The encounter was foreshadowed.


"Oh, ......, that's the remains of a fire.


　There were traces, not of us, but of life in the forest. At least I could sense that someone was living nearby.


　Small, small traces. But I knew that there was someone alive.

　When I realized this, I was honestly worried. I thought of Athos' disappearance and wondered if the people I loved would disappear again. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to see them again. I was afraid to think of that.



"...... At least you're not from the Kingdom of Fairytlov and the Kingdom of Migga. At least, not from the Kingdom of Fairytlov and the Kingdom of Migga, since both countries considered this place to be undeveloped. So, I honestly can't imagine what kind of people are living here. I hope it's someone I can deal with.



　That's what Mr. Ran said. The kingdoms of Feeritroff and Migga, the human countries I've been involved with. Ran-san says that no one from those countries is in this forest, but I wonder if that's really true. Who's here, I wonder?


...... Yes.


　Now that I've arrived at the lake, I've been able to take a break from my life of running away, and I think I've gotten a little better at talking. Talking to people a lot has become a part of my daily routine. Little by little, I think things are getting better. A lot of things.


　Life by the lake is reasonably stable. There is a lot of anxiety, but I think everyone is starting to smile a little more. I wish everything was better, I wish I could protect everything, but I'm full of wishes like that. I know it's not going to work out that way anytime soon. I know that. I know that, so don't be in a hurry. It's tempting to be impatient, but I don't think we should be. We should be happy that things are getting better little by little. I guess.



　There's someone, someone living nearby. I'm anxious about that, but I'm having a peaceful time. And then someone made contact.






　At the time, I was with my two baby gryphons, Lema and Luma. I had been told to stay close to everyone because I didn't know the area well yet, so I was sitting by the lake with them staring at the water.


　The lake, I saw it for the first time since I've been here. Big water. I looked into it and saw my face. I could see a few fish, and branches falling on the water, which made me feel strange.
　I can see adults dismantling their prey. Most of the adult gryphons are in the vicinity with the adults. Some of them are still here, though.


　I've told them to take it easy. But that doesn't mean that there aren't people here that the gryphons can't stand. To be honest, I'm a little worried about that. That's why I repeatedly told them to run away if they really can't. I'll be sad if the gryphons disappear.


"Lema, luma, the wind, it feels good.
"It feels good.
"Guru.


　"Lema, Luma, the wind feels good. I'm trying to talk to the gryphons and the sifo more often. Until now, I've been comfortable in silence, so I've often just relaxed without talking to them.
　I hope it will last forever.
　I had no doubt that it would last forever. I thought the day would go by without a hitch.
　But it didn't.



"Gururururururu! Someone's here!
"Lelanda, behind you.


　Lema and Luma shouted. I didn't know what they were talking about. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a group of adults some distance away looking behind me in surprise.
　I turned my head fearfully.


I turned around in horror. "...... a human child?
"And over there, the beastmen?



　There were people I'd never seen before. They were not human. But not the ...... beastmen I was used to seeing either. They didn't have the ears or tails of beasts. It was their ears that caught my eye. Longer, pointier ears than humans. I learned that in class with my aunt. Maybe they're called elves. I saw it and understood it.


　I was surprised to see elves for the first time.
　At the same time, I was surprised by the coldness of the way they looked at me, not just at me, but at all the beastmen.
　I wondered why they were looking at me like that.
　I couldn't help but wonder. I felt scared at the same time.





"---- We have inhabited this land since ancient times. You have come later. That's why we've come to talk to you. Why are beastmen here at ...... with humans and others? I want answers.


　A man who looked like a leader came out from among the many elves and said to us in a cold voice.




A girl and a new encounter.
(Probably, the girl who is a divine child has a chance encounter with the elves)