The Destination: The Elf Village

“…Maybe the Elf Chieftain would know about the Fairy Forest.”

“…! Really!? Wahh-”

Jonah shot his head up and leaned in close as Titancia said it casually.

Her expression hardly changed, but the slight gasp and recoil told him he’d startled her.

“Jonah, calm down. I only said maybe.”

“Ah… s-sorry.”

Scolded by Titancia, Jonah came back to his senses and scratched his head in embarrassment.

“S-so, where do I go to meet the Elf Chieftain?”

“Calm. Down. The Elf village is deep in a forest far from here. It’s not somewhere you can just walk to.”

“Ah…”

Because he relied on ancient magic to move his body, he couldn’t carry much.

And since he usually traveled by carriage and could teleport if needed, he’d never needed camping gear in the first place.

“Anyway, let’s go.”

“Huh? Go… where?”

“Mm. Back to Mittenberg, obviously.”

And so, Jonah ended up returning to Mittenberg with Titancia.

By the time they arrived, the sun had set. A little later and he would have been stuck camping.

…Unless he teleported, of course.

“…Even if you’re a powerful mage, traveling without camping gear is reckless. And the forest at night is dangerous.”

“A-ahaha…”

With Titancia’s cold stare, Jonah could only give a weak laugh.

Her tone and expressions were flat, but during the walk back Jonah learned she was actually incredibly caring.

Like Titancia, like Marguerite, like Carlo—Jonah was blessed with kind people.

…No—this encounter too was a thread of fate born from Jonah’s choice to step forward.

“I’m going to report the completed job to the Guild. You go eat at that place first.”

She pointed at a small eatery along the main street.

The hanging sign read: Sunbeam Pavilion.

On the way here, Jonah had learned that she worked as a courier.

Courier work meant delivering items to designated recipients.

The items ranged from letters for loved ones to valuable art, jewels, even weapons or food.

“Um…”

“…? What’s wrong?”

“I-I mean… I don’t mind, but… I thought we’d part ways once we reached town…”

He said timidly, watching her expression.

“No. Jonah can’t reach the Elf village without me.”

“R-right…”

She poked his forehead, making him blush faintly.

Truthfully, if he just got the location, he could teleport there himself.

But her kindness—helping him without being asked—made him want to accept it as is.

“See you in a bit.”

“Yes!”

Jonah waved cheerfully as Titancia headed for the Guild.

“Come on, eat until you’re full!”

The slightly plump proprietress slammed a plate of food energetically in front of him.

It seemed to be a worker’s tavern—portions enormous enough that tiny Jonah couldn’t possibly finish them.

“Woooow…! It looks amazing!”

The smell and presentation made his eyes sparkle.

Even though it was clearly too much for his little body.

“Itadakimasu!”

He grabbed his fork and dove in happily.

There were heaps of roasted meat, a root-vegetable soup, and black bread.

Back at the Langheim estate, bread had always been white and soft. He’d struggled with the hard black bread at first, but now loved soaking it in soup.

“Ma’am, this is delicious!”

“Glad to hear it, dear.”

The proprietress smiled warmly at his eating.

Soon the other customers were also watching him fondly.

And then—

“Haa… Jonah, sorry to keep you waiting.”

Titancia entered with a sigh.