Heavenly Castle - Chapter 32.3

Extra Chapter 3

As if smashing the blue sky and white clouds, the mountain rises up magnificently. It’s a sacred mountain worshiped by our family.

A dense forest extends on the foot which defends the mountain, and we borrow a portion of that forest and receive a place to live.

Therefore, we value this forest which lets us live like our parents and ancestors. However, even though the forest is a great help to us, it also has its severe aspects.

It’s also allows the terrible wild beasts to live just like us. Almost no wild beast appear from the forest, but the wild beasts are powerful and ferocious. If we really fight it, we will probably be killed in an instant.

However, strangely there is no wild beast appearing around the small shrine which is protected by our ancestors. Because our ancestors have this small shrine, they judged that a ferocious wild beast will not come out of the forest.

Protect this small shrine and live in this forest.

Before someone realize it, it became the rule of our family.

I don’t have any complaint to that duty. I have never doubted that duty.

However, for the current me, I can’t help but feel like both my duty and the rule are somewhat fruitless.

「…… Mea.」

I softly whispered the name of my daughter and sniffed. Tears will fall from my eyes if I become careless.

「Why didn’t you return……」

When I whispered that, I heard a deep sigh from behind. When I turn around, the Elder is there and he’s staring at my with eyes of pity.

「Elder」

「Baltic」

We called each others name and faced each other. The Elder sighed again and looked up at me.

「…… Baltic. Accept it already. Daughters of that age often dislike their father. Stinky, dirty, annoying. It would be normal if you were called that.」

「Guh」

My heart was greatly wounded by the Elder’s remarks. When I put my hand on my chest and groan, the Elder shakes his head from side to side and sighed.

「Didn’t you said that the Great Magician-sama is worried about you and will kindly take the trouble to come here again? Look forward to it with dignity.」

「Nuu」

Being told by the Elder, my lips curled and eyes narrowed.

「…… I’m not saying this out of my selfishness. I was concerned that Mea will feel lonely if she don’t see her father. It’s because Mea is not an adult yet.」

「I think she will be an adult soon next month.」

「Isn’t there one more month?」

The Elder sighed even though I’m the one who wants to sigh.

「I think there’s less than a month, but what would you do if Mea had a marriage with the Great Magician-sama? She will not really come back.」

「Su, su, such thing is impossible! Mea is certainly cute, but she will definitely not catch the attention of the Great Magician-sama. Ah, besides, the Great Magician-sama already has a beautiful woman……」

「It’s not like he’s limited to take only one wife.」

「Nuguh」

I wonder if Taiki-dono is from a country where polygamy is possible? It’s a horrible story. Even though he has a kind and quite-looking face, he has not only a red-haired beautiful girl, but also Mea…….

When I’m gnashing my teeth to my imagination that spreads insides my head, the Elder snorted and laughed.

「In addition, there’s Torraine near her, so there’s plenty of possibility that she will recommend Mea and push her into a marriage. Listen, didn’t she always say that? She said, she wants to find a good partner who lives outside for Mea……」

「Is there a mother who chooses a great magician with such reason?」

I drop my shoulders to the ridiculous predictions of the Elder. It’s a shocking story. There’s nothing more frightening, such as to recommend your own daughter as a marriage partner to the Great Magician-sama who appears in the legend.

「Torraine is a strong girl. She may not draw back even with a Great Magician-sama as the opponent. But, if it is possible to marry a daughter of the family to the Great Magician-sama, it will be great. A connection with the Great Magician-sama will be born, so it may also be possible to rely on the Great Magician-sama at the time of emergencies.」

「There’s no way I will allow Mea to marry for that kind of reason.」

After saying a complaint, I suddenly think.

Now, Mea is living away from her father for the first time. She’s definitely feeling sad.

Maybe, she’s crying every night.

「…… Mea. Be patient for a little longer. You will meet your father again, for sure.」

I looked up at the sky and silently whispered that.

Moving her cat ears with ‘pikon’, Mea raises her head. Ayla become puzzled to Mea who looks up at the ever-expanding blue sky.

「What’s the matter?」

Being asked that, Mea swung her tail.

「Yeah. I’m at the top of the sky, but I’m thinking what’s beyond this.」

Hearing Mea say that, Ayla also gazed at the sky reflexively. While looking at the sky where two faint blue moons are visible, she knits her brows and speaks.

「Above the sky…… I never thought about it. There’s an island that floats in the sky, so maybe there’s something higher than this sky……」

The two watch the sky for a while and Ayla suddenly looks at Mea again.

「Which reminds me, Taiki-sama told me that he will make a new dish.」

「Really!?」

Mea’s cat ears moved with ‘pikopiko’. Ayla smiles at her and nods.

「Yes, it seems that he’s just going to make it now. If I remember correctly, he’s attempting to make something called Soy Sauce Ramen……」

「Soy Sauce Ramen?」

Mea’s eyes sparkles.

「It seems like it’s really delicious, but it seems that Taiki-sama will make it for the first time…… so he said that we should not expect too much.」

「It’s all right. All the dishes of Taiki-sama have been delicious so far.」

「You’re right. I’m looking forward to it too」

The two said that and laugh, and walk together to the Heavenly Castle.

「Which reminds me, you didn’t meet with your father in a while, right?」

「Really?」

Mea’s steps are light and she had nothing but ramen inside her head.