Chapter 21: Communication between silent people
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"…!!"
When I suddenly came to, a wooden ceiling with a patchwork of stains filled my view.
Before I realize, my fingers are patting my neck to make sure that my head and torso haven’t said their goodbyes.
<<Aah, thank goodness Emmy! You woke up!>>
…Un, Omake-sama. Seems like we’re safe for now. Although the feeling of fatigue and magical power exhaustion haven’t faded, my body is uninjured.
"Haah~~…"
My shoulders relax.
Yeah, that one really got me!
I really thought that was it back there!
<<I felt as if my blood ran cold as well… We were quite lucky.>>
Un.
If that… mysterious grandpa hadn’t saved me, I definitely wouldn’t be alive now.
Is this… that person's house maybe?
I shift my head and check it out.
The place is a cramped, room in a wooden cabin.
It seems old and drafty, but unlike the drunken trash man’s house, everything is neatly organized.
Pushing back the thin futon, I’m wearing what looks like a bunch of beast skins sown together… it’s an outfit I don’t recognize.
For how baggy it is, it fits well enough.
Did that person adjust it for me?
Ah, I have no intention of saying something like, "He saw me naked! Kya!”.
After all, I’m only six years old, and my clothes were in a seriously terrible state, covered in blood and grime.
Nothing but gratitude for that, of course.
But who the heck is he?
Decapitating a wolf with his hand is amazing enough, but, what was it, that atmosphere of power? It was insane, wasn’t it?
<<There’s a technique called [intimidation] which releases magical power to atrophy the opponent. That’s where that powerful feeling comes from. In any case, that person isn’t just anybody.>>
Gah, kii…
The creaking of the poorly crafted door interrupts my chat with Omake-sama as a grandpa enters.
Grandpa notices that I’m awake, approaches the futon, and sits nearby.
His piercing eyes are as sharp as ever, and the overpowering feeling he emanates is no different from when I was saved from the wolf.
""……""
Neither of us say a word.
""……""
The only sound to reach our ears is the occasional soft whistle from a draft.
<<……No no, Emmy, let's have a conversation? Why are you glaring at each other? This person is your benefactor, right? Don't you have something to say?>>
Sor, Sorry Omake-sama.
I know I have to thank him too, but, you know, I haven't really talked to anybody in this world, right?
I don't know how I should talk to him…
Also, isn't the intimidation too much? Eh? What is this? What’s this grandpa doing? Do you want to kill me? Didn't you help me? Is this grandpa a dangerous person?
<<Just, Just say, ‘Thank you for your help.’ And he has no intention to harm you. Otherwise he wouldn’t help you, right? This man is probably the same as you, Emmy. He’s quiet and has no contact with other people. I don't know whether it’s because he’s not used to people that he doesn’t get rid of the intimidation or because he doesn’t get rid of his intimidation that people stay away from him, though.>>
I, I got it, Omake-sama.
It’s okay to just say thank you, right?
I’ll channel my gratitude and say thanks!
Thinking about it, besides with Omake-sama, this is my first conversation in this world.
I, I'm getting kind of nervous!
"……thank you."
Meeting grandpa's eyes, I murmur.
"……"
Grandpa doesn’t respond.
Huh? Did he not hear it?
Did he miss it under the wind’s noise?
This person isn’t reacting at all, though?
"……Thank you."
I thank him again, with a bit more vigor than before.
"……"
Grandpa is still silent.
Ah, but he faintly nodded.
Let’s go! We had a conversation!
""……""
And again, silence drags on…
<<Aaaaaah~~~~! What is this, you guys~~~~!! How are you so hopeless at holding a conversation?!>>
It’s not my fault!
I'm a beginner at talking, you know?
I have to communicate with my eyes to fill in the gaps!
"…It doesn’t hurt?"
!!
This time, grandpa talked to me!
Grandpa's voice is deep, but it’s a powerful, dandy voice.
"…No."
When I responded, grandpa nodded once more.
Omake-sama! Omake-sama!
I did a conversation just now, right?
That was a nice conversation, right!?
<< …Haah. It takes you so long to say one or two words though! I mean, didn’t you pretend to be the myogomyogoshugo spirit and talk with those bandits? Even in Fenoben Village, you were able to give at least this level of reply.>>
I was acting with the bandits, so it was a different mindset.
Also, don't remind me of Trash Village! It's unpleasant.
""……""
Silence resumes.
