Pleasant days continued at the World Tree. This was thanks to the Innate Barrier, which had completely eliminated heretic intrusions.

“Y-you’ll go out with me now, right?”

“Let me warn you—don’t get overly familiar as if we’re companions.”

Gilbert coldly shut down Egru’s question.

“I have not the slightest intention of helping you. Find your own way to survive.”

“Of course! I absolutely won’t be a burden!”

Egru declared energetically, while snipping away at Gilbert’s hair in a corner of the flower garden.

Gilbert’s seated height was perfect for Egru to work on his hair while standing.

With each refreshing cut of the scissors, tangled clumps of hair fell away. Wheat-colored bunches accumulated on the leaves spread across Gilbert’s lap.

The layers of leaves were meant to collect all the cut hair at once for easy disposal afterward.

When I used to trim D’Élysée’s hair, I’d use discarded newspapers or magazines…

The leaves of the World Tree truly had countless uses.

Pillows, bowls, blankets, mats—they proved useful in many ways during their stay.

“And when we move, walk a few steps away from me.”

“T-that far away?”

“If you can’t do that, stay at the World Tree.”

“N-no. If that’s what Gilbert wants, I’ll do it.”

Egru said, moving to Gilbert’s front.

“Now close your eyes, please.”

Gilbert closed his eyes more obediently than expected.

Egru readjusted his grip on the scissors and began working on Gilbert’s bangs.

The scissors, slightly larger than Egru’s hand, were one of the gardening tools Gilbert had collected.

The blades were sharp, but rust had formed in places, requiring caution. He had to be careful not to cut skin.

Gilbert was serious about plant care. Every morning, watching the giant figure watering his dainty flower garden gave Egru a refreshingly novel feeling.

“Are you cutting it well?”

Gilbert asked with a doubtful expression. Egru answered confidently.

“Don’t worry. I have plenty of experience trimming other people’s hair. I couldn’t afford to take my brother to the barber, so I always…”

“I’m not interested in your personal history.”

“Yes…”

The tips of Egru’s pointed ears drooped. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t hurt by the brusque attitude.

But it was still all right. By now, he had a good grasp of Gilbert’s personality.

Gilbert exemplified someone whose words and actions contradicted each other. Though his words could be harsh, his actions were often quite considerate.

Plus, there was the time he applied medicine himself…

Lately, for some reason, he had begun sleeping in the same room.

When asked why he slept there, Gilbert would just turn his back without answering. Egru had told him he could come sleep closer, but Gilbert would lie in the corner and pretend not to hear. He would only thump his long black tail against the floor.

Is it due to his heightened wariness?

Most self-protective behaviors stem from fear.

Considering Gilbert’s strength, that didn’t seem likely.

Perhaps…

Perhaps he felt lonely at night.

Egru recalled the time after sending his brother to the orphanage, when he remained alone to watch the house.

No warmth circulates in a quiet space. Nights when your heartbeat feels heavy and tumultuous, keeping you awake, repeat day after day.

Will I be alone like this forever? If so, is there any meaning to this repetitive life?

Unbearable feelings of loss bring foolish questions. One by one, stray thoughts accumulate, gaining weight and pressing down on your throat.

After falling asleep as if suffocating, the same day would repeat again.

During such times, having someone simply beside you can provide great comfort.

Gilbert had already spent countless years alone at the World Tree.

He said he wanted to meet the Hero…

Egru firmly resolved to help Gilbert. He hoped Gilbert could meet the Hero as soon as possible.

A-at least I met D’Élysée…

Though he might never see him again. Where had D’Élysée gone off to?

Egru sniffled but continued diligently cutting. Thinking of D’Élysée made him miss him anew.

“Why are you crying? Do you like me that much?”

“Huh?”

Perplexed by the casual question, Egru quickly responded.

“Yes! I like Gilbert tremendously!”

“Nonsense.”

Despite his dry tone, his black tail swayed gently.

Egru carefully avoided touching the moving tail. Even accidental contact would provoke an angry outburst.

“When will you finish cutting?”

“It’s almost done now.”

