After spending a night at home, we returned once more to the Elven Nation of Alfheim.
On the way back, we stopped by Sidera. It had been about ten days since we last saw Mint, Pochi, and Grandma. Though our stay was brief, only a few hours, I caught Mint as she dashed toward me, let her smother me to her heart’s content, hugged Pochi’s nose and stroked it, and listened as Grandma praised me, saying, 「You’ve done so well.」
Though I couldn’t meet Berde-san and the others, who were out in the forest, I was able to see Lila-san, Tomoe-san, the Novium couple, and Dolce-san. Seeing Lila-san looking so lively nearly brought me to tears—not that I’d admit it to anyone. I’m truly glad that old man has fallen from power.
Ji Liz, who escorted me and Chocola to the departure point, planned to visit his grandfather and parents on the way. He intended to report to his grandfather that the spirits of their ancestors had found peace, thus concluding his responsibilities.
And so—
「Welcome back, Sui-kun, Chocola.」
「Hmm, welcome back.」
With our spirits somehow lighter, we were greeted by Mother and Karen as we re-entered Alfheim.
「I’m back.」
「Bark!」
We didn’t plan to stay long. Honestly, my role here was already over—but even so, I had to see things through to the end.
※※※
「They’re going to bring this castle down to the ground?」
Later, during dinner, we were invited to a restaurant by the Ejetia twins and Hajime-san. As we enjoyed the delicious meal, they told us about this surprising plan.
「Yes, though not immediately.」
「It’s something for the future.」
Rick-san added, following Noemi-san’s nod.
「It seems that the magic keeping this island afloat is beginning to show signs of wear. Much like the barrier that once sealed the Demon King and progenitor-sama.」
Hajime-san explained in detail.
「That sounds serious.」
「Well, it’s not something that will happen overnight. According to progenitor-sama’s assessment, the magic should hold for another two hundred years. But after that, the levitation will gradually weaken, and in another hundred years, the island could crash to the ground.」
「What will you do about it?」
Karen asked, her mouth full of beef stew. Stop that—it’s bad manners.
「We’ll have to find a way to bring it down gently.」
Hajime-san replied, as if it were the only logical conclusion.
「We can’t just abandon this island. More importantly, we can’t let something this massive crash into the wrong place. That’s why we’re asking the continental nations to cede a piece of land. When the time comes, we’ll carefully set the floating island down there.」
「Won’t that cause territorial disputes?」
「We’re not sure yet. However, the Republic has already expressed a willingness to cooperate. Apparently, the Fatimas made the arrangements.」
Fatima—one of the Six Clans descended from Wajima-san, one of the progenitors. About five hundred years ago, they left this country for the surface world and now govern an autonomous territory within the Republic.
「It’s been a long time since we Elves of Alfheim parted ways with them. But perhaps they’ve always known about the state of this country.」
「Exactly. Maybe they’ve been maintaining ties with the outside world all this time, preparing for a moment like this.」
What the Ejetia twins were suggesting was surely just a convenient dream.
Even so, I wanted to believe it was true. That their actions weren’t driven by political calculations or an intent to exploit vulnerabilities, but by a genuine concern for their homeland. If that were the case, it would be ideal.
「That depends on Fathe… cough. It will be dependent on father and you. This isn’t just someone else’s problem for you, Rick and Noemi, though Karen’s involvement is debatable.」
Hajime-san’s serious gaze swept over everyone at the table. The two young witches from Ejetia nodded solemnly, making it easy to pretend I hadn’t noticed her earlier slip of the tongue.
Karen, on the other hand, puffed out her cheeks, perhaps feeling left out.
「Hmph. I’ll contribute in my own way. Let me know once you’ve secured the land. I’ll flatten the terrain enough for this island to sit on.」
「We’ll help too.」
「Bark!」
「Of course. We’ve done plenty of land clearing in the forest. Fufu, it sounds fun.」
Karen’s suggestion quickly gained support from me, Chocola, and Mother.
