The Tale of the Wizrain Kingdom
Happiness Comes With a Smile
Translated by: S3
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*****
They were flying through the sky.
Every time the whistling wind roared past her ears, Elna felt like she might burst into tears. They dipped into the deep, sapphire ocean of air as if diving, only to soar through it once more. The lives of people below seemed so tiny; the lush, green mountains looked like little vegetables planted in a garden—it was almost adorable.
Elna wrapped her arms around Cross’s back as they flew through the heavens—astride a single, dragon made of iron.
「I’m told this is still a prototype of Magic Engineering. Its flight time is limited. Kyle said it could probably manage one last trip. This is that trip. This dragon will never fly again.」
「I see... But it’s amazing. ...Ah, it really is amazing.」
Elna burned the scenery into her memory, a sight she had seen in her dreams countless times but never thought she would experience again.
The power of the white clouds flowing toward the distant horizon.
The shimmering layers of blue radiance. The small forests, the towns—everything.
Suddenly, her vision blurred. Trying to hide it, she pressed her forehead against Cross’s back.
「...Hm?」
His voice sounded gentle, surely seeing right through her.
However, he didn't press the matter further.
The conflict with the Albarul Empire had concluded, and Elna and the others had descended the mountain accompanied by the Marls soldiers who had been sent as reinforcements. Lanchelo—Emperor Rigoberto’s younger brother—was already in a state where conversation was difficult, but from his fragmented words, they learned that he had been under the delusion that Rigoberto had murdered their entire family, and he had lived in constant terror of when his own turn would come.
Upon learning this, Rigoberto said nothing. However, his eyes widened, and he bit his lip slightly. To Elna, he looked like a man slowly coming to terms with the consequences of his actions, perhaps even feeling a touch of regret. Elna had told Rigoberto that their paths would never cross, but perhaps, from here on out, he might actually change.
Due to the unexpected incident and the subsequent cleanup, Elna and her companions were forced to extend their stay in the Kingdom of Marls, but they couldn't stay forever. Tomorrow, they would return to Wizrein. Before that, at Kyle’s suggestion, they were now soaring through the sky.
「The Albarul Empire and us... I wonder if we’ll really be able to live without further conflict...」
「Who knows. People change. Countries do, too. There is no such thing as a 'certainty.' ...Besides, the Empire wasn't the only one involved in this outcome. There were those who posed as a delegation and provided false information. And someone was pulling the strings of the soldiers. One does not simply create a dragon by destroying a Reverse Scale. I didn't see the dragon myself, but Ketock mentioned that by shattering the scale, the protection was weakened, allowing an evil soul to possess it.」
The mine had collapsed, but it was originally a place formed from dragon bones. Even if the shape had changed a bit, it wasn't a major issue; in fact, the spirits living there were apparently delighted now that the area received more sunlight.
『If the spirits are happy, I am at my happiest!』
Ketock had said, looking quite entranced. That being said, he did complain to Cross, crying out, 『This is nothing like the employment conditions we discussed! I heard I just had to relax and play with spirits, I didn't hear anything about scary stuff like this!』
The red-eyed individual known as "Shadow," who had told Rigoberto the story of the dragon, had vanished before anyone noticed. As for who "Shadow" really was—Cross didn't put it into words, but he could take a guess. For now, he remained silent.
「...I won't tell you not to make me worry. Nor will I tell you not to be reckless. However, if you must do so, please do it only when you're with me.」
「I was just a little tired... I'm sorry.」
She rubbed her forehead against him again. Even though she had decided to live, there were moments when she felt like she might lose her footing. Elna hadn't been reborn to die; she had been reborn to live.
She was no longer a dragon searching for a place to die alone.
She hugged Cross’s back tightly and let out a long breath while looking down. After rubbing her forehead against him vigorously, she popped her head up with a "Puh!" Then, she leaned against him once more, this time resting her cheek on his back.
