Breakthrough with the Forbidden Master
chapter-353

Chapter 353 – Intermission (Elven Daughter)

In me, there is something that has remained unchanged since my earliest days.

―― Say, Amicus, you really cherish that book, do you not?

―― Un, Mother! I dearly love this book… that Father penned!

In my tender years, when I was yet untainted and ignorant, my father, a writer, completed a work.

It was with my father’s book that I learned to read and write, and I came to know the tale by heart.

The story is so beloved by the children of my generation in the village where I live, to the point that not one of them is unfamiliar with it.

――Father. I would love for you to write more of this tale, much as you do with the Destiny series~.

――Hmm? Ah~, well, perhaps someday… someday… when the time is right.

The sole grievance I harbor is that my father has not penned further chapters of this tale, despite my yearning to see it continue.

My love for this story runs so deep that it is the only complaint I have towards my beloved father.

Besides……

――Hello, Amicus. Oh? Reading that book again? You truly do love it, don’t you?

――Really…… you must have it memorized by now, right?

――Should I not have? Brother…… Sister

――Hmmm! It’s not wrong at all~

――Well, I like that book too.

Since my early childhood, Sister Espie and Brother Slayer have often visited our village, bringing me souvenirs, playing with me, helping with my studies, and even secretly taking me to the nearby town.

Though they are humans and different from us elves, they are like family to me and everyone in our settlement.

――I really admire the boy who is the protagonist of this story…… neither righteous nor villainous, he holds fast to his beliefs…… there’s a fiery passion in him that the boys in this village just don’t have…… And above all, he cherishes his younger sister and brother dearly, which shows his deep love for his family……

―― Un un ♪

――Yes, that’s exactly it.

――And even though I hardly know anything about the world outside this village…… when I read this book, I feel as though I’m adventuring in that world myself… it’s strange, isn’t it… to feel like this……

――It’s not strange. It’s not strange at all. This boy is cool, isn’t he? And the sister is just adorable! Much cuter than his little brother! She’s so cute, isn’t she?

――No, no, I think the brother is better. The sister is crass, selfish, and a crybaby…… yes, the brother is better.

――Fufu… You two always bicker like this…… but this boy…… if he really existed, surely he’d be just like the hero who is said to have defeated the Great Demon King and saved the world――

――No way! This boy is way, way, way cooler than the hero!

――Yeah, yeah. That’s the one thing I agree with Espie on.

My Father has written many tales, yet among all these works, the one that holds a special place in my heart, the one I love most, has always been and remains this story.

Ever since I was young and declared my affection for it, both Sister and Brother would always seem so pleased, and they would shower me with affection.

I cherish those two dearly as well.

But as of late……

―― Unbelievable… I can’t believe it! Why!? What is this!? The Empire… those guys… those bastards… what is with them!? Hiro and Mamu, they’re utterly useless! Unforgivable! I want to blow them away right now! I can’t forgive… why… why…… would they do something so terrible……

――Those people from the Empire…… how dare they insult Brother……. it’s been a long time since I’ve felt so angry…… I want to protect my wounded brother right now……

――No, no, calm yourselves. The Imperial Match has ended, and now begins his journey…… a few months from now, at Ghenkan, right? If we make unnecessary moves now and disrupt history, what then? You’ve both been waiting for over ten years, haven’t you?

――That’s right. Calm down a bit, both of you. Well, I can understand the anger when someone precious is insulted, but……

Of late, Sister, Brother, Father, and even Master have been whispering to each other in secret.

It astonishes me to see Sister and Brother, who never show their emotions before us or the others, display such raw anger.

And yet, they won’t tell me the reason or cause of this.

Is it because I am still a child?

Among the long-lived elves, I am but 15 years old.

However, we elves age similarly to humans until we reach the age of 20, after which the pace of aging slows considerably.

Sister and brother were already considered adults by the time they were 15, so while I may still be somewhat inexperienced, I believe I am at least halfway to adulthood.

At the very least……

――Huh? Amicus, those clothes… are they new? Didn’t I give you lots of hand-me-downs the other day?

――I, I’m, sorry, sister. Um, it’s just…… the, um, chest…… was too tight for me……

――…… What……?

――Apologies! Even though Sister granted those to me……

―― W-well, I… ahem, have a bit of confidence myself, but… hey, Amicus… h, have they grown larger again?

At the very least, I believe my body has joined the ranks of adulthood.

And yet, being kept in the dark like this, I felt very lonely……

However, it was at such a time that…

“Eh?! F, father……. what do you mean?”

“Hmm? It’s as I say. Amicus, you’ve been asking since you were a child……

“Th, that’s true… but why so sudden? Why would you suddenly decide to continue the tale!?”

Such a shock! Have I ever experienced such a moment before?

To my surprise, Father had declared his intent to pen the continuation of my beloved tale.

Naturally, I was overjoyed.

Yet, I found myself steeped in bewilderment.

This tale was written by Father many years ago. And though I oft implored him to continue it, he would but offer vague responses, never committing to write more.

And now, all of a sudden, he was resolved to do so. Why?

“Haha, it’s not sudden at all…… I did always say so, did I not? When the time is right… and now, the time has finally come.”

Then my father smiled, as if reminiscing about the past.

It was rare to see him smile—usually lazy, prone to procrastination, and somewhat contrary in nature. Yet, in this moment, he smiled, and then…

“At last, the time has come to continue this tale.”

With that, Father raised aloft the copy of “The Adventures of Ragaan-man” in his hand.

Author’s Note

Now… I’ll play around a little bit more.

Please take a look when you have time.