Volume 2 Chapter 1: The beginning of the journey
The azure sky that spread out and the clouds that expanded as far as the eyes could see.
The wind gently brushed my cheeks and the grass spreading before me carried a gentle fragrance.
The weather was perfect. Our journey started on such a day.
「…The wind feels good…」
The wind suddenly blew, feeling the wind brush against her cheeks, the girl next to me narrowed her eyes.
A girl with silver hair and long pointed ears, her name was Sheryl Prime.
The precious granddaughter of my rival.
She looked young…at most, you’d say she looked like a 10-year-old girl, but in reality, she was much older than that.
If she was a human, she’d be at the age where she’d be turning into an adult, but looking at her body and mind you’d reach the conclusion that she was really childish.
The reason for that is, she was born as an elf and had the special traits of that race.
They grow up at the same pace as humans until they become twelve years old, from that point onward, they’ll grow at a slow pace.
Elves are a race that is carried calmly in the stream of time.
Well, I’m saying that her appearance and gestures are childish, but she’s older than 「the current me」.
It might be a bit late for introductions, but my name is Slava Marshall.
The origin of the name is the foster parent and master of the legendary martial artist Alma Shijima, who is known across all the elven country, Slava Shijima.
While having quite the popular name among boys, I’m around 3 years younger than Sheryl.
I also have the same long pointed ears as her, that’s right, I’m also an elf.
That being the case since Sheryl still looks like a child and I’m even younger than her, I can’t really call her childish.
「Yeah, you are right. The temperature and the wind feels nice. It’s the perfect weather to start a journey」
I gave a reply that would make you think I lacked the innocence of a child and smiled at her.
I’m not saying that there aren’t people like me at this age, but this is how I am.
It’s something that the people around me make fun of.
That I am like an old man or that I’m like a grandpa…even the elves that have lived over a hundred years say that kind of thing gently to me, so it must be true.
However, I can’t really help it.
Even though my body is young…the reality is that my mind is that of a human that lived for over a hundred years and died from an illness.
Giving everything to martial arts and walking that path, I took my last breath without even seeing the summit during my best days.
That was the previous me.
A man who died full of regrets even after offering everything and still not being able to obtain what he wished for, Slava Shijima.
I was supposed to have signed a contract with the god of death, but when I came to, I was being held in the arms of an elven couple…I had become an elven child.
That was the current me.
I don’t really know why this situation came to be, but I have died once as a human and I’m currently walking the path of my second life as an elf.
That being the case, the fact that I can’t talk any other way even when I’m a child is something that I can’t really avoid.
If I say so myself, I do lack the innocence of a child.
Completely different from the child walking next to me…I turned to look at Sheryl and she pulled me by the sleeves of my clothes.
「Slava-kun…what’s that building…?」
While pulling me with her left hand, she pointed at a building in the distance.
Within the grass, you could see a path. The wooden building that was along the way…was a place where travelers could rest when they were tired.
I can’t really read the letters from here, but since you can see a signboard with a bed and meal drawn in it, I’m pretty sure of it.
Seems like you can rest and eat a meal there.
「Hmm…It seems to be a rest area」
We might be two children traveling, but our bodies are healthy.
It’s not like we have reached the point where we would feel tired but…
「Rest area? I wonder if we can eat there…」
We can feel our empty stomachs like anyone else.
Sheryl’s stomach gave a lovely sound.
I reflexively smiled and placed my hand on top of her head.
…Hmm, this is a good place. To build a rest area in this place, it must have been done by a good businessman.
If we thought about the distance from Alfaleia, it’s true that you would feel like eating around this point. It might not be the case for us, but a normal traveler would probably reach this place when the sun is setting.
「We can probably eat here. Since it’s the perfect time for it, shall we go and get something to eat?」
「…Yup」
If we let this chance slip by, there probably won’t be another chance to eat for a while. Since she was feeling pretty hungry, once I gave the suggestion, Sheryl cheerfully agreed.
A long time ago…though it was just a while ago for an elf we talked about which one of us was older.
At that time since Sheryl was older than me as an elf, I tried to play along with her wishes, but when we are like this, we look like a father and daughter…or you could even call it a grandfather with her granddaughter.
