by CHIROLU
He didn’t really have any room to talk when it came to Latina.
The fruits of the pups’ hunt was transformed by Latina’s hand into an exquisite meat dish. This locally sourced ingredient was massive enough that there were no concerns about depleting their food reserves. She’d managed to use it to make a meal that would be more than enough to let everyone present eat their fill. As the roast was prepared over the campfire’s residual heat, it became a light pink and remained tender. With the scent of herbs added, it made for a first-rate dish, the sort that wouldn’t feel at all out of place in a restaurant. The parts unsuited for a roast were used in a stew, which also proved enough to fill everyone’s bowls.
They were in magical beast territory, so normally they’d always have several guards on duty, but for now, everyone was gathered to enjoy the meal. Vint and Hagel were also in the midst of a “meal” of their own. They possessed a far better ability to detect those around them than any of the races, and intercepted anything approaching from the surroundings. Anything unfortunate enough to do so would become their meal.
Seeing so many people eating the food she made with smiles on their faces, Latina grinned as well.
“Dale.”
“What is it?”
“I really am happy,” Latina said, then rested her head on Dale’s shoulder. He couldn’t see her expression anymore as a result, but the warm weight he felt on his shoulder made him break out in a gentle smile.
“...I see.”
“Thank you, Dale.”
“Hmm?”
“For not giving up on me... and for bringing me back to such a warm, gentle place.”
“...Right.”
“Thanks.”
Looking at the people around, it was starting to look more like a banquet complete with alcohol. Seeing that sight which overlapped with her memories of how the Ocelot always looked, Latina’s heart overflowed with warmth.
Latina closed her eyes while wearing a happy expression, the friendly voices so lively she couldn’t even hear the crackling of the fire. She nodded off contentedly. Apparently she really had pushed herself too hard.
Dale broke out in a strained smile (though he felt so at peace that perhaps “strained” wasn’t quite the right word), and wrapped her up completely in his arms. Reminiscent of a kitten, Latina unconsciously shifted about to find the most comfortable position. In no time at all, she started snoozing away slightly out of tune, just like she’d done when she was a child.
Someone’s presence then appeared behind Dale, as if they had been waiting for that moment.
Dale sensed who that was without even needing to turn around, and the voice he had expected then called out to him. “...Dale.”
“What is it?”
Gregor handed one of the two cups he held in each hand to Dale. It gave off the slight scent of alcohol. However, just like Dale, Gregor had no intention of getting dead drunk on the battlefield, so he would never offer too strong a drink. Dale accepted it earnestly, trusting Gregor’s judgment enough not to bother questioning.
“Are you heading back to Kreuz?”
“That’s the plan.”
“You’ll have it rough from here on out.”
“Right back at you...”
Dale had just had unwanted fame thrust upon him, but Gregor would have his work tied to his ducal household increase. The scale of how “rough” they’d have it was completely different.
“Father dangled a ‘reward’ in front of me as well. He apparently wanted me to work quite hard.”
Contrary to Dale’s expectations, Gregor broke out in a smile, his expression not strained in the least.
“A ‘reward’?”
“It was just a brief comment, but he gave his word. ‘It would not be good for authority to gather with our household,’ he said. It would seem that even if I succeed my father, there is no need to enter into a strategic marriage with the daughter of a prestigious family.”
Such a statement was more than enough to motivate Gregor. Dale knew that as well, so he couldn’t hold back a small chuckle.
Naturally, Gregor’s father was also well aware that Gregor had feelings for a girl who would normally not be considered to be of a suitable status for one of a ducal household.
“I was sent to Vassilios in part by my father’s intentions as well. Our family effectively holds no authority in that nation, which will become an important neighbor in the future. Making inroads there would be of great value.”
“Latina is awful fond of Rose, after all...”
That queen, who doted on her sister, had also opened up to Rose a fair bit. Chrysos was earnest in her role as ruler of the nation, and would never do anything that worked against its interests. Even still, it could be said that she had earned a great deal more trust than the lords of Laband who would later come crawling, seeking whatever they could gain through the diplomatic relations opened with Vassilios.
“Well, give it your all.”
“Yeah, that’s my intention.”
They gave a slight clink of their glasses, then drank them dry.
After seeing off his friend, who left after that short exchange, Dale stood up too, Latina still in his arms.
It was far from a quiet environment, but she seemed to sleep happier in the midst of such liveliness. While looking at her with a gentle gaze, Dale walked towards the tent that would serve as their temporary lodging for the night.
It actually made for a more relaxing place to rest, being in this storage tent without any strangers’ gazes. Though it was the cozy spring season, the cold crept in at night. However, there was also the heat of the two wolves sleeping near the entrance, so it didn’t bother them much.
Latina had a habit of squirming about restlessly before she awoke, so when Dale heard that familiar sound, his eyes shot open. Just as expected, Latina opened her eyes shortly after, as Dale watched over her. It wasn’t as if she had trouble getting up, but shortly after awakening, she looked lethargic and defenseless. Dale couldn’t help but smile upon seeing the adorable sight that he had all to himself.
