Volume 1 Chapter 30 Farewells And Going Home
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
At Alice’s house, early morning of the fifth day, Rumi and I faced the day we would return to Grove Village.
It was time for our usual training.
Alice, Mr. Leon (Alice’s papa), Rumi, and I were sparring, changing up our pairs.
*Clang! Clang! Boom!!*
”Ugh! Guh…”
I was sent flying by Mr. Leon’s powerful kick, but I quickly got back up.
”Hmph… Not bad. To have this level of skill at your age, just like my daughter!”
Mr. Leon’s sharp gaze caught me, and he was smiling happily!
”P-Papa!? Please be a little nicer to Rob!”
Alice got angry at Mr. Leon and stood next to me, trying her best to protect me.
I was happy to see her like that, but it made me a bit shy.
”Alice’s Papa, that’s good! I think Rob should feel a little pain!”
Rumi shouted.
I was surprised by her words.
Rumi, acting like she was on Mr. Leon’s side, confused me.
(Oh no! It’s the worst that those 2 found out I was hugging Alice until morning!!)
I screamed in my mind.
This tough morning training would continue for a while.
* * *
In the dining room of Duke Leon’s mansion in the underground town, soft morning light filled the space, and a magical lamp gently illuminated the room.
Breakfast was ready, and the table was filled with colorful dishes.
Ms. Elna, the maid, welcomed us with a smile.
”Good morning, Sir Rob, Lady Alice, Lady Rumi. I have prepared delicious food for you this morning, so please enjoy it,”
Ms. Elna’s voice was soft, and a gentle atmosphere filled the dining table.
However, my heart was complicated right now.
Last night, Mr. Leon and Rumi saw me sleeping while hugging Alice.
I could picture Leon’s worried eyes, trying to be a strong father while caring for his daughter.
Alice sat quietly, picking up her food, but her expression was a bit down.
”Rob… you’re going back to Grove Village today, aren’t you?”
Her words were filled with sadness, stirring my heart.
I tried to tighten my resolve and smile back, saying, “Yeah, we won’t see each other for a while, but I’ll definitely come back,” but somewhere in my heart, I felt that smile clouding over.
On the other hand, Rumi was trying to act cheerful, but occasionally she remembered my interactions with Alice, and I could sense the smoldering anger within her.
”Well, I don’t care about Rob anyway!”
Yet, there was an indescribable feeling mixed in her words.
After all… she does care about me, doesn’t she?
Breaking the silence at the table was Leon’s voice.
”Rob, make sure to return safely. I will never forget that you saved my life yesterday. I am truly grateful.”
Amidst the tangled feelings, I simply nodded.
There were many other things I wanted to say, but I kept them to myself in this moment.
Breakfast continued, but inside, each of us was tangled in our own thoughts.
Alice looks down, focusing on her meal, while Rumi glances at me occasionally, puffing her cheeks now and then.
In the end, when the meal is over, the calm time we all spent together, filled with mixed feelings of worry and expectation, passes in an instant.
* * *
In front of the Sphere Kingdom gate, soft morning light shines down, and Alice’s gentle smile warms the space.
I carry Rumi on my back as I say goodbye to Alice.
”Alice, I really enjoyed my time here. I’ll definitely come back, so please stay healthy until then… I really want to take you to Grove Village, but that’s impossible, right?”
I try to put my feelings into words, but a sense of loneliness creeps into my heart.
”…I want to go with Rob, but it’s not possible right now. There are many people I want to protect in this country… and I’ve also received help from them.”
Alice’s words carry a deep kindness and strong sense of responsibility.
Seeing her like this, I can’t say anything and look down.
”Ugh… Alice! We’re friends, so I’ll come to see you again!”
Rumi declares strongly while still on my back.
I can sense a bit of anxiety hidden in her brightness.
”Hehe… Yes! I’m really looking forward to seeing Rumi again.”
Seeing Alice’s smile eases my slightly downcast feelings, but the anxiety in my heart doesn’t go away.
”Alright, I’m heading home now. …Oh, but there’s one last thing I want to talk about. Alice, this is just a ‘what if’ scenario, but if something happens and the Sphere Kingdom gets destroyed by the demon race, please don’t push yourself and just run away. …I want you to come to Grove Village, which is beyond the forest to the west. There, you’ll find my strongest dad and mom, and I’ll be there too. I will definitely protect you.”
In my heart, the memories of the Sphere Kingdom from ‘Princess Rave’ were vivid.
