Rub-a-dub, I Love It!
"Mama!" Riri flew over and wrapped her arms around one of my branches. Then, she held out something she had brought with her. "Mama! Flower!"
'Did you bring a flower, Riri?'
"Yup!"
It was a flower crown. A wreath made by tying together various pretty wildflowers. It looked a bit clumsy, as if the child had made it herself. The shape was crooked, and some of the flowers were sticking out in disarray. Still, my heart swelled knowing she had worked so hard with those tiny hands. Is this what parental love feels like?
The child placed the crown on one of my branches. Then, she squinted her eyes and beamed at me. Her soft cheeks were flushed a rosy pink.
"Pwetty!"
The child was growing up so fast. It had only been a few days, but flying was second nature to her now, and she could even string a few words together.
'I'm worried she'll be an adult before I know it at this rate.'
If that happened, she might want to be independent. She might even say she wants to date... Wait a second. 'D-date?'
An image suddenly flashed in my mind: some dark-haired guy showing up, saying, "This daughter is mine," and Riri waving, "Bye, Mama!" as she left in his arms. 'No!!!' That couldn't happen! 'I'll follow her no matter what it takes!'
Wouldn't there be a way to walk if I figured out how to use my roots? What was that called? Didn't they have trees like that on Earth? Mangroves, was it? Or in games and fantasy movies, there were things like Ents. Ah, but that might be a bit creepy. 'Or... maybe I could fly around as a whole tree?' Hmm. Maybe that's not it.
While I was lost in thought, Riri tilted her head. "Mama? Fly?"
Riri asked, as if she had heard my thoughts. 'Ah. Just... I wanted to try flying.' That way, I could follow my daughter wherever she went. As I thought that, Riri’s eyes went wide. "..Fly?"
Suddenly, she took off into the air. Huh? Is she leaving already? I didn't think much of it. But at that moment, the child grabbed one of my branches and—
"Nngh! Hnnng!"
She pulled upward with all her might. She was grabbing a branch and trying to lift me with every ounce of her strength. Of course, the branch didn't budge an inch.
'Uh... Riri? What are you doing?'
At my flustered question, Riri, sweating profusely, said, "Mama want fly. Riri help."
Oh my god. She was actually trying to... to make my wish come true! What do I do? She’s just too cute.
"Huuu... huuu..."
Eventually, the child plopped down on a branch and caught her breath, looking exhausted. Seeing her like that, I said gently, 'It’s okay, Riri. I’m happy just being here.'
"Mama bored?"
Ah, she meant, "Aren't you bored being here all alone?"
'Riri comes to see me so often, so of course I’m not bored.'
I lowered a branch and affectionately stroked her hair. The child giggled and leaned her head against the branch.
"Dis good. Rub-rub!"
She was so cute, like a purring cat. That was when it happened.
-That's right! I'm here for my friend too!
-Yeeeah.
Lin and Genie fluttered over and landed right next to Riri. Then, they naturally lowered their faces and shoved their heads toward me. As if it were the most natural thing in the world. Both of them had sparkling eyes, as if they wanted something. What is it?
'Don't tell me... you want me to pet your heads?'
Lin and Genie nodded with bright expressions. They looked just like puppies wagging their tails vigorously when asked if they wanted a treat.
'Uh... well. Sure.'
And so, I ended up using three branches to stroke the heads of Lin, Genie, and Riri.
'...Is this right?'
As I was petting them diligently, I heard a scoff from below. I lowered my gaze to see Khan.
"Lin. Stop playing around there and help out. The tomatoes Toli is growing are short on water."
-Ugh... playing! I was just taking a break! I'll go in a second!
When Lin shouted back, bristling, Khan replied with a deadpan look.
"That is what we call playing."
-Ugh...-
Having no comeback because he was right, Lin made a pouty face, then laughed and said, -Oh. So Khan wants to be petted too, is that it?
"...What?"
-I mean, this feels good! You should ask for some too, Khan!
Genie chimed in, -But... Khan won't do it. He hates being touched.
-That's true~ What a shame~
When Lin teased him, Khan just clicked his tongue.
"That sort of thing is only necessary for babies."
At those words, Lin blinked slowly and continued, -I... am not a baby?
Khan let out a short laugh and muttered, "Well. Your behavior is..."
-Wanna die?
Lin’s eyes flashed. Watching their banter, I chuckled awkwardly to myself. Even though they bickered like that, they looked out for each other when it mattered; they were quite close. Almost like siblings.
Just as I was thinking that, Riri took flight.
-Riri?
The child fluttered over and stopped right in front of Khan. "..Uh. Why, why? Why is this?" Khan was extremely flustered. It seemed he was weak when it came to children. Even now, he was squirming and avoiding eye contact. It was clear he had no idea what to do.
After staring at Khan for a moment, Riri suddenly raised her hand. 'Uh-oh?' Was she going to hit him? I wasn't the only one surprised; Lin and Genie scrambled to their feet too. 'I have to stop her...!'
Just as I was about to reach out with a branch, the child’s hand descended quickly and landed precisely on Khan’s head. And then—
Rub, rub.
She moved her hand back and forth across his hair.
'...Huh?'
At that moment, the child shouted, "Rub-rub good!"
She giggled and petted Khan’s head enthusiastically. I watched the situation in a daze, and Khan froze like a statue. Lin and Genie’s mouths hung open.
If you asked anyone who the strongest resident in the village was, they would all point to one person: Khan. Strong, responsible, and unyielding. Because he had so many people to look after and so many things to worry about, he always had to be a formidable figure. There was no one who could treat him casually. No, there was never a moment where he could be at ease.
