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The Tale of the Wizrain Kingdom

A Walk with the Puppy 1

Translated by: S3

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*****

Even so, Elna was only just getting used to this town and was not familiar with it at all. But for that very reason, she gave it her best effort as a guide.

「Is this the shop where Elna usually buys things?」

「Yes. Because my brother likes sweets.」

「Oh, Elna-chan. You have a cute little one with you today.」

「He's my younger brother!」

Incidentally, "brother" here meant Cross, Feliol's older brother. Sunflower General Store was a wholesaler that only accepted large orders. Since they handled many storable food items, the castle often relied on them. The flower shop next door was also run by a family, and that is where the Hamster Spirit's sunflower seed treats were purchased. Seeing the Hamster Spirit get a dreamy look on his face just by approaching this store, Feliol was surprised at first, then laughed in a low voice.

***

「I don't shop much, but I think I like walking around the city.」

「H-Huh... Well, there are certainly far fewer people than on the day of the festival.」

「Compared to the festival day, yes. But it's a nice day today, so there might be more people than usual.」

「Oh...」

The shopping street was always bustling with life. The loud calls of shopkeepers echoed, and Feliol flinched, his shoulders jumping. 「It's alright,」 Elna whispered to him. Because they were pretending to be siblings, her language naturally became softer. Without realizing it, Elna and Feliol had linked hands, so she could sense his slight surprise.

She didn't go so far as to say that she was there for him, but Feliol straightened his posture.

He looked around the shops with interest and finally bought bread from a stall. It seemed he had prepared copper coins instead of gold coins in his wallet after his previous failure, and his eyes sparkled with excitement over his first purchase. When he was happy, he still celebrated silently, which Elna found rather endearing.

***

「Elna! Aren't you hungry?」

「I had a little bit earlier, so I'm fine.」

She had secretly taken a bite first as a poison substitute, but there was no need to mention that. Hearing Feliol's cheerful voice made her happy too.

The bread was generously filled with vegetables along with thick, boiled sausage that was practically bursting out of the cut. When you bit into the sausage with a snap, the sharp flavor of mustard followed. Since Elna had also eaten at this stall, she understood how Feliol felt and found it very endearing to watch him desperately devour the bread, his mouth full of meat juices.

Sitting on a bench in the plaza with Feliol next to her, cheeks stuffed with bread, made the worries she'd had until recently feel like a lie. Thinking that a day like this was nice once in a while, she gave the Hamster Spirit some sunflower seeds.

The Spirit, who was pretending to be just a hamster in front of Feliol, expressed his thanks with a small bow and immediately concentrated on peeling the seed husk.

「I've thought this before, but that hamster... he's strangely intelligent, don't you think?」

「He's actually an amazing ham.」

「Oh really...?」

The spirit, who had intended to look like just an ordinary ham, was so shocked that the hand holding the seed trembled, but setting that aside...

They had visited and walked through many places with Feliol, and although they had set out early in the morning, the sun was now directly overhead. Even the guard knights hiding out of sight must be tired from walking continuously. Elna decided it was time for them to rest and remained seated on the bench for a while.

In the plaza, the fountain was spraying water, and the sunlight reflecting off the water surface and the spray glittered beautifully.

(Something like that... would have been unthinkable in Elnalfia's era.)

Though those days were now long past.

Vaid—the first king who laid the foundation of this country—lamented that the land was prone to little rain, and wishing for the people's happiness, he named this place Wizrain. But thanks to the advancement of spirit magic, they no longer suffered from water shortages.

However, Elna felt that the distance between people and spirits had grown larger than in the past. From being cute neighbors who were everywhere and would grant small daily wishes while leaving behind little mischiefs, they had changed into beings to be revered and honored.

In truth, spirits are everywhere. Spirits tend to gather around people like Elna who know this, finding their company comfortable.

In the plaza, Tree Spirits and Wind Spirits were chasing each other, flowing like currents.

The Hamster Spirit was also invited by an Earth Spirit and disappeared for a walk. As Elna looked down on their antics with a warm smile, a brilliant gleam suddenly caught her eye.

She thought it was the fountain water catching the light, but it was slightly different. Elna leaned forward slightly and squinted. Her brow furrowed naturally.

「Is something wrong?」

Feliol, who had already finished his bread, was neatly wiping his hands with a handkerchief he held. 「Is there something over there?」 he asked. Elna was about to shake her head and say, 「Not exactly...」 but then she quickly changed her mind.

「Yes. Is it alright if we go over there for a moment?」

「Of course.」

Feliol nodded, and like close siblings, the two of them approached the fountain.

「The water is so clear and cool-looking. A skilled Spirit Master must be drawing it up from the soil.」

Feliol spoke in an excited voice while scooping up water with one hand, but Elna was preoccupied. She placed both hands on the brick enclosure and looked down at the rippling water surface.

There, she saw the figure of a young girl. Not Elna, but a maiden with beautiful golden hair.

She smiled gently. When Elna blinked, the girl was sitting on the brick edge, splashing the water with her white feet.

And then, she glanced at Elna and smiled again.

(A High Spirit in a place like this, let alone the middle of a forest?)

Around this time, the Hamster Spirit, who was taking a walk with the Earth Spirit, let out a tiny sneeze.

