第３４６堀：白い森の観光 (Part1)
### Chapter 346: Sightseeing in the White Forest
**Side: Riel**
I didn't really understand the complicated talk Yuki-san and the others were having, but the meeting concluded without any issues that day, and we all returned to our respective rooms.
For now… I’m just relieved.
It seems Claudia and Kaya were able to reconcile with their brother and sister safely.
I’m glad they didn’t have stones thrown at them like I did.
"I'm so happy for you both. Truly, I am."
"Riel-san. Thank you."
"Geez, why are you the one crying instead of us, Riel?"
"Because, because I’m just so happy. Seeing you two made me feel like maybe, just maybe, things will work out for me too."
Yeah. I really feel that way.
"Maybe things will work out… Come to think of it, you mentioned something about running away from your village, didn't you, Riel?"
"Ah, yeah. That’s right."
"You saw our happy, embarrassing moment, so you should tell us about yourself too. You know… we’ll help you."
"Indeed. This whole situation was only possible thanks to Riel-san’s support. So, please, let us help you in return. Well, we won't force you to talk about the past if you don't want to…"
"Oh, no, it’s fine. It wouldn't be fair if I were the only one keeping secrets."
"Riel…"
As I turned to look at Tori, ready to talk about the village, I noticed everyone who already knew my story wearing strange expressions.
"Hm? What’s wrong, everyone?"
"Ah, no… it’s just, I thought your story might be a bit heavy…"
Ratz said that with a nervous laugh. Was it really that bad of a story?
"What? Is it really that terrible?"
"Well, I mean, if Riel is okay with it, I have no reason to stop you, but…"
Tori also looked uncomfortable. Why?
"Well, it should be fine, right? If she gets so angry that her magic goes out of control, we can just knock her out to stop her."
"Well, that is true."
Lia and Jessica said that so casually.
"…Is Riel’s past really that awful?"
"…I’m sorry. I don’t know it either."
"Ahaha, it’s not that bad. Oh, right, I haven't told Cleena and Samantha yet, have I? This is a good time; listen along with us. It’s not like it’s something to hide, and I’d be happy to have your help if I ever go back."
"…Mm. Understood."
"If that is what Riel-san wishes, then I shall listen as well."
And so, I told them everything: how I was born and raised in the same village as Tori, how things happened, how I ran away, became an adventurer, then a slave, and finally ended up with Yuki-san…
"Listen, Riel. When you go back to that piece-of-trash village, you tell me. I’ll protect you no matter what!!"
"Yes. Riel-san, you must not let yourself be hurt by such things. I will absolutely cooperate as well!!"
Kaya and Claudia were suddenly fired up…
"…If it were me, I’d turn it into ashes."
"…I agree. After we secure Riel-san’s mother’s grave, I think it would be for the good of the world to crush a village with such idiotic customs."
Cleena and Samantha were saying such dangerous things!?
"Um, why did it turn into this?"
"No, this is normal, Riel. Even I felt so much hatred and sadness toward my own family that I couldn't help it."
"That’s true. But Riel, your personality is very endearing. I like it, and so does everyone else, and so does your big brother."
"…Riel is fine the way she is. We will follow you. We will definitely go to pick up your mother, too."
"Man… now it sounds like I haven't been thinking about anything at all."
Laughter filled the room.
But still, seeing the two of them reconcile like this, I don't think it’s right for me to give up.
My mother probably can't sleep from worrying about whether I’ll ever be able to reconcile with everyone, so I’m sure it will work out somehow.
"Oh, so everyone is here."
"What’s going on, guys?"
"I smell a secret, don't I?"
As we were talking, Yuki-san, Eris, and Comet returned after finishing their long discussion.
"We were just saying how glad we are that those two reconciled."
"I see. That’s good."
"Yeah."
"Why are you the one who looks the happiest, Riel?"
"Well, Riel-kun’s honest, heartfelt smile is a good thing to see."
"Ehehe."