However, this atmosphere seems like it’s gotten more comfortable to me.
Even grandpa's intimidation doesn’t feel so scary now that I’m used to it.
His mouth is closed in a frown, and wrinkles line his brow, but for this person, that’s his usual face.
There’s no anger.
"…Why, did you help me?"
Now I’ll ask him.
"Even though, I have black hair, and black eyes."
Yes, sadly, my appearance is the subject of much discrimination in this world (this region?).
I have confidence, at least, that most people hate me enough to turn me away from their villages.
But why though?
"……"
Grandpa says nothing, but points to his own eyes.
They’re black, the same as mine.
…Aah, so that’s it…
<<His hair has turned gray now, so it’s not certain, but maybe this person has gone through the same hardships as you, Emmy…>>
Guuu…
Ahh… My stomach growled.
The sound echoes clearly in our mutual silence.
When grandpa hears it, he stands up slowly, with no change in expression, and walks out into the next room, and… He brings in a steaming, white something that he had scooped onto a plate.
With a slight clatter, he sets the plate of simmered white grains on the floor in front of me.
My nose tingles from the steam’s sweet scent.
This white grain is not a larva of any kind.
This is… this is…!!
<<A, Amazing! Emmy! This is "wheat porridge"! A long time ago, I saw it in the Culinary God’s broadcast!!>>
Th, That much even I know without you explaining!
Eh!? What is this!? What is this!!? I can eat it!? I can eat this porridge!!???
I look up at grandpa with hopeful eyes; in response, he nods faintly.
After that… I couldn't stop myself.
I shoved the plate into my face and devoured the lumpy wheat porridge.
So sweet! I never noticed how sweet wheat tasted in my previous life!
No odor, bitterness, or sourness, only a gentle flavor!
Soft, warm, fluffy, aah… delicious… so this world had such delicious foods…!
I had started crying at some point.
As usual, my expressions are dead, so tears flow endlessly without even a slight movement from my face.
<<uh… uh… oeh…>>
Sharing my sensations, Omake-sama is also overwhelmed to the point of crying by the delicacy.
Grandpa silently watches over me.
I lick the plate clean of any remaining juice and sit back.
<<That was delicious… wasn't it…>>
Un, it was delicious, Omake-sama…
Grandpa still has a stern look, but he somehow seems satisfied.
Aah, thank you, thank you.
I don't know how I can show my gratitude for receiving such delicious food.
<<Let's do as much as we can to thank him. This grace must be returned.>>
You’re right, you’re right, Omake-sama.
We have to give something in return to this person.
Thinking so, I stand up and glance around the room.
For getting something delicious, I want to give something delicious back, I think.
Finally, I found a thumb-sized hole in the wall, with a discolored section around it.
I’ve seen a similar hole in my parents' house.
Actually, according to Omake-sama, this type of hole is common in any worn-out house.
For now, I go over to the hole and try knocking on the wood near it.
The sound is obviously different from the surrounding wall.
This is… a hit!
I thrust my finger into the hole and forcefully pull back, the fragile board peeling off with a snap, and a white caterpillar-like creature is revealed lurking inside…
Omake-sama says that these guys are called tree-eating caterpillars.
Apart from trees, it’s a pest that bores through wooden walls in houses, and, as usual in this world, it is classified as a monster. In reality, the tree-eating caterpillar is not a caterpillar but a type of shell-less snail.
And, although not many people know, it’s also a very delicious creature.
The odorless and crunchy body is full of umami flavor, and you can make a great soup stock with it.
For me, it is quite the feast.
Well then, let’s give this tree-eating caterpillar as repayment for the wheat porridge.
If I think about it more, I don’t know if this counts as a good show of gratitude since this guy was originally from grandpa's house. He’s left it without uneaten until now though, so I’ll assume grandpa didn’t know about it.
He should be plenty happy because I found something he was unaware of.
Or rather, I don't have anything else to give him.
I can only thank him like this.
I grab the tree-eating caterpillar and present it to grandpa.
"……Here."
But when I try to hand it over, grandpa doesn’t touch it.
I tilt my head and stare at him.
Grandpa shakes his head.
…’Gratitude is unnecessary, and a child shouldn’t worry about it,’ is what he’s saying, huh…
This grandpa is very tough looking and scary at first glance, but I guess he’s really a very considerate person…
Anyway, I shouldn’t let the tree-eating caterpillar go to waste, so I use [ignition] to cook and eat it on the spot.
