Volume 2 - CH 138

Since I had managed to defeat the Bedlock, the effect of the incense that the Bedlock was releasing should be gone.

I went back to where the fishermen were to confirm this.

The fishermen still seemed to be pondering what to do, so I returned to my human form, told them what had happened, and asked them to go out fishing.

They seemed somewhat unsure of the situation, but they still pulled together and took the boat out to the river.

I watched them from the land, and after a while, I heard a loud shout of joy from the boat as it left the river, which I could hear even from here.

I couldn’t make out the details from a distance, but it seemed that the net had caught a fish that was sparkling and splashing in the water.

At least the case was settled.

I got my revenge on that Houen guy, and now we can catch some fish.

In a way, I guess you could say we did a good job.

There were still issues to be resolved, but I decided to take my time to solve them.

There seemed to be no need for me to be here, so I decided to go and report to Raiki.

Of course, I’ll have to keep it under wraps that it was me who did it. ……

I know it’s useless since they already know, but since I went there intentionally, I’m going to keep it under wraps until the end.

◆

-Next Day-

Yesterday after that, I met up with Raiki and explained what had happened.

Alena was already awake at that time, and she started to tell me why she didn’t take me with her as well, and she got upset.

It took a lot of effort to get her to change her mood. ……

We agreed that she would buy a new weapon next time.

I thought that since she is a girl, she should have asked for something a little cuter, but Alena said she wants a weapon.

A weapon from this village to be exact.

Apparently, she was very pleased with this village’s weapons.

She said she wanted this and that, but for now, I’ll do my best to get her to narrow it down to one.

We can’t have that many weapons.

I’ll buy her a weapon when I get one.

I didn’t think I’d be forced to buy a weapon for something like this, but …… even if the worst happens and I end up having to buy a weapon, it won’t be a problem if I put it away in my magic bag.

Well, after such a long day, today is the day of the festival.

The fish had been caught successfully, so there were no problems with the dedication or the service, and the Oni were in the middle of making preparations without any trouble.

“Come on! Let’s carry it!”

“”””Oh!””””

When I looked toward the voice, I could see Reizen and the Oni carrying a portable shrine that looked like an enormous watchtower.

Even the Oni were pushing the portable shrine, which looked heavy, but was Reizen really doing the job?

Well, it is a matter of feeling.

Reizen lends a helping hand, even if it is only a little. I think it’s pretty cool.

As we walked through the village, we saw lanterns hung all over the village and food stalls being set up.

Alena, walking next to me, is also looking around the village with great interest.

I wonder if this festival is different from the festivals in her hometown.

I don’t really know how the festivals are held outide of japan, but I’m sure I’ll have the chance to participate in one.

Let’s see what Alena has to say about this.

“Ouren! What is that!?”

Alena pointed to a lantern hanging between the roofs.

This is something that she had never seen before in the Kingdom of Garott.

It is only natural since they do not have the technology to make traditional Japanese paper.

“Hmm? You mean the lanterns? Those would be lights that you could hold in your hand and walk around with. To put it simply for Alena, it’s an alternative to a torch.

“It’s going to catch fire? Does it burn?”

“In that thing. A tiny little fire goes in there.”

” Are you sure you can walk around with such a tiny fire and not get burned out?”

“Because it is designed to be protected from the wind.”

Explaining the lantern again, I wonder how people in the past thought of this.

While the mechanism is very simple, it is also excellent in terms of safety and functionality.

There is no other way to describe it but to say it is amazing.

However, since it is not nighttime yet, the lanterns have not yet fulfilled their original function.

Come to think of it, how do they light those numerous lanterns hanging between the upper and lower roofs?

There must be some sort of explanation, of course, but it is unlikely that we will find out until …… nighttime.

“Ouren, what about that?”

Next, Alena pointed to a large drum.

A few Oni were carrying a drum as large as the one in the taiko drum tower.

I did not understand why these powerful Oni were carrying the drums with several people.

However, I felt that I should not dwell on it, so I let the question sink deep into the recesses of my mind.

“It’s a drum.”

“What do you use it for?”

“For performing, I guess. It looks like that, but it’s actually a musical instrument, you know?”

“Wow! What does it sound like?”

“Hmm? It makes a thumping sound.”

“Ehhh…”

Alena looked openly disappointed.

Eh ……, that’s the only way to describe it.

But, well, it is understandable that Alena would react in that way.

Speaking of Western musical instruments, there are many that produce a variety of beautiful sounds.

Of course, there are also Japanese instruments that produce sounds as good as those in the West.

However, percussion instruments should not have been the main focus of the performance at Alena’s home festival.

For Japanese festivals, taiko drums are all that is needed to enliven the occasion.

The variety of drums available is enough to create a powerful and resonant sound.

However, …… Alena did not seem too convinced by the explanation.

The expression on her face tells me that she doesn’t have high expectations.

However, it is not so easy. Seeing is believing, as the saying goes.

If she actually saw and heard it, she would not have the same expression on her face as she does now.

With Alena’s expression of surprise in my mind, I went with her to the Oni to offer words of thanks to them.

