[CHAPTER 4 - A LIFE IN THE VILLAGE]
PART 1
Ainz and Mare walked towards the dark elf village. Mare wore a male outfit that Ainz had given him instead of his usual female one. It was just an outer garment, like the one he'd given Aura, and it contained no data crystals or magic abilities. Objects in this world do not change size automatically unless enchanted, but Mare could use it because it was YGGDRASIL's object.
However, he should proceed with caution in battle, as his defensive abilities were significantly lower than usual. At first, Ainz thought that it would be better for them to get dressed differently than they used to. In addition to their usual equipment, the twins had told him that Bukubukuchagama had given them several items.
However, he could only shake his head when asked if there was anything he could use to hide his identity and abilities in a place like this. The reason was that most items other than their standard equipment, like Aura's costume armor and Mare's dress armor, were considered "flashy" by Ainz.
That was the reason why Ainz was making costumes for both of them. Moreover, this was Ainz's plan. Therefore, it was natural for Ainz to prepare everything necessary to carry it out. The three of them had identical outfits, but there was one significant difference between Ainz's, Mare's, and Aura's outfits. This was that the lower half of their faces were covered with cloth, as though it were a mask.
Their heads were also covered up to their foreheads, so that everything but their eyes was hidden. He was sorry that Mare felt so hot, but it was for the sake of Ainz. The entrance to the village was hidden. However, he could see the figure of Aura. She didn't see Ainz coming or was just coincidentally in the right place at the right time.
He had previously communicated with her via 〈Message〉. The dark elves, Aura's followers, followed her. They were on the ground, which was unusual for elves who spent the most time in the trees. Even though it was close to their village, it was dangerous to stand like this. But they could do it because they trusted the strong or they wanted to be in the same place as the person they believed in.
Other dark elves were also watching Ainz and the others on the tree bridge. He couldn't hear what they were saying because of the distance, but he knew they were talking about Ainz and Mare.
“Fathe-Uncle! Mare!”
Ainz responded with a smile, and Aura waved her hand a little embarrassed for everyone to hear.
“I’m not your father!”
That was what he wanted to say. But he held back because he felt bad about blaming Aura for the mistake.
“Hey, Aura, your uncle is here!”
Ainz replied cheerfully, dropping the baggage he was carrying at his feet with a wave of his hand. Then he patted the frightened boy on the back.
“Y-Eh, yes!”
Mare said by waving his hand.
“Sis-Sister!”
The boy's voice was too low for them to hear. But that wasn't the important thing. What was important was to announce the arrival of a man and a boy, both relatives of Aura.
(They should understand that we were so close to each other that even if we did not hold hands, we should be able to greet each other from a distance.)
As Ainz approached Aura, the dark elves remained silent and attentive. It could have been something else.
“So he's going to take you to see the village.”
Ainz smiled at Aura, who had a forced smile on her face and looked worried and nervous. The sight of Aura's different appearance made him feel warm inside and he wanted to stroke her head. But he soon calmed down.
“No. Mmm...”
Ainz spoke in a slightly cold tone of voice, cleared his throat several times, and then spoke again, this time in a more cheerful tone of voice.
“I want to thank everyone here for taking care of Aura. Aura, have you rented a house?”
[Note: Thank you, Max, for mentioning the grammar :) I’ll recheck the whole grammar on Volume 15 before releasing it into a complete PDF. Have a great day!]
Aura just nodded her head.
“You go with Mare, okay? I'll see you later.”
“Yeah, I-I understand... no, yeah, okay?”
For the role of Aura's uncle, Ainz was prepared. By the way, the three of them had previously discussed whether he was Bukubukuchagama's older or younger brother, and if he was the younger brother, whether he was Peroroncino's older or younger brother. In the end, it was decided that he was the younger brother of both Bukubukuchagama and Peroroncino. Aura, who had to give a good performance, was nervous as if she didn't know what attitude to take. Also, since Aura was sent first, she may not have had enough time to prepare for the role, or her character creation may have gone poorly.
“Hahaha. Aura, come on, take Mare with you. It wasn't a long trip, but please let Mare rest.”
“Yeah, got it!”
Aura spoke cheerfully, as if she had reached a conclusion. He couldn't help but be worried inside. Ainz looked at the two as they walked away from him, then back at the dark elves staring at him.
