Atur's POV
As a guest from another place, I didn't need to participate in the festival preparations. But sitting idle wasn't my style, so I joined the villagers and the Greyrat family.
Eris wasn't interested at first, but eventually, she joined in carrying things. Suddenly, the preparation turned into a strength contest to see who was the strongest in the group.
The result was, of course, Eris won.
She not only defeated all of us but also all the other boys in the village, even those 13 or 14 years old. I don't know how it turned into a fistfight afterward, but Eris easily won that too.
The young lady's strength is truly terrifying.
"Haha! Do you fear my strength now?"
Eris declared heroically, and all the kids in Buena Village unanimously honored her as the 'big sister' of the village boys. I was forced to intervene to stop her from beating more people up, but it seemed unnecessary because the adults clearly thought the kids were just playing.
So suddenly, I became the 'boss' of all the kids in the village. Because I defeated Eris.
And also because they thought I was of the Dragon Tribe. Some even asked me if I had met Perugius Dola yet, if I had been on the Chaos Breaker, and so on.
So I bullshitted that I had, and described the Chaos Breaker—the flying fortress of the hero Armored Dragon King—as if it were Howl's Moving Castle. As for Perugius, I just regurgitated what I had read in history books, describing his heroic aura, tall stature, and so on. The village kids actually believed it, and even if they didn't, they had no way to prove otherwise. And thanks to my strength and technique, I could totally bluff that it was the innate power of the Dragon Tribe.
And why did I lie?
"But isn't Lord Perugius the enemy of the demon race? Why do you play with that green-haired demon girl?" One kid asked me.
"Because Sylphiette isn't a demon, you idiots. Her father is an elf, her mother is human, so how could she be born a demon? Actually, she has green hair because she was chosen by the spirits of the green forest."
Some kids then recounted that they sometimes saw leaves flying unusually when Sylphiette was near. Followed by a bunch of other rumors that I realized were just because my elf friend was practicing magic.
With just a few sophisticated lies that no one could disprove, I turned the discriminative and worried gazes of the village kids into admiration. So a discriminated child, my elf friend, became a new idol just like that. She now has a new nickname: 'Wind Spirit of the Green Forest.' Thinking back, it fits the name Sylphiette quite well.
So this is the first time I've taken advantage of my appearance, huh? Actually not bad; maybe I'll use it more often, hehe.
…
When noon arrived, it was time for the villagers to prepare the 'harvest stew.' It seemed to be a venison stew with many local vegetables. Normally I would decline, not interested in this world's cuisine, but this time was different. Because they used spices, quite a lot.
It seems because they are near the forest, they can find many different herbs and spices to create a stew with a quite special smell. In comparison, it smells quite like curry but not as sweet; maybe just adding honey or mashed apples would make it identical.
So I actually asked for some honey and recreated the curry closest to the Japanese version. However, it seemed no one found it too special except for Rudeus; truly only a fellow countryman understands what real cuisine is.
Even so, I somewhat understood the reason for the difference in taste. Because the culture of the people of this world, specifically the Asura Kingdom, has a climate and soil quite similar to Western Europe. Because they have a distinct four-season climate, their taste also seems blander. Once in the Royal Capital, I tried going to a Millishion Holy Nation-style restaurant; they cook with a much sweeter taste with an abundant amount of fruits and agricultural products. Based on what I read in geography books, the climate on the Millis continent is hot and humid, quite similar to the sub-equatorial region, so farming is easier, and the sugar content in fruits is also higher. And because of that heat, people easily lose energy, so they prefer sweetness.
I also read a book saying that in Begaritt, they eat salty food. I can also explain that because the climate there is arid, food is scarce, so salting food to preserve it is a cultural beauty but still practical. In addition, the heat makes it easy to sweat; salt is the best way to replenish minerals.
As for the Demon Continent, they like spicy food; I don't know the reason because I haven't spent time researching it. As for the Heaven Continent, I give up, haven't found many books about that place.
That's just a rough overview of the major continents; I haven't touched on different kingdoms, specific regions, etc. Like back in Milbotts, people liked sour food; in Fittoa, they focused on complex aromas; and in southern Asura, they preferred eating fish, for example.
The difference in taste in a world undeveloped in logistics is understandable. In the modern world, the fact that you want to eat anything anywhere and have too adequate living conditions will make the phenomenon of 'local taste' gradually disappear.
