Chapter 50: Departure

“Grandma, are you there?” (Nyango)

“Nyango? Come in…” (Carisa)

　After consulting with Mr. Zeol about going to Ibouro, I went to catch a Forest Mouse and then visited Grandma Carisa in the apothecary shop.

“Yes, Grandma, I brought you some Forest Mouse.” (Nyango)

“I’m always grateful… you handled them so neatly, I’m sorry for always bothering you.” (Carisa)

“Well, I’m already used to it…” (Nyango)

　I should have decided to go to Ibouro with Mr. Zeol’s support, but when I came in front of Grandma Carisa, I couldn’t start talking.

“What’s wrong, Nyango. Are you worried about something?” (Carisa)

“Grandma, it’s about me! I…” (Nyango)

　“I will become an adventurer in Ibouro…”, For some reason, the words that came out of my throat were not enough.

“You decided to leave the village.” (Carisa)

“Grandma…” (Nyango)

“There are those who stay and put down roots in the village and those who leave the village to go away… Your body may be small, but the village of Atsuka is too small for you. This is not only me, everyone in the village, thinks so.” (Carisa)

“I… grandma taught me the kinds of medicinal herbs and how to pick them, and I can’t repay you…… For any of it. I haven’t returned the favor…” (Nyango)

“I’m the one who should be thanking you. I’ve been living on my own for a long time and I can’t tell you how much it has helped me teach you. I consider you like a real grandson.” (Carisa)

“Grandma…” (Nyango)

　I couldn’t hold back my tears as I looked down and Grandma Carisa gently held my head.

　The smell of herbs filled the air, the smell of Grandma Carisa.

“Grandma, I was invited to join a party of adventurers in Ibouro… I went into the forest with them as a guide… Everyone was kind and trustworthy… They are a famous party in Ibouro… and the other adventurers looked up to them… but I was still worried about my grandma… I consulted with Mr. Zeol… and then… and then…” (Nyango)

“Go ahead… and don’t worry about me. I’ve got enough money to last me until I die. If people want to have medicine, I’ll tell them to go and get some themselves.” (Carisa)

“Grandma… I’m going to Ibouro.” (Nyango)

“Oh, don’t worry about anything, just go straight down the path you want to go. But, but… come back to see me once in a while, I’ll miss my Nyango.” (Carisa)

　Grandma Carisa hugged me and burst into tears.

　With her wizened right hand, she lovingly caresses the area around my left eye, which has sunk and cannot see, and she continued her words in tears.

“Don’t do anything reckless. You are a kind child, so you sometimes sacrifice yourself too much for someone else. Be careful not to get hurt and become a great adventurer.” (Carisa)

“Yes… yesh, yesh…” (Nyango)

“Oh, my Nyango, who was so small, has grown so big…” (Carisa)

“Yes, yesh……” (Nyango)

　In Grandma Carisa’s arms, I could hardly stop crying.

　I’ll leave Atsuka village after investigating what’s going on with the goblin’s nest I’ve been investigating so far, cooperating in the subjugation if necessary, and picking some medicinal herbs.

　At this rate, what will happen when I actually leave the village?

　At the very least, I would like to leave the village looking a little more presentable on the day of my departure.

　I couldn’t talk to Grandma Carisa, but I could talk to my parents normally.

　Perhaps it was because I knew it would be a long time before I would be missed.

“You say you’re going to Ibouro… what will happen to the Forest Mouse and the fish?” (Father)

　Grandma Carisa was worried about me, but my father is worried about his own food supply.

“Oh… that, make it work.” (Nyango)

“Do a better job… I’m working in the fields, I don’t have time to go out and catch Forest Mouse.” (Father)

“For the time being, I’ll leave you what I’ve made at the stall for the last few days, and you can handle the rest.” (Nyango)

“Hey, Nyango. How can you talk to your parents like that…” (Father)

　My father was always nagging me, so I pushed the money to my mother and left home, saying I would stay with Mr. Zeol until my departure.

　Before I went to the nest to receive the ceremony, he told me to quickly become a man and leave home, but when I started earning a little more money, he took advantage of it, and he’s a real pain in the ass.

　When I told Mr. Zeol I was going to catch two side dishes, Mr. Zeol let me stay without hesitation.

　There’s also the matter of the goblin’s nest, so it’s just right for a detailed report.

“Then, Nyango, why don’t you check out the goblin’s nest while picking medicinal herbs, and catch something on your way back?” (Zeol)

“Wow, you make it sound so easy, but it’s a lot of work…” (Nyango)

“Gahahaha, you’re going to be an adventurer in Ibouro, you should be able to handle a job like this with ease.” (Zeol)

“Well… Isn’t being an adventurer more of a carefree job?” (Nyango)

“Well, it depends on how you go about it. In reality you can’t live a carefree life unless you have a good track record, sell your name, get good customers, and choose good paying jobs for yourself.” (Zeol)

“That’s right…” (Nyango)

　I was invited to a famous party in Ibouro and was a little excited, but if I think about it calmly, I will realize that it is not going to be easy.

