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Vol 1: Chapter 8
Life in the forest was somewhat laid back and fun. We followed along a forest route. It seems that there are many secret routes that hunters and merchants use that are different from the highway.
Mimino-san, who is a halfling, has an extremely good sense of direction and navigated through the forest expertly even without a map.
…Are we really on the right track?
I was a little skeptical, but none of the other party members seemed to be doubtful, so there’s nothing I can do but believe so.
Our food was mostly collected from the forest, and I played an active part in procuring them. Because I can find all the fruits, mushrooms, and wild grasses that can be eaten with the help of【World Ruler】. I also told Mimino-san about the wild herbs growing around us and she collected them. She gave me compliments every time I helped out, so that was fun. I also collected grasses which Mimino-san had no knowledge of but 【World Ruler】 did. I might be able to sell it later.
However, spices, salt, and liquor runs out quickly. And Dante-san seemed to like liquor, so he drinks them sparingly every night.
We were able to purchase supplies for such daily necessities from merchants we met on the forest route. A merchant who looked kinda shady, a cat beastmen merchant, and some others. They were merchants who do not use the highway, or rather, can’t use it. Many of the peddlers carried backpacks which were much larger than their bodies and often moved in groups. Mimino-san and Dante-san usually negotiated with them to procure the goods.
However, the laid-back life in the forest did not last forever.
To begin with, the members of Silver Balance already had a destination. The Saint Knights Kingdom. To cure Dante-san’s petrification.
Silver Balance moved quickly through the forest towards their destination. At first, my body couldn’t keep up and I had Dante-san carry me on his back a few times, but I’ve been able to keep up for the past few days.
…Fufu, I am growing up nicely.
「Do you not need a piggyback from my father anymore?」
「Yes! I am growing up nicely.」
「Is that so…」
Although I was feeling proud of myself, Non-san looked sad for some reason.
…Why is she looking sad? Does she perhaps have a fetish of watching children being piggybacked? — As I was thinking stupid things like that, Non-san explained the reason.
「…The petrification curse is not contagious. But many people stay away from my father as if it were an infectious disease.」
In other words, she was glad I got on Dante-san’s back without worrying about the petrification.
And I finally noticed. Not only demi-humans, like “beastmen” and “halfling”, but also Dante-san himself was a target of discrimination.
…And they haven’t said anything about my hair.
Nobody in the party said anything about my black hair and black eyes – which was hated by my parents and the Duke – because they knew full well the fear of being discriminated against.
…They are truly such nice people. I am very blessed.
…I pray my sister, Lark, encountered such wonderful people too.
「Everyone, we’re going into the city today.」Mimino-san said, early in the morning, as white smoke rose from the bonfire.
Everyone nodded with a serious look. It seems that they need to prepare themselves before entering a human city, after all.
「Reiji-kun. If you come with us, people might speak ill of you too… What would you like to do?」
「Of course I’m going together with everyone.」
「Hmm…」
「I mean, I don’t really have a particular destination in mind. Right now, I just want to give back for everything you all have done for me.」
I don’t have a purpose which I can fulfill at this point in time.
I think I should meet with old man Hinga’s granddaughter and tell her about the last moment of his life. And the phosphorus stone I got from him is still in the tool bag.
And… Lark. I want to see her again. No matter what.
However, neither of these can be fulfilled until I can live independently in this world. For the time being, I need to find a stable way to live.
「You don’t have to worry about us.」
「That’s exactly why–」
「But I’m glad you said so.」Mimino-san said, smilingly.
「Oi Mimino, just tell him straight, that people like us are hated in the city.」
「W-Wait, Raikira!」
Mimino-san tried to stop Raikira-san, but I was already aware of this fact.
「He’s gonna find out sooner or later anyways. Might as well make it clear from the start. Moreover, this kid is also…」
「Yes, I know. My black hair has been hated and people have tried to kill me several times, so the same thing may happen in the city.」
Mimino-san hardened in response to my words. Not only her, but Non-san as well. Dante-san looked even more bitter than usual, and Raikira-san grimaced, with a pained expression.
…As I thought, even though Raikira-san always used harsh words, he was worried about me.
Silver Balance is already pretty conspicuous, so my “black-hair black eyes” might get even more attention if I joined them. He was probably thinking I might escape the attention if I acted on my own.
…I appreciate the feelings, but again, a macho tsundere beastmen will be a no thank you from me.
「I will be fine, and I apologize if any problem occur because of me.」
When I lowered my head, a big palm gently pushed up my forehead.
「Children shouldn’t worry about these things. Just let the adults take care of it.」
It was Dante-san who held up my face.
「Reiji-kun, I… will protect you no matter what.」Mimino said, her cheeks flushed and eyes moist.
She seems to be easily moved to tears the same as me.
「Stop crying, Mimino. Making that silly face first thing in the morning.」Raikira-san said.
「T-This is because of the smoke!」she said, while wiping off the tears on the sleeves of her clothes.「OK, let’s go!」
Silver Balance headed straight for “Uverminds”, which was the capital city of Achenbach Dukedom.