chapter 25
Episode 3. Misunderstanding that gets worse (1)
“Is this real?”
Looking at the hologram floating in front of you, it looks like it’s genuine, but it’s hard to believe.
“Even if you give it with a pure heart, you still doubt it.”
“However, I know that the Spirit King’s sword is a weapon made by condensing mana over a long period of time. Aren’t you giving away such a weapon too easily?”
I can’t help but be suspicious of the weapons they’ve been making for over a hundred years and handing them over without paying anything in return.
“You know that too? What on earth do you not know?”
“I know most things. So, what is your true intention for giving this?”
“…… Are you going to kill the demon king? Take those kids I’m just trying to contribute to it. If what you wanted was a contract with me rather than a sword, you would have refused.”
Ariel said lightly. She stared at her for a while then put her sword in her scabbard.
I decided to accept that good is good.
“Rather than that, when are you going to let me talk to Phasma?”
“Wait. Not yet. After everything is sorted out, if it’s safe for you, I’ll do it for you.”
“But wouldn’t it be better for you to be possessed by Phasma?”
That was not wrong.
Even if it’s temporary, it can exert power comparable to that of a sword master.
However, the ghost skill consumes a lot of energy. In terms of game, it felt like HP was being cut directly, not MP.
This was largely due to the fact that my body was not built to withstand Phasma possession.
If you train, you can reduce the gap to some extent, but at least for several years, you might be wondering if you can focus on strength training.
So I was going to give it to Tina, but somehow it turned out to be bitter for me.
“Possession skill takes a lot more energy than you think. It is right not to use it unless the end of the day or when it is necessary.”
“Sheesh.”
“Besides, I have some business to deal with now.”
I said looking at the corpses of wolves lying on the floor.
Originally, I didn’t intend to deal with the wolves, but I set fire to them for no reason, so I didn’t have time to stop them.
“Dex.”
“Yes…. Prause.”
What does it mean to lie limp because there is no possibility of growth?
Then should I commit suicide as I am nothing but a villager’s helpless?
“How many days ago did Duke Aus commission adventurers to investigate Brich Forest?”
“I think it is about ten days now.”
“But are the adventurers still not coming out to investigate?”
“Oh, that’s it. It is said that the C-class adventurers of the advance party misjudged and were beaten by wolves.”
“Really?”
I don’t think it was at the level that C-class adventurers would be beaten.
Are the three awakened warriors unusually strong?
“Still, I thought they said they would come out to investigate again today or tomorrow with a group of B-class adventurers.”
“I see.”
Yes…… ? Today and tommorrow?
It’s a bit difficult.
We are sent to investigate by making up B-class adventurers, and if they knew that we dealt with the monsters at will, they would surely not hold back and tell us to ask for an allowance.
Adventurers are people who would risk their lives for money, so if you don’t pay the corresponding price, a 100% fight will break out.
I felt like I had to go to Aus immediately to avoid unnecessary conflict.
“Thelma.”
“Why is that?”
I tilted my head at Thelma’s voice, which was much more atrophied than before we left.
“Where are you sick?”
“Will it hurt?”
‘Thank God. You’re old enough, but it’s troublesome when you’re sick.’
“Are you already old enough to be rude?”
“Who did that?!”
“Don’t be angry with useless things. Rather, can you move the horses now?”
“…… The kids are tired too. I need to rest. You’re a colt.”
“You only need to go as far as Ausu.”
“It takes several hours to get to Aus from here. No.”
It would be difficult if adventurers came looking for us if we stayed like this.
Would you like to borrow the power of the children?
Now they are no longer ordinary 10-year-olds.
Even if you go to the adventurer’s guild right away, your rank will be set from C to B. Maybe even more
‘It’s an important time, but it’s a pity… ….’
“Those are useless words.”
“Should I be as good as you!”
I lightly ignored Thelma’s screams.
I couldn’t help it, but even if a conflict occurred between the adventurers, it seemed that I had no choice but to pass it over as well as possible.
Still, there are strong people on this side, and there are quite a few tools to use as a means, so it should be fine.
* * *
“Come here, Iris.”
“Ah, yes, four!”
I tapped on the seat next to me, and Iris cautiously sat down next to her. Her tail creaks somewhere as if she’s nervous.
“Curl her hair properly. Otherwise it stinks.”
“My, you mean the smell—?!”
Iris’s ears perked up.
“I-I just washed up! It doesn’t smell!”
She is in denial and lifts her clothes to check her own body odor. I silently wiped her dry hair with a towel.
After confirming that some moisture had been removed, Maria was called.
“Maria, dry Iris’s hair with wind magic.”
“Yes, Master!”
Is that a concept? Please tell me that
“Teacher… …. Is Prause-sama a wizard?”
Asks Iris, who is drying her hair with Maria’s wind magic.
“That guy is just calling himself—”
“Ah! Prause! Why do you keep doing only Iris!”
Tina protests, cutting me off. She was on the verge of pouting that she wouldn’t do it for herself.
“You’ve been well-dried, so I won’t do it.”
“I’ll wash my hair now!”
