“Munch, munch… munch, munch…”
Delicious.
“Munch, munch… munch, munch, munch, munch…!”
Delicious!
“Munch munch munch munch munch munch munch munch munch, munch munch munch munch ahhhhhhhhhh!!!”
Too delicious!
What’s with this bread!?
It’s unbelievably delicious!?
It’s not just because I’m hungry!
The bread itself is simply delicious!
It’s the best!!
“Hehehe! It’s our specialty bread! Even merchants from the capital say they’ve never tasted anything better, and they praise it a lot!”
The brown-haired girl who said this with a shy smile is Fetty-chan.
It seems like all the bread eaten by the villagers is prepared by Fetty-chan’s family.
Maybe they run a bakery?
“You’re eating so well! You must have been really hungry!”
The freckled-faced beauty with deep green hair who said this with a laugh is Otta-san.
She seems to be the owner of this house.
“I think she’s eating a bit too much… How many loaves is that now? And why are there missing floorboards here and there…?”
The one who said this with a forced smile is Prow-kun.
A boy with deep green hair tied back, apparently Otta-san’s son. Handsome.
The ones who entered the house were these three.
Well, it’s more like they just came home since this is Otta-san’s house.
Ah, good thing I didn’t kill them impulsively!
If they had burst into the room suddenly, I might have sliced them up without thinking.
Dangerous, dangerous.
According to Prow-kun and Fetty-chan, it seems that I was found unconscious by the riverbank and brought here by them.
So, after losing consciousness, I was washed downstream by that chatty black lizard, ending up at this village.
The two who found me unconscious enacted pure goodwill, carrying me here and nursing me back to health.
They even changed my clothes.
Really, it’s good I didn’t kill them.
They are truly kind people.
But, going back to the topic.
What’s with this bread?
It’s too delicious?
It even seems to be sparkling, not just ordinary bread.
<Maybe it’s blessed by some god…?>
Eh? Blessing? On bread?
<More like the wheat… or rather, the land where it grew might be blessed. Gods bestowing blessings not on people but on land is quite common, you know? It’s not very conspicuous.>
I see, so this place is favored by gods?
…Should I run away?
Like with Torch-kun and Sara-chan before, is there a chance I’ll get wrapped up in some strange “story”?
<Umm… Well… Zaza… I mean, you should consider staying in this village for a while.>
Why?
<This bread is amazing! Thanks to the blessing, it’s full of magical power. It’s perfect for Emmy, who just underwent a magical transformation and craves a lot of magic. At least until your hunger subsides a bit, it’s better to stay in the village and eat this bread, I think.>
I see?
“Hey! Are you full now?”
Fetty-chan asks me with a smile as I stop eating the bread to concentrate on my conversation with Omake-sama.
I still want to eat more, but it’s not good to consume all the village’s bread by myself.
I stuffed the remaining bread in my hand into my mouth and nodded.
“That’s great!… So, Prow. Mom will be working in the fields on the southern hill from now on, so I’m leaving the rest to
you. Call me right away if anything happens.”
“Got it, Mom.”
Otta-san said this and left the room.
Left in the room were me, Fetty-chan, and the little trio including Prow-kun.
“Hey hey! What’s your name!? Where are you from!? Why were you collapsed by the riverbank!?”
“…………Munch, munch.”
Fetty-chan is talkative.
To me, who is quiet, she keeps talking eagerly.
“Hey Fetty, she can’t reply with her mouth full of bread, right?”
Saying this, Prow-kun pointed at my face, stuffed like a hamster with sunflower seeds, and gave a wry smile.
“Um, so, you understand us, right? If you do, can you nod your head?”
I nod. Munch, munch.
“Then, I’ll explain because all the adults are busy in the fields. No need to reply, just listen. We already introduced ourselves earlier, right?”
Prow-kun straightened his back and took a formal posture, Fetty-chan hurriedly mimicking him.
“Welcome to the village of Gronordock in the country of Tezoncar! This is a frontier where we welcome anyone! We are glad to have you here!”
Prow-kun said this, reciting some formal phrases as if taught by an adult, and started explaining about the village with a smile.
◇ ◇ ◇
For the next few minutes, I listened to Prow-kun explain the village.