Perhaps that was why he was so sensitive to physical contact. Of course, since coming to this village and getting to know Lin, who treated him without ceremony, he seemed a bit better, but even Lin didn't easily lay a hand on him. Even if they didn't say it, everyone felt it—that Khan didn't have the emotional room for that yet. So, everyone was careful about touching him. It was a sort of unwritten rule.
And yet, a newborn existence had just broken that rule.
"Hehe..." Riri laughed innocently. Khan remained frozen. Riri spoke again, "Good job! Good job!" As she said this, she petted Khan’s head vigorously. It was exactly the same way I petted Riri when I praised her. Damn it... this is why you have to be careful with every word you say in front of a child.
I said urgently, 'Ah... I’m sorry, Khan. Riri just loves being petted like this... I think she wanted to show you.'
At my words, Riri beamed and nodded. "Khan tired! Rub-rub is good!"
That made it certain. Riri must have wanted to comfort Khan, who was always worrying about the village and working so hard. At the child’s cute, bright-eyed sincerity, a soft smile finally touched Khan’s lips.
"...Yeah. It is good."
"Yup!" Riri giggled. Watching the two of them, I felt a sense of relief. 'Thank goodness.' Because thanks to Riri, it seemed like Khan’s condition would improve even faster.
* * *
In the center of a grand, spacious room, several high-ranking nobles were gathered. That wasn't all. Aselia, the centerpiece of this expedition, was there, as were the Emperor and Karen. All the important pillars of the Valseon Empire were present. It was an emergency meeting convened because Aselia claimed to have found the protagonist of the prophecy.
First, a noble asked, "So. Are you saying the protagonist of the prophecy is a dragon?"
At his words, Aselia nodded. "That is correct."
The room erupted in a buzz of noise.
"It was in the Pirel Forest...! Why didn't we think of that?"
"A dragon! Was the strongest being in the world the protagonist of the prophecy all along?"
"The Empire is saved!"
The nobles chattered excitedly to one another. Then, the Emperor opened his mouth.
"Quiet."
The nobles fell silent instantly. "Then... let us compare it to the prophecy. Aselia. You explain."
At the Emperor’s command, Aselia bowed her head. "Yes, Your Majesty."
She then spoke slowly. "Everyone here knows the prophecy."
The nobles nodded. 'That which shall save the world shall crouch in the deepest place before blooming in splendor. In the end, it shall become an eternal sanctuary connecting heaven and earth, revered by all things.' This prophecy was so famous that bards had even turned it into songs.
Aselia continued, "I discovered the dragon egg in a hidden space, deep within a cave. This corresponds to the part about crouching in the deepest place. And I interpreted 'blooming in splendor' as the moment it hatches from the egg."
The nobles nodded in agreement.
"And 'connecting heaven and earth, revered by all things.'"
Aselia’s red eyes glinted. "Unless you doubt the abilities of a dragon, does that not fit perfectly?"
At her words, the nobles’ expressions brightened even further.
"As expected of the Princess! A dragon would certainly connect heaven and earth."
"Indeed! I knew the First Princess would accomplish it!"
"Didn't I say from the beginning? We only need to trust the Princess!"
Public opinion was rapidly shifting toward Aselia. In this situation, Karen clenched his fists tightly. He had searched the entire deep sea, yet not a trace of the prophecy's protagonist had been found. And now, one appeared from the Pirel Forest? 'And it's a... dragon?' The protagonist of the prophecy was a dragon, the pinnacle of magic and knowledge. But it wasn't too late yet. Karen spoke urgently.
"Everyone, please calm down. We haven't seen it with our own eyes yet, have we?"
He continued slowly, "Of course, I do not believe my sister would lie, but there is always the possibility of a mistake..."
Karen said, glancing sideways at Aselia. The nobles hesitated slightly.
"That is true. She didn't bring it here herself."
"Indeed. We must verify the real thing..."
"Are we not being too hasty?"
At those words, Aselia’s eyes narrowed.
"Not seen with your own eyes, you say..."
A brief silence followed, and her red eyes swept across the nobles. "Then I shall say it here and now." One corner of her mouth curled up. It was a smile that was both enchanting and arrogant. "This time, it will not be a mere search party. I will mobilize the Empire’s finest knights to bring the protagonist of the prophecy here."
At that, Karen shouted urgently, "Aselia! That is a selfish decision! Are they not currently fighting the demonic energy?"
Aselia’s brow furrowed at his words. "The selfish one would be you, brother."
"...What?"
"If the protagonist of the prophecy arrives, everything will be resolved. I do not know why you are hesitating."
She glared at Karen. "Or are you afraid that I will steal the credit?"
"Aselia!!"
Karen shouted loudly, his face turning beet red. At that moment—
Bang!
The Emperor slammed his hand on the table. "Enough!! Both of you, stop!" He took a breath and said, "I have made my decision."
The Emperor looked toward Aselia. "Aselia. Take as many knights as you need and bring the protagonist of the prophecy here."
"Father!!!" Karen protested, but—
"The meeting is adjourned."
The Emperor left the meeting hall without even looking at him. The remaining nobles whispered among themselves.
"As expected... it seems the Princess will be the next Emperor."
"I must hurry and realign my loyalties."
"Indeed. This event has completely tilted the scales."
"Shh. Keep your voices down."
Karen glared with wide eyes, filled with humiliation. Aselia walked past him with a smile. There would be much to prepare from now on to go and find the protagonist of the prophecy.