“Dale?”
Still under the blanket, Latina noticed Dale watching her and tilted her head.
“Hey. Morning,” Dale said, giving a nonchalant morning greeting.
“Good morning, Dale,” Latina responded with a smile.
Despite the inconvenient circumstances, Latina did her best to get herself dressed properly before leaving the tent with Dale. She headed to the kitchen and made sandwiches from the leftover meat from the night before, and soup from the bone stock she had prepared. She pulled a large chunk of meat out of the soup and offered it to Vint and Hagel without bothering to season it. She made the sandwiches a little on the large side and then wrapped them up to save for lunch.
Latina had grown accustomed to this everyday atmosphere, in which everyone was busy attending their own responsibilities. As Dale and Latina ate their breakfast, they ended up staring at the people working around them.
“Considering Hagel’s speed, we’ll probably be able to make it to Kreuz tomorrow. I think we’ll just keep on flying rather than camping for the night, but we’ll take a break along the way.”
“I’ll be fine, but will you be alright, Hagel? And what about Vint? That wouldn’t be pushing you too hard, would it?”
“Before I suffer fatigue, this fellow will use his magic.”
The healing magic of the Earth element, which was Dale’s specialty, excelled at recovering stamina. And to start with, Hagel’s stamina as a grown mythical beast would vastly eclipse that of a human.
“Will sleep if tired, so alright,” Vint replied, looking at Latina will engrossed in chowing down on the tender cooked meat. Ever since their time back in Kreuz, Vint had always been a pup who was good at going with the flow.
“Are we heading out soon?”
“I was thinking we’d wait a bit longer. I wanted to take the opportunity to gather a bit more information here...”
&nbs
p; “Then I guess I’ll brush Vint and Hagel... They’re going to keep on working hard for us, so they deserve a bit of a reward, right?”
With those words, the two wolves’ tails started wagging vigorously back and forth. And after receiving her supreme brushing techniques, the fur of the two soaring wolves had grown smooth and fluffy. The severe change in their fur was enough that it would make for a striking before and after picture. They were clearly ready and raring to go, and it would be reasonable to say they were in the best possible condition.
When the time came for them to head out, Gregor was the only one who came to see them off. This seemed to have been done out of consideration for the fact that it would likely be impossible to get a large crowd under control if it came rushing towards them.
“Sorry for all the trouble, Sir Gregor.”
All the commotion had been because her fame had risen so greatly without her knowing about it, so this was really something of an “accident.” But seeing how Latina felt responsible despite this, Gregor broke out in a faintly strained smile.
“When things calm down, feel free to come visit us in the capital. Rose will surely be there as well by then.”
“Right!”
While watching that friendly farewell out of the corner of his eye, Dale put on Hagel’s saddle and then nimbly climbed atop it. As he had grown accustomed to doing, he also checked to make sure their luggage was tightly secured for the flight.
Realizing that even though they hadn’t come to see them off in person, the adventurers were watching from a distance, Latina smiled and waved farewell. Knowing from her personality that she would keep doing that forever if he didn’t move things along, Dale beckoned her over and helped her up into the saddle.
“We’re counting on you, Hagel.”
“Woof,” Hagel responded, jokingly mimicking Vint. Before any groans could be voiced, Hagel spread his wings and took off into the sky with a thunderous flap. Thanks to the natural capabilities of his race to soar through the heavens, now strengthened with magic, his massive frame was lifted up into the sky far more easily than one would expect. With a few flaps he reached a great height, and just a moment later, Vint joined him.
Latina leaned out so she could see the people below them, now resembling ants, and Dale held onto her tightly so that she wouldn’t fall. He seemed to have a firm grasp on her, but he still couldn’t help but worry that she might slip loose somehow.
The mythical beasts known as soaring wolves flew by “running” through the sky, but Dale got the impression that the flight had grown much smoother with Latina along. He thought to himself that perhaps Hagel had been worried about her, too.
Afterwards, they made a swift journey back to Kreuz through the day and night without needing to stop and camp, just as planned. There were hardly any obstacles to worry about in the sky, and they were equipped with a “radar” in the form of their ability to pick up scents, so they were able to keep moving even at night. That was a big difference between them and flying dragons, which didn’t possess night vision.
In addition to when they descended for a rest, Latina also occasionally nodded off atop Hagel’s back. Again showing off how good he was at improvising, Vint also occasionally took a rest between the saddle where they were sitting and Hagel’s head.
Even from up in the air, they were able to easily locate their destination. The walls surrounding the town took the shape of a cross, which was the origin of its name. When she saw the brilliant rows of red rooftops making up the townscape, a joyful look crossed Latina’s face, looking almost like it was sparkling.
When the guard corps that protected Kreuz realized the identity of that shape high in the sky, they shifted from a defensive posture to a different one. After all, every guard in this town was plenty familiar with the mythical beast that looked like a gray-furred wolf with wings.
In a way, one could say that they had resumed preparations for battle, as they were well aware of the commotion that would soon occur.