(That's a pretty good number. The elders aren't here yet, but I think half of the villagers have gathered here. There are a lot of children among them as well. I don't have any negative feelings toward them because of the benefits Aura has brought to this village.)
Some, however, cast piercing glances, unsure of the character of Aura's uncle. Aura's dark elf followers, as well as her henchman Ainz, felt a little uneasy for a few moments. Although he had brought Aura's brother along later, he was still the kind of uncle who had sent Aura off alone in the first place.
(It's understandable if someone with an old-fashioned way of thinking has this view.)
Ainz would not have been bothered by these looks if they had come from any other group of dark elves than these Aura worshipers with their traditional mindset. But they were different. This was a group of people who believed that age was of no consequence as long as one was capable of doing something. The choice of a young, highly talented ranger to stand above them was proof of that. Ainz paused for a moment before he responded with an answer that he felt was appropriate.
(Maybe they think their incompetent uncle is overworking them. That would explain that look... hmmm, not sure if that's too far-fetched. Oops... I should get started...)
There were enough onlookers. He didn't want to waste any more time and lose the interest of curious customers.
(It’s been a long time...)
Ainz was a little nervous. Were the professors in the lecture hall and the actors on the stage used to this kind of look? With a slight clearing of his throat, he addressed the crowd of dark elves in the trees and told the story he had prepared beforehand.
“Well...”
Ainz removed the cloth covering the lower half of his face, revealing the face underneath. Then, with a smile on his face, he covered his face again.
“I apologize. The rules of my tribe require men to cover their faces like this. Please forgive me if covering one's face is considered disrespectful in the tribes of this village.”
There were no complaints from the audience. Ainz's disguise was apparently a success. Of course, it turned out to be lying big. Ainz wore a rubber mask that had a facial illusion. Momon style. However, because it was a low-level illusion, a ranger with keen eyesight could see right through it. As a result, he wanted to hide his face as much as possible in order to avoid being found out.
(As expected, I'd like to believe that the chances of seeing through the illusion with a single glance were slim.)
“It's good to finally meet you. It seems that my Aura has been in your care for some time. My name is Ain Bell Fiore, as Aura... may have told you.”
It was a pseudonym that had been carefully thought out by the three of them. Although it could be argued that it had only been thought up by two of them.
[Note: Of course, Ainz didn't think anything at all!]
“I've brought a token of my affection with me; may I borrow a table for a few moments?”
Suddenly, a nearby tree began to wobble, and a plank wide enough to spread the baggage sprouted from its side. Someone must have used magic at the gathering.
“Thank you.”
Ainz expressed his gratitude and placed the baggage on the table, which he had let fall to the floor.
“I’m not sure if you’ll like it, but that would make me happy.”
As for what to make as a souvenir, Ainz was at a loss. He first thought of seasonings, such as simple salt, remembering the scene in Nazarick where the elves ate delicious food. Ainz believed that Salt was necessary to cook, and wanted to bring some. So at first he wanted to bring a lump of rock salt with him, but then he realized that while humans might need salt, the dark elves might not. Even if it is necessary, it may be that the dark elves are a race that can live with a smaller amount of salt than humans. If this is the case, the value of salt will decrease. During Ainz's sneak peek, there was nothing to indicate that anyone in this village added anything like salt to cook with. Also, he had never seen an elf do any kind of jerky making. The existence of magic that prevented food from rotting might be the main reason for this. Therefore, it seemed to be of little value to them.
Of course, even if he used 〈Perfect Unknownable〉, he couldn’t go as far as digging around the kitchen to confirm the presence of salt. Given this, and the fact that they didn't waste the blood of their prey, they may have extracted the salt from the blood just like carnivores do. By the way, since there were no large rock salt deposits or salt lakes in E-Rantel's territory, the salt was produced by magic casters who had learned everyday magic. The rest was brought in from the Kingdom and the Empire. There had been a slight increase in the price of salt as a result of Ainz's occupation of the city, but that was no longer a problem. In one of the reports he had received, Ainz remembered reading about it. Maybe Albedo dealt with it well. Anyway, Ainz stopped bringing salt. Instead, he brought something even better...
“This is a metal blade made by dwarves. Isn't it a wonderful thing? I have heard that there is some kind of magic involved in the processing of wood here, but wood can't be as hard as metal, can it? This was forged by the dwarves, and they are especially skilled at this kind of work. To put it another way, this is an export-quality product.”
