[Original Novel] The Wicked Wizard Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Mount Seihaku

Deep green. The sun had begun to dip, and any ordinary traveler would have started looking for a place to sleep or quickened their pace to get out of the mountains before nightfall.
However, they were not ordinary travelers.

"Let's spread them out here."

The wizard Rayol instructed everyone to open the packages of steamed bun boxes.

"Wait, we're opening all the boxes!?"

The imp Ray asked, taken aback.

"Yes. And then, I will use magic to spread the scent of the buns. The bun-children will surely be lured out by the scent of the enchanted buns."

Bun-children are the descendants of the steamed bun monsters. Rayol's hands had already begun opening the bun boxes.
Ray, the wizards Kate and Riley, the swordsman Alun, the ogre Dardema who was currently transformed into the form of a young man, and Lumi, a former spirit, all followed Rayol's lead and began opening them. In the mountains near sunset, seeing everyone intently unwrapping steamed buns was a bizarre sight.Rayol stood up. Then he shouted a spell.

"Scent of buns that charms the monsters, ride the wind, spread thoroughly to the depths of the mountains and behind the waterfalls, and reach the bun-children now!"

The anomaly occurred immediately.

Huh.

Ray gasped.
In the sky, a shadow. A winged monster. It seemed to be a descendant of the steamed bun monster. However, what was unexpected was—

"It's a swarm...!"

Five monsters flew in front of them. Just as the landlady had said, they were four-legged monsters with the head and wings of a hawk and a body like a lion.

"Are they quintuplets?"

Neither Rayol nor Riley had expected there to be five of them, and they both smiled. Furthermore, in Rayol's estimation, the monsters were still just children. Now that he mentioned it, they were only slightly larger than a horse, and didn't feel "giant" enough to make villagers run away in terror. Besides, their heads were large compared to their bodies, giving them a cute appearance.

"Alright. Everyone. Eat without hesitation."

There was no need to worry; the bun-children had no hesitation. Before Rayol had even finished speaking, the bun-children were already devouring the buns.
"This one seems to like 'Strawberry Flavor'."

"This one seems to like the classic flavor."

"Is this one the type that wants to eat both alternately?"

Seeing the monsters happily squinting their eyes and eating the steamed buns together without fighting, everyone watching couldn't help but smile.
They finished them in the blink of an eye.

"Alright. You lot. From today on, your names are Ichi, Ni, San, Shi, and Go, starting from the left."

Huh, the naming is really sloppy after all...

Leior gave the monsters some sloppy names. Rei felt a slight sympathy for the monsters, but the monsters themselves seemed happy to have received not only steamed buns but also names,

Kweh!

They expressed their gratitude in their own ways. I don't know if it was truly gratitude, but that's how it sounded, at least.

"You lot. Take us to the foot of Mount Sekihaku."

Holding his hand over each one, Leior commanded them from Ichi to Go.
The bun-monsters nodded.Then, Dardema made a suggestion.

"There are five bun-monsters. There are seven of us. I can command the wind to fly. I'll carry Lumi."

"I see. That helps. Very well, Dardema. I leave Lumi to you."

"Understood."

Lifting Lumi up with ease, Dardema raised his index finger to the sky.

"Wind...! Gather to us, and carry us to the foot of Mount Sekihaku...!"

With a rushing sound, a strong wind suddenly began to howl. And in an instant, Dardema and Lumi were enveloped in a tornado.

"Everyone, I'm going ahead!"

Leaving only Dardema's voice behind, the tornado rose into the sky. Everyone looked up and watched Dardema and Lumi go. During that time, only Riley seemed to be doing something.

"Boxes of buns, head to your final destination, the trash heap."

It seemed to be Riley's magic. The boxes and wrappers of the steamed buns stood up straight, lined up in a row, and began to move. It seemed she made them go to the trash heap on their own.

"Wow. If people see that, they'll be surprised."

As Rei expressed her thoughts with wide eyes, Leior said to Riley,

"You're diligent."

　I said to him.

　Wait, "diligent" again!? I'm "diligent" just like Laili-san...! That means I'm amazing, right...!?

