59 Chapter 52: A Temporary Parting; Onwards! To Faunalian Capital, Thesacaea!

It's been a while, it's been so long… Since I've seen the light of the day.

Well, it's actually sunset right now, though.

Out of the cave, we were met with a great plain of green grasses and lone trees at random. The clouds are already shaded with the twilight, and cries of travelling birds are heard all over.

The lushes of greens are already dyed with the color of the setting sun. There are already a few stars from here and there. Not losing to the bright shine of the orange sun, they create a perfect picturesque of the twilight.

Aahh…~ It soothes souls…

Leila: "Are you really sure we can receive this much? Not to mention the purity of these Glow Stones… You know you don't have to."

We're now out of the cave-like interior of the mountain range.

The time when we rendezvoused with Purin and Fina's companions, it didn't take much longer for us to leave the place. We had to join them with the mining, or so we wanted to, since it was kind of interesting and only spent half a day there.

Under such circumstances, somehow we end up near the exit of the mountain range, which Fina and the other's used as their entrance. But because of the sudden developments inside, they lost the time to gather Glow Stones. So I'm giving them some of what I have.

Only Fina and Leila knows about my real identity, so I had to hide how I got the Glow Stones from the miners.

Fina: "What are you saying, Leila? You should accept every blessings you receive~ Hyahaha~!"

Ciel: "Said Fina. I don't really mind. Also, I don't have anything to do with them anyways, so please. You can have them."

Leila: "By how you said it, little lady, you're saying that you're not among the people who will receive it?"

Ahaha. She's right. It's like she's already assuming things that Leila and the others will be going home without her.

Fina: "*whistle* I-I don't know what you're talking about~"

Hearing her escape with that lame excuse, Leila grabbed Fina by the collar and dragged her.

Leila: "You're going home too, little lady."

Fina: ""Aaaaaaahhhh!! Nooooo!! I don't want toooooo!! I want to go with Ciel!!! I will go with theeeeeeeem!!"

Fina grabbed at the trunk of a large tree, which we were taking a shade under, to prevent Leila from dragging her off even more towards the carriage. She's even hugging it like her life depends on it.

I've already talked about it with Leila to let Fina decided what she wants to do. But for now, I want her to go home first and prepare. Not to mention, there're her parents too. From what I heard from Fina and Leila, they seem to be good people and greatly treasures Fina.

Fina and I talked about it, too. But I guess she's still being stubborn about it.

Leila: "*sigh* Hey, boyfriend. Stop watching warmly and say something already."

Fina: "Eh!? … G-Gee~ B-Boyfriend, you say…~ You're making me blush, Leila~ Ehehehe~"

E-Even if you blush while hugging that tree like it's a matter of life and death, that's… Ahaha…

Well, she is my girlfriend now, after all. Even I got a bit giddy from how Leila phrased it.

Leila: "I don't really know why, but I want you two to explode right now."

O-Ohh! So this how it feels like being told like that…!

I feel like a normie now!

Even though the statement is filled with spite, I could only hear blessings…!

Ahh… What a wonderful feeling… Mufu… Mufufufufu…~

Leila: "That sloven expression… Now I want you to explode even more."

Ciel: "A-Ahem. For now, take these Glow Stones first."

Per my suggestion, Leila heaved a sigh of exasperation and called out to some of the miners to have them bring the sacked-packed Glow Stones to their wagon.

Seeing those wooden wagons made me excited like a child in an excursion trip~

It really is the fantasy world, huh~? Ahaha~ I'm getting all excited from all these new spectacles…!

Accompanied by the weird looking horse, that looks like a brown unicorn, the man with an apparel that fits the word 'Medieval Era' makes a perfect image of a fantasy world.

NOT!

TO!

MENTION!

Those elves! I mean Aelves!

I guess most the women were left outside for safety, with some 'researcher'-looking people were only allowed to go inside. There are those that wear thin and silky outfit, there are those that are covered with metal plates, there are those that are fitted with robes and mantles…

Aahhh… I've really come to a fantasy world…!

Finally!

I've come to realize such a thought! Being in a dark place for months is… *sniffle*

I mean, it's obviously out of the definition of my fantasy world! If we say fantasy, then it's this scenery!

And again! There're Aelves! Silky smooth skin… Even though they look paler than an ordinary person in my standards, they still look as divine as what I imagine them to be!