A small, thin wooden box containing a kitchen knife was the first thing he took out of the bag. He also placed sickles and other knives on the table. This trade fair was supposed to bring foreign currency to the Dwarven Kingdom, which was part of the economic sphere of the Sorcerous Kingdom. Of course, since this village was self-sufficient, it couldn't get any money even if it became a customer. In that case, this village would have to find a way to earn foreign currency. However, Ainz was of the opinion that this village could be part of the economic sphere of influence of the Sorcerous Kingdom through the intermediary of Ainz. The problem was that he did not ask for Albedo's opinion on the matter.
(I don't think a plan from someone as stupid as me would have any chance of success, but I have nothing to lose... right?)
So even if he fails, he won't be in big trouble, and if he succeeds, he'll be praised. But if he failed, it would be a big disappointment, so it was best not to have high expectations. So it was better not to have too much thought about it.
(If they say they don't need it, it doesn't matter. I brought it as a gift, so it's a shame if they don't like it. But... the atmosphere seems pleasant.)
The eyes of the dark elves around him were shining brightly. The dark elf who appeared to be the Chief Hunter, spoke first.
“Can I look at it for a moment?”
“Of course. Please pick it up and take a look at it.”
He walked up to Ainz and reached for the blade. A logical choice. Had he chosen the kitchen knife first, he would have been surprised.
“Wonderful. It is said that dwarves live in the mountains, but they are the people who can create such great things... isn't this quite valuable? What could I trade them with?”
(Oh... as expected.)
Salesman Satoru Suzuki was smiling inwardly. He had managed to get the customer's attention. Apparently, the capital of the Elf Country had traded with human society until their relationship deteriorated, and money had even been used in some villages. However, economic activity would not have reached such a remote village, and it was not a destination for non-elven merchants. As a result, the exchange of goods was the most important method of trade. Besides, these rare and good products seem to be welcomed as expected.
“I... didn't bring this to exchange anything, but to give it to you. You can distribute it later as you see fit.”
The Chief Hunter made a bitter face as he tested the sharpness of the blade with his hands.
“No, we owe much to Fiora-dono, who is in your care. To accept this without returning anything would be...”
“No, no. It's just a small token of my appreciation and gratitude. Please accept it. But when it comes to barter... I have some magical items that were made with a very special and unique dwarven technique, the wonderful runes technique.”
Ainz could see the Chief Hunter's eyes begin to light up.
“Runes? Magic items?”
“Right. Runes create magical items. It's something I use myself. However, if you want it, depending on what you want to give me in return, I might be willing to consider it. They do seem to be a bit rudimentary, but I can't just hand out magic items for nothing. Can I? It was reasonably priced to begin with.”
People are attracted to bargains. However, if prices are cut too much, a portion of the population will refuse to buy anything unless the prices are extremely low. It would be nice for the dwarves to do this, but Ainz would find it difficult. On the contrary, the right thing to do here is to sell the items at a high price. Ainz, however, did not want to be in this village. No, was there something Ainz simply did not know?
(To be honest, runecraft has yet to produce significant results. There's not a lot of demand for it. Even though the business is losing money, it is too early to give up. We have to think in terms of a hundred years or so.)
“Though in a village like this where there are many druids, I doubt it will be widely used.”
As he spoke, Ainz pulled a piece of metal out of his pocket. He didn't hesitate to take it out because he had planned to show it to the audience.
“The tip of this one has only a small flame. Rather than being used as a light source, it is primarily used as a flint. It's basically used like a flintlock because the flame goes out when you take your hand away from it.”
Ainz was relieved that there had been no adverse reaction.
“There are a few more of them, but they will come later on. I think it's time for me to go to the house she's renting to have a rest from the long trip.”
The dark elves gathered there gave a look of understanding. They didn't leave the village very often, but they were aware of the dangers around them and had the desire to ease the fatigue of those who had traveled there.
“Please excuse me! I know that you are very tired. My apologies, but may I have two last questions for you?”
“Yes, go ahead.”
It was Plum, a follower of Aura. Ainz adjusted the collar of his shirt. If he stumbled over his answer, he could turn him against himself. On the other hand, if he gave him the answer he wanted, he could become a powerful ally.
“I wonder if you're... half-elf?”
