Chapter 16
"Is it already winter?"
"Yes, it will be a long winter as usual. This place has a unique climate"
"Oh, then is our firewood supply enough? I've never had it here but I guess we'll have to look for it soon"
"Take it easy, ma'am. You just came and I'll go look for it"
"No grandpa, I'll help you too. Besides, my body will be stiff if I don't move it."
"Is that so? But I warn you that this winter is extreme. I usually hunt for the food reserves too, so it will take more times"
"Don't worry, I still have plenty of food reserves for us"
"Thank goodness. So how was your adventure there? I see you weren't hurt in the slightest ma'am"
"Actually it was... I can't call it an adventure. Because there were no enemies that I had to fight and it didn't take long to search."
"Then what did you find there?"
"Wait a moment, there's someone who will explain it. Elene!"
"I am her, mom!"
"What is this?! And-and ma'am! Why does this little creature call you mama?!"
"Sorry grandpa, the story will be a bit confusing. You see..."
It took a long time to explain what happened there. Of course, we changed the story a bit to make it more polite and reasonable. Grandpa who heard it was very surprised and couldn't say anything. We continued chatting until the sun went down. The snow was still falling and the air was getting colder.
**
After a long chat and dinner, we went our separate ways to our respective rooms. I didn't want to wake Jimmy up but I thought this boy was being disrespectful to his mother. He didn't greet me and just fell asleep with his cute face. After I told her about it on the way, Elene was curious about her brother. She seemed happy to have a sibling.
From her story, Elene was a child who was abandoned in a rundown and unkempt orphanage. She was alienated because of her unique appearance and behavior. She was not only bullied by the children but also the orphanage administrators often tortured her.
After a long process, she managed to get the opportunity to study magic at a famous school and managed to become the best graduate.
But her life was not unimpeded of misfortune. Worst of all, she says, she was betrayed by the man she love for years with her party mates. She was completely deceived and all her achievements were taken away from her until she ended up stranded in those ruins.
When I hear each story my heart aches. Whether from my previous life or in my current body, betrayal and unrequited sacrifice is something that cannot be healed. I understand that and although I used to have a lot of bad luck with the women around me before, now I understand them a little.
I know that because I'm experiencing it now. How hard it is to be a woman and a mother.
"Mama! I feel a familiar energy in that grandpa's body."
"What do you mean?"
"I think I felt a little bit of familiar mana energy, no- I felt something else."
"Elene, tell me right away."
"Wait, it's so dark... I know!"
"What do you mean by dark?"
"It's not like this energy- it's indeed the dark energy of the demon race!"
"What? Are you saying grandpa is a demon!?"
"No, it's just a little bit, what I know is not like this structure. Wait... oh!"
"Elene stop scaring me, explain immediately!"
"Mom! This is a seal! A demon curse seal!"
"Huh?"
"Yes! It's a powerful curse seal implanted by a high-level demon! I feel it with such intensity that it's not impossible that a demon king did it."
"Demon king?! Is grandpa a demon king?"
"No mama, I feel another energy inside and it's genuine. This one is of course holy energy. It's like someone is a holy person, one who chosen by god, and then be cursed!"
"What kind of conspiracy is this?"
"Mama, I will try to analyze it again. Ask grandpa to be willing to do an examination. I think this curse is very dangerous."
"Okay fine, now we will spend the night first. I don't want to wake up grandpa who is tired of looking after Jimmy all day"
But now I became really curious and scared by Elene's words.
**
"No! I don't want to!"
"Come on, it's just a health check. You're old, you need to keep your body healthy."
"Madam, I've always been healthy. Have you seen me sick all these years? Now I have to go look for wood"
"Wait, Grandpa!"
Grandpa ran out immediately. I think he was hiding something he couldn't tell me.
Maybe the secret concerns his life. In other words, Grandpa is not a random person. If Elene, who is a former hero, is saying this seriously, it means that there is a connection with gods and demons.
I realize when an old grandpa who lives in the forest alone and fights monsters so easily must have a hidden story. I'll at least try to seduce him into telling me about his past life.
"Mama, I think he's hiding something big. I can't analyze it if the owner of the body doesn't allow it"
"I know that, I'll try later after he comes home"
"Buuubaa"
"Little Jimmy, little Jimmy, you now have a beautiful and cute big sister"
"You are still ugly Elene"
"Shut up you ugly old auntie!"
"Have you cleaned up my things young lady? My room?"
"Oh shit..."
"My little Jimmy now let's take a bath"
"I'm in! I'm in!"
**
'Pepper, salt, cinnamon and venison. Wait, it's fish today, right? Never mind'
"Laalalaa"
"Ugly auntie, what are you trying to make while casting spells? Potion or poison?"
"Of course! I'm making an elixir of youth with the ingredients of an unborn fetus. Where can I find it? Of course I have it in my stomach. Now I'm going to rip it open and cook it alive"
"You're scary!"
"Did you clean the floor and tidy up my clothes, young lady?"
"You think telekinesis is an all-purpose tool!"
"Who was it that promised to take care all of my needs?"
"Me! Me! I'm the miserable little princess who was taken captive by the witch! Oh god, the misfortune of my fate"
"Stop babbling and change your brother's diaper"
"Aye-aye captain!"
The sunlight was no longer visible at this time. I hurriedly prepared dinner. I wanted to eat a lot today because of the cold temperature. I guess it's true what grandpa said. It's going to get worse.
I also noticed the front door. There was no sign of grandpa returning from looking for firewood. I'm getting worried because I forcing him a bit this morning.
"Is he sulking about not wanting to go home?"
I was getting worry because grandpa didn't usually come out this late. I quickly finished my cooking and turned off the fire.
"Elene, please take care of Jimmy. I'm going to look for Grandpa"
"Okay"
With thick clothes and warm leather boots, I went out to the forest where Grandpa used to gather wood and food.
A white landscape covered the whole place. Knee-deep snow had piled up on the road to the forest. I, who had memorized the twists and turns of this area, immediately rushed to find grandpa before it got too late.
"Huh-hah it's cold"
The cold air immediately entered my lungs and it made me a little short of breath. I ran from place to place hoping that Grandpa was okay.
Even the animals and monsters were nowhere to be seen in this forest. They were probably in their nests hibernating.
I also won't leave the house if the temperature gets worse. My heart became more and more worried about Grandpa.
"Grandpa! Grandpa! Where are you grandpa?!"
While shouting, I ran through the forest. Even though there was also no skill that helped alleviate the cold I was still grateful. If it wasn't for the stats I had my body would have frozen to death by now.
"There! Found it!"
"Grandpa! Grandpa!"
"Ma’am- cough!"
I managed to find Grandpa who was sitting under a pine tree. I quickly checked his condition first and then carried him back home.
Even though he was dressed in thick clothes his body was shivering from the cold. I took the initiative to carry him in my jacket while trying to warm him up. It looked like Grandpa was about to faint from this weather.
"Hurry up! Hurry up!"
With a snowstorm starting to fall, I ran through the forest in a hurry. I was afraid that this storm would block the access road. I also cast a Heat spell to keep us both warm.
***