Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: 14. To the World of Agriculture! (8)
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Golden-furred cat playing happily with Ellis.
It's been about a month since we started raising that cat as a pet.
“Nothing’s happened yet, meow.”
“For now.”
For now.
The organization I was part of took over twenty years to collapse, but Yuglasia Academy fell in just over a year.
The cycles are getting shorter.
So I need to keep watching that cat a bit longer.
“But if we’re going by that, we’ve been neighbors with the old man next door for over two years, meow? We’ve lived here pretty long!”
“That was back when we didn’t know Grandpa was the Sword Saint.”
On the flip side, it’s only been about half a year since we found out the old neighbor who still drops by occasionally to steal our chicken is the Sword Saint.
No, it’s around the same time as the cat—less than two months, actually.
Not even half a year yet.
Something could still happen in that half year.
“You’re sick, seriously.”
“If being paranoid lets me live longer, I’ll make it chronic.”
Shaking her head like she’d given up, Ar got up and charged toward Ellis and the cat.
“Me play too!”
“Big Sis!”
“Meeeooow!”
The cat bolted in terror the moment Ar started running, while Ellis scowled at her.
No incidents. Peaceful.
The grueling harvest wrapped up yesterday.
Thanks to that, the storehouse is stuffed with food!
And the underground caves we failed to turn into escape routes mean we don’t have to worry much about spoilage!
Now we can just snack our way through winter without a care.
I’ve stocked up plenty of firewood this year, too, since those two might sneak off to roast potatoes or corn anytime.
Last winter, enduring that freezing cold without lighting the stove was tough enough on this aging body.
Mid-forties now, fifties coming up soon.
All I’ve gained in life is the attention of crazy women and a life on the run.
If I hadn’t gotten a cute daughter in my old age, my life would’ve been pretty bleak.
- That daughter’s me!
- Where do you get off saying crap like that.
Comparing myself to the lovable Ellis?
Ar really has no conscience.
“We’ll need to prep soon since the market in the next village over is about to open.”
Living in this remote mountain village for escape purposes comes with some inconveniences.
Like not being able to get kerosene, for one.
Plenty of other stuff we can’t get, but the bigger village nearby has most things, and the merchant caravans that visit regularly let us stock up on what’s missing at the end of spring and after harvest.
Which is right about now.
In other words,
“The perfect timing to ‘coincidentally’ run into someone.”
In a novel, this would be the exact moment for a contrived encounter.
I wouldn’t normally think this way, but with all the weird stuff happening lately...
I’m sure this is a sign.
No matter what Ar says about me being sick, I trust my gut! And my intuition was spot on.
...Just not in the way I expected!
#8 Their Circumstances: A Daughter’s Situation.
“Daddy... What’re you doing?”
Today’s the day we go to the next village over for fun—twice a year.
Oh, it’s not really for fun, of course.
Spring: buying seeds for summer crops and good tools.
Fall: stocking up for winter.
But Dad always splurges on these trips, so Sis and I get to eat lots of tasty stuff.
Dad’s cooking is the best, and chicken’s the ultimate food in the world, but the next village’s treats are a rare delicacy.
Can’t miss this chance!
So I got up super early for once, washed my face, and shampooed my hair.
Harvest’s over, so I’ve been sleeping in lately—it was tough—but I dragged myself awake for the village trip!
“You’re all ready already, Ellis.”
If I hadn’t seen him getting ready, I’d never have recognized Dad. I had to tilt my head.
“...Seriously, what’re you doing, Daddy?”
His black hair, which had a few whites creeping in, was now fully brown.
No idea how, but one of his brown eyes had turned blue.
And the faded white robe? He looked seriously suspicious!
“Something happen? Wait... Are we, like, not going to the village today?”
I was so looking forward to it! But I couldn’t say it with Dad looking so serious.
Did my face show my disappointment?
Dad knelt down a bit, patted my head, and said,
“No need to worry. We have to go today. Otherwise, winter’ll be rough.”
“Then... why?”
“Hmm... Mood change?”
“That’s it?”
Dad’s words and actions get weird sometimes.
Guess today’s one of those days.
“I’ll head out first then!”
“Yeah, wait by the cart.”
“Okay!”
His warm hand left, and I felt a little sad, but Dad seemed busy, so I headed to the cart in the yard.
It’s the one we borrowed from the village head last night.
We usually take a wagon, but Dad got a proper cart since it might be risky for me and Sis.
It’s for hauling goods, not travel, but it’s the village’s best—with a roof and all!
First, I load still-sleeping Misha onto it.
I wanna hop on cool like a knight, but no way for me right now.
So I use the wooden block Dad left as a step, grunt my way over the railing.
After a fierce battle, I conquer the railing and scoop up the quietly sleeping Misha.
“Sleep more, Misha.”