“Hey, don’t be so disres...”
The Chief Hunter tried to stop him, but Ainz stopped him with a raised hand.
“I'm absolutely fine. I've never heard of such a thing... do I seem so?”
“O-Oh... n-no, if that’s not the case, don’t worry about it. It just seemed so to me.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Ainz thought it was perfect, and Mare didn't seem to notice any difference, but from the view of a true dark elf, it would be a face that would cause subtle discomfort, even if it was only around the eyes.
“I've never heard that from my parents, but if you believe that, then maybe I have ancestors who were once united with the elves... and the other one?”
“Fiora-sama is... a very talented ranger, but are you as well?”
(I am curious as to why they are so respectful of Aura, almost worshipping her. Even though I am relieved that this is the case, I am wondering if I should ask them why they are treating my "niece" in such a way. Or should I avoid it? Unfortunately, I can't say which is better. But first I'll answer the question.)
“As a ranger, I'm not as talented as that girl. However, I am proud to say that I am a top-tier sorcerer.”
“So-Sorcerer...?”
“Yes, I’m a sorcerer.”
Plum's eyes wandered.
(Oh, from his expression, it looks like he has no idea what a sorcerer is... is that possible? No, a sorcerer is someone who learns and practices magic. Its existence is not communicated in areas where these educational systems are not properly implemented...? If that's the case, that explains why they're clueless.)
He wasn't completely convinced, but he couldn't help but agree.
“Well, I use Tier Magic.”
“Oh, Tier Magic... I see. I understand. That’s great. As expected of Fiora-sama’s uncle.”
(I'm not sure I deserve any more praise. But that's okay. I get too many crazy compliments in Nazarick, so this kind of low-key praise is refreshing.)
“I guess I didn't explain myself well enough. A sorcerer, like a druid, is someone who can use magic.”
“Oh! I see! So you can create food?”
“What? Oh, I'm so sorry. There are such sorcerers... but I'm afraid I'm not one of them. If anything, I believe that I am skilled enough in the use of magic to defeat an enemy.”
(I remember that the most common spices and seasonings can be made with everyday magic, but I'm curious if it's possible to make higher-quality ingredients.)
Actually, Ainz didn't mind being called incompetent. As a matter of fact, he didn't have a high opinion of himself, and if he was underestimated or treated like a fool, he would take advantage of it. However, he must avoid being labeled as incompetent as Aura's uncle, because Ainz was representing Bukubu-Chagama at the time.
“An enemy... I see... So you can work as a hunter, can you? I see. As expected from Fiora-sama's relative.”
The role of the hunters in this village may be the defeat of enemies from outside, but that may not be the whole story. Anyway, wasn't the original role of hunters to bring food from dangerous forests? If it were possible to be recognized as a hunter simply by the defeat of an enemy, then this village would be teeming with heavy warriors clad in armor. It would be strange for Ainz, who was not a hunter and who had no knowledge of this village, to point this out, and it would be a problem if the other party was offended. Since Aura and Mare would be staying in the village for a while, he had to be careful not to disturb them. If his presence caused any discomfort, he was not sure what he could say to apologize. Although Aura would say:
“Don’t worry about it.”
(However, it is better to give a thorough explanation and get verbal confirmation. I didn't want to get into trouble down the road.)
After all, Aura and Mare were always on the lookout for anything Ainz might say or do. When Ainz would make a stupid suggestion, the best minds in Nazarick would think it over and come up with things like this:
“As expected from Ainz-sama!”
But the children would ask innocently:
“Why does he did that?”
He didn’t want to use:
“Think for yourself.”
When dealing with children.
Plum seemed to have come to some sort of conclusion as he pondered these things, and he did so with a loud nod of his head.
“No, as I expected - wonderful!”
Ainz was once again at a loss as to whether it was wonderful or not, but he had no intention of saying anything else if that was the case. Besides, the situation wasn't that bad when he thought about it. Then Ainz opened his mouth to speak.
“I've never worked as a hunter before, so I was skeptical, but now I'm relieved that one of the excellent hunters in this village seems to recognize me. I'm going to take advantage of this opportunity to appear more responsible. I believe she is currently active as a hunter, but I will take her place. Meanwhile, could you let her play in this village?”
Plum looked surprised, as if he had heard something incredible. Ainz had a thought about his words, although there was nothing unusual about them. But there should be no reason to worry.
