Chapter 49
Chapter 49
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Rakiss's Holy Day (2)
Following Hubert's guidance, we ventured deeper into the village alleys.
Perhaps because it was a bit removed from the main village.
The festival's fervor seemed slightly subdued here.
Even so, the decorations placed here and there throughout the alley quietly proclaimed that today was a holy day.
Flags strung up overhead,
red paper flowers set on windowsills,
and lanterns of all colors hung on every house.
This quiet alley was undoubtedly part of someone's joyful holy day.
'Not bad.'
The lively bustle and children's laughter were fine,
but I was still more accustomed to this kind of tranquility.
Was the child the same?
Her expression was more relaxed than before as she looked around the alley.
While peering around the alley with great interest, the child pointed at a lantern.
She was probably asking why they had hung up the lanterns.
I didn't know the exact reason either.
"???"
"Well... maybe so people don't get lost in the complicated alleys?"
"That's such a you answer, Row."
Rakiss chuckled softly and continued.
"These lanterns are hung to guide the gods' blessings."
"...The gods' blessings?"
"Yes. So that the blessings bestowed on this holy day won't forget to find places filled with joy and gratitude."
"I see."
It seemed what Rakiss had said before was true after all.
Even in a world where people could no longer draw near to the gods,
humanity had come to believe in them more than ever.
In the past, no one would have poured their hearts into such small things.
Now, people hoped to connect with the divine even through a single lantern.
'Amazing.'
Was this why the gods had made humans so frail?
I felt like I understood their intentions a little.
Still, my opinion that they'd made them too weak hadn't changed.
I looked down at the child in my arms.
Sensing my gaze, she lifted her head and gave a bright smile.
"Over there."
"...!"
I turned my eyes toward where Hubert was pointing.
A house built of red bricks.
Ivy climbed thickly over the fence,
and though worn, the neat front gate had a lantern symbolizing the holy day hanging on it.
In front of the firmly shut gate.
A familiar figure was crouched there.
"Loren?"
"...Ah!"
Loren ran toward us.
Her ears were bright red, probably from waiting outside for quite a while.
After catching her breath, Loren straightened up and greeted us with a bright smile.
"May the gods' blessings be upon you!"
"Yeah. You too."
"...!"
"Heh heh, cute as ever today, our little one! ...Uh, wait. Who's that?"
Tilting her head, Loren looked at Hubert.
"Do you know him, elder?"
"Ho ho, it's not me she knows, but Row."
"...Pardon?"
Loren blinked before furrowing her brow.
"...A friend of Row's? Really?"
"Yeah. That's right."
"...No way."
Was it for a similar reason as Hubert?
Loren also seemed to find it hard to believe that I was close to a pilgrim.
Rakiss glanced at my expression before politely greeting Loren.
"Pleased to meet you, sister. May the gods' blessings be upon you."
"...Ah! Yes! May the gods' blessings be upon you...!"
"My name is Raoul. I'm Row's close friend. We became acquainted while Row was wandering and I was on pilgrimage."
"I... I see..."
Loren still looked incredulous as she alternated glances between Rakiss and me.
She got that we were really friends,
but she just couldn't wrap her head around it.
Hubert watched us leisurely before bursting into laughter.
"Ho ho, let's chat inside. It's cold out here. If we keep talking, the food you've brought will all go cold."
"Ah, yes!"
The old hinges creaked as the gate opened.
With the child in my arms, I slowly stepped inside.
The interior was modest yet tidy.
Small decorations symbolizing the holy day hung from the entrance,
and beside the fireplace was a small dining table with simple snacks and fruit laid out on it.
A familiar scent wafted faintly from the aged wooden floor.
"It's a lonely old man's home, nothing fancy, but make yourselves comfortable."
"Nonsense, elder. We're just grateful you've so generously lent us the space!"
"Ho ho, I'm glad to hear you say that."
Hubert waved his hand bashfully,
but the smile spreading across his face was filled with contentment.
Ruben rubbed her hands and approached the fireplace.
"Whoa, this is nice. It's so warm in here."
"Warm yourself up. You must have been shivering waiting outside."
"Ugh, thank you. Honestly, I thought my ears were going to fall off. You like the warmth too, right, little one?"
"...!"
The child nodded vigorously.
Soon, her gaze shifted elsewhere.
Was Hubert's house so fascinating?
The child looked around with keen interest.
Come to think of it, our cabin had been a temporary hunter's shelter.
It had many shortcomings to call it comfortable.
A space that truly felt like a 'home' like this might be new to her.
"...?"
"Hm?"
The child tugged carefully at my robe.
Her eyes sparkled; she clearly wanted to explore the house.
I set the basket of food on the table and asked.
"Mr. Hubert, is it okay if she looks around the house?"
"Of course. Go ahead as you like."
"I'll set out the food Row brought too."
"Yeah. Thanks, both of you. Let's go."
