“Lansia… you shouldn’t cast a malicious spell like ‘Puppet Law’ on the Owner!”
Kirika said this while handing out discount tickets.
W-what?! When did that happen…
And what kind of dangerous magic is that?
“Hehe… what are you talking about? Here, Owner dear, please carry me princess-style this time!”
Lansia’s body moved against her will. She took step after step toward Lansia, who had opened her arms welcomingly.
No, I don’t mind being held by Lansia!
It’s being forced to do so against my will that I don’t like!
“Hey now… misusing magic is bad, you know… Lansia, bad girl! Alright, Owner, come here! ‘Unbinding’!”
Lishia put her index finger in front of my eyes and snapped her fingers with the command word. Suddenly, I regained control of my body.
However, I must have tensed up unnecessarily while resisting the magic, because I was flung forward and ended up in a tight embrace with Lishia right in front of me!
Gasp, this soft, marshmallow-like feeling against my face is!
As I was being held tight by Lishia’s ample chest, I looked up at her and our eyes met.
“I-I’m sorry… this was an accident…”
As I tried to make excuses, she smiled brightly, as if pleased, and squeezed me tightly in her arms.
Th-this is what they call an oppai hug!
“Hey! Sister! What are you doing to the Owner!”
Lansia immediately pulled me away from Lishia, hugging my head to her flat chest.
With Lansia… I could only feel the hard feeling of her ribs… how disappointing.
…They’re sisters but this disparity is too much.
Lansia, you have every right to cry!
“Oh my, oh my… Lansia, you really cherish the Owner, don’t you… How nice, I wish I had someone wonderful like that too… Owner, you’re such a cute person… If you don’t mind, could you hold me a little tighter?”
Seriously! Lishia… Ah, but that oppai hug was good just now.
I could have ascended right then and there, a truly gigantic embrace… it was the best.
“Sister, you could have your pick of any man in this village… Honestly, wanting other people’s things so easily is your bad habit! And you, Owner, don’t get too lovey-dovey with other people’s family!”
“That’s right, how many women do you plan to charm until you’re satisfied… Well, I’ve decided that it’s better for a man to be capable…”
Doesn’t that sound like I’m some womanizing scoundrel?
“K-Kirika, please don’t say such embarrassing things. Lishia, thank you too! You saved me. And Lansia, it’s not nice to suddenly take control of someone’s body like that, is it?”
“Ah, ahaha… Um. I’m sorry!”
Yes, Lansia.
Being able to apologize right away is probably a virtue.
But… for a moment, our eyes met, and she had the look of a carnivorous beast spotting prey… I’m sure it was just my imagination.
Lishia is an angelically pure and very kind older sister type!
Our eyes met again… she smiled at me.
Truly, an angelic smile… I must be tired.
Santos-san, guided by Lansia, set up the usual giant pot beneath the Lansia family’s home.
Mother Lifana, Lishia, and Sokuran-kun looked ready to help and headed that way.
Yeah, if I remember the recipes and procedures, I can eat delicious food anytime… It seems like everyone other than Lansia was really unsatisfied with their diet.
The ingredients are available here… and I’ve come to realize that there are many vegetables and seasonings in this world similar to those in Japan… I have a feeling these people will be good customers!
Other young people also came, wanting to help, so I started giving them instructions.
However, as I was doing that, a seemingly grumpy old elf leaning on a cane suddenly appeared, and everyone froze.
“Um… nice to meet you…”
As I bowed my head, he slammed his cane on the ground and yelled!
“…What is all this commotion! Who are you! How dare a stranger enter the village without permission, what were the guards doing!”
“Ah, hello… um, are you by any chance the Elder?”
“Indeed, I am the most venerable elder of the Rukimeruguhawarufaria tribe, Ilhad.”
…Sorry, even I couldn’t remember that.
Ruki… what was it again?
And they actually have a tribal name.
No one mentioned it, and they all called themselves Forest Elves, so I thought that was just a common name.
“Lord Ilhad, they are here on a courtesy visit… meaning, they are guests who wish to form a friendship with us. We received permission from Lord Taras then, and we have been ordered to welcome them. You are free to object, but you cannot show disrespect to our guests through your own selfish will.”
“Permission from Taras? I don’t care about that! That man has been too influenced by the outside world and disregards our tribe’s traditions! I am the most venerable elder of this village… Are you younglings telling me you won’t listen to my words! What are you doing there! Leave at once! Don’t make me say it again.”
…Hmm, he’s a typical old geezer who’s out of touch.
But then again, it’s no use fighting with him… I guess I’ll try to appease him here.
Besides, appeasing angry people is something I’m quite used to!
“Now, now, esteemed elder… please calm down. For starters, please accept this as a token of our good intentions.”
As I said that, I opened a bottle of high-grade Japanese sake, Kurozakura, which I had prepared just in case, poured it into a paper cup, and offered it to Elder Ilhad.