AND THOSE BOOBS, DAMN IT.

It defies the Laws of Physics! I want to fondle them!

Purin: "Lecher, purin."

Ciel: "*flinch*"

Fina: "*stare* … Muuu… I can sense the first struggle of being Ciel's girlfriend."

Fleur: "Fufu~ Master is just like how he often is."

Ciel: "Ms. Fleur? You're saying like I've been staring at your boobs all the time."

I do though!

Purin: "Thou doth, purin."

Urk…

I whistled my way out of it. I know it's a really lame escape, but… shut it.

I can't help it, can I?? I mean there're otherworldly boobs right there! How can I not admire them with my eyes and save them in my brains hard drive??

[Author's Note: In front of your girlfriend and to the girl who loves you, huh? Such courage, mister.]

Leila already let Fina go to instruct the miners and the carriage drivers, so Fina is again near us like it's the most normal thing. She's so cute, damn it.

But then again…

Fina: "Myu? What is it?"

Fina placed her finger on her lips, tilting her head all the while.

Hmmm… I wonder if she didn't inherit her mother's blood… I heard Leila is her father's little sister, or something… I see… So that's why.

But I love small ones too!!

Ciel: "… Don't mind it, Fina. I'm fine with them!"

I placed my hand over her head for a pat, then flashed thumbs-up.

Fina: "Eh? Ehh?? Wh-What's with the sudden consolation?? And why do I feel like I'm hurting with the way you look at me as if I'm someone pitiful???"

Ciel: "Don't mind it."

I flashed another thumbs-up.

Fina: "Muu…!! Like I said, what is it????"

Hearing another unsolicited words of comfort from me, she flailed her arms around as a protest against it.

Ahaha. I missed this kind of exchange. I really do. And how it's so much better now that she's my girlfriend.

Ciel: "Well then. Everyone, it has been a rough encounter, but I guess this must be some kind of fate. I hope we could meet again sometime and take our time."

Fina: "Don't ignore me!! Waaaahh! Fleur!! Ciel is being a bully!!"

Fina ran over towards Fleur and buried her face in her bountiful chest.

Fleur: "There, there. Fufu."

Leila: "Likewise, Ciel."

Leila gripped her skirts sides and lowered her body for a bow. I followed suit with a simple bow of my head, not knowing the proper etiquette in this kind of times.

Leila smiled, due to my clumsy bow, then turned her way to Purin, who has her arms folded all the while.

Leila: "Purin, don't let your master off your eyes from now on."

Purin: "Hmph. To think Purin would hear the same words from two different persons… Purin must be getting old. … Be well."

Purin did the same bow Leila did and bid her own farewell.

Leila: "And the Mistress. Take care from now on."

Fleur: "Yes. Thank you very much. I wish for another encounter with you all."

Fleur bowed her head elegantly, while raising the hem of her skirt. That's so noble-like right there, when I saw Fleur does it.

Ciel: "Well then."

I face Fina to tell say my temporary goodbyes, but…

Fina: "Well then, Leila! Send my regards to Mama and Papa!

She turned her way just like how we did and is already waving her hand.

Leila: "Hold on right there, little lady. You're coming with us."

Leila grabbed Fina again by her collar. I couldn't help it but smile wryly.

Ciel: "Fina."

Hearing me speak to Fina, Leila let her go. Without waiting a moment's delay, Fina jumped at me and wrapped her hands around my waist and back.

The tight grip I feel only means one thing.

Ciel: "… It's not like we won't meet again. I just want you to go home for now."

How can she be this cute, darn it… There's no way my girlfriend is this cute…!!

No, she is cute.

Fina: "…"

Not replying, she just pressed her face against my chest even more. Her shoulders are slightly shivering, followed by a stifled sniffle.

I understand. We've finally met and express our feelings towards each other. Our feelings have finally reached each other, and now it's time to part again.

If you're asking why, that's because we need to reach the Faunalian Capital as soon as possible. Much like how I would want to visit their village first, we don't have much time to take detours.

It's for Fleur's condition.

I told Fina about this too. That's why she's not saying anything, as she understands as well.

And so, I came up with a better solution. Mufufu. I'm a genius, after all.

I released a small Wisp.

I used Liquid Body to liquefy it and merged some Glow Stones from my Storage. Then I used Psyche to compress it until it's crystallized in a round shaped, but edged crystal.

