Chapter 14: Why Are There So Many of You?
The swordsman stood by the roadside, his gaze locked onto me like a hawk eyeing its prey.
My body was tense, and my little right fist kept clenching and unclenching, a thin layer of ice blue mist faintly appearing around me.
…Darn that Bearded Swordsman! If he dared to move an inch, he’d be eating my full-powered Ice Spike for breakfast!
“Little Shay, what do you want to eat for dinner?”
Caught off guard by Grandma Claire’s sudden question while I was in a heightened state of vigilance, I jolted.
No, they were still right beside us. If we started a fight here, they’d get dragged in as well.
This wasn’t the kind of combat like the ordinary knights hacking away at each other; if regular folks got caught in this, it wouldn’t be fun and games. Whether it was my frost ability or the swordsman’s lightning power, even a little residual wave could easily take their lives.
Starting a brawl right here was too dangerous; I could potentially wipe out the whole village. If it came down to a fight, I needed to lure him outside the village immediately—no way I could let Grandma and the others get hurt.
In a matter of moments, my mind raced with possibilities, my heart practically lodged in my throat.
Then… I brushed past the swordsman.
I caught a glimmer of a playful smile at the corner of his mouth. It seemed to say, “I’ve finally found you.”
But even after we had walked a good distance away, the swordsman still didn’t make a move.
“Little Shay, are you okay? Your face looks scary! Are you sick?”
Aili cupped my little face in her hands, pressing her forehead against mine.
“I… I’m fine.”
I felt like something was stuck in my throat, and I realized my expression was very stiff.
“Really? If anything’s wrong, just say it; you can’t just tough it out if you’re sick!”
Aili’s brow furrowed, worry etched on her face.
“I really am fine.”
I wanted to give her a reassuring smile, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t pull the corners of my mouth up.
“Little Shay, why don’t you lie down on the wheat for a bit? I can handle it.”
“Thanks, Barry. I’m not sick. You all don’t have to worry.”
I took a furtive glance back and couldn’t see the Bearded Swordsman anymore, and my heartbeat gradually evened out.
Seeing that I seemed to be alright, Aili’s spirit perked up again, and she turned to chat with me.
“Hey, Little Shay, did you see that tall, mighty swordsman? Ah—he’s so handsome!”
Stars twinkled in Aili’s eyes, her cheeks flushed with excitement as she made a fist and told me.
“Yeah, very handsome.”
“Should we go flirt with him together?”
“Don’t!”
I panicked and quickly grabbed Aili’s hand, fearing she might actually run back to him in a fit of excitement.
“Aili, you’re getting married.”
Barry said it flatly.
“So what? Just because I’m getting married doesn’t mean I can’t admire handsome guys!”
“Sure, but don’t lead Little Shay astray.”
“How am I leading her astray? I’m helping her! If Little Shay gets married one day, she should marry someone as tall and strong as that! What does she have to do with the weirdos in our village? I just wanted to introduce her to the good ones…” Aili’s eyes sparkled mischievously, “A swordsman like that is rare to see around our village! His armor screams expensive. Who knows why he came here, but he definitely won’t stick around long—this is a golden opportunity for Little Shay!”
I shook my head vigorously, gripping Aili’s hand tighter, my eyes pleading.
“Ah! Little Shay is shy! So shy! Hehe.”
Shy my foot! Which one of your eyes saw even a hint of shyness on me?!
I was dying of anxiety.
“Aili, I think you just want to go yourself.”
Barry continued, expression unaffected.
“I said I don’t…”
“Then you’re not allowed to take Little Shay over there. Or I’ll tell Brother Allen.”
“You dare!”
“Watch me!”
“If you go, I’ll tell Little Shay your secret!”
“…Don’t.”
Barry quickly backed down.
Aili, having gained the upper hand in their banter, triumphantly humphs a couple of times but dropped the earlier topic.
I let out a soft sigh of relief.
“Little Shay, do you know that swordsman?” Grandma Claire, who had been quiet, suddenly asked.
“……I don’t know him.”
I didn’t know why, but for the first time, I lied to Grandma.
“……Is that so.” Grandma looked at me and smiled warmly.
She caught on.
The cloak the swordsman wore was just like the small one hanging at home that belonged to Little Shay… Though mine was a bit tattered, it was definitely the same style—she might be getting older, but her eyesight was still sharp.
But since Little Shay didn’t want to talk about it, she wouldn’t press me; time would tell her everything.
“What do you want to eat when we get home?”
“……Potato soup.”
“Alright.”
I tried to suppress the anxiety bubbling inside me as we headed in the direction of home.
…………
The appearance of the Bearded Swordsman left me unsettled. I thought he would come after me soon—under the immense pressure of ‘a fierce battle might break out at any moment,’ I passed the days in a state of heightened alert. But after several days filled with anxiety, I didn’t see him again.
