Ossan Boukensha – 143

Sunset Clouds

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Trot. Trot. Trot.

I swayed on Mulze’s back as he walked down the road with a comfortable rhythm.
Nanaze village was already quite far behind. As I headed towards Suelbur, I thought back on the village.

Once I had decided to leave, I went around to all the houses and said my goodbyes.

“I thought you of all people would be able to break Mezerir’s iron guard.”
“You’re just making things up now.”

While drunk, Ozlo told me about the village. Apparently, there had been several young people who had fallen for Mezerir in the past, and had such hopes crushed. At this point, it was a common occurrence in the village.
Apparently, this time, it had become a very popular subject. And yet I had not noticed at all.

“Still, the sea, huh? I’m a little jealous.”
“Why don’t you become an Adventurer, Ozlo?”
“Not me. My father was a hunter here. I am not going to recklessly change course now.”

I had the impression that hunters were good fighters, but they were really specialists of finding their prey, searching their territories, and hunting them down. It was not a job about fighting monsters in strange lands. As a hunter who has his roots in Nanaze village, the idea of being an Adventurer had likely never entered Ozlo’s mind.

Though, since they had strict boundaries, a second or third son of a hunter might become an Adventurer instead.

“While I cannot go, you should go to the sea for me. Not just the sea. You can tell me about all the things you saw when you return. That will be the best gift.”

Ozlo said as he raised his cup. He looked quite drunk, but his words were serious.

“Very well. I promise to return. And we can drink together again.”
“I won’t forget that promise!”

Our glasses clinked together, and we drained our cups.

Damn it, now I have more reasons to return.

Under the blue sky, and down the road alongside the river. The water was clear, so that you could see the bottom. Up ahead, there was a place where you could drink water. Mulze was smart, so he would go in on his own. And so I looked up vaguely at the sky.

Yes, Mr. Kemuit’s place had also been difficult.

“Mr. Ajifu. You are leaving?”

Yutere’s anxious eyes looked like they were on the verge of tears. Kejide was older, and did not react as strongly, but was still making a fist and looking down.

“I’m sorry. Both of you. I want to see more of this world that I live in.”

Saying it was for my leg treatment would not work on children. So it was best to just say how I felt.

“No! No! You can’t go!”

Yutere started to cry. Well, I guess it didn’t matter what you said when it came to children. They would just have to get used to it. And so there was only one thing I could do now.

“Mr. Kemuit. Help me.”

Surrender. While Mr. Kemuit comforted them, he looked at me admonishingly.

“Mr. Ajifu. It is not just them who want you to stay here. I understand. Your farming skills will still grow. You have potential as a farmer.”

Huh!? I had not been doing that much work at all. And yet he had rated me highly.

I had no farming experience back on earth. But if I did want to focus on that, there were certainly a lot of ways where I could improve. However, I had no intention of starting an agricultural revolution here. Besides, it was not a good fit for Reverse Age.

“I’m sorry. I do enjoy watching plants grow. But I think I’m more suited to being an Adventurer.”
“An Adventurer is dangerous and unstable work. Most people do it when they have little choice…”

Mr. Kemuit glanced at me, but I closed my eyes and shook my head. Yes, it was a severe occupation. You would be exposed to danger when you left the town, and treated like a scoundrel when you returned. Without trust, insurance or a place to stay.

However, I had still seen them. The royal capital, the desert, other towns and valleys.

Sometimes I risked my life to help others, and fought as a warrior in dangerous lands.
Facing powerful monsters one day, and drinking like a fool the next.

“Being an Adventurer is not all that bad.”

I said with a laugh.
Mr. Kemuit looked a little surprised and disappointed as he sighed.

“Well…it is no use then. I suppose you really are more suited for being an Adventurer than I thought.”
“I’m sorry…”
“There is nothing for you to apologize about. Just as I sow my seeds, you wish to be an Adventurer. Nothing can change that.”
“No! We don’t want you to leave, Mr. Ajifu!”
“Yutere, remember. No matter how important our crops are, we have to harvest them in the end. Mr. Ajifu is going so that he can grow. It is necessary.”
“So Mr. Ajifu will be bigger when he returns?”
“Aye, I will grow enough so that you two can be proud of me. And so I need you two to wait here.”
“Yes, alright.”

