It was decided that Ji Liz would participate in the battle against the Demon King, but the question remained: where and how would he spend the time until then?
After discussions with various parties, the solution emerged—Karen offered her land in the Quioy Forest, located in District Two, as a temporary residence for the dragon.
Initially, Ji Liz had modestly proposed returning home and coming back on the day of the battle, but Alice insisted he stay. To devise a solid strategy, she needed to understand his magical wavelength, abilities, and the unique traits of dragons. However, staying indefinitely at the harbor wasn’t feasible, so Karen’s offer resolved the issue.
The sight of Ji Liz moving from the harbor to District Two naturally caused a stir among the citizens. The streets buzzed with excitement over the dragon’s arrival in the Elf Nation of Alfheim.
That uproar, however, was left to the Elder Council to manage.
With Ji Liz settling in the forest, we decided to make the most of the situation.
We headed to the city, buying supplies like firewood, food, cooking equipment, and tents. After notifying the inn we’d be away for one night, we set out for District Two, Quioy Forest.
Tonight, we’d enjoy a long-overdue camping trip.
※※※
We chose a campsite at the forest’s edge, not far from where Karen’s manor had once stood. Naturally, Ji Liz joined us.
「Good thing Four Seasons-san brought some miso along.」
For dinner, we opted for hot pot.
Although winter was nearly over, the nights still carried a chill, making something warm and hearty the perfect choice. Using Gigi Bird—a domesticated poultry in Alfheim—as the base, we added fragrant green vegetables, root crops, and other ingredients to a miso broth. Naturally, the dish started with a rich kombu stock.
Receiving the bowl Mother prepared for me, we clasped our hands and said in unison, ‘Itadakimasu.’
Chocola’s portion of boiled meat also had a faint touch of miso, just enough to add flavor.
「Delicious. This really warms you up.」
「Hmm. The taste of miso is so comforting. I don’t think I can live without it anymore.」
「Bark… chomp chomp!」
「You didn’t have to go out of your way to join me, you know?」
「We wanted to do this. Camping out.」
Shaking my head at Ji Liz, who was tearing into a piece of raw meat with gusto, I replied.
「Maybe it’s because we’re in another country, but I find myself missing life in the forest more than usual. Back in Sidera, it doesn’t feel this way.」
「I know what you mean. It’s strange since we’re not even staying here long. Maybe it’s because we’re apart from our family.」
「Hmm… I miss Mint, Pochi, and Grandma.」
「Before coming here, I stopped by Sidera. Mint, Pochi, and Seralinde are all doing well. So are the townsfolk.」
「Really? Thanks for checking on them. I appreciate it.」
「It’s nothing. Once the Demon King is defeated, you’ll be able to return home quickly. If they try to keep you here, just say you’re leaving with me. The elves seem to respect us quite a bit.」
Ji Liz laughed heartily, clearly in high spirits.
It was likely thanks to what happened earlier in the day—when he met Alice-san.
「…I feel much lighter now. Progenitor-dono said I could be of use too. To be honest, it was weighing on me, having you protect me all the time, Sui.」
After greeting Ji Liz, Alice-san had a long conversation with him before coming over to me, her expression bright as she patted my shoulder enthusiastically.
『You did well bringing a dragon. This raises our chances of success even more.』
She had promised to explain the details during tomorrow’s strategy meeting, so I hadn’t pressed for more. Still, I trusted Alice-san. She had survived countless battles, proving herself an exceptional commander.
「But don’t overdo it, okay? We need to make sure you get back safely, Ji Liz. It wouldn’t sit well with Ji Ness-kun and the others if anything happened to you. You wouldn’t want to face Mine Ah-san’s wrath either, would you?」
「She’s the scariest thing in this world…」
「Viole-sama, seconds, please.」
「Of course. Sui-kun, how about you?」
「I’ll take more too. Mother, make sure you eat plenty as well.」
「Bark!」
「You too? Do you want another serving?」
「Bark! Kuuun.」
The miso stew was a hit, and everyone ate heartily.
The fat from the Gigi bird had melted into the broth, soaking into the softened root vegetables, while the aroma of green onions filled our mouths with every bite. The food in this country was delicious, but there was something special about the taste of home—it brought a level of satisfaction that was hard to beat. More than anything, I was happy that Mother and Karen seemed to feel the same way about the taste of miso as I did.
「Ji Liz, how’s the meat here? Compared to what you get in the forest, doesn’t it taste a little bland?」
「Well, now that you mention it, I suppose it is a bit milder, but I’ve got no complaints. Eating nothing but forest game would make me too picky anyway. Besides, whether it’s wild beasts or livestock, life is life. We should accept it gratefully.」
When I asked, he took a big bite out of a chunk of beef, narrowing his eyes in satisfaction. For reference, he was working his way through nearly an entire cow, cleaned and skinned but still in one large piece, not yet portioned into smaller cuts. It would last him about two meals, which meant we’d likely need another by tomorrow evening.
That said, I probably wouldn’t be sharing meals with Ji Liz tomorrow. Since it was the day before the operation, it would be important to rest properly in the comfort of a bed at the inn.
—Which is why I wanted to take it easy tonight and enjoy this time with Ji Liz.
「Just to be sure, you don’t snore, right?」
「What do you take me for…? I think I’ll be fine. My wife and kids never mentioned anything.」
Ji Liz tilted his horned head, exasperated by my joke.
「Chocola, are you sleeping with Ji Liz tonight?」
「Bark? …Bark!」
「Oh, that sounds great. My scales are hard, but your fur should be just fine.」
「Bark-bark!」
「…Just don’t sleepwalk and crush our tent, okay?」
「What do you take me for? The rest of a dragon is as still as a boulder.」
「Sui, there aren’t many ingredients left. I still want to eat a little more.」
「Oh, then let’s finish it off with something.」
We had brought a mix of millet and proso, perfect for making porridge. I decided to use the remaining broth to prepare a hearty zosui, adding some beans to ensure it would be filling.
「Hmm, porridge? That sounds just right.」
「I’m pretty full, so I’ll just have a small portion.」
「It’s funny how you’ve always got room for sake… I’ll toast some beans separately for a snack.」
Watching Mother pull a sake bottle seemingly out of nowhere, I couldn’t help but laugh wryly. Still, I found myself preparing a side dish for her anyway. I really was soft when it came to my mother.
※※※
With Ji Liz, Mother, Karen, and Chocola—
We spent the evening laughing together as the night deepened.
The forest was quiet and peaceful, and somehow, I found myself hoping that Karen’s biological parents, who rested here, were watching over our little gathering.
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