I’m sorry...... It would be good if I’d only caught some Arcadian Bugs. Since we can sell them in a store in Japan.」(Valetta)
「Eh?...... Arcadian Bugs, right?...... If we were unlucky, even before we could sell it, we could encounter various troubles......」[1](Kazura)
While conversing like this, both of them arrived at the tree grove that leads into the stone passage.
It was before dawn and furthermore the trees were quite densely, as the result the inside of the tree grove was very dark.
In front of the dark tree grove that she’d never stepped into, there was some nervousness in Valetta’s expression.
Kazura noticed that Valetta was uneasy and lightly tapped her back.
「It will be fine, so there’s no need to be worried about it. I always travel though this place and it’s only some very normal woods.」(Kazura)
「Y-Yes.」(Valetta)
Kazura spoke to Valetta with a reassuring smile before he took out a penlight from his pocket to shine at the path and stepped into the tree grove’s interior.
Valetta also slowly shifted her feet, following Kazura who had began to walk into the free grove.
「Beyond this path there is a stone passage that connects to Japan. It’s not that far, so we should soon arrive at it.」(Kazura)
「Is that so...... The legend said that if someone entered this tree grove, before one knew it they would be sent back to the entrance, but......」(Valetta)
While they kept walking in the dim interior of the tree grove, hearing Valetta’s words, Kazura lightly turned his head and smiled at her.
「That’s an interesting legend. But, if that really happens, then wouldn’t I ne unable to return to Japan like I’m always do? Don’t worry, we can go pass through it normally.」(Kazura)
「That’s...... true, I guess. It’s a route that Kazura-san always takes.」(Valetta)
Hearing Kazura’s words, Valetta’s expression showed relief as Kazura smiled again and nodded. He then saw a tree that was pointing the direction.
「Also, so I wouldn’t get lost, I put a mark on that tree. If you keep following this sign, you absolutely won’t lose the way.」(Kazura)
「So there is a mark. Then, it’s impossible to get lost.」(Valetta)
「Yes. Ah look, the big stone I use as the mark, we just need to walk a little long-...... Valetta-san?」(Kazura)
Kazura approached the tree where the mark was located, he traced the mark with his hand and turned his head to look behind, but Valetta who was supposed to be there was gone.
He looked around at the surroundings for her, maybe she was behind some trees? But Kazura couldn’t sense her presence at all.
「What the....... We were just talking a moment ago.......」(Kazura)
Valetta had suddenly disappeared. Kazura felt cold sweat while he loudly shouted out Valetta’s name.