Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: See You Soon
A bit later, various sounds drifted from the fitting room.
The rustling of fabric,
The clink of hangers,
Small, delicate breaths.
"…Mm."
And—.
A very faint, shy giggle.
The shop clerk's low voice came too.
"Arms up, that's right."
"……."
"Hm, a bit big. It's fine, it'll fit perfectly with undergarments."
"……."
"How's it? Not uncomfortable?"
Slow and cautious breathing sounds followed.
She was probably nodding,
Or turning her body slightly to check herself.
"……."
"Yeah, looks good."
The rustling stopped,
And faint sounds of fabric brushing lightly came as if checking something.
"Alright, all set."
"……."
"Open the curtain?"
A short silence passed.
A moment later—.
Carefully, very slowly, the curtain was pulled back.
From within,
The child in a light green dress peeked out cautiously.
A little embarrassed,
Her hands clutching the hem tightly.
"……."
She said nothing,
But when our eyes met, she lowered her head slightly.
And then,
Very slowly—.
She raised her gaze to look at me.
The child's face
Was flushed red like the sky just before dawn.
"…Uh."
"……."
I stared at the child.
More precisely,
At her clothes.
Did the size fit?
Would it be comfortable to move in?
Was it warm enough for winter?
My eyes naturally trailed
From the sleeves and hem down to her ankles.
"……!"
"Hm…."
As I inspected closely, an agitated voice came from the child.
"Really! You should say something!"
"…Say what?"
The shop clerk nodded vigorously, huffing.
"Of course! Dressed so prettily like this, and no compliments? How disappointed would she be!"
"…I see."
I looked at the child again.
Her small hands clutching the hem,
Her expression with lips trembling slightly.
Her face was even redder than before.
It even seemed like her eyes were a little teary.
'Compliments….'
I slowly approached the child.
Kneeling wordlessly to match her eye level.
Then, I gently straightened her hem.
"Pretty. It suits you well."
"……."
The child's eyes widened.
Her shocked expression was clear, even her sharp intake of breath visible.
Soon after—.
Even her ears turned red.
"Like it?"
"……."
The child pressed her lips together and nodded cautiously.
I stroked her head with a soft smile.
"Good. We'll buy that dress."
"……!"
The child's eyes went wide round.
Soon, her lips curved up just a tiny bit.
A very cautious, shy smile.
But even that subtle change made her expression look much warmer.
Laughter came from the elder behind me.
"Heh heh, she likes it."
"Sure does. So cute."
The child's face flushed even redder.
Her lips quivered,
Her hands gripped the hem tighter, at a loss for what to do.
"…Embarrassed?"
"……."
The child's shoulders twitched slightly.
Then, she nodded ever so faintly.
I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
"It's fine. It really suits you."
"……."
A smile spread across the child's face again.
'She likes it this much, so maybe get more like this.'
But—.
The child was very sensitive to the cold.
I couldn't ignore her tastes, but her health mattered too.
Humans now seemed to get sick easily in heat or cold.
'What to do.'
After a moment's thought, I turned to the elder.
"What do you think?"
"Hm?"
"Which clothes should I buy?"
"Hmm…."
That was when it happened.
"Um, excuse me! Wait a sec!"
"…Yeah?"
The shop clerk rushed over hurriedly.
I reflexively looked at her from the sudden shout.
"What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? Don't call the elder 'that guy'! What kind of way is that to address him!"
"…Can't I?"
"Of course not! Even foreigners have to mind their manners!"
At the clerk's words, the elder burst into laughter beside her.
His laugh carried a hint of amusement.
'Manners….'
As the elder's laughter subsided,
The clerk put her hands on her hips and said.
"The elder is a village respected figure. Everyone reveres him."
"I see."
I nodded and looked at the elder.
He was still smiling leisurely.
"Then what should I call him?"
"What do you mean? Obviously 'Elder'!"
"…Elder."
Why was that?
Calling someone much younger than me 'Elder' felt a bit awkward, almost apologetic.
'…Is this what they call a pang of conscience?'
As I pondered, lost in thought,
The elder chuckled heartily and patted my shoulder.
"Don't make that face. What does a title matter?"
"…Doesn't it?"
"Really—! What are you saying, Elder!"
"Heh heh, what's wrong with it? No need to fuss over titles. If your heart's in it, that's enough."
The elder smiled leisurely as always.
That smile felt somehow warm,
Making me stare at him unwittingly.
"Then, can I keep calling you 'that guy' from now on?"
"I don't mind. But others might not look kindly…. Hmm…."
The elder stroked his beard thoughtfully.
