I was currently worn-out and resting at the inn that Marisan ran.
Even saying that I was worn-out would be an understatement, I am not really that tired physically, rather, it was mental exhaustion. And the cause of the fatigue was definitely due to the events a few hours ago.
A few hours earlier, Shingu who had returned to the village was able to reconcile with all the people in the village without any real problems. It was a good thing in itself, but after that, it became really hard. Why? Well, they kept crying for more than an hour; and It was on quite a huge scale since most of the inhabitants of the Barris village was gathered there.
At first, I thought it was something that could be avoided, but when I was about to leave, they were like the monsters from the forest stampeding towards me as they all came for me. Thankfully, they stopped as soon as they reached me, but the trouble that came about with this is that I had no choice but to speak to each and every single inhabitant of the village which took quite a lot of time.
[I can understand that the people came with good intentions. But that I was really tiring, I should lie down for a while.]
Thinking so, I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes.
If possible I wanted to take a small nap but it would seem that I don't have the luxury to do so, because just then, as expected, someone knocked on the door to my room.
[Yuumsan are you awake? The Village chief said that he had something that he wished to talk to you about.]
It was Mari who knocked on the door to my room.
And she said that Zongsan said that he had something to talk about with me.
Well, I don’t know what it is about.
[Understood. I will head there right away.]
[I think that will be fine. Then, I shall excuse myself now.]
[Ah, thank you for informing me. Good luck on your job Mari.]
After I said so, Mari ran off in such a good mood that she was skipping her way back. As if content that she was praised by me. How cute.
Well then, I suppose I should ask Zongsan what he wants to talk about
Thinking so, I came out of my room and went towards the ground floor, and immediately I heard Zongsan calling out.
[You come here so quickly Yuumdono. Forgive me for calling you out when you were resting.]
[Well I was told that Zongsan had something that you wished to talk about with me, so I couldn't possibly keep you waiting. So, what is it that you wanted to speak to me about?.]
[Umu. The reason that I called you to talk about was about the Guros Rabbitsu.]
[I see. So you have decided on what you will do about it.]
[That's right, as a result of the discussions with villagers and with Shingu's consent of course. The Guros Rabbitsu will be used as the main ingredient for tonight’s party. But, is this really alright with you, Yuumdono. To give away the Guros Rabbitsu like that.]
[Yes. I have already told Zongsan this many times. This time, I did honestly did not do anything during the fight against the Guros Rabbitsu. The one who defeated the Guros Rabbitsu is Shingu. I might have given him a little bit of advice, but that was it. Therefore, I really don’t have a say in what happens with the Guros Rabbitsu.]
When I clearly expressed my intention, Zongsan nodded his head sternly.
[If that is the case, then let us end the discussion about this here. Then, onto the next topic. There will be a banquet tonight so if Yuumdono does not have any other business, I would be delighted if you could attend the banquet tonight. Will you be coming tonight?]
[A banquet is it. Yes, I don’t really have any special business that I have to do, so I would be happy to participate, but is it really fine. I am not a resident of this village after all. So would it be fine for me to participate in this?]
[What are you trying to say Yuumdono? Everyone in the village considers you as a family and will welcome you anytime, and even Shingu wanted you to participate in the banquet. So please do not hesitate to join us!]
[I understand. I will definitely make sure to attend it.]
[If you say it like that then I can relax now. With this, even Shingu’s mood will be lightened. Now then, Yuumdono, I shall head back and help with the preparations and I will see you again at the party]
As soon as Zongsan said so, Zongsan went back to his house. Well then, I suppose I will be able to relax back in my room until the start of the party.
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
Now then, it’s almost time.
I could faintly hear the hubbub from outside of the inn as it became noisy.
And so I left my room and headed towards the ground floor.
When I was getting down the stairs, I could see that Gantt-san seemed to have been waiting for me.
[Yo, you have finally woken up huh, Yuuma. I was getting tired of waiting.]
[Gantt-san, you were waiting.]
[Well, I couldn’t just leave you alone in the inn. But fortunately, I did not have to wait for too long and that wasn’t the only reason; I wanted to properly thank you.]
Gantt-san had a serious look on his face that I had never seen before.
[Yuuma, thank you very much for protecting Shingu and also for fixing up my legs. I do not know much about magic in detail, but the recovery magic that you used is definitely rare since you healed injuries like mine where I could not even walk in just an instant.]
[Gantt-san…..]
