Chapter 209: Day of Farewell

After visiting the town hall, we decided to pause our shopping. There’s homemade food in the village, so there’s no need to risk going outside.

It might already be obvious, but… that’s that, and this is this.

“I’m back.”

“Welcome home. You were gone quite a while.”

“Hayato and the others were listening through the intercom, right?”

“Yes, we have a general idea. It seems like they might ask about us next.”

“Well, that’s to be expected. But it doesn’t really bother me.”

“Sooner or later, it was bound to happen. As long as we don’t leave without permission, I think it’s fine.”

It seems like Hayato had also subtly noticed.

“Oh, I’ll put telepathy in the minds of the others too. Let’s take a break for now.”

“Oh, then, Village Chief, you should check out the Goddess’s video. It turned out really nice this time!”

“Oh, is it done already? As expected of Natsuki, your efficiency is a lifesaver.”

Following Natsuki’s enthusiastic suggestion, we took a break and watched the video of the Goddess. It was edited perfectly under the title “Goddess of Another World, Nanasia.” The Goddess herself seemed to have returned to the divine realm as she wasn’t around.

The video, condensed to about 5 minutes, only covered the Goddess’s self-introduction and an overview of the Amaldia Continent. They kept secrets like the complete transfer of Japanese people and the disappearance of monsters.

Nevertheless, the footage was quite captivating. The Goddess, clad in pure white robes, exuded a divine aura, with a halo shining behind her. It was obvious overacting, but strangely it didn’t feel off-putting.

“Wow, this is beautifully done.”

“Right? All the arrangements were decided by Nanasia-sama!”

“Come to think of it, it’s totally different from the usual Nanasia-sama… Not that I’m underestimating her. It’s just an honest impression.”

“Oh, that’s probably fine. She was surprised herself when she watched the video. She was like, ‘Is this really me?'”

“I see… But actually, I think it’s really good.”

For now, the priority was to increase the channel’s popularity. Exaggerated or not, as long as it was attention-grabbing content, it didn’t matter.

In the first place, the existence of the Goddess itself sounded like a lie. It wouldn’t be easily believed. Compared to that, exaggerated acting was a trivial issue.

◇◇◇

The next day. The old man finally set off for the other world. Tsubaki, Sakura, and I went to the village early in the morning to see them off.

It seemed they had been waiting for us to come. Despite the early hour, everyone in the village was ready, gathering in the square with their belongings packed. Despite it potentially being a somewhat damp farewell, that wasn’t the case at all. Everyone showed smiles, exuding an atmosphere of joy and excitement.

Well, that was natural too, as it was a long-awaited return for the elf villagers. Moreover, they could come back anytime if they wanted. Even the old man said it was like “going back to the countryside.” Although when we last met, he said things like “won’t return anymore,” well… maybe it was just to not worry me.

“Uncle, I’ll do my best over there!”

“Don’t rush things, or it won’t end well. Be careful enough.”

“Yeah, I know. But it seems like I have a high aptitude for spirit magic. I might be able to make a contract with quite high-ranking spirits.”

“I heard that the last time too… Well, anyway, everything in moderation.”

“When I get stronger over there, I’ll come back. I want to try being invincible in both the other world and the modern world!”

“Hey hey, are you really okay? Well, do as you please…”

My nephew, Keita, was already full of enthusiasm. He was all fired up about “aiming to rise in the other world.” I warned him, “With that attitude, you’ll die easily,” but… it didn’t seem to have much effect.

Well, I understand his feelings, and I have no right to say anything. He can do as he pleases. With the support of the old man, it probably won’t end too badly.

With the farewell greetings finished, the door of the storehouse was finally opened. It was the first time I had ever seen inside the storehouse that had been closed for so long—.

As the old man had said, the inside of the storehouse was empty, with not a single shelf placed. Instead, on every inch of the walls, floor, and ceiling, there were magic circles with patterns I had never seen before. They gave a different impression from the teleportation circles we use.

“Come to think of it, it’s the first time I’m showing you inside, Keisuke.”

“I remember trying to open it when I was a child, and you scolded me.”

“Sorry about that back then. It was a secret only for me and the elf clan.”

“Yeah, I understand now. It was instructions from the gods, right?”

As we conversed like that, I peeked inside the storehouse again. It seemed like this whole storehouse served as a teleportation device connecting the other world and Japan.

Only the elves or the old man could activate it. It was said that those who had experienced other worlds couldn’t cross over. Even if we accompanied them, we would just be left behind there.

Of course, I also feel like going to other worlds someday. But it doesn’t have to be now. Besides, there’s a pattern like “all abilities reset when going to another world.” Starting from scratch isn’t easy, even if it’s from a strong position.

“Keisuke, let’s meet again someday. I’m counting on you with the storehouse.”

“Uncle, see you later! I’m off!”

“Yeah, take care, everyone.”

Village residents exchanged words with each other, bidding their final farewells.

“Sakura-san, Tsubaki-san, please take care of Keisuke.”

“Yes, leave it to us.”

“I’ll definitely protect Keisuke.”

With those words as their final ones, Grandpa and my nephew entered the storehouse. As the villagers followed, the magic circles began to pulse and activate.

Magic circles flashing in blue, red, and purple. Eventually, it seemed the activation was complete as the entire storehouse was enveloped in a faint white membrane.

Simultaneously, the appearance of the villagers began to change—everyone’s ears elongated like elves, and their faces transformed completely. As I pondered, “So this is what real elves look like…” everyone vanished amidst a powerful light.

—

“They’re gone now.”

“Yeah, they are.”

“Still, I never imagined there would be predecessors so close to us…”

In front of the silent, empty storehouse, Sakura expressed her thoughts.

“Returning from another world to Japan, and coexisting with people from another world. As Sakura says, they truly are predecessors.”

“The villagers turning out to be elves was quite unexpected.”

“Definitely. I’m the most surprised.”

(I can’t believe they managed to live without anyone finding out until now. I’ve never seen anything like their abilities… I thought it was just an ordinary village.)

“Um, I was thinking…”

“Tsubaki? What’s up?”

“Living quietly like the old man, that’s also a wise choice, isn’t it?”

“Well, I’m not sure if it’s wise or not, but I couldn’t imitate it.”

“How did they manage to appeal to the existence of the gods in that state? I wish I knew.”

“Yeah, I asked about that too. But in the end, I didn’t get an answer.”

“Is it one of the gods’ taboos?”

“No, he just said to figure it out for myself.”

“I see…”

“In short, it’s like ‘do as you please,’ I guess? I don’t know.”

Though the true intention behind it is unclear—thanks to the old man, we’ve obtained a perfect location for our base. Since we’ve received it, let’s use it to the fullest.

“Well then, it’s quite different from back then, but it’s the start of village building again. I’m counting on both of you here too.”

“Yes, leave it to us!”

“Let’s make it bigger and better!”

And thus, the full-scale village building in Japan began.

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