「──It’s finally within our sight.」
While seeing a huge mountain range in our sight, a little village could be seen nestled between the mountains, I muttered.
Truly a mountain village. Just as it’s called, it’s located in quite a steep place.
「A little, tired….」
Cheryl who had been in high spirits, by repeatedly walking up and down the slope, seemed to remember what fatigue was.
Towards the girl who was quieter than usual, I slightly smiled wryly.
In the latter half of the journey, even the amount of Cheryl’s jumping had decreased. As one can say, she seems a little tired.
「What, have a little more patience. But if it’s difficult, shall I give you a piggy back?」
「N~n, good….I want to walk by myself.」
Nevertheless, after coming here with great effort──how to say this. That Cheryl said she could walk on her own.
Since leaving Arufareia, it’s been four days and a bit. A small inn town lies en route──we have reached Natousha’s vicinity.
As expected when leaving Arufareia, there is little opportunity to walk on a good road, so it has taken longer than originally expected.
Nevertheless, when taking into account the age of Cheryl, four days is considered pretty short. With a few breaks here and there, it’s a nice miscalculation.
However, it looks like Cheryl is starting to get tired from the fatigue.
There should be a place for people who want to rest.
「Yoshi, here I go──」
Going where. As I tried to call out to Cheryl, I choked on my words.
In my field of vision, there was another shadow besides Cheryl’s shadow.
….Because there wasn’t any aggressive will, I didn’t notice the person approaching.
Using a little magical power, I saw a person’s figure.
Climbing the slope, the thin shadow──the face couldn’t be seen due to a mask being worn but, judging from the long hair and delicate body, it should be a woman.
On the back, there was a basket filled with grass──probably some type of medicinal herb──piled up, and there was no opening in that stand.
──Hou, perhaps the strong person that Chester was talking about is this person.
The Bird Mask, probably suitably──capable・・・.
The Bird Mask was approaching naturally, making my heart slightly beat.
「You don’t need to be so cautious, I am a person from that village.」
Toward this unexpected event, the corners of my mouth unintentionally lifted, this Bird Mask had a voice like a bell. (TLN: Pleasant to hear voice)
It seems like my slight fighting spirit was detected. Even if this is the fist expert that Chester was talking about, whether or not it was──there was no doubt from that skilled stance.
「You are?」
「I am that village’s「Skygazer」.
My occupation is reading the wind and weather.」
A Skygazer, huh. I’ve hear that, as she says, it’s a job where one reads things like the weather and the direction and strength of the wind, but they did still exist?
They say that it’s a craft that’s being lost, stumbling upon it like this.
「From the looks of it, you guys are travellers?
Hear out my good intentions, it will rain in this place soon.
I can guide you to the village if you want, how about it?」
The Bird Mask, pointing at the sky, said so.
「….Rain? Even though the sun is out?」(TLN: I switched this line with the one above so that it would make more sense)
Said Cheryl while looking at the sky. The sun was shining brilliantly──surely, this wasn’t the color foreshadowing rain.
Cheryl tilted her head, took a step forward and came out.
The guidance to the village was already not a necessity due to the short distance, but it’s still something offered in good faith, so we gladly accepted it.
Leaving the guiding to a complete stranger, which I don’t usually do but──I am interested in this Bird Mask.
I mean, someone who hasn’t shown hostility and malice──a dark side, it’s the first time so far I see one.
Even if being weak and strong is separates people, personal interests is what things all boil down to.
「Please. I don’t think that the sky would change so drastically, but if you say so, then it probably is so.」
「Un, a sky watcher’s view of the sky is definite.
….Before departure, let me introduce myself.
My name is Sonya・Aruven」(TLN: I like the “・” better than an = sign…)
「My name is Slava・Marshall.
Together with this child, we are on a trip to polish ourselves.
──Cheryl, say your greetings.」
「Un….I, Cheryl・Prime. Nice to meet you, onee-san.」(TLN: I assume she’s trying to say ‘watashi’ and not friggin ‘cotton’…)
「Aa, nice to meet you. What a kawaii ojou-san.
Fufu….then, shall we go?」
With names said and from the reaction to Cheryl’s words, Sonya seems to be a reliable woman.
While watching the basket that was slightly swaying while walking, we walked at the rear of Sonya.