Is it just me, or does Comet-san feel a bit like Yuki-san, perhaps because she’s a Dungeon Master? Wait, Comet-san became a Dungeon Master earlier, so maybe Yuki-san is the one who resembles her?
"So, Big Brother. How did the talks go?"
"Ah, right. You guys summarized things after we left, right?"
"There wasn't much progress. Everyone realized we turned it into a dungeon quickly, right?"
"Yeah. According to Yuki-san’s plan, those of us who didn't participate in the talks were supposed to be keeping an eye on the magic sword situation, but…"
"There was absolutely no reaction."
That’s right. Just as Tori said, there was no reaction from any magic swords, only three reactions that seemed to be holy swords in the castle basement. These are likely the holy swords that were left behind as keepsakes.
"That’s the gist of it. I got permission to turn it into a dungeon. I confirmed the holy swords remotely, and couldn't find any magic swords. In a sense, the objective was achieved."
"Just in case, I had you guys step out of the discussion, but it was a bit of a letdown."
"Isn't that fine, Eris? It would be a problem if we had someone sneaking into the inner sanctum every single time, right?"
Yeah. Even I understand that.
It’s not good for any country to have a large-scale armed organization setting up a base in the middle of their capital without permission. If someone did that in Weed, I’d kick them out myself.
"But, just to be safe, I decided to have them show us the holy swords. I need to check if they’ve been tampered with or if there are any defects, and I also need to collect my research materials left in this dungeon. I think we’ll be staying in the White Forest for a few more days."
"So, in short, the only ones who are actually busy are Comet, me, and the two permanent guards. The rest of you should go ahead and do some sightseeing in the White Forest. By tomorrow, we plan to have a vacant mansion handed over to us and open a gate there."
"Oh, then everyone who didn't come here can come too, right?"
"Yeah. Unlike other countries, we don't need to act in secret, and this country is practically a collaborator. It’ll be good for everyone to meet up."
"Yay! This will be the first time we can all go sightseeing together!!"
"That’s true. We were too busy in August to do anything, so let’s enjoy it here."
And so, our first day off in the new continent began.
"Mmm. It feels so fresh."
"It really does. We were always busy with security or surveillance."
"What do you mean? Didn't you say you were in charge of a town called Betan?"
"Ah, that’s true, but since we had to manage it ourselves, we were working all the time."
"…Especially in Betan, since Yuki and the others were ostensibly in other countries, it felt like we were the feudal lords."
"Horst-san was a good person, so it’s a good thing there wasn't much friction, though."
"Is that so? Being a ruler is truly difficult, isn't it?"
"Hearing that, I really feel glad I left as a Holy Sword user."
While chatting like that, we were guided by Claudia and Kaya, walking leisurely through the streets of the White Forest.
"But, the Magic Academy we visited for a bit was fun."
"The uniforms were cute, weren't they?"
"…Mm. Though the studying was a pain, so it wasn't exactly 'leisurely'."
"We had to use illusions to hide our ears, so it was quite cramped, too."
Here in the White Forest, we beastmen and demi-humans are letting our animal ears show.
*Twitch, twitch!!*
*Mmm, twitch, twitch!!*
Animal ear exercise!!
"Why are you moving your ears so vigorously?"
"I just felt like moving them since I don't have to hide them anymore."
"Ah, I get that."
"I understand completely."
"Geez, can’t you guys sit still?"
" " "We can't!" " "
We all spent a while twitching our ears back and forth.
"This tea is delicious."
"Is this the same one we had at the castle?"
"That’s right. Well, the quality is a bit lower, though."
After walking around the castle town for a while, we stopped at a cafe to take a break.
"It’s strange, though. Even though it was so white outside, there was almost no snow left in the castle or the town."
"Oh, now that you mention it, that’s true."
I hadn't noticed until Ratz pointed it out, but outside the cafe, the ground wasn't white with snow; you could see the bricks and cobblestones clearly. There was only a faint dusting of snow on the roofs.
"Why is that?"
"Um, why was it again?"
"Haa. Kaya, I think you should study a bit more."
"I-I can live just fine without studying that much! So, why is it?"