Chapter 69 – Shadows Under Feet (2)
“How much further can we go like this?”
Saya’s question penetrated both the present and the future. A lot of thoughts went through my head, but I took out a map and answered the current problem.
“Considering the location where the dragon attacked, we have to stop unconditionally at this point. If we keep going at this speed… We should be able to arrive in about two days.”
“But there’s a possibility that the railroad was cut in the middle. There’s nothing good about stopping right near the center of the explosion.”
“Yeah. So, before that…Why don’t we stop here? There are a lot of farms around here. There are also a few small towns. Maybe we can stop by and pick up supplies.”
“I wished it had gone further, but it’s a pity.”
“But, well, you came in moderation. If you do well, you might be able to get to the port soon.”
“I hope so.”
“Let’s think positively. Positively.”
One day, I yawned and stretched out the foot I had draped over my arm toward my head. As I nervously pushed away the toe that was wriggling in front of me, Saya’s hair brushed my cheek this time.
“More than that, Lope, are you okay? You look tired.”
“It’s okay. I guess it’s because I didn’t sleep well last night. Instead, tell me to move aside for a day.”
“Don’t worry, senpai. The only thing I’m interested in right now is Saya-unnie. Ah, this is what an elf’s breasts smell like.”
“It’s a little hot.”
I sighed and laid my head on the floor. Sayaya and Haru. Because they were so close together, even in the winter, their bodies sweated. Even so, when I moved my body, Saya, who was wearing an arm pillow, felt uncomfortable, and Haru, who was lying on her leg, became nervous.
But Rebecca was not there. During the last three days of moving on her train, that subtle sense of distance continued.
It is difficult to explain in words how it happened. After that incident, Rebecca was in the driver’s seat and we never separated from each other. In a state where trust with someone has already been cracked, physically and mentally, if you don’t rely on the other person, it may be that you can no longer endure it.
Especially I did. Now, I couldn’t fall asleep even for 10 minutes without Saya or Haru by my side.
Without the body temperature of the two people, several people kept passing by in the eyelids.
“…A day. Can’t you just leave me for a little while?”
“No. I’ve said it before, but this was my dream.”
“Hmm…”
Meanwhile, Saya and Haru continued to quarrel. Sometimes I wondered if that was on purpose to ease each other’s tension. I couldn’t be the only one who was serious in that situation, so I tried to scatter the thoughts that came to my mind.
“Okay. So let’s stop at this point.”
“I don’t know where it is if I say there, but I think so. I wish there was a clothing store there. The clothes I’m wearing right now smell so bad.”
“Yes. You stink. I need to get some clothes.”
“Don’t pretend you’re not alone. If you buy here, there won’t be anyone except you who doesn’t smell. That’s why you’re stuck with it.”
“Uh…Was it like that?”
When she revealed the hidden truth, Saya blushed in embarrassment. It was a little cute to see the pointy ears showing up for the first time in a long time.
So, without realizing it, I gently held the tip of my ear with my hand. Then Saya was astonished as never before and grabbed his arm.
“Haugh… Lo… Lope!”
“Ah, sorry. I want to touch it.”
“So… Why are you touching it like that? Without permission?”
It was an area where you had to take permission. Of course, even among humans, touching one’s ears without permission would be a little rude, but it seemed to be a more sensitive problem for elves.
However, when it came out like that, the perverted desire only grew. Was it because I wanted to enjoy this moment of peace more? I let go of my pretension and brought my hand back to my ear.
“Because touching the ears has a calming effect. At least humans do.”
“Lope. I’ve been living in human society for a very long time too?
“Are you really sensitive?”
“That… The end…”
When I tapped the pointed part, Saya twisted her body and pleaded with me. The more I touched my ear, the more my body moved without realizing it. My head kept coming up this way.
Somehow, I even felt strange. Even so, I did not stop and gently scratched the inside of my ear.
“That…Don’t…”
“Are you sure you want to stop?”
“Ah… Uh…”
“Huh?”
“Rope…!”
“Hey, what are you two doing now?”
Suddenly, the voice of Haru pierced reason. When I turned my head, Haru suddenly stood up from his seat and clasped his hands together.
“That…What are you doing?”
“…Haru. I think he misunderstood something, but he was just playing around with his ears.”
“Ah, yes. I guess so. I guess so.”
“Because it’s real Haru.”
“Yes. I’ll tell you to listen. How can I refute since I can’t see anything.”
“Hey…”
“I understand. Senpai-sama… I’m sure you want to touch me here and there. But from now on at least do it in a place where I’m not. I know you want to enjoy a thrill or something, but…”
“…”
I, who suddenly became a pervert doing strange things, quietly shut my mouth. I also thought that I could think that way from Haru’s point of view, who couldn’t directly witness it and only heard the sound.
Meanwhile, Saya was looking up at me with both hands holding her ears. He even pulled up his collar slightly as if I had done something really mean. There was an awkward atmosphere for the first time in a long time.
“Hmm…”
“…”
But it didn’t last very long. Soon, the door opened from the front and a slow metallic sound began to echo. At that moment, as if we had promised, we kept our mouths shut.
