Volume 3 - CH 4

Chapter 4 – Dark Elven Village and Parents

Morning, huh…? I don’t think I slept much because I was in so much agony. I haven’t slept well for two days in a row.

But a morning kiss from the two of them wakes me up in a snap… I’m so easy, aren’t I? I’m even afraid of my simplicity that this is the only thing that cheers me up. Is this how it’s going to be?

After breakfast, I take out the Japanese-style boat to go down the river. Once we reached the grasslands, we could skip the rest of the way, and we were at the sea in no time. From there, we changed to the Luto and headed for the southern city.

I remember that there is an autopilot system. Let’s give it a try. Let’s see, it’s linked to the map, right? I set the southern city and started the autopilot. Is that correct? Oh, the ship is moving. Let’s go to the salon.

“Huh? Master, the ship is moving, you know? Is it okay?”

“Ara, it’s true. Is everything okay?”

“Yes, it’s fine. I tried to use the autopilot skill. It seems that if I set a destination that I have been to once, the autopilot will automatically steer the ship to that place. Now the ship will keep going while we sleep, so we’ll get to our destination two or three times faster than before.”

“Well, that’s great. That means we can get from the southern city to Gothenburg in about ten days, right?”

“Yeah, well, we can still go during breaks and meals, so it could be even faster.”

“It’s amazing. Once you get to a destination, you can get there two or three times faster.”

“I haven’t had a chance to use it before, so I haven’t tried it, but now I’m going to use it a lot, and it’s going to be a great tool for the migration and trade and all that.”

“I’m looking forward to being able to buy the luxury cruise ship soon.”

“I’m really looking forward to it, too. Then let’s decide what we are going to do.”

“”Yes.””

“First of all, we need to load the ship with pepper before we reach the southern city, and since we only have five silver coins now, we need to exchange the pepper for cash as soon as possible, give out souvenirs, collect tools for the settlement, visit Felicia’s homeland, hmm, what else is there?”

“I can’t think of anything else except maybe to make sure Felicia knows how to get to her homeland.”

“My homeland is in the woods, about seven days’ walk west of the southern city. If we go by ship from the sea, we can get there in one or two days. So, in this direction, if we can see the Kingdom of Latina, I think we will pass close to my homeland.”

“Really? Then we can stop by on the way back, have a discussion and make preparations for the migration, and in the meantime, we can do our business in the southern city.”

“That would be less hassle. Felicia, do you think there will be any problems if we go there directly?”

“The village is closed, so I don’t think we can just walk in. But my father is the village chief, so I can ask him to come and explain. We have the oath of the God of commerce, so trust is not a problem.”

“If there’s no problem, then it’s decided. Is it okay if we buy an extra bottle of liquor as a souvenir?”

“You don’t have to worry about souvenirs.”

“But we are going to meet Felicia’s father. Felicia is very kind to me, so I’ll feel uncomfortable if I don’t bring something for your father.”

“I’m the one who’s indebted to you…”

“Ufufu, that’s fine; I think it’s best to do what Master wants.”

“Alcohol is also a good way to start a conversation, no problem. I also like to have something to talk about.”

On second thought, the man who enslaved his daughter goes to see the father of his slave daughter… Huh? Will things get any better? Am I about to jump into a terrible place myself? Is a little alcohol enough?

“I’m sorry, Master, I really appreciate it.”

“Y-yeah, it’s okay. Let’s take it easy and not think about it too hard.”

In this case, it was a matter of taking it as it came. The more I think about it, the more it makes me sick to my stomach, so I’ll try to escape from reality.

“Ufufu, yes, oh, Master, it looked like a gluttony shark just bumped into us, or was it my imagination?”

“Oh, you’re right. We’re being attacked.”

I don’t feel nervous at all about the attack. I’ll have to be more careful when I’m on land.

After fighting off the gluttony sharks, I decided to take a bath since I had only wiped my body for two days.

