The Endless Feast
“Your name’s Dipe, right? Oh my, what a pretty little thing. Is it tasty?”
“It’s super tasty!”
“That’s right, eat as much as you want. I’ll keep bringing more.”
The whole walk back from the farm, worry gnawed at me. I had no idea how Mother would react if I simply said I’d picked up a lost child in the mountains. Yet the moment we arrived, all my fears proved pointless. Mother didn’t ask a single question. She just took one look at Dipe and declared that anyone who’d come such a long way must be starving, then began piling food onto the table exactly as she had once done for me.
The only problem was the sheer, unending quantity.
Plates were already stacked high, each one licked clean. I leaned toward Ilena and whispered, “Is it really all right for her to eat that much?”
“It’s fine. Everything turns into magic power anyway.”
“Magic power…?”
Come to think of it, Dipe had already eaten more than any grown man could manage in a single sitting, yet she showed no sign of being full. She simply smiled brightly and devoured every new dish Mother brought with cheerful ferocity.
“Goodness, you eat so well! That’s how children grow up big and strong!”
“I understand! And everything you make is delicious, ma’am!”
Mother beamed, utterly delighted, without the slightest trace of suspicion. I couldn’t decide whether it was fortunate that Dipe’s true nature remained hidden or whether Mother herself was simply… unusual. The scene was beyond my comprehension.
While I stood there dazed, Dipe polished off yet another plate at a speed that looked more like drinking than eating.
“Finished again? My, you really do have a healthy appetite!”
“Hehe, it’s just so good.”
“Is that so? Then what shall I make next…?”
Enough was enough. I exchanged a glance with Ilena and stepped between them.
“Mother, that’s quite enough!”
“Please stop now, Mother!”
Mother clicked her tongue in disappointment. “You want me to stop feeding a child who’s clearly been starving? And you two are the ones saying it?”
“She’s already eaten far more than is safe, Mother. Too much at once could upset her stomach.”
“That’s right, Mother. Besides, she’ll want to enjoy dinner later if she stops now.”
“Tsk, tsk…”
Even after our desperate pleas, Mother refused to set down her utensils, her expression thoroughly displeased. Then she turned to Dipe with a bright smile.
“Ignore your big brother and sister. Tell me what you want. Would you like more? You can have as much as you like.”
“Umm…”
Dipe hesitated, glanced at the desperate looks Ilena and I were sending her, and answered cleverly, “I’m all right now! I’m full!”
“Whew.”
Ilena and I exhaled in perfect unison. It was an absolute miracle. Mother had been pulling ingredients from the pantry without restraint; another minute and there would have been nothing left for our own dinner.
Only after Dipe declared herself full did Mother finally set her tools aside. She walked over and gently stroked the girl’s hair.
“By the way, how did you end up all the way out here in the middle of nowhere?”
“I don’t know. When I opened my eyes, I was in the mountains. Then big brother and sister found me and helped.”
Mother nodded, her face a mixture of pity and quiet pride. “That’s my son for you. And my daughter-in-law, too. I’m glad the lesson about helping those in need stuck.”
“Ahaha…”
Good thing we’d already coached Dipe on her story beforehand. Claiming she’d lost her memories kept things simple.
Once the meal ended, Dipe dashed straight into my arms. “Let’s play now, Roen!”
“Ugh…!”
Ilena watched Dipe cling to me with a steady gaze, but the look was no longer the sharp, jealous one from before. Then her eyes widened in sudden realization. She sprang up and hurried to Mother.
“Mother, please rest. I’ll clean up.”
“No need. I can do it. You should look after Dipe instead. This mess is my doing, after all.”
“It’s all right. Here, sit down.”
Ilena gently but firmly guided Mother into the chair beside me.
“Goodness, you’re really not going to let me help?”
“You’ve been standing the whole time making food for her. Leave the rest to me and enjoy your son’s face while you can. It’s been a while since you’ve seen him.”
“Enjoy his face, my foot…”
Still, Mother didn’t fight the suggestion any further. With the morning’s work already finished, she settled comfortably into the chair and watched Dipe and me with a fond smile.
