119. The Hero Party's Regret (6)
"Mister."
"What is it?"
"I have a question."
While walking aimlessly toward our mission.
Luna asked out of curiosity.
"By the way, what kind of mission are we doing? Do we just smash everything up?"
"R-right, Mister...! What mission are we doing...?"
Come to think of it, I was the only one who knew.
I'd been so lost in thoughts about the Demon King that I'd forgotten.
I pulled out the mission paper from my pocket and handed it to the children.
"You two read it."
"Okay! Hare, let's look at this together!"
"Alright...!"
The two pressed their faces together, staring at the small paper and muttering.
"Subjugation mission... rank is Platinum or higher... how do you read this?"
"Li, Lizardman...! This reads Lizardman...! We're subjugating a dragon...!"
"D-dragon! When you think of heroes, you think of dragons!"
Did they really like the mission content?
Luna and Hare shouted in excited voices.
"I saw it in a book—heroes always catch dragons! Really strong dragons too! Right now we're going to catch a giant dragon, Hare!"
"D-dragon...! B-but Luna. Aren't Lizardmen and dragons different...? They're both reptiles but... Lizardmen are lizards..."
"What are you talking about!"
Lizardmen are not dragons.
Luna bristled at Hare's claim and shouted.
"Lizardmen are dragons! They're just small because they're slow to grow!"
"...That's not right. Luna, where did you hear that...?"
"I saw it in a book!"
"...I saw it in a dictionary. It said Lizardmen are lizards and are a different species from dragons..."
"Then let's ask Mister! Mister will know who's right!"
Thump thump—
Luna strode strongly toward me.
"Mister!"
"Speak."
"Lizardmen are dragons, right! When they get older they turn into dragons, right!?"
A confident appearance.
Luna had eyes that were 100% certain her words were true.
However.
*I can't say something wrong is right.*
Unfortunately, Luna's claim was incorrect.
I retrieved the mission paper from the children's hands and said.
"Lizardmen are lizards. A cow raised on a farm doesn't grow into a Minotaur guarding a labyrinth. Hare is right, Luna."
"Ehhh... but the book said they evolve into dragons..."
"W-well, that must be wrong information...! Luna, don't bother Mister and come here...!"
Hare shooed the dejected Luna away from my vicinity.
*There's no need to go that far.*
I stopped walking for a moment and looked up at the sky.
Had we wasted too much time in the city?
Signs of night approaching were beginning to show.
*At this pace, it'll take about two days to reach the mission location... we can make it within the expected time.*
The area also had plenty of trees nearby, making it suitable.
I immediately set down my heavy bag on the ground.
"Let's sleep here tonight, and move again when the sun rises."
"G-good idea, Mister...!"
"Hare, go get some wood from nearby to use as firewood."
"Yess...!"
Hare ran toward the forest holding her dagger without complaint.
She wouldn't get lost even if she went far into this forest.
I turned my gaze toward Luna, who was standing still looking at the sky.
"Luna."
"Huh?"
"Come here and help organize the luggage."
"Oh, okay, Mister!"
Luna immediately ran over and started taking things out of the bag.
As we took out items one by one, we gradually began to establish our base.
However.
"..."
There was no conversation in the process.
A slightly awkward atmosphere flowed between us.
*...As expected, it's still awkward when it's just the two of us.*
At least the atmosphere was better with Hare, who'd been scolded less by me.
When it was just the two of us, Luna unilaterally read the room.
Since I also disliked this atmosphere, I carefully opened my mouth to start a conversation.
"...About that dragon story from earlier."
"Y-yes?! What did you say, Mister?"
"...Never mind."
"What do you mean never mind! If you started talking, finish it! Quickly!"
I spoke once more for Luna, who hadn't heard.
"...I mean the dragon story from earlier. Where I used to live, there were also stories about dragons."
"O-ooh...! Is it about Lizardmen!"
"No, it's a story about a serpent called an Imugi that wanted to become a dragon. The dragon you know and the dragon in this story look different but can be considered the same existence."
"Hmm, I see!"
I told Luna the legend of the Imugi while setting up the base.
An Imugi that trained for 1000 years and emerged.
