The day after the events, another day passed.
On the morning of the third day in the Spirit Puppet Forest, Violet and her party set off once more.
Originally, in the priestess’s plan, they were supposed to stay for just one night.
However, due to the incident during the night of the Three Moon Convergence and the subsequent efforts to help Ini bury the numerous “remains” sealed in boxes and hang wind chimes, they ended up staying an extra day.
After all, having been entrusted with such significant secrets, it would have been quite rude to just leave without showing any appreciation. To make it up to the Spirit Puppet Tribe, Violet even offered to grant them a not-too-excessive request if they wished.
However, Miss Ini did not make any immediate requests, only nodding with a smile to indicate her understanding.
Additionally, although Princess Novia seemed very interested in the 【Moon Goddess’s Tears】, unusually showing a strong desire and even throwing a tantrum for a long time, the importance and utility of that item to the Spirit Puppet Forest were obvious. Naturally, it couldn’t be given to her just to take away casually.
Esther, in charge of taking care of Novia, could only rack her brains to continually comfort the still-childish princess.
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Violet didn’t involve herself much, even though the little wolf cub inexplicably clung to her. But the priestess’s job did not include entertaining Novia.
Having already spent quite a bit of time in the Spirit Puppet Tribe, they now needed to hurry and head straight to the Shadow Moon Tribe.
Although the few mountain wolves hadn’t followed them, they were far from being dumb beasts. While they only spoke the language of the wolf tribe, as magical creatures, these wolves were actually quite intelligent.
Having stayed in the safe and resource-rich Spirit Puppet Forest for these two days, they had thrived. When they rejoined the group, even their fur seemed shinier than before.
Of course, it might have just been Violet’s imagination.
Most of the Spirit Puppet Tribe members do not enjoy noise, so not many came to see Violet and her party off. Only Chief Ini and a few dolls, including the one who had taken care of them, came. Even Eilush was nowhere to be seen.
“Well, it’s time to say goodbye, Chief Ini. This trip to the Spirit Puppet Forest was very interesting. I’m glad to have met you all. Don’t worry, I will remind everyone to keep the secrets of this place.”
Sitting on a tall mountain wolf, Violet waved with a smile to Ini, who also nodded and smiled in return.
“That’s good to hear. Although our time together was short, you are all friends worth making. On behalf of the Spirit Puppet Tribe, I welcome you to visit us again in the future. Also, if any of you happen to meet Elder Sister Ewan out there, please pass on the message: ‘Ini has fulfilled the promise, no need to worry’.”
Esther, who had transformed into her true form with a little wolf cub on her back, immediately nodded in agreement.
“Don’t worry, I will pass the message.”
“Then, we’re off~”
With a final farewell, the priestess didn’t hesitate any longer. She patted the mane of the mountain wolf she was riding, leading the way along the forest path.
Their departure point was already near the edge of the Spirit Puppet Forest, so it wasn’t long before Violet and her party exited the forest valley and stepped back into the rolling mountains.
Suddenly, a series of urgent shouts and running footsteps sounded from behind.
“Wait a minute! Wait for me!! Hey!!”
“Hmm?”
The crowd looked around in confusion and spotted a nimble figure sprinting towards them through the forest at an astonishing speed.
The priestess had good eyesight and quickly recognized the person’s appearance, especially noticing the short-haired girl with bags and bundles hanging all over her body.
A twitch at the corner of her mouth hinted at a sense of unease creeping into her mind.
She initially thought of just patting the wolf’s backside and running off, but considering that the girl might not be slower than these mountain wolves, especially when everyone else was chasing after her, it would be too rude to just turn and leave. Eventually, she decided to wait with everyone else.
The girl’s speed was indeed impressive. Despite carrying numerous bags and looking like a moving mountain of luggage, she arrived in front of the group in less than ten seconds from the sound of her approach.
After standing still for a moment, she wiped the nonexistent sweat from her forehead, temporarily placing her packages on the ground, and complained irritably.
“You guys ran too fast! I said I was going home to pack up my stuff, and when I came out, everyone was gone!”
“You didn’t say hello and ask us to wait. Eilush, did you suddenly bring so many things over as souvenirs for us?”
Despite the priestess’s deliberate questioning, the doll immediately clarified her intentions.
“Pah! Souvenirs? These are all precious research materials and results that I’ve accumulated over the years! You wouldn’t understand them, and they’d be useless to you anyway! I had to bring them like this because there were too many for the storage items to hold.”
“Alright, no beating around the bush. Violet, I’m coming with you guys!”
*Sigh*... well, there it is.
Watching Eilush with her hands on her hips, a look of “I’ll make a scene if you don’t agree,” Violet sighed inwardly, pretending to be puzzled on the surface, still making a final effort.
“You’re coming with us? Why, do you also want to travel? There’s no need for you to accompany us, especially now that Ewan has left the Spirit Puppet Forest. If you leave too, won’t Ini be lonely?”
However, Miss Eilush simply waved her hand dismissively, paying no heed to Violet’s concerns.
“Oh, you’re overthinking it. That girl Ini, is just a homebody. It’s normal for her to stay home for ten days or half a month without going out. Besides, there are other members of our clan here. I was a bit worried at first, which is why I stayed in the forest to accompany her. But since she’s okay with it now, everything’s fine.”
“As for why I’m following you guys, do I really need to explain? Violet, you promised Ini that you would fulfill a not-too-excessive request from us. She’s already agreed, so our Spirit Puppet Tribe’s request is—please let me accompany you. Hehehe... do me a little favor, to complete the development of Artificial Flight Wing 1786!”
“......You’re really bad at lying.”
................
“Master, ahead is Moon Shadow Valley. I have already notified the current clan leader, Lady Vanessa Moon Shadow. She should come personally to welcome you.”
Outside the hills, with long, flowing hair of a vibrant green hue and clad in a battle skirt woven as if from leaves, stood the great tree demon general, Berta Linwood of the Tree Spirit Tribe.
Her hand rested on a peculiar curved blade affixed to the inside of her arm. Behind her followed a young, handsome man dressed in plain cloth, his short gray hair fluttering in the wind.
His clear yet world-weary eyes swept over everything before him, passing through the temples and the distinctive buildings in the valley, tinged with nostalgia and memories.
“So many changes... So Vanessa, that brat, is the clan leader now? I didn’t even notice. I remember when she was just a little wolf cub, always mischievous. How long has she been the clan leader?”
Berta turned around and respectfully nodded.
“Master, Vanessa Moon Shadow is a newly appointed leader, having served for only 48 years.”
“Old people go, new people come, huh? Fifty years have passed... Let’s go, let’s go see her.”
“Back then, how many of the old friends are still around? What about my descendants, how are they now...”
The young man walked into the wind, leaving behind only a desolate figure.