"...!"
With the child in my arms, I slowly moved forward.
The house was small and old, but time had settled gently within it.
Worn furniture bearing the marks of use was neatly arranged,
and the old bookshelf held books in orderly rows.
Embroidery infused with someone's care,
faded family photos showing the passage of years.
All of it spoke of time that had continued on for so long.
'Nice...'
There was nothing extravagant,
but old warmth filled the house.
I liked that serenity.
Did the child like the house too?
The corners of her mouth were slightly upturned.
"Like it?"
"...!"
The child nodded faintly.
I smiled lightly and tightened my hold on her just a bit.
Walking down the narrow hallway, we reached the kitchen.
The kitchen was simple but exuded a warm atmosphere.
Dishes neatly stacked in the cupboard,
sunlight filtering through faded curtains.
And─
There was a strange hearth in one corner of the kitchen.
"...What's this?"
"...?"
The hearth was square-shaped.
The worn edges suggested it was quite old.
"Hmm..."
No matter how I looked at it, it didn't seem designed for lighting a fire directly.
The exterior was simple,
but faint mana rippled from within.
Peering closely inside, I saw a stone infused with mana at the center of the hearth.
That was probably the core device generating heat.
"I said you were touring the house, but you can't take your eyes off that."
"It's fascinating. What is it?"
Hubert approached and lightly stroked the top surface of the hearth with his palm.
The gray stone turned red,
and steam slowly rose from the kettle sitting atop it.
"It's used like this."
"So you really don't need to light a fire..."
"Hm? Have you been cooking over an open fire all this time?"
"Yeah."
Hubert nodded with quiet admiration.
"Must have been tough. These hearths aren't all that rare nowadays."
"Really?"
"Yes. Even those of us who can't use magic just need to replenish the mana with a mana stone, so nearly every home has one now."
"I see..."
I felt once again how the world had changed.
With humans now relying on staple foods, technology like this had advanced accordingly.
I alone, detached from the flow of time,
had been clinging to the old ways.
"Speaking of which, didn't you say you fetch water from afar for your home?"
"Yeah."
"Perfect timing. Take a look at this."
Hubert reached for a basin-like magic tool nearby.
Just like with the hearth,
he lightly stroked the top along the surface patterns,
and warm water began flowing out amid a puff of steam.
"What do you think?"
"...Fascinating."
"Ho ho, I meant what if you had one at your place."
"Ah, yeah. It'd be convenient."
Hubert burst into hearty laughter at my honest reaction.
"In that case, I can introduce you to a good installer. I should make time to visit your place soon, just in case."
"No need. It's fine."
"Hm?"
"I know someone who can install it."
Hubert blinked at me.
Soon, a booming laugh escaped him.
"Ho ho, you sure have a wide network, don't you?"
"Yeah?"
"Close with the priest and even know a technician for installations."
They're both the same guy, but...
I decided not to deny it, given my long life had built up some connections.
Just then─
Loren's voice called out.
"Row! Done looking around? The food's getting cold!"
"Ah, yeah. Coming."
I headed to the living room, where the aroma of various foods wafted.
A variety of dishes covered the table.
Rakiss, who had apparently been helping Loren, was neatly setting out the utensils.
Seeing this, Hubert's eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh dear. Inviting a priest and making him prepare the meal too. I have no face to show."
"Well... I said it was fine, and he said it'd be quicker together..."
"Please don't worry. I'm just covering for Row."
Rakiss smiled as always.
Hubert let out a small sigh and nodded.
"Alright! Food's getting cold! Everyone, take your seats!"
"Ah, yes. Everyone, sit. Please, have a seat, priest."
"Yes. Excuse me."
And so the party truly began.
The pre-meal prayer.
As everyone clasped hands and closed eyes, Rakiss spoke.
"May the gods' blessings be upon everyone here."
A serene peace settled as the prayer ended.
Loren and Hubert nodded with reverent expressions.
"Thank you, priest."
"No need."
Rakiss smiled kindly, having fulfilled his role.
It was a modest but bountiful meal.
Sweet drinks,
bread with roasted fruit and honey,
and hearty vegetable stew.
Amusingly, every dish except the steak I brought had no meat.
A chuckle escaped me.
I knew who the consideration was for without being told.
Hubert and Loren watched the child eat her steak with pleased gazes.
"Our little one eats meat well now, huh?"
"!"
"Yes, yes. Gotta eat everything. We'll prepare meat dishes for next year's holy day."
"Hm? Planning to hang out with us next year too? Shue will be jealous."
"...Elder!"
Flustered, Loren gulped down her water.
Hubert laughed heartily and shrugged nonchalantly.
"The whole village knows you two are that close..."
"Hey! Bellies full─! How about we exchange gifts now? Yeah?!"
"Wasn't there a rule against interrupting the elder?"
"...Be quiet, Row."
And so, the gift exchange began earlier than planned.