Although he is around my age and his explanation was quite vague.
This village, Gronordock, is a settlement in the country of Tezoncar, and its specialty is wheat.
At least I understood that much. Not much information!
But then again, I only introduced myself as “Emmy, a traveler,” so it’s fair.
Actually, I’m even worse off!
After all, I hadn’t talked to almost anyone for over half a year since entering that magical land.
I’m not sure how to speak anymore, or even how to have a conversation…
I’ve forgotten how to communicate.
I’m oddly nervous and can’t speak well.
I was getting better at talking back in Yoshanka, but I guess I have to get used to it again, little by little.
So, back to the story.
“Next, we’ll show you around the village!” said the two, so I’m now following them outside.
It’s spring.
The harsh winter cold has eased, and the sunlight is warm and comforting.
Along the country road we’re walking on, there are sprouts like horsetails and fuki, looking delicious.
Looking around, there are wheat fields as far as the eye can see.
Short green sprouts planted all over, looking tasty.
The scent of the earth, the chirping of birds.
I walk leisurely, listening to Prow-kun’s explanations.
“Over there is our field, and that one is Uncle Haark’s, and over there is Mr. Tonnal’s,” said Prow-kun.
Okay.
“If you turn right here, you’ll find Mr. Tardatta’s field, and left is Mrs. Saressa’s.”
Okay.
“If we keep going straight, we’ll reach Mr. Kakcone’s field, and beyond that are the newly made fields of Mr. Lonte and Mr. Itack.”
…Okay.
Fields, nothing but fields!
Is this all there is to know about the village!?
What about the community center, the general store? Aren’t those the usual things to show?
I have no interest in whose fields are whose!
But, I guess it can’t be helped.
This place really has nothing but fields.
The epitome of the countryside.
<At least, there should be a bakery… that’s odd.>
Judging by the houses, the size of the fields, and the amount of bread provided to me, this village seems to live much
better than that garbage dump of a village.
“Oh, Prow boy, who’s the new face?”
At that moment, a calm-faced old man and woman approached from the field.
“Ah! Uncle Haark! Grandma Grute!”
“Hello!”
Prow-kun and Fetty-chan greeted them energetically.
I instinctively… braced myself.
This is mental preparation for battle.
Fortunately, Prow-kun and the others didn’t discriminate against me by appearance, like Sara-chan did.
But what about these people?
Surely, insults will be hurled at me soon.
That’s just how people in this world are.
But it’s okay, I’m prepared.
Such trivial things won’t hurt me.
Uncle Haark and Grandma Grute walked straight toward us, and first, Grandma Grute leaned in close to me and said,
“Oh my, what a surprise! You look just like a doll! I’ve never seen such a cute child before!”
…………Eh?
“…I’m surprised too. Prow boy, where did you find such a cute girl? Despite Fetty being here, are you having an affair?”
“No, no! She’s Emmy, a traveler! We found her collapsed by the river!”
…………Huh?
“Ha ha, a traveler, so young?… You must have had a hard time.”
Uncle Haark smiled gently, his rough, large hands slowly stroking my head.
…………Why?
“Emmy, my name is Haark. This is my mother, Grute. You won’t have any problems at Otta’s, but if you ever need help, feel free to ask me anything.”
“Nice to meet you!”
“Take care, Prow boy, Fetty-chan. Make sure to show Emmy around properly!”
“Yeah! Bye, Uncle Haark, Grandma Grute!”
With that, the old man and woman returned to their field with a smile.
…………………….
……………………?
I… wasn’t rejected?
<…You weren’t.>
“Hey! Why are you spacing out? Let’s continue the tour!”
Fetty-chan smiled, took my hand, and pulled me forward.
I was being talked to by Prow-kun and Fetty-chan, but I was too dazed to listen.
I… wasn’t rejected, right?
<You weren’t.>
Is this… a dream?
<No, this is reality. Not a dream, Emmy.>
After that, I continued to walk down the warm country road with Prow-kun and Fetty-chan.
I was introduced to various villagers.
Amazingly, not a single one rejected me.
Cursed child.
Not even that word came up.
Everyone welcomed me with a smile.
Gronordock Village.
This place is…
…………Heaven.
