Reunion And Escape

I, Seyi Falt, had somehow become the new queen of the Elf Nation, Anemosgive.

That night.

I brought the slave girls and the robot maid to a certain place.

It was the slum district of the royal capital.

According to what Robin-san told me, it should be this house.

Knock knock…

“Good evening. Is this Aisha-san’s residence?”

Click…

“…Who might you be? Cough! Cough!”

The one who came out was a thin middle-aged elf woman.

Her complexion was poor; it was obvious at a glance that she was unwell.

But that wasn’t the important part.

I felt a resemblance to Zenith in Aisha-san. Yes, she was…

“Mother Aisha…!”

One of the slave girls, Zenith, clung to the elf woman.

Yes… this person was Zenith’s mother, the former Queen of Anemosgive.

I heard her location from Robin-san.

Apparently, he was one of the nation’s key figures.

When I asked about the royal family’s whereabouts, I heard the former queen was in the slums, so I came.

“…Zenith? Is it really Zenith!”

“…Yes! Mother!”

“Ah…! Zenith…! I’m so gl—cough cough!”

Aisha suddenly began coughing.

The robot maid scanned the body.

“Master. She appears to have a lung disease. End of report.”

“Then please drink this potion. One gulp and you’ll instantly feel perfectly healthy?”

“That phrasing makes it sound like a dangerous drug. End of report.”

“You’re as sharp-tongued as ever…”

Aisha suspiciously looked at the potion I handed over.

“…Mother. Please drink it. This person can be trusted.”

Well now, that was a nice thing to say.

After a brief hesitation, Aisha gulped down the potion.

Immediately, her lung disease was cured and her complexion returned.

“A-amazing… it’s true. My chest doesn’t hurt…”

“…Right? Seyi-sama is an amazing alchemist!”

I was happy Zenith called me an alchemist.

But even more than that, the childlike smile she showed made me truly happy.

There had always been a shadow over Zenith’s expressions.

Even when she bathed or played with Daphne, she always looked somewhat anxious.

Being enslaved and separated from her family must have been why.

She had always been afraid her family had died and no longer existed.

But… she finally obtained peace.

“Seyi-sama…”

Zenith looked at me and smiled.

It was the most beautiful smile I had ever seen.

“Thank you, Seyi-sama! I love you!”

Yeah, yeah, that’s good!

“Alright everyone, we’re making a run for it!”

One hour after arriving at Zenith’s mother Aisha’s house.

After the parent and child finished catching up, I declared that.

“R-run for it…?”

Zenith widened her eyes.

“What does run for it mean?”

“Hm, I do not know. Perhaps a pig subspecies!”

“It means escape. End of report.”

Huh? The other slave girls also looked surprised.

“…W-why, Seyi-sama?”

“Because we’ve already done what we needed to do here!”

“…B-but didn’t you become the new queen?”

“Nope! Don’t want it!”

“Master, your behavior is completely childish. End of report.”

Quiet, quiet.

Before coming here, I had handed the Potion of Gentle Rain to Robin-san, so the miasma purification should work out.

The reason I came here in the first place was to bring Zenith home and reunite her with her family.

Since that goal was achieved, there was no reason to stay.

“So that’s why—we’re making a run for it!”

“If big sis says so!”

“I will follow you, Master.”

“I cannot leave Master anyway. End of report.”

I said goodbye to Aisha… and to Zenith.

“Then, you two take care.”

Apparently they had an idea where the other royal family members were.

With the King of the Forest removed and the new queen fleeing, the previous king would likely take the throne again.

Yes… Zenith could live here again not as a slave, but as a princess.

“…………”

Zenith lowered her head.

Aisha gently placed a hand on her back.

“Zenith. Go.”

“Eh…? Why…?”

“I know. I’m your mother.”

“Mother…”

Aisha approached and bowed her head.

“I sincerely thank you for saving the people from the King of the Forest. …Knowing this is terribly presumptuous toward our benefactor, I have a request. Please allow my child to accompany you on your journey.”

“Eh… that’s… fine, I guess…”

I looked at Zenith.

She had finally reunited with family and could live normally again…

There was no need to follow me.

“Are you sure?”

“…Yes!”

Zenith clung to my waist with tears in her eyes.

“…I like you, Seyi-sama. I like everyone too. I want to travel together with you!”

Staying here would clearly be better.

A smart girl like Zenith must understand that.

And yet she chose this.

I’d like to think I’m not foolish enough to ignore that will.

…Besides, I want to keep traveling with Zenith too! I like her as well.

“Alright then! Come with me, let’s go together—to the ends of the world!”

Zenith nodded with a smile.

Daphne and Toka hugged us tightly.

“So anyway, the Holy King is disappearing now. Tell the citizens farewell for me!”

“Master, your behavior is completely that of a fugitive. End of report.”

Aisha chuckled softly.

“Understood. Leave the rest to us. Please take care of my daughter.”

“Of course. Alright everyone, let’s go!”

We climbed onto Chi-chan the earth dragon and left the night city behind.

Aisha waved until we were out of sight.

And so, the long stay in the Elf Nation Anemosgive came to an end.

I departed toward the next town.