“Hanako, when should we leave this village?”
“Mm, whenever you like, Older Brother.”
Kent asked Hanako about their departure time. If they were to use the same route as when they arrived, they would walk to a rock formation a short distance from the village, and from there, Hanako would use her Teleportation Magic to instantly return to the city of Tiol. The travel time would therefore be minimal. Kent interpreted Hanako’s statement to mean that she could wait until the next morning and still make it to school for attendance, so any time was fine.
“In that case, let’s depart after noon.”
“Mm, understood.”
Kent decided to leave after noon, judging that if they stayed any longer, it would be difficult for Tia to resume attending school without confirming the method with Elnet.
“So, Tia, you should get ready too.”
“Eh? Okay, okay. That means we’ll have to walk back to the town where the stagecoach to Tiol departs, right? It sounds like a tough and long journey. But, if I’m with Kent, it might even be fun.”
Since there were villagers nearby, Kent couldn’t tell Tia their travel method on the spot. She thought they would be walking to the town where the stagecoach to Tiol departs. Incidentally, that town was the destination of the stagecoach they had taken earlier.
“Thanks to you, I was saved.”
“I was seriously thinking of leaving the village. Thank you.”
While they strolled through the village, villagers offered words of gratitude to Kent and Hanako.
“I heard from my father that you revived the dried-up pond, that’s amazing. The villagers are also grateful.”
Tia, who was observing the scene, viewed Kent and Hanako’s acceptance by the villagers very favorably.
“Tia, you found a good husband.”
“Oh, Uncle, being told so directly makes me shy.”
“Hah, hah, hah, but I’m surprised Tia, you were this beautiful. May you be happy.”
It wasn’t just Kent and Hanako who were being spoken to; some people also approached Tia. When she had spent time in this village, she wore glasses like the bottom of a milk bottle and rarely showed her true face to the villagers, so many were surprised.
“You say I’m beautiful, but no one ever said that when I was living in this village. It’s a bit overwhelming to hear it suddenly.”
“No, even I think Tia is beautiful.”
“Wh-Kent, when you say it so seriously, I don’t know how to react.”
“Mm, you can just smile.”
As if to push Tia, who was blushing, further, Kent complimented her. Her face turned red, and she struggled to figure out what kind of expression to make. Then, Hanako quietly murmured as if giving advice.
“Is… is it like this?”
*Heh heh.*
“Pfft.”
“Mm, that’s a strange face.”
Tia’s smile was strained, unable to form naturally. Seeing it, Kent laughed, and Hanako pointed at her, calling it a strange face.
“It’s difficult to suddenly smile. It would be impossible for you to suddenly smile too, wouldn’t it, Hanako-chan?”
Tia protested to Hanako.
“Mm, *smile*.”
“M-M-Magnificent!”
Then, Hanako showed a brilliant smile, as if bathed in divine light. Kent and Tia were surprised by Hanako’s unexpected action.
“Oh, are the three of you out for a stroll? It might be boring in a small frontier village, but then again.”
“Ah, Village Chief. Good morning. I apologize for Hanako disturbing you last night.”
Kent and his companions, who were walking around the village without any particular destination, were greeted by the village chief.
“No, no, that’s fine. I had a very meaningful time listening to Hanako-sama’s stories.”
“Hanako-sama?”
Kent and Tia found it strange that the village chief addressed Hanako with the honorific “sama.”
“Yes. Last night, I was told many things about what God is like and what blessings God has bestowed upon this country in the past. Religion has been revived in this country, and it is rude not to use ‘sama’ for the priests who are considered His messengers. I am planning to build a small sanctuary in this village. I believe the god who brought the blessing of water to this region has great merit. I have decided that a sanctuary is necessary to praise it, and I intend to spread this blessing to the villagers.”
Though it was unclear what Hanako had told him, the village chief had become a follower of the newly established religion in this country.
“Hanako, what did you tell the village chief?”
“Mm, it’s a secret.”
“I-I see.”
Kent judged it best not to press Hanako further and avoided further questioning.
“So, Kent and his companions are returning on the stagecoach next week?”
“No, we plan to leave this village after lunch.”
Kent informed the village chief of his intention to leave the village after noon.
“What! I wish you could stay a little longer, but that’s a shame. What about Tia?”
“I plan to go with Kent.”
“I see. Well then, as representatives of the village, I entrust Kent and Hanako-sama to you. Please take care of them.”
“Yes!”
Tia replied thus to the village chief’s question.