◆

-In a certain room-

“Mmm …”

“…”

As the sound of weaving echoed through the room, the work temporarily stopped with occasional murmurs of discontent.

“Hisui. Move your hands properly.”

“……Yes”

Hisui finally begins to work with her hands after being warned by her mother, Shimu.

However, the speed of the work is very slow, and while Shimu weaves the woven mat three times, the Princess has only been able to weave it once.

Obviously, Shimu is dissatisfied with her work.

Although everyone could see it that way, they all guessed the fundamental reason for it.

It was about Ouren, the white snake.

Hisui rarely spent time with Ouren after he returned from his trip.

The only time they had a proper conversation was on the first day, and after that, she continued to work hard.

At first, she tried to play the role of a diligent, hard-working, capable girl to show her good side to Ouren, but without any contact with him, she lost her motivation.

Unable to bear it, she once managed to slip out of work to go and see Ouren, but she ended up getting caught by Shimu and taken back to this room.

Shimu had become increasingly strict with Hisui.

Before coming here, she had spoiled Hisui a lot, but when Ouren, the white snake, appeared in front of her, She began to tell herself that this was not good enough.

It all started when Hisui tried to make Ouren take a bath with her, which he did not want to do.

It seemed that Raiki was angry toward Hisui for that, but more than that, Shimu was being threatened by Raiki.

Then Shimu realized again how lenient she had been, and little by little, she began to be strict with Hisui in this way.

If it had been the old Shimu, she would have let her go right away, but now she has to make sure that Hisui understands that she is a princess from now on.

Hisui herself does not seem to be aware of it yet, though.

“Sigh …”

How many times have I heard Hisui sigh now?

It still pains me to think that I am the one responsible for this.

But I should not break down at this point. If I do, I will spoil her again.

I try not to think about anything as much as possible and concentrate on the task at hand.

“Excuse me”

With that voice, the sliding door behind her opened.

The Oni in the room turned their faces toward the sliding door once to look at the person who had entered.

Normally they would immediately get to work again, but …… this time they stared at the person who had entered.

They were all surprised.

No wonder.

Ouren, the white snake, was standing there.

“Ouren-sama!”

Hisui quickly stood up and moved over to Oren’s side.

Her earlier lack of energy had blown over, and she was wearing a big smile on her face.

“Oh, princess. I didn’t know you were here.”

“I’m working!”

“That’s very impressive. By the way, Princess, about this haori, could you make me another one?”

At Ouren’s words, the expressions on the faces of the Oni who worked on the haori that Ouren was now wearing, not to mention Hisui, became tense.

Was there a problem, or what should we do?

They seemed to be in a panic even though they had not been told anything yet.

“Y- you didn’t like it…?”

Hisui asks with a frightened look.

“No, no. But you know,…… when traveling, I can’t wear such a heavy overcoat all the time. I’m tired just walking through the villages,…….”

“Oh,…… Ouren-sama is not a …… Oni, isn’t he?”

“… Huh? Oh, you just figured that out now? Could it be that this is a cloak for Oni?!?”

“Yes!”

“Why you are the one who is excited.”

While scratching his head, he mutters, “No wonder why it’s heavy.”

Hisui laughed at Ouren, but Ouren was not offended by this and asked Hisui to make a new lightweight haori (Overcloak).

“Shimu”

“Ah- yes!”

I was surprised to suddenly hear my name called, but I quickly stood up and looked at Ouren.

“Will the weight reduction reduce the durability?”

“Yes,…… I think it will decrease a little.”

“Hmm. …… Well, that’s okay. Then, will you do it for me?”

“Leave it to me.”

After saying this, Ouren put his cloak away in his magic tool bag.

Just as he had done when he came in, he opened the sliding door and went out into the corridor.

“Oh, and”

As if remembering something, Ouren stops and looks back.

” You can start working on it tomorrow. And, Princess, let’s go.”

“Eh? Go where?

“Come on. Today is the festival. You can’t just stay cooped up in a place like this. And neither are the rest of you!　All right, stop working and come outside.”

The Oni were trembling with fear when they were told that.

It was the same for Hisui, who seemed to be at a loss as to what to do.

Both Hisui and the other Oni were looking at Ouren and me alternately, waiting for our decision.

But if I let them go, it would be the same as that time again.

I don’t want to repeat the same thing.

That is why …… I made a decision.

“I’m sorry, Ouren-sama, but…”

Before I could finish my words, Ouren tapped me on the shoulder.

Since I was trying to say the words with my eyes closed, I was completely unaware that he was coming closer to me.

When I was startled, Ouren muttered something in a voice that only I could hear.

“Parents aren’t just supposed to tie up their kids.”

When Ouren said that much, he let go of his hand and raised his voice again.

“I got permission! Once you’ve cleaned up, you can come outside!”

Once they heard this, the Oni moved quickly.

They immediately cleaned up the mess and then followed Ouren, bowing once to me before walking out.

No one would disobey Ouren’s instructions.

I did the same and put away my own tools before going outside.

However, the only thing that was still going around in my head were the words that Ouren had said to me.