The Forest Race Clonne

Chapter 56

What appeared was a butterfly as red and magnificent as a ruby. From its long antennae to its body, everything was a deep crimson. Its transparent wings shed light particles with every movement, making it seem as if sparks were scattering. It was clearly an insect that didn’t exist in the real world.

“Is it your guardian?”

“Yep, that’s my guardian, Erika. Erika, say hello.”

The butterfly fluttered into the air, making a wide circle around me. The light particles from its wings showered down like a brilliant veil, feeling like a personal fireworks display right in front of my eyes.

As I reached out, following the falling light particles, a glowing bit settled like a snowflake on my hand before gently fading away. There was no sensation to it, but it felt warm somehow. Absorbed in the fascinating spectacle, I suddenly noticed a flurry of light particles falling en masse. The butterfly, having flown closer, was now dropping them onto my open palm.

“Erika seems to be in a very good mood.”

Seeing me frozen in amazement, Talis chuckled brightly. The butterfly made a graceful turn before flying back to him.

“Erika says she likes you and thinks you’re incredibly handsome. She’s a bit of a face-chaser, you know.”

“Oh… thank you. Erika is very pretty too.”

“Just pretty? You could use a few more adjectives, don’t you think?”

“Oh, uh, she’s brilliant, dignified, mysterious, and enchanting. A guardian that truly suits Talis.”

After offering my honest praise, there was a brief moment of silence. Everyone around seemed dumbfounded. Even Talis, who had prompted the compliment, was no exception. Blinking a few times, he soon adopted a resolute expression.

“From now on, you’re my kid.”

“…What?”

“Screw the whole tree lineage thing. You’re a Maple Tree now. From now on, I’m your dad. Any attacks on you will be considered an attack on me.”

“Talis, stop spouting nonsense and finish the connection.”

Irei let out a sigh and kicked Talis in the shin. Only then did Talis, grumbling, signal Erika to begin.

“Erika, connect with Lord Kalph.”

It seemed Talis’s guardian had communication abilities. Erika perched on Talis’s shoulder and slowly opened and closed her wings, releasing glittering particles. As I watched in fascination, a clear voice sounded from somewhere.

―It’s me. What’s up?

It was Lord Kalph’s voice. While communication itself wasn’t surprising, the clarity of the sound was incomparable to that of any communication stone. Talis, noticing my astonishment, smirked.

“Lord Kalph, it’s nearly mealtime. Haven’t you found Lord Syran yet?”

―Oh, is it that time already? Yes, I found him.

“Then why haven’t you returned?”

―Well… it looks like we’ll be very late today. In fact, we might not be able to return at all tonight.

“What?”

―Sorry, but you guys will have to handle the meal yourselves. Make sure to take good care of Sei.

The unexpected news made everyone look at each other in surprise.

“Lord Kalph, it’s Irei. You say you can’t return suddenly—did something happen?”

―Ah, Irei. It’s a bit of a headache. Dras Village was attacked.

“What?”

The situation was more serious than expected. Lord Kalph explained that a horde of monsters had suddenly invaded Dras Village, which hadn’t allowed external invasions for hundreds of years.

“The monsters broke through the defense wall of Dras Village? Is that even possible?”

―I know, right? It’s unbelievable to me too, but there were just so many of them. Seeing monsters that don’t even live near here makes it seem like they’re fully planning an attack.

“If something like this happened, you should have called us…”

―We were too caught up in the chaos right as we arrived. I had no chance to even think about it. I don’t know where Reta is either. I just got a breather now, which is why I’m contacting you.

If they were caught up in the chaos the moment they arrived, it meant they’d been fighting for nearly several hours. Lord Kalph’s voice carried a clear sense of exhaustion.

“Then, has the situation been somewhat managed?”

―We’ve managed to drive the monsters away for now. But as they retreated, they kidnapped some of the young Dras, so we need to chase them down.

Given the echo in his voice, it seemed he was still on the move. The mention of kidnapped children made everyone’s faces turn more serious. Talis exchanged a glance with Irei before speaking determinedly.

“I don’t think we should be having lunch right now. We’re coming over to help, Lord Kalph.”

―…Hmm, really? That’d be great. But don’t all come; just a few of you. And no, not Sei. Make sure he eats well and doesn’t miss his meal.

