Upon understanding its meaning right away, I swallowed a crude sigh.
Glancing at Ian, he seemed to have lost his words to Ruth’s response as well. However, at the same time, it wasn’t that I couldn’t understand Ruth’s decision. Given our situation, doing as Ruth had said was all we could really do.
“Let’s think more about that matter later.”
I ended up laughing it off without leaving any particular response. Somehow, I had the intuition that there surely must be a better option than this, although it was unclear what that might be.
Ruth, nodding as if he understood my response, then focused back on his meal.
As our conversation concluded, the atmosphere in the dining room became harmonious again.
What I’ve learned through the many experiences I’ve had is that it’s a mistaken action to waste the present worrying about the past or future events that have not yet happened.
Therefore, I decided to enjoy this moment right now. Even if this peace was only temporary.
***
After breakfast, Ruth left for the palace, saying he would look further into the matter.
He also left a message saying he would be back before three days had passed. From what he mentioned, I dare say that Ruth was incredibly busy dealing with the issues that arose from the hunting contest, matters related to me, and affairs related to the Council of Elders.
After sending off Ruth, I began to knit an unfinished scarf. I’ve recently discovered that knitting is as good a pastime as reading for killing time. Knitting while playing the music box Ian gifted me brought peace to both my mind and heart.
Perhaps, meeting Ruth again contributed more to my sense of stability.
Holding back a sneaky smile, I hummed along to the gentle melody of the music box. The tune that played, known to almost every citizen of the empire, was none other than “Spring Snowflakes.”
It was a piece of music I personally loved so much that I couldn’t help but feel uplifted.
Thinking of the hardships I faced before being with Ruth made my shoulders slump, but I no longer wanted to spend my days in gloom.
I had been sad enough and now just wanted to laugh. It was a minor wish, yet I hoped it would come true.
While I was lost in these thoughts and continuing to knit, suddenly, I heard something tapping against the window pane, followed by a familiar bass voice.
“Young lady.”
“…Tommy?”
“Why is Tommy here at this time when he should be in the palace, brainstorming with Ruth about what happened at the hunting contest?
I unintentionally raised my head, spotted Tommy, and tilted my head. Then, feeling awkward, I couldn’t hide my embarrassment and slowly walked to the window, opening it wide.
As soon as I opened the window, the living room filled with the scent of spring flowers. Intoxicated by the incoming fragrance, I was dazed for a few seconds before regaining my senses and looking at Tommy floating in midair.
“What brings you here?”
“I came to see the young lady. Have you been well?”
“Hmm.”
I frowned for a moment at Tommy, who was tranquilly asking questions as if nothing had happened between us. I’ve been overthinking how to talk to Tommy and move past what happened last time, but it seemed like he was acting as if nothing was wrong, which bothered me.
It’s not that this was bad, but… it didn’t seem like we were in a position where we have to resolve or deal with such an issue.
Even though we were childhood friends, the palpable distance between us felt like needles pricking my heart.
“Young lady?”
“Ah, yeah. Sorry. I was just lost in thought for a bit. As for me, I’ve been getting by. And you?”
I was deep in my own thoughts when Tommy interrupted. I smiled awkwardly as I was brought back to reality by him. It would have been insensitive to mention ‘that matter’ here, especially since Tommy was being hush-hush about it. So, I decided to just go along with what Tommy seemed to want. Even if it did bother me.
“I’ve been doing okay too. The palace is so beautiful, I did a lot of sightseeing.”
“Right. The palace is beautiful.”
“Yes. I didn’t realize how time flew as I was looking around. Contrary to my expectation that it might take months, I managed to see every place in the palace yesterday.”
“Oh, really? Congratulations. I haven’t seen it all yet; you beat me to it.”
I suddenly became suspicious of Tommy talking about the palace and played along. Tommy, with a smile tugging at his lips, leaned slightly on the railing and shrugged his shoulders.
“So, now I feel like I can leave without any regrets.”
“Really…… What? What did you say?”
“I’m planning to leave, miss.”
I was speechless upon hearing this surprising news, staring at Tommy with my mouth agape until he chuckled and lifted my chin up with his index finger.