—Though there are exceptions, spirits prefer nature. This characteristic becomes more pronounced in High Spirits, and the higher a spirit's rank, the more it creates a form to serve as its vessel, moving away from an ambiguous, formless existence.

The girl's long golden hair, which reached her feet, swayed gently whenever she moved. Wrapped in loose white cloth and looking at Elna with the innocent expression of a young child, she looked just like a human child, although the tips of her ears were slightly pointed.

This meant she had chosen the form of a girl for her vessel, showing a preference for humans. That's probably why she was in the middle of a city like this.

Although surprised for a moment, this was not a person to be wary of. Confirming that Feliol wasn't paying attention—either reflecting his face in the water or dipping his fingers in—Elna spoke to the spirit.

(Hello, Water Spirit. Did you call me?)

Being a High Spirit, there was no need to physically voice the words. The spirit should automatically understand Elna's intention.

Immediately, the spirit replied with a delighted voice.

「You noticed me? Glass Dragon.」

I'm not a Dragon anymore, Elna replied with a wry smile, but the Water Spirit laughed with a chime. 「That doesn't matter at all. I've always wanted to talk to you.」

(You've always wanted to talk...? What do you mean?)

「I've heard about you from many spirits. Especially the ones in the castle. As you can see, I like humans. So, I probably like you too.」

This spirit, who spoke with the sound of a rolling bell, said that even if humans did foolish things like lying or deceiving, it was fine. She was likely an extreme eccentric.

「I like humans who laugh. But I also like humans who grieve. I love watching humans desperately struggle, seeking happiness amid sorrow and anger.」

Despite having a childlike face, the spirit looked up at Elna, tilting her head with a voice that was either enlightened like an old woman or terrifyingly innocent like a newborn child who knew nothing.

「It's a wonderful thing when a human gains the ability to see spirits. I know you, being a Sky Dragon and a Fire Dragon, are not fond of water. But if you'd like, please play with me someday.」

Saying that, she extended a finger to Elna's nose, only to pashan burst into foam, and the spirit vanished like a bubble.

Sounds abruptly returned to the surroundings, which had been so still it felt as though time had stopped. The fountain water spilled shawa-shawa. The sounds of insects, the wind, and people's laughter.

A single bead of sweat dripped potari from Elna's jaw.

「...Are you tired?」

Elna noticed Feliol looking up at her, observing her with suspicion. Her reaction was delayed by half a beat. 「Of course not,」 she replied, wiping her forehead. 「I just thought it was a little hot.」

「If you say so... Hmm, we still have some time before we're scheduled to return to the castle... I don't mind going back early, though.」

「No, it's a rare opportunity. But even if we have time, it doesn't seem like much.」

Elna contemplated after checking how high the sun was in the sky. Their plan for today was intentionally left undecided. Since they couldn't risk information leaking during a royal incognito outing, they decided the destination on the spot. Even with hidden bodyguards, they needed to be more careful than when Feliol had selfishly snuck out of the castle alone.

「Hmm...」

Elna put her hand to her chin, thinking under the scorching sun. The Hamster Spirit, who had been out for a walk, also returned.

「Since we're out. Shall we go somewhere cool for our last stop?」

「Somewhere cool...?」

***

A cowbell attached to the door rang, and a cheerful voice immediately greeted them, 「Welcome!」

「…………」

「Hey, what's wrong, Elna? Why are you suddenly so tense!」

Elna's body stiffened, and she stood perfectly still on her two feet toward the smiling clerk who greeted them. 「Wasn't this your regular spot...?」 Feliol exclaimed in confusion, tugging at the hem of Elna's dress.

「Um, customers...?」

「I-I'm sorry. There are two of us. We came together.」

「Then allow me to guide you.」

The clerk showed no suspicion at Elna's state and quickly escorted them to an open table. A true professional. 「Please use this bell to call me when you've decided on your order,」 she finished brightly, and with a flutter of her apron dress, she moved on to assist someone else.

Elna felt an urge to call her back, wishing her not to leave, but of course, she couldn't. She stared down at the menu given to her with an expression like a fierce ogre, her hands clasped on her knees, rigid and stiff.

「W-What is going on? You were so confident just now when you suggested going somewhere cool!」

Feliol's feelings were painfully clear, and Elna understood them.

「I'm sorry. I didn't expect this to happen...!」

That was why Elna's voice was strained, and she abruptly averted her gaze from Feliol, who was sitting across the table from her.

「Why? It doesn't seem like such a strange place. Or... is it a sweat shop kinda place? Yes, is it a sweat shop or sweet shop?」

「I'm sorry I made you make a pun...!」

「Even I feel embarrassed saying that! Stop apologizing so weirdly! This is...」

Feliol paused, holding his breath.

「—This is just a sweets shop!」

He declared it clearly.

The moment he did, Elna inexplicably flushed and covered her face.

「U-Uuugh!」

「W-Why are you acting like this?!」

Feliol retorted, and the boy's own ears turned slightly red in reaction. He seemed to notice this and hastily covered his ears. But Elna was too flustered to notice, her heart pounding for some reason, and all she could do was stare intently at the menu she had been handed.

*****

Note: Feliol first asks if the place is a strange shop (おかしい店, okashii mise). Then, he immediately twists the pronunciation and rephrases the question to ask if it's a sweet shop (お菓子な店, okashi na mise), making a pun out of the similar-sounding words to try and lighten the mood.

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