Chapter 19: To Spirit Village

The blonde, blue-eyed elf girl called Tina as Culrina-anesama.

It seems that its Tinas mothers name.

That is this girls mothers name. Did you know Culrina-san? I ask the elf girl.

I want to find out, no matter what. Theres a possibility that Tinas birth mother is in the spirit village.

Yes, I received her kindness many times. Shes a person who is just like my sister. But, I didnt know that she had a daughter

The elf girl stares at Tina without blinking. Then, she shows an expression as if she has realized something.

By the way, I havent introduced myself, have I? Im Chloe from the spirit village. Im an elf.

Her line of sight is directed at me. and Tina.

Im Kurt. Im the head of this village.

Im Tina. Im Kurt-samas servant.

After hearing our introduction, the elf girl, Chloe, murmurs Tinas name in small voice, chewing her lips.

Hey, Tina. Is Culrina-anesama well? Since leaving thirteen years ago, we havent been in touch. I am worried.

Hearing that question, Tinas face turns saddened in an instant, then she opens her mouth.

Mother died four years ago. It was from a plague disease.

Chloe went speechless. It was from two things: the death of someone dear to her, and that her cause of death has occurred in the village as well.

They should be different diseases. Still, there are some points to think about.

So thats it? Culrina-anesama is a liar. Even though she went out from the village saying that she would definitely be happy. Even though thats the reason why I didnt stop her.

Tears flow from Chloes eyes.

When I see it, the wariness that I have against her slightly dissipates. Theres no way that someone wholl cry for Tinas mother is a bad person.

Tina, did you know about the spirit village?

Only as much as what my mother told me, Ive never gone there before. But when she talked about the spirit village, she always looked happy. Its a bountiful village, with lots of fruits grown, everyone is always smiling, and they never get hungry.

Is that so? Then why would she run from the village?

From Tinas story, in order to be with Tinas father who was a human, Tinas mother felt that it was better to leave the spirit village who banned mingling with humans behind. For Tinas mother, stepping into the outside world for the first time must have been filled with many harsh trials.

Chloe the elf grimaces.

Culrina-anesama is stupid. If she didnt leave, she could still live happily in the village even now. The outside only brought sorrow to her.

Tina shakes her head when she hears Chloes words.

Please take those words back. Mothers time in the village was filled with happiness, and she went through a lot of hards.h.i.+p after she left, but she said that she was happier because she had me and Father. Even on her deathbed, she said so.

Tinas eyes pierce straight into Chloes.

Is that so. Sorry. Tina. So thats what happened.

As if being rea.s.sured, Chloe manages to wring out the words even while wearing a weirdly suffering look.

The atmosphere has turned strange, but I must continue the conversation.

Chloe, its regretful, but In this village, theres no medicine that could save the spirit village.

I, I see. Nothing can be that good, huh.

Chloe seems to have half-resigned, she bites her lips while receiving my reply.

About the thing you should do from now on, there are two choices. The first one is to return to the spirit village. The other one is to take a horse carriage from here and run it for about a day to reach a town much bigger than this village.

Chloes face lights up gradually.

Perhaps, she thought that there could be something that could help herself in bigger town.

I cannot recommend you to go into a humans town, though. Most likely, that fragmented information about the disease epidemic wont let you find a doctor who can prescribe any suitable medicine, even in such a big town. ..Also, for the time being, you are too ignorant and naive, Chloe. If you arrive there, youll be tricked by someone and become mere food. Most humans arent kind, you see.

An ignorant and naive elf girl, showing her weak self while moving around in such a big town, is called being suicidal.

Thats, how, I see, no good. Cant do anything.

Indeed, theres nothing that she can do. However, I probably could save them.

Tina, theres one thing Id like to ask. How do you feel about the village where your mother was born? Do you detest the village who chased your mother out due to their rules?

If Tinas mother was forgiven by the village, she would probably be alive even now. Its not strange if Tina detests it.

