Chapter 281

281st Chapter

A Brief Respite 281 ? A Brief Respite #3

I went to a place that looked like it was about to close, grabbing the first pair of sandals I laid eyes on.

Would my mother’s shoe size be about right? No, since she was about my height, it might be better to go up one size.

After paying 20 copper coins for the sandals, I handed them to the lady, and without any refusal, she slipped them on under her skirt, it seemed.

“They fit well enough. Though, they’re a bit loose.”

“Should I get another pair?”

“No, I actually prefer wearing them a little loose. Tight shoes can feel constricting. Anyway, thank you. They may feel cheap, but I’ll make do.”

Her gratitude seemed rather cool. For a grandmother living elegantly, 20 copper sandals bought from the street might be more sacrilegious than walking barefoot.

So, I just responded casually.

“Just wear these for now, and later, you might want to go and buy something more expensive. Anyway, can you walk now?”

“Yes, it’s sufficient. Still, despite receiving help from you, a young child, it doesn’t seem right. Is there anything you’d like in return?”

At the lady’s question, I paused for a moment to think.

Is there anything you want? I hadn’t done the deed expecting any return, but now being asked suddenly, nothing comes to mind. The thought crossed my mind that I’d like to enjoy a cold beer after this.

“Nothing specific comes to mind.”

“If you were someone I knew, you’d probably blurt out two or three things immediately. Do you inherit your indecisiveness from your father?”

“d*mn, how did you know?”

“As you grow old like me, you come to understand those things without needing to be told.”

Certainly.

I remembered meeting an old professor named Platan during my first commission; in this world without the internet or smart devices, the wisdom of the elderly shines quite useful. In a world where one must gain knowledge from books that cost unimaginably high sums and where those who can read are few, it’s understandable how the wisdom of experience is regarded.

Though she shows signs of dementia, this woman was undoubtedly perceptive and wise in her prime.

But nothing suitable as a return comes to mind immediately. Can I ask later? Something should come to mind if I think about it.

As I slightly pondered this, the lady scanned me from head to toe.

“Hmm, I see that you carry a fairly usable staff.”

She seemed interested in the club at my waist.

“Decently made indeed. However, you aren’t even utilizing half of its strength because you haven’t watered it properly.”

“What? Should I water it? It’s just a stick.”

“It’s not just a stick. It is a living tree. Hence, daily watering is necessary. And don’t forget to pray with earnestness.”

“Prayer too?”

“Child, crops don’t respond to tricks. Nowadays, people get hooked on farming techniques and fancy fertilizers, forgetting to show gratitude. Once, the best of the first fruit was cut and offered to the goddess of the harvest at harvest time. But these days, that practice is nonexistent.”

“I see.”

“For every four good harvests, there must inevitably come a poor one, allowing the earth to rest and rejuvenate. You could call it a brief respite. But these days, people seem unable to grasp that concept.”

“You’re probably right.”

“They don’t accept even one poor harvest. They complain and flush with anger. It’s exasperating. People must learn reverence. And next comes the act of gratitude. That alone would resolve most problems.”

“You’re pointing out something quite significant.”

At my response, the lady pursed her eyebrows.

“You’re listening to my story but merely responding. Do you dislike such lectures? I now understand your nature fairly well. Alright, enough of this. We’ve nearly arrived. It’s over there.”

The building the noble pointed at appeared to be an odd sort of temple. To be precise, not a temple but a temple site.

Was there no caretaker? Located on the outskirts near the south gate, scattered dust, straw, and old rags lay all over the ground, causing a slight cringe.

“So, where should we go from here?”

“Here is enough, my child.”

“Here? There’s nothing here. Were you supposed to meet anyone here?”

“No, but I do feel like resting a bit. I’ve journeyed far and wide recently. I’ve walked far enough to nearly wear out my sandals. But now, I need a short rest.”

She had earlier said walking was fine, but it seemed that walking for an hour indeed was quite exhausting for the elderly. Yet, she appeared relaxed as she leaned against one of the old temple pillars.

But is it permitted to lean against temple artifacts like this, even if it’s abandoned? As I was quietly reflecting on whether it constitutes sacrilege, the lady continued.

“Still, today was worth the long walk. I haven’t enjoyed myself this much in years.”

“Is that right? That’s good news.”

“My dear, asking now is somewhat amusing, but may I inquire of your name?”

“My name is Hassan of Samaria. If you need my services in the future, you can find Hassan of Samaria at the Mars Guild.”

“No, there is no need to lie to me. Tell me the name your parents gave you. It’s evident that isn’t your real name.”

You’re detecting my lies? I was startled for a moment. I had thought this was no ordinary old woman, but she appears to have a considerable amount of skill.

“It’s Hassan.”

