Back in the World I Cherish

Dear Master,

You've been pretty busy lately, haven't you? Yeah, I'm sure you were...

I didn't go running around looking for you because I worried I'd do something stupid and get in the way.

I'll admit, at first I was just happy to be free of your nagging...

But by the second day of your disappearance, things started to feel weird.

Day three, then day four... it got kinda boring here without you...

Really boring.

Yeah, I was super bored.

Without you, even Ner seemed to... I dunno... scold me less?

It was like my kingdom—no, all of Elias—was wilting like a flower.

Even the part-timer at the theater was all anxious...

The leaders from the other villages kept asking where you had gone, too...

But I didn't know what to say, so I just pretended to eat some baked goods.

I'm telling you! I just held them in my mouth and mumbled, like I couldn't answer!

Well... I did finish them all once I was alone, though.

Anyway!

Then one day, a thought hit me.

What if you came back... and I wasn't around to see you?

Maybe I could really work at figuring out a way to stop you

from running away again or disappearing somewhere...

Stuff like that kept swirling around in my head.

So here I am now, writing you this really heartfelt letter!

How is it? I'm pretty good at this, aren't I?

I absolutely, definitely, certainly did NOT get help from Belita, so don't even think that, okay?!

And no, I didn't eat any of that brain-boosting chow, either! You're still suspicious, aren't you? I can tell!

But I mean it! I wrote every single letter, one by one, all by myself!

So...

Tell me I did a good job, okay?!

Promise that you'll praise me when you see me later, okay?!

I put a lot into this because I really, really wanted to see you again!

Urgh... What's that sound? Has someone come looking for Master again?

Huh?! Wh-What the...?!

Master?! When did you get here?

Do you know how worried I was, Master?!

I've been searching everywhere for you! I didn't know whether you'd been kidnapped or just disappeared...

Geez, don't just disappear then. At least let me know before you go!

Everyone freaked out because you were gone all of a sudden!

Me too, of course...!

Any injuries? Have you been eating properly?

Was it because the sprites just kept feeding you baked goods? Is that why you left? I'll try to get you some actual food, Master!

Really? You're really okay? What a relief.

Wh-Whaaaaat?! Really?!

Who was it?! Tell me! I knew it! It was that sneaky little rascal, wasn't it?!

No, wait, that troublemaker came here looking for you a number of times, too...

What? You've taken care of them?

You didn't bury them somewhere, did you?

Master... you're quite ruthless, aren't you?

Anyway, it's so good to see you again!

Do you still remember everything? Like running the Order and all that? You haven't forgotten, have you?

If you have, just tell me! I'll teach you everything all over again, step by step!

Oh, those?

Representatives from each race dropped by from time to time to leave them.

Go through them when you have some time. I think they may be gifts!

Don't even get me started! It's been so frustrating watching over these blockheads...!

Your Majesty, no matter how many times you open the door to the empty room, Master will not simply appear out of thin air!

I-I'm serious, Ner! I definitely heard something!

I'm sure it was Master's—

Huh...?! Huuuuuh?!

M-Master?

What the heck, Master?! Where have you been all this time?!

I knew you would come back.

I kept the place orderly and waited in patience.

My faith is deeper than you may think.

That Head Priestess... her voice is shaking...

You're back to doing your Master duties then...?

This is not just a little visit before you leave again, is it?!

I-I knew it!

Welcome back, Master! Waaaah!

Your Majesty! I told you not to cry when you see Master again! We even practiced!

I mean, what's a few tears...

If you cry, Your Majesty, I start tearing up too! *Sniff!*

Masteeeer! Waaaaah!

Ner, stop! *Sniff!* You can't cry too! Not after everything you just said!

I see. You are a busy person, so I expected as much, Master.

B-But you'll still visit, right?

Great! Take it easy for a bit! I will try extra hard to fill in whenever you're not here, Master!

........

D-Don't look at me like that! I get things done when I need to!

Wh-What...?

You're leaving again...?!

Um... did I do something wrong?

Is it because I... I'm kinda bad at stuff?

Not at all, Your Majesty! Master must have their reasons! R-Right?

Heeeeeey!!! Don't joke around about stuff like this!!!

It is truly good to see you back, Master!

Do you even realize how hard it was for me not to open all these gifts, souvenirs, or whatever Diana, Elena, and the others left in your room?!

Obviously! Anything edible has to be taken care of before it expires!

I mean, if you leave it and they get moldy, what then?!

That is why everyone made sure to let me know before leaving any food behind.

What?! I never saw any food!

And why do you think that was? Precisely because you act like this, Your Majesty!

Hmph! I don't just steal Master's stuff!

It's like nothing's changed... Everyone's so lively again now that you're back, Master.

So, are you ready, Master? Shall we continue on with your Elias adventure now?

Huh? What's wrong?

H-Huh?!

*Sniff!* Hnnng... *Sniff!*