“I came here to show what it is like to live in a dark elven village to kids who are used to city life. Yes... that's right. I would like them to learn about the village's unique games.”
“I see. Isn't life in a city very different from life in a village?”
Said the Chief Hunter as if convinced. What he was thinking was a mystery, but Ainz couldn't be blamed for his self-serving assumptions. Ainz had told no great lies. Just a few little ones. If he was told something later, he could cover it up.
“Can I ask you a question as well?”
A man standing on the bridge, who appeared to be a ranger, opened his mouth to speak. All elves have the appearance of being well-proportioned in terms of features. So the word "cool" is perfect for them.
“Sure, go ahead.”
(I am not a fan of answering so many questions, but I have to do it.)
The man seemed to pause for a moment before asking:
“Fiora-dono has a fiancé?”
“Huh?”
Ainz tried to restrain himself. He had not expected such a surprising question to be asked. Most of the people around Ainz were as surprised as he was. They were wondering why he had asked such a question.
(He seems... to have asked that question on his own. Anyway, why would he care if Aura's engaged? That's what I think.)
Ainz was sure he had understood the intent of the question. Or, to be more precise, that there could be no other answer.
(They want Aura to have children here in the village. Actually, I remember seeing some boys among the children.)
Ainz looked at the children for a moment. There were indeed some boys.
(Perhaps one of them is his son? Just by looking at a dark elf, it's hard to tell how old he is. I certainly hadn't thought about her getting married. So, if Aura is interested in someone, I'm supposed to find out if he's the right one to represent Bukubukuchagama! Oh... I got carried away. I have to choose between telling a lie and telling the truth.)
There was no need to think about it too much. It wouldn't hurt to tell the truth; on the contrary, lying might make things more complicated.
“Not currently.”
“Is that so?”
He looked a little relieved.
(Are you... the kind of parent who gets very involved in your child's wedding? That can't be good. I came here to meet people. To put your son in front of the others would be problematic. I need to get more information...)
“By the way... may I ask your name?”
The man’s face tightened sharply.
“M-My name is Blueberry Egnia.”
Ainz was aware that there was a food with that name. Was the naming of foods like the one called Plum a common practice among dark elves? If that was the case, it might have been wiser to change Aura's name to a pseudonym altogether instead of considering:
“How do you feel when a friend uses a fake name to call you?”
The unsettling aspect was whether they would pronounce the name of the fruit in the language of this world, which would automatically translate to Ainz's ears, or whether they would do so without understanding what they were saying because it was a Player's trace.
“I see... I’ll remember. Blueberry Egnia-san.”
“Yes. That's right. I would be very grateful if you would remember me.”
He wasn't sure why he felt so grateful. There was a small sound from the dark elves as Ainz opened his mouth in question. Ainz reacted immediately to find out what it was that was causing the change in the atmosphere. When he noticed where the dark elves were looking, he could see the elders as he had expected. Nearby voices could be heard saying:
“It’s about time they arrived.”
Ainz sighed deeply. That was wrong.
(Has there ever been a business in which people had secret conversations and allowed outsiders to listen in on them? Mmh. Is it wise for me to leave Aura in this village? What would a young child's reaction be if he overheard his parents' criticism? I'm not sure, but for the time being I should be very careful how I speak and behave every day so as not to offend Aura and Mare.)
It was predictable what would happen next. But Ainz didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble. He wanted to remain impartial. That meant that the right thing needed to be done. To do this...
(I must show you the results of my simulations!)
Ignoring the looks he received from those around him, the old man addressed Ainz.
“You come from the same region as the young tree Fiora. You've come a long way, how nice.”
(Young tree? I knew it.)
Ainz grinned inwardly. It was a dialect of the dark elves. In this world, the language of each race was transformed into one that Ainz could understand. The fact that he heard the term "young tree" was due to the fact that it had no meaning. If it had a meaning, such as "girl" or "boy," it would have been translated into a word that Ainz would recognize. In other words, it was customary to start a boy's name by adding "sapling". To gauge the dark elf's level of familiarity with the city, he watched his facial expressions. According to Aura's investigations and what Ainz had heard, there were two factions in the village: one made up of mostly youths who wanted to rebel against the customs, and another that respected the elders and the customs. The elders were probably interested in learning more about the nature of the dark elves in the city of their arrival.
