Riel - Prince of Hyule - Sun End

Riel - Prince of Hyule - Sun End

Chapter 7 - Going After the Poachers

Along with Riel-san and his servants, we went into the forest. The forest tree leaves were shaking restlessly as if they were scared of something. 

Riel: MC-san... I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble. But, I just can't forgive them no matter what...

With an expression that was a mix of sadness and anger, Riel-san softly said that. 

MC: I understand well of how you feel about this forest too. 

Riel: Yes, thank you. You coming to like this forest and the spirits like this is what makes me happy... It's very deeply moving. Also, it makes me grateful to you from the bottom of my heart. If it weren't for your recommendation, I probably wouldn't have been allowed to enter the forest... 

MC: I'm glad to be of help to you. 

Riel-san looked at me with a small smile for just a moment. 

MC: Um... Could it be that what the poachers are hunting for is this forest itself? 

Riel: ...

When I asked that question, Riel-san shook his head silently...

Chapter 8 - The Voice of the Forest

MC: Um... Could it be that what the poachers are hunting for is the forest itself? 

Riel-san silently shook his head towards my question. 

Riel: I've thought about it many times, but I don't know what their true target is. The only thing they could be hunting for are the Pokkle because they're mysterious creatures themselves. This forest also has some plants that don't grow anywhere else... There are also some people that mistakenly believe that the bonfire of this forest is some kind of treasure. 

Riel-san's expression turned stern as he went through of what had happened in the past. 

Riel: This time, they shot the Pokkle for intimidation. 

MC: I see... 

(To think that they would lay a hand on such a nice place...) 

Thinking about the injured Pokkle and the plants being reaped so thoughtlessly made my heart hurt. 

Riel: It's a sad thing to talk about. Despite that... I've wanted many people to know about this forest. Even though I've given access to a section of the forest for that reason... This sort of thing is unforgivable. 

As Riel-san's face was filled with sadness, we proceeded further in more... 

Riel: He said we'll see them up ahead. 

MC: ...? 

Looking into the distance, Riel-san spoke. 

Riel: Jukab. 

When Riel-san called out that name... A large Pokkle showed his head from the among the forest trees. 

MC: Jukab...! 

Riel: Jukab is the leader of the Pokkle. He said it's because he heard our conversation. 

MC: I see. Please do, Jukab. 

After I greeted Jukab, the tip of his nose moved while sniffing me as a response. Then, suddenly, all kinds of animals gathered around Riel-san... 

(There are animals that are like squirrels and foxes too...) 

MC: Riel-san, are you able to talk to animals besides the Pokkle? 

Riel: Yes, I can pretty much hear the voice of this forest. 

MC: Eh...? 

I questioned him in return as I was unable to understand what he meant by "voice of the forest". Then, Riel-san happily looked around the inside of the forest as he spoke. 

Riel: For example, the tree that you're touching right now... It's happily saying, "this girl smells nice". 

MC: ...!

When I instantly removed my hand from the tree in surprise, Riel-san chuckled with a smile. 

MC: To think that you can even hear the voice of a tree... Amazing. 

Riel: I wonder about that. It's particularly normal to me. 

MC: But... If the poachers can hear the voice of the forest... Then, they wouldn't do something so cruel like this. That's why I think our power is really nice. 

When I spoke out my thoughts, Riel-san looked at me surprised. 

MC: Riel-san...? 

Riel: ...S-Sorry. It's just that you're so kind... that it's surprising. To think that you think of this forest so dearly... 

Riel-san broke into a smile happily. 

(He looks really happy.) 

Although, at that moment, Jukab got down as he trembled. 

Riel: ...What's wrong? 

Riel-san's expression instantly tensed up as he said that deeply. While I stiffened up from nervousness, Riel-san gently held my shoulder... 

Chapter 9 - A Shortcut to the Temple

Riel-san gripped my shoulder as he held it... 

Riel: ...Jukab? 

Responding to Riel-san, Jukab looked towards the depths of the forest. 

Riel: ...

Riel-san's expression suddenly changed completely. 

MC: Riel-san? 

Riel: ...Over here. 

Holding my hand, Riel-san quickly walked towards the path where Jukab looked at. 

After walking on the path that we were taking for the first time for a while, a wide-open cave appeared. 

Riel: This is a shortcut that'll take us to the temple. 

MC: ...? 

Riel: Jukab told me that just now. The poachers are after the bonfire of the forest. 

MC: The bonfire...!? 

-Flashback-

Riel: Also, in the forest, there's a bonfire that the spirits protect. It's said that if it goes out, the forest will disappear... That's why everyone protects it. 

-Flashback-

(No way...! If that bonfire gets extinguished) 

Riel: It's not that easy to extinguish, but... There'll be big trouble if something happens to it. 

MC: Let's hurry...!

We hurried back to the temple. 

......

Together with Riel-san, we've returned to the temple that the bonfire was kept in and... 

Poacher 1: Is this the temple where the treasure is at? 

Poacher 2: I never thought that it was possible, but... It does have an unusual atmosphere. 

Poacher 1: Hmm... We've failed to capture the spirits. I would like another kind of parting gift. 

(That's...) 

We found the poachers trying to sneak into the temple just on time. 

Riel: Wait!

When Riel-san shouted, the men flinched in surprise. Then... 

