Encouraged by Eiji and accompanied part of the way, Alvy cautiously made her way into the tribe; her eyes were darting around warily as she made her way to Grandma’s house. She was determined not to let her gift be taken from her again. So she moved with great caution.
“Hey, Alvy! What are you doing?”
“Geh, it’s Kilde…”
Unfortunately, Alvy encountered the very ones she wished to avoid the most—Kilde and his cronies. He was the boy who had stolen her souvenir earlier and was known as the biggest troublemaker in the village. As the chief’s only son and the expected future chief, he used his position to behave recklessly without regard.
Ideally, the chief and his wife should discipline him, but their doting love for their son prevented them from scolding him too harshly. If other adults attempted to intervene, he would twist the story to his advantage when reporting to the chief, making it difficult for anyone, except for one individual, to firmly stand up to him.
This situation only served to embolden the young troublemaker. Surrounded by his followers, he blocked Alvy’s path and intimidated her. It was unseemly to treat a younger girl, or any child, in this manner, but no one stepped in to stop him.
“What’s with that ‘Geh’ sound? What a rude girl.”
“It’s not rude. Alvy just doesn’t like Kilde.”
“Really? You think it’s okay to talk to me like that? You’ll have a hard time when I become chief, you know?”
“Big brother Eiji told me that just because you’re the chief’s son doesn’t make you important. He said it’s called ‘riding on your parents’ coattails’. And that someone like that won’t grow up to be a decent adult.”
“What did you say?!”
Kilde, who had been smirking, saw his expression darken at Alvy’s words. He had never before been directly challenged on his qualifications as a future chief, and in a way, it was the most unsettling thing anyone could have said to him.
And he was at a loss. The truth was, that he often hid behind his parents’ status, making it impossible for him to deny it. For a moment, he stood gaping and was unable to utter a single word.
“Alvy is going to Grandma’s place. Please don’t get in the way.”
“…To the old hag’s place?”
It was only when Alvy mentioned Grandma that Kilde managed to regain some composure. Grandma was the one adult who could scold Kilde effectively, so it was a name he instinctively disliked and found unpleasant.
“What are you going there for? Tell me.”
“I don’t want to. It’s none of Kilde’s business.”
“Yes, it is! This is an inspection for potential threats!”
“Who’s a threat?”
Kilde pressed Alvy for an answer, but he was suddenly interrupted by a voice he least wanted to hear at that moment and turned around in a panic. Isn’t that Grandma, his natural enemy?
“Tch, you old hag! Aren’t you supposed to be asleep at this hour?”
“It’s usually my nap time, yes, but it seems Sunami got hurt. I woke up to treat her. So…”
The old woman glared at Kilde and his friends with a sharpness uncharacteristic of her age. Gone was the gentleness she usually showed towards Alvy and Sayla; the boys, in turn, shrank back as if they were frogs caught in the gaze of a snake.
“All of you surround a young girl… Aren’t you ashamed to call yourselves men?”
“Shut it! What I do is my business!”
“Haaah… It’s pointless to argue with them. Come here, Alvy. Leave these fools behind and let’s go over there with this old lady.”
“Yes!”
With a swift change back to her gentle demeanor, the old woman beckoned Alvy with a quick gesture. Ignoring the intimidated boys, Alvy ran to her side and they walked off hand in hand. Left behind, Kilde could do nothing but watch their retreating backs with a look of frustration on his face.
◆◇◆◇◆◇
About an hour in-game time after Alvy had left, we were engaging in small talk and mock battles. When we were about to log out, a group from the Nadeus clan, to which Alvy belonged, arrived.
The one leading them was Setun, just like before. However, there was a clear difference this time; the majority of the visiting group were unarmed women. This made the atmosphere far less tense than it had been previously.
“It’s been a while, Sir Setun.”
“Indeed, Sir Isam.”
“So, what brings you here this time?”
“Well, you see…”
“Step aside, Setun.”
Cutting through Setun’s hesitant words, an elderly woman stepped forward. She was clutching a staff made from monster bones and gnarled wood and she was draped in a hooded cloak decorated with unique patterns. There was no doubt that this was the Grandma Alvy had mentioned.
“I’m just a humble healer named Muno. Everyone calls me Grandma.”
“I know you, Lady Muno. Alvy seemed to hold you in high regard.”
“Heeheehee! I see, I see. That makes me happy.”
Grandma’s real name appeared to be Muno. Though I just said what Alvy told me, Muno laughed heartily. The other ladies also smiled warmly, with some even moved to tears. It seems Alvy might have a complicated past.
“As for the reason for our visit today, do you still have the meat Alvy left with you?”
