| Author: Eltria | Original Source: Syosetu |
| Translator: Mui | English Source: Re:Library |
| Editor(s): Robinxen | |
The warehouse, tainted by dark matter smoke, was cleaned by soaking Kaitaba clay in alchemical solution, following Mother’s suggestion, and using it to wipe away the contamination. Alfe, who had changed into suitable clothes, joined in the task, and together we disposed of the clay, laden with dirt, in garbage bags, consolidating it as non-burnable waste in one place.
“It’s good that Arkeshius is clean now.”
As we finished cleaning, Alfe’s voice came from Arkecius, whom I had placed outside for cleaning. Alfe had returned to her usual spot without me noticing.
“The sky’s getting dark.”
Dark clouds gathered in the sky, and the wind, blowing since morning, grew stronger. Leaves from the Dragon Tree danced high in the air on whirlwinds.
“It seems like a storm is coming. Should we bring Arkecius back soon?”
“Yeah… Oh!”
Alfe, perched atop Arkecius, nodded in agreement to my suggestion and then suddenly stood up, peering into the distance.
“Do you see something?”
“I think a large ship is approaching.”
Although Alfe’s gaze was directed towards the lake, it wasn’t visible from where we stood. Perhaps Alfe could perceive the flow of liquid aether, the fuel, I thought.
As I pondered this, lightning streaked across the sky, followed by eerie low thunder.
“Alfe, let’s go inside.”
Prompting Alfe, I returned Arkecius to the warehouse.
◇◇◇
Before evening, Torch Town was shrouded in pitch-black clouds, and a fierce storm raged outside.
“I wonder when was the last time we had a storm like this.”
The sound of rain pounding against the window and ominous thunder echoed. A while ago, my father had contacted us, informing us that a passenger ship heading towards Torch Town had wrecked in this bad weather, and he had been dispatched as part of the rescue team. It was likely the ship Alfe had seen.
“I hope Father is okay.”
“He might not come back tonight, so try to sleep early.”
Prompted by Mother, I headed to my bedroom early. However, I could hardly sleep due to the uneasy feeling gnawing at my chest.
◇◇◇
Even in the morning, the storm showed no signs of abating, and Father had not returned. We received a call from someone claiming to be Father’s subordinate early in the morning, but Mother remained silent after that.
I could tell it wasn’t good news, but since I had never experienced such a situation before, I didn’t know how to act. In the end, I decided to wait for Mother to speak.
After finishing breakfast and tidying up, Mother finally spoke with a heavy heart.
“…Leafa, there’s something important I need to tell you.”
“Yes…”
Mother must not have slept at all. The dark circles under her eyes looked painful.
“Thanks to your father’s efforts, the crew and passengers of the passenger ship have been safely rescued.”
“That’s… a relief. …So, Father will be back soon, right?”
I tried to act innocently like a child, but my voice trembled. My anxiety seemed to transmit directly to Mother, and tears welled up in her eyes.
“But… the problem is, your father hasn’t returned due to a mechanical failure. The last communication we received was a distress call about the unit running aground… Search operations have been suspended due to this storm…”
Though she tried to maintain composure, she must have been preparing for the worst. As if a thread had snapped, Mother covered her face and began to cry.
“Mother… Father, Father will be okay, I’m sure.”
At times like this, what could I say to reassure her? Objectively speaking, as a child, I felt powerless to convince my mother.
“There’s no way Father would leave Mother and go… it’s just not possible…”
Those words of encouragement I tried to offer weighed heavily on my own heart. I couldn’t help but wish for things to be that way, because Father and Mother had supported my life as Leafa for the past nine years with unconditional love.
If no one else is going, then I have to go.
My irreplaceable family member needed me to save him. With a quiet resolve, I comforted Mother and gave her a drink laced with a sleeping potion, then flew out into the storm on Arkecius1.