“Ufufu, it’s nice to take a bath while the ship moves, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it’s all sea, so the scenery doesn’t change much, but is it because of the wind and the swaying? It’s a fresh sensation. What do you think, Master?”

“Yes, the wind gets stronger, so it’s a different sensation, but I like it.”

Yes, I love it. The breasts floating in the bath are more heaving than usual, and I don’t know what to do with them.

Two days after leaving the island, the continent came into view.

“Hmm, we arrived on the continent two days after leaving the island. I think the distance between the island and the continent is too close.”

“I think it will be alright. This ship has been sailing for two whole days, and it is very fast. It would take a normal magic ship five days to reach the island.”

During that time, the ship would have been attacked by monsters many times. Five days in the treacherous open sea is no easy feat, and I think it is safe enough.

“Yes, I think so too. I don’t think it’s worth the risk of losing the magic ship, and once the villagers have prepared to defend themselves, they will consider fighting back or even fleeing.”

“If there’s no problem, then fine, let’s move on.”　

“Master, my homeland is in that forest. If we can land halfway through the forest, we can reach the village in about two hours.”

“Okay, let me know if we have come to the right place. At the very least, we can switch to the Japanese-style boat and land without any problems.”

Finally, I’m going to visit her home in a few hours, and it makes my stomach ache.

“Master, please go ashore at that spot.”

“Yes.”

“This way, Master. There are monsters out there, so be careful. Ines, you take care of the rear.”

“Okay.”

After walking for about two hours, we could see the village in the distance. It seemed to be on high alert, or perhaps they had spotted us and were on alert, and people were gathering at the gate.

“Stop right there, don’t make any strange movements. What do you want?”

“I am Felicia; we mean you no harm. Please call the village chief.”

“Felicia, huh? But there are some unfamiliar people with you. I can’t allow you to approach until the chief gives you permission. You must stay there.”

“I understand.”

“Master, do you mind waiting here for a moment?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

I heard that they had been attacked before, so it’s no wonder they are on high alert. After waiting for a while, two men approached.

“Felicia, it’s been a while. Could you introduce these people to us?”

“Yes, this is my master Wataru-sama. The one on top of his head is Rimu-chan, who is Master’s familiar. The woman over there is Ines, who, like me, is Wataru-sama’s slave. Wataru-sama, this is Federico, the village chief of this village. He is also my father. And over there is Edgard, the captain of the guard.”

“My name is Wataru, and it is a pleasure to meet you.”

Yeah, dark elves have good faces, even the men. Well, I somehow knew that, but it seems like my jealousy is about to flare up. But so far, I don’t feel any hostility from them.

“I’m Federico, the village chief, and it’s a pleasure to meet you. May I ask how I can help you?”

“Yes, but it would be better to hear it from Felici’s mouth, Felicia, please.”

“Yes.　”

Felicia reported the discovery of the island to Federico-san. She told him that the conditions of her slave contract also included helping with the discovery of the island and relocation, as well as the island’s environment.

“Phew, I understand what you are talking about. It is a dream come true for us. In the meantime, let me show you my house.”

While we are being shown to his house, I take a look at the village, with its battered houses and broken walls, still not fully recovered from the damage caused by the attack.

“This is my wife, Cecilia. Please wait a moment while she prepares tea for you.”

Felicia’s mother seemed like she wanted to talk to Felicia, but I wondered if they could take some time later. But if I wanted to be cool, now would be a good time, right?

Felicia, go and help your mother make the tea. I think I’d be more likable if I ordered her to do it. I’ll give it a try… While I was thinking about it, the tea was brought to us… It’s unfortunate.

“May I ask you to elaborate?”

“Yes, the main idea is as Felicia told you earlier. I’m going to help the villagers move, transport the household goods from this village, donate food and pioneering tools until things settle down, and I think that’s about all I can do. Please discuss the rest with the villagers and make a decision.”

“I am very grateful for your help, but why are you willing to go that far?”

“Well, most of the reasons are to keep the agreement I made with Felicia.”

