'Mr. Janet, where are we headed?'
　I got on the Pegasus and asked Janet if she wanted to try it.

　We are several hundred meters in the air.
　Below us is an endlessly large forest.
　While avoiding the deep mist of the 'Devil's Forest', we aimed for the interior of the great forest.
　At a glance, though, all I see are trees.

''You can call me Janet, the brave man of the water country. You're higher in rank and age than me.
'What?　Yes, sir.
　That being said, she's the tight, sissy type (younger) that I'm not good at.
　I'm not comfortable with calling her by her name.

'I'll answer your question. What we are heading to is 'Canaan's village'. It is the birthplace of the Red Lotus Witch.
'That's where Lucy's parents live, isn't it?　Then I'd better show you the way...
'It is unnecessary. Of course I know the hometown of one of the best fighters in the Woodlands, Rosalie J. Walker, the 'Red Lotus Witch'.

　That's the way it is.
　I mean, Lucy's mom must be a pretty big shot.
　Hey, top strength.

　According to Lucy, "She wanders around all year round, she's hardly ever home, and I haven't seen her in a few years," so it's unlikely she's in Canaan's village.
　The ostensible purpose of this is that if I don't see the Red Lotus Witch-san, I'll greet the brave, woodland priestess of the woodland.
　And--.

(To investigate what's happening in the Devil's Forest.)

　We have to investigate and solve the 'looming crisis in the water country' as Master Eil says.
　This is the real objective.
　But I don't have any concrete hints, so I have no idea what I should do.

(I don't know what to do.)
　In a daze, I thought.

All units, change direction!
　With Janet-san's quick instructions, the Pegasus Knights unit changes direction.
　This is about the tenth time now.

''Are you a demon?''
Yes, there's a dragon up ahead. I'll take the long way around.
　I can't see them at all, and they don't respond to my 'spotting' skills.
　It seems that Janet-san is able to 'spot' the enemy several kilometers away.
　As expected of the Knights of the North Heaven, she is able to leave her troops in charge at a young age.

　Thus, the journey towards the interior of the woodland, avoiding dangerous monsters, lasted about half a day.


　◇


We'll camp here for the day.
　Before it got dark, Janet-san gave a command to everyone.

　A woman who seems to be a wizard of the Pegasus Knights has set up a ward to keep out evil spirits.
　Another member of the group is procuring food and making fire to prepare the food.
　Ah, Sa-san is helping with the cooking.
　Should I do something too?

Can I help you with anything?
'None. The brave men of the Water Kingdom, please take a break over there.
Yes, yes....
　You're in the way!

　I sat quietly in the corner of the room and waited for the food to be ready.
'Makoto-san. I'm glad you had a good trip to Pegasus. You had a lot of time to spare for your first time.
　Prince Leonard sat down next to me, smiling at me.

'I'm just riding in the back. It's been an easy trip.'
　I was just admiring the view of the Great Forest or Janet's blonde hair.

'It's awesome!　Normally when I ride a flying dragon or pegasus, I get more scared and tired. The first time I rode it, I was very scared, and Lucy and Mr. Hooley look exhausted too.
　I said and turned my gaze towards my companions.

''Ugh the ground is soothing! The sky is scary...''

　Lucy and Friae are limping along.
　It was the first time for both of them to ride Pegasus, apparently.

''I'll lay out the plates! I've split the wood for you!'
Sasaki-sama!　You chopped the wood with your bare hands?
　The knights are surprised.
　It's a good thing that Sa-san is in good health.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

It's a good thing you're from another world.
　Prince Leonard's glittering eyes peek out at me.

(But maybe Sa-san and I have different reasons.)

　Sa-san's physical abilities are outstanding with the power of otherworldly reincarnation x lamia.
　It's probably enough to spare you a half-day ride on a Pegasus.

　Then what about me?
　One is the effect of the 'Clearing the Mirror' skill.
　The other is probably the effect of the 'Viewpoint from Outside the World' in the 'RPG Player Skill'.
　Normally, if you continue to travel several hundred meters up in the sky without a lifeline, I think you will feel more fear.
　But I can't help but think that the only impression I have is "the scenery is beautiful!

(It might be a little too close to a crisis.)

　It's convenient not to feel any extra fear, though.
　Like Noah-sama says, let's not rush into danger unnecessarily.
　This exploration of the Woodland and the Demon Forest is an oracle from the Water Goddess (Ail).
　Let's act (play) carefully.

