The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

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"Finally, we're out~!"

"Indeed. At last."

On the 7th day of backtracking through the dungeon.

Saaya was enjoying the sense of freedom while stretching towards the sky she hadn't seen in a long time.

Due to the unexpected one-way nature of the transfer device, they had to return through painstaking exploration.

The quest wouldn't be complete until they brought back the rescued elf children. Rushing back and risking casualties would defeat the purpose, so they all carefully explored and broke through the dungeon in reverse.

The rescued children had already recovered their spirits, and the elite elves were looking after them. The children had become very energetic, and these 7 days had been noisy but enjoyable.

However, the expressions of the "White Tiger" members were not bright.

Furat still hadn't regained consciousness.

Although his injuries should have healed, he wouldn't wake up at all. The flow of magic power around his heart was behaving a bit strangely, so they thought it might be an abnormal status, but since it didn't heal with a Sugo Ball, it didn't seem to be a basic symptom.

Besmond had been carrying Furat on his back the whole time, so when they came out of the dungeon into the twilit forest, he showed the most relieved expression.

"But Bez-chi, it'll take a little longer from here to the base, so I'll still have to rely on you, okay?"

"But it's different from the narrow dungeon. Vigilance will be much easier."

"That's right. Leave the enemy detection to me as usual."

Leelin tapped her thin chest, and Besmond nodded.

Saaya also took out a water bottle from her item box and handed it over.

"But let's take a break for now. Especially you, Besmond-san."

"Ah. That helps."

They catch their breath with their backs against a rocky wall.

Being a large party, there weren't many dangerous battles, but they were moving while protecting children. Everyone was tired from being on edge.

For now, their goal of escaping the dungeon was complete, so no one objected.

"I'm going to check out the surroundings a bit, okay?"

Saying that, Karmarike went into the forest alone.

Really, she's always such an energetic elf.

Saaya thought this as she watched Karmarike's back disappear.

Even in the dungeon, Karmarike was always cheerful, lightening the atmosphere. Being quite small even among adults, she got along well with the children, and her enemy detection ability was high. Even when encountering strong monsters, she didn't panic and encouraged her allies, and she was good with a bow, and for some reason, enemies didn't target her.

Although not standing out much, she played an active role as an unsung hero.

She was also excellent as a scout, so the gap with her usual disappointing elf appearance was amazing.

"A scout, huh. Ruruk can do it too, but it might be good to have a professional."

"Mm. Convenient."

"Speaking of which, how did you two handle traps when it was just the two of you?"

"Brute force."

"Ah~ ...I see."

Saaya could imagine Ruruk laughing loudly while forcibly destroying traps.

"But you only recently became able to detect enemies, right? What about before that? Surely you couldn't nullify all traps, right?"

"Mm... Ruruk guard."

"You mean Ruruk was guarding? Surely he wasn't relying on his healing power... right?"

"..."

"Don't tell me he was acting as a meat shield!?"

Certainly, with Ruruk's healing skill, even if he got severely injured, he'd heal quickly, so he might be able to ignore some damage.

But that's too cruel, isn't it? Wouldn't Roze, being his master, get angry and make him stop?

Elenora nodded.

"Mm. Roze made him stop."

"But he continued, didn't he?"

"Mm... Ruruk said enemy detection was troublesome."

"Well, that sounds like him. Did Elenora stop him?"

"...Stopped him."

"You're lying."

The little girl averted her gaze.

An almost immortal lazy bum and a muscle-brained battle maniac. They probably happily jumped into places other adventurers would hesitate to go. And they even had the Mystic King as a guardian behind them.

No wonder their dungeon conquests were so fast.

"I'm glad I became a disciple later..."

If she had explored with them, she would surely have given up halfway.

As she smiled wryly, Punisuke bounced on top of Elenora's head.

"I want to explore more too~"

"Does Punisuke like adventures?"

"Yes! Exploring dungeons with Master must be fun~"

"That's right. Now that Ruruk is almost invincible, we can explore safely, so let's suggest it to him."

"Yay! Thank you, Big Sis~"

Saaya smiled.

As they were chatting like this for a while, Karmarike returned from the forest. With leaves still stuck to her head, she pointed to the depths of the forest.

"There's a nice little hill over there! Let's camp there!"

"Indeed, it's almost sunset, so let's move. Beast Tamer, is that alright with you too?"

"Yeah."

Distania and Kemuna agreed, and they started moving again in a group.

They advanced through the forest in formation, with the elf children and Besmond (still caring for Furat) at the center.

Although there were more people than when they came, it was a party with children who couldn't fight. It didn't take long to reach the small hill Karmarike had found, but they still moved cautiously.

The small hill was the same rocky ledge they had used when they came. A goat was watching them from a distance again.

