Volume 2 Chapter 2: The village among the mountains, Natoushia
「…We can finally see it, huh」
At the end of our field of vision, we could see a small village between the mountains.
As expected of the village among the mountains, true to its name, it wasn’t a very accessible place.
「I’m a bit tired…」
Even Sheryl, who is usually always in high spirits, was tired from constantly ascending and descending hills.
I looked at the girl who was always quiet and made a bitter smile.
In the second half of this journey, the extent at which she had been jumping around had decreased. As she had said, she was a bit tired.
「You just have to endure for a bit longer. If it’s too much for you, should I carry you?」
「No, it’s fine…I want to walk by myself」
Even then, she had come this far…is what I should probably say here. Sheryl wanted to walk on her own.
It’s been a bit over four days since we left Alfaleia. After passing through an inn in the middle of our path…we finally arrived within the vicinity of Natoushia.
As one would expect, it was far from Alfaleia, the number of proper paths we could walk on had decreased, which led to us taking more time than what I had initially thought.
Even then, if you took Sheryl’s age into account, four days was a short time. Not having to take many breaks was a pleasant miscalculation.
That being said, now that Sheryl has said that she’s tired, she did indeed look tired.
I want to let her rest as soon as possible.
「Alright, well then, let’s g-」
Let’s go. As I tried to tell this to Sheryl, I halted my words.
Because within my field of vision, there was another silhouette that was not Sheryl.
…Even though it’s not like there was any will to attack us, to think someone would be able to get this close without me noticing.
While releasing a bit of magic power, I looked at the person.
The person started to ascend the slope, it was a slender silhouette…although I couldn’t see the face because it was wearing a mask, judging from the long hair and the slender body, I wonder if it was a woman?
On her back, she was carrying a basket with lots of herbs…probably some kind of medicinal herbs, and the way she walked didn’t leave any openings.
…Oh? Is this the martial artist Chester mentioned?
Judging from how she looks, I believe I can be certain of it.
Towards the masked person that was calmly getting closer to us, I raised my fighting spirit a bit.
「You don’t have to be so cautious, I’m a person from that village」
Because of the unexpected event, I raised the corners of my mouth reflexively, a voice akin to that of a bell came from within the mask.
She has definitely noticed the small amount of fighting spirit I let out. Whether this one is the martial artist that Chester mentioned or not…there’s no doubt that she’s quite skilled.
「Who are you?」
「I’m that village’s 「Skywatcher」. I read the wind and the weather」
Skywatcher, huh? I heard that they were people capable of reading the weather and the direction and strength of the wind, but to think they still existed.
I heard that it was hard to pass on that skill, but to think I would be able to see one in front of my eyes.
「From what I can see, are you both travelers? I say this with good intentions, it’s going to rain here soon. I can guide you to the village if you want, what do you think?」
「…Rain? Even though the sun is out?」
The bird mask woman pointed at the sky while saying that.
As Sheryl has said, you could only see the sun shining upon us…it certainly didn’t look like it was going to rain.
While tilting her head, Sheryl took a step forward.
Being this close to the village, there was no real need to have someone guide us to it, but since she has shown her good intentions, shouldn’t we take her up on her offer?
I would usually not let an unknown person guide us…but I’m interested in this bird mask person.
It’s the first I’ve seen someone with no hostility or malice…with no darkness.
It doesn’t have anything to do with her being strong or weak, I’ve taken an interest in the person herself.
「Please do so. It’s true that weather doesn’t look like it’s going to change, but your words hold some credibility」
「Yup, I’m certain of it as a skywatcher. Before going, should I introduce myself? My name is Sonia Alwen. I already said this before, I work as a skywatcher in that village」
「I’m Slava Marshall. I’m on a journey with this child to polish ourselves. Sheryl, please introduce yourself」
「Yup…I’m Sheryl Prime. Nice to meet you, big sis」
「Nice to meet you. Such a cute little girl. Well then, shall we go before it starts raining?」
Judging from her name and her reaction towards Sheryl, there’s no doubt that Sonia is a woman.
While matching her pace and watching the basket swing around, we followed after Sonia.
It was a shortcut while being guided by Sonia, we walked through the vegetation.
Just as she had said, after going through various paths, the place we walked through was devoid of grass and it became an animal trail. Before long, the trees disappeared and our field of view brightened.
I slightly narrowed my eyes because of the sunlight…once I looked up to the sky, despite the sky having been clear just a while ago, there were already some clouds forming in the sky.
「Welcome to Natoushia. It might be a place where there’s nothing, but it’s surrounded by nature. It’s a good place」
Like that, we arrived at Natoushia.
The first thing that I saw…was the beautiful landscape that I could only call superb.
I already thought that it was beautiful from afar…but when you see it from up close, it was even more beautiful.
There was a windmill built, slowly spinning around as if it was symbolizing the gentle flow of time for elves.
We couldn’t see it from the place we were before, but a river that was connected to the sea passed through the village, its water was very clear.