However, I still think I should act like her. They say that children are best when they are innocent after all.
「Then…let’s go quickly? It’s…a race!」
Making a one-sided challenge, Sheryl started to run towards the rest area without hearing my reply.
It’s measured with my eyes, but there seems to be around 1km until we reach the rest area.
It’s not a distance children would race, but in a way, this is also childlike.
「Well then, guess I should get going too」
In order to chase Sheryl’s figure which kept getting smaller, I started to run too.
It’s not like I can’t overtake her from here, but let’s let her win this time.
「Arrived…」
After running for about 1km, Sheryl stopped in front of the rest area.
She probably ran seriously, she placed her hands on her knees and was out of breath, you could see that she was really tired.
She was the granddaughter of the elven martial artist that was my worthy rival in my previous life. Because her parents died when she was small, that man raised her as a martial artist.
Because of that, her physical ability wouldn’t lose to that of an adult…but running this distance in such a short interval of time would still tire her out like this.
If I wanted to, I could make her do some long-distance running to earn her meal. The km that she had run just now could be something like that.
「Fu….fu…am I amazing?」
Ignoring that idea, I smiled at my friend’s granddaughter.
It wasn’t a smile to praise her for the speed she had run at. It was a genuine smile, like that of a father witnessing his child win a race.
「Yeah, you are amazing, Sheryl. I completely lost」
「…I did it…」
After arriving a bit later to the rest area, while feeling a bit tired, I patted Sheryl’s head, whose eyes were glittering.
When I did so, her smile turned into one akin to a flower in full bloom.
Forgetting about how tired she was, she made a delighted face and looked like a normal child.
「Well then, what should we do? Should we rest a bit before eating?」
The reason we had come here was to have a meal.
However, now that we were tired from running, I wonder if eating right away would make the stomach of a child hurt?
The reason I asked Sheryl, was because I was worried about that.
「No…I’m fine」
Seems like it was just me worrying over nothing.
Sheryl had recovered her breath and went back to the way she usually talked.
It was just a km…it looked as if she was saying that. She was quite the frightening child.
「I see. Shall we go in then?」
「…Food」
There was also the light exercise just now, but as expected, I was hungry.
They’ll probably have tasty food here.
I opened the door along with Sheryl, the interior was spacious and there were bottles of alcohol on the ground that no one seemed to pay attention to.
In the center, there was a fireplace, but since it was still warm there was no fire lit in it.
In front of the entrance, there was a counter, there were quite a few guest there and a man that was probably the shopkeeper was on the other side of it.
From the entrance you could also see various doors, when I took a peek inside, I saw there were simple beds in them.
I can’t really call it a good place, but it was good enough to stay over.
「Oh? Welcome. It’s only you kids? Where did you come from?」
While I was looking around, the old man on the other side of the counter talked to me.
I see, as expected, he’s curious about why two children were traveling.
However, it was not like he was trying to poke fun at us, it was a cheerful voice.
「Oh, we came from Alfaleia. Are there any free seats?」
「As you can see. There’s space in front of the counter, come here」
Invited by the shopkeeper, we headed towards the seats in front of the counter.
Since this is pretty close to the capital, a lot of people pass through here.
Because of that, there were quite a few people inside…but there wasn’t anything interesting.
「Alright, welcome. What do you want to eat?」
Once we reached the seats, he handed us the menu and looked at us with a smile.
I took the menu and opened it so Sheryl could see.
「Let’s see…Sheryl, is there anything you want to eat?」
「Yup…something salty」
It’s true that she was feeling hungry right now, but Sheryl doesn’t tend to like sweet things that much.
It’s a bit unusual for a girl her age, but she tends to prefer snacks or salty stuff more.
I heard from Chester that she asks for things to be salty so she might like them a fair bit.
「Hmm…you heard her, is there anything you’d recommend? If possible, something that fills you up」
「Let’s see, how about a codfish brandade? The codfish is mixed with potatoes after being left on salt water and then you eat it by placing it on top of a baguette, it’s delicious」
「Oh? That does sound tasty, I’ll have that」
「Me too…」
「Alright! Wait for a bit…hey! Two servings of codfish brandade!」
「Got it!」
After taking the order, the shopkeeper shouted to convey the order, and from further inside, the hoarse and vigorous voice of a female could be heard.
