The Fourth District, with its sprawling farmlands, and the Third District, where buildings stand densely and orderly. Compared to these, the Second District had yet another distinct character.
Feels like the suburbs of Japan…
That was my immediate impression. In other words, despite the wide area, there were very few buildings.
Nature was abundant everywhere—trees, flowers, streams—and blossoms lined the roadside. In some areas, the greenery formed small forests, where squirrels darted across branches and rabbits peeked out from the bushes.
It felt less like a nature park and more like a carefully maintained green space.
Amidst this verdant landscape, large houses were sparsely scattered. Each one could rightly be called a mansion, and their residents likely enjoyed a leisurely lifestyle.
「It’s labeled as a district exclusively for nobles, but in reality, it’s more of a luxury residential area. I hear some wealthy folks live here too」
As we walked along the tree-lined avenue, Mother explained.
「So it’s a place for nobles or rich people」
「Yes. That doesn’t mean the people in the Third District are poor, though…」
「The overall standard of living here does seem pretty high」
Karen added, following up on Mother’s point.
Even Sidera had areas resembling slums, home to rougher crowds. Yet in Alfheim, the Elven Nation, there didn’t appear to be anything like that—at least not that I’d seen.
「…But it’s not something to praise too highly. The high standard of living is due to the low population, and the reason there aren’t people struggling to make ends meet is because they simply descend to the surface if it comes to that」
「I see. So if someone can’t adapt to life here, they have the option of moving to the surface」
To be honest, I don’t have strong opinions about societal systems or political structures. No matter the country or city, there are always people who live tough lives, and it’s probably impossible to save everyone. This small nation likely has its own way of surviving.
Still, while it’s not about achieving the greatest happiness for the greatest number—
Imagining the people who had to leave this small, beautiful land in the sky to live on the surface left me with a faint ache in my chest.
「I wonder how Athenak felt living on the surface」
「I don’t know. I didn’t even know about Athenak’s responsibilities. All I ever heard was that there were fellow elves living in settlements in the forest… In that sense, I’m just as guilty」
「It’s complicated, isn’t it?」
「Hmm…」
Karen and I walked down the tree-lined avenue, feeling somewhat dispirited. Mother walked ahead of us in silence, quietly respecting our troubled thoughts.
「Bark!」
「Oh, Chocola, did something in the bushes catch your interest?」
「Bark! Sniff sniff」
「Hey, no. This isn’t our land, so you have to behave」
「Kwuunnn…」
Respecting us, right? She wasn’t just ignoring us, was she?
「Viole-sama, this area is already Quioy’s land. It’s not someone else’s」
「Now that you mention it, that’s true. So, should Chocola not have to hold back?」
「Aquano is the acting manager, so I’m not sure if we can do whatever we want…」
「There you have it. So, Chocola, you still need to behave」
「Kwuunnn…」
Oh well. At least he cheered us up a little.
Soon, Mother veered off the tree-lined path, leading us down a side trail into the forest. The trail quickly turned into an uphill climb. After about ten more minutes of walking—
Midway up a forested hill, a sudden, open space revealed itself, as if the woods had drawn back to make way.
「What is this place…？」
It was as if the forest had been cut into an oval shape.
No grass grew there, only exposed soil. The ground was stained with blackened marks, like the remnants of an old bonfire.
Mother answered in a flat tone.
「This is where the Quioy estate once stood」
「Hmm…The place where I was born」
Karen added, her voice devoid of emotion.
I couldn’t say anything.
So, this very spot where we were standing now…
This was where Luis-san, Exea-san, and newborn Karen had once been—
「It’s just ahead. Let’s go」
Mother started walking again. She didn’t turn to face us, so I couldn’t see her expression. Her steps were brisker now, quick enough that even Chocola tilted his head in slight confusion but kept pace.
The trees opened up, revealing a hilltop with a spectacular view.
Stretching before us were the forests of the Second District, the cityscape of the Third, and the farmland of the Fourth.
Above us was a vast, embraceable azure sky.
And standing amidst all of this—
Two stone markers stood side by side.
「Mother, these are…」
I turned to her, and she nodded silently.
Karen knelt before the stones, gently running her hands over their surfaces, one after the other.
「Father, Mother. I’m home」
※※※
「Luis and Exea loved this place. They used to call it their secret base as children」
Eventually—after a long, quiet prayer—Mother smiled faintly as she shared this with us.
「Were they childhood friends?」
「Exea was from a branch of Aquano’s family. I think she and Emishi were second cousins. She and Luis were betrothed by their families, but they were very close」
「Yeah. Except for Athenak and Fatima, the Six Founding Clans have been intertwined for generations. I’d bet every family has traces of the others’ blood」
If Exea and Emishi were second cousins, then Karen and Hajime… No, I didn’t even know what to call that relationship.
「I only come back here once every few years. But whenever I do, it’s always well-kept. The graves are polished, and the grass is trimmed」
「Maybe Emishi-san is the one taking care of it」
「Probably. But I haven’t spoken much with him. He’s always been so busy. I can count the number of times I’ve seen him on one hand」
「I see…」
It was hard to guess what might be going through Emishi’s mind.
But his actions spoke volumes.
He managed Quioy’s land, never neglected the graves, yet left the burned remains of the estate untouched and made no effort to replant trees there. He allowed Karen and Hajime to interact but kept his own distance.
「He might just be a clumsy person」
「…Yes. He hasn’t changed much in that way since the old days」
Sitting on the neatly maintained grass, Mother stroked Chocola.
With his head resting on her lap, Chocola lay sprawled, his fur swaying in the breeze blowing up from the hill.
「…I don’t feel much attachment to the Elven Nation, Alfheim. Though I was born here, I was raised by Uncle and Viole-sama in that house. After you transmigrated, I lived with Viole-sama in Sorx’ royal capital. …But」
Karen stood in front of the gravestones, gazing out at the distant scenery and the azure sky—just as, perhaps, Luis and Exea once had.
「This country, where Father and Mother were born and raised; this land, which Uncle Emishi protects—I cherish it. If another crisis like the Great Outbreak from twenty years ago is looming, I want to stop it」
「Yeah」
So I stood beside Karen.
I prayed before the graves, took in the view, and let the sky cradle us as I drew a deep breath.
「I’ll help. If it’s something Karen treasures, then it’s something precious to me, too」
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