Chapter 280: As and Mountain Play

A week had passed since we discussed accommodations at the inn.

During that time, I’d been busy with farm work while also preparing to build an orchard, making for some pretty exhausting days.

Next week, the Dark Elves who wish to migrate here will be arriving, so I need to keep working hard this week too—but…

This morning, As-kun came to visit, brought along by Milagros.

It takes a huge amount of magic power to travel all the way here, and with the mock battle tournament happening recently, even though As had said he’d come visit soon, he hadn’t been able to.

Because of that delay, it was obvious at a glance just how excited he was today.

“Sato-san, I came to play!”
“Asu-kun, it’s been a while. Milagros-san, it’s been since the tournament.”
“Yeah. We weren’t planning to come yet, but Asu really wanted to, so I brought him… Was it okay?”
“Of course. You’re always welcome.”
“Yay! I want to play a lot with Sato-san!”
“As, don’t cause trouble for Sato-san.”

Seeing Asu-kun jumping around in excitement made me feel warm inside.

I had planned to work on the orchard today, but with how much he was looking forward to this, there’s no way I wouldn’t spend time playing with him.

The orchard preparations can wait until the Dark Elves arrive.

“I have to work until after noon, but once I’m done, we can play.”
“Okay! I’ll wait until you finish!”
“I have a slime familiar named Lime outside. I think it’ll play with you.”
“A slime familiar? You keep monsters?”
“Rather than keeping them, we’re companions. Friends.”
“I see! I’ll go ask if it can play with me!”

Quick to understand, Asu dashed outside to meet Lime.

I thought Joel and Harry were still young, but Asu is completely a child.

Everything he does is adorable and soothing to watch.

“Sato-san, sorry… Asu might cause trouble.”
“Not at all, so don’t worry. What will you do, Milagros-san?”
“I’ll stay. Who knows what he’ll do? I’ll help with the farm work.”
“Thank you—that helps a lot.”

Extra hands are always welcome.

With Milagros helping, I headed outside and worked harder than usual so I could finish quickly and play with Asu.

Thanks to the extra effort—and Milagros’s help—we finished before evening.

As, meanwhile, had been playing with Lime and its slime friends—playing tag and mock battles—then took a nap with them not long ago.

When I checked earlier during lunch, he looked completely worn out, but after his nap, he seemed even more energetic than in the morning.

Between a child’s natural recovery and Lime’s healing abilities, he must have bounced back quickly.

“Sato-san, are you done working?”
“Yes, I’m finished. We can play until night now.”
“Yay! What are we going to do!?”
“Something quick would be a game, or playing in the stream behind the mountain. What would you like?”
“Umm… I want to do both!”

He jumped excitedly saying he wanted everything—but doing both might be tough.

So the plan would be: go to the mountain first, then after a bath and dinner, play games.

“Then let’s head to the back mountain first. I’ll call the others.”
“Yay! I’ll go get Lime!”

We split up. I asked Sheila to act as our guard.

She agreed immediately, and Milagros also said she’d come along to watch over As.

Asu returned riding on top of Lime—like a slime knight.

Behind him was Mash, who also seemed eager to join us.

“Alright, let’s head to the back mountain. Today’s goal is to gather food—find edible things for dinner.”
“That sounds so fun! Are there really edible things there!?”
“There are many. But a lot are poisonous, so don’t eat anything on your own.”
“Okaaay! It feels like an adventure!”

Riding Lime, Asu took the lead, full of excitement, while we followed.

The plan: gather mushrooms, berries, and wild plants along the path, then head to a small stream to try catching fish.

The water will still be cold, and we might not even catch anything—but trying is what makes it fun.

When I was a child, I dreamed of living on a deserted island.
I’m sure Asu is feeling the same excitement.

Hoping his enthusiasm wasn’t just him trying to be polite, we stepped into the back mountain together.