Level 1 Strongest Sage 1

Vol. 14 - Chapter 23 - Youko’s Father

“Oh my, Halt-sama, are you going on a quest?”

“Yup, that’s right.”

I was about to leave for my 7th quest when Kikyou called out to me.

“I’m going to pick some [Takair] in Faunost.”

Takairs are a type of bamboo-like plant, and they are widely spread in the far eastern island of Faunost. They can grow really tall, like more than a hundred meters or so. Moreover, their growth speed starting from sprouting on the ground is incredible, and if you accidentally step on the takair shoots, you’ll get pierced and die. People or animals that get pierced end up becoming food for these takairs. There's even a theory that it starts growing when animals pass overhead, so it's a pretty dangerous plant.

As dangerous as it is, the reward you get from the quest of harvesting takeirs is pretty good. Maybe it’s also because Faunost is really far from Glendale. I can teleport so it’ll only take me a second. Besides, my status is frozen, so I don’t have to worry about getting pierced by takeirs. In short, you can even say this quest is tailor made for me.

“Oh my! I also have a quest in Faunost. If it is alright with you, would you like to go together?”

“Of course. I’m about to set off now, are you ready?” “Yes. Then I’ll be in your care.”

Kikyou also accepted a quest to Faunost, so we teleported together.

—***—

“Okay, we’re here!”

After passing through the magic circle, we found ourselves in a forest filled with towering bamboos that were so tall, the tops couldn't be seen.

"To think we traveled all the way from Glendale in an blink of an eye... Your magic is as incredible as always, Halt-sama."

"Hehe, thanks! By the way, what are you doing here in Faunost, Kikyou? You didn't tell me where you needed to go, so I brought you to takair's grove."

I was thinking about asking Kikyou where her destination was so I could drop her off. "Actually, my goal is to gather takair leaves. Well, not the leaves themselves, but the extract from them is what I was tasked to collect."

"Ahh, so that’s how it is. In that case, maybe I should have taken the whole quest myself."

If we were part of a proper guild or clan, they'd tell us which quests we could combine to complete more efficiently. But the slime girls are still pretty inexperienced as receptionists. They’re not really able to suggest ways to group tasks or get things done more efficiently yet. I’m hoping they’ll get better at it in the future.

"This concubine also wanted to come back here. It’s been a long time since I last stepped foot in this place. That's why I didn't say anything, even though I knew our destination was the same. I apologize."

"You wanted to come here?"

She could have just asked, and I’d have teleported her here anytime.

"If I asked, you’d bring me here whenever, wouldn’t you, Halt-sama?"

"Ah, you just read my mind, didn’t you?"

Kikyou, being a fully formed nine-tailed fox, has the ability to read people's thoughts.

"Hehe, I don't even need to read your mind. After all, this concubine is still your wife, Halt-sama."

"Is that how it works?"

"Yes, that's how it works."

"Hmmm. Okay then. But seriously, did you want to come here because you were feeling nostalgic about your homeland?"

"That’s part of it, but…"

Kikyou seemed to struggle with her words for a moment. It seemed like there was something difficult for her to say.

"This concubine always wanted to come back here, but I felt like I no longer had the right to, now that I’m married to you, Halt-sama."

"The right?"

"Would you mind accompanying me for a while?"

Kikyou started walking through the bamboo grove. I decided to follow her.

After walking for a while—

E-Eh? That building, no way…

A familiar shrine came into view.

“This concubine died once in this place.”

The shrine looked like it could collapse at any moment. Kikyou stared at it as she began to softly narrate her tale.

"This is unrelated to when you broke my seal, Halt-sama. Even before I gave birth to Youko, I was attacked by adventurers."

"Y-Yeah, that’s right."

She had been attacked twice by adventurers.

The first time was before she gave birth to Youko. The second was when Youko was still very young.

During the second attack, Kikyou lost her life, and it was Youko who sealed her body. Since the seal also trapped her soul, I was able to bring Kikyou back to life.