If the first person to see that Imugi said "snake," it would have to train for another 1000 years, but if they said "dragon," it would ascend and become a dragon.
Luna listened so intently to my story that she stopped organizing.
Then, when the story ended, she raised her hand as if she had a question.
"Th-then! If I meet a Lizardman that trained for 1000 years and shout 'dragon!', will the Lizardman become a dragon too!?"
"No, they're different species to begin with, so that won't happen."
"Aww..."
Why is she so obsessed with Lizardmen?
I can't understand it.
Anyway, after telling the Imugi story, the atmosphere between us seemed to improve a bit.
"Anyway Luna. You should think about becoming a dragon rather than an Imugi."
"I'm a hero! A hero, not a dragon!"
"It's the same thing. Work hard so that the word 'hero' comes out of the mouth of the first person who sees you."
"Aha!"
Luna nodded as if she understood.
"Got it! I'll get stronger! So Mister can be comfortable! So people can be happy! I'll eliminate the Demon King!"
"...That's a good thought."
So people can be happy.
Good.
If she has that purpose, she'll definitely become an upright hero in the end.
While I was having such trivial conversation with Luna, Hare appeared carrying wood in her arms.
She seemed to have gathered quite a lot.
However, for some reason, Hare's expression wasn't good.
"...Luna."
"Hm? What is it, Hare?"
"What did you talk about while I was gone...? The atmosphere feels different...?"
"N-nothing! We didn't talk about much! F-first put that dagger away before talking! It's scary!"
"...You really didn't talk about anything?"
Dead-eyed Hare.
Hare set down the wood and approached Luna with her dagger.
"If you did something sneaky first... I can't forgive you..."
"I-I said I didn't do anything! D-don't come! Aaaah—!!"
Patter patter—
Luna began running hard to escape from the approaching Hare.
"...I'm left alone."
It'll be a bit slow, but.
I should finish preparations while the two play tag.
Left alone, I took out tools from the bag and prepared for the approaching night.
*Well, they'll come back before it's too late.*
The result would likely be Luna getting caught anyway.
I wasn't very interested in their game of tag.
Preparing food, lighting the firewood.
"It's delicious! Meat is the best!"
"M-Mister's meat is always delicious...!"
Setting up the tent, putting out the fire.
"It's time to sleep now, so everyone sleep in the tent."
"Okaaay~!"
"Y-yes...!"
For tomorrow morning's sun.
We decided to enter the tents.
The two would use the large tent, and I would use the small tent.
There was no problem spending the night.
"Alcohol... unfortunately there isn't any."
I reached my hand into subspace.
Unfortunately, there was no alcohol to help me sleep.
Still, unlike before, I'd been reducing the amount quite a bit, so I should be able to sleep without it.
Thinking that, I lay down in the tent and closed my eyes.
"..."
Rustle rustle—
Perhaps because it was a forest, I could hear the sound of grass brushing in the wind and wild animals.
Normally I'd be drunk enough not to care and could sleep.
"...Should I go back now and get some alcohol?"
No, that would be ridiculous.
I quickly abandoned the thought and closed my eyes tightly to sleep.
In the midst of that.
I sensed someone's presence approaching my tent.
*...Who is it at this hour.*
Luna? Hare?
Or perhaps it could be the Demon King that Hare mentioned meeting.
The other party had no hostility, but I grabbed the sword I'd placed by my pillow.
In case the opponent suddenly attacked, I'd cut them down.
*...Come out.*
As I waited holding my sword like that.
Swish—
The tent door I'd closed opened.
I drew my sword and spoke.
"Who is it?"
"Aaaah—!! M-Mister, what are you doing! Are you trying to kill me!?"
"Oh, it's Luna."
"Who else would it be! Even if it wasn't me, there's only Hare!"
"..."
Right.
Was it because I didn't drink?
I was too on edge.
I placed the sword back by my pillow and asked Luna.
"Where did you leave Hare and why did you come alone?"
"She's sleeping! Her ears are too sharp! It was really hard being careful coming here!"
"I'm not asking how you came, but why."
"Oh, well! Actually..."
I'm a little scared!
