Chapter 25 – Tender Care

I finally reached the overworld having left the godforsaken Trail. The sun had already begun to set, and the day was about to come to a close. Befittingly so. I could feel the breeze that gently blew through the forest becoming colder by the minute, as I laid down on the grass, gazing upwards at the warm, amber sky.

What a day it has been.

Fatigue was starting to get to me and had I laid down for a moment longer, I’d have fallen asleep without a doubt.

⌈So, buddy... Shall we go home?⌋

⌈*Mhm!*⌋

And so we began our journey back towards the capital. Lime led the way, as I still severely lacked a sense of direction. Slowly, yet surely, we found our way through and out of the forest. I no longer felt light as feathers. With every step, the burden of my own weight became heavier. My sight started to dim, and the scenery began to fade away, yet I still pressed on.

One by one, the familiar villages passed by, as the sun slowly faded away from the evening sky. The candlelight radiating through the small windows were inviting, but I couldn't exactly just go and barge in. No matter how much clearing the Trails feels like it, this new life of mine isn't a game after all...

The comforting orange tone up above slowly got overpowered by cold grey clouds, and even the monsters prowling the forests and fields had gone to hiding. Everything felt right. Though certainly unpleasant to experience, the scenario it created certainly satisfied my overly dramatic storytelling sense. A lone hero makes his miserable way back home after a hard fought battle... Though I'm no hero, I suppose.

I don’t know how long I had dragged myself out of the forest and across the plains for. While it felt like an eternity, my mind was completely blank, and as such, the journey seemed to me as none more than a fleeting moment. I tried to distract myself by counting sheep, but I always lost focus before reaching double digits. I couldn’t even recite the lyrics of my favorite songs... The only things I could recall were the rewards I had amassed on my journey.

Four health potions, all of which were used, and five mana potions, all of which were still left untouched. A full set of ' - of Spring' gear, a jacket, shorts, a pair of boots and a sash to replace my belts. I wonder why I never got a pair of gloves or a helmet? Maybe because I didn't wear any in the first place... Instead, I found two extra pairs of boots and an extra pair of shorts.

I also managed to get my hands on a Blade of Spring, as well as a spell tome. Neither of which proved all that useful... I also found a couple of ingots of Spruce Springsteel, a peculiar brown metal, reflecting the patterns of bark on its surface, of which I suppose the Blade of Spring is made. While I probably won't find much use from those either, the name brought a smile on my face.

And to top it all off, the Trails also blessed me with two sizeable sheets of Bloomhide and a roll of Vine Twine. If my examination abilities are anything to go by, my spring garments were made of those very materials. Maybe I could sell those to the tailor? It's not like I'm able to fashion anything from them anyway.

Those, along with the rings I just now received, all amount to a total of 24 cleared Trails. The Shards of Knowledge I managed to gather on my journey mostly seemed to focus more on the farming aspect of things, tools, methods of cultivation, cross-breeding plants... That sort. I wonder how the knowledge radiating through the realms will work. Are people just going to wake up and think 'Today is a good day for an agricultural revolution.'?

In the distance, I could finally see a familiar and a very welcome sight. The flowery hills of the capital expanded across the mellow plains, as far as the eye could see. I had finally reached my destination.

Excited, as my melancholic adventure to the unknown was finally reaching its end, I began jogging towards the towering walls before me. Unable to contain myself, my jog quickly turned into a full-speed sprint, disregarding all mental and physical fatigue. The guardsman at the gate seemed to have fallen asleep. Not my problem.

Halfway to my destination, for better or worse, I was met with all too familiar faces. It was Seth and the elven girls. Even the smith's daughter was there... And they seemed awfully worried about something.

I wasn’t sure whether or not I could look them in their eyes again, but it was too late to worry about that now. They already noticed me and ran towards me, with quite the haste, might I add. To be honest, my instincts were telling me to book it and run away, but somehow it just didn’t seem right.

I graciously accepted my fate and gave them a warm wave. After all, I suppose I've missed them, even if only for a day. While the others stopped at a couple of meters away, Seth kept pressing on, only to stop in his tracks in front of me, way too close for comfort...

⌈H-Hi..?⌋

No response.

