194-There was no slime




 
'Well it's hot and you've been moving around in water polo's because it's hot and that doesn't mean you've been maintaining three water polo's at all times.

 As soon as I explained the water polo, the cause of the misunderstanding, Aleusha let out an exclamation of dismay.

''You say that, but there are only three water polo's, so it's not that hard, is it?

No, it's hard to maintain it while doing other things. It consumes a lot of magic and takes a lot of nerve.

 It's not a particularly flashy move, it's just a matter of keeping it attached to Thor and Asmo, which I think is easy.

''Ah, haha. As usual, Alfreet-sama's control of magic is outstanding.

 Ilya mutters with a somewhat bitter smile.

 The quickest way to enrich your life is to use magic. I've practiced controlling magic a lot. I'm sure the reason I'm so useful now is because of my tireless efforts.

I'm not sure why Aleusha and her friends are in this forest.

 Tory said it was time to head back to King's Landing now that Father Nord and I had finished discussing ping-pong.

'You know that Triella will be returning to King's Landing soon, right?

Yes.

 That's why I think the members of the Silver Wind, Tori's bodyguard, should be prepared to follow them.

''Toriela-san wanted to study slime pillows during the trip as well, so we've been catching slime in the area around Coriat Village.

 As I'm wondering, Ilya shows me a large leather bag.

 There are a number of slimes in it, but they were quiet, as if they were fed and were absorbed in digesting it.

'Err, so the reason there were no slimes walking around today is because Ilya and the others were catching them?'

'Was Master Alfried looking for slime too? Um, I'm sorry. I've caught most of the slime around here, so I guess so.

 When I tell her why I've been wandering around the forest, Ilya says apologetically.

'Nah! No wonder we can't find a single slime.

If we'd been over-hunted by adventurers.

I'm sorry!

Oh, no, no, that's okay.

It's your job, sir.

 Thor and Asmo complained about being forced to walk around for half a day, but when the cute and honest Ilya apologized to them, they easily forgave them.

 They both blushed and became respectful.

 Well, even though Ilya is an adventurer, she is a countess and a nobleman. Unlike the women in the village of Koliat, she is ladylike, graceful, and above all, kind.

 I suppose I can't blame Thor and Asmo for flinching and forgiving her.

 I was in the mood to complain to them since they made me walk for half a day, too, but it fizzled out when Illya apologized to me.

'Well, what should I do? I suppose I can be a little flexible, but... 

'All I want is three of them, but I have Tory nearby, so I'll have to talk to him about it.

 I don't want you to run out or get in trouble for not getting enough because I got them.

 Since I'm collecting such a large amount, I don't think it will come to that, but just in case.

''I understand.''

 The members of the Silver Wind took it on as a job, and I'll tell Tory to complain about it when I get home.

'But it's strange. Is this cool?

'Wow, that really is a water polo!

It's cool like being in a river.

 Irvine and Malt were clapping their hands crunching on the water ball that Asmo was wearing, as if they were curious about the water ball.

 It's somewhat surreal to see them sticking their arms into Asmo's clad water ball and flailing about.

'Al, please replace this water ball.

 As I was looking at Asmo and the others, Thor approached us and asked for help.

 Thor's water ball is dirty, probably because he fell on his ass on the ground and rolled around.

 The water ball that flows gently is mixed with sand and grass, and it looks uncomfortable to be clothed in it.

'Moo, you can't help it, you chickenshit.

"Who's a chicken?

' 'Wow! A demon! Where are you, Al, Asmo! Let's just get away!

 For the sake of Thor's lack of self-awareness, I exaggerated the scene of being a chicken, and Thor hurriedly grabbed at me.

'Yeah, yeah, yeah, I didn't say that!

Oh, no! Get away from me! My clean water ball would get dirty with Thor's dirty water ball!

 As you can imagine, if it gets dirty, I'm going to have to replace the water ball, too.

 I don't want sand and grass mixed in with it, like Thor. Even the clothes you're wearing will be dirty.

'Then you'll have to stop lying to me!

'Ohhhhhh!

 I'm going to recreate Thor's chicken-like scream as he chases after me.

'You really don't want to do that, do you?!

 Then Thor's face turned red and he shouted.

 Such shouts and everyone's laughter echoed in the forest.



 ◆



 After returning to the village of Coriat with the Silver Wind members, I talked to Tory and got three slimes from him as planned.

 Considering that Torrie's over-hunting request had me wandering around for half a day, I was tempted to rip him off even more, but there was no point in getting any more slime from him, so I decided to give him a break.

 That's why, after getting the slime, we're heading back to our respective homes.

 The sun, which was floating in the sky, is now slightly sloping and dimmer than in the daytime.

''Well I'm sure they'll complain about it when we get back.

'Well. But we had a good time all day, so I don't need to worry about my mom's niggling nonsense.

If they put you to work on something, you'll endure it as long as you carry with you the pleasant memories of today and the pleasure of the next time you play.

 For what it's worth, it would certainly be depressing to have to wait for the fact that they would be pissed off.

 But Thor and Asmo said so with a radiant smile.

 Their smiles were an expression that I had seen somewhere before.

 That's right, it's the smile of a businessman from a previous life who gets through each day with memories and fun in his heart.

 When did they come to have such a strong expression on their faces? I was happy and sad to see them grow up, as I was by their side.

''So, Al. Can you take us out again tomorrow?

'No, I think that would only postpone the problem.

 If anything, I think the problem will be multiplied many times over.

 I learned that a lot in my past life.

 But even then, it's human weakness that makes us do it again.

And that's okay! If only we could have a good time tomorrow!

What's the matter with you all of a sudden? Brighter or darker ahead, it doesn't make a difference now, does it?

There's no way! If it was brighter ahead, this time would be many times more fun, and if it was darker ahead, this time would be many times darker! That's just a comforting line to say because it was just another person's problem!

 Wow, this guy says terrible things.

 Well, no matter how much we try to live positively, there are limits.

 Dark events and facts can slowly torment a person's mind like poison.

"...Al.

What's up, Asmo?

 I turned back to Asmo, who had been silent, and he had a distant look on his face.

I don't want to go home.

 He spat out straightforward words that revealed his feelings.

 Unlike Thor, he was out in the form of asking people to tell him what to say. Regardless of the company in my previous life or not, I'm out.

 It's better than saying nothing and babbling, but that's just the worst, and the next-best thing to do.

 After all, it's an act of using others as a shield to escape reprimand. But I understand the feeling of doing this. Human beings sometimes want to run away, you know.

 I put my hand on Asmo's shoulder with a distant expression.

But still we have to go home.