When I heard of Rikka’s age, I wondered if I should change the way I called her. It was indeed awkward to call someone older than me without honorifics (except for Cliff and Toya), so I decided to call her Rikka-san. I’m glad I didn’t call her Rikka-chan.
After buying some souvenirs, we had a little late lunch. Of course, we were the center of attention when we entered the cafeteria.
[Thank you very much, Rikka-san. I was able to buy something nice for my brother.] Ruimin
Ruimin looks happy, but I wonder if her brother Lucca would really be happy with a bear figurine as a souvenir. However, I don’t think a knight figurine would suit an elf boy. Though, what would make an elf child happy?
[I’m glad you’re happy with it. Where would you like to go next after we finish eating? I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.] Rikka
There are a few I’d like to visit and I haven’t been to all of them yet.
[I’ve heard about the gate of trials in this city, where is it? I’d like to take a look.] Yuna
[The gate of trials? Could it be, Yuna-chan? You’re going to participate?] Rikka
[No, I’m not going to participate.] Yuna
In the first place, there are no weaponsmiths that will ask a bear.
[An adventurer I know is going to be participating, so I was a little curious.] Yuna
I’m interested, not just a little. It looks like a fascinating event. I’d love to participate, but since I can’t, I’m going to be there to support Jade-san instead. I don’t mind going with Jade-san and the others on the day. But before that, I’d like to take a peek at the gate of trials site.
[Is that so? Gordo, Ghazal, and dad all praised Yuna-chan’s abilities, but it’s a waste. If dad could make a sword, he would ask Yuna-chan to use it.] Rikka
[Rojina-san isn’t making swords anymore, isn’t he?] Yuna
[U~n, I don’t know. He doesn’t seem to be motivated for a while now. But when he saw Gordo and Ghazal’s knives earlier, I saw dad’s serious face for the first time in a long time. Maybe he’ll start making one again.] Rikka
It would be nice if that happened. It was worth it for me and Fina to come. Without her, she wouldn’t have been able to show him Gordo-san’s knife. If I hadn’t come, I wouldn’t have been able to show him Ghazal-san’s knife.
It was nice to be able to show them the knives they had both made. Both Gordo-san and Ghazal-san might be sad if they find out that their master, Rojina-san, has not made a sword for some time now. That’s why I’m a little troubled about how to report it when I return to the royal capital and Crimonia. Will I tell them the truth or deceive them? But if he is going to make me a weapon, then I won’t have to tell a lie.
After having our lunch, we headed for the test gate event site.
[It’s going to be a long walk from here, so is everyone still okay?] Rikka
Rikka-san said that the test gate event site is on the outskirts of the city, so it’s quite far.
Well, it doesn’t matter how far away it is, I have my bear gear so I’ll be fine, but...
[I’d like to see it too, so I’ll go with you.] Fina
[I’ll come with you too.] Ruimin
Both of them replied energetically. It seems my worries are unnecessary.
And so, we arrived near the test gate site.
Rikka-san was right, it was in a remote location. Rather than saying it was somewhere around here, it might be more correct to say it was WAY beyond there.
[What’s this?] Yuna
In front of me were stairs leading all the way up to the mountain.
[Could it be, it’s up these stairs?] Fina
[It’s up there?] Ruimin
I look up. Just looking at it seems to hurt my thighs.
[How many steps are there?] Yuna
[I don’t know, I’ve never counted it.] Rikka
It’s more than a thousand steps.* As a recluse, I’ve never climbed or even seen such a long staircase before, so I can’t imagine the actual number of steps just by looking at it. But it’s definitely an incredibly long staircase.
Well, there are no stairs I can’t climb, no matter how many steps it has, I’ll be fine as long as I have my bear shoes. But that’s not the case with Fina and the others.
[Well, what about you two? Do you want to stay here and wait for us?] Rikka
[I’ve been running around in the forest for a long time, so I should be fine.] Ruimin
[I don’t know if I can climb, but I’ll do my best.] Fina
If no one is around, I’ll summon Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear. But that’s not the case this time. Looking up the stairs, I can see a few people climbing up and down.
[If you get tired, I’ll give you a piggyback ride.] Yuna
It’s easy enough to carry Fina up the stairs on my back since I’m using the bear cheat.
[I’ll do my best.] Fina
Fina looked up and slowly walked up the stairs. Ruimin lightly runs up the stairs, skipping a few steps. Rikka-san mumbled in a small voice, <Can I sill climb it?> and started climbing the stairs.
I followed the three of them up the mountain.
[U~u, Ruimin-san. You’re too fast.] Fina
Ruimin is waving her hand from way up ahead. As expected of an elf who grew up in the forest. For Ruimin, this kind of stairs is just like running up a mountain.
Fina tried to chase after Ruimin but lost her breath in the process.
Halfway up, I started to climb at my own pace. But now, I’m matching Fina’s pace.
[Tell me when you’re tired.] Yuna
[Yeah.] Fina