Chapter 131 – The Ring

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“Hmm, in other words, you met Lord Memrikia and received a skill.”

“Aye. It is not a skill for fighting. I do not have any special power. I’m just an ordinary human man.”

All thoughts of sightseeing were gone for the time being. And so we went to some place where we could talk. Which happened to be a room in an inn.

“But would the great Nananahiki really say all of that to an ordinary human man?”

“It is due to that skill. Mezerir. How old do I look?”

“Uh… About twenty-eight, perhaps?”

I was 25 in my status. Maybe I had an old face. It was a little shocking to hear.

“I am actually…fifty-seven.”

If I was being precise, I wasn’t confident that this was true. But it had been around eleven years since I came to this world.

“Fifty-seven!? You are old…you are practically a grandfather!”

The average life expectancy was not very high in this world. And so at fifty-seven you would be considered quite elderly already. That was fine.

“Mezerir. Do you know of boomerangs?”

“What is that? I never heard of them.”

I didn’t know if they existed in this world, but they were not tools that you would use in the forest. So it was no surprise that an elf would not know.

“I’ll make one for you later. They are very interesting.”

“What does that have to do with what we are talking about!”

True. I had a bad feeling about it. I would have to talk about this seriously, and without joking.

“We-well… It means I am not the age that I appear to be. To put it simply, I am able to live long while staying young. Even longer than elves.”

Maybe that was too simple. But it seemed like saying too much would be a bad thing…for the both of us.

“Longer than elves!? That is…something.”

Hmm? I expected a bigger reaction.

“Yes. Now you understand why I don’t want other people to know?”

“Well, humans do crave the ability to live longer. I suppose to them you would be like a high elf.”

Indeed. While elves lived long, there were also high elves and spirits that lived even longer. And so it wasn’t a big deal for her.

“If my existence was accepted like high elves, then it would all be fine. But it’s more complicated when you’re alone. I especially want to stay away from those with authority.”

“Hmm. As an elf, I am less interested in your lifespan, and more interested in the fact you met Lord Memrikia and received a special skill… Perhaps it is different for humans.”

Indeed, I was not special at all to elves. Huh? I was starting to feel quite normal?

“In any case, I don’t want the others to know. So please don’t talk about it with the villagers.”

“I know. Even if you didn’t mind, I would never go against the words of the great Nananahiki.”

While it had been my secret for years, I did feel a little better after telling someone. Of course, it was mostly because Mezerir was an elf. It would not have gone this way if she was a human.

“I finally have a friend who I can share the secret with. I hope we can continue to be friends.”

“Yes. Though, all I can do is be someone for you to talk to.”

“That can make all of the difference. Because of this skill, I have not been able to be truthful to anyone for so long. And so…I feel relieved. Thank you for listening.”

I said as I offered my hand. After thinking for a moment, Mezerir clasped and shook it.

“So, what are you going to do now, Mr. Ajifu?”

“My goal for a while will have to be…making money and saving up.”

I had some painful fees to pay after losing equipment and my prosthetic leg. And I wanted to save up for my leg treatment.
I would have to accept quests at the guild for some time.

“That’s quite…normal.”

“Like I said, I’m just an ordinary human man.”

I had no special talents or abilities. Quite boring, really. I just lived longer.

“That is not a bad thing. The normal, human, Ajifu.”

Mezerir said with a smile, and it seemed like she said it from the heart.

The next day, Mezerir took me to the headquarters of the Guardians. I asked to see Captain Rajen or vice-captain Finze, and was taken inside and told to wait on a sofa. Some time later, I heard heavy footsteps.

It did not sound like an elf at all, so it must be Captain Rajen. The door opened with a click and Mr. Rajen appeared as expected. Finze was behind him.

“Welcome, Ajifu…and Ms. Mezerir, I presume?”

Finze and Mezerir had arrived from Nanaze village together. And while the captain did not know her, he must have heard her name in the report. We stood up and greeted each other, and then everyone sat down at the table.

“I was able to meet with the great Nananakihi, and received a mark that will let me navigate through the lost forest. She also promised to help me whenever I need it, but I know that I cannot enter Amernisus without permission. And so I wished to ask you about that.”

I explained as I showed them the mark. Captain Rajen and Finze looked at it and then nodded at each other.

“Well, Ajifu. Yesterday, the high elves sent word about this. In fact, we were thinking about paying you a visit at the inn today.”

Oh, news sure traveled fast here. Well, Nananakihi had probably told the high elves. Regardless, it was a good thing.

“I’m glad that I was able to spare you the trouble then. So…will I be able to enter Amernisus in the future?”

“Aye. After all, the great Nananahiki is the protector of Amernisus. We have no reason to deny you. Besides, the council has already given their approval. Finze.”

“Yes.”

Mr. Finze place a small box on top of the table. He turned it towards me and opened it. Inside, there was a ring with a white stone.

“This ring will prove that the Amernisus Council accepts you as an ally. If you show this, the guardians will let you through the gate. However…”

“However?”

“We will have it register your magic energy, so it recognizes the wearer. If someone else puts it on, the stone will turn red. While I trust you would not misuse it, there is always the possibility of theft. Think of it as a security measure.”

Oh, a ring with personal authentication. How convenient!

“Will you be able to tell if an identical ring was made?”

“It will be easier to just show you, rather than explain it. Mr. Ajifu, try putting the ring on.”

And so I picked up the ring and tried putting it on. But no matter which finger I put it on, it was loose.

“The size can be adjusted with magic. Choose any finger you like.”

A size adjustment feature as well!?

“Why is your mouth hanging open?”

Mezerir chided.

“But…if this changes its size. Where does the extra material come from?”

“Oh, it is just like magic armor. If it becomes larger, then it is thinner. If it becomes smaller, then it will thicken. You’re an Adventurer and you didn’t know that?”

“I d-didn’t…”

So the weight wouldn’t change in the end. I had heard that some of the more expensive magic equipment could change in size, though there were limits. So that was the reason.

“If you are satisfied, could you place your hand down over this cloth and charge the ring with magic energy?”

The cloth on the table had an intricate, circular pattern on it. And so I did as he said, and the white stone began to glow.

“Ooh!”

The light was white at first, but then it started to change into a green color.
Eventually, it faded away, and by the time it was gone, the ring fit on my finger perfectly.

“That’s amazing.”

Not only was the once white stone a green color now, but depending on what angle you looked at it, the colors inside of the stone would glimmer and change in a complex way.

“As you can see, even if you made a similar ring, the stone will show the truth in an instant.”

Indeed, I doubted you could make an identical stone. However…

“It’s a little flashy for everyday wear…isn’t it?”

“Idiot. Just take it off then.”

Right. I pulled, and the ring slipped off easily. At the same time, it lost its sparkle. But instead of returning to white, it became a pale green stone.

“You can just put it on when necessary. However, it would help if you wore it while in Amernisus. During these past few days, people have been reporting sightings of a human.”

I didn’t know that my visit had caused some trouble. While a little embarrassing, it seemed like a good idea to keep the ring on while I was here.

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Ossan Boukensha no Jimichi na Isekai Tabi