They finally stopped crying. Oh, dear. Now I not only needed to return safely, but I also had to accomplish something as well.

As I watched Mulze drinking water, I took a bite of the Non fruit that Mr. Kemuit had given me.
It was sweet. It was significantly sweeter and juicier than the ones I had grown myself. He really was skilled.

“Now, let’s reach Suelbur before sundown.”

Mulze raised his head and then walked towards me.

I climbed onto the saddle, and the charm around my neck swayed. It was carved from wood. Mezerir had given it to me yesterday. Apparently, in Amernisus, they gave it to each other to wish others a safe journey.

“Did you make it?”
“Of course not. I had it made in the workshop. There is even a spell cast on it.”

I see. So it was well-made then.

“Hey, Mezerir. Can I ask you a question?”
“What?”

I was drinking the heshimute tea, as I would not be able to have it for some time.

“Did you know about the rumors in the village?”
“Rumors? What rumors?”
“…No, it’s fine if you didn’t know.”

However, my reactions seemed to remind her of something, and she slapped her hands together.

“The rumors about you and me. That was such a long time ago.”
“So you did know.”
“Well, you are probably the only person who didn’t notice it, Ajifu.”

She shrugged her shoulders with exasperation. So it was that obvious? Even though someone didn’t notice for three years.

“And what did you think?”
“Think?”
“Um… Did it bother you?”
“I’m used to humans and their rumors. It doesn’t bother me now. So, how do you feel about it, Ajifu?”

That was iron wall Mezerir for you. Such rumors were just a breeze.

“Me? Well…it did make me imagine a different future.”
“Imagine. Alright, what happened to us in that future?”
“We stayed the same.”

Mezerir burst into laughter.

“Ahaha. That is like you. So staying like this makes the most sense for us. Yes, not bad.”
“Well, that’s how it is.”

Being able to be natural around each other was comforting. There was no need to let outside influences ruin that. Still, a somewhat bitter memory from when I was young on Earth came to my mind.

“Ouch! What are you doing?”
“I don’t know. I somehow felt that you should be kicked.”

Mezerir was wearing wooden shoes, so it hurt more.

“Now, give me your arm.”

Was she going to attack my arm next? I could not help but be cautious.

“My arm? Why?”
“Just do it. The one with the Nananakihi mark.”

And so thrust out my arm and rolled up my sleeve. Mezerri traced her finger over the mark.

“Nu-ki-te-rum, se-se, rotsu-yu-chi-gu, tes-ral, meru-hodd, tera…”

She closed her eyes and spoke in Amerata. When she was finished, the mark flashed brightly and then faded. Translated, she said ‘O spirit of the great tree, please guard this one and keep him safe.’

“What was that?”
“That mark is connected to the great Nananakihi. And so I prayed for your safety.”
“It flashed, so I suppose you were heard?”
“I think so. Though, I don’t know if anything can be done when you are so far away… Just a thought.”
“I see. Thank you.”
“You can thank me by returning here safely.”

I thought of Mezerir’s face as she said that yesterday. Nananahiki would probably say, ‘I’m not a god, so I can’t do that.’

When I touched my hand while holding the reins, I thought the mark felt a little warm.
As if her wish for my safety still remained there.

The three years I spent there. The conversations. The faces of the people as I left. Some eagerly awaited my return. Others had high hopes for what I would do. Some prayed for me.

“I received a lot while I was there.”
“Buur?”

Mulze glanced at me. As if to tell me to stop looking back already.

“I see… Yes, let’s go then!”

I signaled with my feet for Mulze to quicken the pace. At this rate, we would arrive in Suelbur soon.

I raised my head and saw smoke rising in the distance. Behind it, clouds floated high in the air. The lightly colored clouds of evening.

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