"If I was going to name a duration, I should've said about three weeks. So he'd take a full month off."

The Young Lord of Camberer, Mia, muttered to herself as she recalled the events of a few days ago.

It was a memory of the knight who had come to ask her about the schedule, even though she had clearly told him she would match their departure schedule.

"Mia, what did you just say?"

"It's nothing, Leon."

When she first heard that question, she had wondered if there was a miscommunication. But given that it was none other than the Demon Knight who had come to her personally, she withdrew that assumption.

She judged that if it really had been a miscommunication and they needed to send someone to ask, they would have used a messenger rather than the Demon Knight. Or the Archmage herself, the one best at social interactions among the hero's party, would have come.

"Don't be like that. I'm curious."

"... I'm talking about how I panicked and named a week."

So she had subtly probed him with, 'Haven't you heard anything?' and upon seeing the Demon Knight's furrowed brow, she reached a new conclusion.

The conclusion that, for some unknown reason, the hero's party hadn't shared the information solely with the Demon Knight.

"Ah... If it's about that."

So she tactfully wrapped up the conversation with something along the lines of, 'The messengers must have crossed paths. I told the party it would take about a week.'...

"In the end, it wasn't a mistake, but... it's still a shame."

Later, when she called for the Archmage, it turned out to be true that the information hadn't been shared only with the Demon Knight.

It was a bit funny that the reason was because they desperately wanted him to rest, and they thought he would only listen to someone with the authority of a Young Lord.

"Me too."

"Really?"

"If you leave this time, we won't see each other for another few months. The wedding will probably be postponed due to the city's reorganization, too."

She leaned against the person who approached from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist. Her held hand was brought up, and a soft warmth touched the back of her hand.

"We won't be able to see each other properly even after we get married. Is that okay?"

"... Tell me about it. I really should have begged my mother and father to give me a younger sibling when they were young."

"Why didn't you beg them?"

"My mother said she'd have one for me, but my father yelled at the top of his lungs, saying I was only saying that because I'd never seen my mother suffer through it. Seriously, that old man."

The warmth touching her felt quite ticklish, making her giggle.

"Do you... feel resentful toward your father at all?"

"Hey, how could I resent him over something like that? He wasn't entirely wrong, either."

"Not about the sibling. About... him giving up on you."

However, that laughter didn't last very long. Mia raised her head slightly. The face of the affectionate man filled most of her vision.

"Yeah. Not one bit."

"..."

"On the night he told me it seemed he'd have to sacrifice me to Biryuho... I heard him crying sorrowfully in his room."

"... I guess you get your tears from your father."

"Probably."

And because he was a person as strong as he was affectionate.

"If I resent anyone... wouldn't it be the rebels you beat up and suppressed?"

"Were you close enough to feel disappointed by them? Those are the people who tried to kill you."

"No... Rather than being close, well. I wanted to beat them up myself. Um, they're the ones who protested for days not long ago, demanding that if my father and I didn't kill the former Lord, we had to produce the real culprit immediately. You have no idea how detestable they were back then..."

"Ah..."

She pressed her forehead against Leon's as a gesture to cheer him up. Then, Leon rubbed his forehead against hers slightly before pressing his lips to hers with a soft smack.

"Mia, what about you? Do you not resent your family?"

"Ah, it's fine. We've come too far for me to feel resentment, and... they won't even be a nuisance anymore."

"... Did they lose their power?"

"Close enough."

She thought of her family members who had been walking on eggshells around her ever since the people rose up. They were people who had only just realized that their bellies could be sliced open the moment she gave the order. Truly foolish.

"Those fools can't stop me anymore."

In truth, the fact that she could leave her post was all thanks to that.

Even if she left her post now, they wouldn't dare harbor any foolish ambitions. The entire city would be keeping an eye on them, after all.

"That's a relief."

"Right?"

Still, it was about time to head back. But she really should have made it a full month. She let out a small sigh of regret.

KNOCK, KNOCK. It was right then that a knocking sound was heard.

"Young Lord!"

"...?"

"Come in."

"Yes... Huk."

