Chapter 175
"By the way, I've explained about the situation roughly, but why are you in this place?" (Soma)
As the conversation turned to idle talks, the question that suddenly asked by Soma made Aina speechless. There was no way she wouldn't be asked that question, but she was slightly caught off guard since she wasn't asked so far.
Nonetheless, it wasn't like she had a reason not to say it…
"I don't think you've come here without a reason, right?" (Soma)
"Well, that's true. There's only one reason to come to this place. I'm going home." (Aina)
That was a fact. Aina came to Demento this time to return to her home, and… that was the Demon King's castle.
"Hmm… would that be alright?" (Soma)
"Yes… uhm, what do you mean by that? What's the problem of going home?" (Aina)
"We've heard a little, but there seems to be a lot of things going on, yes?" (Felicia)
Soma, Felicia and Sheila didn't talk about what was happening before this. They were still considering whether they should tell Aina or not. When Felicia turned her worried face to him as if she had something in mind, she looked at Aina.
The color of the eyes was similar to hers, but was it because the color of hair that made it felt totally different? In most cases, the color of the hair and the eyes was the same. Even if it was somewhat different, at least Aina didn't that that it was so different.
Perhaps, it might be unique to the Witch, but… that was it. There was nothing wrong with that.
It was true that Felicia was a Witch, but Aina also had similar circ.u.mstances. Plus, it was mentioned earlier. If Soma was with her, Aina didn't have to worry about it in many ways.
No, in another sense, Aina was interested. She heard that they lived in the same house together for about a month.
However, she wasn't in a situation where she should care about it. Aina shrugged her shoulders, including the amount of thoughts that had pa.s.sed.
"It's alright. I'm not going to do anything when I go back. Well, maybe. Just think that it's a good time to go home to check the surroundings." (Aina)
"For now, I understand your reasons, and… I supposed it would be that way. Didn't you say that you wouldn't go back home for a while?" (Soma)
"…Yes, when I left the academy, I didn't say that I had such a plan." (Sheila)
"Well, I honestly, I didn't mean to do that time. I was concerned since Sheila left the academy." (Aina)
Sheila disappeared from the academy, and Aina had a lot of free time after that.
There were many things to do. There was no end to improve magic.
However, there was a limit to what could be done alone, and even if she did it alone, she got bored. Having said that, what changed her mind was the fact that most of her friends weren't in the academy.
Although Lina remained there, she seemed to have various things to do, and Aina could hardly meet her. Eventually, Aina became lonely. So she decided to do what she could do on the occasion of being alone.
It was Sheila who gave her the idea. Sheila returned to her hometown, which she intended not to return for a while. Then, Aina thought that
"Hmm… In other words, it was a sudden action?" (Soma)
"Yes, that's how it is." (Aina)
"So, it seems you got the permission to go down here." (Soma)
"Aah, I was worried about that, but it's not a problem. I went halfway to Sofisan's place, but it was really easy to get permission." (Aina)
The Demon King's daughter was going to the Demon King's castle temporarily. Soma thought that Aina should be more wary, but it would be normal to doubt.
However, no pledge were made with skills, and even a written doc.u.ment wasn't made. When Aina asked whether if she could go home, and Sophia said it was fine. That was it. She wondered whether it was fine to get here since she was allowed to go easily.
"Do you mean that you were trusted enough to get permission easily?" (Felicia)
"You probably can say that since we were together for about a year. Well, that's why I was able to get to Demento easily." (Aina)
Although it wasn't as easy from there to here, there wasn't anything that could be said about Soma's group. Of course, there were struggles but she admired herself before this since she was used to it.
"…And, you came here just like that?" (Sheila)
"…Eh, that reminds me, aren't you supposed to be home by now?" (Felicia)
"That's right… Aah, you might be wondering if you don't know the geography of Demento, but you need to go through this village in order to get to the Demon King's castle." (Aina)
This area was certainly at the edge of Demento, but to begin with, the place where the Demon King's castle was close to the edge of Demento. The reason why there was such a village here was because it was the closest village to the Demon King's castle, and they needed to go through this village definitely.
However, since the people there didn't go outside, the management here was entrusted to the village head. When Aina met Soma and others, she was about to come out from the village head's house. Even though the house was Aina's, Soma and others wouldn't be able to use it without permission from the one who managed this village.
"By the way, how long does it take to get to the Demon King's castle from here?
"It doesn't take long time. Well, if you don't know, it will be another matter, but if we leave this place tomorrow morning, we will arrive in the evening." (Aina)
"Is that so?"(Soma)
When Soma whispered that, he turned his eyes to Sheila and Felicia. It seemed as if he was signaling with eyes… well, he was actually doing it.
"Will it be alright if we follow you?" (Soma)
Immediately after that, the discussion continued.
"Aah… it's not really a bad thing anyway. There were very few people there, but it wasn't restricted. However, aren't you going back to the academy?" (Aina)
"I'm still going to do that, but it is fine if I come back a bit later, right?" (Soma)
"…I don't mind." (Sheila)
"Me too." (Felicia)
"No, rather than your problem, this is actually Soma's problem. Whether it is Lina or the headmaster, they don't have the confirmation that you're still alive. Isn't better if you can tell them faster? …At least, that's what I think." (Aina)
"Hmm? Well, I though Hildegard should have known about me, but… haven't you heard about me from her?" (Soma)
"Yes? What do you mean by that? I mean I didn't have much opportunity to meet her in the first place…" (Aina)
The other party was the headmaster of the academy. It wasn't the kind of person people could meet, but even so, Aina had met her several times since Soma had disappeared.
However, she had never heard about Soma, and the headmaster didn't seem to be very energetic.
"…Yeah, I also haven't heard about you." (Sheila)
"Eh? That's strange… Hildegard and I have a certain degree of ties. Even if she can't determine my location, she should be able to know whether I live or not. Since the person herself said that, if it's that much, I can know about her too." (Soma)
"I don't know her well, but I wonder if she didn't let Aina know because she couldn't tell her where you were? The question is whether it is necessary to consider when it's about Somsan." (Felicia)
"That's right… that may be the case. I also agree with that." (Aina)
"…Yeah, me too." (Sheila)
"Eh? Why are you guys suddenly picking on me?" (Soma)
"I'm not, you know? It's just an impression." (Aina)
"That's right. If Somsan felt something about it, it just a matter of having different view." (Felicia)
"…Or maybe, the common sense?" (Sheila)
"Dear me, that's harsh." (Soma)
Although Soma shrugged his shoulders while saying that, he didn't seem to care too much. Of course, he didn't take it seriously. In other words, he didn't mind the details.
"Anyhow, that's certainly important, but no one dies when they didn't know if I were alive or not. I think the matter of Aina's home is more important than that." (Soma)
"I'm not going to die because I'm just going home. But, thank you…" (Aina)
Aina thought it should be fine, but surely, she was a bit anxious. Meeting Soma and others here, being told that they would come, that made her very happy to be honest.
Well, as expected, she couldn't say anything until now, but… she couldn't helped if her mouth loosened.
She was sure that it would be fine no matter what happened. Although it was best if there was nothing… Aina didn't think that the situation where she was kidnapped by Albert to happen again.
However, she should neglect of being least worry while preparing her mind to face that situation. While thinking about whether the people in the castle were in good health, Aina thought that she really missed them.