Makoto the Brave of the Water Kingdom (Roses)
　Janet came over.
　Sharp eyes and beautiful blonde hair.
　Perhaps because of her position leading the knights, she showed no signs of fatigue.

''Thank you for your hard work today.''
　At any rate, I thanked him.

'You seem to be used to riding Pegasus,'
'What?　It was my first time riding. It was fun.
　The second half was kind of boring, though.

...I see.
　Then he looks down at me with a look on his face, as if he wants to say something.

'What's wrong?'
'I heard that in McAllen, you prevented a group of demons from running out of control and defeated an old dragon with a single blow.
Ah.
　Did Princess Sophia tell you that?
　Or from someone in the Adventurer's Guild.

'I worked with everyone in the guild to protect McAllen.
'Your achievements have been reported to the military in the Land of the Sun. I'm sure your reputation will be further enhanced.
Huh.

　Contrary to my words, my tone is spiky.
　Janet, you seem to like your brother, and you don't like the fact that I'm taking credit for it?　
　But apparently not.

'I was told by my father and brother that I would not be willing to marry a brave man from the watery land.
"What?
　I couldn't help but look at Prince Leonard and I looked at each other.
　Married?
　Does that mean he's coming to marry you?

'No!　Brother Makoto is Sister Sophia's fiancé!
　Prince Leonard stepped forward so that he was standing there.
　Seeing this, Janet laughed, "Huh.
''Princess Sophia said the same thing to me. Well, I'm not going to be your wife........''

"Takatsuki-kun!　I picked this fruit from the forest. It's for you.
　Suddenly, Sa-san hugs me from behind and pushes an apple-like fruit into my mouth.
　The sweet and sour juice spreads in my mouth.
　As if the plants are filled with magical power (mana) because they are from the Omori forest, I can feel a slight recovery of magical power (mana).

Does it taste good?
Yeah, it's good.
Yeah, well, I'm gonna have some too.
Hey.
　Poisoned?

　Sa-san stares at me with a mischievous look, while I nibble on my katakattaa with a "crisp".
　........Don't bother eating it.
　When I'm a little embarrassed.

True~....
Hey, hey, Lucy.
　Lucy, who was lying there, pegasus drunk, crawled over to me.
　She told me to take it easy.

"I need a drink of water.
　Lucy gives me a weak look and looks up at me.
　I can't say no to this.
'Yes, yes, all right,'
　And then he took out his water bottle and tried to pour it into a glass.
I'd like a mouthful of food.
!
　What are you talking about?　You!

Luu-chan!　Not that!
　Mr. Sa-san gives me a kick in the butt.

"Makoto the Brave of the Water Country (Roses).
　A chilling voice fell from above.
　'You're looking at garbage, Janet,' he said.

'You have a fiancée, and you have a lot of status.
No, you see...
'Who would marry such a man...'
　Without hearing my answer, Janet went.

'That was a close call, you almost got your fourth fiancée to show up.
Sophia-chan was right. Takatsuki-kun will flag you right away.
Hey, guys?
　What are you talking about?
　The two girls are high-fiving each other, "Yay.

Moo.
　Why is even Prince Leonard looking mushy?

(Because you didn't realize you were your sister's fiancé...?)
　Should I be reminded of that?
　No, I don't need any more fiancées.

　Then we had a normal dinner and slept in the tent.
　I'm in a tent for two with Prince Leonard.

　Prince Leonard cuddled up to me and I had a hard time falling asleep.


　◇


　--The next day.

　After another half-day in the air.
　We arrived at a small village.

　At first glance, though, it looks like a part of the forest with the overgrown trees.
　Indeed, we could see a roof made of what appeared to be thatch in the distance.

　It seems that there are more than a few hundred villages of elves and beastmen in the land of trees.
　To be more precise, hundreds of settlements are grouped together in the Land of Trees.
　That's why there is no central city like the royal capital.
　The people of the Tree Country live peacefully in small communities together with the forest.

　I didn't realize there was a settlement until I came close to it, as there seemed to be a ward around the settlement.
　Outside the settlement, I landed a pegasus and walked to the entrance.

'Wow, I miss it!'
　Lucy ran towards the village.
　A guarded elf stood at the simple gate.

　When Lucy called out to him, he greeted her with a smile.
''How are you!
'It's Lucy!'
　They seem to know each other.
　The elf on guard stares at us.

'Lucy, who are these people?'
'The people in the Adventurer's Guild in the Water Country and the Knights of the Sun Country who are partying together. They're here to see their mother.
'Haha, Rosalie, I wouldn't be looking at your mother all the time either.
　He answers cheerfully, the elf.
　I mean, what?　Mom?

