Grimgal of Ashes and Illusion - Volume 9 - Chapter 11

11. Save the Fun for Later

“Did I have too much to drink last night?” Takasagi got up still hugging his katana, and sniffed his nose.

Ever since the short sunny period a little earlier in the morning, Thousand Valley had been enveloped in the usual thick fog.

Forgan operated freely over a wide area including the former territories of the kingdoms of Nananka, Ishmar, and even Arabakia. They never settled in one place for long. That was exactly what Takasagi liked about the group. He didn’t understand how people could put down roots in one place, and he’d thought for a long time that when he died, he wanted it to be in a place he didn’t know. Even so, he had some familiarity with Thousand Valley, having visited a number of times, and that clearing of the fog was unusual, bizarre even.

“Thanks to it, we let those guys get away, too.”

Takasagi scowled and clicked his tongue. He’d remembered something trivial and boring.

When he looked around, he spotted Garo sleeping, and Onsa petting his neck. The other black wolves were sitting next to them, or lying down nearby. There were a number of nyaas he’d started training, too. Onsa and Garo were fine, so maybe he should leave it at that. The number of nyaas had dwindled considerably, but they could breed and raise more.

Takasagi stood up and sighed. He had a headache. A hangover, huh?

“Still, I’m getting tired of it. This fog. Maybe it’s time to move. I’ll talk to Jumbo, and—”

“Takasagi,” Weldrund addressed him, walking over with a dour look on his face. The gray elves from Broken Valley had the gray skin you would expect from that name, and this shaman was no exception. He was a rather expressionless man for someone whose hobbies were poetry and music, and so he couldn’t help but look dour.

“What is it, Duke Wel?” he asked.

“I have something to show you. Please, come with me.”

Takasagi followed him to a place behind the rocks where a wangaro pelt was laid out, and a single piece of parchment was laid on top of it. The parchment had been weighed down with a stone so it wouldn’t blow away.

Takasagi burst out despite himself, “Oh, come on, seriously?”

He crouched down, moved the rock, and picked up the parchment. This is what was written, in sloppy letters:

Sorry.

Not going to make excuses.

I’ve decided to leave on a journey.

Don’t look for me. I’m begging you.

With love, sincerely,

Ranta-sama

“That bastard...”

Takasagi crumpled the piece of paper. Oh, man. This is great. It’s more than just a laugh.

When he reached his limits, Takasagi laughed. He burst out laughing.

“What do you mean, you ‘want to get strong’?”

There were tears in his eyes.

He was laughing so hard, he thought his sides might burst.

“Since you were so insistent, I was ready to give you some real training, and this is what I get for it?! This is perfect, Ranta! You’re a real funny guy! Don’t look for you, huh?! Like hell! I’m gonna look for you! I’m gonna find you, and murder you with my own two hands! It’ll be fun! I can’t wait, Ranta! You little shit!”