第７１６堀：てがみのなかみ (Part2)
"Calm yourself, Nogosh. Do you intend to render our hard work in the fields meaningless? On the contrary, this is an opportunity. We shall ensure he joins us for the meal that follows."
"Ngh... You're right."
"Hm? What are you doing? Oh, come to think of it, was it lunchtime?"
"It is. If you were to ask anyone what they were doing wandering around carefree while forgetting that, they would be furious."
"My apologies, my apologies. Shall we go, then?"
Faide made to move, but...
"Wait. First, we are going to wash off this caked-on dust."
"Indeed. I feel sticky and wretched just like this."
We could not endure such a state.
"Is that so? This is just how it usually is for me, though?"
"Why are you even in Weed?!"
I found myself shouting in unison with the others, caught off guard by such an astonishing admission. It was a level of filthiness that defied belief. It was impossible.
"No, no, don't misunderstand. I’m busy during the day, you see. I eat lunch here, resume work in the fields, and then at night, I take a bath, get refreshed, and go 'ahhh' with a drink. That’s the routine."
Ah, I see. Indeed, unless one is staying at an inn, taking a bath in the middle of the day is not something one typically does in Weed.
"Then, you should just go early today. You can keep the revelry going until nightfall. At the super sento."
"Ah, that sounds good."
"Eh? No, but we still have this field to..."
"Join us."
We dragged the fool, who was still babbling about tilling the fields, to the commercial district's super sento. After we had scrubbed ourselves clean and were relaxing into our banquet, a shadow fell over us.
"Hey, you lot. Why are you drinking in the middle of the day?"
Yuki stood there, casting a cold, white-eyed stare at us. Behind him stood the hero Ria and the knight Jessica, acting as his escort.
"Um, Yuki-san. Wouldn't you say that gods who drink away the daylight hours like this are beneath even the common folk?"
"...I am in fierce agreement with Ria. We have just finished the exhausting task of guiding Queen Miyabi, and just when we thought we could finally rest, we find this. I will ask for the sake of formality: why are the three of you here?"
...I see. If I were to say we came here for a drink—or rather, a banquet—because we were covered in dirt from field work, I would be branded a fool who forgot about the letter. No, perhaps the fault lies with Nogosh and me. I simply could not resist the temptation of a post-bath drink; the fault is my own. Just as I was thinking this, a helping hand reached out from an unexpected place.
"Hm? I don't know why you're so angry, but these two helped me with my field work. Look, isn't this because you assigned work to John?"
"...Wait a moment. I did assign work to John, but were the three of you tilling that vast expanse of land by yourselves? Did you have machinery?"
"No, that wouldn't work. We used hoes."
"Hoes!?"
Well done, Faide! You may be at fault for many things, but I shall praise you for this moment alone!
"That’s right. We did unfamiliar field work and ended up covered in soil."
"Naturally, one hesitates to enter a shop while drenched in sweat and grime. That is why we came to the bath."
"Exactly, and I was treating them to drinks. What is it? Did you have business to discuss with us after this? I hadn't heard anything of the sort. I was told we would be having dinner together just like this..."
"...Haa. If that is the case, it cannot be helped. My own planning was too lax. I never imagined it would go as far as Noble. Very well. In a sense, a banquet table is a more appropriate setting."
"Ah, indeed."
"Just as planned."
"..."
Yuki glared at me, but I ignored it. We had made it through! I would consider it a success.
"What is it? I don't quite understand the conversation."
"Well, there’s no reason to be coy. Faide, you aren't drunk yet, are you?"
"Hm? It’s only the first drink to get things started. Not at all."
"Then good. Here. A letter. I got it when I went to the Beast God's country..."
As Yuki held the letter out toward Faide...
"Ah, I see. From Litea, then?"
Unexpectedly, he accepted the letter without a hint of surprise.
"I have caused you much concern. I am sorry. And thank you."
"No, don't worry about it. We were being roundabout ourselves."
"Indeed. I just hope that after reading that letter, you will remain calm."
"Do you think I would fly into a rage just from reading a letter from my daughter? I might if it were Lilishe, but..."
"That is exactly why we are on guard. If the two of you were to fight, the collateral damage would be immense. Especially at this time."
"Intercontinental exchange, is it? Haa... Lilishe is a handful as well. Well, there is no need to worry. The contents of the letter are nothing of note."
With that, Faide glanced briefly at the letter from his child and placed it in the center of the table. It read:
*'Father. It has been a long time. I cannot imagine when this letter will reach you. Perhaps it will be soon, or perhaps in the distant future... But I send this letter, believing that the time will come. Father, I am sorry. I never found the right moment to tell Mother that you were providing the food, so you two never reconciled. That is why I am entrusting this letter to Tora. I believe Mother has also received a letter detailing what happened back then. I apologize that this is all I can do, but it is the last act of filial piety I can offer. I pray that one day, the two of you will be able to laugh together. From Faide's daughter, Litea.'*
"..."
We had no words to express our thoughts on this letter. It was clear that it held not just words, but a multitude of emotions.
"Shall we drink?"
"Yes, let's drink."
"...Indeed."
"Well, I suppose it cannot be helped."
"Indeed."
With that, Yuki and the others joined us at the table...
"Litea. As it turns out, people have managed to make it this far on their own."
Will they be able to get along now? Will they reach a happy ending? No, wait—since they are separated, doesn't this mean we are already in the aftermath of a bad ending?