That really makes me want to find a way to shorten the distance between regions by creating something to easily transport goods. Like a bullet train, perhaps?
If I had some way to improve this world's metallurgical capabilities by a few hundred years, it might be possible. Or at least another means of transport instead of just carriages.
By the way, speaking of big ambitions...
"Rudeus, do you plan to do anything in the future?"
I asked in Japanese while watching him pack his things in the room. Since we're leaving for Roa tomorrow, he used the lunch break to pack.
When asked, Rudeus seemed a bit surprised. But he also answered honestly.
"Um… finish teaching Lady Eris and then go to Ranoa as planned to train my magic."
"I mean, do you have any ambitions or goals?"
"Probably become a King-class Water Mage." A very other-worldly answer. "I want to go to Ranoa also because my master seems to have reached King-class."
Ah no, this is actually a rather realistic answer. Thinking back, this fits Rudeus's skills and interests quite well.
"What about you, Atur? I heard Paul say you're already a Water King, so you probably want to become the Water God or something?"
"Nonsense, I'm only at Beginner level."
Even though my strength is probably at Advanced rank or something. But somehow I still haven't mastered Flow to use counterattacks effectively, so I'm stuck at Beginner level like that; it's annoying.
"And I don't intend to go that far; I plan to do a few things I need to do and then return to some village to be a guardian knight like Paul," I added.
"I thought you were the type to say 'I will change this world' or something?" Rudeus smirked.
"I 'was' that type until I found out I couldn't."
I confessed too; it's true I had thoughts like main characters in light novels. Like 'I will bring the industrial revolution to this world' or 'I will eliminate the slavery system' or whatever. And now I just want to eat good food at a cheaper price.
Thinking about it, I can't help but mock myself.
"Now I'm even afraid of getting my throat slit unexpectedly, so how can I worry about things so far away."
"Oi oi. You talk as if someone wants you dead?"
"Ah, actually there is. I also fought a group of cold-blooded assassins. Assisted in killing an Advanced-rank one."
"For real!?"
"Yeah, when I have a chance, I'll tell you."
Sometime in the future, after we get stronger and closer, I think I'll tell him. If I persuade Rudeus to join my side, would it be easier to destroy Darius or Pilemon? Imagining Rudeus using Saint or King-class magic to blow up the Prime Minister's mansion makes me shudder. It seems super-powerful magic is even more effective than normal assassination, right?
Hmm...
But doing so would easily affect innocent people, so maybe not.
…
After finishing packing with Rudeus, we returned to the village gathering place as the afternoon began. A large pile of wood had been stacked in the middle of the gathering place; the villagers seemed to have completed all preparations. They began to split into small groups, chatting and sharing interesting things with each other very happily. Meanwhile, the largest group was children gathering around a man with a ponytail. That was Paul; he was telling the kids about his exploits back when he was an adventurer.
I suddenly wondered why Eris wasn't here given the topic was right up her alley. When asking, it seemed the young lady had gone somewhere with Ghislaine, so I was less worried and continued to walk around and participate in the locals' activities.
Most were simple games and activities like throwing stones into rings, tug of war... There was supposed to be archery under Laws' guidance, but since Sylphiette is leaving tomorrow, the village hunter decided to use this time for his daughter.
But when it got dark and the fire from the high tower began to burn, Sylphiette and her family joined the villagers and started their harvest prayer dance. I also joined with Eris—who had returned with a beaming face even though I didn't know where she went. As for Rudeus, he decided to sit out with Sylphiette talking about something.
If I had to summarize, the rest of the festival passed quite peacefully. After the dance ended, the village chief made a few remarks, then everyone cheered, continued to eat and drink their fill, occasionally hearing ear-piercing singing from drunkards.
To end, Rudeus shot fireballs into the sky to create colorful fireworks. That was his way of saying goodbye to this village.
And also a way to confirm a new page of our lives in the city of Roa.
…
Paul's POV
The festival ended, it was now dark, so tomorrow Rudeus would set off for Roa.
Although things went differently from the original plan, it's hard to say Paul felt dissatisfied. The knight was able to solve all problems and knots without making anyone cry or suffer.