“W-what… is this? Alcohol…?”
Elder Ilhad took it as if involuntarily.
Hmph… I’ve won.
“Yes, it’s sake. It’s a high-quality sake that costs one gold coin per bottle! Not that it’s poisoned, but I’ll have a cup as well. …Ahhh! It really is delicious!”
As I said that, I poured a cup for myself and drank it all in one go.
Fruity, smooth, and yet rich… indeed, Japanese sake, especially Daiginjo, is on another level. I don’t know much about the taste differences between high-quality alcohols, but Japanese sake is very straightforward.
Daiginjo has no impurities and barely tastes like alcohol… it has a sweet, elegant flavor like wine… This was a good choice.
It’s really delicious!
“Y-you think you can appease me with such a thing…”
As he said that, Elder Ilhad’s throat bobbed.
Just one more push… you don’t have to hold back…
“Um… could I have a cup too?”
Udaroi said hesitantly. I poured a cup and handed it to him, and he cautiously took a sip.
“Th-this… how delicious! The whiskey earlier was good, but this is exceptionally delicious! Honestly, to have this in front of you and not drink it is madness…”
“Right? Here’s another cup.”
“Thank you… Yes, this is delicious! It can only be described as the ultimate fine wine… Elder, if you’re not going to drink it, I’ll have it then?”
Udaroi said, glancing at the paper cup in the Elder’s hand.
Good… nice assist.
“W-what are you saying. I’m not so uncivilized as to reject a guest’s kindness! This sake, which is like water, cannot possibly be that good…”
Seeing his kinsman Udaroi drink it so deliciously, Elder Ilhad could no longer resist and took a gulp of Kurozakura from his paper cup! His expression brightened considerably!
“Mu… Hwaa! Th-this is…!”
After one sip, he drank the rest in one go!
…He seemed to be speechless, gazing mournfully at the empty paper cup.
“…Ah, Elder, that was a fine way to drink! Here, have another cup!”
I said, offering the bottle of Kurozakura again. He snatched it and held it with both hands, then poured another cup.
…According to what Sokuran told me, the alcohol consumed in this village is a kind of weed sake made from fermenting grass and acorns… frankly, it’s a punishment-level terrible-tasting sake.
There’s no way un-treated acorns and grass can taste good… it’s traditional, but did they invent it as some sort of training?
Compared to that, this Kurozakura, the finest brand of Daiginjo… it’s a different world, I tell you!
This time, he drank about half of it in one go and let out a sigh of satisfaction.
The sternness had completely disappeared from his face, leaving only a flushed, good-natured old man.
“…It’s… delicious. So delicious, it’s beyond this world. Y-you also have a good sense… for a human… Hmm? That appearance, the blue magical light emanating from your tail… are you perhaps… one of the Magic Cat Tribe? Could it be that you are still alive…?”
“I am pleased you found it to your liking. Oh, you know of my race?”
“I do. The noblest, proudest, and bravest among the Beastkin, the race of heroes… The Magic Cat Tribe is an ancient race. Even to us demi-humans, the ancient races are beings deserving of respect. I apologize… for my rudeness earlier. And this sake… it is truly a fine wine. It rivals the divine wine from the Age of Gods that Lord Aage once gave me. Very well, I grant permission for your visit in my name! By the way… is this all the sake you have?”
“Thank you. No, no, it’s not all. I actually have another bottle here, please accept this.”
As I said that, I reverently offered another bottle of Kurozakura. Ilhad-san accepted it carefully, holding it with both hands.
His face was beaming.
…Alright, the most venerable elder has been successfully bribed!
“I don’t know what you plan to do… but do as you wish. And if you have any other gifts, I might accept them… However, let us consider that friendship between you and our Rukimeruguhawarufaria tribe is now established, as of this moment! Yes, I welcome you from the bottom of my heart… I shall say so!”
Ilhad-san said, holding the sake bottle happily as he extended his hand. I firmly shook his hand.
“Thank you. It’s good to talk to someone reasonable… As expected, those who have lived a long time are different.”
“Oh, stop flattering me! I’m not happy just because I received this! G-g-go ahead, I’ve heard the general story… You are a traveler from another world. You are also a member of the ancient Magic Cat Tribe, and there’s certainly a lot to see in you… Well, I won’t refuse to welcome you. Also, you should stay the night. Later, in my home, we will hold a welcoming banquet as thanks for this sake… Humph, honestly! That’s what outsiders are like…”
Ilhad-san left, managing to express his happiness while acting angry…
Is he a tsundere of sorts?
However, with Ilhad-san’s approval, the elves who had been watching from a distance rushed over, and everyone started greeting me and asking for my hand.
I feel like I’ve become a celebrity.
Well, I didn’t know my race was so rare and authoritative, but if that’s the case, I’ll make full use of it in the future!
Yes, yes… It was an ideal negotiation.
They were all smiles, and I was all smiles… It was a truly good negotiation.