No, I dont feel that way at all. Even after leaving the village, Mother still loved it Thats why, I dont wish for a place that my mother loves to disappear.

I see. Then that decides what I must do.

Chloe, after listening to your story, its probably futile, but theres a chance that I can save them if I examine the patients firsthand.

Are you saying the truth!?

Only that theres a chance. Theres also a chance that Ill judge nothing can be done after doing the examination. But still, nothing will change if I dont start anything. If you wish to bet your chances on me, Ill go to the spirit village.

As the only doctor in this village, I have legit knowledge and practice in the medical field. Moreover, in the most unlikely event that I judge the medical science cant do anything about it, I have my [

Recovery

Heal

]. If its possible, I wish to stay away from using [

Recovery

Heal

] at all. Im praying that the medical science can settle the issue.

Even so, thank you! Its no good to make this choice. But, no good doesnt mean absolutely impossible.

She grasps both of my hands, conveying how much shes thankful.

Faruno, who has been silent from the start, finally asks me, Going to the spirit village, is it for Tina-sans sake? There will be problems if the single person responsible for the whole territory becomes absent to handle a personal matter for a long time. Moreover, there is a possibility that you will be infected. If you die, how will this fief turn out? I dont believe that you are so careless that you have not thought about that possibility. As the head, cant you see how reckless this decision is?

Farunos words are severe, but they are highly justified.

There will definitely be a profit, you see. I am intrigued by the fruits grown by the elves. The works of beings who works with plants, even I have heard stories about how heavenly they taste. If I can procure a stable supply, it will become a strong a.s.set of mine. a.s.sets for pastry development for Arnold is very important. For that sake, theres a value in betting my life. Moreover, I didnt say about this reason, but [theres no way that Tina and I will get infected, we wont ever become carriers for the illness either].

When I say so, Faruno giggles.

So youre thinking about pastries even in this sort of situation. How very like you. Also, about your secret. Im very intrigued by it, but I will leave it to hearing about it someday.

Those are half-cooked reasons, but Im not lying.

If its for baking delicious pastries, Ill definitely be able to do it.

Everyone, Ive decided to go to save the spirit village. I wish for Tina to go with me as my aide.

Tina strongly nods at my order, while Faruno puffs her cheeks.

Im going as well.

You cant, because its a village where theres a high possibility of contracting the epidemic. If I let Faruno be exposed to that, it wont be over by receiving a punishment on my own. Like I said before, theres no worry about that happening to Tina and I, but its not the case with Faruno. I cant bring you.

If Faruno contracts the disease, theres a possibility that I can cure it by using

Recovery

Heal

. However, if I bring her to that kind of place, theres no way this point wont be reported to her father, making it terribly dangerous.

But if Kurt-sama has the solution for the disease, itll be all right.

And Im saying that I dont know if I can do that My bad, but please take care of this place. I feel rea.s.sured if I can leave this place to you, Faruno.

I understand. May fortune be with you.

After reaching that point, Faruno finally gives a nod.

Johann, while Tina and I are absent, all of the beekeeping and raspberry gardening works will be your responsibility. Are you up to the task?

From the children surrounding us, Johann takes a step forward. With Johann in charge, the children will work well altogether.

Ou, leave it to me, Kurt-aniki!

Im leaving it to you. Then, Faruno. Let Salt know that Im absent. If you do so, hell be able to handle his job well.

Yes, I understand.

Salt has become indispensable as a big man who leads the workers. With this, they can make it somehow without me around.

All thats left is to set off to the elven village.

Chloe, youre in charge of guiding us to the spirit village. Tina and I will go home once to arrange the journey preparation and well depart immediately. If youre worried about your physical condition, you may take an overnight rest first, how about it?

Im good! I can go soon! Elves body is tough!

What a spirited thing to say after collapsing not too long ago. I should no longer have any worry to address about her.

And so, Tina and I decided to depart to the spirit village.