“Don’t make that face.”
“Uh, where are you going?”
“Um… I don’t know. I could just stand by and do nothing here, or I could make another stupid mistake. Honestly, I’ve been making stupid mistakes all along. Without fail. But this time, I hesitate for some reason.”
What is he talking about?
I looked at Tommy, perplexed by his nonsensical ramblings. I’m not sure if he saw the question in my eyes, but he gently narrowed his eyes and continued talking.
“Is it because my greed has grown?”
“What greed?”
“Exactly. Little lady, do you remember, a long time ago, I gave you a flower? A rose.”
“Ah. That flower?”
“Yes. Do you by any chance remember what fragrance it had?”
“Um, it was scentless. It didn’t smell like anything. But why do you ask all of a sudden?”
“That was my greed. It seems it’s a bust this time too.”
“?”
Watching him constantly speak of peculiar tales, I somehow felt as if something was stuck in my throat. I was missing something. Although lacking concrete evidence, an unpleasant sensation crept down my spine.
“Tommy, you. You’ve been talking as if you’ve known about things for a long time, or about things that are going to happen. What exactly are you?”
“Little miss. What do you think a magician of my caliber could possibly do?”
“I’ve read about it in books. Making the impossible possible for humans.”
“That’s right. We can turn this continent upside down, erase the sun from the sky, and yes, we even have dominion over space and time.”
“…You can’t mean.”
“But we can’t just do those things recklessly. We must always give up something to perform those miracles.”
For me, it was my memory. Tommy murmured this wearily, smiling. Though he didn’t elaborate, the sentence was not hard to comprehend.
Tommy had turned back time. I’m not sure how far or how many times, but he did turn back time. For some purpose. Even if he had to sell his memories.
“Little miss.”
“Hmm?”
“Do you know why the monster appeared during the hunting contest?”
“What is it…?”
“The barrier was cracked.”
“The barrier?”
“Yes, that’s right. The one that prevents beings from the demon realm from entering.”
“That’s impossible. It has existed since the birth of this world. It can’t just break like this all of a sudden.”
“It’s all because of human greed. The barrier is maintained by divine protection, but there are more people exploiting the gods nowadays than those worshipping them. Naturally, the divine protection weakens.”
“…”
I stared at the sky beyond Tommy, who was stating the reality point by point. That sky is also a part of the barrier. No, it would be fair to say that everything that makes up this world is a part of the barrier. So, if the barrier breaks, allowing beings from the demon realm to come here and shatter everything into pieces.
Ah. That would be the worst-case scenario.
I shook my head from side to side, trying to rid my mind of the future I didn’t want to imagine. Seeing me like that, Tommy spoke.
“Truth is, the magical power of witches and wizards has its limits. The barrier belongs to the gods. Of course, priests are helping for now, but ultimately, it’s just a temporary measure. As time goes on, the crack will only get bigger, and the energy of those maintaining the barrier will decrease. Young lady, do you know what is needed to fix the cracked barrier?”
“Faith in God…?”
“Such an abstract thing is fine, too. But what’s really needed is a branch of the World Tree.”
“The World Tree?”
“It’s the tree that supports this world, and it’s practically the door to all life and death.”
“That’s absurd. How could you, a human, possibly find it?”
I was shocked. I had only heard of the World Tree in myths, and the idea that it actually existed and was needed was too surreal.
At my reaction, Tomi briefly smiled and then flicked his chin.
“It’s possible for me. But I can’t do it alone.”
“Huh?”
“The World Tree belongs to the gods. So, just me, having barely stepped out of the realm of humans, can’t even touch a fallen leaf of the World Tree, let alone its branches.”
“…Then what do you need?”
I asked quietly, looking at Tomi, who seemed to be speaking with regret. My heart was pounding.
World Tree. Barrier. Demons. World. Gods. All sorts of words wandered aimlessly in my head.
“Golden blood. The only remaining trace of gods left to humans, and a token of their love, is the golden blood.”
It was only until ‘golden blood’ was mentioned from Tomi’s mouth.