The elves set up the tents and prepared the meals in no time. Unlike Saaya and the dungeon adventurers of "White Tiger," they seemed quite accustomed to camping outdoors.

In the campsite completed in just enough time to catch their breath, Saaya warmed herself by the campfire.

Although it was only a bit chilly, Saaya had been weak to cold since her previous life.

Come to think of it, does it snow in this world? At least, she had never seen snow in the town of Shaboom, so she was a bit curious. This demon territory is on the northern side of the continent, but it doesn't seem like the temperature changes much.

Just as a small elf sat down next to her, she decided to ask.

"Hey Karmarike, are there four seasons in the elf village and demon territory?"

"Four seasons? What's that?"

"You know, like spring and summer."

"Oh, that's what you call it. In the Great Forest of Lunera, we have rainy season and dry season, so I guess in human terms, it's two seasons."

"So the temperature doesn't change throughout the year?"

"That's not true. When the amount of magic in the sky changes, the weather changes too, and sometimes it even snows."

"So it's not like the temperature changes steadily over a year?"

"Yeah. Well, the rainy season is stable though. During the rainy season, the forest turns into a river, so it's tough."

As expected of the Great Forest of Lunera, even the scale of rain is different.

Come to think of it, in this continent, is the distance from the sun and rotation not the only factors affecting temperature change? I never knew that magic could interfere with temperature.

"Hey Centerbetz, there's no rainy season outside the forest, right? Which country were you in again?"

"It's Fia now, Karmarike."

Karmarike turned around while taking out a Rubik's Cube made by Ruruk from her pocket.

The long-haired elf from Luney Trading Company who had been adding firewood to the campfire behind them finished her work and sat down next to them. She stared intently at Saaya.

"Saaya-sama, this is the first time we've had a chance to talk leisurely like this. I'm sorry I couldn't even greet you properly in the dungeon."

"That goes for both of us. We couldn't really rest properly in the dungeon after all. The information about the dungeon was really helpful, thank you, Fia-san."

"Not at all. Saaya-sama, you have wonderful abilities despite being so young."

Fia's eyes seemed to soften beneath her mask.

Although Ruruk was wary of Luney Trading Company, Saaya's intuition told her they didn't seem likely to become enemies. There was a sort of similar scent coming from Fia. Something that she valued more than business relationships, a baseless feeling of something.

"Hey, don't ignore me."

As Saaya and Fia were smiling at each other, Karmarike puffed her cheeks and interrupted. The Rubik's Cube in her hand was somehow already completed. No way.

"So, what about you, Fia? Where were you a 'hunter'?"

"In Bargia. That's why I was able to rush over first."

"That's right next door. So, does Bargia have a rainy season?"

"No, it doesn't. And Bargia doesn't have four seasons either, Saaya-sama."

"Really? Even though it's next to Mataisa?"

"Bargia is the Dragon King-sama's territory, after all."

"Oh, I see, that can't be helped... wait, what do you mean?"

For a moment, Saaya almost accepted it before realizing it made no sense.

The Dragon King-sama's territory, what a convenient phrase.

"Dragon species dislike summer and winter. It's said that when the Dragon King-sama created his territory in Bargia, he chose a land without extremely hot or cold periods."

"I see."

Saaya thought to herself that it sounded a bit like reptiles, but kept that to herself.

"Saaya-sama's homeland, the Kingdom of Mataisa, has a stable magic environment and beautiful four seasons throughout the country. It's famous for having different scenery no matter which season you visit. Our company also originated in the royal capital of Mataisa, so we feel a certain charm in the four seasons."

"I never thought I'd hear Fia talk about charm. You used to be so rough and violent."

"I regret my past behavior. I'm sorry for being so harsh on you too, Karmarike."

Although Karmarike teased her, Fia spoke seriously and bowed her head.

"It's okay. It wasn't just you who bullied me. And there's no doubt that I was cheeky and useless too."

"Karmarike..."

"Besides, it's because of those times that I am who I am now. Even if I could redo my life, I'd choose the same one. Because it's this life that allowed me to meet Ruruk-sama. When I think about it that way, I feel like all the hardships until now were worth it."

Karmarike smiled, looking genuinely content.

Fia bowed her head again with tears in her eyes. Both Karmarike and Fia must have changed as they grew up. It was a silence that made you feel the passage of time.

"Ah, sorry Saaya-chan. Our conversation turned out like this."

"No, it's okay. So Karmarike had her struggles too."

"Half of it was self-inflicted though. I was the weakest but the cheekiest in our generation. Well, I still get the same way with Mererosu though..."

"Karmarike has become strong and mature. I'm sure Mererosu recognizes that too."