“Well then, I shall go and inform the villagers.”
With that, the village chief went to inform the villagers of Kent and his companions’ departure.
“Kent, Hanako-sama. Thank you for saving the village from a critical situation. On behalf of the villagers, I want to say it again. You are welcome to visit anytime.”
“Yes, Village Chief. We look forward to it then.”
“Mm, we look forward to it then.”
After having lunch at Tia’s parents’ home and preparing for their departure, Kent, Hanako, and Tia moved to the village entrance. All the villagers had gathered there to see them off. The village chief, as their representative, expressed his gratitude to Kent and Hanako once more.
“Tia, live well too.”
“Yes, Village Chief.”
The village chief also spoke to Tia.
“Kent, please take care of my daughter.”
“Yes.”
Parker spoke to Kent.
“Tia, support Kent properly and live happily together.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Then, Brook hugged Tia, reluctant to part.
“Well then, we will be departing soon. Thank you all for seeing us off.”
“Mm, see you again.”
“Well then, I’m off.”
Kent and his companions left the village on foot, seen off by the villagers.
“By the way, although it might be rude to say, considering you’re quite far from the Royal Capital, Kent and Hanako-chan are traveling quite lightly, even though you’re carrying my luggage. In fact, all the luggage you’re carrying is mine.”
A short distance after leaving the village, Tia spoke with an apologetic expression. Tia had been planning to quit her job as a teacher and return to live in Laoshi Village, so she had brought a lot of luggage. In contrast, Kent and Hanako were almost completely unburdened. Feeling it was unreasonable to walk in such a state, Tia had asked Kent and Hanako to share the load, distributing her luggage among them.
“Ah, that. I think we’ll be fine from here.”
“Mm, we’ve arrived.”
Kent and Hanako stopped and said this to Tia. They had arrived at a small rocky mountain, the location for Hanako’s Teleportation Magic.
“Arrived? But we just left the village!”
Tia was bewildered, not understanding the meaning of Hanako’s words.
“I couldn’t say it back at the village, but Hanako can use Teleportation Magic. If we use that, we can instantly move to Tiol.”
“Teleportation Magic? That sounds like something out of a story, but if that’s the case, it would explain why Kent and the others arrived at the village first.”
When Kent explained their means of travel to Laoshi Village, Tia looked incredulous but realized she had no choice but to believe it, considering Kent and the others had arrived first.
“Mm, where should we move to ?”
“Let’s see. For the time being, it might be best to be near Elnet, who seems to know what’s going on. Somewhere private, please.”
“Mm, understood. Elnet is in her private room alone.”
“That might be convenient. In that case, please take us there.”
“Mm, understood.”
Hanako asked Kent where they should move to. Considering future events, they designated Elnet’s vicinity as their next destination.
“Mm, the destination is narrow, so I’ll send the luggage ahead.”
“Narrow? I don’t quite understand, but okay. Tia, let’s put all the luggage in one place.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Tia placed her bags on the ground as instructed by Kent. Kent and Hanako also placed the luggage they were carrying accordingly.
“Mm, transfer.”
“It… disappeared!”
Suddenly, the luggage in front of them vanished, and Tia cried out in surprise.
“Mm, then, let’s move.”
“Kya!”
As Hanako said this, Kent and the others were enveloped in a strong light. Startled by the light, Tia cried out, and the figures of Kent, Tia, and Hanako disappeared from the rocky mountain.
“Ah, it’s hot!”
“Where are we?”
“Mm, arrived.”
Hanako’s Teleportation Magic activated, and upon arrival, Kent suddenly found himself immersed in hot water that felt a bit too warm. Instinctively, he cried out from the sudden heat he felt on his body.
“Whoa, what is this? Kent?”
“W-W-Why is Elnet naked?”
As Kent’s vision cleared from the steam, he saw a naked Elnet before him.
“H-Hanako, where is this?”
Startled by the sudden turn of events, Kent asked Hanako.
“Mm, New York State.”
“…My bathroom?”
Hanako seemed to have made a pun. When Kent looked around carefully, he realized it was a familiar place – his own bathroom.
“So, if Elnet is naked, and I’m in the hot water, that means…?”
“I’m taking a bath. You pervert, Kent!”
Hanako hadn’t lied about Elnet being alone in her private room, but Kent thought he wished she had given him slightly more detailed information, and he glared at Elnet, who was glaring back at him.
Happy New Year.
This is the first update of the year. I look forward to your continued support. (Posted 2024/01/06)
