The journey home stretched far ahead. The Intermediate Spirit was highly conspicuous, and she herself was reluctant to stray too far from the forest for long. Thus, the group bid farewell to Euphie and opted for the slower carriage. Unlike the relentless day-and-night pace of their arrival, this return trip offered much more leisure.
The Ryumilua Forest. Twilight enveloped the beautiful woodland, serene as a hidden paradise. Ryuu gazed at the towering Sacred Tree, silent.
"Ryuu-san, where is this?"
Bell stood beside her, asking softly. During their earlier journey, Ryuu had voluntarily taken on the role of scouting ahead to avoid her "lover" status with the young man and prevent Hestia from noticing anything. Now that everyone was resting, Bell noticed Ryuu's sudden departure. After explaining the situation to Artemis, he hurried to catch up.
"This is my homeland."
Ryuu stood atop the hill, her tone utterly unruffled. Her green hair danced in the breeze, a faint sadness lingering on her stern face.
"Aren't you going in?"
Bell asked. From his observations, this forest remained untouched by war, showing no signs of outsider intrusion. Wheel tracks on the ground were exceedingly rare—likely even vegetable caravans avoided this place. Logically, Ryuu should have been happy to see her unchanged homeland, yet Bell read disappointment and sorrow on that beautiful face.
"Cranel-san, the truth is... I hate this forest..."
Ryuu lowered her head despondently, slowly recounting her past. Born into a guarding clan, she had received Elf warrior training since childhood. Even without Falna, Ryuu could repel monsters with a bow and a blade.
"But beyond monsters, other races visiting this forest also became targets of my arrows."
She raised her longbow, drew the string taut, threatening people to leave. Ryuu couldn't understand. Her power was meant to protect the Sacred Tree from monster incursions, so why must it be aimed at harmless merchant caravans?
When Ryuu questioned this, her kin answered thus:
"They're just a filthy horde of Demi-Humans."
"Look at their faces—utterly hideous. Allowing them entry would defile this sacred forest."
"Only our kind is worthy of the forest's beauty."
The Ryumilua Forest practiced isolationist diplomacy, refusing contact with other races. The Elves here held themselves in high esteem, possessing a strong sense of purity. Yet Ryuu felt deep down that mocking others for their appearance was the true ugliness. Moreover, every race had different standards of beauty. To dismiss another race as worthless simply because they were different was utterly absurd. Such fellow elves were truly strange.
"A crack formed within my heart. For my young self, it became a daily torment."
Back then, Ryuu was young and naive, burying her thoughts deep within. She couldn't confide in anyone—neither family nor fellow elves. Compared to merchants who traveled tirelessly for their families, elves seemed far uglier. If she voiced such thoughts, Ryuu would surely be branded a heretic. The walls around her heart grew thicker, the cracks widening. Finally, Ryuu slipped away from the village, choosing to leave forever.
"...And then?"
Bell asked softly. The story must have continued, for the loneliness and disgust in Ryuu's emerald eyes were impossible to explain otherwise.
"It sounds ridiculous now, but when I reached Orario, I discovered a truth: I was no different from the Elves of this forest."
Ryuu furrowed her willow-like brows, recounting her own wretchedness. Orario was the world's most dazzling stage, where Demi-humans, Elves, and even Gods gathered together. Ryuu believed she could surely find companions from other races here, to prove her thoughts were not wrong.
But she had been steeped in the customs of her homeland. From childhood, that sense of superiority had taken root deep within her heart, clouding her judgment. Most crucially, the stares from the outside world were unbearably piercing. Even among elves, Ryuu's beauty was exceptional, drawing lecherous glances from adventurers around her. Faced with such hostility, Ryuu pulled her hood over her head, completely shutting them out.
Inevitably, even the well-meaning offers of help were turned down one by one. Don't touch me! Don't look at me!