Latina felt joy welling up from being able to walk through this beloved town with her own two feet. More than anything else, she felt glad that she hadn’t ended up losing it. Seeing it unchanged made her feel happier above all else. Without any hesitation, she headed straight towards the shop that was her destination. At the entrance, there was an ironwork sign with a strange ocelot shape to it, and a green flag with the design of a flying horse standing on the ground. It was the shop known as the Dancing Ocelot, which served as both a bar and an inn.
Dale and Latina passed through the door side-by-side. The two were overwhelmed by emotions, and in choked voices—
Before they could say “we’re home,” they both ended up getting chewed out.
Bringing a full-grown mythical beast like Hagel into town was no good, sure enough.
As an aside, it was normally the job of the gatekeepers of Kreuz to make sure no dangerous animals made it into town. Accordingly, that meant that the southern gatekeeper had abandoned his duty by letting a large carnivorous mythical beast pass right on by, but...
“Faced with the insane force of two mythical beasts and that former doting idiot, the most frightening hero in the world, what was I supposed to do?” the man himself asserted, and no one could really blame him.
Dale and Latina were forced to sit penitently on the floor of the Ocelot, while Rita stood before them with her beautiful eyebrows raised in displeasure, her hands on her hips, and her chest thrust forward.
“Really, just how much of a mess are you?” she said, her tone as exasperated and disparaging as always.
Since the Dancing Ocelot was the place where information had gathered, Rita was naturally aware that Latina was the sister of the ruler of Vassilios, and that Dale had been made into a national hero. Even so, the way she dealt with them hadn’t changed in the least. It showed that, rather than the sort of people worthy of such grand titles, she intended to treat them as just Dale and Latina.
When Dale had left this place behind, Rita had told him, “Come on back. We’ll be waiting for you.” Dale thought that she was the only one who could say those words.
And so, the words came forth from Dale so readily that he even surprised himself.
“Rita.”
“What is it?”
“I’m sorry.”
It was exceptionally rare for Dale to earnestly say such a thing to Rita. After Rita got over being so dumbfounded, she made a face like she was more embarrassed for having to hear it.
“Thanks... We’re home.”
“You... made it back, so it’s fine... Welcome home.”
Dale said nothing about how Rita’s words came out so broken up, instead simply smiling. It wasn’t out of ill-will or embarrassment, instead coming from the earnest feelings in the depths of his heart.
“And Latina, I’m always telling you not to go disappearing off on your own, right?” Rita said to Latina, like how she scolded the girl back when she was a child.
She didn’t speak a word of how rough it had been, and spoke as if that long span of absence had never even happened. Rita continued, as if it was only completely natural, “When you’re heading out, you need to tell us where you’re going. You promised, right? We worry when you don’t, you know...”
“Right... I’m sorry, Rita.”
Unlike Dale, Latina couldn’t bring herself to smile. The tears streamed from her eyes, and her shoulders trembled. Even so, she pointed her tear-stained faced at Rita, and somehow managed to force a smile.
“I’m back. I’m sorry, for being gone so long.”
“Welcome home, Latina.”
It was precisely because there was someone here to say “welcome home” that she had been able to say “I’m back.”
The two of them had finally returned to the place where they belonged.
“Sis!” Theo yelled out and ran up to Latina, Kenneth having held him back until Rita’s scolding was finished. He openly didn’t even so much as look at Dale, but it actual
ly felt rather refreshing.
When Latina saw how much bigger Theo had grown and realized all the time she had missed out on spending together with him, the tears flew even more heavily.
“You’re a real crybaby, aren’t you Sis?” Theo said with a laugh and a troubled-looking expression while Latina hugged him tight. He then happily buried his face into Latina’s soft, nice-smelling chest, which Dale was always complimenting.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Theo...!”
“That’s not what you should be saying, right?”
“...I’m back, Theo.”
“Welcome home, Sis.”
Being told such a thing by her “little brother,” there was no way that Latina could stop the tears from flowing. Almost clinging to Theo, Latina started all-out sobbing. Theo’s little hand stroked Latina’s head as if to comfort her, and there was no hint of despair about her weeping.
Caught up in all of that emotion, Rita started crying too, and at some point Kenneth showed up at her side. So that the strong-willed Rita wouldn’t have to let the people around her see her sobbing, Kenneth lent her his chest.
Their tiny toddler at Kenneth’s feet looked at her crying mother and Latina with a bewildered look on her face.
“...Having kids around really makes it stand out, how much time has passed,” Dale said.
“That’s for sure,” Kenneth replied with a peaceful smile, scooping up his tottering daughter with one hand. That girl with the same colored hair as her father had just been a baby who could hardly speak when Dale departed on his journey.
“Well, you got it done, so it’s fine, right?” said Kenneth, at least giving his “little bro” a passing mark.
“...I’m back,” Dale replied, his mouth shifting into a smile.
“Right. Glad to have you back safely.”
Latina looked up, noticing the voices of the two men. Seeing Kenneth there, she desperately wrung out in a still tearful voice, “I’m back.”