GalaxyTL
“Oh, it hasn’t changed much… or so I thought, but it’s become a lot more livable!”
“Eh, ah! Eugene-san!? It is Eugene-san, isn’t it!”
As I arrived at the village and blurted that out, a villager who noticed me shouted loudly. Well, I’m happy, but it’s embarrassing to be shouted at. I have my companions with me this time.
“It’s been a while, Eugene-san. Have you been well?”
“Yeah. You look the same as always too.”
“Hahaha, I’ve gotten pretty old, but well, my insides haven’t changed! I’m surprised you haven’t changed at all, Eugene-san. Demi-humans really do age slowly… The village has gotten a lot cleaner, right? Ever since we followed your advice, hardly anyone gets sick anymore!”
That’s right, that’s right. When I first came to this village, everyone had a gloomy face. More than half the villagers were ill due to poor hygiene.
I didn’t have any specialized knowledge, so I couldn’t treat them, but… I gave some basic advice, like washing hands, gargling, ventilating inside the house, being careful with waste disposal, and it improved a lot. In the central parts of the human continent, those are common sense, and they even have sewers, but small villages on the outskirts like this one tend to lag behind in that area. I remember fondly how I went around to similar villages I passed through while searching for Yenna, and made them all follow those rules.
Really, the country being too big is also a problem. They’ve made it more manageable by appointing four kings, compared to the distant past, but I still feel it’s not enough. But it’s not good for me to interfere too much either. I’m human, but I belong to the Demon Continent. In the first place, it’s questionable whether I can call myself human, with the kind of body I’ve had since coming to this world. Even more so now.
“Did you find who you were looking for?”
This villager knew I was searching for someone, and thinks I’m an eccentric demi-human. So he’s surprised I haven’t changed much since a few decades ago, but that’s the extent of it. The young people in the village probably don’t know me.
It’s not Yenna, but I was able to find someone important to me, so the answer is yes. When I said that, he was overjoyed as if it was his own matter.
“But why are you in such a remote village again? Looks like you’re not alone this time, but…!”
As he said that, the villager who turned his eyes to the people lined up behind me was speechless. Ah, it’s probably because of Ash’s good looks. He does have a hood on, but he’s not covering his face with a mask like Gil. He stands out so much just for being ridiculously handsome.
“Hmm? What’s with that look, Eugene?”
“…No, I was just thinking, I can’t tell if Ash’s appearance is a blessing or a curse.”
“I feel like I’m being subtly insulted, is it just my imagination?”
“Don’t worry. It’s not your imagination.”
As Ash got indignant, asking what I meant, I inwardly sighed at his lack of self-awareness that his insides are disappointing. Really, he hasn’t changed since back then, being too honest. It’s a good thing, but grow up a little.
“No, this time I’m searching for someone again. We’re planning to go to the central capital for that. These guys are my companions. You can trust them.”
“I-I see. Well, it’s Eugene-san after all. It’s not surprising you have all kinds of companions.”
This place is relatively close to the mines, so monsters sometimes appear, and I remember they saw me punch one and take it down the last time I was here. That was unavoidable. It couldn’t be helped! Well, because of that, I ended up having to pretend to be a demi-human to the villagers back then. Thinking about reuniting with them now, it might have been a good thing, in a way.
“I wanted to ask, have there been any changes or things to watch out for in this country recently? We’ll be traveling, so I’d like to keep my ears open.”
And then I casually tried to gather information. They used that much of a teleportation circle. There’s a possibility it made the news. The villager called over a few other villagers, and they were whispering to each other that there wasn’t anything in particular. But then one man spoke up, saying, “Come to think of it…”
“I heard the Royal Knights are out searching for something.”
“Ah, now that you mention it, I heard that too!”
“I think it was the Central and Eastern Knights who were mobilizing. The Southern Knights started moving too, right?”
Oh, this seems like a hit. It’s not often the country would go out of its way to search for something.
“What are they searching for?”
“Nah, we don’t know about that. This is the countryside, you know.”
“You’d probably get more details if you asked in a village or town closer to the center. If you want to know, try asking there! Sorry we couldn’t be of more help.”
“It’s plenty. Thanks.”
It’s most likely Meg they’re searching for. No, it’s probably the magic-wielding children who were teleported along with Meg. Hm? In that case, could it be a large group? Just how many children were gathered? If it’s just a few, we might be able to manage somehow, but… If they’re searching for them, does that mean the children are continuing to travel on their own?
“…We seriously don’t have time to take it easy.”
“The possibility of them being captured by unsavory individuals is extremely high… I hope they’re still safe, even now…”
“Don, let’s go immediately.”
Adol and Gil responded to my mutter. Both their voices sounded urgent. Of course, I’m feeling impatient too.
“Everyone, can you keep going without rest? Even if you say you can’t, I’ll be going ahead.”
“Who the hell do you think we are, Ash? Of course we’re going! Adol? Can you manage?”
“Yes. Thanks to the Don carrying me, I’ve recovered quite a bit. But I think my speed will be slow. I might hold you back…”
Adol said that apologetically, but it’s actually quite difficult to recognize your own capabilities and say it honestly like that. And yet, he was able to say it clearly. I think that’s admirable.
“Well, of course. We’ll train you hard from now on, but for now, I’ll carry you again.”
“I-I’m sorry…”
“In exchange, make sure to train hard when we get back, okay?”
“Of course! I don’t ever want to feel this frustrated again!”
That’s a good response. I’m really glad the members of our guild are so honest. …Though there are plenty who aren’t!
“Even if he trains again, I think it will be quite difficult for him to be able to keep up with you all.”
Ash blurted out such an unnecessary thing, so I instinctively punched him in the back of the head. I ignored his protests of “What are you doing!?” Geez, does he have no delicacy?
“It’s not just difficult, it’s a realm I don’t think I can reach in my lifetime.”
See, Adol’s gone and said something like that with a wry smile. I glared sharply at Ash, and even Ash made an apologetic face. It’s too late now!
“But I think setting high goals makes for faster improvement. I won’t give up. Don’t worry about it.”
“Oh, I like that mindset. That’s our Adol. I’m expecting great things.”
Adol, who declared that with a clenched fist, looked a bit more robust. I’m glad his mental strength seems to be good too. …Ash should reflect on this!
“Don, let’s hurry ahead then.”
Oops, looks like Gil’s at his limit of waiting. Got it, let’s get going.
“Yeah, I know. You guys go on ahead to the north, I’ll say goodbye to the villagers. I’ll catch up right away.”
“Can you catch up? Eugene.”
“Hah, what a foolish question. Go on, hurry up. Adol, come with me. Once we’re out of the village, transform.”
I told Gil and Ash to go on ahead, as if shooing them away, and the two of them disappeared in an instant. I didn’t even have time to complain that they should at least wait until they’re out of the village.