[I can only say this in front of you, so I want you to know that I was really desperate. I was desperately struggling but I could not show that in front of Maria and Mari. And at that time you came. And you healed my legs which really helped me overcome my mind's pother and I really appreciate it. Thank you]
[You are very welcome. Well, if anything happens please make sure to tell me because I will definitely cure you.]
[Thank you. Well, I seemed to have spoken for quite a while. It’s almost time for the banquet to begin. Right, Yuuma.]
[That is so. I am also slightly hungry. Let’s go.]
Gantt-san and I left the inn and headed to the place where the party was to be held.
After walking for a while, Zongsan and Shingu rushed over after noticing the both of us enter.
[You have finally arrived huh Yuumdono. Please have fun while you are here.]
[Nii-chan, this is the roasted meatballs of the Guros Rabbitsu which we caught! It is really delicious so please eat lots of them! ]
Oh, so this meat belongs to the Guros Rabbitsu huh.
Moreover, it looks really delicious.
And it's completely grilled too.
[So Nii-chan, it's really delicious right!?]
[*mogu mogu*[1].........Aa, this is superb. It’s really delicious]
[Alright. Then I shall go over there and play with everyone, see you later!]
Saying so Shingu goes back to where he was before.
And there I could see Shingu's figure playing with other children of his age with a smile on his face. Zongsan looked at the scene with a pleased expression on his face and spoke.
[Yuumdono, thank you very much for helping Shingu]
[No, all I did was tell Shingu a little story, and this is all a result of Shingu working hard on changing. Shingu is a hard worker after all.]
[You really are too humble. Then, I shall request you to enjoy the banquet tonight.]
[I will. Also, I did not expect the size of the banquet to be so large. It seems that almost all of the people from the Barris village are participating. ]
[Yes, it is as you said. I can say that all the inhabitants of the Barris village are participating since I confirmed that fact myself.]
That is amazing Zongsan, to remember all the faces of the Barris village. As expected of the village head. Even so, the inhabitants of the village are well behaved. I was able to understand that the inhabitants are actually are all good people.
While watching the banquet which was progressing peacefully, I was able to notice a small peculiarity.Well, Zongsan said that all the villagers of the Barris village are participating but what about that person.
[Come to think of it, Zongsan, the assistant who was with you during the time we spoke, is he not here?]
[The man who was my assistant? Who are you talking about?]
[That is, he was the one I met when I first came to meet you yesterday.]
[Forgive me Yuumdono, but I cannot understand who you are talking about. First off, I don’t really have any assistants who help me around with my job. The last few days, it has only been me and Shingu in the house.]
Hearing Zongsan's words, my heart started to beat faster.
Before I could even notice, I was already running from where I previously stood towards a certain direction.
A few minutes later, there was the person in front of me who I was looking for.
[Oya, is there something you need here Head-Hunter Yuumsama. If I am to recall correctly then shouldn't you be in the middle of a Banquet. Did you perhaps need something?]
[You. No. who are you?][2]
[Hee~, what are you saying so suddenly. I am just a normal assistant.]
[Stop it with the act. Zongsan who can remember the face of every single inhabitant of the Barris village told me that he does not remember you. Just to make sure that I did not mistake you for someone else, I made sure to ask Zongsan who you were exactly. But the person in question told me that he did not have any assistant to speak of. I do not believe that Zongsan could forget a person so easily right? Hear me now, I will only ask once. Who are you?]
In response to my words, the man in front of my eyes, raised his hands as if to give up and spoke up.
[Haa~, well I guess it’s almost time that the magic finally wore off, perhaps the hostility that Shingu-kun showed yesterday was proof that the magic was finally wearing off. I thought that there was actually sometime left before I would have to bid farewell to this place, but I guess that was just wishful thinking.]
[In other words, you mean to tell me that you had cast a magic spell on Zongsan and Shingu.]
[Well yeah, something like that. Alright then, I guess I should introduce myself. It would really be unfair for me to only know your name and you not knowing mine. Fufu,[3] this is the first time that I am revealing myself to a human in decades.]
What he said had me so nervous my hairs were standing on end, somehow I could feel that the man in front of me was enjoying the atmosphere.
And then he revealed his identity while bowing towards me so that I could see him clearly.
[My name is Ranbiris. Demon Ranbiris Rezom. Glad to be at your service. Head-Hunter Yuumsama]
[1] TN: sfx for munching
[2] EN: he changes the way he says you.; from polite to a more rude way.
[3] TN: sfx for evil chuckling