Chapter 2 - Hometown

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Two weeks by carriage from the adventurer city of Advante. Then two more days on foot from the final stop at the dairy city of Hirte. After all that time, we finally arrived at our hometown—Marhas.

This tiny cold village, sitting right on the far edge of the kingdom’s territory, is remote enough to be called the frontier. And yet, somehow, life here manages to sustain itself. There’s a reason for that. “The edge of the kingdom” doesn’t refer to the national border or anything. East of this village lies a vast, unexplored wilderness.

Rare flora and fauna—especially medicinal herbs—are harvested from that land and fetch high prices in the cities. The villagers, in turn, buy everyday necessities from traveling merchants who come to purchase those goods. That’s how life in this remote little village keeps going.

“We’re finally back, huh.”
“Yeah. It’s so nostalgic.”

As we passed under the wooden archway marking the village entrance, several pairs of eyes immediately turned toward us. That kind of unwelcoming stare… I hadn’t felt it in a while. In the city, it’s often considered polite to not pay attention to others. So this felt oddly refreshing.

“Hmm? Hmmm? Ain’t you that troublemaker Yulg? And Rolo too? You two’ve come back!?”

An older man who’d been staring at us came hurrying over. It’s a small village. Naturally, we all know each other.

“Hey there, old man Tanto. Your hair’s gotten a bit thinner, hasn’t it?”
“That’s what happens when you get old. What’s the matter? City life didn’t suit you?”
“Something like that.”

Given the circumstances, this wasn’t the kind of thing to talk about out in the open. I brushed off the question lightly and gave Rolo a pat on the back.

“Go on, Rolo. They’re waiting for you.”
“…Yeah.”

Rolo hoisted the travel pack I handed him—stuffed with souvenirs—and walked straight across the village square. I watched his back as he went, quietly relieved that we’d made it back safely.

Unlike me, Rolo has family waiting for him. In a way, this whole situation might have been a blessing in disguise. Adventurers who leave home rarely come back in one piece.

“…Huh? You seem different somehow, you scoundrel brat.”
“I guess that just means I’ve grown up a bit. Look, I was a real pain before I left the village. Sorry about that.”

Old man Tanto widened his eyes in surprise. Not too surprising—after all, I was such a brat I actually got in a brawl with him (which was 100% my fault). So it’s no wonder he’d be wary or even shocked.

“Well, I’m just glad you came back in one piece. You planning to stay in the village for a while?”
“Dunno. That depends on Rolo.”
“Oh? You sure are attached to that Rolo kid, huh?”

I gave a small, wry smile at his words. So that’s how I come across, huh?

“He’s like family to me. Of course I am.”
“You really mellowed out, huh. So, where’re you staying?”

Marhas is just a rural village. There aren’t any fancy inns here. Traveling merchants usually stay at the village chief’s slightly larger home. As for other visitors, someone in the village with a spare room might let them crash for a bit—that’s how it works.

But my situation’s a little different. I’m not a traveler or a merchant. And before I left, I caused a lot of trouble around here. A real outcast, honestly. So I doubt the villagers feel too warm toward me. Just me being here in Marhas probably makes some folks nervous.

So I pointed outside the village and spoke.

“I’ll camp out a little ways from here. If you see Rolo, could you let him know?”

“…Alright. What about food? You got anything to eat?”
“I brought enough to last me a while. Don’t worry. I’m not planning to bother anyone.”

With that, I turned to leave. Like I told old man Tanto, what happens next is up to Rolo. If he’s just here for a long visit, then I’ll hike back to Hirte and find an inn, but… if Rolo decides to settle back down here in Marhas, I’ll figure out what I want to do from there. For now, though, I’ve completed my role to get Rolo safely back home.

“Now then, where should I set up?”

I retraced my steps back to the village gate, glancing around for a suitable campsite. I’d brought along some handy artifacts for setting up camp, so safety wouldn’t be too much of an issue. I just needed a spot close enough to the village… but out of sight, if possible.

“…Alright, that’ll do.”

I chose a spot along the roadside, marked by a single large tree, and started walking over at a leisurely pace. Before I knew it, the sky had turned crimson, and the forest of the unexplored region had fully melted into the night.

♦

“Hey, Yulg!”

While I was simmering soup for dinner, Rolo burst in, shouting angrily. That kind of reaction was rare for someone usually as quiet as him.

“What’s wrong, Rolo?”
“Don’t ‘what’s wrong’ me! We finally made it back home—so why the hell are you camping out in a place like this?”
“Well… wouldn’t the village be on edge with me around?”

At my words, Rolo faltered, looking a bit conflicted. To the villagers, I’m barely any better than a bandit or monster. If I’d kept misbehaving just a little longer back then, they probably would’ve tied me up and thrown me into the unexplored wilderness. Even Rolo should understand. He’s the one who had to put up with all my crap back in the day.

“But that’s all in the past now.”
“Doesn’t mean it’s been wiped clean. Anyway, don’t worry about me. …More importantly, how were your folks?”

Trying to shift the subject, I asked the question—and Rolo gave a small smile and nodded.

“They were happy. They said they want to thank you for the souvenirs, too.”
“Tell them not to worry about it. Just returning a bit of kindness.”

Rolo’s mom used to make meals for me when I was a parentless brat. Even on days when her own son—Rolo—had come home with a black eye from me, she’d still hand me bread and soup while scolding me. In a way, she was like a mother to me too. Not that she ever asked for that kind of connection.

“Bitts and Arco were really happy too.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“So come stay with us, Yulg. I’ll make sure you have a place to sleep.”

It was a kind offer, one that made me happy—but I shook my head lightly. I appreciated it. I really did. But this was a matter of principle. I followed Rolo in place of being formally exiled from Marhas. Sure, I’d walked into the village alongside him earlier, but… strictly speaking, I had no right to pass under the arch that read “Marhas.”

“You’re so stubborn, you know that?”
“Born this way.”
“Liar. You’re usually way more honest.”

Saying that, Rolo sat down beside me.

“Huh?”
“If you’re going to camp out here, I’ll stay with you.”
“What are you talking about? Get back to your house. Your mom and brothers are waiting for you, aren’t they?”
“They’re waiting for you too.”

Damn it. Now who’s the stubborn one? Once Rolo digs in like this, he’s impossible to shake. Still, I couldn’t back down either.

“You know how it is, Rolo. I’m not welcome. Nor should I be.”
“Stop sulking and just come home with me. No one cares about the past anymore.”
“I’m not sulking. I’ve just grown up a little, that’s all.”

The village had been filled with wary eyes the moment I showed up. There are people who feel uneasy just because I’m here. That’s the kind of things I’ve done.

“You know it’s dangerous outside the village, right?”
“That’s what the Barrier Stakes are for. And from here, if anything happens to you or the village, I can respond right away. Plus, I don’t have to spook the villagers more than necessary.”
“If you don’t try to bridge the gap, no misunderstandings will ever get cleared up.”
“It’s not a misunderstanding, though. I earned it.”

At that, Rolo gave a troubled smile and sighed…

…But then his eyes sharpened suddenly.

“…! Yulg.”
“Yeah, I noticed. Great. I must’ve drawn it in by camping out here, huh?”
“That’s not it. I heard it’s been showing up every night lately. I came to warn you.”
“Figures. This is what you get for living out in the sticks.”

I grabbed the weapon leaning against the tree—a heavy mace—and rose to my feet, focusing in the direction of the presence I felt.

“I’m going to take care of it. You, Rolo?”
“Of course I’m coming. I never said I was done being an adventurer.”

He tapped the short sword at his waist and gave me a look. I nodded in reply. Then, carefully, we stepped into the darkness.