⌈Hello?⌋

⌈…⌋

⌈Uhh..⌋

The awkward silence was broken as Seth cracked his knuckles. I could feel the countless shivers pulsing down my spine.

⌈DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WORRIED WE WERE!? YOU FUCKING IDIOT!⌋

He screamed at my face loud enough to wake up the entire block.

His following movements far exceeded my perception. I could see but an afterimage before I suddenly felt a sharp pain on my cheekbone...

The ground rotated sideways and the buildings began to topple.

No...

It was me that was falling over. I was losing my consciousness again.

Yep, that’s it.

The fucker returned the punch I threw at him when we first met.

Ah, how nostalgic.

This long day finally came to a close, as I fell down on my side with a wide smile on my face.

——————————

It was then, that I found myself waking up, staring at a ceiling all too familiar.

But it wasn't the wooden ceiling of the inn... It was the same old ceiling of my bedroom in my shabby apartment.

So... It was all a dream?

Figures. That's always how it goes. It was way too good to be true, anyway.

Next to me, stood the table I used to write my stories on. Doing my best at holding back my tears, afraid to live my old life once again, I began to flip through the pages of the notebook I used to write my stories into... To my dismay, the pages of the notebook were blank, with the exception of the very last page. My handwriting, however, was nowhere to be seen.

So the lines on the final page read...

'Dearest grandson...'

'Long has it been since you've heard of me, but even longer has it been since I've heard of you.'

'I wish I had the opportunity to meet you in person once more, but alas, I find myself lacking the means to do so...'

'But worry not, you're still your alternate self... Isn't that what you always wished for?'

'Traveling through time and transporting people from a dimension to another isn't easy, y'know!?'

'Anyhow... It seems like I've made a blunder.'

'It takes a generous amount of power, and about twenty years to transport souls from our world to another. And fate seems to play a larger part in the process of evolution than I had anticipated...'

'First, your parents, to save them from their illnesses, and now you... If you ever felt alone, I suppose it was my fault. I hope you understand and learn to forgive.'

'There's so much to explain and so little time, but should you travel northward, to the Ruins of Akashia, you'll find the answers you seek.'

'I sincerely hope the world has been to your liking. Treasure your friends as I did you... That is all I ask.'

'Good luck, "Light". Until we meet again...'

——————————

I... woke up once more.

Was that... grandfather?

My parents were ill and he managed to save them!?

They didn't leave me after all...

I'm... glad. I'm so glad...

Ruins of Akashia, huh? I guess I'll ask the old man at the chapel when I get the chance. I need to get there.

⌈Don't worry... No need to cry. Everything is going to be alright... I'm here for you.⌋

A faint voice softly mumbled into my ear. I couldn't make out any words...

I couldn’t move. Or rather, my movements were restricted. Something was holding on to me.

My lungs were filled with a comforting flowery scent, and my body was enveloped by a soft sensation that had become all too familiar to me in these last couple of days. Though this time, among the sheets, I felt something even softer and fluffier.

Intrigued, I explored the abnormality. I slowly ran my fingers through the pleasant fuzz. A tail? Three tails!? A fox spirit?

⌈Nnnhghhh... Good morning... Y-You're awake!?⌋

A sweet voice yawned and greeted me, though with a surprised tone.

Except I didn’t feel up the tail of a fox spirit, no. I would never mistake that sweet voice for anyone else.

⌈V-Violet!?!⌋

⌈Good morning~!⌋

I finally opened my eyes only to realize that I had been lying in Violet’s warm and comforting embrace the whole time. Relieved, as I found myself still existing within the other world, I instinctively tightened my hands around Violet...

⌈There, there.⌋

She comforted me and ran her fingers through my hair. Only to scold me right after...

⌈But! The tails of beastmen are very sensitive. You need to be more careful next time!⌋

⌈I uhh…⌋

⌈Though maybe I’ll let you get away with it this time... I'm so glad you're awake.⌋

Relief oozed through her caring words as she wiped the tears rolling down my cheeks.

I did notice Violet being a beastman back then, but I don’t remember seeing a tail, much less three of them. Come to think of it, I never noticed any ears either.. The only race-specific characteristics I remember were her sharp canines. To think she'd be a fox... For some reason, I'm not all that surprised.