Now it looks like a crystal gem.

… Well, I didn't think it would work, to be frank.

Though, it looks like I compressed it until it became crystallized, it's actually just the wisp merging with the Glow Stone.

Oh well. Now I have a bluish ball of crystal with the size of a golf ball. Even though it's crystallized like this, I've infused my own Crysaztel in it, so it's still working its job as my wisp. I can still remotely use my skills with it.

Ciel: "Here."

I tapped her shoulders and pull away, then I reached out the crystal from my hand towards Fina.

Fina: "This is… A crystal…?"

Ciel: "Yep. I want you to have it."

She gingerly picked up the crystal with her slender fingers, then raised it in front of her eyes for her to look into it. The light from the setting sun was reflected and shone down a rain of sparkling light on her face.

I couldn't take my eyes away from her…

Fina: "It's beautiful… What's this…?"

Ciel: "… I-It's a materialization of my l-l-love."

THAT'S SO DAMN CHEEZY!! Why the hell did I say that??

Fina: "Pfftt!! Ahahahaha! That doesn't suit you, Idiohan! Ahahaha!"

Urk. Sh-She doesn't have to laugh that much.

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Fina stared tenderly at the gem in her hand.

Ciel: "A-Anyways. It's a Soul Crystal."

I just came up with it on the spot. Ahaha.

Fina: "… Soul Crystal… It's so warm…"

Saying that, she held it with both her hands and pressed it against her chest, hanging her head down as if to savor the feeling.

Fina: "… I'll wait."

With tears forming again in the corners of her eyes, she raised her head and faced me with a bright smile.

Fina: "I've waited for 15 years. A few won't matter. *giggle*"

Fina…

Ciel: "Well… Actually. I can just use Teleport to teleport you from your village to where I am, so we can meet any time."

Saying that, I feel like the atmosphere suddenly became cold. Looking around, they all stare at me with narrowed eyes, aside from Fleur, who's smiling wryly.

Fina: "… G-Give me back my tears, you idiot!!!"

Fina then used her hands to hit me on the chest with protest.

Well, it's actually not that simple, you see.

I can't use Teleport to teleport to their village since I haven't visited the place yet. Teleport only registers a place if I myself visited it. That's why, even with the Soul Crystal, I still can't teleport myself to their village.

But I can use it to teleport Fina to where I currently am. Convenient, right?

I thought of that. Mufufu. I'm a genius after, all.

Ciel: "Go home and prepare. I'll be the one doing the waiting for now."

It's just a matter of weeks, so it's not that much compared to what she experienced, but… I want her to know.

Fina: "… Mm. Wait for me. Fleur!"

I guess, it's decided that she'll be coming with us later.

Fleur: "Yes?"

Behind me, with Purin, who is sitting with her legs crossed in the grasses, Fleur responded with a smile.

Fina: "Don't forget what we talked about, okay?"

Hm? They talked about something? Since when did they get that close, I wonder…?

Fleur: "Certainly. Fufu. I'll be able to properly call myself his girlfriend too by the time we meet again."

What?! Girlfriend?!

Wh-What did they talk about, I indeed wonder…?

Fina: "Nice! Be careful, though. This guy's a pervert, so who knows who he'll be staring at if you leave him for a moment."

Fleur: "Yes! L-Leave him to me!"

Well, I can already guess the content, I see.

I think I'll have to prepare myself for that time. Perhaps, Fina's energy rubbed a little to Fleur and became a little bit more assertive. Mhm. That's a good thing.

Ciel: "Take care, Fina."

I face Fina and placed my hand over her head.

Fina: "Mm. … I love you."

Those words that caught me off guard, is followed by Fina suddenly closing our distance.

And then…

Fina: "*kiss* … It's payback. *giggle*"

She kissed me in the lips.

Ciel: "… You almost made my heart explode, you sly… Mhm. I love you too."

I couldn't help but smile like an idiot.

Fleur: "A-Amazing… I have to take a mental note of that."

And then, there's Fleur… Ahaha. Don't worry. I'll patiently wait for you, too.

So for one last time, we waved our goodbyes and went our separate ways.

And for the last time, I engraved the picture of Fina, who is waving her hand at us, as she grips the crystal that I gave her with the other.

Yup. She's so precious.

…

..

.

Chapter End