“Simple name. It sounds like wind blowing. I like it. I’ll remember that. It was nice meeting you, child. Thanks to you, I feel as if spring has returned to my life. Though, it’s still just the tail end of winter with the new buds still timidly peeking out.”

What is this? Am I in a spring season? Are you rejuvenating?

I joked in response:

“It’s just that I already have someone.”

“Ho-ho, you’re a funny one. Having a someone? That’s a pity. But well done, it was a pleasant meeting. However, there are now more things that need forgiveness. Perhaps next time-”

When the lady stopped speaking mid-sentence.

Whoooosh.

Suddenly, a fierce wind blew from somewhere. The wind was so strong that sand got into my eyes, and I instinctively lowered my head and closed them.

And when I opened my eyes again, the old woman was nowhere to be seen. I scanned the area but couldn’t find her anywhere.

“d*mn, was she a witch?”

Or a ghost?

Or maybe just an extraordinary old woman? Yet, I didn’t feel any particular energy from her.

It was quite eerie to be left alone in this abandoned temple site, so I quickly made my way back to where I belonged.

*

Upon returning to the northern inn, the first thing I did was look for a well.

“Excuse me, is there a well anywhere behind here?”

“One copper for a bucket.”

d*mn! In this world, even wells require payment. The kindness in the sparsely populated streets near the north gate is rather stingy. The reason I’m paying to water my stick is that.

Come to think of it, watering a stick?

Just then, a past conversation with Luna came to mind.

Luna, what’re you doing?

Watering the stick.

So, why are you giving drinking water to it? She’s probably asking.

Does Hassan even know? It’s a tree, alright? Trees need water. Since I haven’t watered it for a few days, I’ll drench it thoroughly today.

I see…

At that time, I had thought it was just one of Luna’s peculiar habits. Even though this stick has a rather special quality about it, it was still weird to need to water it.

According to what the noblewoman I met today said, it seems I need to water it daily. So I decided to experiment by drenching it with water scooped from a bucket.

Whoosh.

The stick lying on the ground absorbed the water as if it was extremely thirsty.

“What the hell?”

Creak, creak.

As if drinking the water, a peculiar sprout appeared on the stick. It even rooted deeply into the ground.

“d*mn, it’s growing roots?”

It reminded me of the story of a renowned monk who planted his staff, and it turned into a tree—witnessing it firsthand in front of my eyes.

But this is my trusty weapon! I can’t just watch it turn into a natural tree.

So, I tried to pry it out of the ground. But as if protesting against my neglect, it was firmly rooted.

“d*mn! Come off it, will you?”

Cracking sound.

I gathered all my strength to pull the stick out of the ground.

Yet, it seemed the soil had already embraced it, and the “fearsome destroyer” stick had no intention of listening to me.

“d*mn!”

According to Actaeon, this stick is worth a bag full of gold. And now, it’s about to be permanently offered to the earth. Feeling quite frustrated, I noticed some commotion behind me.

I said:

“I’ve rented out this well. Try finding another.”

“Hah, exclusive rights to a well? Where the heck have you been all day?”

It was a very familiar voice. Among the people I know, only one person speaks like a mischievous girl, trailing off with ‘Hah.’

I turned away from the stick rooted in the ground and looked back to see who it was—it was the slowly appearing figure under the eaves.

The shining silver hair left no question—this was her.

“d*mn, it’s Elpride.”

“d*mn, Elpride?”

“No, Elpride. What brought you here?”

“What about you? You weren’t at the incineration site today, so I ended up doing your share as well. They said tomorrow is a holiday!”

“Didn’t you hear me?”

“What did you say?”

“d*mn it—!”

The fact that Elpride hadn’t heard me indicates the Samaritan kid probably didn’t deliver my message. Not only did he steal 10 copper coins but also went into the dungeon without permission. Such an irresponsible scoundrel—I should at least give him a knuckle sandwich when I see him next.

But if the kid didn’t deliver the message, does that mean I’ve been absent from the incineration site without permission, potentially affecting my work record?

While feeling slightly regretful about it, Elpride interjected:

“I told the supervisor at the incineration site that the Guild had some business calling you. Hence, now I’ve had to do twice the work including your share. I’ve washed up everywhere, but I still smell like soot. How do you intend to compensate me?”

Elpride approached me and drew a full pail of water from the well.

Despite her complaints about the soot smell, her face, ears, and hair were clean without a speck of dirt. She must have washed several times already.

“So why didn’t you come? We had work we could only do together.”

Elpride pressed in a manner akin to a church sister questioning a missed Sunday service. Was she so upset having done double the work?

Of course, it would be irritating.

Thinking about it from my perspective, I felt I would have been extremely frustrated. So, I decided to give her a straightforward answer.

“As you said, I was on Guild business. I went to the dungeon.”