⌈But enough about that. So... How did you enjoy the night?⌋

⌈T-The night?⌋

⌈Oh my, you were so amazing.⌋

She giggled and wrapped her legs around mine, keeping me captive. Though being imprisoned in luscious, bare thighs was not something I minded at all.

⌈!?!⌋

Don’t tell me I actually did something. Considering that I was currently lying down in an unknown bed immersed in the barely covered bosom of a half-naked Violet, I don’t exactly feel hopeful about my fate. I can't remember anything, and given the chance, my instincts would probably commit to what my confidence couldn't...

⌈Please, tell me I didn’t do anything…⌋

⌈My, my. No need to worry. You can take your time with that. You haven’t done anything yet.⌋

⌈Oh... Thank god.⌋

⌈However, I mean exactly what I said. You’ve been out for three days straight, you poor little thing. I was getting worried. Every night I slept beside you, waiting for you to wake up, but you never did… I’m so glad you’re back with us.⌋

She had tried to combat her feelings by acting playful, but her eyes began to well up as she was finally losing the fight against her feelings...

⌈Three days…? Wait... Why did you cuddle a corpse for three days? And who gave you the permission to do that in the first place?⌋

⌈Oh, my… And here I thought you would’ve been happy to see your big sis care for you...⌋

If I’m not mistaken, this far exceeds those boundaries… But then again, I suppose I don't mind.

⌈There’s no winning you over, huh? Anyway, where am I?⌋

I admitted my defeat.

⌈Oh, but you’ve already–... Ah, welcome to my home!⌋

⌈Oh!?!⌋

⌈Ah, I suppose you don’t quite remember what happened. After your friends found you lying unconscious on the city streets, they brought you back to the Chapel of the Capital. I received permission from the Arch Sage to nurse you back to health. Passive healing magic has the greatest efficiency through skin contact, and I didn’t exactly want to let others snuggle my little brother up.⌋

⌈Oh yeah... They found me unconscious alright… So, you’re a healer?⌋

⌈Not quite. Though, I am proficient in healing magic. One could say I’m the best around, and you certainly didn’t seem to disagree. You eagerly sucked me dry every night. My, my... You were like a little baby.⌋

She squeezed me even deeper into her embrace. I don't think she realizes what kind of an effect her actions and words have...

⌈I’m speaking of Mana, of course. Oh my, I sure hope you didn’t misunderstand.⌋

Please don’t play with my sorry soul like that while holding me tightly against your soft skin obstructed only by a negligee. I’m still a healthy young man, you know!? My self-control isn’t exactly that of an ascetic monk’s.

⌈Anyway, on that night, your friends were about to leave the capital to go out to search for you. Though few of the adventurer initiates never came back that day, and people already began to suspect that something had happened to you, they wouldn’t take no for an answer.⌋

She continued.

⌈They were about to go out of their way to look for me? Damn...⌋

⌈Yes... Most of the people that set out came back before sunset, yet you were nowhere to be seen.⌋

⌈They were back before sunset? I barely reached the end of the last Trail by then..⌋

⌈Last Trail? Did you clear multiple Trails? I suppose the fair-haired snow elf also cleared four... Oh my! I'm proud of you!⌋

Though she tightened her grip on me to the point where I was barely able to even breathe, I couldn’t help but express my disbelief.

⌈Four!?!⌋

Just four?

⌈Yes. It’s honestly quite impressive for a newcomer like her to clear so many. And on her first day out in the fields too. My, my. You youngsters sure are something.⌋

And that’s considered impressive!? Here I was thinking that I’d have been able to clear near thirty, had I not been trapped in a fight to the death against that behemoth.

