Chapter 96 of 100

Chapter 96

6 min read1,618 words

"Why are you living outside the city? Isn't it more convenient for humans to live in the city?"

On the way from the capital to the house in the forest, Rona asked casually.

"I used to live in the city, but I had a bit of a problem. Now I live in a house I built in the forest."

"Could it be that you're being chased even here?"

"No, that's not the case... I hope. At least, there are children in the house who I don't want to be seen by others. That's why I avoid the city."

Just as he was about to assert that it wasn't the case, Aldis replied somewhat uncertainly.

"Hmm. Then should I drive away the one following us from behind?"

As usual, there was someone tailing Aldis on the way back from the capital, and Rona, who had noticed, seemed ready to pounce at any moment.

"Leave it. They're not skilled enough to follow us into the forest."

"If that's the case, then it's fine."

Rona, who had easily accepted this, seemed to have lost interest. She stuffed her mouth with the sweets and fruits she had bought in the capital, which were in the bag hanging from her neck.

"Try not to eat while walking... Hey, Rona."

Aldis, who had been watching her with a look of exasperation, suddenly called out to Rona.

"What?"

"Where did you put the leather pouch with the reward?"

Aldis's question was reasonable.

Apart from the shopping bag hanging from her neck, Rona had nothing on her. She wasn't wearing a pocketed garment like a human, nor did she have a backpack. Aldis briefly considered whether it might be in the shopping bag, but Rona had been holding the leather pouch in her mouth even when the bag was stuffed with food.

"Hmm? It's right here?"

Rona showed the leather pouch in her mouth, as if to say, "Is something wrong?"

"...Where did you just take it from?"

After a moment of speechlessness, Aldis finally spoke. To him, it seemed as if the leather pouch had suddenly appeared in Rona's mouth.

"Where... from...? From over there?"

"Over there?"

"Yes, from the other world."

"Huh?"

An exasperated exclamation involuntarily escaped the boy's lips.

"Wait a minute. Are you saying that you left the leather pouch in the other world because it was in the way?"

"Yep."

"Can you... really do that?"

Aldis swallowed the words he was about to say. If Rona's story was true, it meant that travel between the world Aldis had originally been in and this world was possible. Since Aldis couldn't do it, he couldn't judge whether Rona was telling the truth. However, if it was true, it was probably possible to move objects, not just one's body, between the worlds.

Of course, Aldis didn't doubt Rona's words and didn't consider the possibility that Rona was lying. There was no reason for Rona to deceive him.

"By the way, where do the things you send to the other world go?"

"To my den. You know, the cave at the foot of the White Mountains."

"Oh, that place. I've been there once."

After a pause, Aldis asked after a long silence.

"Hey, Rona?"

"What?"

"Can you only send objects? Can you not send humans?"

If it was possible, Rona could send Aldis back to the other world. It wouldn't be possible right away, but if he could see a future for the twins, there would be no reason for him to stay in this world. Whether or not he had the option to return would greatly influence his future actions.

However, Rona's answer disappointed Aldis.

"Hmm... I think the largest thing I can send or call without holding it is about the size of a human baby. I don't think anything larger would fit. The hole I can open is too small for someone Aldis's size to pass through."

"I see..."

The hope that had secretly swelled rapidly deflated, and Aldis's voice lost its strength.

"But since I can do it, I'm sure Aldis can too. I'll teach you how. Let's practice, okay!"

Rona offered to help, as if to cheer Aldis up.

"Even if you say you'll teach me, it's..."

Recalling the explanation of "how to return to the other world" he had heard on the night they met, Aldis's face clouded over.

While entering the forest and feeling the tailer's presence fade, Aldis led Rona to his house. The servant Nere, who was completely unfazed by the presence of a companion, and the twin sisters, who were in stark contrast, were frightened by Rona's size.

However, the twins seemed to relax when they saw that Aldis was at ease. Eventually, they let down their guard and became curious about Rona's body.