At the permission of the Young Lord of Ednium, Leon, the aide opened the door and entered the room. Of course, upon entering, the aide had to let out a loud, awkward cough at the sight of the two clinging tightly to each other.

"I know you're full of regret because she'll be returning soon, but you're making me feel terribly single, Young Lord."

"Then date someone."

"You should say that after giving me the time to do so..."

"Haha. Alright. I'll give you a vacation once this whole incident is over."

"Sweet."

"So, what is it?"

"Ah, it's not urgent, but... something happened that's a bit too ambiguous to delay reporting."

"What is it?"

At Leon's question, the aide awkwardly coughed once more before speaking in a straightened posture.

"The forest that burned down during the Biryuho subjugation... has faintly regenerated."

* * *

'Ah, I feel like a yawn is coming out.'

"Why is the mood like this?"

"Ah, you're here."

"Are we not leaving?"

"We are. However, it seems our route will change a bit. We'll have to take a major detour, but... it looks like we'll be stopping by the forest where we caught Biryuho."

Realizing a yawn was leaking out from my lack of sleep, I suppressed it by lightly biting my tongue.

'Indeed, a yawn is something that ruins the faces of even handsome and pretty people. But for me to do it with this concept? That would just completely ruin my image.'

"Why?"

"Because a report came in that an anomaly occurred there."

"... Could it be a demon?"

"I don't think that's it. They said it was a positive change on the surface."

"If it's a positive change..."

"They said grass grew."

"Huh."

"Still, we must not let our guard down! There's no such thing as change without a reason!"

'However, they say the heaviest thing in the world is one's eyelids.'

I grew increasingly drowsy under the warmly pouring sunlight and gently blowing breeze. It would be one thing if we were on a forced march, but with the situation being so relaxed, I really felt like I was going to doze off.

"Archmage, it looks like we'll be departing soon..."

"Ah, is everything ready? Then go ahead. Don't mind us over here."

"Yes."

Fortunately, before I could succumb to sleep, the signal to depart was given. It was time to ride.

NEIGH.

My horseback riding skills had improved a lot over the past few months, but that didn't mean I was at the level where I could ride in my sleep.

So, I focused on the horse's tempo. The horse, which had been slightly uncomfortable, soon gave off a relaxed vibe.

"Um..."

'Good. Then this is the start of my battle against boredom.'

'I feel this every time, but whenever we move between cities, it always feels like driving a car down to the countryside. Although this is much slower and less fun.'

"Um, Demon Knight. Is your body feeling alright..."

'Still, I'm not praying for an incident to break out. The events here are annoying because they always connect to the main story at the drop of a hat.'

'Seriously. What I want to do is a side quest that can be resolved in a day or two, not a main quest.'

"Demon Knight."

'Of course, the side quests I mean by that are things like 'Gather Salad Ingredients' or 'Deliver Salad'.'

'I definitely don't want anything like 'Bandit Subjugation: Annihilation' or 'Cleanly Slice a Heinous Criminal★'.'

"What are you doing, softie."

"No, I just... Never mind."

In the meantime, the person trying to talk to me was finally repelled. Actively busying myself with random thoughts and not even sparing a glance had paid off.

Just like the past week, this time passed safely as well.

"..."

I felt the presence of the horse that had approached my side moving away. And when the distance felt safe enough, I let out the breath I had been half-holding.

The red hair visible from a distance, and the sullenly lowered head, needlessly made a corner of my chest ache.

"Hah."

'Still... this is right. Yeah, this is right.'

I exhaled a small breath so others wouldn't hear and looked up at the sky. Ignorant of my inner feelings, the sky was so incredibly blue.

SWOOOSH.

"Ah, it's summer snow."

"Everyone, cover your mouths and noses with bandanas. I won't be held responsible if summer snow gets up your nose."

The moment the wind blew, the seeds of the wind-pollinated trees scattered all at once.

It seemed the fruits and seeds had fully ripened while we were staying in Ednium. The fuzzy seeds fluttered through the air just like snowflakes.

The term 'summer snow' was not a waste at all.

FLUTTER.

I caught one of them. Perhaps because I had rarely seen such a sight in my hometown, it felt quite unfamiliar.

