Kays Translations

Chapter 2: HOMETOWN SOIL

Two weeks by carriage from the adventure city of Advante. Another two days on foot from the final stop, the dairy farming city of Hilte, where the shared carriage ends. After all that time, we finally arrived in our hometown, Malhas.

This small, cold village at the edge of the kingdom's territory is truly fitting to be called a borderland. However, despite its remote location, there's a little reason why life can be sustained.

The term "Kingdom's Edge" doesn't refer to a border line. To the east of this village lies vast unexplored territory. The rare animals and plants, especially medicinal herbs produced there, fetch a good price in urban areas. By purchasing various daily necessities from traveling merchants who come to buy these, this rural village manages to sustain itself.

"We finally made it back."

"Yeah, it feels nostalgic."

Passing through the wooden arch, several gazes immediately turned towards us. This kind of straightforwardness... It's been a really long time. In the city, there were places where being indifferent was considered polite, so it might be refreshing in a way.

"Huh? Aren't you that troublemaker Jurg? And Rolo too? You guys came back!"

An elderly man who had been staring at us rushed over. It's a small village, so naturally, we know each other.

"Hey, Uncle Tanto. Your hair looks a bit thinner, don't you think?"

"Well, as you get older, that happens. So, did you get tired of city life?"

"Well, something like that."

Given the circumstances, it's not a topic to discuss on the roadside. I casually brushed it off and lightly tapped Rolo's back.

"Rolo, go ahead. They're probably waiting for you."

"...Yeah."

Picking up the backpack I handed him – it's full of souvenirs – Rolo walked straight through the village square. Seeing his back off, I felt a small relief that we had arrived safely.

Unlike me, Rolo has a family waiting for him. This incident might have been a good opportunity in a sense. It's not very common for adventurers who left their hometown to return home safely.

"What's this? Did the atmosphere change a bit, you brat?"

"I've just aged a bit. Well, I wasn't great before leaving the village."

The man known as Uncle Tanto widened his eyes at my words. After all, we had a scuffle (caused by me) once. He would be both cautious and surprised.

"Well, I'm glad you came back safely. Are you going to stay in the village for a while?"

"I don't know. It depends on Rolo."

"What? You've gotten quite attached to Rolo, huh?"

I lightly chuckled at Uncle Tanto's words. Oh well, it seems to look that way.

"He's like family to me, naturally."

"You've mellowed out. So, where are you sleeping?"

Malhas is just a simple rural town.

There are no fancy accommodations like inns.

The visiting merchants end up staying at the somewhat spacious village chief's house, and other travelers rent rooms offered by some villagers... that's the arrangement.

However, my situation is a bit different.

I'm neither a traveler nor a merchant.

Moreover, before leaving the village, I was a troublemaker who engaged in various misdeeds, so the villagers are not likely to have positive feelings towards me.

Just my presence here in Malhas might make some people uneasy.

Therefore, I point towards the outside of the village and speak.

"I'll set up camp a bit away. If you see Rolo, can you relay the message?"

"...Got it. How about food? Do you have anything to eat?"

"I brought enough rations for a while. Don't worry; I won't cause any trouble for everyone."

With that said, I turned on my heel. As Uncle Tanto suggested, from here on, it depends on Rolo. If he decides to stay for a long time, I'll go back to the dairy farming city to find lodging. If he decides to settle in Malhas, I'll have to rethink my own plans. For now, my role of safely bringing Rolo back to our hometown has been fulfilled.

"Now, where should I go?"

I retraced my steps to the village exit, casually looking around for a suitable camping site. I brought magic artifacts for setting up a camp, so I can ensure a certain level of safety. The ideal location would be moderately close to the village and inconspicuous.

"...Alright, how about there?"

Designating a spot along the roadside with a large tree, I leisurely began walking. Unnoticed, the sky had already dyed itself crimson, and the unexplored forest had completely merged into the darkness.

◆

"Hey, Jurg!"

While simmering a soup for dinner, Rolo shouted at me like that. It's a bit unusual for him to be so angry, considering his usual calm demeanor.

"What's wrong, Rolo?"

"It's not 'what's wrong'! We finally returned to our hometown, and why are you camping out in a place like this?"

"Well, with me around... the village won't be at ease, right?"

At my words, Rolo made a slightly choked expression. The villagers' evaluation of me is not much different from that of bandits or monsters. If I had caused a bit more trouble, I probably would have been wrapped up and thrown into the unexplored area.

"But still, things are different now, aren't they?"

"Just because of that, it doesn't settle the past mistakes. Well, you don't have to worry about me. Anyway, how were your parents?"

Changing the subject, I asked Rolo with a slight smile.

"They were happy. They wanted to thank you for the souvenir, Jurg."

"Just tell them not to worry since I was just returning their kindness."

Rolo's mother often cooked for me, an orphan. She was the kind of person who would scold me while serving bread and soup even on days when her own son—Rolo—got into a fight with me. In a way, she became like a mother to me.

From their perspective, it might be an inconvenient story, but...

"Bitz and Arco were also really happy."

"Well, that's good."

"So, come to my place. We'll figure something out for your sleeping arrangements."

To Rolo's joyful suggestion, I lightly shook my head in response. It's a grateful offer, but this is a matter of principle. I accompanied Rolo, leaving Malhas in exchange for my own expulsion. Though I entered the village with Rolo, I originally don't have the right to pass through the arch with the word 'Malhas' written on it.

"You're so stubborn, why is that?"

"It's in my nature."

"Liar. Usually, you're much more honest."

While saying that, Rolo sat down in front of me.

"Hmm?"

"If you’re camping out here, then I'll stay with you."

"What are you talking about? Hurry up and go home. Your mom and your brothers are probably waiting for you, right?"

"And you too."

Oh well, now it's clear who the stubborn one is. Rolo can be quite tough once he's decided on something. But then again, I can't just withdraw here.

"Rolo, you understand, right? I'm not welcome. I shouldn't be."

"Instead of sulking like that, come to my place. No one will mind, it's all in the past."

"I'm not sulking. I've just gained a bit of sense, that's all."

Actually, the atmosphere in the village was filled with wary glances toward me. Just my presence makes some people uneasy. Well, I've done things that justify such reactions.

"You know the outside of the village is dangerous, right?"

"For that, there's the 'Barrier Stakes.' Besides, if anything happens to you or the village, I can quickly come to help. There's no need to unnecessarily scare the villagers."

"If you don't approach, misunderstandings won't be cleared up."

"It's not a misunderstanding. Mine isn't."

To my words, Rolo sighed with a troubled expression. But then, his gaze sharpened.

"... Jurg."

"Yeah, I get it. What, did I summon trouble by camping out here?"

"No, it's been happening around here every night lately. That's why I came to let you know."

"Sigh, this is what the countryside is like."

Taking my large war mace, which was leaning against a tree, in hand, I stood up and focused my attention in the direction where I felt a presence.

"They're coming to attack. What about you, Rolo?"

"Of course, I'm going too. I haven't quit being an adventurer."

Giving a nod in response to rolo's signaled coordination with his short sword hanging at his waist, I cautiously moved forward toward the dark night.

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