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Chapter 2 â—† To Jimna Village
"Good morning, Ceres-kun."
Shizuko-san was lying naked beside me.
"Mmm, good morning..."
She said it, but it wasn’t morning anymore—it had already turned into night. Soon, it’d be time to sleep again.
Maybe it’s because our bodies are so compatible, but we’d been at it for nearly twenty-four hours.
Looking at Shizuko-san gazing at me on the disheveled bed, I felt a slight twinge of embarrassment, but at the same time, a sense of relief finally welled up inside me, confirming that everything up until now had been real.
She must be exhausted by now, though.
"Shizuko-san, you can just stay there and rest. I’ll make something to eat."
"How about we tidy up the bed first and take a shower? I mean, we’re all sweaty and... well, sticky."
It’s true we’d worked up a sweat, but somehow it felt oddly pleasant.
"It smells like Shizuko-san, so I’m fine staying like this a little longer."
"Oh, come on! Don’t say such embarrassing things—let’s just take a shower already!"
With that, Shizuko-san grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the bathroom.
"I’ll miss it a little," I muttered under my breath.
"If you like my scent that much, I’ll let you have it again, so don’t make that lonely face," she said shyly.
Her bashful expression was so adorable that I instantly perked up again, and we ended up doing it right there in the shower.
"Young people are amazing... doing it like that again... ah... no, maybe it’s just Ceres-kun who’s amazing," she said, panting.
It felt like my youthful body was dragging my mind along with it.
I’d thought I could act a bit more calmly, but my body kept reacting to Shizuko-san.
If I thought about it rationally, I was in the prime of my teenage years, a body that until recently had been a virgin.
And the woman in front of me was my "first love and ideal woman." There was no way I could calm down that easily.
Was I really this much of a lust-driven guy?
Even counting my past life, I’d say "no."
It’s probably just that we’re incredibly compatible. That’s the only way I can explain it.
Because Shizuko-san accepts all of me, it makes it even harder to settle down.
In the end, we didn’t leave the bathroom until another two hours had passed.
"Sorry about that."
"Being desired as a woman makes me happy, but honestly, I’m completely worn out now. Let’s cool off for a bit."
"Yeah, you’re right."
With that, Shizuko-san started tidying up the bathroom and the bed.
I, as originally planned, headed to the kitchen to start cooking.
With the ingredients on hand, I could make an omelette rice and some soup. Simple to whip up and quick to eat—perfect.
I fried some rice substitute with ham and onions in homemade ketchup.
Next, I cooked beaten eggs in a pan until they were soft and fluffy, breaking them up a bit with chopsticks, then draped them over the ketchup rice like a blanket. After shaping it nicely and plating it, I wrote "Shizuko" in ketchup and drew a heart around it—done!
A love-filled omelette rice, complete!
"Shizuko-san, food’s ready!"
"You’re as efficient as ever, huh? Oh, you made omelette rice! That takes me back. Still, Ceres-kun, you always make these fancy dishes, don’t you? I could never pull that off. Hehe, there’s even a heart mark! I’m so happy."
Ketchup and mayonnaise aren’t things you can find unless you go to a big city.
They’re not that hard to make, but alongside soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce, they’re lumped together as "otherworldly seasonings" and sold as luxury condiments.
I don’t know how to make soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce, but ketchup and mayonnaise? I can recreate those just fine.
"Let’s eat before it gets cold... Itadakimasu!"
"Itadakimasu."
I said we should eat, but I ended up resting my cheek on my hand, watching Shizuko-san eat with a delighted expression.
I used to hear housewives say things like "There’s no satisfaction in it" or "It’s not worth the effort," but coming to this world, I finally get it.
Cooking for Zect and Maria, who never showed any gratitude, versus cooking for Shizuko-san—it’s a completely different feeling.
Seeing Shizuko-san eat so happily makes me want to cook for her again, but with Zect and the others, it was more like "I guess I have to."
It’s night and day.
I’d never even think of writing a heart mark for Maria and the others.
"You’re staring at me again. Aren’t you going to eat?"
"Sorry, I just got caught up admiring you."
"Hehe, oh, you! Saying things like that again. So, what do you want to do next? If there’s something you want to do, I’ll help and support you!"
Something I want to do, huh?
I might not have anything left.
My adventurer rank is S—not as high as Zect’s, but one of only thirty people at the top in this world.
If I could just take Shizuko-san as my wife and live a lazy life, that’d be enough for me.
"I’m so happy right now that this might already be enough."
If anything, I sometimes wonder about Zect and the others out of some lingering paternal instinct, but since they’re the ones who kicked me out, I don’t need to worry about them.
"Not having anything I want to do"—maybe that’s the problem.
"If Ceres-kun doesn’t have anything he wants to do, how about we go back to the village for a bit? I kind of want to give Sector a little punishment... hehe, is that a bad idea?"