“Of course. We’ve already shown him where he’ll be living.”

―Good job. There are many injured, so bring some medical supplies when you come.

“Yes, understood. Are you alright, Lord Kalph?”

―It’s about time you asked. But do you think monsters would have a chance against me?

“Haha, that’s why I’m only asking now.”

There was a low chuckle, likely amused by the cheeky response. After a few more exchanges, the communication ended. As soon as it did, everyone began organizing the team to head out. About ten people, including Talis and Irei, were quickly grouped.

“What a sudden disaster.”

“Tell me about it. Wasn’t Nina’s habitat attacked not too long ago? That time was also a mess, and we went to help. It hasn’t even been a month since then.”

“Exactly.”

‘Nina’ referred to a dwarf race whose members stood at the height of children and were rarely mentioned in Imperial records. They were one of the mysterious races with undisclosed living locations, and it was astonishing to find they lived nearby. Considering the Clonnes were also a race unknown to the outside world, it seemed this area was a gathering place for small races.

“Alright, have we got all the medical supplies? Talis, go fetch Rikase.”

“Ugh, do we really have to take that guy?”

“Teleportation is faster. It’s an urgent situation; are we going to run there?”

“Tch, he’ll get off probation so easily. Lucky guy.”

“Stop grumbling and go get him already.”

Irei, shooing the grumbling Talis away, turned to me.

“Sei, eat your lunch and get some rest. I’m sorry we can’t join you for your first meal here.”

“It’s alright. Please don’t worry about me and return safely. I hope everything is resolved smoothly.”

“It will be. See you later.”

It didn’t take long for those ready to depart to leave. With a significant portion of the already small population gone, the village felt almost deserted. Because of this, an inexplicable sense of unease settled in. It felt like this wasn’t the end.

Unfortunate events beginning on my first day here—could it be an omen, or was I just overthinking things?

“Well then, let’s have our meal. Everyone will be fine.”

“…Yes.”

I slowly nodded, feeling the comforting hand on my shoulder. Though each face I met was smiling, my already heavy heart sank like a stone. The start didn’t feel right.

* * *

As anticipated, those who went to Dras Village did not return until late that night. Close to midnight, a message arrived advising us not to wait up and to go to bed. Although I doubted I would easily fall asleep, I lay down on the bed.

The glass ceiling offered an unobstructed view of the dark night sky. The sight of the night sky from indoors felt unfamiliar but charming. I must have stared at the falling starlight for quite some time before I drifted off.

I woke up to the sound of the door opening and someone entering. It felt like someone had come to check on me, either one of the group returning from Dras Village or one of the villagers who had stayed behind. However, instead of merely ensuring I was asleep and leaving, the person climbed into bed and snuggled up beside me.

“…?!”

My eyes flew open, and I found myself looking straight into a small face.

‘A child?’

In the darkness, it was hard to see clearly, but their face was small and young enough to mistake them for a child. I hadn’t met anyone like this in the village today. Who could this be? And why are they in my bed? Maybe they hadn’t realized someone was already here?

Confused, I tried to get up. But the unknown person clung to me and burrowed even deeper.

“What the…”

“Hehe, it’s Rafiel. Rafiel.”

A sleepy, childish voice mumbled. The babyish tone eased my initial alarm. It seemed like they had come into the wrong room by mistake and mistook me for someone else.

I attempted to gently push them away, but they clung tightly with surprising strength. Speaking to them or shaking their shoulder yielded nothing but soft, steady breathing. Eventually, I gave up trying to escape and had to lie back down.

‘Am I out of shape…?’

Maybe I really should have taken up self-defense. Feeling an odd sense of futility, I stared at the still-dark sky. The unfamiliar warmth pressed against me made me sigh softly before I fell asleep again.

“Where is Syran, that rascal!”

I woke up to a loud shout. Startled, I opened my eyes to find bright sunlight flooding the room. The sun had risen, and it was bright outside.

‘How long have I been sleeping? And who was shouting just now?’

As I tried to sit up, I felt something heavy. Looking down, I saw a small head resting against my waist. Oh, right. Someone came in last night and must have stayed like this. They showed no signs of waking up. Just as I was contemplating how to wake them, voices from outside reached my ears.