」

Nia urges everyone to follow her. Everyone follows her and starts walking. Suddenly, Alfiris notices Nia. She doesn’t say a word about Kazas. They are sure she is deeply worried about him.

「Nia, about Kazas…」

「You don’t have to tell me now. I’m sure he’s alive. He’s not going to die in that place.」

「But you’re worried, aren’t you?」

「That, of course, but Alfie wouldn’t know that, would you? Kazas told me many dreams in front of me. He said he wanted to try his hand at all the mysteries of the world. He could talk about it all night long if he was left alone. People with such passion don’t die so easily. So I’m sure Fenna is alive too.」

「I see. Then I won’t mention it anymore.」

Miranda also comes in to join the conversation when Alfiris envies that Nia and Kazas already have a strong relationship of trust.

「Well, if anything should happen, Kikyō will contact me. I’ve made arrangements for that, and I’ve told them to turn to the Church of Arnelia if anything should happen. So those two will be fine.」

「I owe you, Miranda.」

「It’s all good. I’d like to hear more about Lanna.」

Miranda turns to Lanna, who is walking at the end of the line. She is walking slowly, following behind her very quietly. Lanna looks up.

「About, me?」

「Yes, about you Lanna. Since we’re going to be traveling together, I thought we should talk about a lot of things.」

「Like what?」

「Like, why did you stay with Fair?」

Miranda’s question caused Lanna to look down somewhat, and Miranda wondered if she had asked the wrong question.

「Ah, no. You don’t have to talk about what you don’t want to talk about. I’m not forcing you to spill it.」

「Oh, I’m sorry. I have a habit of turning over when I think. Actually, my mother is a banshee.」

「A banshee?」

Many tilted their heads at the unfamiliar word. Only Miranda and Euthy seemed to have an idea.

「Banshees, as I recall, are a household of Dark Spirits, right?」

「Yes, she was. My mother is that banshee.」

「But banshees don’t usually go out in public, do they? I’ve heard that they live in small groups in the woods or something, unnoticed.」

Lanna nods to Euthy’s words.

「Normally, yes. But my mother’s banshee family is a little different, with a little bit of succubus’ blood in it.」

「Succubus?」

「Are they the kind where they seduce a man and then attack him?」

「It’s embarrassing to say, but…」

Lanna’s cheeks are stained. The gesture made them all feel strangely nervous. I see, it makes sense. They all thought she looked strangely sexy, even though she still had the face and figure of a young girl and was dressed in a black robe. When Lanna reaches the age of strangeness, they’re sure she will be in great demand. No wonder Fairtuse hid her face from the world.

「My mother’s clan is recognized as one by seducing the opposite sex, both male and female. That is the rite of coming of age, they say. However, my mother said herself that she wasn’t ready for a banshee. She didn’t have the guts to seduce a man, and when she was crying on the side of the road, my father comforted her and made her fall in love with him.」

「Well… good for the outcome…」

Miranda gives her thoughts in a very muffled tone. It’s the kind of story a bard would love, if only for the crap.

「However, my mother really fell in love with my father, and soon after, she was pregnant with me. The family found out and my mother was banished. My father was also chased out of the human town for having a monster for a wife. And then I was born. After all, my mother was a banshee with the blood of a succubus. Both of my parents were tired of being on the run, as men were constantly falling for my mother even if she did nothing, and we couldn’t stay in one town for long if our true identity was discovered. My parents didn’t want me to live like this again, so they came to Fairtuse-sama for advice.」

「So Fair kept you. Then your parents are…」

「They must be alive and well. They’re probably still traveling somewhere. I’ve received a few letters from them.」

「I see… then,」

「Yes, I thought that if I traveled, I might hear rumors of my father and mother. I’m actually looking forward to that too.」

Lanna smiles. Her smile, like a small white Lucca flower blooming on the side of the road, brightened up the surroundings.

「I hope you get to meet your parents.」

「Yes.」

The feeling was the same for all of them.

＊＊＊

In the meantime, the group arrives in Febran. Febran is off the main road and is a fairly small town. The population is probably less than 5,000. Still, Aerial was looking around, as if everything was unusual for her. She was curious about it all.

「Alfie, what is that thing?」

「They are dumplings made from crushed buta nuts. They are deep-fried and eaten. Typical of a street vendor.」

「What’s this then?」

「They sell books. Maybe some maps, maybe some city magazines, maybe some day books.」

「What’s that sparkling thing?」

「That’s a jewelry store.」

「What’s that, what’s that!?」

「…That’s probably just some bald guy.」

Aerial was like a child with endless curiosity, Alfiris gradually grew tired and her replies became more and more random. But Aerial was completely taken by the world that she was seeing for the first time and didn’t seem to see what was going on in Alfiris. With these two in the background, Miranda, Lisa, and Kaede share the responsibility of getting the necessities together.

「Miranda, what about food?」

「I’d like to get dinner when we get to the North Highway Town. Lisa, how far is it to there?」

「The townspeople told me it was about a 7 day walk. On the North Road, they say the closest town is Ramlissa.」

「Then we can ride the prairie horses and we won’t need a day. Let’s just fill up on lunch, water, and some extra preserves.」

「Roger.」

「So then, Miranda-sama, do you need a nightgown or anything else?」

「I don’t need it. Kaede will buy hay for horses. And water.」

「Understood.」

「It’s also the time to start taking care of the horses’ nails.」

「Oh, I see. Totally, there’s more to do than you might think.」

「But the sun is still high. It’s ridiculous to stay here.」

「I agree. And I feel like I need to get away from the swamp as soon as possible. I kind of miss civilization.」

「That I agree too.」

Nia giggles at Miranda’s disgust. And so the preparations for the trip proceeded. On the other hand, Alfiris was completely babysitting Aerial and Rana. Aerial was still pestering Alfiris with questions.

「Alfie, what’s that? What’s that?」

「Aery, can we take a break…?」

「Alfiris-san.」

Lanna pulls on her sleeve.

「What, even you Lanna?」

「No, it’s not that.」

In the middle of the street, a little girl was walking around, scurrying around. By the looks of it, she was no more than four years old. Her clothes are shabby, but she has beautiful pink hair and a unique coat of hair. Her hair is swirling, like a bird’s nest. It’s very frizzy. Apparently, her parents aren’t nearby.

「A stray child, I wonder?」

「I don’t know, what do you think? But it’s dangerous, right?」

「Yes. Let’s go check her out.」

Just as Alfiris is about to come by the child, the rest of the group returns.

「Huh, what’s wrong, Alfie?」

「No, the kid is…」

When Alfiris pointed her finger, the child also turned to Alfiris, as if she had also noticed. Then, she came running in a straight line, her face glowing. And the words that came out of her mouth were…

「Mama—!!」

「Ehhh…」

At that moment, Alfiris froze soundly, and everyone else rattled their bags and dropped them to the ground. Meanwhile, a pink-haired girl was slithering over to cling to Alfiris’ frozen body.