I still didn’t know what the right thing to do was for this country that was destined to be destroyed by the Demon King, but all I could do now was tell Alice to escape.
”…sniff… Okay! If that happens, I’ll go see Rob!”
Tears were welling up in Alice’s eyes as she spoke with a trembling voice.
However, there was a certain strength in her expression.
”Yeah, it’s a promise! …Well then, let’s go, Rumi. See you later, Alice!”
”Alice, take care! Next time, let’s go on lots of adventures together, the 3 of us!”
Rumi cheerfully sent her farewell to Alice.
With those farewell words etched in my heart, I used wind magic to soar high into the sky.
* * *
I was flying towards Grove with Rumi on my back.
Rumi still looked a bit grumpy.
It was only natural after seeing that scene.
I thought I had to come up with some excuse.
I guess I should just man up and apologize.
”…Hey, Rumi. You’re probably still mad about this morning, right? But I want to be with both you and Alice from now on. So, I want to share the time I spent with Alice with you too. …I know I might be saying something that deserves to get me yelled at, but this is my honest feeling. Please, accept it.”
”…Rob, you’re sounding kind of like an old man~♪ But don’t worry, I’ll make sure to have my time with you and Alice too!”
(…Yeah, I thought to myself that this sounds like something a 9-year-old would say!)
”Ah, I was planning to do that with Rumi the day before we became adventurers, but it ended up happening with Alice first. I’m really sorry.”
At my words, Rumi’s eyes widened, and she fell silent for a moment.
”…Y-Yeah. From now on, we’ll do a lot together, so it’s okay!”
Even though she pouted a bit, Rumi tried to act tough, and I couldn’t help but smile.
”Just, since we couldn’t use the ‘Cell Enhancement Itemization,’ it feels like it’s a waste to do a lot.”
”I see… but if it makes Rob feel good, I want to try it.”
”Ahaha, if it’s about feeling good, it’s not just me; Rumi can feel good too.”
”…R-Really? Then, maybe doing a lot together is a good idea~♪.”
Rumi’s voice had regained its brightness.
As we continued our aimless conversation, we finally made it back to Grove Village.
The peaceful scenery of the village spread out before us.
”We’re home, Grove Village!”
The worries in my heart eased, and a smile naturally appeared on my face.
* * *
I visited my family home with Rumi.
First, we need to properly report that we’re back!
”I’m home! Rob Cartwood has returned!”
My voice echoed inside the house.
”I’m home too! I brought souvenirs from Sphere Kingdom!”
Rumi cheerfully added.
Then, Nana came running towards me with a loud “thud, thud, thud!”
Even when she got close, her speed didn’t slow down, and she dove right at my stomach!
*Boom!*
”Ugh! N-Nana… I know you’re happy, but it would help if you could be a little gentler…”
I gasped for air.
It seemed my words didn’t reach her at all, as Nana rubbed her head hard against my stomach!
After a moment, she looked up at me with teary eyes and said in a shaky voice, almost crying,
”Brother Rob! Please come home earlier next time! I was so lonely I thought I might die!”
(…S-She’s an angel (little sister)!!)
She was so cute that I wanted to hug her tightly, but in my current state, doing that might really hurt her, so I held back and gently hugged her back.
”I’m sorry. I actually brought a special present for you, so I hope you’ll accept it!”
I smiled and told Nana.
”A present! It’s been since my birthday that you gave me something, brother! Is it another handmade stuffed toy?”
Nana’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
”Hehe, I got a weapon that has the same meaning as your name! Ta-da! Here it is!!”
I proudly handed the [Magic Condenser Device (Immortal Seven)] to Nana.
”…What is this? It doesn’t show up in my ‘Fountain of Knowledge’…”
Nana observed the Magic Tool with a puzzled look.
”This is… a super amazing magic tool that lets you use high-power magic with your Magic Power, Nana!”
I explained confidently.
”I want to try using the magic tool, but I need to tell Mom that my brother is back first!”
Nana said with excitement, but her expression was serious.
”Oh, where are Mom and Dad right now?”
When I asked, Nana thought for a moment before answering.
”…Well, they’ve been in their room talking for a long time. Something big might have happened.”
Nana’s words made my heart tighten a little.
”I really hope it’s not a problem that’s serious enough for Dad and Mom to talk about for so long… Let’s not disturb them. How about we prepare dinner ourselves?”
”Okay~♪” “Let’s make something delicious!”
Nana and Rumi nodded happily.
We headed to the kitchen with excitement.
So, I and Rumi safely returned to Grove Village, but a new enemy would attack our village next time.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.