“It’s not good to wash your hair that much.”
Ignoring my words, I grabbed Tina by the collar as she tried to get out of the wagon. She forcefully dragged her and sat her down in front of me.
“You’re bothering me. Really.”
I rummaged through my bag and pulled out a comb. How did I end up taking care of my kids’ hair?
“Your hair is very damaged. It is better to cut off the upper part.”
I combed my hair as carefully as I could to keep it from getting tangled. Everyone who saw it looked at me as if they were surprised.
“Prause, I thought you would never do something like this… …. It’s quite a twist.”
“When I saw the way he spoke, I thought he had a bad personality. If you are your own person, do you take care of it?”
“Huh. The malbon bird is a b*tch. At least something like that would be good for the child’s mind.”
[My friend, your actions are quite delicate compared to your tone of voice.]
I know it’s self-employed, but if you show a good image, can’t you just say nice things?
I am so sad that I have tears in my eyes.
“I, Ph, Mr. Prause.”
“… What?”
He lingers and crosses his fingers. It wags its tail shyly.
“If Tina is over, you can do it for me too—”
“Okay.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Wait a moment.”
I said, watching Tina’s hair grow straight. Tina smiled happily as if she was in a good mood and swung her foot forward.
“It feels like my mother does it.”
“!”
Mom.
Tina may have said it without thinking, but she said that talking about her parents and family was taboo for Iris and Maria.
The expression of the two people who glanced at each other was hardened.
Belatedly aware of my gaze, she barely raised the corner of her mouth, but she couldn’t erase the deep sadness that had settled in her eyes.
For those who lost their family in the massacre, the family story was enough to stimulate extreme trauma.
“Tina.”
“Yes?”
“Do you want to see your parents?”
“…… I miss you.”
Despite being abandoned and becoming a hero, finding her parents was inevitable.
It’s not because I’m young, it’s like that for all people.
Just as it is not for nothing that they say that blood is thicker than water, the bond between family members was not something that could be easily broken.
“But now that Prause is by my side, it’s okay. He wears nice clothes and eats a lot of delicious food. Because I can sleep without being lonely.”
hehehehe.
The atmosphere that had been frozen at the sound of pure laughter that only a child could create was somewhat relieved.
Iris and Maria also put on a slightly relieved expression.
“Okay then.”
Answered as she finished tidying up her hair.
As I stopped brushing her and looked at Tina, she rose from her seat.
“Wow, Prause is really good, right? My hair seems to have improved somehow!”
“It didn’t get any better.”
“At that time, I’ll just tell you that I’m getting better. Anyway.”
“But…… It will get better in the future.”
“Hee hee!”
“Iris, come here.”
Tina tapped on her seat and said, Iris sat down cautiously.
Her incredibly full hair doesn’t even look easy to comb. Run her fingers through her hair and run it slowly through the comb.
When I touched her, Iris let out a pleasant snort.
“This is the first time I receive something like this. Lol.”
“Is that so?”
My voice was muffled. But Iris didn’t seem to mind, her tail wagging hers.
“…… Prause.”
“Tell me.”
“Thank you. For picking me up.”
“…… I only brought you here to use you.”
“If you had left me alone, I would have died on the spot.
Iris’ tone was very hard, but there was enough emotion in her voice that anyone who heard it could tell she was serious.
After tidying up her bouffant hair, I looked down at her wagging tail.
“… Should I have a tail too?”
“Oh, no. This one is a bit sensitive…….”
Iris gets up from her seat, startled, and hides her tail. She immediately understood her reaction.
In the game, it was said that the tail of a beastman is not an erogenous zone, but a sensory sensitive part.
“Will Maria do it too?”
“I am done. I will sleep first.”
“Yes.”
Clearly drawing her line, she went inside her carriage and laid her back in her sleeping bag.
She was just using me to make herself stronger and not to lose anything precious to her demons or humans any more.
I’m sure I’ll leave this place before anyone else if I don’t think it’s helpful.
I don’t mean to say anything like that, but at least while we were together, there was a wish that we would be close.
If you become friendly with her while you’re with her, it might protect humans.
“Then prepare well. I will be the first to stand up for vigils.”
“Prause-sama, you stood first yesterday too, can’t I stand first today?”
“I don’t like it.”
“Huh… ….”
She ignored his opinion and she stepped out of the carriage.
* * *
“Prause! Mr. Prause! Came!”
“…… Noisy in the morning. If it was night shift, you would stand—”
I got up at Dex’s fuss. When we set up the tent and left, strange people stood in front of us.
All of them wore swords at their waists and wore lightweight armor to protect their bodies.
“Is it you? The ones who defeated the wolf monster?”
At a glance, the form feels like ‘I’m on an adventure.’
Listening to his arrogant tone, I didn’t feel like having a conversation at all.
You mean this is how other people feel when they talk to me?
Mirror treatment works well.
“Answer me, you bastards!”
A man with a greatsword shouted. But no one flinched.
I wouldn’t have acted like that if I knew what kind of people these people are.
Now, anyway, a problem has arisen, so what should I do now?
I want to move on as gently as possible.