NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15
A peaceful evening.
In the small dining room set up in a corner of the Nun’s Building, the children and I are having our meal as usual at the scheduled time.
“Levi, can I swing my sword in the garden after eating?”
“Yes, but don’t swing it too late.”
“Okay! Got it!”
Despite the second attack by the Demon Tribe, thanks to quick responses and excellent communication, the atmosphere is distinctly different from before.
Impressed by my combat skills, Aizen has started training much harder than usual.
Iris, not wanting to be a burden, has started reading the Magic Book I bought her over and over again.
Compared to the somber mood after the first attack, this time the attack has brought positive changes to all the children except me.
“Ellie, you’ve got a lot on your face today.”
“…Yes.”
But amidst this wave of change, only one person was radiating gloom, looking completely downcast.
That person was Ellie.
“What’s wrong, Ellie? Are you feeling unwell?”
I gently wiped the sauce from her mouth with a handkerchief and cautiously asked.
Ellie quietly shook her head.
“No… I’m fine…”
It was clear to anyone that she wasn’t fine.
She was clearly troubled or worried about something, but no matter how many times I asked, she wouldn’t answer, which made my heart ache as I watched her.
“I’m done eating─!!”
In the midst of this, Aizen, who finished eating first, noisily put down his utensils and immediately ran outside.
“I’m done eating.”
Following him, Iris, who had been quietly eating, also put down her utensils, stood up politely, bowed to me, and left the dining room.
Naturally, only Ellie and I remained in the dining room.
An inexplicable tension began to rise, and an awkward atmosphere quickly filled the room.
“…Ellie?”
“Yes…”
I didn’t know what to say to Ellie.
If I knew the reason, I could at least think of something─.
“Sometimes, it’s better to share your worries with someone and solve the problem together rather than suffering alone.”
“……”
“I don’t know what you’re worried about, Ellie, but please know that I’m always by your side.”
With those words, I slowly got up from my seat and started picking up the empty plates on the table, moving as leisurely as possible.
Maybe Ellie would gather the courage to speak after hearing my words.
“…Sister.”
“Yes.”
“Am I doing well…?”
At Ellie’s question, I tilted my head slightly.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Aizen and Iris are working hard on something… but I just keep praying every day…”
Now that I thought about it, Ellie had been a bit withdrawn lately.
I had been concerned about it for a while, but since I didn’t know the reason and it didn’t seem too serious, I had just been watching her.
I never imagined she was worried about this.
I hadn’t thought of it.
“Do you feel like you’re falling behind?”
“Aizen is becoming more reliable… and Iris is getting smarter…”
“They have definitely changed since we first met.”
“But I feel like I’m still the same… All I can do is pray…”
It was a rather sudden and realistic worry, but it was also something I could fully understand.
Because, as Ellie said, Aizen and Iris were working hard in their own ways and showing results.
“Hmm…”
In fact, in the past few days, Iris had grown to the point where she could use basic magic on her own.
As expected of a child with the title of Messiah, her talent was also excellent, which I could see indirectly.
Considering this, it might be natural for Ellie to feel impatient.
However, that’s just because everyone’s talents are different.
Considering the nature of her role, Ellie is also gradually blossoming, no less than Aizen and Iris.
After all, she’s a healer and a priest.
“In short, Ellie, you’re doing well. I’m so proud of you just watching you.”
“R-really…?”
“Yes. This is a secret I haven’t told anyone, but honestly, I have the highest expectations for you among the three.”
“Why…?”
To Ellie, who was still unable to hide her anxiety and asked cautiously in a trembling voice, I smiled brightly and answered softly without hesitation.
“Because I know Ellie very well. I’m really proud of Ellie, who works hard even in places no one can see.”
I wasn’t making anything up, nor was I speaking too seriously.
I just wanted Ellie to regain her energy, so I chose the most encouraging words I could think of and said them lightly.
Upon hearing this, Ellie’s eyes welled up with tears, and her eyes turned red.
“S-Sister…”
“Oh? Did I speak too seriously?”
“Thank you… I’m glad you said you’re proud of me…”
“Ahaha… Well, it’s not that─.”
“I feel stronger now… I’m glad I told you…”
Well, as long as Ellie’s energy has returned, that’s enough.
I rarely give such serious advice or listen to others’ problems, so I was a bit worried while speaking, but it seems to have turned out better than I expected, which is a relief.
“Is that the end of your worries?”
“Yes! My heart feels much lighter now.”
“That’s good. Then finish your meal.”
“But Sister. Why do we always eat meat?”
“Huh?”
“I’m not complaining, but I’m just curious. Is there a reason we only eat meat?”
At Ellie’s sudden question, I flinched and made a panicked expression.
I never expected such a question to come up in this warm atmosphere.
“W-well, there are vegetables here too…?”
“But aren’t those just side dishes for the meat?”
“…Right.”
I hadn’t thought of that either.
I thought I was serving a variety of dishes every day, considering the children’s nutrition, but now that I think about it, the main dish was always meat.
“Should I have bought some bread…?”
“No. It’s fine to just eat meat. I was just curious.”
“Is it… not to your taste or something…?”
“No! Everything you make is delicious, Sister!”
At Ellie’s cheerful answer, I felt relieved, but at the same time, a strange sense of crisis brushed past me.
In this forest, the ingredients I can easily get are mostly meat, so I had no choice, but if we keep eating only meat, everyone might gradually get fat, which would be a big problem.
“Should I make something other than meat tomorrow? Like vegetables or fruits…”
“I like meat!”
“…What about bread?”
“I ate a lot of that in the village, so it’s fine!”
Ellie was stubborn.
It seemed like she was quite satisfied with being able to eat meat every day.
Considering the atmosphere of the village I saw, it was understandable, but it’s not healthy for growing children to eat meat every day.
I guess I’ll have to gradually add more vegetables and fruits to the meals from now on.
“Oh, Sister, I don’t want to eat anything, but there’s something I want to do.”
“What is it?”
“I want us all to go out and play.”
“Outside?”
“Yes. Pack some food in a basket and have fun all day.”
Ellie’s innocent words, filled with pure excitement.
Perhaps it was because of Ellie’s beaming face and her body wriggling with anticipation, but my lips, which were closed, wouldn’t open easily.
If I were an ordinary person, I would have agreed immediately without a second thought, but unfortunately, I’m a poor vampire who can’t go out during the day.
Normally, I don’t feel particularly pessimistic about being a vampire, but in situations like this, I feel troubled and even small.
“Um… Ellie? As I’ve said before, I don’t really like sunlight…”
“Not during the day, but at night. Then you can come with us, Sister.”
I thought she had forgotten that I dislike sunlight, but it turned out Ellie had already thought of that.
“It’s dangerous to go out at night, but since you’re with us…”
“Of course. Let’s go tomorrow.”
If it’s at night, there’s no reason to refuse.
Moreover, I felt sorry for the children who always played only in the church garden, so Ellie’s picnic plan seemed like a great opportunity.
“I happen to know a good place.”
“Really?”
“You can look forward to it.”
“I’m excited! Can we invite that sister too?”
“…Which sister?”
“Sister Priscilla!”
“Ah, right.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, the dining room door slowly opened, and someone cautiously peeked in.
“Um… Can I help with preparing the meal…?”
Speak of the devil.
It was Priscilla.
I thought she would return that day, but due to various incidents, Priscilla’s body and mind were exhausted, so she ended up staying at the church for a while to recover.
But I had forgotten about that.
I knew about it just this morning.
“Huh? Did everyone eat without me…?”