Meeting Shizuko-san made me forget, but I’d been thinking, "Maybe I’ll go back to the village, live a quiet rural life, and keep being an adventurer."
I’d completely let it slip my mind.
Going back to my hometown, Jimna Village, for a while might not be a bad idea.
"I forgot about it after meeting Shizuko-san, but I was thinking of returning to Jimna Village to take it easy for a while. If Shizuko-san wants to go, it’s perfect timing."
"Really? Then let’s head back to our hometown for now."
"We can figure out the rest later."
And so, we decided to return to Jimna Village for the time being.
◆◆◆
Meanwhile, Zect and the others...
"Rida, why don’t we have any money?"
"Zect, don’t ask me that—I don’t know!"
"Could it be that Ceres ran off with it or something?"
"Maria, Ceres wouldn’t do that. He’s the type whose only redeeming quality is his honesty."
"Oh, Mel, I was kidding! Just a joke."
Before we knew it, our funds had dwindled so much that we were struggling with daily life.
No one managing the money? That’s the worst.
With no other choice, we went to the adventurer’s guild to ask about it.
"The church hasn’t been sending money?"
"Yes, we looked into it as Zect-sama requested, and that seems to be the case."
Even the receptionist just tilted her head in confusion.
That’s strange—this has never happened before.
"Got it. I’ll check with the church."
With no other option, I took the three of them to the church.
When we arrived, we were quickly shown to a reception room where a man who seemed high-ranking, likely a priest given his flashy attire, came to meet us.
"The money hasn’t been deposited? The hero-sama’s matters are top priority, so that shouldn’t happen. Let me look into it."
"Please do—we’re in trouble here!"
"Zect-sama... there haven’t been any documents submitted."
"Documents? What’s that?"
I’ve never heard of anything like that.
"It’s the itinerary plan and the funding request forms."
"What are those?"
According to the priest, we’re supposed to submit detailed reports like "We’re in this situation now, so please send money" or "We’re doing this kind of subjugation, so we need funds for equipment." Only then would the money be sent.
"I’ve never written anything like that. Have any of you?"
All three shook their heads.
"Hold on a moment... It seems someone else submitted documents with the hero-sama’s signature on them. The proxy writer’s name is listed as Ceres-sama."
My signature? Oh! That’s right.
I vaguely remember Ceres saying, "I need your signature for something to submit to the church."
"That? Was that important?"
"Even for us at the church, we can’t do anything if we don’t know how much support to provide."
I wrote up the documents on the spot and received six gold coins (about 600,000 yen).
It’d cover immediate living expenses, but it felt like a pitifully small amount.
"This feels kind of stingy..."
"This is the bare minimum monthly living expense for the hero-sama’s party. You can also claim additional expenses or rewards based on achieved goals. Without those, this is the amount."
"Got it. We’ll be more careful from now on. Mel, listen to the details and take care of it from here."
"Why do I have to do that...?"
"You’re the sage. You’re the smartest one here—it’s only natural, right?"
"Fine, I get it."
Wait, those documents—it’s a stack thick enough to be a few books!
Mel’s face went pale.
"Mel, is it that bad?"
"I can do it, sure, but this is as tough as the village chief’s petitions to the lord! If I’m doing this, I want to be exempt from other chores."
"Mel, that’s not fair, is it? Ceres handled those documents and still did all the grunt work."
"Then why don’t you do it, Rida!? You can read and write too. Or Maria! I’ll take on the chores instead—I really don’t want to do this!"
Mel was making a fuss, so Maria and I peeked at the documents. One glance, and we knew it was a nightmare.
"Mel, fine. Just focus on that."
"Alright... Reports about money are such a pain! Why does it have to be so complicated? Later, everyone tell me what you’ve bought recently and how much it cost! Zect, you need to tell me your short-term goals and how they tie into defeating the demon king too!"
"Got it."
In the face of Mel’s intensity, that’s all I could say.
◆◆◆
"Rida... can’t we do something about this?"
"If you don’t like my cooking, make Maria do it, or you do it yourself, Zect. Mel’s exempt, so..."
Rida replied sulkily.
Her usual cheerful vibe was nowhere to be found.
"I’m not complaining... Rida’s still better than me."
Maria was shoveling food into her mouth like it was a chore, not a meal.
"It’s better than you or Maria burning everything, right? My cooking’s at least edible."
"Rida, my bad."
Right now, Rida’s the only one among us who can cook.
And even then, all she can do is slap salt on meat and grill it or make a salty soup.
Maria and I are worse—Maria somehow turns everything into charcoal.
"I want Ceres’s omelette rice."
"Ceres’s hamburgers were amazing."
"Hey, Maria, Mel, don’t say that! It’s rude to Rida."
"It’s fine, it’s fine! I miss Ceres’s ketchup-y Neapolitan too, you know."