Snip, snip. Egru devoted his full attention to the final touches. As the hair that had hung like a curtain was neatly trimmed away, handsome features were finally revealed.

“Let me brush the hair off you, Gilbert.”

“Are you finished?”

“Yes.”

Beneath eyelashes gleaming in the midday sunlight, a pair of red eyes gazed down at Egru without the slightest movement.

Gilbert’s bone structure was clean and solid. His smooth, high forehead and bridge of nose were perfectly straight, and below his slightly rough lips was a clean jawline.

Beneath his thick neck was a robust physique. His tanned skin, with muscles protruding here and there, gleamed smoothly.

“Wow, you’re incredibly handsome.”

Egru said, while neatly folding the leaves to gather the clumps of hair.

“If you go out looking like this, you’ll be very popular.”

“What are you saying? Hearing such words from a simpleton doesn’t make me happy at all.”

Contrary to his words, his black tail was vigorously swishing from side to side. He seemed quite pleased with Egru’s honest admiration.

“I want to see for myself.”

“Where to?”

“The stream.”

Gilbert apparently wanted to see his changed appearance reflected in the water. Egru smiled brightly at his childlike behavior as he stood up immediately.

“Have a good trip. I’ll come out to bring you back when it’s time to return.”

There was something new Egru had learned from Gilbert.

Apparently, due to his special constitution, he could freely pass through the barrier.

Not only that, but anyone in physical contact with him could also freely pass through the barrier.

That’s why Egru was occasionally used as Gilbert’s pass.

“What are you talking about? You’re coming too.”

“What? Oh…!”

Before he could respond, Egru’s body was suddenly lifted. Gilbert had grabbed him firmly by the nape of his neck.

“Expect trouble if you cut it strangely.”

Gilbert muttered in an excited voice. Unable to tell if it was a joke or serious, Egru gulped nervously. He remained tense until they reached the stream.

“H-how is it?”

Amid the gurgling sound of the flowing brook, Egru asked with trembling hands. Fortunately, Gilbert seemed quite satisfied after checking his reflection in the water.

<system>

• [Gilbert Quel]’s affection +1

After looking at his face from various angles, Gilbert suddenly lifted Egru up and then set him down. It seemed like he was trying to gauge his weight.

Soon after, Gilbert lit a campfire with a fire magic stone and waded deep into the water. The sound of splashing echoed several times over the surface.

“Are you r-really just giving this to me?”

Gilbert had grilled some freshly caught river fish and bestowed it upon Egru. The golden-brown flesh looked extremely appetizing.

“Thank you, Gilbert!”

For Egru, who had been subsisting day by day on the honey Gilbert had left behind, this was truly an extraordinary gift.

Honey was the second most delicious thing after cheese, but even so, it was difficult to substitute for a proper meal.

Gilbert would stare intently into the water, then simply dip his hand in and pull out a flapping trout.

Egru had tried to imitate his hunting method each time but to no avail. He only ended up with a nose full of water and a stomach that remained empty.

To make matters worse, there were no edible fruits near the World Tree. Hunting wild boar or deer was a field completely inaccessible to a novice without tools.

Egru tried his best to hide the fact that he was starving from Gilbert. He feared that if he showed his incompetence, Gilbert wouldn’t take him along on the adventure.

“Eat quickly.”

“Y-yes!”

At Gilbert’s words, Egru bit into the well-cooked grilled fish. The crisp, thinly flaking skin was followed by a rich flavor. He cautiously tasted the fragrant flesh.

Warm, moist, and chewy. The subtly sweet fish meat melted away quickly in his mouth.

Egru held back tears as he thoroughly chewed the flesh before swallowing. By the time he had cleanly eaten half the fish, leaving only the bones visible—

Huh?

Amber eyes suddenly examined Gilbert’s complexion.

“Your face is red, Gilbert. I think you might have a fever.”

“…It’s nothing. It gets better after doing it a few times.”

“After doing what? You seem to have caught a cold. Is there anything I can do to help?”

Gilbert didn’t answer further. He only tried to calm his increasingly rough breathing.