　In Ray's mind, the value of being "diligent" had gone up.

"Now. Everyone, get on the backs of the Manju-ko. We're going to follow Daldema and the others...!"

　Leior climbed onto Ichi's back, and Ray and the others each climbed onto the backs of the Manju-ko.

"Then, to the foot of Mount Yukishiro--!"

　Kweh.

　Tap, tap, tap. Their sturdy limbs raced across the mountain.

"You're not flying!?"

　Alun retorted.

"Everyone. Please take the air route."

　At Leior's instruction, the Manju-ko finally took off into the sky.

　They landed on the ground several times for breaks, sleep, and meals.
　After the meal, Ray overheard a conversation between Alun and Kate on the other side of the grove.

"Kate.... Do you have any regrets? At this rate, it seems we'll arrive at Mount Yukishiro by tomorrow at the earliest."

"Regrets? Why?"

"Even if it was a fate destined for destruction eventually--. Don't you want to spend even a little more time, time that is true to yourself, a leisurely time?"

　It was Alun's final question.

That... someone important, or, well... spending time with family or friends, or something...

For some reason, Alun's question was fragmented. In short, Alun seemed to be trying to tell her that if she wanted to get off, now was the time. Kate shrugged.

I'd definitely regret it more if I did that. I want to do what I can, properly.

I see, Alun nodded.

Alun. What about you? How about you?

I am...

Sunlight filtering through the trees danced.

Meeting everyone. Meeting you, Kate. I think it was really wonderful.

Ray quietly left the spot. He didn't know what Kate and Alun were talking about, or what kind of time was passing between them. However,

This was Kate and Alun's time together.

That's what he thought. And he wished that their time together would be as warm and radiant as the sunlight filtering through the trees. It was around noon the next day.

That's Mount Yukishiro...!

True to its name, the upper half of the mountain was covered in snow. It seemed to be like that all year round.

Everyone, I've been waiting...!

As they landed at the foot of Mount Yukishiro, Dardema and Lumi came running over. Perhaps because it was a mountain away from prying eyes, Dardema had returned to his ogre form. After celebrating each other's safety and commending one another for the long journey, Rayol dismounted from Ichi, patted each of the Manju-ko one by one, and then held his hand over each of them.

Manju-ko. You've done well. You can go back to the mountains where you live now.

Ah. He's sending the Manju-ko back...

Rayol's words made her realize that this journey was only one-way.

Thank you. I'll do my best to ensure that your future lasts as long as possible.

Rayol called out and waved to the Manju-ko as they took flight.

A one-way journey. At last, we have arrived at our destination.

Ray looked around at everyone's faces. Leiol, Alun, Lumi, Kate, Dardema, and Riley were all smiling. There was absolutely no sense of tragedy.
They were prepared. Whether this was the brink of ruin or the gateway to the future, their smiles suggested they had no regrets.

"I should tell everyone now, while I have the chance."

Leiol said slowly.

"Thank you. For joining me on my journey."

"Don't mention it. It's my journey, too."

Alun replied,

"Thank you so much for taking me out with you...!"

Lumi shook her head from side to side, thanking him in return,

"I have no intention of just silently accepting the end...!"

Kate declared, placing her hands on her hips,

"It's my own will. I didn't intend to just tag along with you, you know?"

Dardema stated firmly,

"Because I want to see it. With my own eyes. What happens now, and what happens next."

Riley laughed.
Ray thought—,

What I want to say to Leiol is—.

"Thank you! So many memories...! I think I'm the happiest goblin of all...!"

The fluffy futon, the delicious beans, the clothes, the shoes, the hat—thank you for everything...!

He spread his arms wide, drawing a large circle to express his overflowing gratitude.
Leiol looked a bit taken aback, but,

"I see. I'm glad to hear that."

I nodded.

"I am finally graduating from being human."

Eh... Leiol...?

After making that mysterious declaration, Leiol smiled at Lumi.

"Come now, Lumi. Let the harp resound."

◆Work published on Shousetsuka ni Narou◆