“A letter has arrived.”
[Really!!]
Ekua smiled at the enormous snake that came slithering rapidly toward him.
“The Hero has written to us.”
He slowly undid the rolled-up letter. First he untied the cord, then removed the blue paper serving as wrapping, revealing a bundle of sheets folded twice.
“The writing is somewhat small for you to read comfortably, Mountain Lord. May I read it aloud for you instead?”
[Of course. Hurry and read it.]
The Mountain Lord lifted Ekua with its tail and placed him atop its coiled body. Ekua smiled at the texture beneath him, somewhere between soft and firm.
“‘To the Mountain Lord. The approaching spring reminded me of your greenery, so I picked up my pen for the first time in a while…….’”
Although the clear voice carried only a simple, even cadence, it sounded almost like singing. At the sound of Ekua’s lovely voice, the Mountain Lord lowered its head. Its head came to rest right beside where Ekua sat.
“‘…At times, longing leaves one corner of my heart aching. I wonder if you feel the same?’”
[Hiiing.]
The letter consisted mostly of gratitude for restoring the ruined land, news of the others, longing for the Demon Knight, and a little reminiscing.
But when it reached that last part, the Mountain Lord seemed to be overcome with longing too, for it let out a whimper.
“‘Even so, I am…