Hot Spring Tour: Oral Tradition
“Mr. Ajifu!! Hey! Mr. Ajifu has returned!!”
The villager on the watchtower shouted while banging on a wooden board. I raised my hand in greeting as I approached the gate of Nindor village. Before I reached it, the large gate opened wide.
“I’m glad you are alive!”
“And the ogres? What of them?”
“Were you injured?”
Villagers that were probably working in the fields, ran up to me. As my armor was in a terrible state, it was little wonder that they were worried.
Once I was through the gate, I opened the bag and took out the ogre horn.
“I defeated them. Just like I said I would.”
Their voices rose in awe. The good news they had been waiting for. Some of the villagers ran ahead, while the others urged me to go inside.
Once I arrived at the settlement area, there was quite a crowd gathered. And I was soon surrounded so that I could not move.
“Well done!”
“I knew you would do it, Mr. Ajifu!”
“There was no way that you would lose to the ogres.”
Urzon and Metto exaggerated as always. Some wanted to shake my hand, while others patted me on the back. It was chaotic. But everyone was smiling.
The children took off with the ogre horn. They raised it above their heads and ran after each other.
And then the crowd spread apart and the chief walked towards me. Then there was silence, as they all watched us.
“Mr. Ajifu. Welcome back. I have heard the news, but can you confirm it?”
“Yes, of course. Here.”
I took out the other horn, as well as the two magic stones.
“Quite impressive. Metto. These are really from ogres?”
“I would never mistake them. Never forget. That horn is from the ogre. And I’ve never seen magic stones so large.”
Urzon was also nodding behind him. Upon seeing this, the chief raised the stone above his head.
“Everyone. The ogres that have threatened this village have been defeated by the hands of Ajifu the Adventurer! The area will be investigated first, but we will allow you to enter the Jideruru valley again!”
The crowds cheered.
“While we would like to celebrate today, Mr. Ajifu must be very tired. And so perhaps you will like to rest tonight?”
“No, not really. I would be glad to participate.”
Last night, I hadn’t sensed any monsters at all. And aside from a few times when I was awakened by the sounds of beasts, I had slept well.
“Oh, I see! Everyone, we will have a feast tonight. Now, go to the mansion and prepare!”
“Wonderful! We will open the special barrel!”
“Things will be quite busy!”
The villagers then scattered.
“Mr. Ajifu, you should also come to the mansion and change your clothes. Is there something that you need?”
“I would like some hot water. And I would like to wash my clothes.”
“I will have it brought to you then. As for laundry, just hand it to us, and we will do it.”
“Thank you.”
The mansion was the large building next to the chief’s house. The chief’s house was of average size, and not large enough for people to gather.
I went to the hut where my belongings were, took off my armor and sighed with relief. I would have to repair my armor once I returned to Deroslo. Same with my sword. I suppose I would not be working for some time…
After that, I went out to the mansion. Already, people had gathered and were setting up the tables.
“Mr. Ajifu. Over here!”
Urzon waved and beckoned me to the seat of honor.
As this used to be the house of the landlord, it was very impressive, which made me uncomfortable.
Still, the food was more simple, and once all of the villagers were gathered, I was able to relax.
Then the chief came out and started to talk in front of everyone.
“We are at long last, freed from the terror of the ogres. For half a year, we have all suffered. It was my fault for not being able to secure the necessary funds for the reward. I am sorry for that.”
The chief bowed, and there were shouts of ‘It’s not your fault!’ and ‘We are all poor!’
“Still. Though the reward was not much, a brave Adventure challenged the two ogres alone, and was victorious! And so we are gathered here today because of Mr. Ajifu! Now, let us celebrate with feelings of gratitude tonight!”
The villagers shouted in agreement and began to drink as the food was served.
We were in a village on the outskirts of the world. I had fought a desperate battle against monsters that a real Hero would have defeated with a single slash. It was that kind of small thing.
“Mr. Ajifu! How did you do it?”
“Please tell us!”
“How strong were the ogres?”
They asked as they brought their cups. They had also been in a desperate situation. And it didn’t matter to them, how the rest of the world might view it.
Well, I would have to tell them. To the village, ogres were terrible monsters. But they likely didn’t know how terrible.
“The fist of an ogre can tear down trees. Their kicks can shatter the sky. A single direct hit can kill you. And they are so fast that your eyes cannot keep up.”
The audience gasped. And so I continued.
“And even after I finally managed to hit them with my sword, their skin was too tough to penetrate. What do you think I did?”
I asked a boy who was listening near the front.
“Uhhh. Surely it is impossible!”
“Indeed. That is what I thought. But I had to figure something out…”
I told them of the strength, viciousness, and courage of the ogres. Slowly, and with detail. This way, if ogres appeared again, they would know to fear them.
But also, I wanted them to feel a certain awe as well.
As I continued, the crowd cheered and gasped. And when I was finished, there was silence.
“To think that such a thing was so close to the village…”
They muttered.
“It’s quite different from what Metto and Urzon said.”
“Well, we couldn’t tell from watching.”
“In any case, clearly Mr. Ajifu is amazing!”
As for that… It was probably best to not correct them. I was someone with special training. Being modest here would just result in them fearing the ogres less.
And while things had become quiet after the sobering story, it quickly picked up again. I felt bad for bringing the atmosphere down.
The drunks started to sing and dance, and musical instruments were played. Soon, a whole ring of people were dancing.
Some tripped and others laughed. They were smiling because the ogres were no more.
As the feeling grew stronger in me, I started to drink more.
“Now, you too, Mr. Ajifu.”
I had no sense of rhythm. And a prosthetic leg on top of it. And yet, I accepted the hand of a young lady. Perhaps it was because I was drunk.
But no one cared. I danced awkwardly and nearly fell. But we all laughed.
And so the sounds of revelry echoed through the mountains, late into the night.
Thank you ^_^