Aisha and Snow had disappeared.
According to what I was told, the two of them had been waiting in an empty house, but… in the brief moment no one was watching, they vanished.
Did they move on their own?
Or were they kidnapped by someone?
Could it be the latter?
I don’t want to consider that possibility, but after what happened with Lena, I can’t help becoming suspicious.
Just as I was panicking…
“We’ve found the Princess and the Divine Beast!”
Good news arrived before long. That was quick—almost too quick.
“Where are they?”
“Well, the thing is…”
The beastman who came to report looked terribly troubled.
“Suu… suu, suu…”
“Supi… supi…”
At the edge of the village stood a large tree.
Beneath its shade, Aisha and Snow were curled up together, napping as if in an embrace.
Sunlight filtered gently through the gaps in the leaves.
A soft breeze drifted by.
Bathed in that comfort, the two of them wore blissful expressions.
“It looks like they went for a walk and then just fell asleep here.”
With a weary sigh, Sofia let out her breath.
But she wasn’t angry.
It was the same look a mother might give her child—one who’d gotten messy while playing but could only be met with a fond, helpless smile…
Her expression was nothing but gentle.
“What should we do?”
“Let’s let them sleep a little longer. It would feel cruel to wake them.”
“You’re right.”
Sitting down beside the happily napping Aisha and Snow, Sofia and I also spent a peaceful moment together.
――――――――――
After That
About an hour later, Aisha and Snow finally woke up.
With the two of them in tow, we returned to the village chief’s house.
There, we began discussing what to do next.
“Aisha, Snow. I’d like to ask for your help in creating a barrier here. Would you be willing?”
“Me…? Can I even do something like that?”
“Yes, you can.”
“…”
Aisha looked uneasy.
And that was only natural.
Sure, we’d already confirmed that she possessed an immense amount of magic power, but she had never once created a barrier before.
When someone asks you to do something you’ve never done, it would make anyone anxious.
“It’s all right.”
It was Licorice who spoke with absolute confidence.
“I have a fair bit of knowledge and experience in constructing barriers. With me around, success is guaranteed!”
“Licorice, you can really do anything, huh?”
“Fufun, you may even call me the All-Powerful, Invincible Fairy Licorice-chan, if you like.”
…Though that’s a bit of a mouthful.
“Can the barrier be constructed right away?”
“Hmm… no, we’ll need some preparations and light practice. I’d say we need about three days.”
“Three days…”
Sofia frowned at that.
After all, Lena had just attacked not too long ago.
Holding out for three whole days might prove difficult.
Still, once the barrier was up, the village would be much safer.
It wouldn’t be absolute protection, but… it would be far better than now.
So then, what should we do to make that possible?
“Hmm…”
Everyone thought about it together…
and then, I came up with a little idea.
“How about this?”
Comments
Post a Comment