NOVEL WEB Chapter 367: With Pride
“L, Larou’iph?! You, wh, what are you doing!?”
“Nuh…… what, I was just playing with the kids for a while. It’s been over ten years since we last met, but you’re still the same… no, that’s only natural. You are right after your battle with General Gouda…… I suppose?”
“…Ah, yeah… well……”
The one who suddenly changed attitude from smiling, singing, and dancing with the children to a serious expression was the dark elf Larou’iph, formerly of the Demon King Army.
But, even if she makes such a serious face, while wearing bunny ears and costume…..
“Ahaha, you’re surprised, Big brother. Lal has been living in this settlement since then and has become the children’s teacher. She teaches them things like general studies, magic, and outside knowledge, and also plays with them while the adults are working in the fields…… she’s a big help for taking care of Amicus, and now she’s most adored in this settlement ♪.”
As I was surprised at how much Larou’iph had changed, Espie whispered in my ear.
Somehow, regardless of their past history or race, they have lived their lives together as residents here.
――Dying miserably in the field is also a fitting end for me……
At that moment, I remembered the words that Larou’iph once said.She was in despair about many things, and her eyes showed she had lost the will to live, leading her to say those words.
But after the battle with Gouda, when it was time for me to return to the future, she told me while hugging a crying Espie and Slayer,
――I will live. Even though I am covered in blood and ugly, one day I will be able to hold my head high and bravely meet Aka again… I will live a proud life, and one day I will definitely go and see Aka. I swear it. For Aonii’s sake…
That promise. Remembering that, I ……
“Hey, Larou’iph….”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Are you… living your life with pride?”
“…eh!? Yes! I’m still alive. I’ve never forgotten about Aonii… not even for a day.”
Although Larou’iph’s eyes widened at my question, she quickly understood and nodded at me with a gentler smile than I had ever seen in the past.
“I see! I’m so glad… really…….”
“Fufu. Well, it’s also thanks to you.”
“That’s not true. You’ve worked hard for the last ten years or so, haven’t you?”
“I don’t really feel like I worked that hard… I… was just enjoying myself.”
“Well, then, Mr.Aka will―――”
“Th, that’s…… um…… a little more…… I guess I’ll go look for him once I’ve gained a little more confidence…….”
“…… Hah?”
When I mentioned Mr. Aka’s name, her face suddenly turned red and she was not only flustered but fidgety… what was she doing now……
“Eh? Say, Master, do you also know Earth? And… over ten years since you last met? How can that be!? Even Mother seemed familiar with him…….”
Amicus, who does not know the circumstances, was even more confused by our exchange.
Besides……
“Indeed! Say, what do you mean by all this? Why are you…… and behold, Lal is not the least bit shocked, nor Espie, nor you as well!”
“Just as I thought! So then… is he the one who saved us in times past?……?”
“Eeeeh?! Th, the young man from that time!? How can this be!?”
“Espie dear, pray explain! Is this the guest you spoke of?”
“Someone, please, explain this to us aright!”
The adults in the village, who finally realized who I was, were also confused and holding their heads.
“Say, Earth! Who truly are you? Besides, a moment ago, Master called Earth… Ragaan-man……”
“Eh? Ah~, that’s ……”
“Ah!? I, I misspoke, I…….”
“Ah~…… Lal…… it’s too late anyway……”
Amicus also seemed caught up in the fact that I was called Ragaan-man once.
This made Larou’iph look startled and panicked, but Espie chuckled and shook her head.
And……
“Hmm? ‘Too late’…… you say?”
In fact, Mr. Chieftain had actually been here this whole time.
“Oh…… Mr. Chieftain…… ah, sorry for the late greeting. It’s been a while, Mr. Chieftain.”
“Say, Father, you know Earth as well, right? Tell me. She called Earth Ragaan-man…… And more still, Earth wielded the Great Magic Spiral! What does this all mean!?”
“…… Huh!?”
He looked back and forth between me and Amicus with a difficult expression on his face, muttering something to himself……
“So….. somehow, it appears that Amicus is clinging most ardently to the young man’s arm…… giving no regard for personal space… as if in the midst of a most intimate embrace… hmm……”
The way he looks…… it’s as if he was watching a bad bug approach his daughter…… no, that was definitely it.
And Mr. Chieftain glanced at Espie……
“Say, Espie…….”
“U, un…… you see…… me and Slayer took our eyes off him for a moment…… and Big brother met Amicus first, …….”
“Hoho……”
“Then, they …… encountered a group of rogue hunters who were trespassing on the mountain.”
“Okay, hold right there, stop!!”
Espie replied to Mr. Chieftain with a wry smile, and Mr. Chieftain paused.
And……
“Allow me a moment to collect myself. Phew…… well, if this was a typical template event devised by some third-rate novelist from my genetic hometown, the scenario might unfold thus: they would encounter nefarious hunters, be endangered, and then the young man, coming to Amicus’ rescue in a most heroic fashion, would unleash the Great Magic Spiral to dispatch the lot of them, and thereby Amicus’ affection flag would be raised after being saved… or such so. But such are only clichéd imaginings, reality would go differently…. Alright, I’m steady now. So, Espie…… could you recount what truly happened?”
“I’m sorry…… Mr. Chieftain…… that was so accurate…… there’s nothing to correct.”
“tte!? Hold a moment! Young man!?
Mr. Chieftain mumbled as if he had witnessed the whole scene.
That was amazing…
And Mr. Chieftain, seemingly exasperated, grabbed me.
“Young man…… let me be clear, we all owe you a great debt of gratitude, right? And, as befits tales of legend, this would be the part where we offer a bond in friendship, perhaps an elf retainer. Or even betrothal to our daughter, right? But surely you know that life is not so, and yet… to think, in but a few hours’ absence, you would already ensnare my daughter~~! Well, the fault may lie with me for penning the tale of Ragaan-man, and leaving it for her to read…… nevertheless…… so swiftly! How is it, Young man, that in mere moments before our reunion, you have charmed her so!?”
“No, wait, Mr. Chieftain! I’ve got a lot to say too……! Besides, I didn’t even know about the Ragaan-man book in the first place……
“Father, cease at once! What are you doing to Earth!? Unhand him, Earth is my savior and worthy of honor!”
He grabbed my shoulders and shook me back and forth vigorously.
There were too many people talking, both those who knew the situation and those who didn’t…… this is going to take a while……
“Oh my…… Amicus’s admiration for Ragaan-man was a cause for concern…… enough…… it’s already troubling me in many ways… there’s also the matter of Lady Norja to consider…”
“Ahahaha, that’s right, Lal. Well, it’s Big brother after all ……. but, this is troubling. The truth is, I haven’t told him about that yet…… I wanted to discuss it with Mr. Chieftain and Lal, including updates about Big brother’s relationship with girls… also, in all seriousness…… since that Graduation match, Big brother has caught the eye of the Demon Realm’s ‘La’iphant’ and that ‘Hakuki’ as well.”
So, for now, we decided to go to Mr. Chieftain’s house and have a talk with the four of us – myself, Espie, Mr. Chieftain, and Larou’iph.
Author’s Note
I’m sorry. I was planning to update yesterday, but the posting date was wrong. Only Kakuyomi, which posted the same thing twice, was updated and is now two chapters ahead of the original… Please forgive me.
Well, the second volume of the manga will be released tomorrow! It may already be on sale in some places, I hope you’ll check it out at some point and pick it up. The wonderful world of Eto Yona is unfolding!
Also, it will probably be updated on Nico Nico Seiga around 11 o’clock today, so I hope you will have fun commenting there as well!
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