(I want to keep a low profile. However, I might be forced to ally myself with one of the factions if I say something impartial. If I had to choose a faction to join, I would choose the Youth Faction because I could make friends with the parents of the dark elves. However, some details are still missing. I'm not sure that's the right way to go. The best course of action would be to greet them properly and present a friendly front.)
Ainz prepared himself with this thought in mind.
“Even though we live on the same piece of land, I am grateful that the people of this forest have welcomed someone like me who comes from another forest.”
The elders, their eyes sparkling, let out a small sigh as Ainz said this without much thought. It was not a sigh of relief. On the contrary, it seemed to be because it made a positive impression on them.
“Sawtooth and evergreen oaks are both hardy and grow well. I'm happy. There is no doubt that if enough trees grow, this will become a large forest.”
After saying this without hesitation, Ainz nodded in satisfaction. Honestly, Ainz had no idea why he said that. He'd said things with little thought. Because his words were so ambiguous, Ainz assumed that they would not understand what he was saying. The elders, however, nodded in agreement. He nodded with enthusiasm. He could understand their attitude. For Satoru Suzuki, an active member of society, the reaction of these elders was understandable. He'd seen similar scenes before. No, it could be said that he understands it because Ainz does it a lot.
(Ah, this is a boss's attitude when subordinates use jargon and abbreviations he doesn't know...)
After Ainz finished his greeting, there was a brief silence.
“That's great... to hear. So let's leave it for now. Giving a long-winded greeting to someone who has traveled a long way is similar to growing a vine.”
“Vine?”
Ainz responded involuntarily. Was that what the dark elves said when it was inappropriate to speak for too long? If so, then such nuances should be conveyed, and not just the literal meaning. It was impossible that they hadn't heard Ainz's question, but the elders turned away from him and began to walk away.
(Huh...?)
Things did not go according to plan. Ainz's eyes were drawn away from the souvenirs he had brought. His expectation had been that the elders would have a discussion about the distribution of the gifts later in the day.
(Huh? Really... just a greeting? What the hell does that mean? Did something happen?)
Ainz felt the same when he was interviewed and found that the interview ended too soon. He had the same feeling when the interviewer had a question for him:
“Do you have any further questions?”
At the beginning of the interview.
If the reaction to Ainz's answer had been clear and unambiguous, such as an angry gesture, he would have realized that he had made a mistake and, even if he had to go to another village, he would have learned a valuable lesson. But he had no idea whether the experience was positive or negative because he could not elicit a response from them. This meant that he couldn't use his experience in the future. Ainz couldn't see any signs of dissatisfaction or hostility towards him when he looked around. They seemed perplexed as well.
(I'm not sure... but it's pointless to think about it any further. Anyway, I might as well attend the meeting of the elders later with〈Perfect Unknownable〉 and find out what their reaction to me was.)
As if he had just remembered, Ainz turned away from the elders and asked a nearby villager.
“It seems... that I have been welcomed. I was hoping to speak with the elders, but it seems that they are busy.”
“Huh? Oh, yes. Ri-Right...”
The villager paused for a moment before answering vaguely. He seemed to have given the recent exchange considerable thought.
“There is a tree where the elders gather, which I will show you later.”
The Chief Hunter, who was nearby, calmly offered his help. Indeed, with such dignity, Aura could be forgiven for taking him for an uncle.
“Okay, all right. When I have a chance, I will visit them and talk to them. I'd like to start with the two of them. If someone could point me in the right direction, I'd be grateful.”
“In that case I’d be happy to!!!”
Suddenly, a loud voice came from the side and Ainz's heart fluttered, which it shouldn't have. Blueberry. While he was talking to the Chief Hunter, he must have come down quietly from the bridge.
“Could you... stop yelling so loud all of a sudden? It’s bad for my heart.”
“I’m sorry... I'll make sure I don't do it again in the future.”
Ainz was speechless in front of Blueberry, who had the expression of someone who had done something terrible. But then he decided to show some magnanimity and try to calm down so as not to do anything rash later on.
“I'm glad you understand... Then may I ask Blueberry-san to help me?”
“I have no objections. Please contact me if you have any problems in the village. I will help you in any way I can.”
“That’s reassuring.”
