**Tatiana's perspective**
We reunited with Mr. Kobold in an open field situated in the heart of the forest, by the side of a glistening river. A sense of familiarity washed over me as we exchanged greetings. Mr. Kobold told us about their recent endeavors, which included aiding humans in constructing roads within the forest to facilitate the travels of merchants.
I saw the fresh cobblestone pathways, surrounded by cut-down trees, indicating their commendable efforts. The newly created roads made our carriage journey smoother, and I was filled with gratitude.
"That's wonderful! So, the kobolds have been helping to repair the roads?" I was genuinely surprised and impressed by this development and couldn't help but clap my hands in delight.
Mr. Kobold responded with a proud nod. "Yes, we reconsidered our ways after the recent incident," he said, indicating the changes they had undergone.
"That's fantastic! I'm sure the people will appreciate the forest now more than ever," I responded enthusiastically, acknowledging their progress. However, Mr. Kobold then confessed that despite their good intentions, they were sometimes misunderstood by humans. This news saddened me, but he quickly added that mentioning my name had helped to earn their trust.
"Oh, so that's why this forest has been named after her recently?" Lily interjected, a light of understanding dawning in her eyes.
Wait, what did she mean by 'named after'? Confusion washed over me, and it must have been evident on my face.
"Didn't you realize this is not the Everwood Forest anymore, but now it's the Forest of Tremaine?" Blanc clarified nonchalantly from her icy perch.
Feeling betrayed, I turned to Lily, "You already knew about this? Why didn't you tell us?"
"…I'm sorry, I've also known it." Sakuya admitted, raising her hand.
"Sakuya too? So it's just me who didn't know?" I slumped, feeling a twinge of embarrassment that my family name had been used without my knowledge.
"Sorry if we use mistress name for it, but it protected us from humans," Mr. Kobold explained, trying to console me.
Lily explained that after hearing news about the forest, Mayor Robert had sent some people to look into the matter. Upon meeting the Kobolds, they found out that they were acting under my orders. The town, grateful for the deeds we had done and how the monsters were under my influence, decided to name the forest after me.
Sighing deeply, I realized how influential a name could be. "…I see, but if it's helping others, I guess I don't mind," I finally conceded, a bit relieved that it turned out to be a beneficial decision.
"Sorry if we use mistress name for it, but it protected us from humans," Mr. Kobold explained, trying to console me. Their earnestness warmed my heart, instilling in me a newfound determination for the journey that lay ahead.
I noticed Blanc looking at us with an intense gaze.
"Sorry to bother you, Chief!" A man called out to Mr. Kobold, realizing that the man coming towards him had some urgent matter to discuss.
"What's the matter?" Mr. Kobold asked, turning his attention to the man.
As they engaged in their conversation, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction seeing the development in the forest. It reassured me that our efforts were not in vain.
Once the discussion was over, the man bid farewell, and Mr. Kobold approached me with an eager request. "I was wondering if Lady Tatiana has time to look around the forest," he asked, hoping to show me more of their world.
I wanted to explore the forest, but I also knew that Blanc didn't seem keen on staying here for too long. Still, I decided to ask her.
"Do we…?" I looked at Blanc, hoping for a positive response.
She sighed, a resigned look on her face. "Lily, we'll camp here tonight. Please begin preparations as it is nearing nightfall."
Her agreement relieved me, as I feared she might object to the idea.
"So, I think we have time for it," I told Mr. Kobold with a smile.
"Ah, you should bring one of us alongside for the trip to watch over you," Blanc interjected, concerned about our safety.
I considered her suggestion. It was indeed a good idea to have someone accompany me. But who should I bring? I pondered the question and decided to ask Lily for her opinion.
Lily was already efficiently setting up the camp, working alone with ease. I wanted to help, but I knew I lacked experience and would likely be a burden.
"I was thinking Lily would go with me, but I don't want to bother you with the camp preparations," I explained to her.
Lily smiled warmly, assuring me, "That's thoughtful of you, but it won't be a problem at all. I can handle the camp preparations, and everything will be ready by the time you're back."
Her confidence put me at ease, but I wondered if Sakuya and Blanc would be okay with it.
As I approached Blanc, she stared at me with her arms crossed, waiting for my decision.
"So, have you decided who you're going to go with?" she asked, her expression unreadable.
I hesitated for a moment, considering my options. A thought crossed my mind—why not choose Blanc? After all, I hadn't spent much time with her, and this could be an opportunity to bond. But then, I worried about the consequences if I made a mistake. She had a way of teasing that I didn't want to endure.