“Ah, the dungeon? Hassan, you’ve been there already? You’ve grown so much.”

“I went to the depths the other day, and by tomorrow, I’ll be promoted to the Silver Tier. Isn’t that incredible?”

“Ho, so you’ll be wearing the same silver necklace as me?”

Elpride squinted her eyes as if goosebumps had raised all over her body. Her reaction was just like discovering a bug in one’s soup—she was utterly repulsed. That must be her genuine reaction, unfiltered or disguised.

“That’s laughable. How many days have you been an adventurer now, and you’re already Silver Tier? Isn’t the Mars Guild deciding too hastily?”

To be honest, I had similar thoughts.

“… Hail Chaos.”

I quietly summoned the words in my mind:

「Name: Hassan Lv. 26

Strength: 12

Agility: 6

Endurance: 8

Task Points: 420

Blessings: Blessing of Chaos, Glowing Hand, Night Armor, Dark Sight, Scorched Skin」

My current level is 26. My accumulated task points are 420. By helping out at the clinic whenever I can, I’ve managed to save enough to level up at least four times.

So my level would reach 30, which would allow me to meet the exact criteria for promotion to the Silver Tier without using any auras.

But recently, I’ve begun to wonder if it’s really appropriate for me to ascend to the Silver Tier, which is supposed to be for veteran adventurers.

Just as Elpride suggested, it feels like the Mars Guild is moving too hastily in making their decisions.

“Do you feel deep down that you’re still not ready for the Silver Tier?”

“d*mn, stay out of my head, Elpride!”

“What nonsense. Anyway, since you caused me to do double the work today, you owe me something. At least buy me a drink as a punishment.”

“What? You want me to buy you a drink?”

“Why not? Don’t you have enough money for that? You are becoming a Silver Tier adventurer from tomorrow.”

“Not that I don’t have the money, but—”

I was genuinely surprised by Elpride’s demand. The world turns, and now I’m buying drinks for my former owner and mentor, Elpride.

It’s not about being taken advantage of or receiving pocket money. Just the idea that I’m buying drinks with my own money feels surreal.

I asked:

“Did you come here just to get free drinks?”

“Not exactly…”

“If there are a dozen or so inns here in the north, how did you know I was here?”

“…T-That’s none of your business. Anyway, are you buying or not?”

“Alright, let’s go.”

So I left behind the stick firmly rooted in the ground and headed to the run-down tavern on the first floor of the inn. But reflecting on it, it seemed hilariously absurd.

Wow, I’m about to drink equals with Elpride.

That felt even more unbelievable than my promotion to Silver Tier adventurer.

We sat across from each other at a weathered, greasy table. She casually ordered some meat dishes and beer as snacks, and I ordered the same. The total came to 35 copper pieces, well within my budget.

“Order something more expensive.”

At my suggestion, Elpride smirked.

“I already know you don’t have much money left. You spent it all on fines, 150 gold or so, right?”

“Right, but are you concerned about my financial state?”

“Are you offering to really get something more expensive?”

“No.”

Thus, as cold beer brought with ice arrived and I took a hearty sip, the day’s various experiences seemed to seep into my body.

Cold beer.

Warm pork.

d*mn! Failure’s not an option with this combo.

“d*mn! Why do these bees keep targeting me? So, suddenly these bees dragged me to some nymphs. d*mn, turns out it was the nymph of honeywater.”

“What? What is that? Ridiculous. Honeywater nymph? Nymphs have such weird nicknames.”

“Look who’s talking.”

“Didn’t I tell you not to say that?”

“Hey, chiding—!”

“d*mn, sh*t.”

The distance between Elpride and me neither grows closer nor further. As it has been for two years, our conversation flows casually. As we exchanged trivial chatter, our voices rose and our faces flushed slightly with intoxication. Just when we started to feel the effects of the drink, Elpride casually slurped the empty beer mug and muttered offhandedly,

“When I reach the Silver Tier, I’ll go to Delphi.”

“Delphi?”

Why Delphi?

Puzzled, I slightly frowned, and Elpride explained.

“The Silver Tier adventurers on this continent must receive an oracle at Delphi, right?”

“Ah, is that necessary?”

“You didn’t know that? Anyway, I’m going to Delphi soon, coincidentally because I have some business there… Um…”

Just moments before, Elpride was loudly cursing and acting wildly drunk. Now, she suddenly started fidgeting awkwardly. I became a little uneasy myself, and the intoxication disappeared completely.

[Author’s Afterword] The illustration of Nymph Paranoi is completed!

You can see a larger and more detailed version at the works’ settings page!

The original file is a whopping 20MB, though I had to compress it to 2MB for uploading, which is a bit heartbreaking…

Still, I think the image of the Nymph Cultist Paranoi turned out very cute!

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