“Munch, munch… munch, munch…”
Delicious.
“Munch, munch… munch, munch, munch, munch…!”
Delicious!
“Munch munch munch munch munch munch munch munch munch, munch munch munch munch ahhhhhhhhhh!!!”
Too delicious!
What’s with this bread!?
It’s unbelievably delicious!?
It’s not just because I’m hungry!
The bread itself is simply delicious!
It’s the best!!
“Hehehe! It’s our specialty bread! Even merchants from the capital say they’ve never tasted anything better, and they praise it a lot!”
The brown-haired girl who said this with a shy smile is Fetty-chan.
It seems like all the bread eaten by the villagers is prepared by Fetty-chan’s family.
Maybe they run a bakery?
“You’re eating so well! You must have been really hungry!”
The freckled-faced beauty with deep green hair who said this with a laugh is Otta-san.
She seems to be the owner of this house.
“I think she’s eating a bit too much… How many loaves is that now? And why are there missing floorboards here and there…?”
The one who said this with a forced smile is Prow-kun.
A boy with deep green hair tied back, apparently Otta-san’s son. Handsome.
The ones who entered the house were these three.
Well, it’s more like they just came home since this is Otta-san’s house.
Ah, good thing I didn’t kill them impulsively!
If they had burst into the room suddenly, I might have sliced them up without thinking.
Dangerous, dangerous.
According to Prow-kun and Fetty-chan, it seems that I was found unconscious by the riverbank and brought here by them.
So, after losing consciousness, I was washed downstream by that chatty black lizard, ending up at this village.
The two who found me unconscious enacted pure goodwill, carrying me here and nursing me back to health.
They even changed my clothes.
Really, it’s good I didn’t kill them.
They are truly kind people.
But, going back to the topic.
What’s with this bread?
It’s too delicious?
It even seems to be sparkling, not just ordinary bread.
<Maybe it’s blessed by some god…?>
Eh? Blessing? On bread?
<More like the wheat… or rather, the land where it grew might be blessed. Gods bestowing blessings not on people but on land is quite common, you know? It’s not very conspicuous.>
I see, so this place is favored by gods?
…Should I run away?
Like with Torch-kun and Sara-chan before, is there a chance I’ll get wrapped up in some strange “story”?
<Umm… Well… Zaza… I mean, you should consider staying in this village for a while.>
Why?
<This bread is amazing! Thanks to the blessing, it’s full of magical power. It’s perfect for Emmy, who just underwent a magical transformation and craves a lot of magic. At least until your hunger subsides a bit, it’s better to stay in the village and eat this bread, I think.>
I see?
“Hey! Are you full now?”
Fetty-chan asks me with a smile as I stop eating the bread to concentrate on my conversation with Omake-sama.
I still want to eat more, but it’s not good to consume all the village’s bread by myself.
I stuffed the remaining bread in my hand into my mouth and nodded.
“That’s great!… So, Prow. Mom will be working in the fields on the southern hill from now on, so I’m leaving the rest to
you. Call me right away if anything happens.”
“Got it, Mom.”
Otta-san said this and left the room.
Left in the room were me, Fetty-chan, and the little trio including Prow-kun.
“Hey hey! What’s your name!? Where are you from!? Why were you collapsed by the riverbank!?”
“…………Munch, munch.”
Fetty-chan is talkative.
To me, who is quiet, she keeps talking eagerly.
“Hey Fetty, she can’t reply with her mouth full of bread, right?”
Saying this, Prow-kun pointed at my face, stuffed like a hamster with sunflower seeds, and gave a wry smile.
“Um, so, you understand us, right? If you do, can you nod your head?”
I nod. Munch, munch.
“Then, I’ll explain because all the adults are busy in the fields. No need to reply, just listen. We already introduced ourselves earlier, right?”
Prow-kun straightened his back and took a formal posture, Fetty-chan hurriedly mimicking him.
“Welcome to the village of Gronordock in the country of Tezoncar! This is a frontier where we welcome anyone! We are glad to have you here!”
Prow-kun said this, reciting some formal phrases as if taught by an adult, and started explaining about the village with a smile.
◇ ◇ ◇
For the next few minutes, I listened to Prow-kun explain the village.