'What, Lucy's got a friend out there, too.
Hey! I'm not a child!　Onii!
'Haha!　I was worried about you. Glad to see you're doing well.
　Yeah!　I thought I just knew you, but you're Lucy's brother?

Well, I'll see you later.
Yeah, you can say hello to your grandfather.
I know.
　And Lucy goes ahead.

'Oh, hey. Lucy, don't you have to say hello properly?
　If you're Lucy's family, shouldn't you have greeted her more properly?
　I didn't even say my name.

I think it would be better to talk to the chief's grandfather first. Prince Leonard, is that okay with you, Janet?
I don't mind.
You're the son of Johnnie Walker, the hero of the woodlands. Yes, sir.
Let me show you around.
　Lucy walks briskly.

　It's only the village of elves, so naturally everyone you meet is an elf.
　However, I'm curious.

Oh, my God, Lucy's back.
Yes, Nanny. Do you have a grandpa?
Yeah, I'm here. We've been worried about you, Lucy. You should at least write to her.
Yes, sir.
　We passed a beautiful older sister elf who made Lucy look more mature.

"Hey, Lucy. You have a visitor?
Yes, little girl.
　He was greeted by a gawky elven man wielding a sword outside.

'Oh, pretty knight. Would you like me to show you the village of Canaan?
Onii-chan!　He's a nobleman from the Land of the Sun!　Don't pick up on it!
　The elf charmer, Niu-chan, picked up by Janet and stared at her.

Oh my sweet boy. Would you like to play with your lady?
'Hey, girl!　Because that man is Prince Leonard of the Water Country!　Don't tempt me!
　A more exposed elf sister than Lucy approached Prince Leonard.

'Oh my!　You're Lucy's friend?　You do have some strange magic powers, don't you?
Hi, I'm Aya Sasaki, Lu-chan's best friend.
'Oh!　You're not from another world, are you? I'm Lucy's sister. It's nice to meet you.
Yes, nice to meet you.
　An elf girl who seemed to be close to Lucy's age talked to Sa-san and so on.

''........How beautiful. What's your name?　My little princess.
Who are you?
'OH, I love it when you say cold words too!　Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?
Huh?

Onii-chan!　No!
　Another light-looking male elf is picking up Mr. Friae.
　That's a lot of pick-up guys!

　But I'm curious....

(Hmmm~?)

Hey, Mr. Saunders.
I knew it because Lu-chan told me.
　Oh, yeah.

"Hey, Lucy.
'Well yeah, well I know what you mean.
Too many siblings.

　So far, every person I've passed is Lucy's sister or brother.
　There are already more than a dozen of them.

How many of Lucy's siblings are there?
Fifty people.
What?

My mother told me she was a wanderer. She got married or divorced or had a baby while traveling, and then she brought them back to her hometown... Well, that's what happened to me.
　Haha, Lucy laughs lightly.

''I heard that the Red Lotus Witch had a lot of children, but...''
That's a great story...
　I see that even Janet and Prince Leonard are surprised to see that the matter of fifty brothers was only information from their own people.

'I thought my place had as many as four brothers.
I'm an only child.
　I look at Sa-san and I look at each other.
　Lucy's home environment, it's outrageous.

'Also ... all the Kyoudais on my side of the world are dead so ...'
　Sa-san's expression sinks darkly.
''Sa-san........''
　What can I say?
　A painful memory has returned.

Aya!　
　Lucy hugged Sa-san.
'Me and Mako will always be together!　We're family, too!
'Roo-chan you're right!　We're going to make a warm home out of this!
　Sa-san hugs Lucy back and they both look at me.

'Takatsuki-kun, I want to have five children.
'What!　Aya that much?　Wow, I could have just one....
　Hey, aren't we jumping the gun on this one?

Ladies and gentlemen!　Let's go ahead!
　Prince Leonard was furious.

""Yes,"
　This is not a conversation you would have in front of a nine year old.

'At the base of that big tree you see over there is my grandfather's house, the village chief.
　Lucy pointed to a magnificent wooden mansion.

　Just then, an elf came out of the mansion.

'It's been a while, Lucy. I didn't know you were back.
Oh, Flona!　You're here!
　Also, Lucy's sister, I guess.
　A kind-looking elf with beautiful silver hair and green eyes was smiling at me.

''Let me introduce you, Makoto. This is the Tree Country Priestess.''
?　
　A tree nymph appears?