It felt as though I was trapped in a winter in May. Even though it was neither May nor winter here.

Even so, to me, it was winter.

"Wear this."

Right then, Deathbringer abruptly handed me something. It was a piece of cloth.

"If those get in your nose... they'll give you a hard time. So..."

Was I happy about that, or was I sad?

I parted my lips slightly before closing them again. CLOP, CLOP. Understanding my signal, my horse slightly increased its pace and moved forward.

RUSTLE.

Meanwhile, I took out my handkerchief and covered my mouth and nose. Truly, it was a very useful item. I was glad I bought it.

"... I tried."

"... What are you talking about."

"You're not giving up already, are you?"

"Seriously, what are you saying. Just look ahead, softie."

"Hmph. I'm already watching carefully— Gah!"

"That's why I told you to look ahead."

"A-Ahhh, achoo!"

"Good grief."

"Achoo! You, you! If a clump of fuzz is flying right at me, you should've told me— Achoo!!"

"That's your own job to look out for."

'... I'm saying this again, but I really made a good purchase with this handkerchief. Thanks to it, it covered my lips that were twitching upward into a smile.'

"It really has changed."

Anyway, had we walked for a long time past the summer snow? The group I was in reached our intermediate destination. It was the spot between Ednium and Camberer, the place that had been burned down by demons.

"Moss..."

"Did the trees grow this much since that day?"

"To be exact, it started a week ago."

"... Is that even possible?"

"... A week? A week ago was when the Boss..."

"Well. There's no reason to debate the possibility of something that has already happened. What's more important is whether this poses a problem or not. Archmage, if you don't mind, I would like to hear your expert opinion. Would that be possible..."

"Please wait a moment. I believe I need to analyze it as well."

'Ah, did I stay up all night for nothing yesterday? I didn't think we'd come back here.'

With those thoughts in mind, I looked around.

The land that had been charred black just a few days ago was now covered in fluffy moss and grass. The young trees growing in between were a bonus.

"Young Hunter, why do you have that look on your face?"

"What is it, Slacker. Do you have a hunch or something?"

"No, well... I do have my suspicions, but."

"Then shouldn't you tell the Archmage?"

"Just wait a second, will you!"

'Right now, they only reach up to the knees, but in a few years, it will become a lush forest.'

THUD.

[Oh my. Didn't you say we wouldn't be able to meet? Guess you ain't left yet, huh.]

'... Or maybe within a few days.'

[Then will you chat with me a bit longer...? Can you do that?]

I let out a heavy breath as I looked at the snake stealthily poking its head out from the other side of the forest. And at the tail wagging back and forth next to its head.

[Ah, but I reckon I ought to do what needs doing first. Should I do it right now? But hey, if I'm gonna do it, you'll need to make the folks back up a bit.]

"... Wait."

I was worried that a laugh would needlessly slip out at its folksy tone and behavior.

"Mage."

"... Are you speaking to me right now?"

"Young Lord."

"I am listening."

"Pull the people back."

"...?"

"Right now."

Without taking my eyes off the snake, I made a request... or rather, delivered a somewhat coercive order to them.

The two exchanged glances, expressing their puzzlement.

"... Well, I shall do so."

"If it is your word, Sir Knight. However, may I ask the reason..."

But even if they harbored doubts, neither of them disobeyed my words. I figured showing them the giiiiant snake later would resolve everything.

[Ah, you don't need to move, Sir Knight. The other fellas, yeah. That's far enough. Shall I do it now?]

"Demon Knight, is this far eno—"

"Do it."

"—?"

[Hehe.]

The white snake laughed frivolously and moved its body. RUMBLE. Just as a gust of wind seemed to blow, the snake's head soon burrowed into the ground.

"A gust?!"

"Whoa!"

At the same time, the greenery began to spread like wildfire. Yes, it looked exactly like flames spreading.

Vines grew, the stems of small sprouts lengthened to bloom flowers, and trees spread their branches as their trunks expanded.

It was the sight of nature's flames proudly raising their heads straight toward the sky.

"... It's growing."

"The forest is..."