"I-It's not like I want her recognition or anything! But, have I become more adult-like? Do I give off more adult charm now?"

"...Well, except for your body type."

"Ah, geez! You're supposed to nod there! I knew it though!"

Karmarike looked genuinely frustrated.

After that, Saaya heard stories about Fia and Karmarike's childhood from them. Apparently, they used to call each other by various nicknames back then, like "Cheeky Karmarike," "Snappy Centerbetz," "Lone Wolf Mererosu," "Stiff Distania," and so on.

As they were getting excited, reminiscing about old times, other elves joined in and it turned into something like a revelation party. Saaya quietly left the scene, watching the elves who had been serious and quiet in the dungeon, perhaps due to tension, now talking happily.

"Friends, huh."

Until she met Ruruk and Elenora, she didn't have anyone in this world she could call a friend.

That's why even now, when she thinks of friends, she remembers the two close friends from her previous life.

Kujo Aika.

Onitsuka Tsurugi.

Her important best friends.

"...I wonder if they're doing well."

If they had reincarnated into this world like her, she'd like to meet them just once. To talk to them. It was a selfish wish so she couldn't tell Ruruk, but she wanted to go see them while she was still alive.

Luney Trading Company and the sailor uniform tailor in the Maguu Empire definitely had people from her homeland involved. If they were former classmates. If they were Aika or Tsurugi...

Saaya shook her head.

"There's no way I could meet them so conveniently."

She had already met Ruruk, whom she wanted to meet the most. And as the best companion too.

Thinking that she might anger the gods if she wished for too much, Saaya left the campfire and came to the shadow of the rocky ledge.

Remembering her previous life made her want to hear his voice.

It was a bit early for the regular communication, but she touched the guiding stone and spoke.

"Hello, can you hear me, Ruruk? It's Saaya."

She waited for a while. There was no response.

She became a bit anxious since he usually replies immediately, but it might have been too early. If that demon girl was nearby, he might not be able to talk.

Deciding that he must be busy, she decided to try calling again later.

When she returned to the elves' revelation party, one of the elves was just being spectacularly rejected after confessing to Karmarike.

The revelation party had spread not only to the elves but also to the members of "White Tiger." Perhaps alcohol was involved, as Kemuna was being bombarded with questions from red-faced elves. They were persistently asking about his relationship with Lakirala, and Kemuna kept dodging the questions. Next to him, his familiar Hotaru was looking displeased.

Leelin also approached with a cup of alcohol in hand.

"Hey hey, Saaya-chi, do you have someone you like?"

"Ruruk, but..."

"Instant answer! Man, Ruru-chi is popular. He's like Kemu-chi for us."

"Kemuna-san too? I thought the handsome Furat-san would be more popular."

"Well, Fura-chi has more fans, but for men, it's about personality, right? Well, Lala-chi and Hotaru have been fighting over him since way back, you know? The other girls have long given up."

"Hmm. The way you say it, were you one of them too, Leelin-san?"

"Ahaha, in the past, yeah. But there was an age gap and he didn't pay attention to me, so I gave up. Now I'm free."

Leelin said this, looking a bit embarrassed.

Indeed, Kemuna is a good person, and although he looks and talks like a delinquent, he's serious and kind, the type of delinquent who might secretly pick up cats... wait, this personality sounds familiar.

Saaya remembered her previous life. This is a typical pattern in shoujo manga.

No wonder he's popular.

"Aren't you worried about what Ruru-chi will do, Saaya-chi? He's been constantly approaching that Mererosu, right? Is he serious about that?"

"Of course I'm worried, but there's no point in worrying too much. He's always been... someone whose true feelings are hard to see."

"Hmm. But you won't give up, right Saaya-chi?"

"Of course not. I'm still a child now and he might not take me seriously, but I'll become a fine lady someday!"

Saaya said this confidently, puffing out her still flat chest.

In truth, she's always anxious, but she understands that everyone has such feelings, and there's no need to tell anyone about it.

Seeing her determined expression, Leelin's eyes moistened as if moved.

"Saaya-chi! I'll support you!"

"Wait, Leelin-san!"

Leelin hugged Saaya.

Thinking that she didn't remember her being this close, Saaya realized her breath smelled of alcohol.

"That Ruru-chi~ I won't forgive him if he makes such a cute girl cry~"

"Let go, Leelin-san! Look, everyone's watching!"

As Leelin rubbed her cheek against Saaya's, other members turned their gazes towards them, wondering what was happening.

The noisy night wore on.

Only Distania, who was on watch duty, maintained her job with a disgruntled face, unable to join the circle.

By the way, that night, Ruruk did not respond to the communication.

And when Saaya and the others had fallen asleep, Punisuke's figure vanished suddenly, unnoticed by anyone.