Chapter 14: I'm Back
Eldarin watched Kaian obsess over field work and let out a small sigh of relief.
Maybe this is fortunate...
A human child whose inner world was filled with flames had just returned from the volcanic region.
In other words, he had been to a place where fire mana constantly stimulated those flames.
He must have faced the overflowing aggression inside himself.
And yet...
Aside from being completely exhausted, he did not seem greatly changed.
Then Eldarin realized it.
"This time, he converted the flames inside himself..."
"Into a strange kind of passion."
His survival instinct truly was exceptional.
Eldarin allowed Kaian to go outside.
Then she turned toward the Obsidian Boar sitting obediently near the entrance.
"How did you manage to get stabbed by such a foolish child?"
"Squeal..."
She immediately removed the stone spear lodged in the creature's belly and cast healing magic.
"The wound isn't as deep as it looks."
The internal organs had already begun healing around the spear.
It was because of the recovery medicine Kaian had applied.
Realizing that made Eldarin's gaze deepen.
"...You could have killed him, but you didn't."
"So you came here to repay the life debt you owed that foolish child."
This time, instead of squealing unhappily, the Obsidian Boar shook its snout in pleasure.
"Snort! Snort!"
"Haha."
"You two even created your own way of communicating."
"You're a clever creature."
Eldarin gently stroked the Obsidian Boar's fur.
Its eyes slowly began to close.
"You came all this way without going wild."
"Rest as long as you want before returning."
"Snort..."
Meanwhile...
Kaian had really managed to reach the fields with a hoe in hand.
The earth spirits around him anxiously flashed their yellow light.
Several of them guided the small earth spirits that had helped Kaian in the volcanic region toward the field.
Peep! Peep!
They quickly created pillows from the soft soil.
Then they gathered pretty leaves and covered the exhausted little spirits.
Seeing that...
Life slowly returned to Kaian's eyes.
"Ah..."
The kindness he had missed ever since leaving home was right in front of him.
Only then did Kaian truly understand where he was.
I'm back.
Kaian smiled at the spirits.
"Guys, I'm ba..."
"Huh?"
The moment his tension disappeared...
So did the strength in his legs.
Wobble.
Peep! Peep peep peep!
The clear autumn sky filled his vision as his body fell backward.
Huh?
I feel like this happened before...
It was when he first harvested sweet potatoes from the field.
It had not happened very long ago.
Yet somehow...
It felt like an old memory.
Thump!
Kaian collapsed into the field.
Kaian!
Amber, who had been nervously watching with the earth spirits, immediately grabbed medicine and rushed outside.
She reached him like the wind.
Then she gently placed Kaian's head on her lap.
Amber carefully poured medicinal tea into his mouth.
It was precious medicine.
Unfortunately, Kaian kept trying to talk.
Most of it spilled instead of going inside.
"Gulp. Amber, the lunchbox was good, gulp. The tea too, mmph. Piggy and I, cough..."
Finally, Amber directly spoke into Kaian's consciousness.
[Shh. Be quiet.]
Kaian's eyes opened wide in shock.
It was the first time he had ever heard Amber's voice.
"Whoa... Your voice, mmph. First time, cough! Cough!"
[Shhhhh!]
Eldarin approached after finishing the Obsidian Boar's treatment.
She looked down at Kaian's ruined condition and laughed mockingly.
"You seem to have quite a talent for stealing medicinal herbs."
"Cobalt Poultice."
"Recovery medicine."
"You stole knowledge, raided my storage, charmed spirits, and even charmed a magical beast."
She shook her head.
"Good grief."
"It seems I didn't take in a hero."
"I took in the descendant of a legendary thief."
"Quite impressive talent."
Kaian could not clearly see Eldarin's expression because of the bright sunlight.
He raised one hand to block it and narrowed his eyes.
"...?"
Eldarin's face was strangely twisted.
She was desperately trying to stop the corners of her mouth from rising.
She was hiding her true feelings behind sarcastic words.
But it was obvious she was extremely pleased.
Kaian burst out laughing.
"Puhahaha!"
"That's a pretty unusual compliment!"
Then suddenly...
He remembered something.
Kaian tried to shoot upright.
Amber immediately pressed his head back onto her lap.
"Ah!"
"Piggy!"
"What about him?"
"Is he okay?"
Eldarin frowned slightly.
"Piggy...?"
Then she understood.
"Oh."
"The Obsidian Boar."
She nodded.
"The medicine you used kept him stable."
"I removed the spear and placed him in the recovery room."
"He's strong enough to travel this far with a hole in his stomach."
"He'll be back on his feet in a few days."
"Haah..."
Kaian sighed in relief.
"Thank goodness."
"Thanks, Eldarin."
"It's nothing impressive."
Eldarin looked at him.
"More importantly..."
"You seem ready to face fire properly now."
Kaian's pupils immediately began wandering.
"What are you talking about...?"
"I already saw enough fire to last a lifetime."
"Hmph."
"That was only the beginning."
"Eldarin, why would you say something like that while I'm drinking medicine...?"
"We're leaving immediately."
"Prepare yourself."
For once, Eldarin walked back toward the house with unusually light steps.
Kaian could only stare blankly at the blue sky and sigh.
What a wonderful teacher...
I really want to cry.
Then Amber spoke to Kaian again.
[Kaian, congratulations on finding Flame Veil.]
Her voice became gentler.
[And... you came back safely.]
[Welcome home.]
Amber smiled softly.
It was the first time Kaian had ever seen her smile.
The smile was clear and pure, like morning dew resting on a leaf.
Kaian answered with the brightest smile he could manage.
"Yeah."
"I'm back...!"
When Kaian woke again...
He was inside a moving carriage.