Ryuu spent her days steeped in suspicion and disgust, refusing to join any familia. She draped her cloak over her face, concealing every inch of exposed skin. Even so, Ryuu never sought help from any of her kind. Her pride would not allow such compromise.
Yet, upon reflection, she realized this was merely the same empty arrogance she had witnessed in the people of her homeland. Thus, the loathing turned inward, directed at herself.
"Pretty ridiculous, huh..."
Even now, recalling it, Ryuu's heart still churned with disgust.
"No, leaving home and defying the education you received since childhood—I think Ryuu-san, who remained strong in her convictions, is beautiful."
Bell spoke his thoughts honestly. Everyone has their troubles; that Ryuu could hold onto her true self was truly precious.
"..."
Ryuu froze for a moment, then lifted the corners of her mouth slightly.
"As expected of Cranel-san—you really know how to win a girl over. Actually, after that, I met Astraea-sama."
That goddess was as light as a feather, as vast and embracing as the ocean.
"I was at my wits' end then, and I shouted at the goddess."
Why did the gods create the elves? Why has this race—superficial, incapable of accepting others, utterly filthy within—survived to this day? It's not my fault, but the fault of all the gods!
Ryuu hurled these words at Astraea, hysterical with rage.
Hearing this, Bell couldn't help but curve his lips upward.
"Cranel-san, you're actually laughing at me."
Ryuu displayed a rare look of hurt.
"My apologies. I've never seen Ryuu-san yell before, so the scene struck me as rather unusual."
Bell met Ryuu's gaze and added, "Besides, if the target is Astraea-sama, she'd surely be apologizing gently while giving you chances to connect with others."
"..."
Ryuu's eyes widened in astonishment at the boy's unerringly accurate guess.
"I've come to realize once more that the bond you share with the Goddess Astraea is no mere illusion... ...As you said, after that, I encountered the first person who didn't pull away."
Ryuu didn't mention Alise's name. This wasn't a day for mourning; continuing would only deepen the sorrow.
"So, did you find your answer?"
Bell, equally understanding, didn't press for the identity of that person, knowing it must be one of Astraea Familia's female followers.
"No. My ugly obsession with purity hasn't improved. That's why I don't want to go back."
Ryuu answered truthfully. Even after all these years, she remained unchanged. This forest was the same—just as beautiful, just as stubbornly closed off as when she left. Ryuu had neither the heart nor any reason to return. Having once slipped away secretly, a sudden return would only stir conflict and bring trouble to her family.
"Hmm... I won't pry about your homecoming, but I think this is perfectly fine for you, Ryuu-san. This obsession is a symbol of your nobility."
Bell stated frankly. Refusing others' touch was an inherently noble sentiment, yet Ryuu saw it as the root of her ugliness.
"But between nobility and pride, no one can truly discern the divide."
Ryuu voiced the question that had troubled her for so long.
Bell pondered for a moment before speaking gently:
"Does Ryuu-san truly care about others' opinions? You should simply follow your heart. To be honest, as someone you've held hands with, I'm truly happy. Though it may be selfish, I sincerely hope Ryuu-san won't hold hands with anyone else in the future."
"..."
Ryuu fell silent. Considering things from another's perspective. Hearing this perspective for the first time, the aversion and turmoil within her eased considerably. After calming down, she suddenly grasped the hidden meaning in the boy's words. What did he mean by "not holding anyone else's hand in the future"? There was something odd about that phrase...
"Cranel-san, thank you for your encouragement. Let's head back..."
Ryuu hurriedly turned away.
"Eh—leaving already? I was thinking of visiting your family as your boyfriend."
Bell spoke with a smile.
"...?!"
"Huh?"
"Please don't say such frivolous things! That is absolutely impossible!!"
Ryuu vanished like a gale in an instant. A trembling voice echoed through the air, followed by the thud of something crashing into a tree. Several startled birds flew skyward.
The forest, once serene and unchanged, now seemed tinged with a touch of shyness and disarray.
...
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