⌈Sorry, do you happen to know where Lime is?⌋

⌈Lime? Oh, your slime companion? It’s waiting for your awakening at the Chapel. Nero seemed to insist on examining it. Apparently, it’s the first Arcane Slime ever seen!⌋

⌈Let’s go there right now.⌋

⌈My, my. What’s the hurry?⌋

⌈I’ve got something to show you, and I have a feeling you might just like it.⌋

⌈Oh my, how bold…!⌋

Violet left the room. I now saw her beautiful figure in full through her nigh transparent lilac cloth... I found my sight being lead by her long locks of hair towards her lower back, along which ran a jagged tattoo. Perhaps she has the blessing of Thunder? My thoughts, however, were quickly swayed to other subjects... I couldn’t take my eyes away from the wiggling… tails! Yes. I couldn’t take my eyes away from the tails. That’s it. I’m still not used to people having tails and ears...

Still... I wonder why Violet is so fond of me? She could probably get any man she wanted.

After I had calmed down and convinced myself that my indecent thoughts were completely natural, I dressed up and left the room. I immediately noticed that the house was no smaller than the inn I stayed at. I could count four doors on the top floor alone, and when glancing over the guardrail, I’d expect the lower floor to nearly double that.

Violet soon joined me... Once more in her sorceress attire. She seemed to have concealed her beastman features once more. A shame, really... The tails were kinda cute.

⌈So. What do you think of my humble home?⌋

⌈This!? This is amazing! You have this mansion all for yourself!?⌋

⌈A mansion? Ah... Not quite… Shall we go outside?⌋

As soon as we opened the door, Violet and I were surrounded by a swarm of about fifteen kids in an instant.

⌈Big sis, big sis! Is this the one you were talking about?⌋

⌈Oh my... No need to rush, children. This is the man I talked about indeed. Here’s your new big brother!⌋

Eh!? Oi…

⌈Oooh! Big bro!? Did you finally get a husband, big sis Violet!?⌋

OI!

⌈I haven’t gotten my answer yet, I’m afraid… Sorry, children, but we have to get going. It’s about something really really important. Don’t worry, I’ll be back before long! Remember to be on your best behavior, or you won't get slime jello tonight!⌋

⌈Slime jello? Yay!!! Alright! Bye, big sis!⌋

The kids shouted in unison.

After she had expertly handled the children, and we had made our way out of the vicinity of Violet’s home, she began talking once more, though this time the confidence in her voice was nowhere to be seen. She seemed to be somewhat... afraid?

⌈Well… What did you think?⌋

⌈About what?⌋

⌈About me…⌋

⌈Y-You!? I uhh…⌋

⌈No, not like that, you silly. I meant the orphanage I’m running. Most people seem to lose interest the moment they become aware of it. I was afraid you’d be the same. And perhaps I’ve already given up hope. I’m getting old after all…⌋

She nonchalantly explained, gazing into the distance.

Oh. So it was an orphanage? That explains it... But what is she going on about? Why would she, of all people, see themselves in such a bad light? I redirected my sights to the surroundings as she did, and began to rant...

⌈I think running an orphanage is nothing but admirable! For you to take care of children on your own accord is honestly amazing. And the way you were able to handle them too... You’re clearly dedicated and it shows. You have a big heart, don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. I would never lose interest because of something like that. If anything, it makes me all the more interested in you! And there’s not a way in hell you’re getting too old, you look amazing. So much so that sometimes I don’t think you even realize your own charm! Besides... You took me in and took care of me for the past three days...⌋

⌈…⌋

Well... I knew I wasn’t exactly the social type, but splurging out my feelings like that just because I got brazen for a second from lying in her embrace...? Oh well. What's done is done...

⌈Light…⌋

⌈Y-Yes..?⌋

I lowered my head and braced myself for the final nail in the coffin that the last fragments of my confidence were about to be buried in.

⌈That's embarrassing...⌋

She giggled, raised my chin up with her delicate fingers and looked deeply into my mismatched eyes.

The polar opposite of what I expected, happened. Though tears began to burst down Violet’s reddened cheeks, her smile was warmer than any I’ve seen. I wasn’t met with scorn or disgust, but rather joy and relief. And before I knew it, She wrapped her hands around my neck and I found myself in her warm embrace once more.

⌈But it's also the first time someone ever said such words to me. You better take responsibility.⌋

She softly whispered into my ear. Though not in a tone of a seductress, as she usually would, but in that of a shy maiden in love.

⌈Oh my... That was... a lot to take in. Say, would you care for a little detour with me? I think I need some time to recollect myself.⌋