Volume 2 - CH 35

Chapter 2-35. Toast With Water

A few hours after seeing the country of Garrot in the distance.

We were walking in the woods again away from the public road.

We took a break to have lunch, but decided to not start a fire.

If we start a fire in the daytime, the smoke will reveal our whereabouts.

We had two meals per day before, but that is not the case here.

We still have the same eating routine as before, but it's not the same.

And ... the food without fire was very simple.

Dried rice, dried potatoes, and water.

There is a demon beast that was dismantled yesterday, but it was left as it was because we couldn't use fire.

I was able to eat it like usual.

Not to mention the princess, Shimu and other onis didn't seem to find it tasty, so they ate it by putting them in their mouths and pouring it with water.

What a sad way to eat, in my thoughts...

Oh, by the way, this lunch is enough to reach my level to MAX. The evolution path is like this.

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―Evolution Path―

-Wave Snake-

-Forest Snake-

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-Forest Snake-

A large snake species that lives deep in the forest.

This species has a very timid personality and rarely appears.

However, the legend was said that those who see this species will be lucky.

Aristocrats and royalty try to keep this snake, but even if this species can be captured safely, the beauty of living beings in nature disappears, and on the contrary it makes the aristocrats unhappy.

The other source also said this species is categorized as a phantom snake that you should never touch even if you found it.

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Forest Snake would be my next evolution.

Maybe I can get skills related to trees?

If it is true, I want to evolve immediately.

But … I shouldn't do it now.

I thought about it before, but it will definitely be noisy.

The experience points that I can get from meals will be wasted, but ... it's the experience points that I can easily get. This is the only time I decided to not evolve immediately.

After that, nothing happened and it was already night again.

It seems there is no possibility of an attack at this point.

As soon as the princess heard that, she took off her hood and cloak.

After all, it seems that her patience is at the limit.

But still there is no bath.

The princess just- give up on the spot

.

"I'm tired ..."

"It was a ridiculously long journey for the princess, but by noon tomorrow we will be able to reach Zenki-village."

Hey, are we already that close to our destination?

That's a good thing right, princess?

Just a little bit more.

"Everyone! The lookouts' roles are the same as yesterday. Swap the first shift and the fourth, second and third lookouts. I'm in the third lookout."

Tenda gave instructions to the onis.

It's good to change the order so it seems they treated each other the same.

It's obvious that you'll be dissatisfied if you're biased to one side from the others.

But he himself is willing to apply for the hardest watch time.

But no one stops him.

Why?

As far as I know, I thought it wouldn't be strange to see someone say "The captain should rest first!" Or "I'll do it for you!" ...

But Tenda didn't seem to be hated either.

No one would be offended by the young general who bows to the people.

Is that because ... he is trusted?

But if that's the case, it wouldn't be strange for him to take a rest more than the rest of the onis.

I don't understand.

"Everyone ~. The meal is ready!"

It seems that the meal is already prepared while I'm in my own thoughts.

I wonder if I should go too.

Let's just eat tonight with the other onis.

I also want to hear some of their stories.

I head to the place where all the onis are.

There are three bonfires, each of which seems to take a seat and eat as you like.

The princess and Shimu are in completely different places, but the princess seems tired and fell asleep without eating, so I can move around freely tonight.

Shimu's hands are fully occupied by the princess.

When I was wondering where to go, I saw Tenda.

Although he is a young general, he seems to enjoy eating with his comrades.

How good it would be for such a young leader to build a peace among their kin.

Alright, let's go over there.

As I approached, I heard a conversation.

"Tenda, I'm sorry I don't have alcohol."

"Don't worry. It's okay to talk to everyone like this."

"Nah! It's a bit disgraceful! You're younger than me, but let us hear some words, will ya!"

"You should refrain from drinking, man. Your face doesn't turn red, but your horns are bright red."

"Hey, it's been like this since I was born! It's nothing to do with drinking!"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

When listening to their conversation, it seems that there is no hierarchical relationship.

I also want to join this kind of circle.

Hierarchical relationship ... It sounds closer to the family relationship.

I wonder why they are so bright even though it's hard for everyone to lose their acquaintances and their blood family.

It's strange.

Well, I don't like to be alone.

Hyup.

I jump on Tenda's shoulders.

Tenda seems to have spilled his drink that he was drinking, but he was more surprised that I was here.

"Ah, White snake-sama !? Why are you here !?"

Well, the princess is sleeping.

I'm thinking of talking with you guys.

Even if I have that kind of thought, it will not be transmitted to the other party, so I make a hand shape with water and put my thumb up.

No problem!

"It's crazy. White snake-sama rides on Tenda's shoulders."

"What is it talking about? It's like I'm a failure as an oni if I don't understand it."

"Because he is different from us?"

"At least I’m not worse than you."

"The fudge- !?"

These guys aren't really drunk, right?

Isn't this conversation like they are already tipsy from alcohol?

But everyone seems to have fun.

They are laughing from the bottom of their stomach about the joke between Tenda and the red-horned oni.

