LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 220
220. The Harder Times Get, The More Important It Is To Smile, Isn’t It?
The Wizard Eva was lost in memories of the past.
(The “Hermit’s Garden” where we grew up—a hidden village that gathered and raised orphans with magical talent. I showed promise there, but I wasn’t chosen as a hermit and was exiled to the outside world.)
As Craft and the others heatedly debated, she alone remained deep in thought.
(I thought I was exiled, but the last words spoken to me were, “Find the world’s secret and return to the village.”)
Her thoughts deepened further.
(But since I was put to sleep and sent outside, I don’t even know the village’s location.)
Eva began to suspect that the “world’s secret” the Hermit’s Garden sought might be none other than the World Tree.
(…I see. If we’re to seek the world’s secret, we must accomplish something so significant that we can return to the Hermit’s Garden. Realizing the world’s secret and returning to the village must be the trial itself!)
It might not be the correct answer, but her intuition as a Wizard whispered it to her.
Either way, Craft and the others were just going in circles. At the very least, the Hermit’s Garden might have information about the World Tree.
With her resolve firm, Eva stood up.
◆
To revive Kyle, we needed a leaf from the World Tree—but we had no idea how to find one.
We argued back and forth, but debating how to search for something that might not even exist was utterly pointless.
Then Eva, who had been silently lost in thought until now, rose to her feet.
“There’s one possibility.”
Everyone in the room froze for a moment before turning to her.
Had the crest of the sage Wizeman whispered something to her?
“This goes back to the past, but I once lived in a hidden village of magicians. It was called the Hermit’s Garden.”
At that, Professor Jabil shot to his feet.
“Whaaat?! A hidden village of magicians?! …Mmm, so the legends of hidden villages for both alchemists and magicians were true after all.”
“I don’t know about the alchemists’ village, but the magicians’ village exists.”
“Hmm. This is shocking news.”
Now that he mentioned it, I had heard rumors about a hidden alchemist village. Still, I never expected a hidden magician village to exist too.
“Eva. So you’re saying if we go there, we can get information about the World Tree?”
“I can’t guarantee it. But I believe they’re hiding something significant.”
Well, it is a hidden village, so of course they’d hide information, right?
“But right now, we don’t even have a single lead. Please, guide us there!”
If there’s even a chance, we’ve gotta take it!
“Well, about that… I don’t know where the village is.”
“…Huh?”
“I’ll spare the details, but I was put to sleep and woke up at an inn in town. The same thing happened when I entered the village.”
“That’s taking secrecy way too far…”
“This is just my speculation, but I think the trial is to return to the village on your own if you want to learn the elders’ secrets.”
Eva’s face showed no hesitation—did she have some kind of proof?
If it’s a village of magicians, it wouldn’t be strange for them to have some kind of information.
And right now, we’re out of options anyway.
“I’m all for going with that plan. Wandering blindly in search of the World Tree is way harder than searching for a village that definitely exists.”
Seeing a few nods, Eva frowned.
“I’m the one who suggested it, but… you really believe me?”
“Of course. Eva, you’re someone we can trust.”
Eva turned away and muttered, “I see,” but her profile looked slightly flushed—maybe she was embarrassed. When we first met, she wasn’t the type to trust others easily, so she might not be used to this kind of relationship. I should reassure her a bit more.
“Yeah. I trust Eva with everything!”
“Wh—?! H-Hey! That’s going too far! Are you making fun of me?!”
“Whoa, sorry. Didn’t mean it like that.”
I hurriedly apologized as Eva turned bright red with anger.
Ugh. Backfired…
“Anyway! If we’re searching for the village, I’ll help with everything I’ve got!”
“O-Oh. That’s reassuring.”
I glanced around.
“I’m on board with this plan. What about the rest of you?”
The first to answer was Professor Jabil.
“I agree as well. We have no other options at the moment. And I’m also curious about the hidden magician village.”
“Wait, sensei, are you coming too?!”
“Indeed. This time, I cannot simply stay behind. Who knows what foolishness you might commit otherwise.”
“But sensei, you’re terrible in a fight, right?”
“True. That part may be a burden, but with all of you, I need not worry.”
Then Leafan nodded firmly.
“Having sensei along would help keep Craft in check.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?!”
Do people really see me that way?!
“Craft… you should really be more self-aware.”
Everyone outside the Mizuho group nodded in agreement!
Van smirked and stroked his chin.
“Fine. We’ll go with the hidden village plan. Craft and Jabil are on the exploration team. As for the rest… take Jitarou.”
“Huh? Well, if I ask, he’ll probably come, but…”
“Of course I’m coming!”
“…Well, as you can see, but why him specifically?”
When I questioned Van, he twisted his mouth into a frown.
“Look at your face. How long are you gonna keep scowling like that?”
“Huh?”
I hurriedly touched my cheeks—had I really been making such a tense face?
“Your strength is being able to enjoy yourselves no matter what, right? Take Jitarou and get your smile back.”
“Am I really that tense?”
“Yeah, it’s hard to watch. I get that you’ve got a lot on your mind, but lighten up.”
It’d be easy to snap, “How can I have fun when Kyle’s on the verge of death?!” But as Van said, moping around won’t change anything. If anything, he’s warning me that staying gloomy will only make things worse.
“…You’re right. Blaming myself won’t make Kyle happy. Besides, he’s sealed away, not gone. Rushing won’t help—we need to move carefully.”
“Exactly.”
Van nodded deeply before continuing.
“As for the team, Raidoc has another job. He can’t join the exploration group.”
“What?!”
“He’ll escort an envoy to the Empire. My Holy Knights are stretched too thin. Raidoc is the best man for the job. Eva’s already on the exploration team, so I’ll leave the rest of the party assignments to you.”
I was counting on his strength, but escorting an envoy to the Empire is something only Raidoc can handle. When I turned to him, he remained silent for a moment before speaking.
“Your Majesty. I’ll assign the Casper sisters to Craft. Raidoc and Soral will handle the envoy’s escort, but I request permission to take a trusted party with me.”
“Granted.”
“Thank you.”
“Raidoc. Who are you taking?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Beppu, Bardack, and Morda’s party, of course.”
“Right. That’s reassuring.”
Raidoc’s former party members—all now crest-bearers and a capable group. With them, we can rest easy in more ways than one.
“I’ll also send a few of my Holy Knights. That should cover our combat needs. Too large a group would just slow us down.”
Typical Van—he knows the dangers of uncharted territory all too well.
“As for the remaining members—”
Before Van could finish, Myrna spoke up.
“I’m going too!”