Since the sea was reflecting the sunlight, it was glittering, making the scenery look even more gorgeous.
There were various stone bridges built to cross the river, along with the liveliness, it painted the scenery with a very amicable feeling.
The village wasn’t very big. But I believe that was part of its beauty.
「…So pretty」
「Yeah, such beauty…」
I was supposed to have lived a long life, but it was the first time I’ve seen such beautiful scenery.
Having my previous life end before being able to see this, I could only think that it had been a waste.
「Hearing you say that makes me happy」
From under the mask, Sonia’s delighted voice reverberated.
I can’t really see her face since it’s being covered by the mask, but she’s probably smiling.
After looking at the scenery for a while, we finally took a step inside Natoushia.
「So, here’s my house. It might not be very spacious, but make yourselves comfortable」
「Pardon the intrusion」
「Pardon the intrusion…」
Following Sonia’s voice, we entered through the wooden door.
While having feelings of reservation, we somehow squeezed inside the house.
「To think the inn would be full. Even though the scenery you can see from there is so good…such a shame. Ah, sit down over there. I’ll bring you something to drink」
While pointing at the chairs, Sonia told us to sit down.
Even though she was already going to take care of us for a few days, to even let her do the work, I felt something akin to guilt.
However, this is Sonia’s house, if I decided to move, I would probably only make things harder for her.
Right now, I can only obediently sit down.
Thanks to Sonia’s guidance, we had visited the village’s inn, but unfortunately, it was full.
It was a pretty small village to begin with, seems like the inn wasn’t that big either.
Then, what should we do?…once I voiced that out loud, Sonia heard me.
Since it couldn’t be helped, I actually thought about sleeping outside, but since she said it was going to rain, Sonia invited us to her house.
Obviously, I did feel some reservation, but thinking about how tired Sheryl was from all the walking, I couldn’t really refuse and depended on her.
…That being said, Sonia let us use her house with good intentions and I can only lower my head to that.
From the start, I couldn’t sense any malice when I looked at her, I thought of her as if she was like the wind…she’s really a woman with a clear heart.
「Sorry for the wait」
Sonia appeared with a tray with three cup places on top it and lined the cups on the table.
A sweet fragrance emanated from the cups along with the steam, having an empty stomach, it felt like a really attractive scent.
「Is cocoa fine? If you dislike sweet things, you don’t have to force yourselves」
「No, I don’t particularly have anything I dislike. I appreciate your kindness」
「Ahaha, I’m doing it because I want to, you don’t have to be so reserved」
After saying that, Sonia placed her hand on the bird mask.
The mask covered her entire face. In that case, if she wanted to put something in her mouth, she’d have to take it off but…
Unexpectedly, she readily took it off. While ignoring the cocoa, my eyes moved toward her.
Her slender fingers grabbed onto the mask, and slowly separated it from her face.
With gentle movements, she removed her mask and Sonia’s face was…so beautiful that it would unintentionally make you fix your gaze on her.
A peerless beauty, even though some immaturity remained on her face, there were no other words to describe her, she was lovely.
Her round and gentle eyes looked as if they were moons containing emeralds, and her skin had nothing to feel ashamed of even when compared to the finest quality fabrics.
Even her looks were softer compared to the usual elves. In human terms, I’d say her age was around 17-18 years old. However, that expression of hers was calm like that of a goddess.
「Phew…Oh? This is weird」
Even though my eyes had been stolen for a moment at this age of mine, when Sonia made a question, I unintentionally replied.
Her emerald eyes were fixed on me.
「Did something happen?」
「No, those ears…I thought you were a human, but you were an elf after all. I didn’t think I would be wrong, so I was a bit surprised」
After she said those words, I held my breath.
It’s only been a few hours since we met, we are in the sort of relationship where we only knew each other’s name.
That should have been the case, but to think she would be able to see through my real identity…at the unexpected attack, my heart reflexively jumped.
「…Big sis, you are amazing」
「Hmm? What do you mean?」
Even Sheryl was surprised when she heard her say that.
My real identity is that of a human that died after living a bit over a hundred years. I’m currently in this young elven body, but it seems like my spirit hasn’t changed from that time.
However, it goes without saying that this body is unique. Once you die, your spirit and body will rot.
Despite that, the fact that I’m right here while retaining 「My self」…is the result of a miracle that goes beyond common sense.
To think that she would reach the truth that could only be described as a dream without any clues.
Having thought about that, a new question appeared in my head.
It’s not like I was concealing these ears of mine. I’m not really wearing something like a hat or a hood, she could have seen these pointed ears of mine at any point.
In that case, why was she saying that now?
「…Is it OK if I ask you a couple questions?」
「Oh, I don’t mind. I also have taken an interest in both of yo-…no, I’ve also taken an interest in Slava-kun」
After saying those words and sipping a bit of the cocoa, Sonia’s eyes narrowed.
…This was an unexpected meeting.
Once again, I brought the cocoa that had plenty of sugar in it closer to my mouth, while feeling it going through my abdomen, I stared at Sonia.
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