Translator: Mii
Editor: sleepchaser
We"re past the middle stage of the "Beginner Village" arc. This is an event that only Alfred appears in. In other words, I"m not a part of it.
After crossing a mountain, Alfred will meet a female traveler in a village near a forest, one who journeys through the world like a pilgrim.
The female traveler can read the stars, something known as a divine power among certain people. And she will read Alfred"s fate. Although she doesn"t know the exact timeline, she knows that his future is filled with sorrow and grief.
Ever since our first meeting, I"ve helped Alfred from time to time, making sure he"s in the right direction. Therefore, the plot should still take him to the right path.
Right in front of that carnage, that evil that will tower and lie in wait before him.
The day in which all his loved ones die will come, neither too far from now nor too close.
“I-I see… When will you… depart tomorrow?”
“Ahh. At early morning. That"s why I"m glad that I can meet you today. The next time we will meet… will be in two weeks.
Two weeks.
Actually, this event isn"t as dangerous as the "Outdoor Summer Training" event.
Even so, Alfred will be traveling in places without demon repellent technology. If he"s unlucky, he might encounter some demons roaming on the mountain.
According to the game"s plot, Alfred, Cheddar-san, and Cheddar-san"s wife will encounter several demons at once.
The demons in this region are mostly docile, and even if they are terribly starved, they won"t attack humans.
But Alfred and his group get attacked anyway.
Well… This time, Alfred won"t be fighting alone, so it should be okay.
Cheddar-san has a large body, like a wrestler. He"s also super strong. It"s to the point that he can lift a cow by himself. In fact, according to the game"s plot, he"ll actually lift a cow on this journey! Too amazing. Please give me some strength too. If I"m not mistaken, the wife can also face off with a bear by herself. Amazing. Too amazing. What a power couple.
That"s why it should be okay…
From my pocket I pull out three pieces of the recovery medicine, the ones I keep with me in every occasion, and stuff them into Alfred"s chest pocket.
It shouldn"t be that dangerous, so chances are he"ll only fight once on the journey. That said, he"ll be spending time in the wilderness of the mountain, and can get injured by some other means. For that reason, I gave him more than one recovery medicine. There"s also the possibility that Cheddar-san or his wife will get injured too.
“S-since I got samples of the medicine, I"ll give them to you. Also…”
I remove the handmade "Glittering Protection Number 8" pendant from around my neck, and hand it to Alfred.
“T-that"s right. This is also a sample, so… why don"t you test it out for me? It"s new technology and can ward off evil spirits. You just have to grip the part of the necklace that has engravings, and after you recite ‘Flash", it will glow. It will let out strong light that demons hate. and also…”
“Lian.”
But I ignore him. Instead, a take out a bundle of "Calorie-main Cookies," which I"ve also saved and has a long shelf life. Something I made to prepare for life in a refugee camp once the demons wipe out most of the village.
“This… These are rations. They"ll last for a long time. T-try them out later. And another thing…"
“…Lian.”
Alfred holds my hand gently.
“Calm down. It will be okay. Don"t worry too much. I will come back after two weeks.”
For some reason, he speaks with the same tone he uses when he"s trying to persuade the kids.
“I-I am calm, okay! What are you talking about! I… I"m not worried.”
“Is that so?”
“Y-yeah. Ah, that"s right, you can start the part-time job I mentioned earlier when you return. So…"
If I don"t say that, wouldn"t he just bring those stones with him on the journey?
After all, if he doesn"t have enough magic power during the trip, things will be dangerous.
“I got it… That"s right, Lian. When I"m not here, can you come visit granny and the kids? It doesn"t have to be often."
“That… I-I got it…”
“Thanks.”
Alfred smiles.
After seeing his smile, I can"t help but avert my eyes.
Ahh.
In the end, Alfred will know all about the dark future awaiting him.
The future when his loved ones no longer exist.
Such a tragic experience will leave behind scars on his heart, ones that will never fade. Ones that will perpetually hurt.
…Just like what happened to me.
I suddenly feel like running away and quickly retract my hand from Alfred"s own. I rise to my feet.
“I-I"m going home!”
“I see. Then I"ll escort you to the gate.”
“N-no, don"t. It"s okay. I"ll be fine by myself… I"ll be on my way once I bid Marie-sama and the kids goodbye."
At this time, Marie and the kids should be doing their evening worship.
The ceremony they perform right before going to bed.
They thank the G.o.ddess for a smooth day, sing a hymn conveying their hope for a peaceful night, then pray for a good day tomorrow.
The youngest children, on the other hand, should already be asleep.