Did he really travel all this way just to take one look at me and leave?
No way, was he an idiot? He wasn’t.
Maybe he was biding his time, getting ready to bring reinforcements?!
The next time we met, he’d likely show up with a whole slew of Church Knights and a dozen robed old men, brimming with confidence right in front of me.
Just thinking about that possibility made it hard to breathe.
Should I skip town?
…Maybe wait until tonight when Grandma and the others are asleep, and quietly slip away. I can’t cause them any trouble.
But would I ever get to see Grandma again? Could I ever come back?
I truly didn’t want to leave, just wanted to spend a little more time with her. I could sneak away tomorrow.
Yeah, that’ll do.
And so, my escape plan was procrastinated day after day without ever being put into action.
A few days later, the Harvest Festival arrived.
This was a customary event in the village; every year after the wheat was harvested, a festival and celebration would be held.
That evening, everyone gathered in the village’s small central square, bringing tables and chairs from their homes, lighting bonfires, and starting the prayers.
The ceremony was led by Father Merlyn from the town. Under his guidance, everyone knelt and prayed to the Mother God of Abundance, asking for blessings for another bountiful year.
Then came the highly anticipated bonfire party. The villagers surrounded the fire, singing and dancing, with smiles of pure happiness plastered across their faces.
Uncle Dole thumped away on the drum, muscles in his arms bulging as he added his flair to the booming rhythm that echoed through the night.
I spotted Aili and the honest-looking hunter’s son in the crowd, both dancing a simple yet graceful dance, their faces radiating uncontainable joy.
Before long, large barrels of beer were brought out. This was quite a luxury in the village, but tonight, everyone could drink to their heart’s content.
The atmosphere of the party exploded as the beer arrived.
The seamstress’s daughter from the village sang beautiful songs of this world nearby. A couple of younger girls clapped along to the beat, occasionally joining in on the singing.
Several boys finally mustered the courage to invite me to dance but ended up shuffling back, heads hanging low in disappointment.
Grandma was getting old and had long since left; she no longer fit in such lively gatherings. I closed my eyes, getting lost in the rich foreign festivities around me.
“Hey, Little Shay! Aren’t you going to dance?” Uncle Dole boomed, his face glistening with sweat. Grandma always sent me to him to get meat, and he’d always give me an extra cut.
“I can’t.”
I chuckled softly and shook my head.
Actually, it wasn’t that I couldn’t; in my past life, I had taken classes in ballroom, Latin, and street dance. I’d met Little Xi at the same dance studio. I wouldn’t claim to be the best in the country, but I had won awards. I just wasn’t in the mood right now. The Bearded Swordsman hung over me like a storm cloud, making everything taste bland.
“Haha, what a pity! You don’t know how many boys in the village are counting the days, all waiting for this chance to get close to you!”
Uncle’s expression was cheeky, his smile a teasing smirk. Approaching forty, he was still winking at me like a love-struck fool—guess he’d had a few too many drinks.
I didn’t know how to respond, so I could only give a helpless smile.
Uncle was about to say something more when suddenly, with a ‘thud,’ a beer was placed on my table.
I looked up to find Ryan, the village troublemaker, looking rosy-cheeked, holding another beer in his hand.
“Hey, Little Shay… about that thing before, I thought it over, and I was in the wrong. I’m sorry… sorry.” The apology sounded reluctant, and Ryan tipped his head back, chugging the beer in one go. “My drink’s finished—drink that one on the table, and we’re friends now.”
The glass on the table was nearly the size of a pint, filled to the brim with beer, frothy bubbles spilling over the sides.
Oh? Trying to get me drunk, huh? Now that’s interesting. Maybe he’s taking advice from his hot-tempered father, thinking I’m that kind of girl who can’t handle her drink and would be all over a guy after a few sips?
Sorry, but he’s totally miscalculated.
Honestly, I was in a bad mood, so let me show you what a hundred drinks can look like!
“Just don’t do that again, okay?”
I shot Ryan a sweet smile, and under the raucous cheers of Uncle Dole, I downed the beer in one gulp.
“Haha! Little Shay, good job!”
Uncle Dole’s booming laughter shook the night air as he clapped enthusiastically.
“Ryan! What are you doing?”
Barry popped out of the crowd, pointing at Ryan and shouting.
“I’m apologizing to Little Shay; what’s it to you? Barry, stop looking down on people!”
“Apologizing? Little Shay is so young; why are you convincing her to drink so much?”
“It’s fine, Barry…”
I looked at Barry, wanting to tell him he couldn’t outdrink me, but suddenly, my body swayed, and the glass in my hand went ‘crash!’ shattering on the ground.
…Huh?
I frowned and rubbed my eyes.
One Barry… two Barrys… three Ryans… four Uncles…
Why are there so many of you?