"Really just a little! It's a bit scary because it's quiet and dark... I-I'm scared to sleep with Hare!"
"You're scared to sleep with Hare?"
"I feel like she'll suddenly stab me with a knife while sleeping!"
"...That could happen."
With Hare, that's a completely understandable opinion.
I nodded and said.
"So, Luna. What do you want to do?"
"W-well... I'm a bit scared so... can I sleep next to you, Mister...?"
"No."
"D-don't answer so quickly! At least think about it a little!"
"Hmm..."
As expected.
"No."
"Why!"
"If I sleep with you, I can't fall asleep."
"Why!"
"Because you're noisy."
"I'll be quiet!"
"Your existence is noisy."
"H-how can that be! That's ridiculous..."
Luna lowered her head and muttered that it was ridiculous.
She seemed a bit hurt.
*...Can't be helped.*
I moved over slightly to make room.
"Wow...!"
Luna brightened and immediately lay down next to me.
Then she stiffened her position as if she absolutely wouldn't move.
"...I won't tell you to leave, so relax."
"Hehe..."
"Just sleep quietly and leave in the morning. Understand?"
"Yess~! I understand 99 percent!"
Where did the remaining 1% go?
That question briefly arose, but I erased it from my mind to sleep.
About 10 minutes passed after closing my eyes.
In a situation where sleep didn't come easily, Luna carefully opened her mouth.
"Mister, are you asleep?"
"...I was trying to."
"You're not asleep now! I have a question!"
"...Alright, ask."
"Mister... what was your dream when you were young...?"
"My dream."
My childhood dream.
What was it again?
I answered Luna honestly.
"I forgot."
"Eh, how can that be!"
"That's what happens when you live."
"Ehhh... boomer..."
"..."
"Hehe."
Snicker—
Luna burst into laughter, snickering at something funny.
"What's funny?"
"Just, I'm a bit happy that Mister's mood improved!"
"...If it seemed that way, that's fortunate."
Since my mood actually had improved with time.
Luna's eyes could be considered accurate.
I smiled faintly and closed my eyes again.
Now there really was no time.
"Stop talking now and go to sleep. Tomorrow morning we depart—"
"I'm sorry..."
However.
Luna continued speaking as if it didn't matter.
"I'm sorry, Mister... I'm sorry for trying to take away something precious to you..."
"...That's already in the past. It's okay."
"N-no...! It's not okay...! I did something wrong... and I hurt you...! Th-that's not okay...!!"
Drip drip—
Luna apologized while shedding tears.
Grabbing my collar, she kept talking about her wrongdoing.
"It's not okay at all...!! For you to say it's okay...!! The only way is to smash my head...!"
"No, that's too extreme—"
"I'm saying I did something that bad...! Judging someone else's memories on my own...!! Was very! Very wrong...!! And I did it...!!"
...She's worked up.
Had she been holding in this much emotion?
Luna burst out emotionally and apologized to me.
She seemed not even to know what she was saying anymore.
Toward such a Luna, I decided to bring out a thought from deep in my heart.
"...Luna."
"I was wrong—"
"No, it's okay. Just listen to what I have to say first."
"..."
She's finally calmed down.
I opened my mouth in the now quiet atmosphere.
"What you did was certainly wrong. I was hurt too."
"I-I'm sorry...!"
"I'm not blaming you. Just listen."
"..."
"Anyone can be hurt, and anyone can hurt others."
Though I'm not one to say this.
"Wounds heal with time. New flesh grows with time."
If you can't endure the wound and scratch it, you'll just end up with a scab-covered body like me.
"We just needed some time, Luna."
"Yes..."
"That wound has already healed, so it's okay. It's okay if you act properly next time."
"Y-yes... I'm sorry..."
Don't become like me.
With that thought, I stroked Luna's head.
Luna stopped crying and burrowed into my embrace.
*Does she not want to show her tear-stained face?*
I don't know how many times I'm closing my eyes.
Since the conversation was over, I closed my eyes, determined to definitely sleep this time.
Perhaps from crying, Luna's body was hot like a fireball.
*...Still, our awkward relationship has been resolved, and it's gotten a bit quieter.*
It was a very.
Difficult night to fall asleep.