And I was able to watch all of it from the center. It was marvelous.

SWOOSH!

[Hiya! The forest near my home is already lush, so I never had to use my power. This feels better than I thought. You don't happen to have another place that needs restoring, do you?]

Normally, I would've said 'No, you punk,' but... right now, yeah. I kind of wish I had another spot too. Just so I could see this again.

"... Good work."

[Ehehehe. I sure did put in some good work, didn't I.]

I placed my hand on the head of the Mountain Lord that had approached. Instead of refusing, the Mountain Lord gently shifted the spot where we touched. The cold and slippery texture unique to snakes could be felt.

[Ah, but by the way, Sir Knight. Even before I got here, I felt my energy and the sea fella's energy here. Is this your doing by any chance?]

'Ah. It can sense that too?'

I fell silent for a moment at the unexpected observation. It was true that I had buried the marble for a few days to prepare for the event the Mountain Lord couldn't come, and to check the marble's effects.

Although it had ultimately lost its meaning with the Mountain Lord's arrival.

[Weell. If you don't wanna tell me, you don't have to.]

Still, it wasn't a completely worthless action. I learned that detaching the marble from my body increased the divine power's tick damage, and that it amplified the marble's plant growth ability to a certain extent—seriously, 'they won't die and will grow well' when raising plants? Bullshit! It's way more insane than that!—or at least I found that out.

[More importantly, that's right. I heard the lazy bum that used to be here didn't do its job and just messed around. If so, is the whole eastern region in this state? Then I'm reckonin' I should roam around a bit and flex my power.]

But hey, good is good. Especially since it offered exactly what I couldn't bring myself to ask for.

"... Do as you please."

[Whoa, really? I can really do whatever I want, right? Ehehehe. Since you gave me permission, I'm gonna roam around to my heart's content.]

"..."

I clenched my teeth as I watched the Mountain Lord wagging its tail rapidly like a propeller. I felt like a laugh would burst out if I let my guard down even a little.

[Don't look at me like that. I ain't some immature kid. It's just, the moment I leave my seat for even a bit, those Priestess idiots start bawlin' their eyes out, so I've been stuck plantin' my ass in that tiny little forest all this time. If it weren't for your request, Sir Knight, they prolly wouldn't have let me leave at all.]

'I didn't look at it like it was an immature kid, though. Guess it felt guilty.'

However, given its kind heart and the fact that its rambling excuses were funny and cute, I didn't feel like teasing it.

I gently stroked the Mountain Lord's chin area—or maybe closer to its lower lip?—before pulling my hand away.

"Demon Knight, is this..."

'Ah, the Archmage came right on time.'

After confirming the Young Lord standing next to her, I looked at the Mountain Lord. It was to request that it reveal itself to them as well.

"Just what is... that snake?"

But now that I thought about it, it seemed their gazes had been fixed on the Mountain Lord, not me, right from the start.

'I don't think they could see it before it regenerated the forest. Guess it revealed itself in the meantime?'

"... It is the Mountain Lord of the Great Forest."

"The Mountain Lord!"

'It wasn't a bad development. Saved me the trouble of explaining.'

"Why is the Mountain Lord...? No, wait, that's not it. Thank you. The Young Lord of Camberer greets this esteemed one."

[Oh my. Are all the humans outside this pretty? Ah, is she your partner by any chance, Sir Knight?]

'On a separate note, hey you punk. Could you not make me out to be a total scumbag? She's already seeing someone else, okay?'

[Ah, was that my misunderstanding. Oh my. What a shame. You guys look good together.]

'Unbelievable. We weren't even standing close to each other, so why are you trying to pair us up the moment you see us? Were you actually that kind of toxic troll too?'

"... I assume you called this one as well?"

Perhaps I was glaring at the snake with unamused eyes.

The Archmage, who seemed to have grasped the situation in the meantime, spoke as if sighing. The Young Lord looking at me with slightly reddened eyes upon hearing those words was a bonus.

[Sigh. You still look good together, though...]

"... Thank the Great Forest. They are the ones who permitted it."

[You really look good together... Are you seriously not interested?]

'Mountain Lord, please, just stop.'