Volume 5 Chapter 3 Let’s Say Everything
After sampling the White Trout Teriyaki, it was time to prepare lunch. Cain and the others left the kitchen and returned to their rooms.
Cain had made up his mind—it was time to explain the World Tree Forest to Luke and Lydia. But even thinking about it made his chest feel heavy.
He asked Barvish to check when Randolph would be available. Before long, Barvish returned with a reply: Randolph could spare some time during the afternoon break.
"Thank you, Barvish... I wonder what'll happen when I tell them about the World Tree Forest... or more specifically, the 'Teleportation Staff.'"
Cain muttered while glancing between Barvish and Gardy.
"If it's those two, I believe they'll understand your intentions, Sir Cain," Gardy replied with a steady tone.
"I agree," Barvish added, though his expression showed some concern. "Still... I expect Lady Lydia, at least, will insist on coming along."
"Yeah... she probably will. It's better if we go into this assuming she'll want to join from the start."
With that, Cain nodded to himself and resolved to give a full report.
After having lunch in his room, he began organizing his thoughts. At first, he tried summarizing the events, but as the pieces didn't quite fit together, he gave up and decided to just explain everything in full.
* * *
As the afternoon break approached, Lala arrived to call Cain. Together, they walked to Luke's office. At the door, Lala knocked and announced their arrival.
"Please come in," Luke's voice responded from within.
"Father Luke, Mother Lydia, thank you for meeting with me today. There's something I'd like to report."
Cain kept his voice calm and steady.
"What's this all of a sudden? You sound awfully formal," Luke said, placing the papers he was reading down on the desk. "It's break time—why don't we talk over some Aromatic Tea?"
He moved to the sofa. Lydia followed quietly, taking a seat beside him.
Lala, somehow already prepared, served tea and cookies. Cain took a sip, waited for Luke and Lydia to set down their cups, then began.
"You may have already heard some of this from Grandfather, but I'd like to start from the beginning and explain it myself."
Cain spoke clearly, covering everything—from his encounter with Zain, the construction of the bathhouse at the Margrave Shield estate, to using the "Teleportation Staff" as part of the compensation to travel to the World Tree Forest. He also mentioned Lady Gardea appearing before him and the offering of Mana, as instructed.
When he finished, he let out a small breath. It felt like a weight had lifted.
Luke and Lydia, meanwhile, sat quietly, eyes slightly wide in surprise. After a long silence, Cain spoke again.
"Father Luke, Mother Lydia... Do you have any questions? If not, I'd like to take my leave—"
"Hold on, Cain." Luke interrupted. "You still have that 'Teleportation Staff,' right? Can I see it?"
"Yes, of course," Cain replied, starting to reach for it—
"Wait," Lydia cut in. Her tone was sharp. "Why is the Goddess Gardea coming to see you personally, even in a split form? And why don't you find that odd?"
Caught off guard, both Cain and Luke winced.
"W-well, you see, Mother Lydia, it's..."
The two fumbled over their words.
Lydia's voice cracked like thunder.
"What's with the mumbling? Are you hiding something? Huh?"
"No, Lydia. We're not hiding anything, right, Cain?" Luke answered quickly.
"Y-yes! That's right," Cain added, sitting up straight. "Nothing at all."
"Then kindly explain everything," Lydia said, her voice soft but firm.
After exchanging glances, Luke hesitantly admitted that Cain had received the goddess Gardea's blessing. Cain followed up by saying that she occasionally appeared at the church to speak with him.
"Anything else you're forgetting to mention?" Lydia asked, her eyes narrowing. "You understand what that would mean, don't you?"
Under her gaze, Luke and Cain both shook their heads firmly.
Finally, Lydia gave a small nod.
"Alright. Show me the staff."
Cain pulled out the Teleportation Staff and handed it to Luke, who examined it but didn't seem to understand much. He passed it to Lydia.
As Lydia flowed Mana into it, her expression suddenly changed. She shivered slightly and placed the staff back on the table, silent.
"So, to confirm... my father—the Margrave—never gave you any particular instructions about the staff, correct?"
"That's right," Cain answered.
"And next week... you're going to pick up that man, Zain, again from the World Tree Forest?" Lydia muttered. "Even now, I can't quite believe it, just from hearing the story."
"Shall we try it once, just to be sure?" Cain suggested. "Seeing it in action might help."
Lydia didn't respond right away, but her gaze fell again to the staff on the table.
Notes:
• Lydia - Cain's Stepmother.
• Luke - Cain's father.
• Barvish - A slave dwarf with a muscular, compact physique, intended as Cain's retainer/bodyguard, brought via magical contract.
• Lala - Cain's companion, likely a servant or minder, cautious and protective.
• Margrave Shield - Cain's grandfather. An elderly man, robust, with white hair.
• Zain - A man in his 30s with long ears, possibly an elf or a similar race. He works in the basement of Ms. Merida's shop and is highly perceptive, noticing Cain's incredible mana from a distance.
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