“So that’s why this is known as one of the seven wonders of the region. This was investigated by countless others in the past, so what makes you think you think you’ll be the one to solve the mystery?”
“It’s not just me. I have you here, too. Besides, I wouldn’t mind even if I didn’t succeed. It’s the will to solve it that counts.”
Our footsteps echoed aloud as we continued exploring through the ruins. The ceiling was high overhead, and it was impossible to see it through the darkness even with the light spirit accompanying us. Its summoner, Marie, conjured additional spirits upon recovering her magic powers, and there were already five of them flying around in total.
“So you’re saying you’ll just consider us lucky if we do find something? In any case, this place is pretty big now that I see it from the inside. I never would have guessed it was this spacious, looking at it from outside.”
“Yeah, it did used to be a whole city, after all. The entrance is just part of the sewage system.”
It seemed the waterway was crucial for the ruins. The river was flowing down the path formed with rocks, and seeing that there was still water here, either the water source hadn’t died yet, or there was rainwater flowing into it. It looked to be made quite simply, with a basic rock construction. However, I’d spotted many magic runes on the way here that served to increase its durability. That must have been the reason it was able to retain its shape for a millennium.
“That’s some incredible technology, to be able to endure for a thousand years like this. Couldn’t they use this for the city buildings, too?”
“I don’t think so. It was built into a vein so that it wouldn’t have to be resupplied with magic, meaning there are pretty strict conditions that need to be met. It would also require a highly skilled caster, which I doubt anyone would be able to afford.”
Hm... I didn’t really get it, but it sounded like it wasn’t really plausible. Coming from an earthquake-prone country like Japan, it made me envious to see magic that could increase stability like this.
The girl’s long ears twitched in response to my muttering, and then she turned to me.
“Earthquakes certainly are scary, but it can’t happen all that often. Where in the world are you from?”
“Oh, I’m from Japan, but it’s probably not on any of your maps. It’s an island country really far from here.”
She made a noncommittal noise and contorted her face in such a way that was hard to tell whether she was interested or disinterested.
Black hair and black eyes was a rare combination in this world, but her interest was more focused on my bento. I knew that the whole reason she even followed me into the ruins and the reason she kept glancing at my bag was all due to that boxed lunch I’d made.
It’d been some time since we entered. Fatigue would be setting in soon, so I found an open area where we could rest and turned my face toward hers.
“That looks like a nice place to sit down. How about we have some lunch?”
“Good idea! I wonder what you brought today, hehe~”
The elf’s footsteps suddenly seemed lighter, and she excitedly helped me prepare. To think she was actually a hundred years old. Elves really were hard to understand sometimes... Well, even though she was just after my food, it sure was cute when girls were this expressive.
I handed her the cloth-covered bento, and her purple eyes lit up brighter than her light spirits.
“I-I’m going to open it now...”
“Sure, go ahead. You probably don’t know how to use chopsticks, and you already washed your hands, so you can just eat it without utensils.”
The girl opened the bento box, and she blinked her eyes with childlike glee. Today’s menu was some juicy inarizushi and chikuzenni that was enjoyable down to the texture. They might not have looked flashy in the color department, but the delicious fragrance was very enticing. The sharp smell of soy sauce emphasized the subsequent gentle sweetness, stimulating one’s appetite whether they wanted it to or not.
“Mm, that smell... It’s so wonderful!”
I couldn’t help but smile as she took several deep breaths with the lid still in her hand.
“Go on, dig in. I’m not that good at these kinds of simmered dishes, but I love how I can just make big batches at once and still have them taste good when cold.”
I gestured for her to begin eating, and she first took the inarizushi in her hand. It was full of juices, which ran down her fingers as she held it. Unconcerned, she carried it over to her lips, and the juices seeped out into her mouth.
“Nn! Mmm... So... sweet!”
The faint aroma of soy sauce. She licked her fingers and put little wrinkles between her brows. She then chewed the inarizushi, full of umami, and the intrinsic sweetness of rice came flooding in. The juices and sour-sweet flavor mixed together, leaving the fragrant aftertaste of sesame. The elf seemed completely enchanted and continued chewing with her eyes shut tightly.
“Here, have some tea. Drink it slowly, now.”
She politely bowed her head, even in her currently enamored state, and took the plastic bottle. She was taken aback by the material when I first introduced it to her, but she’d eventually gotten used to it.
“Nn...nng... Paah! I’m impressed. It seems you’ve improved your skills again. So, what is this brown stuff?”
“Inarizushi. It’s really good because it brings out the flavor even when it’s cold. And this is chikuzenni. It’s made with spring vegetables, so it’s very nutritious. Here, try some.”
Marie nodded repeatedly, then tossed bamboo shoots and lotus roots into her mouth. The crisp consistency fanned her appetite as she alternated eating between the inarizushi and simmered vegetables.
It was hard to believe a slender elf like her could eat so much. It was entertaining to watch her toss food into her mouth one bite after another despite being far skinnier than I was. She drank some tea and rested a bit before turning to me with a smile.
“Hehe, I was right to tag along, Kazuhiho. I’ve always wondered, but is this all home-cooked?”
“Yeah, today’s meal is. I just buy it at the store when I don’t feel like cooking, though.”
“Where do they sell them?! Come on, tell me! Is it nearby, at Sissle? Or is it at Phlox?”
I figured I couldn’t tell her it was from Japan. If I tried avoiding the question and gave her a vague answer, she’d puff out her cheeks and get upset at me for trying to “keep it a secret again.”
“Well, I’ll treat you to some more anytime. Let’s come hang out here again when you’re free.”
“I’m busy with my studies, so it’s not like I have a lot of free time... buuut I suppose I can make time every once in a while.”