Said Ainz as he started to walk away with Blueberry. This was not the end of the story, however. The most important element was missing. Ainz stopped halfway and looked back at the children. Then he turned to face them, even though his face was practically hidden by his clothes. There were a total of six children, four of them boys and two of them girls. Two of the children seemed to be smaller than Aura and Mare. One of the boys was about the same age as them. The other three appeared to be more grown up.
“Hey folks.”
He said as he walked toward the children. The adults who were around him did not make any attempt to stop him. This was most likely due to the positive attitude that Ainz had shown so far.
“Please take care of Aura and Mare.”
The children's expressions were surprised. But he couldn't stop. He had to be given a push. It was no exaggeration to say that this was the reason for Ainz's trip.
“Include both of them in your games. However, I don't think you can beat them in an athletic competition. That's why I'd like them to be invited to play something new, something they can't do in the city.”
With Mare's participation, a simulation of conversations with adults was carried out. Ainz, on the other hand, mentally simulated a conversation with children. There could be many errors and mistakes
(Mistakes in front of adults can have a negative effect on my plans for the future. So if possible, I'd rather make them in front of children. However, it is questionable to allow strangers and outsiders to meet their precious children with no adult oversight. For this reason, I have no choice but to speak out.)
Ainz reached into his pocket for a leather pouch. Then he pulled an amber-colored lump out of it, about the size of the tip of his thumb.
“Give me your hand, please.”
Ainz spoke to the boy at the front of the group. He was most likely the leader of the village's children. Careful not to touch the boy directly, Ainz placed his hand on the palm of the dark elf's hand. Ainz would rather give it to him than drop it, but his hand was an illusion. If they touched, he might notice the unusual feel of his hand. That was the one thing he had to avoid at all costs.
(Hmm. What if I cut off a criminal's arm and make a glove out of his skin and flesh? Maybe in Nazarick, where everyone despises humans, there are some good ones? I have a feeling that Neuronist and the others might be interested in the creation of something similar...)
“E-Eh, t-this is...”
Ainz smiled and spoke softly to the boy, who noticed what he had in his hand.
“It's candy. It's tastier than fruit. Oh, don't chew it, just lick it. Only... perhaps it's not as sweet as fruit, which is really tasty...”
A little uncertain, Ainz said. It could not be confirmed by Ainz's body. At best, he could confirm the texture. As a result, he was skeptical about the taste. True, he had tasted candies from his original world. Even if the candy from YGGDRASIL, which he had never tasted, came true, he had no idea what it would taste like. Besides, since there were magical fruits in this world, there might have been much sweeter flavors than the candies Ainz had brought, and those dark elves ate them every day.
However, he was confident that ordinary fruits would have been no match for them. It was said that because breeding and other improvements had not been made, the fruits of this world were not always easy to eat. For this reason, the people of Nazarick were engaged in breeding. For example, they considered the Sous Chef.
With trepidation, the child put the candy Ainz handed him into his mouth. The children surrounding Ainz, as well as the adult dark elves watching them, waited for a reaction from the hapless and brave boy.
“How sweet! It’s delicious! What is this?”
Ainz smiled at the boy’s first reaction. Even when the boy took the candy out of his mouth in surprise, his expression didn’t change.
(I'm really glad he didn't say he didn't like it... I don't know if he's allergic or something, I don't think so...)
“Come on, come on. I'll give you some.”
Ainz called them out and began handing them out to the children. Others looked at him as if they wanted them, but he just ignored them. There was no point in giving them to the adults, because it was a bribe to the children. What was important was that he gave Aura and Mare to the children at their request. Ainz reminded them after handing them over, being careful with his tone so as not to sound threatening.
“So, please take care of both of them.”
Ainz walked away, his mission accomplished. But he was sure that no one could stop him...
(Perfect!)
He shouts with unwavering determination. Wasn't this presentation a great success? No, Ainz's face tensed, but he did not move. Whether it was a success or not would only be known when the children invited Aura and Mare to play with them. But there was one.
(I did what had to be done. But... why didn't Blueberry, who was standing right in front of me, say anything? Wouldn't he have said a few words of thanks if I had given him something as a father? Maybe there aren't any Blueberry children in this group? Is he the father of other children? Oh, my gosh. I'll have to pay more attention.)
PART 2
Under improvement.
PART 3
Under improvement.
PART 4
Under improvement.
PART 5
Under improvement.
Post a Comment