Chapter 343 : Return To The Nest
I could hear people screaming and shouting all over the mansion as we ascended to the sky.
I looked down and saw soldiers bustling around the mansion and the entrance to the underground.
They seemed to be concentrating on their duties. None of them noticed us soaring into the night sky.
As we got higher, the more I could feel the sensation of the cold winter wind blowing over my skin.
I could tell Liane was shivering a little. She must feel cold too.
She hugged me even tighter.
「Ahh~ Mary onee-sama, you’re so warm~」(Liane)
Ugh… This is kinda embarrassing…
「Whoaa…! Look, Mary onee-sama! What an amazing view!」(Liane)
After burying her face in my chest for a second, she looked forward and opened her eyes wide as she saw the view in front of us.
I stopped ascending and floated in the air for a while to see the view.
「It’s so beautiful!」(Liane)
「Wow. You’re right. It’s amazing.」(Mary)
Our gazes were directed at the castle in the center of the town. It was illuminated by the light coming from the full moon with the starry sky as the background.
The gentle lights from the houses, the lanterns on the carriages, and the street lamps surrounding the castle made the view even more mesmerizing.
It really looked like a huge beautiful painting on a massive canvas.
I wish I had a camera right now. I don’t think I could see this kind of view in my previous life.
「Kuuu… Kuuu…」(Little Folnir)
We were so stunned by the astonishing view that we forgot about the Little Folnir.
It started circling around us while crying, urging us to hurry.
I honestly wanted to enjoy the view for a bit longer, but it seemed that the young bird was impatient.
「Ah, I’m sorry for stopping, my friend. Let’s keep going.」(Mary)
「…I wanted to enjoy the night date with Mary onee-sama a while longer, but, I guess we can continue our date after we take our friend home~」(Liane)
Liane muttered to herself, but since we were hugging each other, I could hear it.
「S, so… where should we go? Do you know where your nest is?」(Mary)
「Kuuu!」(Little Folnir)
Answering my question, the young bird turned its head and looked at the mountain beyond the outer wall surrounding the capital.
「So, it’s on that mountain?」(Mary)
「Kuu!」(Little Folnir)
「Mary onee-sama, I know the place. It’s indeed on that mountain. My family visits that mountain once a year to make offerings to the folnirs living there as a gratitude for their protection over the year. In return, they will bestow their blessing on us and hand us some of their feathers.」(Liane)
「I see. Alright, let’s get going then. Little Folnir, keep up with me!」(Mary)
「Kuuu!」(Little Folnir)
Thinking that I should return the young bird to its nest as soon as possible, I sped up a little bit and flew toward the mountain while holding Liane in my arms.
Speaking of tradition, the Walltrail Family’s tradition of making offerings to the folnirs every year kind of reminds me of ‘hatsumode’.
*hatsumode : is a tradition of visiting a shrine or temple on New Year in Japan to pray for safety and prosperity, usually on the first, second, or third day of the year.
Thinking about it, I became interested in the Walltrail family’s tradition.
「Say, Lia. Someday, if I get a chance, I’d like to join you make an offering to the folnirs.」(Mary)
「Eh? That’s…」(Liane)
「Hm? What’s wrong?」(Mary)
For some reason, Liane blushed and looked away.
「Fu… Fufu!」(Liane)
She then giggled.
Did I say something funny?
「Fufufu!」(Liane)
「Uhh…」(Mary)
「Mary onee-sama, only the members of the Walltrail Family can visit their nest and make an offering, you know?」(Liane)
「Ah…」(Mary)
「Well, of course, you will be able to join if you… marry me…」(Liane)
「Eh!?」(Mary)
「But there’s one condition… You have to dress as a girl for the rest of your life.」(Liane)
「Wh, Whaaaatt!!?」(Mary)
So I have to continue living as Mary!? You can’t be serious!
No, no, no, no! Just noooo way!
…Hm? Wait… In the first place, I have no intention of marrying her. Why should I panic?
「…Phuー! Ahahahaha! I’m sorry, Mary onee-sama, I’m just kidding. Fufu!」(Liane)
「Geez… I didn’t know you could make a joke like that.」(Mary)
「Fufu!」(Liane)
「Kuuu!」(Little Folnir)
Suddenly, Little Folnir flew ahead of me and turned its face to me.
「Hm?」(Mary)
「Mary onee-sama, we’re nearing their nest. I think we should stop here. We don’t want to disturb the other folnirs with our presence.」(Liane)
「I see. Alright then.」(Mary)
「Little Folnir, can you get home by yourself from here?」(Liane)
「Kuu!」(Little Folnir)
The young bird answered with a nod.
「Good boy. Then you should be going now. Your parents must be worried about you.」(Liane)
「Kuu! Kuu!」(Little Folnir)
「Fufu! You’re welcome! Until we meet again!」(Liane)
I don’t know what it’s saying, but Liane seems to understand.
I think the bird is thanking us.
「Goodbye, Little Folnir. Be careful not to get kidnapped again.」(Mary)
「Kuuu!」(Little Folnir)
After the young bird nodded to us, it flew at high speed toward the mountain.
It didn’t take long until we could no longer see it.
While seeing the bird off, I suddenly remembered about my parents.
Mom and Dad are still waiting for me and Nicola at home.
I don’t think they’re worrying about us knowing that we are reliable children, but they must want to see us as soon as possible.
「…Well then, shall we go back now?」(Mary)
「Un. But… Can we go slowly?」(Liane)
「Slowly? Umm… Alright.」(Mary)
「Thank you, Mary onee-sama~! …Aaah~ I can enjoy my night date with Mary onee-sama for a bit longer~」(Liane)
「Hm? Do you say something?」(Mary)
「N, nothing!」(Liane)
She muttered to herself again, but of course, I could hear her. I just pretended I didn’t because it would be awkward…
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Sounds like she serious
So it’s destined to fizzle out, most probably.