Even without being able to see her, judging from the exchange they had, I reached the conclusion that they might be a married couple.
When I looked at Sheryl, who was having fun swinging in her chair. I thought about how fun it’d be to have such a cute child and a high spirited wife and smiled.
「However, what are children like you doing in this place? You probably didn’t come here from Alfaleia just to eat, right?」
After placing the order, the shopkeeper couldn’t hide his interest and turned to look at us.
Most guest that come here are probably travelers after all. The reason he didn’t ask if we were traveling is probably we looked like really young children.
「No, we started traveling today. For now, we plan to head to Natoushia」
When I casually said that, the shopkeeper looked really surprised. If I heard the same thing, I would probably have had the same reaction.
「Just the two of you? Natoushia is very far…this is just me talking, but it’s too dangerous for two children, you know? It would take five days by carriage」
It’s true that it would take around five days by carriage to reach our destination…it was that kind of distance.
It’s pretty far from Alfaleia and as you get further from the capital, the public order does get worse.
If two children went on such a journey, as a shopkeeper he would feel the need to try to stop us.
「I’m aware of that, but there’s a reason I must go no matter what. I’m already used to traveling, you don’t have to worry」
「Besides, Slava-kun is really strong」
However, I’m an old man that has lived for over a hundred years. I was already used to traveling in my previous life, there weren’t any problems.
Well, for people that might not have much confidence, it wouldn’t change the fact that it looked pretty dangerous.
Seeing how calm I was and looking at Sheryl who was sticking out her chest forward, the shopkeeper started to rub his chin.
「If you say that much, I guess there’s nothing else for me to say. Don’t be too reckless, OK?」
「Yeah, I’ll be careful］
After that, we had a friendly chat.
Because of his personality and the place he set up his business, I was told about various things and I didn’t get bored.
「The codfish brandades are ready!」
While we were talking, from the kitchen beyond the counter, a plump woman appeared.
In the plates on both of her hands, the codfish brandades were placed along with some baguettes.
「Oh, go ahead and eat. Even if I say so myself, they are tasty, you know?」
「Of course they are, I was the one that made them」
The middle-aged woman was cheerful. I do really think they get along well.
「In that case…let’s eat」
「Let’s eat」
Even if it’s food that we had paid for, we have to show gratitude for them making the food.
Without having to tell her anything, Sheryl did the same thing as me, you wouldn’t think she was raised by Chester.
Well then, they said to…place it on top of the baguette, huh.
The plate was filled up so much that it made me feel that it was too cheap for the price I had seen on the menu. I placed some of the codfish brandade on top of a baguette.
Once I started to carry it to my mouth, the fragrance of the codfish along with that of the potatoes tickled my nose.
…Hmm, seems like they’ve used garlic. Then, there’s olive oil. It smells appetizing.
Invited by the smell, I took a bite.
My first impression was…delicious! Just that one word.
The saltiness matched well with the crispiness of the toasted baguette, it was well done.
The peculiar flavor of the codfish was spread thanks to the tenderness of the potatoes and the fragrance of the garlic further aroused my appetite.
It was a flavor that would want me to keep eating even if I ate one after another.
「…Delicious」
「It’s really delicious」
「Hehe, right?」
This is definitely something I’d recommend.
All the ingredients matched well and made it exquisite.
Even though it was simple, it was astonishingly good.
It looked like Sheryl really liked it, she had stuffed her tiny cheeks with food.
It might have been because we were hungry, we ate it all in the blink of an eye.
「Thanks for the food. It was delicious」
「Yup…thanks for the food」
「You look satisfied. It made me happy seeing how you gulped those down」
The shopkeeper looked delighted as he rubbed his nose with his hand.
Feeling satisfied with the food, I took a breath.
Since we are not really in a hurry, guess we’ll rest for a while. I was currently in the mood of enjoying the aftertaste.
As the food got rid of my fatigue and I was immersed in my thoughts, the shopkeeper peeked at me.
「Hey kid, can I ask you something?」
「Hmm…? Well, if it’s something I can answer」
「Why are kids like you traveling? I’m just curious since it’s just both of you during these times. I took a liking to you because you said how delicious Kami-san’s food was. It would sadden me if something happened to you」
Seems like he’s worried about us.
