CH 25

The next morning.

After greeting Scarlett and the other villagers, they called to the hills on the outskirts of the village.

Needless to say, the weather was fine.

A gentle breeze caressed their hair and cheeks, swaying the grass and trees.

[Now that I’m taking another look at it… We’ve got an amazing view from here.] (Seto)

[We can see the entire landscape from here. It truly is a miracle of Mother Nature.] (Satis)

Towering mountains were surrounded by heavy clouds that shrouded the peaks, making the whiteness of the snow on them stand out even more.

The sky was as blue as ever, and the wind, also known as the breath of the earth, was blowing over the vast meadows.

Condor-like birds were flying far above, and small herds of herbivores were wandering around the meadows in the distance.

The breath of life was visible in every visible landscape.

Seto’s heart was moved not by life in the form of humans, but by life in the great outdoors.

This majestic spectacle made him realize how small he was.

As he unconsciously paused and felt entranced by the view, Satis gently held his hand next to him.

[…Come on, we’re almost at the top of the hill. Let’s take a break there.] (Satis)

[Ahh, right.] (Seto)

Hand in hand, the two walked to their destination.

As they walked up the hill, the view they had was much different than before.

From a slightly higher point, they could see the distant mountain range and catch a glimpse of the other side of it.

While gently watching over Seto, whose eyes were sparkling at the natural scenery, Satis started unfolding the sheet.

A hill on the outskirts of the village.

Truly the perfect place for a picnic.

The two of them sat down on the sheet, and had a cup of tea.

The sunlight and wind gently enveloping them, and the scent of trees and grass filled the air.

This quiet and magnificent place put Seto in a mood that he could never experience in the forest he and Ryodou entered.

It was as if he and Satis were the only two people in the world right now.

[This place is so relaxing… And it makes me feel nostalgic for some reason.] (Seto)

[Eh? Seto, could it be that… you were born here?] (Satis)

[No, no. I can’t really put it into words. It’s more like… Hmmm…] (Seto)

[This is just a guess, but it could be that your ancestors have been here before.] (Satis)

[In this place?] (Seto)

[Yes. Perhaps the sight of all this nature is recorded in the genetic memory that was engraved in all living beings long ago.] (Satis)

[Sounds complicated…] (Seto)

[Fufufu. I guess it does. Even I don’t understand it. You come to a place you’ve never been or seen before, yet it gives you a feeling of nostalgia and deja vu… You could call it the mystery of life.] (Satis)

They huddled together and enjoyed a cup of tea while gazing at the endless landscape.

Savouring this emotion that he could not quite experience in his everyday life, Seto took a deep breath and felt the earth and the sky.

[When I see such a wide and beautiful scenery… Hahaha, it kinda makes me feel tiny in comparison.] (Seto)

[I think so too. It truly looks… wonderful. I’ve seen all sorts of treasures made of gold and silver, but… even those seem insignificant compared to this nature…] (Satis)

[I’ve also… never had the liberty to enjoy the landscape before. …I’m glad I got to see one like this. And of course, I’m happy it was… with you.] (Seto)

Seto smiled at her.

And Satis smiled back, with her cheeks slightly flushed.

This sort of natural space cleansed the soul.

For those who were tired of fighting, and those who lived in despair.

It spoke for itself with its own majesty.

It had remained unchanged for thousands of years, showing us what life was about.

[…Ngh…] (Seto)

[My, you look drowsy. Did you have trouble sleeping last night?] (Satis)

[Nah, I’m just feeling relaxed…] (Seto)

[Fufufu. In that case, would you like to take a nap? I’ll wake you up at noon.] (Satis)

[Erm, thanks.] (Seto)

Satis gave him a lap pillow.

In this refreshing landscape, her body warmth was transmitted to his head.

She gently stroked his hair with her soft hand, and he was able to fall asleep immediately.

All he was doing was sleeping, yet there was no time more blissful than this.

As his consciousness faded, Seto felt that this may be the happiness he was looking for.

Time passed, and Satis woke him up right before noon.

As Seto sat up and rubbed his eyes, Satis brought out a basket and started taking out food from it.

[Ooh! So this is our lunch for today!?] (Seto)

[Yes. We have chicken meat, deer meat, and rabbit meat. I’ve brought meat on the bone and sandwiches so they’re easier to eat.] (Satis)

[Meat, meat, meat everywhere… This is the best lunch ever! Thanks for the food, then.] (Seto)

Thus, the two enjoyed their lunch together.

Seto stuffed his mouth with the meat he loved so much, while Satis wiped the bits of food and sauce around his mouth with a napkin.

The truth is, she could not have prepared this much meat, but first thing in the morning, Ryodou dropped by to share the meat with them.

————Don’t tell the kid. (Ryodou)

After saying that, he left in a hurry.

The moment Satis learned that Seto was so appreciated by the village since they first arrived, she was absolutely delighted.

Seto was more lively than ever as he ate and drank water so ravenously.

Although, Seto seemed to display more energy when he was eating than when he was fighting.

[Easy now. Please take your time to eat. The food isn’t going anywhere.] (Satis)

[Hm, but… *Chew* It’s just so yummy… *Gulp*] (Seto)

[I told you, don’t talk with your mouth full. …See? You’re getting your mouth dirty again.] (Satis)

[I-I can wipe it myself.] (Seto)

While having those little exchanges, the two of them enjoyed both their lunch and the scenery.

As time passed peacefully, Seto finished his meal, got up, and walked forward.

[Seto…?] (Satis)

[I’m just gonna walk around a bit.] (Seto)

[I’m coming with you, then. Just give me a minute.] (Satis)

[Hm? Okay. I’ll wait for you to— Buwah!?] (Seto)

[“Buwah”? What sort of shout is that? …Wait, Seto!?] (Satis)

When she turned to look at Seto, who had let out a strange cry, he had disappeared.

Even if he wanted to hide, there was not even a single hiding spot on this hill.

She looked around, but she could not see him anywhere.

Instead, she heard his voice.

[Heeeyy! I’m here!] (Seto)

[Seto! Where are you!?] (Satis)

[Right where I was standing! A huge hole opened and I fell in it!] (Seto)

A gaping hole had spread out right where he had told her, and he was waving at her from the dim darkness below.

[Are you hurt!?] (Satis)

[Don’t worry. I’m fine. But more importantly, there’s something amazing down here! You gotta come down quick!] (Seto)

Seto had apparently found something inside that hole.

It was an unknown space of which not even Satis suspected the existence.