"After this concubine was nearly killed the first time, a human helped me."

At that, Kikyou turned to look at me, her face filled with worry, like she was on the verge of tears.

"I’m terribly sorry to tell you this, Halt-sama... but Youko is the child of that benefactor who saved my life."

Kikyou closed her eyes and bowed her head, waiting for my response.

As for me, I felt a bit of despair. My bad hunch had come true.

It’s not because I found out who Youko's father was, but because the person I suspected might be Youko's father was exactly who I thought it would be.

"O-Oh, thanks for telling me, Kikyou."

My voice trembled. I could feel how shaken I was.

Kikyou seemed to interpret my reaction in a different way.

"I-I’m so sorry. Of course, you wouldn’t want to hear something like this, did you?" "Ah, no, that’s not it."

How was I supposed to explain? What to do?

What the heck should I do…

For now, I decided to listen to Kikyou.

"Back to what you mentioned earlier—why did you think you didn’t have the right to come here?"

"That’s because… deep down, this concubine still hasn’t been able to forget about that human."

She answered in a barely audible voice. I felt a bit happy.

"Even so, I’ve accepted being your wife, Halt-sama."

Large beads of tears began to roll down Kikyou’s cheeks.

"This concubine is a nine-tailed fox. I can read and influence people’s hearts...and yet I can’t seal away my own feelings. Even though this concubine wants to stay by your side, Halt-sama, part of me still holds onto memories of that human —"

Kikyou, who always had such a composed look, was now crying with her face all scrunched up. I found it so endearing that I couldn’t help but hug her tightly.

It took a little while for Kikyou to calm down.

"...I’m sorry, Halt-sama."

"Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes. Thank you."

Kikyou stepped back from me. "I still can’t forget about that human—Youko’s father. Even though our time together was short, we shared a bond."

She looked directly into my eyes. For the record, I decided to keep my inner voice screaming, "Hey, that was all on you!" to myself.

"Halt-sama, can you still accept me, even as I am?"

My answer was already clear.

"Of course. I love you, Kikyou."

"—!!"

"You’re already my wife, Kikyou. Even if there’s someone else in your heart, as long as I’m your number one, that’s all that matters, right?"

"Y-Yes, that’s right."

"Then there’s no problem. If you can’t forget about him, it’s okay to hold onto those feelings. I’ll do my best to make you forget him over time."

That was my answer. She could take her time, and slowly let go of those memories.

"No. This concubine came here today to apologize to him and say goodbye."

"G-Goodbye?"

I don’t think she has to say goodbye, though. It’s fine if she still has feelings for him.

"Well, um... lately, seeing Lady Tina and Youko so excited about the baby’s arrival, I, um, I—"

W-Wait, is she saying what I think she’s saying?!

"This concubine probably won’t ever forget about that human, but if Halt-sama is okay with that, then I want to be with you. I want to be close to you, to be embraced by you."

Oh shocks. The full power of a complete nine-tailed fox’s charm is coming at me, and hard.

Normally, it wouldn’t work on me since my status is [Locked], but right now, it’s hitting me full force. And, honestly? Let me just say this: before we fought the evil god, Kikyou and I already had a night together, okay?

Back then, I held back because Kikyou said she wasn’t ready.

Yep, I restrained myself. But now, she’s the one saying she wants to...

So, you know what? I’m fine with it. I’ve come to terms with everything.

Besides, that was the old me anyway, not the me I am now. So technically, I’m calling it safe. Which means—I’m gonna lay all the cards down now!

"If you’re okay with it, Kikyou, then I’d love to be with you, too."

"Th-Thank you."

"How about tonight?"

Kikyou’s face turned bright red as she looked down, but I still caught her softly whispering,

"Yes."

"And one more thing—"

I leaned in close to whisper in her ear.

"My name is ‘Saijou.’"

I whispered the name I told hertwo hundred years ago.