Book 4: Chapter 10

「Wahaha! That bird got me good! It played dead to catch me off guard!」

Having returned to Dragonewt City, Kimidori Papa laughed loudly.

…I don’t think I could laugh if three fingers on my right hand were torn off by a monster bird.

But the person in question was laughing a lot.

「Oh my! That’s terrible! That would mean you can’t carry a spear anymore, my dear. What should we do? Can you peel potatoes, at least?」

Kimidori Mama, who welcomed us, was also calm.

「I don’t have an appetite today.」

Rather, it was Kimidori Gorn-san who was most disturbed and shut himself in his room.

Kimidori Papa told Kimidori Mama and the servants of the mansion what happened during the expedition. The Chochoriges’s nest is still safe, and my suggestion to leave the nest and wait for their numbers to increase was accepted easily.

Because we came back with 10 Chochoriges spoils, there was a bit of a fuss in the city.

The atmosphere felt like a hero’s triumphant return.

But, on the other hand, Kimidori Papa was seriously injured.

「So it was thanks to Reiji-san that the wound was healed? I’m so glad. Do you remember, dear? A few years back, one of your subordinates left the wound without treating it, resulting in it becoming suppurated, and in the end they had to amputate the arm. 」

「Indeed! I felt chills because such an incident happened, but I was lucky that Reiji-kun was there! He used magic, you know! It was amazing! What do you say, Reiji-kun? The Dragonewt Army—」

「No, I’m fine.」

「I see! You’re fine with joining!」

「No. I refuse.」

「Ah, I see, I see……」

…That’s what gets you down?!

Even the servants of the mansion thanked me for healing Kimidori Papa’s injury.

I regretted that I could only close the wound and couldn’t reattach his fingers back, but the atmosphere in the mansion said that it wasn’t a big deal.

「Please rest up until meal time!」Kimidori Mama said.

There were many things I wanted to say, but I held back.

Asha and I took turns using the bathroom to wash ourselves of dirt and sweat. Surprisingly, we got to use the bath even before Kimidori Papa did, the master of the mansion.

Although I say bathroom, it was just wiping my body with hot water. But it was still refreshing.

When I returned to the guest room, the window was open and I could see Dragonewt City at dusk. The clicking of evening cicada sounds can be heard.

Asha was by the window. A cool breeze blew in, and her hair fluttered in the breeze.

「Reiji-san… If I wasn’t there, you would have chased after Kimidori Gorn-sama’s father, right? And he wouldn’t have been injured.」Asha suddenly said.

「Asha?」

「I was clinging to you at that time, so your movements were restricted. I regret that…」

Asha’s shoulders were trembling.

Ah… just as I regret not being able to do more, Asha regretted it too.

Kimidori Gorn-san, who shut himself in the room, must also be feeling the same.

「Asha, I have been thinking about that, too. Everyone in the mansion is cheerful and glad, aren’t they?」

「Well… yes.」

「It’s not a big deal for them to get injured. I think that they firmly believe that if you get injured and can’t fight on the front line, then you should just do something else. Even peeling potatoes is good enough.」

I was still strongly influenced by the values ​​I had when I was alive in Japan, and Asha was influenced by the values ​​of living as a High Elf royalty.

How blessed the “Front World” is compared to this world! We can consider stopping the extinction of a species only because we still have plenty of food to spare in the “Front World”.

「An injury is a small thing compared to being alive, isn’t it?」

「…I suppose so.」

「We were accepted and welcomed by the people of this house. So, until we can find a way to return to the other world, let’s return the favor.」

「Return the favour? You mean monster subjugation?」

「No, not that. There is something that is perfect for you, Asha.」

「Me?」

I was grinning intently at Asha, but at that time, there was a knock on the door.

It was Kimidori Gorn-san who came in.

「Reiji, I have a request for you. Will you hear me out, nuru?」

「Of course. I’ll cooperate.」

「But, I haven’t said anything yet, nu.」

「You wish to know more about magic tools, right? And also about the magic.」

「H-H-How do you know that!?」

Kimidori Gorn-san shut himself in the room. Although he must have regretted what happened, he probably also thought about other things.

His fathers and the other dragonewt bravely confronted the enemy. And on the other hand, I didn’t directly face the enemy, but I did support them with【Healing Magic】.

Joining the Dragonewt Army and cutting down enemies is not suitable for Kimidori Gorn-san. But Kimidori Gorn-san must have thought about something that only he can do.

And if he came with a “request” at this time, it must be about magic tools, I guessed.

「Kimidori Gorn-san, you chose to assist rather than fight, correct?」

「You have seen through to that extent, huh, nu.」

It was not only Kimidori Gorn-san who was surprised, but Asha as well.

…Come on, guys. Of course I can deduce that much.

「But let’s leave that for tomorrow. Because I’m hungry right now.」

Supper was a chochoriges dish prepared by Kimidori Mama and the cooks. The one I defeated was donated to the Dragonewt Army, but they insisted I take back a small portion with me. Said it would affect their honour if they completely relied on guests.

「My my, Kimi-chan came too!」

Kimidori Mama clapped her hands happily when she saw Kimidori Gorn-san in the dining room.

「Let’s open a sake barrel especially for today, nura!」

Kimidori Papa said excitedly, raising a beer mug—no, it would be more unusual if this person wasn’t excited all the time. A servant carried out a barrel as big as an armful.

In Dragonewt City, sake seems to be a luxury item. Only drunk for celebrations. Today is in celebration of killing Chochoriges.

「Well, even if the wound is healed with magic, drinking alcohol can worsen or open it, so I think it’s better to not drink today.」I said.

「Huh!? But it’s a celebration nu!」

「Dear…」

「Y-Yeah…」

Kimidori Mama yanked the beer mug out of Kimidori Papa’s hand, and he slumped into the chair feebly.

Deciding that we can have sake some other day, the sake barrel was stored away again.

「Wahaha! Reiji-kun, no matter how bravely you can fight against a strong monster, you will never win against the one in your house!」

What am I supposed to do with that ”life advice” at this point?

By the way, the dinner party with the servants was very exciting. The fried Chochorieges meat was incredibly juicy and delicious.