Poacher 1: You're...!

Poacher 2: Hey, let's get in the temple!

At that moment, the men shut themselves in the temple... 

Last Chapter - The Flames of the Bonfire

When we found the poachers in front of the temple, they shut themselves in it... When Riel-san ran up to the entrance, he tried to force the doors open. 

Riel: ...No good. They locked it...!

MC: Open up!

In front of the door that wouldn't open, I shouted as much as I could. Although, as we were unable to get the door open... We sunk down in the process. 

Riel: ...How troubling. I didn't think that we would find them here. Usually, the Pokkle would hide their tracks, but... Because Aprel got injured. 

MC: There must be some way... 

I thought with all I could, but I couldn't come up with a good plan. 

MC: ... 

I faced the door once again. 

MC: ...This forest is a treasure itself. 

Riel: MC-san...? 

Riel-san looked at me surprised. 

(I don't think they'll open the door like this... But.) 

I remembered... The beautiful sights, the forest trees and the Pokkle that I saw when I came to this kingdom. 

MC: Don't you guys understand? Everything about this forest is a treasure...!

The inside of my heart only heated up. The fact that they trampled on what Riel-san treasures so much was making me angry. Then... 

Poacher 1: ...Stop spewing such bullcrap!

Poacher 2: Give us the treasure! Otherwise, we'll destroy this temple!

We heard a gunshot from inside. 

MC: ...!

Riel: MC-san!

Riel-san instantly held me. 

Riel: Sorry... Thank you. 

After he stroked my hair to reassure me, Riel-san stood in front of the door next. 

Riel: I'm Riel, the prince of this kingdom. Open this door. I'll give my treasure to you. 

Poacher 1: The prince... You say...? 

Poacher 2: In that case, we'll open up!

Riel: I promise you. Until you guys leave this kingdom, I'll become your hostage. 

(Riel-san...!) 

Poacher 1: ...Really? 

Riel: I vow it. I'll give you the treasure. 

When Riel-san responded with an unwavering tone, the door in front of us silently opened. 

Poacher 1: Pull anything strange... We'll shoot you. 

Riel: Understood. 

As he held my shoulder to protect me, we proceeded into the temple. 

...... 

With the men's guns pointed at us, Riel-san held a small lamp until we arrived in front of the bonfire of the forest. 

Riel: This is this forest's sacred treasure... 

After saying that, Riel-san slowly distributed a part of the bonfire. 

Poacher 1: Huh? Are you kidding me! This is just fire!

Poacher 2: That's right, what are you trying to pull with such a childish trick!

The moment the poachers swatted his hand... 

MC: ...!

The small lamp that the bonfire lit up flew off and broke onto the ground as the light went off. 

Riel: ...

At that moment, I got the feeling that the air around Riel-san has suddenly changed... 

Riel: How dare you do that to the sacred bonfire... 

Just like the time when the Pokkle got injured... Riel-san's eyes were burning with anger. 

Riel: I won't hold back... 

The moment Riel-san said that, he disappeared from my side that instant and when I moved my gaze... 

Poacher 1: Uu...!

Just as the gun fell onto the floor, one of the poachers was held down onto the floor. 

(So fast...!) 

Riel-san, who had a peaceful air around him, showed such unimaginable fast strength. 

Poacher 2: Guh...!

When the two of them were taken down immediately, they were tied up with some rope. As I couldn't believe what just happened in front of me, I became dumbfounded... 

Riel: I'm sorry for scaring you.

MC: N-Not at all! I was just surprised by how strong you are. 

Riel: I'm glad that you're all right. 

As Riel-san said that, his anger disappeared, but... Ahead of his gaze was the lamp that broke earlier. 

(The treasured bonfire...) 

Just as I was about to slowly pick up the lamp... 

Riel: It's dangerous, so don't touch it.

MC: Ah... 

Riel-san's held back my hand that was about to pick up the broken pieces of the lamp. 

Riel: I don't want you to injure your fingers... Also, you being on your own knees doesn't suit you. 

After saying that, Riel-san got down on one knee on the floor. 

MC: Riel-san...!? 

Riel: ...I felt something. 

MC: Eh...? 

Riel-san's eyes looked down sadly. 

Riel: This incident, it made me realize what I've been neglecting to do as a prince this whole time. If I had conveyed this forest's value and how precious it is more properly, this sort of thing wouldn't have happened... This forest is a treasure itself... Yes, it's just as you said. I should've done that more properly myself. I've loved it so much... is why I couldn't get it through to people. 

MC: That's not true...!

When I shook my head greatly, Riel-san chuckled with a smile. 

Riel: Also, there's one more thing. Your words surprised me. 

-Flashback-

MC: But... If the poachers can hear the voice of the forest...

-Flashback-

Riel: I never thought of it that way. But, it's just as you said. If they could feel the pain of this forest too... 

MC: Riel-san...

Riel: If there were people like you in this world, then sad events like this wouldn't be happening. 

Riel-san looked at me seriously. 

Riel: I need to spread the words of this forest more. Let me show you my respect towards your beautiful heart and noble courage... 

MC: ... 

Riel-san softly placed his lips on the top of my hand. When he gave me that kiss in front of the bonfire... It felt like he was making a vow for his future... 

Main Story

Moon End