　The three adventurers from Chariot have good personalities, and I think they are financially well off because they have their own carriage, but I don’t know if I can join their circle and get along well.

“Then, when there is no work to undertake at the party, try experiencing the work that novice adventurers do in Ibiuro. You can gain experience, and you can also increase your income.” (Zeol)

“I see, that’s a good idea. I’m not familiar with the city of Ibouro and the geography of the surrounding area, so it would be better for me to learn the lay of the land through steady work.” (Nyango)

　On the day of the Nest Leaving Ceremony, I played around with Horacio and got lost, and after that, I just walked along behind Mr. Zeol, so I still haven’t fully grasped where everything is.

　Besides, since I’m going to live in the city, I’d like to try eating out at some of the good restaurants.

“Well, you will certainly be more exposed to the storm than you were in Atsuka. You’d better brace yourself.” (Zeol)

“Eh, the storm…?” (Nyango)

“That’s right. It’s been less than two years since you had your Nest Leaving Ceremony, and then you are scouted by a B-rank party after killing a Bronze Wolf. It’s definitely a topic of conversation among adventurers in Ibouro.”

“Does that mean they are going to come at me for no reason, like those the horsekin adventurer?” (Nyango)

“Not for no reason. Adventurers are in the business of making a name for themselves. I told you earlier what the conditions are to be able to live a carefree life, didn’t I? Not selling your name is the opposite of that. In other words, if you don’t work hard at a job that doesn’t make much money, you will have a hard time making a living every day. When you are just starting out, you may enjoy it, but if it continues for two or three years, you will want to get out and have it easy, which is human nature.” (Nyango)

　I live in my parents’ house in Atsuka village, so I was able to make a living even when I was only picking medicinal herbs, but it would be tough to eat in a situation where I had to rent a room and pay rent in the city.

“But if I fight back, wouldn’t my notoriety be the one that sells?” (Nyango)

“Well… I don’t know what kind of rumors will actually circulate in Ibouro. The young people who participated in the subjugation must have seen the scene where Wolf was put to an end, right? They should definitely talk about it with their acquaintances after returning to Ibouro. After all, the scene where they defeated Bronze Wolf. That alone should be enough to make them proud.” (Zeol)

“So, as the story of the subjugation gets bigger and bigger, my story will get bigger, too?” (Nyango)

“That’s what I mean. Well, you should be prepared for that. That’s what being an adventurer is all about.” (Zeol)

“Haa… I understand.” (Nyango)

　It seems that it is almost certain that I will get tangled up with a young man who wants to be famous.

　Well, it seems to be a good idea to equip full armor even when walking in the city.

　When Miguel returned to school, I was going to Ibouro in a carriage as Zeol’s assistant.

　We only had about three days left before our departure, but fortunately, the goblin nest I had checked had been destroyed by the Bronze Wolf.

　The day of departure came while we were busy picking medicinal herbs that only grow deep in the mountains, hunting deer and wild boars, and floundering around.

　On the day of departure, many villagers came to see me off at the village chief’s house.

　My family, my childhood friend Ines, Viktor who had bought the Forest Mouse, the people who had gone with me to subjugate goblins and orcs, Miguel’s former lackeys, and of course, Grandma Carisa was there.

　I thought I had been living a carefree life, not actively involved with the people of the village, but before I knew it, I had made so many connections.

　In my previous life, when I was bullied and tragically died in an accident, I would not have been able to gather as many people as I did for my funeral.

　If I had valued my connections with others more, would my previous life have been a little better?

　Miguel was hunched over because there were far more villagers than when he entered the school in Ibouro.

　You’ll be meeting the lovely, lovely Olivier soon, so smile more.

“Nyango, take care of yourself. If you take the carriage, you can be back in a day, so come back once in a while to show your face.” (Carisa)

“I understand. I hope take care too, Grandma.” (Nyango)

　Both Grandma Carisa and I had watery eyes, but it seemed we would not have to cry today.

　I took some medicine for a fever and stomachache from Grandma Carisa as a parting gift and went up to the coachman’s seat.

“All right, then, let’s get going.” (Zeol)

“Yes, let’s go.” (Nyango)

　Mr. Zeol eased the brake and signaled with the reins, and the carriage began to move slowly.

　Looking back from the seat and waving to those who had seen me off, Grandma Carisa, who was in the very front, took a step or two and began staggering after the carriage, as if she could not stand it any longer.

　Even as the carriage increased its speed, Grandma Carisa did not stop walking but continued to chase after the carriage, waving her hands in the air.

“Nyango… Nyango… Nyango…” (Carisa)

　I strengthened my hearing with body enhancement magic so I wouldn’t miss a single word, but Grandma Carisa only called my name and never said, “Don’t go.”

　She kept calling my name and waving her hand until she was out of sight beyond the woods.

“It’s not easy to build a life in a new place but once you get settled, show your face. I can help pick medicinal herbs, but I can’t take your place.” (Zeol)

“Yesh… Yesh…” (Nyango)

　My eyes and nose were all tear-stained and runny. I wasn’t doing my job as a lookout, but Mr. Zeol didn’t say anything and kept the wagon going.