By Zephyria We left at noon and returned at midnight, five days later.
People had moved their tents near the Sacred Tree and stayed awake, just in case. They were all startled by the hundreds of Goblins that suddenly appeared in the dead of night.
As the flustered Knights drew their swords and charged, I stepped forward. It was only after a few clashes of steel that they recognized us, and then they were even more surprised.
Oswald quickly stepped forward to explain. The people’s reactions, after hearing the situation, were divided into three.
“Even so, this is supposed to be a place for non-combatant civilians to come and live soon… Is it alright to bring in so many monsters like this?”
“Seeing them up close, Goblins are… bigger than I thought…? Ah, their teeth are insane.”
“I can’t sleep with them! They smell, they really smell. What if I get bitten and die in my sleep?”
“Didn’t they say Goblins were the first to attack during the Grimsvein incident last time? Ugh.”
“Agh! He spat! Do something about that!”
Some scowled, fidgeting nervously, or flinched in surprise and hid behind the Knights, vehemently rejecting them.
“Wow… I’d heard rumors about Duke Ernhardt’s Territory breeding monsters, but there are quite a lot already.”
“Still, well… it’s His Majesty’s work, so…”
“It is fascinating, though. Until now, the prevailing theory was that monsters were untamable beings. While a brief conversation in passing might be fine, they said their inherent violence was too great for them to live alongside humans.”
“Well, maybe it’s because our His Majesty is stronger? Like Orcs obeying Dragons.”
“Haha! That might be it.”
These people kept their distance, warily observing the Goblins, marveling at them, but without strong rejection.
“Wow… I’ve never seen a Goblin with such gentle eyes. They really don’t bite? Can I touch them?”
“Oh my, they’re cute… This one’s really tiny. Did you just greet me, little one? How many months old are you? Maybe two months?”
“Hahaha! Look here. If I do this, they follow along.”
“Can I give them snacks? Are they carnivores? Do you want Jerky or dried fruit? Mmm, you can choose. Both? You’re greedy… Okay, both. Hey, say ‘please.’ Yes, yes.”
And then there were those who fearlessly approached the Goblin horde, thrusting out their hands and snacks.
A few Knights, including Oswald, who had already been to the Magic territory, ambled around, moderately restraining the excited people.
“They might bite if you reach down from above. They’re quite timid, so it’s better to lower yourself and show your palm first. Whoa, don’t bend down too much. Be careful of your neck. You have to think of them as wild animals.”
“Make sure to wash your hands after touching them. Their concept of cleanliness is a bit different from humans.”
“Even baby Goblins have sharp claws. Young ones can’t control their strength well, so even a small swipe can tear flesh. Be careful with the little ones.”
“The big ones know better and won’t attack, but the small ones might playfully pounce and cause injuries. You could lose a hand if you’re not careful. These are all from experience. Be careful, be very careful.”
Just as the Knights were restraining the people, Kkokko and some other adult Goblins also moved among the Goblins, keeping them in check.
“Kkyaek. Kkyaek-kkyaek.”
“Kkukkukku Kkuk! Kkuuk, Kkuuk!”
“Kkak-kkak! Kkaak-kkak!”
Kkokko and a few other Goblins stepped on the necks of excited young Goblins to stop them from running, and they pulled frightened Goblins to place them beside the more robust ones. Whether imitating the Knights, they even held sticks to restrain the Goblins, a sight that was comically absurd.
Watching the chaotic scene, Hugh slowly raised his head.
The nights in Duke Ernhardt’s Territory were exceptionally dark. Fires were lit here and there with gathered wood, but darkness surrounded them. Against the sky, so black and dark, no more black dots could be seen with the naked eye. How much larger would that hole grow after this night?
Following Hugh’s gaze, I traced the sky with my eyes.
The sounds of people, laughter, shouts, voices coaxing and soothing. The cries of frightened, excited, and tense Goblins. Amidst those sounds, the distant roar of an Owlbear mixed in.
Hugh murmured softly.
“…A total mess.”
“…”
Watching Goblins comfort their own kind among unfamiliar humans, I recalled our own past. Hugh and I used to be close. Only the last few months had been particularly awkward.
Thump. My shoulder brushed against his. No, I subtly leaned into Hugh.
Seeing Hugh’s slight shift as he looked into the distance, I quickly grabbed his wrist. Still, Hugh didn’t struggle fiercely to shake me off. Thinking about it now, Hugh had held onto me so many times, while I had rarely held onto him like this.
It felt unfamiliar. Holding onto him, and being afraid he might leave me.
“Hugh.”
“…Why.”