Then, with a sly eye smile, he murmured.
"Bookstore Elder…. Bookseller…, or my name works too."
"Name? What's your name?"
"Hubert."
"Got it, Hubert."
Hubert burst into hearty laughter.
Meanwhile, the clerk huffed in exasperation again.
"Seriously! Calling him just by name so casually!"
"Heh heh, add a 'Mr.' after Hubert."
"Yeah. Mr. Hubert."
"Good. That's perfect."
Hubert smiled leisurely once more.
That smile felt even nicer than the first time.
In the moderately warm and lively atmosphere—.
With the elder and clerk's help, I bought several outfits for the child.
Pretty dresses she liked.
Thick dresses suitable for winter.
Even cozy, sturdy coats impervious to the cold.
After checkout,
As the clerk neatly folded the clothes, she said.
"You're leaving the child at home and coming back to the village? Bring the baby clothes you bought yesterday for a refund."
"Refund?"
"Yes. She can't wear them anyway. I have the receipt, so I can process it."
I thought for a moment.
The baby clothes weren't needed, true,
But no need for a refund either.
"Mr. Hubert."
"Yes? What is it."
"Do churches accept donations these days?"
Hubert nodded.
"Clothes too?"
"Yes."
"…Where's the nearest church serving Rakiss around here?"
"There's one at the northern edge."
The clerk, who had been listening quietly, spoke up while packing the clothes.
"You're donating the baby clothes from yesterday?"
"Yeah. Can't I?"
"Nothing wrong with it…."
The clerk trailed off.
Then, carefully putting the clothes in the bag, she said.
"You take such good care of the child, and you're surprisingly kind."
"…Me?"
"Yes. Donating right after the war isn't easy. Everyone's busy surviving."
I took the bag, puzzled.
'Kind….'
It had been ages since I'd heard that word.
'Have I ever done anything deserving of it….'
As an Evil Dragon to begin with,
It was laughable to hear such a thing.
I had destroyed,
Annihilated,
Taken lives.
Undoubtedly,
No one had claimed more lives than me.
'Calling someone like that kind.'
A hollow laugh escaped me.
The 'donation' she mentioned as reason
Was merely a means to reach Rakiss.
'Too lazy to go all the way to the nest.'
Just the simplest,
Least troublesome method.
But….
To humans, it seemed different.
The two looking at me had clearly changed their gazes.
It didn't feel bad,
Nor good.
Just somewhat uncomfortable, somewhat itchy.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I left the child at the cabin.
She clung, wanting to come along,
But accepted once I convinced her there was too much to carry.
"I'll bring something tasty on the way back."
"……?"
"Ask Mr. Hubert, he'll know."
With that promise,
I had to buy something delicious on the return.
'But first, stop by the Rakiss church.'
I looked down at the bag of baby clothes in my hand.
Perhaps because it was for donation.
Hubert leisurely told me to handle my business at the church.
No rush, he'd wait.
"Humans now are amusing."
My impression from conversing with Hubert and the clothing shop clerk.
"Is that it?"
Walking absentmindedly,
Rakiss's symbol caught my eye.
Three stars rising to the sky from a central circle.
Wings spread around the circle, embraced by vines.
It matched perfectly the symbol in my memory.
Time had passed, but the god's emblem remained unchanged.
"Definitely Rakiss."
I entered the church.
A small but tidy space.
Wooden benches lined both sides,
And at the end, an altar with a statue modeled after Rakiss stood tall.
'Doesn't look like him.'
I glanced around.
Not many people.
One person quietly praying in the corner,
One nun tidying the altar.
I slowly walked toward the nun.
"Excuse me, I want to donate."
"Ah, yes. What items?"
"Baby clothes."
The nun carefully checked inside the bag.
A moment later, she widened her eyes slightly and looked up.
"These clothes are all brand new?"
"Yeah. Bought the wrong size."
"I see. Thank you so much for generously donating such nice clothes."
The nun took the bag with a sincere smile.
In the unfamiliar air,
I stared at the strange statue.
"Do I still pray in front of the altar?"
"Ah, yes."
The nun nodded with a gentle smile.
"Prayers can be offered anytime, anywhere, freely."
"…I see."
I slowly moved toward the altar.
The structure resembled human faith,
And the light pouring through stained glass flowed along its convictions.
'Should I clasp my hands?'
Glancing
At the person praying on the back bench, I imitated them.
Closed my eyes,
Clasped my hands.
'Rakiss, see you soon.'
I conveyed the brief message and left.
This much
Would surely elicit a response from my old friend.