A boy standing before a boiling pot.

*Tock…*

*Tock…*

Slowly stirring its content.

“Haa…”

Arc sighed.

Misha once said sighing is sign of unhappiness. She told it better to less sighing so your happiness won’t escape, but Arc can’t help but sigh to express his gloomy mood.

The morning was rough.

“So unlucky…”

Not only he fallen into river, dragged by flow quite a distance, almost drown him. When he returned to village, no one comfort him except the culprit of his tragedy. Worse, he scolded harshly instead.

“Haa…”

After release all his gloominess with last sigh, he resumed his focus on the dish.

He put the diced meats and chopped vegetables he’d prepared into pot, then returns to stir.

After a while, he put in the seasoning.

An appetizing smell begun to rose, assaulting Arc’s nose.

*Guuu…*

*Gulp*

A rumbling sounded out Arc’s empty stomach.

He’s hungry.

Because the morning incident, he didn’t get breakfast.

His mouth watered at the sight of boiling stew and appetizing smell, tempting him to snitch some of it.

“No. I can’t do that.”

Arc shook his head, suppressing the temptation. Although he is hungry, he prefers to have eat together than snitching it alone.

Arc continued stirring the pot until the stew was done.

As the stew was done, Arc takes the pot off the stove, placed it on nearby table.

Suddenly, a thunderous sound exploding in kitchen.

“Hey, Little Arc, are you done!?”

Arc swiftly close his ears.

Fortunately, he already took off the stew or all his effort will turn waste.

Arc release his ear, facing the origin of thunderous sound.

An ogre-like middle-age man stride in kitchen.

With his usual stern face, he asked.

“Have the diner were ready?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Hurry up serves it. Everyone already been starved.”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

After saying that, the man quickly leaves the kitchen.

Arc hastening his move to prepare their dinner.

*****

***

*

“Thank for the food.”

Arc glanced blond girl beside him as she finished up her food.

“““Thank for the food!”””

Soon after, he also finished followed by couple of girls beside him.

A gentle middle-age woman appears behind them, gathering the plates.

Misha smiled to the woman.

“Here my plate, Miss Monica.”

“My, polite as usual, Little Lady.”

Monica smiles lightly as she picked the plates.

Arc and others giving their plates following her.

Monica went to kitchen with all the dishes.

“I’ll clean the plates, Dear.”

“Hmm.”

The huge middle-aged man nodded.

Seeing his wife leave, the man eyeing the four boy and girls in front of him.

Noticing his stare, Arc and others sat straight uncomfortably.

“What wrong, Uncle Rex?”

“Did you all got into trouble again?”

Arc smile wryly at the question that didn’t sound like question. Arc answering it honestly since there nothing to be hide.

“Well, we did.”

“Tell me.”

“That–”

Arc retelling the incident, pretending not noticing Misha who pretending watching scenery outside window with embarrassed face.

Mr. Rex close his eyes as he heard the story–

“So, it’s another unlucky incident…”

–Succinctly the story.

“Ahahaha…”

Arc can’t help but release a weak laugh as he heard it. It sounded like he is an unlucky person.

If only he could refute that…

“…Sorry.”

Misha lowering her head, not daring meet Rex’s gaze.

Rex sighed in exasperation.

He was wondering how many times this conversation has been repeating.

Just how unlucky these kids before him.

Thankfully, their misfortunate didn’t spread to other, instead it felt as though they taking others’. If not, he was long chase them out.

“It wasn’t matter. I call you all for another matter.”

Mr. Rex put a serious expression.

Seeing his expression made the group tensed.

“Listen. It’s been four years since you came. It’s almost the time.”

The four pairs of eyes widened, hearing most shocking news for them since they living in village.

*****

***

*

Misha: “C’mon everyone, we’re almost there!”

Arc: “Just slow down, Misha. Look, Herlin was tired.”

Herlin: “Huff… huff… it’s okay…”

Raina: “…Don’t force yourself.”

Arc: “See.”

Misha: “Ah, sorry Herlin.”

The next day.

Arc, Misha, Herlin and Raina taking a stroll to nearby hill.

The hill wasn’t far from village. It’s free from monster threat as villagers would exterminate them regularly.

It is most special place in the village.

““““Whoa……””””

As they arrive, they greeted by a very beautiful scenery. A vast flower fields. Myriad of mystical flowers as far sight managed, shining even under sun. In center of field, peak of hill, a lone great tree stood tall. Ancient and majestic. It held the most beautiful flowers in field on its branch.

Looking the shining white flowers on the tree, the four of them were enchanted. It took minutes before they could break from the charm.

Arc: “Huh? Oh…”

Arc was first wakened.

Arc: “That was dangerous. This always happen whenever we go here… Hey wake up.”

Misha: “Uh?”

Raina: “…?”

Herlin: “Eh?”

Arc wakening the girls.

After realizing their mistake, they continued their feet no longer dare to look the great tree, afraid they’ll get trapped on its charm again.

“Just what the hell that tree?”

“Yeah.”

Herlin nodded to Misha shuddering.

Their destination was a small house located near the tree.

Misha immediately knocked the door as soon they arrived.

“Excuse us!!”

Then go in without waiting the reply.

“Hey! Haven’t I said to stay outside until I say it’s okay you guys could entering!!”

And got a fierce scold from an angry little elf inside the second they are in.

“This place hasn’t been tidied yet!”

“Oh…”

Raina the maid nodded in understanding looking the state of room. There’s only a word emerged in her mind when she saw it.

Horrible!

“Sorry about that, but we really can’t stay outside for so long.”

“That isn’t really excuse, Arc. Why can’t you all just to wait?”

“Hahaha, you still lively as usual, Slyph.”

“Don’t laugh, Misha!”

“Um… sorry…”

“Urgh… you don’t have to apologize for their behavior, Herlin.”

Slyph tiredly dropped her shoulder.

*Haa~*

“Whenever! Since you guys here, help me clean this place!”

““No problem!””

*****

***

*

As Slyph picking the trashes, she turned to Arc.

“By the way, why you all come here? You should know I didn’t have time to play around.”

She forgot to ask this question in midst of rage. It’s quite rare for the group before her to visit her place. Slyph also didn’t remember invite them.

Then, her eyes rounded by the unexpected news Arc brought up.

“Well… we here to inform you it’s nearing the time for us to leave the village.”

“………............................................Huh?”