Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 200

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 200 – Finally, a Well-Earned Break

“So I came here because I wanted to take a breather after the fight with Ed… I guess.”

When he tried to explain, it took longer than he thought.

Ain felt a slight tiredness in his mouth and looked at Lloyd’s reaction.

“I see… So, thanks to you, Ain-sama, we were able to avoid the threat of the miasma. But still, the appearance of the Leviathan…”

“Although it wasn’t mentioned in the explanation just now, Leviathan is heading for the port city of Roundheart. The timing is supposed to coincide with Chris’ arrival.”

“Yes, that should be effective. Many Heim soldiers have already breathed their last. Therefore, the risk of an attack from the port city should be low. After all, that port city has no walls or other defenses.”

Ain also recalled an old memory.

Thinking about the time when Chris came aboard the Princess Olivia, it seemed like it had no defensive capabilities.

“That’s right. If it comes to that, we can just bombard it from a distance.”

“Is that okay? Even though there have been many problems, that city…”

Lloyd was worried about Ain.

After all, the port city of Roundheart was Ain’s birthplace.

He was reluctant to say the words, “We’re going to bomb it.”

“Lloyd-san, you don’t have to say anymore. It’s okay, nothing bothers me.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Lloyd apologized with an embarrassed face and put his hand to his left eye.

“I don’t think you’re okay. How’s the pain?”

“Yes. Actually, thanks to Varra-dono, I don’t feel any pain at all. I do feel a bit sluggish due to the blood loss, but that won’t be a problem if I rest for a day… or two at the most.”

“It’s okay, Ain-sama. If Father can wield a sword, he’ll follow you even if he has to crawl.”

“Hahaha! Dill is right. Ain-sama. I will accept any punishment for today’s failure once we return to the homeland. But please allow me to wield my sword on the battlefield.”

“…I don’t really want to think about punishment. For now, I want Lloyd-san to continue fighting with me. So I want you to heal your body first.”

When Ain stood up, he put his hand on Loyd’s shoulder to encourage him.

“Still, your performance, Ain-sama… I never thought that you would be able to fight off an opponent against whom I could do nothing.”

“O-oh, that…?”

“If you don’t mind, I would like to hear how the battle went…”

“Sure. But after you’ve healed your injuries, okay? Lloyd-san?!”

“U-umu!”

After a short laugh, Ain turned to Dill and Majolica.

“Dill, I want you to share some information with Lloyd-san. Majolica-san, would you come with me to check outside?”

“Ain-sama, I’ll come with you too.”

“At times like this, you should rely on His Highness.”

“That’s right. Then I’ll take a look outside.”

This was not a bad decision, even if he said so himself.

The two of them would be able to calmly exchange information, and Lloyd would also be able to calm down mentally.

By taking Majolica, someone who could be trusted, Dill could obediently accept Ain’s words.

…Ain walked to the door of the inn and went outside with Majolica.

“You are as kind as ever.”

“I think it’s the right person in the right place. Ed is also worn down to a certain extent, so I don’t think he’ll attack today.”

“Well, the commander on their side is also worn down.”

“We should be careful, but I think we can rest today. Besides, I think they’re strengthening their defenses near the seaside because I’ve come.”

If they could disperse their forces, that would be great.

Besides, in the case of a port city, the Ishtalika side has a huge advantage.

With Chris coming on the Princess Olivia, they’d have enough power.

“Ah, I’ll contact Rockdam.”

“What’s wrong?”

“We need to send a signal that Leviathan is being sent to the port city of Roundheart.”

As explained to Lloyd, Leviathan was on its way to the port city of Roundheart.

In order to send the signal, it was necessary to inform everyone that Ain had safely met up with Lloyd.

“Shall I prepare a messenger for you later?”

“Yes. I think there will be additional materials and such, so I’ll contact them as well. Oh, by the way, Majolica-san.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“…Do you have any spare magic stones?”

Ain looked embarrassed and put his hand on his stomach as he looked at Majolica.

Majolica also looks surprised by the unexpected words.

“M-magic stones? Well… I have some spare magic stones for my magic tools, but what do you want to use them for?”

Ain replied.

It was embarrassing to beg like a child, but there was no choice.

“Lately, I’ve been getting hungrier after absorbing magic stones.”

Seeing that Ain looked hungry, Majolica took a magic stone out of his pocket.

＊＊＊

Ain was busy meeting with Birdland’s mayor, Garvi, and assessing the situation around him.

Though he felt a sense of satisfaction at being able to save Lloyd and the Knights of Ishtalika, the enemy was still alive and well.

After absorbing the magic stone he received from Majolica and restoring his energy, in addition to his normal meals, Ain took a nap for a few hours at the inn.

Then, after waking up in the middle of the night, Ain left his room for some reason.

“Varra, are you there?”

His destination was Varra’s room.

Even though it was Varra’s room, it was a large room that also doubled as a clinic, and when he opened the door, he could see the knights being treated inside.

“Ah, yes! Is there anything I can do for you?”

Varra peeked out from behind something, and when she spotted Ain, she hurried over to him.