Ah, except for Laws' families and Zenith. Although they agreed to part with their children, it was still hard for them not to feel a little heartbroken.
Normally Paul would have hugged his wife and coaxed her, but ever since the incident with Lilia came to light, he hasn't had a chance to do that in bed. But that doesn't mean Paul won't try talking and acting silly to coax his wife the next morning.
So now, the knight sat drinking alone in the living room with all lights off. The only light remaining in the space that was full of laughter in the morning was the moonlight shining on Paul's face and the beer mug he was holding through the window.
*Click*
But the sound of a door opening rang out; Paul glanced over and saw another man, tall and bald, walking in.
"Trouble sleeping?" Ken walked to the table, placing an expensive bottle of wine and two glasses just taken from the kitchen cabinet on it. "Mind if I join you?"
Paul shrugged as he finished his beer. After all, alcohol loses some of its taste if not drunk with someone.
Seeing that, Ken also sat down; he uncorked the bottle and poured it into both glasses. The sound of red wine flowing under the moonlight sounded very pleasant; it reminded Paul of a folk song he once heard in his wandering life back then.
Or was it a poem? Paul didn't remember clearly; the guardian knight wasn't interested in these artistic things anyway.
"Hmm…" Taking a sip of wine, Paul frowned slightly. "Milbotts red wine?"
"People often mistake it for Milishion wine after drinking beer. Yet you recognized it immediately." Ken swirled the wine glass in his hand before slowly enjoying it.
Meanwhile, opposite him, Paul just drank it all, quite rudely for drinking an expensive wine meant only for nobles. The head of the Greyrat house put the wine glass down on the table, his eyes a bit complicated looking at the person opposite. "That old man drank it every day, to the point where getting close only smelled of this."
"It's true. Lord Amarant really liked the wine made by his own territory." Ken also nodded before taking a big gulp, emptying the glass.
Then the bald knight poured for both again.
Meanwhile, the owner of this house thought about a few things before speaking up again.
"When I saw you again, I thought I mistook you for someone else." Paul confessed.
"Did you think I was the type of rigid knight who only knew how to obey every order of the master and didn't dare to leave his service?"
"Yeah." Paul didn't hesitate to nod.
"Actually, you're not wrong."
If it were two ordinary knights, the conversation would probably go differently. But with these two knights, no, they clearly had no formalities with each other.
And also because of that, the wine tasted good.
"Now Young Master Atur is my new master. So wherever he is, I follow." Ken added.
"I thought Sir Ken was only loyal to my father?"
"Because I was loyal to Lord Amarant, I followed Young Master Atur."
Hearing this surprised Paul a little. Although he didn't interact much with Ken, the master of the Greyrat house still knew how loyal the person who guarded his room door for nearly a year was to Amarant. Yet calling a runaway 'master' was truly novel, and following Atur because of Amarant too. Isn't that kid just a runaway like him before?
But not letting Paul become more confused or say anything, Ken was the one who spoke up to continue himself.
"Do you still hate Lord Amarant, Paul?"
This question was clearly too easy to answer. "Yes."
"I can understand. But if possible, could you listen to me tell about his final moments?"
Paul hesitated a little. For a long time, Paul didn't want to hear anything related to the Notos family; anything related to that family had nothing good left since his mother died.
But there was no reason to refuse either. Listening a bit won't kill me. Paul thought so.
"Okay."
Just like that, Ken told about Amarant's last days, sick, ill, and even unable to sit up by himself. It was hard for Paul to imagine the father whom he always impressed as strong and somewhat tyrannical being like that. He should have felt happy, at least he once thought so, but through Ken's retelling, he didn't feel any gloating. On the contrary, it was somewhat bitter. And when it came to the last words, Amarant said:
"I wish Paul was still here."
Paul's eyes lowered slightly; he let out a long sigh. The father he hated turned out to be able to say these words. Truly unbelievable.
But somewhere inside Paul, he knew it was the truth.
He hated Amarant, but he himself, when becoming a father, also knew what he did was because that was what he thought was best.
A bad father, but still a respectable person - just like how Atur called him.
"Even so, I still hate him for what he did." Paul said.
"I don't expect you to forgive him." Ken confessed.
Then what did you want when telling this? Paul suddenly thought so in his head but didn't ask.
Because he himself knew what Ken wanted.
And he himself had truly done that.