16. Questions

"Didn't we just talk on the way here?"

"What do you think about the Forest of Alenrius?" the witch asked, ignoring his remark.

Yumino's attitude towards Gauntmere was still hostile. Deep down, Yumino was a kind guy, but he couldn't find it within himself to forget someone who had used his arm to take a life.

Yet her intentions were clear, and she didn't stray from them. She had never put Yumino in harm's way, and while her way of keeping secrets made the elf unable to fully trust her, there were too many things Yumino didn't know about this world. He couldn't blame her for not giving him a complete course.

Besides, now that her face had become clearer within his dream, Yumino could distinguish her expressions. Her question seemed genuine, so he had no reason to ignore it.

"It's beautiful. I never thought I could see such a place with my own eyes. I'd say it's out of this world, but I think that description fits me better."

"No, you are right to consider it otherworldly. Once, I was also amazed by how pure the scenery here was."

"Is that why you stayed?"

Gauntmere chuckled.

"You really do have a thing for getting into personal topics."

"With the witch who is trying to dictate my life? I think I at least have that right."

"Is that so..."

Behind Gauntmere, the forest he was soundly sleeping in outside the dream slowly took shape in his mind—within it, countless ghosts of elves played around.

"Is this real?" Yumino asked.

"If it were real, would you let us stay here forever?"

"I don't like the way you pretend that's an option. I prefer my mind to be my own."

Another chuckle; this time it was soon followed by a serious expression.

Soon a group of ghosts gathered behind the witch.

"I'll be using this adventure to train you a bit. They will be your coaches. Look forward to it! But for now, you better get some rest."

"Signing me off just like that, huh? Ah... No point in trying to argue. You'll just get what you want regardless..."

"I'm glad you've finally figured that out."

Yumino turned around and left, trying to go back to sleep.

"One more thing."

Yumino turned his gaze without a word.

"About your question...The forest alone was not enough to drag me here, but it made me want to protect it and its people."

Yumino paused for a second in an attempt to understand what Gauntmere was hinting at.

"I see. Thank you..."

However, he failed.

*****

The next morning, Yumino felt something tickling his nose, so he did the most natural thing and got up with a sneeze.

Once up, he looked to his side to see the surprised face of a playful sorceress who had put up a shield between them at the last moment. A surprised expression that soon turned into a cheeky grin.

"Oh! Sorry about that. I guess I should cut it shorter, hihi~" she said while playing with her red hair.

"No, no, no. However you look at it, that was on purpose!"

"Who knows~," said Velmira, completing with a wink.

"That aside, you should be kinder with your little witch! You almost headbutted the gem on my forehead!..."

While scolding him, Velmira checked the small red stone she wore above her nose. Yumino looked at it too, as he couldn't figure out if it was just an accessory or a part of her. 

For a second, he felt bad for her, but that feeling faded once he remembered whose fault it really was.

"That's on you for getting so close to me! Besides, why were you even on top of—"

Before the elf could finish complaining to the the beautiful lady, he noticed a pile of weapons that was not supposed to be there.

"What's up with that?"

"Ah, that's from the horde of goblins that attacked us while you were asleep," spoke Gavin, busy cleaning his demonic sword.

"You mean..."

"Yeah, Little Averin told us about how you weren't good at dealing with them, so we took them out without waking you up. It's just goblins, after all!" the huge man named Garron intervened, dropping another huge pile of weapons next to the one already formed."

"I must say, somebody sure loves sleeping..." Averin added.

"Can you judge me? I finally got to cuddle up next to the cute elf—"

"I wasn't talking about you..."

Yumino completely ignored the banter focused around him, still trying to process what had happened while he was out cold.

"You guys... Did you guys kill all of them just like that?"

"To be honest, it was mostly Garron's doing, and Averin chased after any who tried to get away.

"I just took care of their leader," the hero said with no hesitation.

"Death shouldn't be this final road that we all walk regardless of who we are, you know? I give to each what they deserve. He was strong, so I gave him a chance. Too bad it ended all the same."

Gavin arrogantly brushed off the deed, as if taking out a horde alone was something anyone could do with two days of sword training. Garron and Averin also acted like it was nothing much, but Yumino was bothered by something else.

"How can you guys take someone else's life so easily? Aren't you all heroes?"

"So what if we are?" Gavin asked with no hesitation.

"We are not their heroes. We're the heroes of humanity. If anything, we've had plenty of trouble with goblins who were working under the demon lord, I'll have you know."

"But that's just wrong!"

"They were the ones who attacked us. What's wrong with defending ourselves? Besides, didn't they try to kill you not long ago? If anything, I thought you'd do the same. You didn't hesitate with the vampires either."

It felt wrong. It didn't make sense. The "heroes" in front of Yumino were nothing like the ones he liked to read about. They lacked morality. They did not care about other species. They did what any other lesser being would do, even if they were supposed to be heroes.

But Gavin was also right; when it came to the vampires, Yumino didn't hesitate. It felt rewarding. If anything, he felt a sense of relief when he shot them—as if somewhere deep down, he held a deep hatred towards them.

If anything, Yumino appreciated the sincerity with which the others answered. So he didn't pry any further.

*****

Once ready to venture into the forest, everyone took their equipment off the horses, and left the animals there.

"Are you sure it's not dangerous?" Yumino asked.

"They're trained horses. They know how to fight, and they know who their riders are. If anything, I'd feel bad for whoever tried doing something to them," Garron answered in an amused tone.

"So, Yumino, how do you feel about being back home?"

Gavin posed an unexpected question, to which the elf had no answer.

"Man, what's up with everyone asking weird questions since we departed?" he said in an annoyed tone.

"Garron? Aren't you gonna ask me something too?"

"Hmm... How's Little Nima?"

"..."

Overhearing the question, Gavin burst into laughter, and since Yumino had been caught of guard, he could do nothing but walk and listen as he was getting mocked, leaving a confused Garron behind.

"Did I say something wrong?" he asked Averin.

"Hah... Let's just say you're missing a bit of delicacy..." Velmira answered from the other side, saving the young lady the trouble.

As the horses were being left behind, Yumino took one last look their way, gently waving his hand.

From between the horses, a shadow with long ears waved back.

"You're a born rider, kid!" it shouted, but only the elf was able to hear it.