Chapter 328: (Cursed Child) Meeting Grandma and the Morning Scenery

Chapter 328: (Cursed Child) Meeting Grandma and the Morning Scenery (Cursed Child) Meeting Grandma and the Morning Scenery

* * *

“You there! What are you doing!?”

I think those were the words Grandma Numbri first said to me.

At that time, it had only been a few days since I came to this royal capital.

Even though this was a place where people didn’t discriminate against black hair and black eyes that much...... given the national character here.

Since I didn’t have any money, naturally, I couldn’t buy food.

I was secretly rummaging through the leftovers thrown out by restaurants in the dim shadows...... that’s when it happened.

“............”

I stopped the leftover food review meeting I was having with Extra-sama in my mind and slowly turned around.

And there, standing in the sunlight, was Grandma Numbri.

She was slender and leaning on a cane.

Her long white hair was tied together at the back.

I thought she was a beautiful person.

She must have been very popular when she was young.

Maybe she’s still popular now.

Now, that grandma.

When she saw my face as I turned around, she looked quite surprised.

Her eyes were wide open and her mouth was agape.

Black-haired and black-eyed humans are very few in number in this world.

Originally there were few, and probably, for various reasons...... they die quickly.

So, Grandma must have been surprised by my unfamiliar colors.

She was silent for a while.

But after being stunned for a while, Grandma Numbri shook her head, pulled herself together, and asked me.

“...... Are you hungry?”

“............”

I’m always hungry.

I nodded.

Then Grandma grinned.

“Then, come with me! I’ll treat you to something delicious!”

Saying that, she pulled me out of the dim garbage dump by the hand and started walking down the bright street.

Ah, this person is a good person.

I thought so.

Then, shouldn’t I part with her right away?

I also thought.

Because I’m a cursed child.

If they’re with me, that person will eventually meet with misfortune.

From my life experience, that’s not a superstition or anything, it’s a fact.

But.

In the end, it’s been a little over a month since then.

I’m living with Grandma Numbri in the same house.

The season has ended summer and is already autumn.

The street trees have also started changing colors.

In order not to make good people unhappy.

If there are no special circumstances, I should part with that person immediately.

That’s what I think, but.

I haven’t parted with Grandma Numbri.

The reason why, is because.

Grandma Numbri......

* * *

“Emi! It’s breakfast time!”

Hearing Grandma Numbri’s voice coming from downstairs, I woke up with a start.

Jumping up from the bed and opening the curtains of the small window, the sun had already risen.

<...... Good morning, Emi.>

Good morning, Extra-sama.

Greeting my brain roommate, I do some simple morning exercises.

Wrists, ankles, neck, waist, shoulders.

Rotate them around and stretch.

After doing that and taking a deep breath, my eyes are wide open!

“Come down quickly!”

Once again, Grandma’s voice.

<The reason the story is slow is probably because she’s choosing her words to explain it to you, who is still a child. Since ‘defeated’ implies a bloody story.>

Well, there’s no need to worry about it.

I don’t care how some stranger I don’t know dies.

Still, an anniversary, huh.

“Since it’s an anniversary, is it a holiday?”

“Practically, yes. But no matter how bad he was, the one who was defeated was the king. Kings are the ones who are recognized by God to rule over the land, you know? Defeating him can’t be officially celebrated. Many of the elderly remain silent about this incident...... even though they are grateful.”

What does that mean?

<...... In this world, Emi, the distance between gods and humans is closer than in the world you used to live in. Especially the kings within this Golden Continent are all, without exception, from divine child lineages who have truly been granted the right to rule by the gods. Regicide, no matter how bad the guy was, is more fearsome for the people than you can imagine...... That’s what it means.>

Hmm?

I don’t really understand.

Well, anyway, in other words, the reason why the village chief of Panemo Village didn’t tell me the details for some reason seems to be related to that?

<That seems to be the case.>

But this grandma seems to be willing to tell me about that to some extent.

Since I have the chance, I’d like to ask various things.

“Hey, what kind of person was the hero?”

“It’s well-known, but...... he had black hair and black eyes. Just like you.”

I kind of expected that.

That’s why in this country, I’m not discriminated against.

Because black hair and black eyes are the colors of the hero.

“And...... he was a scary man.”

“Scary?”

“That’s right. He defeated the king, you know? There’s no way a person who can do such a thing is an ordinary person. He was a man who did shady jobs. That’s why everyone can’t talk about that hero in a loud voice.”

Here, I suddenly became curious.

This Grandma Numbri.

She’s not just talking about the general rumors about that hero......

This person, as if......

“Ugh...... cough, cough!”

But then.

Grandma Numbri suddenly started coughing.

“Are you okay?”

As I jumped off the chair and tried to approach her, Grandma stopped me while holding a handkerchief to her mouth.

“I’m fine, I’m fine...... It’s common for the elderly to cough...... Emi, I’m going to take some medicine, so could I ask you to do the dishes?”

“Okay.”

Saying that, Grandma went back to her room while coughing.

* * *

Making a clattering sound, I wash the dishes.

I have 【Peel】, so I’m very good at washing dishes.

If I give it a single lick with this hand, the dishes instantly become sparkling clean.

“............”

I quietly let out a single sigh.

<It can’t be helped. There’s nothing you can do about it, so there’s no need for you to worry.>

Even so.

If they’re with me, that person will eventually meet with misfortune.

Knowing that, the reason why I’m still with Grandma Numbri.

It’s because Grandma seems lonely living alone.

And one more thing.

...... Hey, Grandma.

I have a good sense of smell.

I can tell that the blood you coughed up has stained the handkerchief you’re holding over your mouth.

Even if you hide it, I can tell.

And I can also tell with 【Magic Perception】.

The mana leaking from Grandma’s body...... is really low.

This isn’t because Grandma is actually a master of mana manipulation and suppressing the leaking mana...... It’s definitely not something like that.

Purely, Grandma’s mana has become quite low.

What does that mean? In other words.

Grandma’s body has become quite weak.

So, in other words, Grandma.

Before becoming unhappy because of me......

...... Yeah.

Well, you know, Grandma Numbri.

...... doesn’t have much longer to live.