It doesn't look like those who have lost their friends and family in battle.

"Hey everyone! The white snake-sama has come! Everyone gathers here too!"

One by one onis came into this circle from another place under the command of one man.

It made this circle more lively than before.

In this way, it looks like a group of youkai Hyakki Yagyo* full of onis. (*Demon/Yokai Parade)

What an interesting sight.

"What is it? How long have you been with the white snake-sama without telling us?"

"You silly. The white snake-sama has just arrived. I'm telling you guys because it is here"

"Oops. It seems I’m the rude one ~"

"Come on, be more apologetic will you?"

"No, I did my best tho?"

"Hmm. If that's how much of your capability, would you like to continue with the second and third lookouts?"

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, Tenda-sama, please forgive me!"

This stout looking guy and the young onis were in good shape, but just from Tenda’s words, he obediently apologized.

Everyone knows it's a joke, it’s quite a funny sight to see.

If anyone looks at this band of onis, it looks like a banquet.

Everyone started talking happily around a bonfire.

I'm having fun too.

I can't speak, but hearing them out is enough.

It's interesting just by listening to these guys.

They are a bunch of good Onis.

The oni in charge of cooking cut and baked more meat than yesterday.

The meat seems to be the same as yesterday.

It seems that they were able to hunt the same prey today.

Of course I also get some portion of the meat.

Omnomnom.

I feel bad that I didn’t do anything for them.

Let's make water with [Infinite Water Manipulation] and pour it into everyone's cup.

It's a pity that it's not sake, but ... I only have this.

"Oh!?"

"What is this ..."

Most onis are surprised at the water.

However, only Tenda seems to know that I am using my skill, and he calls out to everyone again.

"Everyone! Raise your cup!"

Ah, thank you, thank you.

It was a little difficult to put in when the hot water was close to people.

Their cup was raised and it became very easy to put the hot water in.

I manipulate the water and pour water into everyone's cup.

In less than a minute I was able to pour water into every cup.

"Well, is anyone among us able to use water-based skills ?"

"No, as far as I know, no one has it?"

The onis don't seem to know where the hot water came from.

Tenda raises his voice to the onis who have some doubts.

"Everyone! The sake that has just been poured is a gift from the white snake-sama. It's not sake, but it's sweeter than what we usually drink! Let’s thank it!"

After all, it seems Tenda knew that it was the water I made.

It seems that he knew it from Uchikage, and there was no surprised expression on his face.

The other onis started making noise as if they had forgotten that the princess was sleeping ... Well, maybe just for today.

I'm sure they have come this far with great thoughts.

If I don't do my best, the impression of the white snake that is passed down as a tradition may disappear.

"White snake-sama. Thank you for your kindness."

When he said that to me, I turned my face toward everyone and held the hot water drink over towards the sky.

After standing still for a while, the other onis who saw me also held the hot water over towards the sky.

Apparently Tenda was waiting for this.

After confirming that everyone held the hot water, he said only one word without raising his voice.

"Cheers"

Only Tenda gave the word.

First, Tenda drinks the hot water.

After seeing him, the other onis drink the hot water all at once.

This is probably the manner of toasting of the onis here.

After everyone drinks the hot water, they turn the cups over.

After that, a big laugh that shook the ground wrapped up the place.

W-w-what! ?? What’s happening! ??

"Hahahahahahahaha!"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

"Ahahahahahahaha!"

"Ha ha ha! Young general ~! You’re feeling so good now!"

"Ha ha ha! What the heck are you saying! You guys are the ones who make this good !"

I have no idea what’s happening...

What the heck makes them laugh like this?

"Oh, don’t you know white snake-sama? This is our oni's toasting style. We never make toast because the cup never dries. It's because we're pouring sake one after another. Even if we get drunk, we won't run out of sake. But at celebrations, we completely drink the cup and empty it like before. We rarely do it. That's a thing, and such a serious manner doesn't suit us. That's why I laughed at it. "

It's amazing not to dry the cup.

Where is such sake made?

I wonder if there is sake with sake bugs as it was in Japan. (*Onis’s sake cup that never dries)

I want to see if there is one.

But as Tenda said, it doesn't suit Oni to drink so quietly.

Oni is more like drinking vigorously and happily.

"Well, everyone! It's good to have fun, but isn’t it the time for some watchmen to rest? Because the safety of the princess and the white snake-sama is the first priority."

"We know!"

"Ha ha ha! I can't stop!"

It was a short banquet, but the onis still seemed happy.

The oni in charge of cooking collects all the tableware and hot water.

And the first onis who acted as watchmen walked to their post.

Some onis went to bed early, even though they laughed so much and the tension went up.

There isn’t any alcohol in that water, rght?

Are they okay?

...... I thought I'd give a word of courage to the oni who is pointed as the watchmen, but ... Isn't it okay if I don't do anything more than this?

No, let's do what they have already decided.

I want to hear various stories.

Maybe they’ll tell me something if I go.

Alright, should I be a watchmen tonight?