Chapter 21: Communication between silent people
<Previous
Next>
"…!!"
When I suddenly came to, a wooden ceiling with a patchwork of stains filled my view.
Before I realize, my fingers are patting my neck to make sure that my head and torso haven’t said their goodbyes.
<<Aah, thank goodness Emmy! You woke up!>>
…Un, Omake-sama. Seems like we’re safe for now. Although the feeling of fatigue and magical power exhaustion haven’t faded, my body is uninjured.
"Haah~~…"
My shoulders relax.
Yeah, that one really got me!
I really thought that was it back there!
<<I felt as if my blood ran cold as well… We were quite lucky.>>
Un.
If that… mysterious grandpa hadn’t saved me, I definitely wouldn’t be alive now.
Is this… that person's house maybe?
I shift my head and check it out.
The place is a cramped, room in a wooden cabin.
It seems old and drafty, but unlike the drunken trash man’s house, everything is neatly organized.
Pushing back the thin futon, I’m wearing what looks like a bunch of beast skins sown together… it’s an outfit I don’t recognize.
For how baggy it is, it fits well enough.
Did that person adjust it for me?
Ah, I have no intention of saying something like, "He saw me naked! Kya!”.
After all, I’m only six years old, and my clothes were in a seriously terrible state, covered in blood and grime.
Nothing but gratitude for that, of course.
But who the heck is he?
Decapitating a wolf with his hand is amazing enough, but, what was it, that atmosphere of power? It was insane, wasn’t it?
<<There’s a technique called [intimidation] which releases magical power to atrophy the opponent. That’s where that powerful feeling comes from. In any case, that person isn’t just anybody.>>
Gah, kii…
The creaking of the poorly crafted door interrupts my chat with Omake-sama as a grandpa enters.
Grandpa notices that I’m awake, approaches the futon, and sits nearby.
His piercing eyes are as sharp as ever, and the overpowering feeling he emanates is no different from when I was saved from the wolf.
""……""
Neither of us say a word.
""……""
The only sound to reach our ears is the occasional soft whistle from a draft.
<<……No no, Emmy, let's have a conversation? Why are you glaring at each other? This person is your benefactor, right? Don't you have something to say?>>
Sor, Sorry Omake-sama.
I know I have to thank him too, but, you know, I haven't really talked to anybody in this world, right?
I don't know how I should talk to him…
Also, isn't the intimidation too much? Eh? What is this? What’s this grandpa doing? Do you want to kill me? Didn't you help me? Is this grandpa a dangerous person?
<<Just, Just say, ‘Thank you for your help.’ And he has no intention to harm you. Otherwise he wouldn’t help you, right? This man is probably the same as you, Emmy. He’s quiet and has no contact with other people. I don't know whether it’s because he’s not used to people that he doesn’t get rid of the intimidation or because he doesn’t get rid of his intimidation that people stay away from him, though.>>
I, I got it, Omake-sama.
It’s okay to just say thank you, right?
I’ll channel my gratitude and say thanks!
Thinking about it, besides with Omake-sama, this is my first conversation in this world.
I, I'm getting kind of nervous!
"……thank you."
Meeting grandpa's eyes, I murmur.
"……"
Grandpa doesn’t respond.
Huh? Did he not hear it?
Did he miss it under the wind’s noise?
This person isn’t reacting at all, though?
"……Thank you."
I thank him again, with a bit more vigor than before.
"……"
Grandpa is still silent.
Ah, but he faintly nodded.
Let’s go! We had a conversation!
""……""
And again, silence drags on…
<<Aaaaaah~~~~! What is this, you guys~~~~!! How are you so hopeless at holding a conversation?!>>
It’s not my fault!
I'm a beginner at talking, you know?
I have to communicate with my eyes to fill in the gaps!
"…It doesn’t hurt?"
!!
This time, grandpa talked to me!
Grandpa's voice is deep, but it’s a powerful, dandy voice.
"…No."
When I responded, grandpa nodded once more.
Omake-sama! Omake-sama!
I did a conversation just now, right?
That was a nice conversation, right!?
<< …Haah. It takes you so long to say one or two words though! I mean, didn’t you pretend to be the myogomyogoshugo spirit and talk with those bandits? Even in Fenoben Village, you were able to give at least this level of reply.>>
I was acting with the bandits, so it was a different mindset.
Also, don't remind me of Trash Village! It's unpleasant.
""……""
Silence resumes.