“Yes, we do. We happened to catch a big one recently.”
“Could you spare some of it? Of course, I don’t expect it for free.”
“Of course. We will provide it to you at a low price.”
Then, the time for trading began. It appeared that the Nadeus tribe didn’t use currency, so the transactions were conducted through bartering.
The items they offered were primarily leather goods and woolen fabrics produced in their settlement, which wouldn’t normally match the high rarity of the meat in value. However, the significance lay in the fact that these items were crafted by them. The results of [Appraisal] were as follows:
――――――――――
- Nadeus tribe’s Cloak of Concealment – Quality: Superior, Rarity: R (Rare)
A cloak made using a technique passed down through the Nadeus tribe.
Wearing the cloak and pulling the hood over makes the wearer harder to detect due to the effect of a special dye.
It’s just colored leather and not expected to serve as armor.
Equipment Effect: [Concealment] Lv 5
- Nadeus tribe’s Healing Carpet – Quality: Superior, Rarity: R (Rare)
A woolen carpet made using a technique passed down through the Nadeus tribe.
Dyed with a special substance, it gradually heals the wounds of those resting upon it.
Its unique patterns are beautiful and it is highly valuable as a piece of art.
Installation Effect: [Automatic Healing] Lv 4
――――――――――
Among various items, my attention was particularly drawn to two. The Cloak of Concealment possessed an effect that hindered detection, while the Healing Carpet had healing properties. From this, it was clear that the Nadeus tribe skillfully made use of their dyeing techniques in their daily lives.
I’ve always wondered how Alvy, who doesn’t have the strength to fight, is able to get so close to Shiratsuki. The answer lay in the Cloak of Concealment. By merely wearing it, one could become hard to detect, granting a level of stealth that only Ruby could sense among us.
It was likely that the Nadeus tribe’s settlement was hidden using a technique similar to that of the Cloak of Concealment. Its large scale and advanced magic were probably why even Ruby could not detect it. This explanation made sense.
Furthermore, the connection between the Cloak of Concealment and the Healing Carpet was that both were dyed using techniques passed down through generations. The fact that the same technique was used in both the cloak, which was employed outside the settlement, and the carpet, likely used within, meant that their dyeing techniques were applied across various aspects of their lives. The ability to imbue items with various effects through mere dyeing was a technique I desperately wanted to learn.
“I’m sorry about that. The meat that girl gave me tasted so good when I grilled it, but the aroma filled the air, and the women started saying they wanted some too after I explained the situation.”
“It actually works out for us this way too. The ingredient was difficult to preserve, and I was wondering what to do with the leftovers. Thanks to you, it looks like we won’t have to waste any.”
“Did you plan this all along?”
“I’d like to say that’s true, but that’s not the case. I was just hoping that someone would take an interest in us, which would be fortunate.”
The reason I offered meat to Alvy twice was in hopes that it would be the first step in showing the Nadeus tribe that we could be beneficial to them. A way to effectively make use of premium meat that would otherwise go to waste, right?
So, I never expected an immediate response today. The situation hasn’t taken a turn for the worse, so let’s consider it a win.
“I hope we can gradually deepen our exchanges.”
“I see your point. But there sure are a variety of races among you. Are all wanderers like you guys?”
“Hahaha, not at all. If anything, it’s more common to encounter humans and elves among wanderers.”
“Humans …huh.”
It had been an offhand remark on my part, but as soon as the word “humans” was uttered, Muno’s expression turned grim. I wondered why. Although their customs were different from those of the people of the Luxresia continent, they were humans nonetheless.
“Did I say something to offend you?”
“No, that’s not it. Tell me, Isam. How do the Nadeus tribe appear to you?”
“How, you ask? Well… perhaps as a people who have managed to adapt to this dangerous land?”
“That’s not what I mean. I’m talking about physical appearance.”
“Physical appearance? Apart from the unique face paint, you look no different from the humans on the other continents.”
“…Is that so? You don’t seem to be lying, so it must be true.”
With a deep sigh, Muno’s expression changed from stern to one that seemed tired and somewhat sad. What could have been the meaning behind this question?
“Um… Lady Muno?”
“Isam, I hear you’re planning to adventure across this continent?”
“Ah, yes. That’s the plan.”
“Then let me give you a word of caution. Including us, the only beings on this continent are monsters and false humans.”
“False… Humans? You mean…!”
“Exactly as you imagine. We are not humans. We are a race that was modified by humans long ago… the Scarred, people that were forsaken by the goddess.”
Muno spoke in a calm tone. She didn’t say it in a loud voice or in an intimidating manner. Yet for some reason, I couldn’t say anything and found myself almost nervously swallowing my saliva.
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