“Meow~”
Misha’s gotten used to me—she settles on my lap and rubs her cheek on my belly.
Phew, good.
When Dad first said we were getting a cat, he wanted to name her Chosuke.
If I hadn’t stopped him, I’d have to call “Chosuke! Chosuke!” every time.
That would’ve been... embarrassing.
Dad’s weird habits almost kept me from calling her name outside, but my strong will won—Misha it is!
I swear Misha was grateful.
Really!
“Yaap!”
“Sis!”
While petting Misha’s soft fur, Sis flew into the cart.
She’s my size, but hopping in like that? So cool!
“Awesome!”
“So awesome!”
Giggling, she sits next to me. Misha wakes and eyes her warily.
I should stop it, but I get it.
As a fellow survivor of Sis’s “treatments,” I can’t blame her.
Just pet Misha’s back to calm her.
“Where’s Dad?”
“Bringing the horse we rented yesterday.”
No stable at home, so no cows or horses.
For village trips, we rent from the only stable, sell it back when we return.
Others can’t handle horses, so they hire the stable guy as coachman, but Dad can do everything.
Yeah. Dad’s a better coachman than the stable guy.
Dad’s the best!
After about twenty minutes, hoofbeats echo from afar.
Sun’s about to rise.
Busy summer? It’d be up already. But winter’s coming, so the sun sleeps in.
“Let’s head out.”
He must’ve hitched the horse already.
Heard it’s tough, but Dad did it in a flash and took the reins.
Rattling starts, wheels roll, house fades away.
I’ve gone before, but it’s always magical.
The lively village, quiet now.
No skewer lady, no veggie vendor.
Not even the chicken lady I visit for chicken stuff!
“No one around.”
“Everyone sleeps late this season.”
Sun sleeps in, so do we.
Only possible ’cause the harvest was good, Dad says.
Bad crop, tough winter? We’d plant emergency crops even now.
Potatoes are great for that, apparently.
Potatoes rock!
Tasty baked or fried, and grow in this weather!
“Oh, village end already.”
Our house is out of sight.
Cart stops briefly—I know from experience we’ve passed the gate.
Dad’s voice drifts in faintly.
Chatting with the gate guard, probably.
No knights like the lord’s place, but guards protect our village.
Mostly gate duty.
No monsters nearby ever, but they watch just in case.
“Ah, Ar and Ellis. Off to the next village? Have fun!”
“Yeah!”
“Yes! You too, mister!”
“Hahaha, sure. Safe trip.”
Cart rolls as we chat briefly with the guard from the back.
Wave till he’s gone, then back to seat—Misha’s fled to the corner.
“Gotta get along with Sis.”
“Meow!”
That means okay, right?
No clue why, but felt like a hard no? Nah, imagination.
Yeah. Misha’s sweet; she’ll warm up to Sis.
“Heh heh heh, this meow-meow needs discipline first?”
“Meeeooow!”
Sis’s creepy grin, Misha bristles tail-up battle-ready. Sigh.
...Gonna take time for them to get along.
Hug Misha to calm her.
Little resistance, then she settles in.
Pet her shiny fur till calm. Sis, bored, perches on back railing, sightseeing.
Risky fall spot, but Sis’d be fine. Not that she will.
Sure enough, bumpy ride—no falling.
I wobble in corner from jolts, but Sis casually peers out.
So cool, I stare blankly—then cart stops.
“Little sis, we’re here!”
“Really?!”
Stand, head to back with Sis.
Misha struggles to corner—too much, so leave her; quick peek’s enough.
“Wow!”
Wall so much taller than ours—no comparison.
Sturdy 3m stone wall.
Guards here wear shiny armor, unlike ours.
“Entry!”
“Eek!”
Peeking at the huge wall, cart lurches—I nearly topple.
“Watch it.”
“Thanks, Sis.”
Sis grabbed me just in time.
“Can’t freak at that. World’s got way bigger walls!”
“Really?”
“My little sis hasn’t seen the world! I’ve even seen the capital walls of the Karan Empire!”
“Amazing!”
Karan Empire!
Local big-village wall’s this epic—what’s the world’s strongest empire’s like?!
“Like, made of gold? Or auto-firing magic from the walls?”
“Huh? Nah. Just huge and thick. Oh, but Yuglasia Academy’s outer wall does auto-fire magic. Inward.”
“Inward?”
Shock, then head tilt at Sis’s words.
Walls block outsiders—why inward?
Pre-made for intruders?
“That academy’s got issues ’cause of some guy.”
Sis looked at me all “you get it.”
“Sis, a bit more...”
“We’re here.”
Wanna ask more, but Dad calls—Sis leaps out.
“Aw...”
Super curious about the wall magic!
“But I’ll ask later... Let’s go, Misha!”
“Meoow.”
Can ask on return anyway.
We’re here...
Time to have fun!