“…Sorry. Did I disturb you?”
“No. Rebecca.”
His voice was so low that he could perceive it himself. I slowly got up and sent two people behind me. Then Ms. Rebecca stopped her and sat down on the chair opposite her.
“I think we’ll have to talk about the route soon. It’s okay, right?”
“Yes. I was talking about that anyway.”
“That’s why you took the map. Yes, I guess. Did you come to any conclusions?”
“I wonder if we should stop here.”
I opened the map and pointed to the spot I had pointed out earlier. Then, without making eye contact, he continued his explanation.
“Anyway, the railroad won’t continue like this. Besides, there’s a possibility of hetzling around the center of the explosion…Here. I think we’d better stop near Ernen.”
“It’s an area where there are many farmhouses that raise horses. If you’re lucky, you might get a means of transportation.”
“And we also need to procure supplies from the surrounding cities. What do you think?”
“It’s very reasonable. Nothing to point out.”
At my words, she calmly nodded her head. But somehow, she had a hunch that she wouldn’t accept it this way. Sure enough, she took a deep breath and opened her mouth again.
“But I also wonder if it would be better to stop sooner than that.”
“Why is that?”
“The more you travel by train, the more likely you are to catch the attention of the hatchlings. I don’t know if you’ve been lucky so far or if they just aren’t interested, but the closer you get to the center of the explosion, the less luck you’ll get. Why don’t you stop earlier?”
“Could you please point it out?”
“So…How about this. There’s a horse farm here too, and there are plenty of places to get supplies around…”
Suddenly, Rebecca-san’s voice trembled slightly. I slightly frowned at her and followed where she pointed with her eyes. Then, at some point, a familiar area came into view.
It was a place she had been obsessed with ever since she was aboard the Anbert family ship. The place that Rebecca was determined to include even though the route is somewhat twisted after passing through here. I already knew all too well what the reason was.
And I had no intention of hiding it. So I immediately opened my mouth and asked a question.
“Is this where your son is?”
“…”
“Miss Rebecca.”
“…Yes. That’s right.”
Rebecca also did not deny it now. Several times she swallowed her dry saliva and then continued to fumble for her map.
“It’s a place I know that well. I’ve lived there for quite a long time, so I know exactly where it is as if I were looking into the palm of my hand. It will also help us find the things we need.”
“But isn’t that the story before enlisting in the military?
“That’s true, but I’ve been to a lot of houses in between. So I think it’s unlikely that there’s a gap in my memory.”
“I’ve never seen him go on vacation when he’s on the island.”
“It’s just that you don’t remember.”
“It can’t be. No one has seen Rebecca as often as I do.”
“Rope.”
Rebecca raised her head with her urgent voice. But as soon as she made eye contact with me, she immediately lowered her head. Since that day, I have never properly shared her gaze with her.
And it was the same for me. Neither I nor she had the confidence to look straight into her eyes. Buy And she couldn’t even open her mouth at this moment, even for a day.
Suddenly, the skin on the back of her hand felt like it was burning hot. There were still two patterns drawn on it. The tickets for two people still remain on the back of my hand.
Scenes from the past flashed by and twisted anguish tormented her mind. The faces of the girls who passed me danced like dust on my eyes.
…
But they don’t exist anymore Anyway, the person who helped me the most to get here was Rebecca. Even if her journey is a bit delayed because of this, she will somehow take responsibility.
Still, I believed in her.
“…Anyway, Rebecca has some truth in what she said.”
I finally nodded her head slowly. Then he turned his gaze towards Saya.
“Saya, what do you think?”
“I liked the points you pointed out more. But I think you have the right to decide.”
“Then how about a day?”
“Well… Since it happened like this, let’s get it down quickly. Well, isn’t it a day or two difference?”
“Okay. Then it’s decided. Let’s do it, Rebecca.”
“Thank you, Lope.”
At my words, Rebecca let out a sigh of relief. Of course, I couldn’t meet her eyes until the end. It was because she had so many burdens that she could not relieve. Instead of focusing on those emotional by-products, she quickly moved on to the next task.
“Now let’s make a detailed plan. We’ll have to divide the time as much as possible.”
“Then let’s start with a simple meal. In the meantime, let’s talk about how to share food.”
“Okay. I’ll go and get it. I’ll cook it briefly, so wait here for a while.”
“Oh, then I’ll go too. I can’t leave out food.”
“Yes Haru. I understand.”
As the day progressed, a faint smile finally appeared on Rebecca’s lips. I looked at the two of them and cast my eyes toward the window.
The train was still flowing through the surrounding scenery at high speed. There is still not a single flying animal flying in the sky, and there are occasional piles of black ashes flying around in the air. In a world like this, I wondered how many people would run towards the elven port.
Maybe it’s just us. Perhaps we will be the last passengers to the land of the elves.
Or even not being able to do that.
In the meantime, I caught my eye at the sight of pebbles splashed from the train and being hammered into the ground. As time passed, the soil was getting softer and softer. It felt as if the land was grooming itself for the coming guests.
How long is left until destruction? According to simple calculations, there are still two or three months left.
…
Of course, that’s just hopeful.
