Despite the initial commotion, we eventually reached Sieg-san’s home. While we waited for Lunamaria-san to return, we sat down for tea.
The house was a cozy wooden building, and the interior was quite spacious. The natural warmth of the wood had a way of putting the mind at ease.
"Anyway, Rei-san... are you alright?" I asked.
"...Goodness, a daughter’s love is a heavy burden. I’d better cast some recovery magic."
As we sipped our tea, I spoke to Rei-san, whose face looked as if it had been at the epicenter of an explosion. Rei-san gave a wry smile and held a hand over his face. When his palm emitted a faint light, the wounds vanished in the blink of an eye.
"As expected of a former Court Mage. That’s an impressive display," I remarked.
"Hahaha, no, even I’ve started to feel my age lately. Especially with Lilia-chan and Luna-chan participating—winning this year's hunting competition is going to be a tall order."
"Is Lilia-san really that strong?" Kusunoki-san asked.
It seemed Rei-san had previously served in the royal palace as a Court Mage, which meant he was incredibly skilled. Kusunoki-san, noticing how highly he regarded Lilia-san’s abilities, grew curious.
"Oh, you didn't know? Within the Kingdom of Sinfonia, Lilia-chan is practically the strongest. In terms of pure combat power, she even surpasses the Knight Commander."
"U-Um, Rei-san... Please, that’s enough..." Lilia-san stammered, clearly embarrassed.
"I’ve heard Lilia-san was strong before, but is Lunamaria-san amazing too?" I asked.
I’d gathered that Lilia-san was powerful, given she’d been the runner-up in a martial arts tournament in her teens, but this was the first I’d heard about Lunamaria-san’s prowess. Actually, come to think of it... it was hard to imagine given how she usually behaved, but wasn't Lunamaria-san a former adventurer?
"I’d say Luna is one of the top contenders for the win," Rei-san explained. "When it comes to hunting techniques in the forest specifically, her experience as an adventurer makes her far superior to me. Of course, Sieg is likely a top candidate as well. Compared to humans, the Elf Race might lack physical strength, but they have superior sight and hearing. Hunting in the forest is their home turf. Especially Sieg—her sword skills are better than my own."
"..."
"I see."
As I suspected, Sieg-san was quite strong. She was an elf with heightened senses and sword skills that rivaled Lilia-san’s. Honestly, I wondered why I pictured Lilia-san as a power-type rather than a technical fighter. Was it because I’d seen her pass out so many times?
"...Kaito-san. Is there something you’d like to say?" Lilia-san asked, her eyes narrowing.
"N-No, it’s nothing!?"
"Hahaha. Well, the point is they are among the most capable people in the Kingdom of Sinfonia," Rei-san added.
In any case, it sounded like Lilia-san and the others were the favorites to win. However, the warriors of Rigforresia who hunted in these woods daily were no slouches either, so victory wasn't guaranteed.
"Hmm. The only combat I’ve seen since coming to this world was Kuro’s... I imagine fighting with magic must be quite spectacular," I mused.
"Um, Kaito-san... your basis for comparison is completely wrong. She is in the strongest class in the entire world, you know?"
We were enjoying our lighthearted chat until the door was suddenly flung open. Lunamaria-san came rushing in, gasping for air.
"...Hah... hah..."
"Luna?"
"M-Milady! This is terrible!!"
"What’s happened?"
Lunamaria-san must have run the entire way. Heaving with exhaustion, she addressed Lilia-san with a look of pure panic. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Lilia-san’s expression turned serious.
"T-The prize for this year's hunting competition was just announced, and it’s..."
"The prize? Oh, that’s right, it hadn't been revealed yet."
"Yes~ Last year it was a magic tool, so I was wondering what it would be this time," Sylphia-san added.
A prize was awarded to the winner every year, and I’d heard it was always different. Sometimes it was money, other times it was a rare magic tool. It seemed Lunamaria-san’s news was specifically about this year’s reward.
"Because this is the 1000th anniversary of the founding of the Elf Forest... the World King-sama has bestowed a prize upon the Elder!"
"!? T-The World King-sama..."
"Luna... does that mean... could it be..."
Upon hearing Lunamaria-san’s words, Rei-san and Fia-san were stunned into silence. But Lilia-san’s reaction was the most striking of all. Her face was a mask of shock and something else... something sharp and almost desperate. She looked like a completely different person.
"Yes... it is the Fruit of the World Tree."
"!?!?"
At that moment, my Sympathy Magic picked up a tidal wave of emotion. Deep regret... and a burning anger directed at herself. The source of that intense feeling was Lilia-san.
"What is the Fruit of the World Tree?" Yuzuki-san asked.
"It is a legendary fruit said to heal any disease or injury—it can even regrow lost limbs," Rei-san replied. "I’ve never seen the real thing, but I’ve heard the World King-sama bestows it upon her kin on extremely rare occasions."
"It’s not something you can put a price on," Fia-san added. "I’ve heard that even many of the World King-sama’s own kin have never laid eyes on one."
Rei-san and Fia-san answered Yuzuki-san’s question, but both of them looked troubled. What was going on? The strongest emotions were coming from Lilia-san, but Lunamaria-san and Sieg-san also looked incredibly pained.
Eventually, Lilia-san announced she had "some business to attend to" and left with Lunamaria-san. Sieg-san watched them go, her eyes filled with sorrow.
Dear Mother, Father— The prize for the hunting competition sounds like an incredible thing, but Lilia-san and the others acted so strangely when they heard about it. I don’t know the details yet, but... I think there might be some complicated circumstances involved.
In the training grounds opened for the competition participants, Lilia and Lunamaria were practicing with grim determination.
"...Faster. I have to... I have to get my edge back..."
"...Lili."
Lilia, who had been away from the front lines of combat for a long time, was swinging her sword desperately to reclaim her old instincts. Lunamaria watched her, her expression heavy with sadness. Lilia’s face was etched with a frantic impatience; she looked possessed, a far cry from her usual self.
"Luna, we have to win. No matter what... we must get the Fruit of the World Tree..."
"Lili, you're still..."
"Of course I am!" Lilia snapped.
"!?"
Lunamaria had known this would happen if she told Lilia about the prize. But she couldn't have kept it from her. Because the Fruit of the World Tree was what Lilia had been searching for all this time... it was the only thing that might finally ease the deep regret that held her captive.
Lilia turned to Lunamaria, her face twisted in a look of anguish that was painful to see.
"She... Sieg... she lost her voice because of me!"
"..."
"Sieg’s voice never returned, even with recovery magic... If there is even a chance of curing her, then I... I have to..."
Lilia bit her lip hard, tears welling in her eyes. Watching her friend suffer over the past, Lunamaria found herself without words. She simply stayed by Lilia's side, silently helping her train.
And from a distance, Sieglinde watched them both... her heart heavy with sorrow.