The rest of the reasons are just to finish the migration as soon as possible and have some fun, but as expected, I can’t say that here, can I?

“I see, I also need to discuss this with all the villagers, so could you please give me some time?”

“Okay, I have some work to do in the southern city, so I will come back after I finish that. How much time do you need?”

“Well, I think we can conclude in three days. Can you give us some more time?”

“Understood. I don’t know how long my work will take, so I will come back in about seven days. Is that all right?”

“Yes, thank you very much. Would you like to stay the night? We will prepare dinner for you.”

I could go back now, but I think I should stay here. Felicia would probably want to talk to her mother.

“Yes, thank you for your hospitality.”

“Now, I will show you to the guest room. We’ll call you when the food is ready, so please wait a moment.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Felicia, it’s been a while since you’ve been here, so you can go and talk to your mother while you help her. You haven’t talked to your mother properly yet, and I forgot to give the souvenir liquor to your parents, so take this with you.”

“No, but I’m your escort.”

“Don’t worry, Ines is here, and I don’t plan on going out.”

“Yes, I’ll take your word for it. Ines, take care of the rest.”

“Fufu, leave it to me.”

“Ines, this village still had the remains of the attack, and the population was low, so do you think the migration will be safe?”

“Right, but if it means they won’t have to be so careful about the humans, I think they will make the decision to move, even if it is painful at first. In this country, there is less danger, but in a country with human supremacy, even beastmen would be captured and enslaved, and it would be very difficult to be cautious all the time.”

“Human supremacy, huh? If I remember correctly, the empire in the north of this continent is like that, right?”

“Yes, all beastmen are enslaved when they are found. They are in an endless skirmish with the neighboring beast kingdoms.”

“A beastmen country next to an empire of human supremacy, I can see no other reason for conflict.”

“You’re right.”

While I was chatting with Ines and playing with Rimu, Felicia came to tell me that dinner was ready. She was smiling as if she was having a good time talking with her mother, and we were guided to our seats for dinner.

“Thank you for waiting; it’s not much, but please enjoy your meal.”

“””Itadakimasu.”””

A whole roasted bird, mushroom soup, and bread. I feel like they did their best for this meal; I’ll eat it with all my heart.

“This mushroom soup is very delicious. It contains mushrooms that I have never eaten before, but they are tasty with various flavors.”

“This soup is my wife’s specialty. I am glad you like it.”

“Yes, it is very delicious.”

“Wataru-san, my daughter told me that you take very good care of her, and I am really grateful for that.”

After the friendly dinner, Federico-san and Cecilia-san thanked me.

“Please raise your head, Felicia is the one who has taken very good care of me, and it is only natural that I should take good care of her.”

“When we were cooking, she told us how much she enjoyed living with you. We are the parents who sacrificed her life for us because it was beyond our control, so we would not have the face to meet her, but I really appreciate that you gave us the opportunity to talk with her with a smile.”

“No, no, you will have many more opportunities to see each other in the future. Since we are staying here tonight, please talk with her a lot more. I think it’s time for us to go to bed. Felicia, please spend some time with your parents today.”

“Eh, but…”

“It’s okay. It’s been a long time since you’ve seen each other, so please talk a lot, and have a good night.”

I couldn’t help but run away from the somewhat sober and serious atmosphere. Ah, I’m not good at that kind of atmosphere.

“Ufufu, they are good parents, aren’t they?”

“Yes, come to think of it, do you have any family, Ines?”

“Yes, I do. I have my parents and one younger brother.”

“If you want to meet them, we can go, but where do they live?”

“No, I don’t want to see them.”

“You don’t get along with them?”

“No, we’re a normal family, not that I don’t like them, but if I see them, I’ll have to explain why I became a slave.”

“Oh, you don’t seem to be as emotional as Felicia, do you?”

“Yeah, I don’t want to go see them after seeing Felicia like that.”

Yeah, well, as expected, she got into gambling, got into debt, and became a slave… It doesn’t sound like an emotional reunion is going to happen.

Let’s go to bed. Good night.