These kids from the church wake up together in the morning sun and sleep after the sun sets. Their schedule is totally different from my disorganized one, full of tranquility. A life that is well-regulated and healthy.
Grabbing my bag, I turn towards the exit to the dining room.
Even though I"ve told Alfred that he doesn"t need to send me off, he still insisted on coming alone to the worship room. And he follows me all the way to the gate.
I wave my hand lightly in front of the gate.
Like how we always do.
“See you, Lian. Take care on your way back.”
“Y-you too. Well, you don"t look like you"d die even if something kills you, though.”
“Is that so?”
Even though my words were cruel, Alfred laughs happily.
As soon as I have one foot out the gate, Alfred catches my wrist.
“W-what?” My question seems to make him hesitate, and he lowers his gaze. Then he looks up at me again.
“…Can you give me a blessing…?”
“‘Blessing?"”
Ah, that, huh?
A blessing. In other words, a prayer that Marie and the other villagers say to guests who are about to leave the village. It"s for them to have a safe journey, that their destination will bring them luck.
Is this what he means?
A blessing…
…From me?
But… That"s way too embarra.s.sing for me…
Impossible. No way…!!
I mean, I have to press my cheek to his, right!? And it"s for both cheeks too!!
That Western kind of greeting is way too much skinship for me! No way!! They also kiss before other people nonchalantly! Can"t they be… more reserved!? I beg you! This hurdle is too high for me!
A lonely smile crosses Alfred"s lips and he releases my hand.
“…Nevermind. As I thought, it"s fine."
Is it really okay?
Your shoulders are drooping so low and your face looks full of reluctance and loneliness, though.
Get a hold of yourself. Seriously. I beg you. Really.
You can"t become sad just because this kind of thing, you know! You still have battles to face!
Ahhh seriously…!
I muster up my willpower, seizing Alfred"s collar with both hands.
Alfred bends over to me after I pull him tight.
“…"May the G.o.ddess" blessing protect you, and for the light to shine brightly on your destination."”
I press my cheek to Alfred"s, right then left. His feel slightly cool to the touch.
“are you happy now?”
I study Alfred"s expression. His eyes are trembling and moist with tears.
Why do you look like you want to cry?
I threw away my embarra.s.sment just now to do it, you know? So be happier, idiot. What"s the matter now? Do you have any complaints?
As a complaint is about to roll off my tongue, Alfred suddenly lowers his head and crashes his lips against mine.
“Nngh…!?”
Fl.u.s.tered, I use both hands to push against Alfred"s chest, freeing myself from his embrace.
“Y-you….! You are really!! T-this is… This is too much…!!”
The "Blessing" prayer has two paths of continuation. First, it"s the initial pressing-cheeks-against-each-other part.
Then, if you kiss the other person"s forehead, it symbolizes family and great friendship.
But if you kiss their mouth, it symbolizes being a married couple or lovers—
Or at least that"s how it should be!!
“Too much?”
“Yeah!! You"re too much! This stupid idiot!!”
“…Since you"re staring at me, I thought it should be okay.”
“Of course not!! Don"t just interpret things to your own liking!”
“I see.”
What do you mean with ‘I see"? You obviously don"t mean it and are just patronizing me, right?!
“I-I will go home now! Bye!”
“Ahh. See you later…”
His words "see you later" almost cause me to pause in my tracks.
Those words are filled with a promise… to meet again.
“…S-see you…”
That"s right, after two weeks, Alfred will return home.
There won"t be any problem.
None at all.
I nod and Alfred returns it, his face lit up with a large smile.
Yay, finally my exams are over! Banzai to me, banzai to everyone!! ✺(^▽^✺) ✺(^O^)✺ (✺^▽^)✺
Now I"m here to make the word count longer ask something to the lovely readers again, so please give me comments! I want comments!! .˚‧º·(ฅдฅ｡)‧º·˚.
To all my readers who donated to me, or going to donate to me, or want to donate but can"t, or even just like to read this story, are you okay with me uploading the sponsored chapters wherever it"s done like this? I actually feel kind of guilty…
Since I"m already on my vacation, I should be able to pump out more sponsored chapters frequently, so please keep donating look forward to it! …I still have my part-time job though, so I can"t switch to a faster weekly releases… ⸜( ॑꒳ ॑* )⸝
Also, sleepchaser-san said that she might be able to finish editing another sponsored chapter this week! I"m always thankful for you to battle with my weird English, sleep-san…! (*/∇＼*)｡o○♡
Next chapter, we will know a little bit more about our tsun Lian! I want to huggie hug him… TwT