"No, not yet," I replied, shaking my head.
Blanc let out a mocking laugh, calling me a weird girl. Her comment stung a bit, but I decided not to let it bother me. After all, she was younger than me, and her teasing was likely in good fun, even if it felt a bit harsh.
Caught in the midst of my indecision, I spotted Sakuya near the edge of our makeshift camp, her gaze lost in the serene flow of the river. Perhaps she was the better choice; after all, she had a better understanding of the forest.
"Sakuya, would you be willing to accompany me?" I asked, hoping she would agree.
She nodded, her response concise and to the point. "Let's go."
Blanc reminded us to return before nightfall, and with that assurance, we set off. As we left, I waved to Lily, who was diligently preparing the camp, and to Blanc, who was engrossed in examining the local flora through her glasses.
As we followed Mr. Kobold's lead, I inquired about our destination. "Where are we going?"
"We're going to show you around our lair," Mr. Kobold replied, leading the way.
I was relieved to find that the road to the lair had already been made, making our journey much smoother than before. Despite wearing my dress, it remained intact, and I was grateful for that.
Upon reaching the lair, I was surprised to see small houses made of wood and intertwined with ivy. "That's... impressive. You've made your own housing," I remarked, noting the farms nearby.
"Yes, we started farming for food as well," Mr. Kobold explained, pointing towards the neatly cultivated fields illuminated by the gentle sunlight. The river served as a natural water source, ensuring the crops were well-nourished.
Sakuya noticed the animals being cared for and asked, "Are you also taking care of animals?"
"Yes, that's where we get our meats from," Mr. Kobold responded, clearly proud of their efforts.
Sakuya smiled, seemingly understanding something. "I see, you're managing everything quite well."
Mr. Kobold's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "We're even considering trading with the town's folk to become passing merchants," he revealed, hinting at the potential for economic growth in the forest.
"That would be fantastic. More people would come through this forest," I said, contemplating the kind of products this transformed forest could offer.
As we continued our tour, we arrived at the sanctuary. On our way, a question arose in my mind. "By the way, Mr. Kobold, where is the Elder?"
Mr. Kobold's expression turned somber. "You see, mistress... The Elder has gone on a pilgrimage."
"Pilgrimage?" I was taken aback by this unexpected revelation.
"After the incident, he sought peace of mind and entrusted me with his title," Mr. Kobold explained. It seemed the Elder had decided to step down and pass his responsibilities to Mr. Kobold.
I couldn't help but wonder if Sakuya's confrontation with the Elder had played a role in his decision. The thought of someone experiencing such a fierce beating made me sympathetic and concerned about the consequences of our actions.
As we arrived at the sanctuary, I was taken aback by the stunning transformation that had taken place. Gone were the traces of bloodshed and desolation; instead, the once somber sanctuary now bloomed with vibrant flowers and teemed with life. The sight left me at a loss for words, and Sakuya noticed my bewilderment.
"Is something the matter, Tatiana?" Sakuya inquired, concern etched on her face.
I managed to find my voice, though still captivated by the beauty before me. "This is the Sanctuary? It's so incredibly beautiful," I expressed, my heart filled with awe.
Mr. Kobold stepped forward to explain the remarkable change. "After some time, we cleared up this place, and it gradually bloomed with flowers and life," he revealed with pride.
Overwhelmed by the magnificence of the sanctuary, I asked Sakuya for a moment alone. She nodded, understanding the impact of the scene on me.
I walked towards one of the flower beds and took a moment to express my gratitude to the guardian. Through my thoughts, I conveyed my thanks for the revival of the forest and my wishes for her to rest peacefully.
As I turned back to Mr. Kobold, I inquired about the period when there was no guardian present, curious about how they managed the forest without one.
"Please, let us show you something," Mr. Kobold finally said, leading us to Lamia's Lake. As we approached, Lamia's voice greeted us warmly.
"Welcome, Tatiana, and also Sakuya," Lamia's melodic voice echoed from the shimmering waters.
Sakuya's eyes lit up with realization, and she smiled knowingly. "So, I was right. You are the new guardian," she said, her voice filled with amusement.
"Lamia is the guardian?" Sakuya remarked, surprised by the revelation.
The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, and I couldn't help but marvel at the interconnectedness of it all. The Lamia, now the guardian, had played a vital role in rejuvenating the sanctuary and breathing life back into the forest. It was a testament to the harmony that had been forged between humans and the magical beings of the forest.
-Chapter 26 End-