However…hmm, the objective of our journey, huh?
Search for strong individuals. If I had to sum it up in a single sentence it would be that, but that’s not the only purpose of this journey.
For example, it’s for this child…for Sheryl. To teach this child that didn’t know about the outside world. That’s also one of my objectives.
There might be some harsh events, but the world is vast and there are plenty of fun things to see. I simply want Sheryl to enjoy the world.
The same thing goes for me. I have dedicated everything to martial arts and hadn’t even found a wife, I want to find something else that I enjoy. That’s also another objective.
To sum it up…that’s right.
「One way or another, I guess it’s to grow up?」
To polish ourselves. In the end, it comes down to that.
「What’s with that? So you are going on a path to improve your martial arts, huh?」
「Yeah, that does sum it up quite well」
Towards the surprised words of the shopkeeper, I showed a smile to signal I agreed with him.
It’s not just about getting stronger. Though I can’t say I’ll polish my mind and knowledge to be top-class either.
Reaching the pinnacle with this small body is something that will be very difficult to do. That’s why I’m going on this journey.
To gather the three qualities of heart, technique, and physique. Thus growing as a person and eventually becoming stronger.
That’s the path I’m walking on my second life…the objective of this long long journey as an elf.
I took the path of martial arts in my previous life, even praised myself for it, but in the end, it didn’t amount to much.
Starting with Chester, there were plenty of people stronger than me.
I want to grasp that dream that hasn’t become true yet. That’s my objective in this life.
「…Well, if you show me those eyes, guess anything I say won’t matter. Hang in there」
「That goes without saying. Though, thanks for the encouragement」
Before I had noticed, I was clutching my fist.
Seeing me like that, the shopkeeper smiled.
「Why Natoushia though? I don’t believe there’s anything that special in such a remote place?」
「I heard from a close friend of mine that there’s a skilled martial artist there. Since we don’t really have a specific destination, I thought about going there first」
「It’s nice that you are skilled, but you have to be careful, OK? You are bringing a girl with you after all」
「…Ah, you are right」
I took a peek at Sheryl and she proceeded to tilt her head.
As expected, the shopkeeper wouldn’t think that such a delicate girl would have several times his strength.
Sheryl does hold the strength of around ten people you could find anywhere after all.
「Well then, guess we should get going. How much is it?」
「Alright, it’s this much」
The price he displayed was the same one as in the menu he had shown us before.
I took out my wallet and gave him the money he asked for.
Once I paid, I thought about how it cheap it was, it’s proof that the food was of good quality.
「Well then, hang in there. Uncle will be rooting for you」
「I’ll do my best to answer those expectations…alright, let’s go Sheryl」
「Yup」
I stood up from the chair, took a look at Sheryl and she got off the chair as if she was jumping.
I waved at the gentle old man and left the rest area.
…Yup, nice weather. I hope that our path is well lit like this.
「Nice weather」
「You are right」
Since we both didn’t originally talk much, our conversations were like this, but I still found them fun.
When I looked at her, Sheryl seemed to think the same, the corners of her mouth had raised.
「Shall we go then? Our destination is-」
「…Natoushia…right?」
Once she nodded at my question, Sheryl started to run ahead of me.
She was very lively. As I thought, a smile really suits this child.
I suddenly took a look at the sky again. …The few clouds in the sky were glittering and the good weather gave a refreshing sensation.
…Our destination was Natoushia, an outstanding martial artist resides there. That’s what Chester said.
I wonder if that martial artist is currently looking at this same sky?
「You’ll definitely find something…huh?」
Remembering Chester’s words, I said that and a gust of wind carried my small voice.
In my previous life I was an instructor of the Shijima style, but if I say so myself, I’m still inexperienced.
The proof of that is, that I still haven’t mastered all of the Shijima style techniques.
The secret techniques that were the strongest ones of my master, at that time I could only see them as being far away from my reach and their shape became hazy.
…They are one of the pinnacles of martial arts. I still can’t see them, I wonder when I’ll able to do so?
This second life that I’m starting over as an elf. This journey to train myself has only just begun…
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login