“Son, it seems you haven’t been getting into any trouble while you’ve been away.”
“How can you tell?”
“Children can sense whether someone is good or bad. This little one, Dipe, only met you today, yet she follows you so closely.”
I hadn’t realized children possessed such insight. Fortunately, I had no memories of committing any real misdeeds.
“Having a cute child running around the house makes me feel like I’ve become a grandmother already.”
“You’re still far too young to be feeling that way, Mother. Besides, Dipe calls you ‘ma’am,’ not ‘grandmother.’”
“Oh, you rascal. Didn’t I already tell you? At my age, it wouldn’t be strange if I had grandchildren by now. If you and Ilena were to marry and have a child, it would probably feel just like this.”
“Cough!”
I thought we’d managed to dodge the marriage topic last time, but Dipe’s cuteness had apparently revived it.
Completely oblivious, Dipe chirped excitedly, “Ma’am, Roen said something earlier!”
“Oh? What did he say?”
“He said he’d be the dad, so Ilena should be the mom… Mmph!”
‘No, stop! I thought you were on our side!’
I clapped a hand over Dipe’s mouth in panic. Ilena, who had been washing dishes, nearly dropped a plate at the words. But it was already too late. Mother’s lips had curved into a knowing grin.
“So the two of you said that behind my back?”
“It was just a joke!”
“What about you, dear? Do you think it was only a joke?”
“W-well, that is… I mean…”
Ilena stammered, then blushed furiously. “I… don’t really know…”
‘Why did you have to react like that?!’
“See? It might have been a joke to you, but it seems it wasn’t quite so simple for Ilena. Let’s be honest now. Where in this world could you possibly find a better bride than—”
“M-Mother!”
Before the conversation could sink any deeper, Ilena called out sharply.
“What is it, dear?”
“I think I need to go to the market. The pantry is almost empty.”
“Already?”
“Yes. There was still quite a lot just a little while ago…”
Ilena left the rest unsaid—that every last ingredient had been converted into Dipe’s magic power. Thanks to Mother’s generous cooking, the amount of mana I could feel when I patted Dipe’s head had grown noticeably.
Market, huh. I still remembered the old days: two full days to reach the village market with Mother, two days back. Four days of walking, round trip.
“Ilena, you mean the market in the village I know?”
“Yes, that one. You still remember?”
“How could I forget? Those were the hardest days of my childhood.”
The distance proved just how isolated our village truly was.
“We won’t have to walk that far anymore. We can borrow a carriage from Hesed’s farm.”
“A carriage? That would certainly cut down the travel time.”
In truth, I could run there faster than any carriage, but Mother didn’t need to know that.
The mention of the market brought a bright smile to Mother’s face.
“Perfect timing. Go and see what you can find out.”
“About what?”
Mother leaned close and whispered so Dipe wouldn’t hear. “Markets are full of rumors and news. Take Dipe with you and see if anyone’s heard anything about her.”
I appreciated the thought, but I doubted we’d learn anything useful. Still, a trip to the market didn’t sound like a bad idea.
“Understood. I’ll take Dipe and go.”
“Do that. I’ll look after the fields.”
“Then shall I go with him as well, Mother?”
Ilena, having finished the dishes with practiced ease, wiped her hands and spoke up.
“You want to go with Roen, dear?”
“Yes. There are several things the farm needs anyway.”
“Wonderful! If you’re going together, I won’t have to worry. Take my son along as a pack mule and make full use of him. Get a good night’s sleep tonight and leave early tomorrow.”
Mother spoke to Ilena in a warm, affectionate tone, then leaned in to whisper to me once more.
“Son, you’ve been given a golden opportunity. You’d better keep your wits about you.”
“Opportunity…?”
“Put the child to bed first. Then, when it’s just the two of you awake beneath the gentle moonlight, read the mood and…”
My head was already starting to spin. Seeing Mother’s mischievous grin, I could already guess what came next.
“Go for it!”