𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟕
(7)
On the morning of departure.
Luo buried the “Ishigami-sama” in the garden of his house.
“Ishigami-sama” is a guardian of the house. It is customary to return it to the ground when no one is left in the protected house.
ㅤ
“Ishigami-sama, thank you for everything until now.”
ㅤ
Conveying gratitude is also done here. There were about twenty “Ishigami-sama” that hadn’t been taken care of much, but Luo decided to bury all of them.
He put a glove, a memento from his parents, and a jade pendant in his pocket. When Luo locked the house, he headed to the village entrance. There was a magnificent covered wagon there, and he also saw Saji.
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“Here, as a farewell gift.”
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What was handed over was a sturdy backpack. It was said to contain almost everything necessary for a journey.
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“Food, water, underwear and clothes, daily necessities. Oh, and I also processed the purple moss you brought. It would probably sell for more in the city of Arche than at the damp guild. Look for a store that deals in spices and have them buy it. The going rate is――.”
ㅤ
Luo, who is not good at new things, widened his eyes, trying somehow to take it all in.
The early morning village was quiet. Horses breathed out white breaths and occasionally shivered.
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“Hey, you guys. Come on over!”
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Amidst that, Saji suddenly shouted, startling Luo.
From behind a nearby building, familiar boys appeared. The same three who often picked on Luo.
Luo was clearly shaken.
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“Well, don’t be so scared.”
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Saji grinned.
The behavior of the boys was different from usual. They looked around nervously, struggling to say something. Luo lowered his stance, preparing to run away.
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“H, Hey, Luo.”
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One of the boys asked.
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“Is it true that you defeated the Rock King Eagle?”
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Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Luo went blank.
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“W, What’s going on?”
“D, Did you?”
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The other two closed in.
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“How?”
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Luo had already explained to Saji about the confrontation with the Rock King Eagle, so he managed to recount it.
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“Well, in the middle layer of the “Jaw Gate”, I found the nest of the Rock King Eagle.”
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Although his explanation was fragmented, the three boys listened intently. They were astonished, especially when hearing about the part where he jumped from a pine tree holding rock fragments. After hearing Luo’s clumsy explanation, the boys looked guilty.
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“We saw it from Saji-san. The feather of the Rock King Eagle and a fragment of its egg.”
“Yes.”
“We thought you were lying. About descending the “Jaw Gate” and trying to defeat the Rock King Eagle.”
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Conversations with kids are unpredictable. Luo, who lacks adaptability, was anxious all along, but realized they weren’t there to bully him.
However, he couldn’t figure out their intentions.
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“Okay, listen up?”
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The boys exchanged glances.
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“Always calling you a braggart, but――.”
“Sorry!”
“We apologize!”
“Hey, say it together!”
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Leaving Luo surprised and aside, the three boys abruptly ended the conversation saying, “See ya!” and ran away at full speed.
Luo was unable to keep up with such a sudden turn of events.
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“. . . . . .Strange.”
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Saji burst into laughter.
The boys had come to Saji’s shop the previous night. They wanted to confirm the rumor circulating among the moss collectors about Luo defeating the Rock King Eagle. Saji confirmed it and even showed them the feather and a fragment of the Rock King Eagle’s egg. Following that, the boys hesitantly requested Saji to mediate for them. They wanted to apologize for troubling Luo by following and ambushing him and for labeling him a braggart.
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“Well, it’s their way of making amends. In their view, that’s the best they can do. If you’re okay with it, forgive them.”
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It takes courage to convey one’s feelings to someone. Luo had come to realize this recently.
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“From the beginning, I wasn’t angry.”
“I see.”
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Loading the luggage onto the vehicle, Luo gets in.
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“When you get to Arche City, send a letter.”
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Saji called out from outside the luggage area.
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“A letter?”
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Luo made a puzzled face.
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“What should I write?”
“Write about your experiences and feelings in the new place.”
“For what purpose?”
“For those who care about you.”
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Luo understood who he was talking about.
The tavern lady who was pleased with his courtesy visits, the adult moss collectors, the neighbors who had been worried about him since childhood, the three boys from earlier, and Saji.
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“Understood.”
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At that moment, a driver affiliated with the guild asked if they could depart.
It was time for farewells.
Saji was a companion of Luo’s father and often played with Luo when he was young. After Luo’s parents passed away, Saji took care of him in many ways.
He helped me to survive.
Luo wondered why, even though he wasn’t his father.
The abrupt answer to the question was in his memories.
It felt like Saji, too, had taken care of him in various ways. After work, he always invited him to his house to have dinner and taught him the skills of a moss collector.
It’s the same relationship.
Saji must have called him “father.”
ㅤ
“Ani――Aniki.”
※𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐤𝐢(𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫)
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At these unexpected words, Saji looked taken aback.
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“Aniki, I’m leaving.”
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With a nostalgic expression, Saji responded with the tone and look of Luo’s father from his memories.
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“Yeah, take care.”
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