Return to the Village I

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After the saber tiger, there were several other encounters. And yet this was supposed to be the route with the fewest number of monsters.

“Woah!”

I dodged the E-Rank bush python that lunged towards my feet, and slashed it in half. After that, we rested. The snake was about three meters long, and considered to be quite small. It was not poisonous, but tended to hide in the shadows, making them difficult to detect.

“Just a little farther to the goblin cave. I just hope there aren’t any more monsters up ahead.”

“Finze said they are keeping an eye on it, so there shouldn’t be that many monsters there.”

The closer we got, the weaker the monsters became. This place used to be the territory of the goblins. And while we had to stay on our guard, it was hard to imagine that there would be anything strong here that escaped the elf hunters.

This suspicion seemed to be right, as once we continued our journey, the number of encounters dropped dramatically. Even if we did see something, it would run away at the sight of us.

“There it is.”

I looked to where Mezerir was pointing. Indeed, the familiar mountain was up ahead. So we finally reached it. But just knowing that it was the cause of so much trouble made it hard to feel happy.

As they were already starting work on it, there should be someone at the cave. As I walked while pulling the reins, I saw that there was a wooden fence around the entrance.
When we approached, there was someone standing guard while holding a bow.
An elf who I had never seen before. But they then lowered the bow, perhaps due to recognizing Mezerir atop the horse.
And so I waved my hand and stepped forward.

“We’re Ajifu and Mezerir. Finze must have told you about us.”

“So you’re Ajifu. Yes, I’ve heard. Ah, sorry. The captain told me to be wary of humans, and not just monsters.”

Hmm, that made sense. I had heard that the village chief had decided to not make a report to the count who was the lord of the territory, but he would have had to tell the villagers, since they were doing the work. I didn’t know how much they knew, but it was best to be careful and assume that some news might have spread.

“The work today should be finished soon. The villagers will return before the sun goes down. Why don’t you return with them?”

“Hmm… No, I think that I’ll return first.”

“Really? Well, there shouldn’t be any monsters on that route. But be careful.”

“I understand. I will go on ahead then.”

I raised my hand towards the elf guard, and then headed towards the village. Here, the path through the forest was much more defined and easy to walk on. Previously, this had been an area where monsters appeared often, but the recent traffic had scared them away.

However, a path could also lead monsters directly towards the village. So it would have to be erased in the future.

“We’ve come this far. Is it really necessary for you to rush back?”

She did not sound like she was against it. It was merely curiosity that led Mezerir to ask the question as she got off of Mulze and walked next to me.

“It’s because I don’t know how far talk has spread. It would be best to speak with the chief before anyone else.”

“Right before I left, he said he would keep the dragons and crystals a secret. Right now, the story is that you were attacked by a rock lizard in the depths of the cave.”

The rock lizard. Yes, it had also been a tough enemy.

“I would not have minded if you told me that earlier.”

“Oh? But that was just before I left. Perhaps things are different now?”

“Hmm. I suppose.”

As I didn’t know how things were now, it didn’t change the fact that I needed to be careful about what I said.
And like that, we reached the village gates uneventfully. I recognized the guard. He must have been bored, as he was swinging around spears and training. There were hardly any visitors, and everyone knew each other, so it was likely a boring job for young people.

“Hey!”

I shouted and waved my hand. He saw me and started to run, but…
He stopped. It would be no good to run off and leave the gate unprotected. Mezerir and I turned to each other and laughed.

“Mr. Ajifu! You’re back safely!”

“But it wasn’t easy. Still, thanks to everyone, I was able to return.”

He rushed forward anyway and grabbed me by the hands. As an Adventurer, I left the village too often to be a part of the defense team, but I still talked to them a lot, and sometimes taught them how to use weapons.

And while I didn’t have skills for spears or bows, I knew the basics, and had seen how people trained in the royal capital. Because of this, the defense team around Nanaze village was more proficient than the neighboring villages. And I had a good relationship with them.

“Is the chief at his house?”

“Ah, he should be. Alright! We must celebrate your safe return today! I’ll go and tell the others… Gah!”

As he was about to run off, I grabbed him by the collar.

“If you run off now, we will have to stay here and watch the gate. In any case, there is no need to alert the others, as they will realize it when we walk through the village.”

“That…is true… Tsk. Oh, well.”

And so we left him at the gate and entered the village. Everyone who saw me, were happy to see me safe.

“Uncle Ajifu!”

When I arrived at the chief’s house, two small masses crashed into me.

“Kejide, Yutere. Were you being good?”

I patted them on the head, and they started crying.

“What’s gotten into them?”

I asked Mr. Kemuit, who came running after them. Judging by his clothes, he must have been working in his field.

“Hah…hah… Oh, they heard that you were injured. And they thought it was because of the goblins. I tried telling them that it wasn’t their fault, but it became scary…you know, when things started getting more serious. In any case, I’m relieved to see you again. Welcome back, Mr. Ajifu.”

Now that I thought about it, this whole thing had started after they snuck out of the village and got attacked by goblins. And then I went to investigate and failed to return. This was followed by strange elves visiting. They would have been very anxious.

“I’m sorry that I caused you to worry. But I’m back now.”

“Welcome…back…!”

Their eyes and noses were wet as they pressed into me. I was glad that my new armor was made of metal.

“Oh, Ajifu. You’re back. It seems you’ve had quite a journey.”

The chief said as he opened the front door.

“I’m sorry for all the trouble it caused you, chief. I heard you even sent out a search request.”

It was incredibly rare to send out a request to search for a lost Adventurer. Usually, no one would agree to it. That was the kind of job Adventuring was. However, the chief looked a little awkward and replied.

“Well, there are things we must discuss, including that matter. But now while standing out here. Please come inside. Kemuit, let us celebrate Ajifu’s return tonight. Will you go and tell the others?”

So they were going to celebrate. I suppose the others must have been quite worried as well.

“Ohh! What a great idea. We must prepare then! Now, Kejide and Yutere. Let’s leave Ajifu and the chief alone, as they must talk.”

“I’ll see you two later, alright?”

“You will? You won’t go away again?”

“Aye. I promise.”

They finally let go of me, and so I stood up and was about to enter the chief’s house. But then his wife came out with a cloth.

“What is it?”

“Your armor is dirty. Stay still so I can wipe it.”

“Ah, thank you.”

She wiped my armor and then I went inside and sat at the table. I had been in the house many times and knew my way around it. But while the chief sat on the other side like he always did, there was something different about him today.

“There is something I have to apologize to you about, Ajifu.”

He said with a serious expression.

Next Chapter

Ossan Boukensha no Jimichi na Isekai Tabi