"Amazing! It's so fluffy!"

"So soft!"

Philia and Liana began to enjoy Rona's fluffy fur. Their initial timid attitude was nowhere to be seen, and they were now pouncing on Rona with enthusiasm.

"You're so big, Mr. Fox!"

"Woof!"

"Huh? ...Is it a dog?"

It seemed that Rona intended to act like a common animal.

To Aldis, it didn't matter if the twins or Nere knew the truth. However, since Rona was still on guard, he didn't intend to say anything about it. Still, Aldis thought that Rona's dog-like barks were a bit much.

The twins were completely captivated by Rona's fur, but Nere remained indifferent. When Aldis introduced Rona as an "old partner," Nere's reaction was as if to say, "So what?"

"The twins were cute, weren't they?"

After dinner, which included Rona acting like a common animal, the twins, who had been clinging to Rona as if he were a toy, finally moved to their bedroom, exhausted from playing. Rona and Aldis were talking while Nere was out putting the twins to bed.

"Rona, how long do you plan to keep up the act of being an animal?"

"For today, I'm just observing. First, how much do those three know about you? I don't think it's a good idea to talk freely."

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Aldis changed his expression and faced Rona. After a few seconds of thought, he answered Rona's question.

"I haven't told the twins anything. I haven't told Nere about the other world either. It would be a problem if they talked freely."

"If they find out I can talk, they might ask about the past. If you're going to tell them everything, that's fine, but if you want to keep the other world a secret, it might be better to make them think I can't talk."

Rona had a point.

Aldis hadn't revealed much about himself to Nere. Partly because Nere didn't ask, and partly because Aldis lacked the confidence to explain himself properly.

Nere probably had her own thoughts about Aldis's true identity, just as Aldis did. However, even now that he trusted Nere, he hadn't revealed his past.

Once, when providing hair to the city-state of Leiting's Marida, he had been offered the condition of sharing the information he had. He thought it might be a good starting point for the conversation, but in the end, he only learned about Marida's special abilities and the future she foresaw. The conversation ended without delving into his past.

Aldis himself still hadn't fully understood his situation, which was one of the reasons he resisted revealing it.

"I didn't expect you to think that far."

"Well, dealing with people is a hassle."

Ignoring Aldis's admiration, Rona bluntly revealed her true feelings.

"Hey, is that the truth?"

"Woof!"

Using her limited facial muscles skillfully, Rona replied with a subtle smile. It seemed she decided to act like a dog when it was inconvenient.

"Hey, no... It seems we need to have a serious talk."

"Ah, but I'm tired and want to go to bed. Can we continue this another time? The girl will be back soon."

Rona, who had been lightly glared at, calmly stated her position. The sound of footsteps approaching from the twins' bedroom seemed to support her claim.

"They fell asleep quickly today. They must have been exhausted from playing."

The servant with short, Alice-blue hair approached Aldis, speaking as she did. Though she usually had a stoic expression, today there was a faint hint of caution in Nere's face.

"What will you do, Master? If you want to enjoy the evening, I can prepare something to eat."

"No, I was just about to return to my room."

"Understood. ...By the way, Master. Where will that one sleep?"

Nere, nodding as if to say, "Then it's fine," turned her gaze to Rona and asked Aldis.

"Rona? Well, as long as it can shelter from the rain and wind, anywhere will do..."

After hearing Aldis's response, Nere said, "Understood," and started walking towards the outside of the house.

"Then I'll show you. Follow me."

Without checking Rona's reaction, Nere opened the door and walked out. Despite saying she would show Rona where to sleep, the air around her was like that of a swordsman about to face a match. Aldis had a vague idea of what Nere was thinking.

"Surprisingly impatient, isn't she?"

Rona muttered to the vanished Nere and then continued in a light tone to Aldis.

"Then, I'll be right back."

"...Be careful, okay?"

"I know, I know. It's just a little play."

With a playful voice, Rona bounced after Nere, who had disappeared through the door.