“Do you have a moment? I would like to ask you some questions…”

“Yes, I think an hour should be enough. Is it okay if we use the room next door? There are a lot of people who need treatment, so it’s best not to go too far…”

“Sorry, sorry. That’s okay.”

While surprised by Ain’s unexpected words, Varra pointed to the next room.

And so, after hearing Ain’s answer, Varra moved forward.

“Sorry, it’s a bit of a mess. Please, sit wherever you like.”

“Thank you. …Wait, is this where Varra rests?”

“I’m embarrassed to say it’s true. It’s convenient to be close to the injured in such a spacious place.”

As she spoke soothingly, Varra yawned.

It seemed that Varra was tired as well, so she patted her cheek to cheer herself up.

“I’m sorry to show you such an unsightly sight…”

“N-no, don’t worry about it. I know I’m putting you through a lot.”

Ain sat down on a suitable-looking chair while Varra lowered her head, her face flushed.

“By the way, what do you want to talk about? I think I already told you about the damage…”

“I thought I’d tell you a little story from the past.”

“A story from the past…?

“Yes. It’s about the first time I met Varra and Mei.”

For Varra, it was a story she had never expected to hear.

However, Varra expressed her gratitude without being particularly surprised.

“Of course, I can’t forget. Thanks to Your Highness, we’ve been able to live a very happy life.”

“Your father suddenly disappeared, didn’t he?”

“Yes. My father suddenly changed his attitude and left us without paying any attention to Mei, who was clinging to him.”

It could be felt that she was choosing her words carefully.

But even though she chose her words carefully, her feelings of sadness and anger still reached Ain.

“Do you still hate him?”

――Ain was bad at asking questions.

He felt self-loathing for continuing to ask such a rude question.

After a few breaths, Varra opens her mouth.

“It’s probably not the same as ‘hate.'”

“Not the same?”

“Yes. It’s hard to put this feeling into words, but the closest I can come up with is the feeling that I want him to stop being involved in our lives.”

“Stay out of your life? Does that mean that even if you were to meet again…”

“…A father. I can’t think of him like that. But Mei might be happy about it.”

Ain was at a loss.

Should he believe this answer and leave Varra as she was?

Or should he restrain her for once?

Besides, even if she really had no connection to Ed, should she pass on the bloodline of the Red Fox?

“That’s why I want him to stop appearing before us, for Mei’s sake. There’s no way we can trust someone who abandoned us once.”

“…I see.”

“Besides, we have a wonderful father now.”

“What? That’s the first I’ve heard of it…”

“It’s His Majesty. His Majesty Sylvird is the father of the people of Ishtalika. So maybe we should forget about that person…”

Finally, she smiled weakly and spoke in a low voice.

“But should I punch my father at least once?”

“Ah… yes. I understand how you feel. To tell the truth, I also wanted to punch the Great General of Heim at least once.”

Ain, who didn’t want to mention his name, referred to Logas by his title.

Then Varra, sensing Ain’s conflict, let out a happy laugh.

“Hahaha. So if Your Highness’s fist is injured, you can leave the treatment to me.”

“Yeah, I guess I could do that.”

It might be naive, but he wanted to believe her.

He wanted to believe in the encounter in Ist and with Varra, who was in a similar situation to his.

Besides, at least Ain thought that there were far too few reasons and advantages for her to deceive Ishtalika at this point.

If she had wanted to deceive Ishtalika, there would have been a better time to do it.

With a satisfied look on his face, Ain stood up and smiled at her with a tired look on his face.

“Oh, by the way, what’s your father’s name?”

“Ah… what? Didn’t I tell you before?”

“Well, I don’t think I know…”

Ain, who couldn’t think of anything, tried to think of something but still couldn’t come up with anything.

Then Varra continued, looking apologetic.

“Well, there were more people in the slums who had no names… my mother and father were part of that majority. The reason Mei and I had names was because they were given to us as children.”

“Oh, I see. That was normal… I’m sorry, I asked you something strange again.”

“N-no, it’s the other way around! I’m the one who should apologize for telling you such a strange story! No, really…!”

“W-well, I understand, so you don’t have to wave your hands around like that, okay?”

Varra waved her hands around as she stood up, looking restless.

It was clear that she was apologizing, but from the perspective of Ain, who had come to ask her a question, it was also uncomfortable to be so humbled.

“Excuse me. There is a knight who is not feeling well… Your Highness, I apologize!”

“No, it’s no big deal, so don’t worry about it. Varra, I’m sorry for taking up your time. I’m going back now, so please take care of the knight’s condition.”

“I-I understand! Then excuse me!”

Hearing Ain’s words, Varra stood up quickly and went into another room.

“Well, she’s always so energetic.”

Seeing Varra as usual, Ain was secretly relieved.

Thinking that there didn’t seem to be a problem, he decided to keep the fact that Ed and Varra were related to each other to himself for now.

“Phew~. Well, I think I’ll take another nap before tomorrow…”

After talking with Varra, Ain yawned loudly and left Varra’s room.

On the way, he ate the magic stone he had in his pocket as a snack and then crawled into bed with a satisfied look on his face.

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