Although he is around my age and his explanation was quite vague.
This village, Gronordock, is a settlement in the country of Tezoncar, and its specialty is wheat.
At least I understood that much. Not much information!
But then again, I only introduced myself as “Emmy, a traveler,” so it’s fair.
Actually, I’m even worse off!
After all, I hadn’t talked to almost anyone for over half a year since entering that magical land.
I’m not sure how to speak anymore, or even how to have a conversation…
I’ve forgotten how to communicate.
I’m oddly nervous and can’t speak well.
I was getting better at talking back in Yoshanka, but I guess I have to get used to it again, little by little.
So, back to the story.
“Next, we’ll show you around the village!” said the two, so I’m now following them outside.
It’s spring.
The harsh winter cold has eased, and the sunlight is warm and comforting.
Along the country road we’re walking on, there are sprouts like horsetails and fuki, looking delicious.
Looking around, there are wheat fields as far as the eye can see.
Short green sprouts planted all over, looking tasty.
The scent of the earth, the chirping of birds.
I walk leisurely, listening to Prow-kun’s explanations.
“Over there is our field, and that one is Uncle Haark’s, and over there is Mr. Tonnal’s,” said Prow-kun.
Okay.
“If you turn right here, you’ll find Mr. Tardatta’s field, and left is Mrs. Saressa’s.”
Okay.
“If we keep going straight, we’ll reach Mr. Kakcone’s field, and beyond that are the newly made fields of Mr. Lonte and Mr. Itack.”
…Okay.
Fields, nothing but fields!
Is this all there is to know about the village!?
What about the community center, the general store? Aren’t those the usual things to show?
I have no interest in whose fields are whose!
But, I guess it can’t be helped.
This place really has nothing but fields.
The epitome of the countryside.
<At least, there should be a bakery… that’s odd.>
Judging by the houses, the size of the fields, and the amount of bread provided to me, this village seems to live much
better than that garbage dump of a village.
“Oh, Prow boy, who’s the new face?”
At that moment, a calm-faced old man and woman approached from the field.
“Ah! Uncle Haark! Grandma Grute!”
“Hello!”
Prow-kun and Fetty-chan greeted them energetically.
I instinctively… braced myself.
This is mental preparation for battle.
Fortunately, Prow-kun and the others didn’t discriminate against me by appearance, like Sara-chan did.
But what about these people?
Surely, insults will be hurled at me soon.
That’s just how people in this world are.
But it’s okay, I’m prepared.
Such trivial things won’t hurt me.
Uncle Haark and Grandma Grute walked straight toward us, and first, Grandma Grute leaned in close to me and said,
“Oh my, what a surprise! You look just like a doll! I’ve never seen such a cute child before!”
…………Eh?
“…I’m surprised too. Prow boy, where did you find such a cute girl? Despite Fetty being here, are you having an affair?”
“No, no! She’s Emmy, a traveler! We found her collapsed by the river!”
…………Huh?
“Ha ha, a traveler, so young?… You must have had a hard time.”
Uncle Haark smiled gently, his rough, large hands slowly stroking my head.
…………Why?
“Emmy, my name is Haark. This is my mother, Grute. You won’t have any problems at Otta’s, but if you ever need help, feel free to ask me anything.”
“Nice to meet you!”
“Take care, Prow boy, Fetty-chan. Make sure to show Emmy around properly!”
“Yeah! Bye, Uncle Haark, Grandma Grute!”
With that, the old man and woman returned to their field with a smile.
…………………….
……………………?
I… wasn’t rejected?
<…You weren’t.>
“Hey! Why are you spacing out? Let’s continue the tour!”
Fetty-chan smiled, took my hand, and pulled me forward.
I was being talked to by Prow-kun and Fetty-chan, but I was too dazed to listen.
I… wasn’t rejected, right?
<You weren’t.>
Is this… a dream?
<No, this is reality. Not a dream, Emmy.>
After that, I continued to walk down the warm country road with Prow-kun and Fetty-chan.
I was introduced to various villagers.
Amazingly, not a single one rejected me.
Cursed child.
Not even that word came up.
Everyone welcomed me with a smile.
Gronordock Village.
This place is…
…………Heaven.