「If I don't stay alive, I won't be able to protect Wizrain! For now, I'm going to enjoy this view! Alright, Cross, take us further out! Ah, this is fun! ...It really is fun... I'm so happy...」
「My frolicking bride is so very, very adorable. I'm frustrated to the point of distraction that I can't see your face... Elna, forgive me, but may I kiss you?」
「How did you think you could do that when you can't even see my face... It's dangerous. Keep a firm grip on the reins. At least wait until we're back on the ground to say that.」
「Excellent, I have your word then.」
「The King is being so petty...」
「Truth be told, even I have my limits. Dah-ha-ha! If you're going to be satisfied with just a kiss, you should be thanking me. I wouldn't mind doing more than that, personally!」
「That's not something you should say so calmly and refreshingly. Let's just say it's... under consideration.」
***
And so. Elna and the others returned safely to the Kingdom of Wizrain, receiving a passionate welcome from their comrades who had been waiting anxiously. Elna spent her days busy as a fiancée. While the number of small animals was supposed to be limited to just hamsters, recently, even ferrets (Dorafe) had been added to the mix.
It happened one day. Elna had moved from the maid’s quarters to a room right next to Cross’s, and her new room even had a tiny bed prepared for the hamster.
『Fluffiness is everyone's ally, I say! Fluffy! A fluffy bed, indeed!』
The Hamster Spirit chirped happily, bouncing up and down—boing, boing—on the bed. Elna watched him and called out, 「Hey, listen.」
The Hamster Spirit made a face as if to say, 『Hmm?』 and went "boing, boing..." before plopping his bottom down on the bed. Elna knew, of course, that those plump, puffed-out cheeks were stuffed with sunflower seeds for emergency rations.
「Back at the mine... you were the one who broke the seal on the Magic-Sealing Ring and saved me, right...?」
The hamster merely turned his beady eyes toward Elna, his nose and whiskers twitching.
「I know you're not just an ordinary spirit. But Dorafe was trying to stop you, saying it was no good. ...Are you okay?」
Ever since they returned to Wizrain, he hadn't said a word about it.
Finally, Elna had asked.
Perhaps it was something he didn't want to talk about. But even though she sensed his feelings, she couldn't suppress the urge to ask; this hamster had become an irreplaceable companion to her.
「Hey... are you really okay?」
(Please say yes.)
Elna asked as if praying, as if clinging to him. The Hamster Spirit didn't answer.
Suddenly, the Hamster Spirit hopped off the bed. He trotted across the top of the chest on all fours. Then, he stood up unsteadily. It was an awkward posture for a hamster to stand on two legs, but it was far too late to find that strange now, so Elna didn't comment on it.
『Hi-yah! I say!』
The Hamster Spirit pointed his paws upward and struck a sharp pose.
『Hi-yah, hi-yah, hi-yah, hi-yah, indeed!』
He shook both paws rapidly from left to right. Furthermore, he was treading his feet in a wiggly, fluffy dance. Elna was aghast. It was just so... his usual self.
She had been worrying and asking him a serious question, yet his response was his usual dance.
As she watched the unchanging "Ham-Dance," Elna began to feel like it didn't matter anymore... when the hamster spoke with a bright smile, looking like he’d worked up a good sweat. 『This is how it is, I say!』 It seemed he really had intended to answer her. She had absolutely no idea what the dance meant, though.
『To save a comrade in a pinch, I perform this dance every day without fail as an offering to the sky! In other words, I'm accumulating power. Elna, you are a comrade, I say! I would never, ever just disappear on a comrade without a word, indeed!』
「...Haha, I see.」
Comrade. Was there ever a word that could make her feel this happy?
When Elnalfia had died according to her own wish, many spirits had grieved.
In their existence, Elnalfia had surely found a small measure of salvation.
The Hamster Spirit’s tiny, pink paw reached out toward her. Before she knew it, Elna was slowly reaching out as well, and the Hamster Spirit’s paw rested atop her index finger.
The tips of those tiny paws were covered in soft fur, feeling just a little bit ticklish.
『I look forward to our time together... from here on out, I say! Elna!』
「...Yeah!」
Why is it that people feel like crying most when they are happy?
Elna let her mouth break into a smile, while at the same time, she squeezed her eyes shut against the tears.
When you're happy, you should smile. If you do, happiness will find its way to you from the other side.
The Elnalfia inside Elna’s heart was surely smiling right now, too.
*****
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