While Rick-san, Noemi-san, and Hajime-san looked a little strained, I was confident we could pull it off if we went all out.
「W-Well, that’s a matter for the future. The point is, this country’s relationships with other nations are about to change.」
Hajime-san resumed eating, trying to divert attention as she put another piece of meat in her mouth.
「This country has to start looking outward. The Demon King we sealed away has been defeated, and the global threat is over. But the castle will inevitably fall to the ground someday. We can’t keep living in isolation up here, detached from foreign countries and carrying on as we always have. So, for that purpose, we… um… that is…」
Her tone seemed somewhat rehearsed—or rather, tinged with guilt. Her gaze kept darting toward Mother.
「Ara… so that’s why you invited us to dinner. I see now. Emishi really goes out of his way. Using his children like this.」
Mother sighed, as if she’d pieced it all together.
「N-No! I… This wasn’t Father’s idea. I did this on my own! Father’s still undecided, and I just couldn’t stand by and watch…」
「It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.」
Mother chuckled at the sight of Hajime-san flustered and panicking. After exchanging glances with me, Karen, and Chocola, she spoke.
「As the ‘Heavenly Bell Witch,’ I will testify to the nations. I will declare that the core of Alfheim held an ancient Demon King whose threat was unparalleled, a true danger to the world. The three members of the Hatano family, who were involved in the subjugation, will serve as witnesses. Furthermore, the release of the Progenitor Elf from their seal is not a fabrication but the truth, verified by my son, Sui Hatano, through his magic.」
「…Th-Thank you so much!」
「Ah, I see now…」
Seeing Hajime-san bow her head deeply, we finally understood.
It wasn’t enough to merely reveal the truth.
After all, even within Alfheim, the existence of the Demon King and Alice-san was a closely guarded secret that most citizens were unaware of. If they suddenly announced, “By the way, we’ve been sealing away a monstrous threat and protecting the world,” the other nations would hardly respond with gratitude. More likely, they’d furrow their brows and dismiss it as a desperate fabrication to excuse their island’s potential crash.
That’s why credible testimony from a trusted third party was essential. And if someone like Mother—the world-renowned ‘Heavenly Bell Witch,’ Viole Ella Mucare Hatano—took on that role, it would provide immense support. Her direct involvement in the subjugation only made her testimony more compelling.
「Honestly, I don’t want to involve you kids in politics, and I’d prefer to stay out of it myself. But if we don’t do this, things could get even messier. At the very least, I can give my testimony.」
Mother said with a wry smile, taking a sip of wine.
Karen and I exchanged glances, nodding with identical expressions to hers.
「We don’t mind helping. It’d be a problem if this country disappeared. Crops like millet, sorghum, and corn from Alfheim seem pretty useful for cooking. It’d be great if they could keep producing them as always.」
「Hmm. I want to protect the view from that hill where Father and Mother’s graves rest. As long as the island is safe, I don’t think it’ll change even if it descends to the surface.」
「Thank you, both of you. Don’t worry—I’ll make sure you don’t get caught up in any unnecessary troubles. Besides, I doubt anyone would dare challenge my testimony.」
Mother said with a faint, chilling smirk.
Hajime-san visibly paled, seemingly realizing for the first time just how formidable an ally she had enlisted.
But Mother wasn’t interested in throwing the world into chaos. It wasn’t just about Alfheim—this was for everyone on the continent. For people like the farmer we’d met recently, who lived quietly and smiled peacefully.
That’s the kind of world we wanted to see.
※※※
——In any case.
With the testimony of the ‘Heavenly Bell Witch’ and her family, many matters were swiftly resolved and began moving in a favorable direction. Other nations, including the Sorx Kingdom, acknowledged the truth of Alfheim’s situation and recognized their unsung efforts in averting a global crisis. Offers of aid began pouring in as acts of gratitude.
And so, after allowing some time to pass, two days later—
We finally prepared to return home.
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