“Don’t worry too much.”
“…About what?”
“You don’t have to marry me.”
His gaze snapped up. His eyes, wide with surprise, shone clearly even in the dark. Looking into Hugh’s eyes from this close distance put me somewhat at ease. I smiled slightly without realizing it.
“Just let me stay by your side.”
“…”
“Okay?”
“…Ha, damn, what you’re saying right now…”
“Is it not okay?”
Hugh averted his gaze again. Feeling a strange anxiety, I pulled his wrist again. Instead of looking up at me, Hugh covered his face with his free hand. His flushed ears and ragged breaths bothered my eyes and ears alike. A strange hunger filled the back of my throat once more.
And Hugh, taking a very, very deep breath, replied as if squeezing it out.
“…Yes.”
“Then, can we sleep together tonight?”
“…Uh.”
Thank goodness. We were back to normal.
Strangely, a dull ache still lingered deep inside my chest. Yes, I was hungry.
I was submerged deep underwater.
Nothing was visible in the hazy vision. Someone seemed to be calling me from far away, but on second thought, that didn’t seem right. When I was a very small child, before I became Igshar, I was often underwater like this.
“⋯Wake⋯!”
Oasis had said my body wasn’t yet a vessel strong enough to endure the world. From then on, I preferred swimming in water to walking on sand. Even though the capricious currents shook me, my childhood, when I was neither thirsty nor hungry, remained mostly a comfortable memory.
Yes, no matter how strong the currents shook me…
“⋯Wake up, Elvin!”
My eyes snapped open.
Hugh’s face was right in front of me. His bloodshot eyes were moist, and his gentle, grass-green irises trembled incessantly. What was this? It wasn’t often that Hugh’s expression was so rigid.
Blinking dazedly, I opened my mouth to say something, but a sharp pain shot through my left cheek. Huh? …Was I hit? When?
“What are you?”
“…Huh?”
“What kind of dream were you having? Since when have you been like this? Before, you clearly…”
“…I…”
“Yeah. You.”
“…Was I… strange?”
I was finally coming to my senses. I was lying in a tent. I had been sleeping in my sleeping bag. Just having Hugh’s sleeping bag and mine side-by-side put me at ease, and I must have slept deeply. Lately, I hadn’t been able to sleep well for various reasons. I cradled my aching cheek and pushed myself up.
Hugh, staring blankly at me, pressed his eyes firmly with the back of his right hand and lowered his head.
“…You were groaning in your sleep.”
“Really?”
“Don’t you remember?”
I shook my head. Immediately, irritation crept into Hugh’s voice.
“Are you saying you weren’t, or that you don’t know?”
“I don’t know.”
“…Damn.”
Why was he still covering his face? For some reason, I felt I had to see Hugh’s face right now, at this very moment. Now, only his chin and lips were barely visible.
I reached out and gripped Hugh’s forearm. But Hugh didn’t show me his face.
Instead, he apologized.
“…Sorry.”
“Huh?”
“Whatever. I said sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“You don’t need to know, you brat.”
The hand that had covered his face shot out towards me.
Hugh Benson was second to none when it came to speed. Caught off guard, I was pulled and buried deep into Hugh’s chest. It smelled of sweet earth and a hint of soap.
Why was he suddenly being so nice? Still, I liked it. I obediently wrapped my arms around Hugh’s waist and was held properly. A strange doubt bloomed in a corner of my heart. I recalled the time before Hugh started avoiding me. It didn’t feel this close then, either…
Still, it felt good to be touching. Kissing wasn’t ‘that’ good, so it was out, but hugging like this seemed okay. So, I wanted to hug him more often from now on.
Wasn’t making mistakes due to my ignorance of human social norms or culture a common occurrence for me? I could learn slowly from now on. Then, besides kissing and hugging, what else could I do with Hugh?
Various thoughts popped up like ripples from a water strider before sinking into silence. Being like this, I felt sleepy again. Should I give in to the encroaching sleep and sleep for a while longer? I wondered, but Hugh patted my back, waking me.
“Enough, the sun’s up. Let’s get up.”
“…What time is it?”
“What time is it? Are you not going to get up?”
“…No…”
I couldn’t do that. I yawned, rubbed my forehead against Hugh’s chest, and was pushed away as he moved.
After lazily stuffing my sleeping bag into its sack, I saw the dawn breaking in the distance. It was too dark for morning. It was the deep blue of dawn.
First, I turned my gaze to where the black dot had been.
“…Hugh.”
“I have eyes too.”
In one corner of the pale, brightening dawn sky, a huge, black darkness gaped open.