Arriving at Sieg-san’s home, we were sipping tea while waiting for Lunamaria-san.
Sieg-san’s house is made of calming wood, and the interior is spacious and soothing.
[By the way, Rei-san. Are you alright?]
[……Good gracious, my daughter’s love really is quite heavy. I think I’ll need to use Recovery Magic on it.]
As we drank tea, I noticed Rei-san, who looked like he had just taken a firework to the face. In response, he smiled, lifted his hand to his face, and as his hand glowed faintly, the wounds on his face quickly healed.
[As expected of the “Former Court Mage.” What splendid skills you have.]
[Hahaha, well, I’ve been feeling that my skills have been on the decline lately. Especially with Lilia-chan and Luna-chan participating this time, I’m not sure I’ll win the hunting tournament.]
[Is Lilia-san really that strong?]
Apparently, Rei-san used to work as a court mage in the royal palace and is a very skilled mage. He also highly values Lilia-san’s abilities, which is why Kusunoki-san, who was curious about it, asked.
[Oya, you don’t know? Within the Symphonia Kingdom, Lilia-chan is said to have “the ability closest to the strongest.” Her battle capabilities alone surpasses the leader of the Knight Order.]
[U-Ummm, Rei-san. Please stop…]
[I’ve heard others say Lilia-san is strong before, but was Lunamaria-san that impressive too?]
As for Lilia-san’s abilities, I can definitely see that, especially considering she was the runner-up in a martial arts tournament when she was just a teenager. But I’ve never heard of Lunamaria-san being strong before.
Ah, but now that I think about it… I can’t really picture it because of how she usually behaves, but didn’t Lunamaria-san mention that she was a former adventurer?
[I think it’s safe to say that Luna is one of the favorites to win the tournament. Her hunting skills, especially in forests, are far better than mine, thanks to her experience as an adventurer. Of course, Sieg is also a strong contender. Though elves aren’t as strong as humans in terms of muscle, our superior vision and hearing give us an edge, especially when it comes to hunting in the forests. And Sieg’s sword skills are even better than mine.]
[…………….]
[I see.]
Well, I guess it’s no surprise—Sieg-san is incredibly strong too. She’s an elf with exceptional senses, and her sword skills are even better than Lilia-san’s… Honestly, I can’t help but wonder why I always get the impression that Lilia-san is more of a powerhouse than a technical fighter. Is it because she knocked me out cold so many times?
[…Kaito-san. Do you have something you want to say?]
[I-I’m not saying anything!?]
[Hahaha, well, generally speaking, they’re the best in the Symphonia Kingdom.]
Anyway, it seems that Lilia-san and the others are definitely strong candidates for overall victory. But as expected, the warriors of Rigforeshia, who are seasoned hunters in the forest, are also formidable, so it won’t be an easy win for anyone…
[Hmmm. The only person I’ve seen battle in this world is Kuro, so… but I don’t think a fight would be that exciting if someone uses magic.]
[Ummm, Kaito-san… comparing us to someone like her is strange. You’re comparing us to one of the strongest beings in the world, you know?]
And that was the gist of our fun conversation, but… a few moments later, the door suddenly flew open, and Lunamaria-san rushed into the building.
[…Haaahh… Haaahhh…]
[Luna?]
[M-My Lady!? There’s an emergency!!!]
[What’s the matter?]
Lunamaria-san, who had rushed in, must have been in too much of a hurry. Breathing heavily, she spoke to Lilia-san with an urgent look on her face.
Lilia-san, sensing the tense atmosphere, immediately turned serious and urged her to explain.
[J-Just a moment ago, the “prize” for this year’s hunting tournament was announced, and that is…]
[The prize? Ah, now that you mention it, they still haven’t announced it, huh.]
[That’s right~~ Last year, the prize was a magic tool, so I was curious about what it would be this year~~.]
In the hunting tournament, a prize is awarded to the winner every year, and I’ve heard it changes each time.
There are all sorts of prizes, from money to items like magic tools, and it looks like this is what Lunamaria-san wanted to talk about.
[But this time, since it’s the 1000th anniversary of the creation of the Elven Forest… World King-sama herself will be the one bestowing the prize!!!]
[What!? W-World King-sama would…]
[Luna… That is… Don’t tell me…]
Upon hearing Lunamaria-san’s words, Rei-san and Fia-san exchanged looks of disbelief.
But Lilia-san’s expression was even more striking… Rather than shock, it was something else—almost like she was aghast, though it was hard to describe. Either way, Lilia-san looked completely different from her usual self.
[It’s exactly what you’re thinking… The prize will be the “Fruit of the World Tree”.]
[ ! ? ! ? ]
At that moment, my Sympathy Magic detected strong emotions.
Deep regret and… rage directed at oneself?
And the one emitting these intense feelings was… Lilia-san.
[What is this Fruit of the World Tree?]
[Legend has it that this fruit can heal sickness, wounds, and even restore missing limbs. I’ve never seen one myself, but I’ve heard that on rare occasions, World King-sama would give it to her followers as a gift.]
[It’s not just valuable, it’s priceless~~ Even some of World King-sama’s followers may have never seen the real thing.]
Rei-san and Fia-san answered the question Yuzuki-san had asked, but they both seemed to be hiding something complicated.
What could that be? The strongest emotions I’m sensing are from Lilia-san, but both Lunamaria-san and Sieg-san have pained expressions as well.
Then, after saying, “I have a few things to do,” Lilia-san left with Lunamaria-san, while Sieg-san wore a troubled expression, watching them go.
Dear Mom, Dad—I heard that the prizes for this hunting tournament were amazing, but Lilia-san and the others seemed a bit off when they heard what this year’s prize was. It’s something I don’t quite understand, but for Lilia-san and the others—something complicated may have happened.