Paintbrush Summoner – 77

Chapter 77 – My Path, His Path II

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At a complete loss, Mofusen went out into the garden.

There was a half moon out tonight, which glowed with pale light.

There was a low wall of hedges in the garden, and Mofusen spoke to it.

“Why don’t you come out? The moon is great tonight.”

“Grandpa…”

After realizing that he could not hide, Mofusen’s grandson showed himself.

During dinner, he had not been able to say anything.

He relied on his grandpa. However, Mofusen was an old man. There was no doubt that he would pass away before him.

Could he really continue to rely on someone so old?

He felt as if he was being asked this. And after thinking about it, the grandson had come to a decision.

He stood next to Mofusen and looked up at the moon.

Under the moonlight, the withered old man stood, only half the height of his grandson..

Ah, for how long had he relied on that frail figure? Surely it was something that everyone in the village felt.

“…You should go, grandpa.”

“I suppose I am of no use now.”

“I don’t mean it like that!”

“Hah hah. I know. I was just teasing you.”

Really, he never changed at all.

“You found a reason to go along with Menew, didn’t you, grandpa? Or you would have rejected him.”

“Indeed… As the chief, I thought perhaps I should stay… But I suppose I was going to talk to you, because I wanted to go.”

The grandson looked up at the moon.

“You can leave the village to me. Don’t worry. I am capable of protecting the village and fields from the Vala forest.”

“Yes, you are.”

Mofusen rarely gave praise.

He had been strict, as he didn’t want his grandson to become over confident in his abilities, which would lead to recklessness and death.

But now, he was quietly acknowledging his grandson.

“You have more than enough power to protect now. I may have bound you to this village out of selfishness, but as a barrier master, there is no doubt that you have a great gift.”

“Grandpa…!”

“But, you must be careful. Barrieres are usually used for protection when dispelling curses. My teachings are a road of thorns. You must always question yourself, if you can do it or not.”

That was Mofusen’s final teaching.

The grandson held back his tears and nodded firmly.

Mofusen smiled. He looked like any other doting grandfather.

“Thank you. I will go then. It seems there is still something that this withered old man can do. Perhaps I have lived so long, in order to meet this wonderful opportunity…”

Mofusen said with a laugh. And as always, his false teeth came out, and so he had to return to the house in order to wash them.

After seeing the small back of the great man, the grandson finally wiped away the tears.

The next morning, Menew and the others visited the house. Menew took in a deep breath and shouted.

“Good morning!”

“Bah! You are so loud! What if it attracted monsters!”

Menew felt bad about being scolded like this, but then Mofusen laughed and said he was just joking.

“It does not matter if monsters come. Because my grandson is here.”

Mofusen approached Menew and the others. And then he offered his right hand.

“Menew, thank you. As barrier master Mofusen, I will be useful to you.”

“Old Mofu…!”

Menew shook his hand eagerly.

The grandson watched this scene from a distance. He had a cheerful expression.

Three days later, Mofusen joined the party, and they departed.

After all, there were things to clean up and organize in the village. While it took some time, Menew and the others helped, so it only took three days.

The grandson would carry on as chief. While it was not the same as barrier treatment, they left potions and medicines and other small things. After that, it was up to the village, how they would do things.

They could sell them in order to earn an income until the dryad flowers returned. And use the medicine.

When they left, the whole village came out to see them off.

Mufusen turned around.

“The village is in your hands while I am gone. Also, hurry up and get married!”

“Grandpa!”

The grandson turned red.

Once they were away from the village, Totto asked Menew,

“Um, why didn’t you sell the dryad flowers?”

“Ah, that… Because it’s obvious that you cannot get them in that forest right now.”

“??”

Totto was puzzled.

He thought they should sell them, since they were the ones who had them.

“Hehe. Menew really is bad at speaking. Listen, young Totto. It takes time for an environment to change back. And so if Menew were to bring something that shouldn’t exist… Then people will start going to the forest. Do you think that is a good thing?”

“It’s dangerous, and they will get nothing… So it is bad.”

“Exactly.”

But it wasn’t Totto who was moved by this.

It was Ralph.

(Finally…there is another person who can interpret for Menew…!)

It was troublesome that elderly people tended to talk a lot, but it was worth it, since he could explain to others what Menew was trying to say.

That alone made his presence worth it.

Menew scratched his head apologetically. He really was bad at communication. Even though he had improved a little.

“You need to add more words.”

“I’ll be careful.”

In general, it was Ralph’s role to do the talking.

Menew suddenly thought of something.

One elder, one child, and two young men.

“It’s the Lord from the manga…!”

He recalled an old anime and manga from his student days, and became excited. Yes, there had been a dog as well. But no stuffed animals or birds.

After that, he asked Mofusen if had a seal case, or if Ralph if he was a philanderer, which earned him a kick. After all, no one there understood the reference.

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