However, this atmosphere seems like it’s gotten more comfortable to me.
Even grandpa's intimidation doesn’t feel so scary now that I’m used to it.
His mouth is closed in a frown, and wrinkles line his brow, but for this person, that’s his usual face.
There’s no anger.
"…Why, did you help me?"
Now I’ll ask him.
"Even though, I have black hair, and black eyes."
Yes, sadly, my appearance is the subject of much discrimination in this world (this region?).
I have confidence, at least, that most people hate me enough to turn me away from their villages.
But why though?
"……"
Grandpa says nothing, but points to his own eyes.
They’re black, the same as mine.
…Aah, so that’s it…
<<His hair has turned gray now, so it’s not certain, but maybe this person has gone through the same hardships as you, Emmy…>>
Guuu…
Ahh… My stomach growled.
The sound echoes clearly in our mutual silence.
When grandpa hears it, he stands up slowly, with no change in expression, and walks out into the next room, and… He brings in a steaming, white something that he had scooped onto a plate.
With a slight clatter, he sets the plate of simmered white grains on the floor in front of me.
My nose tingles from the steam’s sweet scent.
This white grain is not a larva of any kind.
This is… this is…!!
<<A, Amazing! Emmy! This is "wheat porridge"! A long time ago, I saw it in the Culinary God’s broadcast!!>>
Th, That much even I know without you explaining!
Eh!? What is this!? What is this!!? I can eat it!? I can eat this porridge!!???
I look up at grandpa with hopeful eyes; in response, he nods faintly.
After that… I couldn't stop myself.
I shoved the plate into my face and devoured the lumpy wheat porridge.
So sweet! I never noticed how sweet wheat tasted in my previous life!
No odor, bitterness, or sourness, only a gentle flavor!
Soft, warm, fluffy, aah… delicious… so this world had such delicious foods…!
I had started crying at some point.
As usual, my expressions are dead, so tears flow endlessly without even a slight movement from my face.
<<uh… uh… oeh…>>
Sharing my sensations, Omake-sama is also overwhelmed to the point of crying by the delicacy.
Grandpa silently watches over me.
I lick the plate clean of any remaining juice and sit back.
<<That was delicious… wasn't it…>>
Un, it was delicious, Omake-sama…
Grandpa still has a stern look, but he somehow seems satisfied.
Aah, thank you, thank you.
I don't know how I can show my gratitude for receiving such delicious food.
<<Let's do as much as we can to thank him. This grace must be returned.>>
You’re right, you’re right, Omake-sama.
We have to give something in return to this person.
Thinking so, I stand up and glance around the room.
For getting something delicious, I want to give something delicious back, I think.
Finally, I found a thumb-sized hole in the wall, with a discolored section around it.
I’ve seen a similar hole in my parents' house.
Actually, according to Omake-sama, this type of hole is common in any worn-out house.
For now, I go over to the hole and try knocking on the wood near it.
The sound is obviously different from the surrounding wall.
This is… a hit!
I thrust my finger into the hole and forcefully pull back, the fragile board peeling off with a snap, and a white caterpillar-like creature is revealed lurking inside…
Omake-sama says that these guys are called tree-eating caterpillars.
Apart from trees, it’s a pest that bores through wooden walls in houses, and, as usual in this world, it is classified as a monster. In reality, the tree-eating caterpillar is not a caterpillar but a type of shell-less snail.
And, although not many people know, it’s also a very delicious creature.
The odorless and crunchy body is full of umami flavor, and you can make a great soup stock with it.
For me, it is quite the feast.
Well then, let’s give this tree-eating caterpillar as repayment for the wheat porridge.
If I think about it more, I don’t know if this counts as a good show of gratitude since this guy was originally from grandpa's house. He’s left it without uneaten until now though, so I’ll assume grandpa didn’t know about it.
He should be plenty happy because I found something he was unaware of.
Or rather, I don't have anything else to give him.
I can only thank him like this.
I grab the tree-eating caterpillar and present it to grandpa.
"……Here."
But when I try to hand it over, grandpa doesn’t touch it.
I tilt my head and stare at him.
Grandpa shakes his head.
…’Gratitude is unnecessary, and a child shouldn’t worry about it,’ is what he’s saying, huh…
This grandpa is very tough looking and scary at first glance, but I guess he’s really a very considerate person…
Anyway, I shouldn’t let the tree-eating caterpillar go to waste, so I use [ignition] to cook and eat it on the spot.