You can find food like Ceres made if you go to town.
But it’s only at high-end places, and even for the four of us, it’d easily cost two silver coins (about 20,000 yen).
And even then, some of those fancy places aren’t as good as Ceres.
"No choice—let’s eat out tomorrow."
"""Sure (let’s do it)."""
Even so, it probably won’t taste as good as Ceres’s cooking.
After some discussion, I didn’t want to wash women’s underwear or clothes, so Maria took over laundry duty. I ended up handling inn bookings, shopping, and other arrangements.
How are we supposed to focus on subjugation like this...? It’s not just me—those three must feel the same way.
◆◆◆
This can’t go on—I really mean it.
Day by day, everyone’s getting messier.
Maria and Mel’s hair is a total disaster.
I asked Rida, the only one still looking decent, about it.
"Well, of course it’s impossible."
"Impossible? Why? I’ve been buying everything from skincare to shampoo."
"For hair, I just tie mine back, so as long as I wash it well, I’m fine. But those two had Ceres drying and styling their hair to their liking... They can’t do it themselves, so of course it’s a mess."
Ceres again, huh?
At this rate, we won’t even be able to travel properly.
Everyone’s going to burn out if we don’t do something... This is bad.
Guess I’ve got no choice but to swallow my pride and ask for help.
First, we decided to consult the church.
Heroes and saintesses are said to be emissaries of the goddess. Surely, they’d lend us an ear.
I mustered up the courage to speak with the priest.
"If it’s just within the city, that’s one thing, but accompanying you on a dangerous journey would be difficult."
It seemed the church could help with daily needs in town, but when I pressed for details, their suggestion was, "Why not just live at the church?"
When I told Maria about it, she flat-out refused.
"Listen, the church values a simple life! You hardly ever get meat, the beds are hard, and you basically have to do everything yourself. Things are still better than that right now!"
Maria clenched her fists and rejected it with all her might.
Come to think of it, she did spend two weeks at the church training her healing skills.
If Maria says it, it’s probably true.
The church is a no-go.
That leaves the adventurer’s guild next...
We’re a hero’s party.
And S-rank adventurers to boot.
When we asked, the receptionist listened to us right away, but...
"A request, you say? You don’t need adventurers for things in town—just handle it at the shops! That’s what everyone does. If it’s outside the city, it’d probably cost more than four gold coins a day (about 400,000 yen)."
"That’s way too expensive!"
"It’s for assisting an S-rank party. Considering they’d need to protect themselves, anyone below B-rank wouldn’t cut it. If you want it cheaper, maybe buy a slave."
"Ah, sorry for bothering you."
I must’ve been pretty panicked at that point.
After that, I went to the church asking for a slave and got scolded.
In the end, we couldn’t find a way to fill the hole Ceres left behind.
◆◆◆
On our way back to Jimna Village, I’d always thought traveling was such an inconvenient thing...
Back when I was an adventurer, traveling with four people, inns were just places to crash—never really felt comfortable.
But with Ceres-kun, even staying at a simple inn feels completely different!
It’s amazing—every day is just too much fun.
"Shizuko-san, you’re in such a good mood. Did something happen?"
"It’s because of you, Ceres-kun! Hehe."
He calls it a "morning shampoo."
Ceres-kun washes my hair with his special homemade shampoo, then dries it with wind magic while brushing it.
It feels so good.
I can say with confidence that there’s probably no husband out there who’d do this.
I’d bet on it.
I heard the village chief’s son and his wife get along well, but that’s nothing compared to this.
There’s no way I wouldn’t be in a great mood.
" Hearing you say that makes me really happy. It feels rewarding."
Honestly, that idiot son of mine and his friends are so rude.
I don’t like badmouthing other people’s kids, but to think they never even said thank you despite all Ceres-kun did for them.
If Haruka saw this, she’d definitely slap them.
Even I’d give Zect a good knuckle to the head.
"Thank you so much, it felt amazing."
"Good to hear. I’ll go prep breakfast, so use the toner. It’s the same way I showed you last time."
"Got it."
This toner is incredible.
It soaks into my skin and feels so nice.
Ceres-kun makes it himself, blending herbs and medicinal plants from scratch.
I always thought he was a "good kid," but he’s gotten even more impressive.
After finishing with the toner, there’s even a homemade cologne waiting for me.
It’s got this refreshing herbal scent that lifts my spirits.
"Shizuko-san, breakfast is ready."
We take turns cooking, but... isn’t that strange?
Most men wouldn’t bother.
Sector and Zect would shamelessly ask, "Is food ready yet?" even when I was bedridden with a fever, forcing me to cook.
No consideration at all.
But Ceres-kun?
"Let me cook too—I want to see Shizuko-san’s happy face."
Who says stuff like that? And he’s young and handsome to boot. How could I not smile?
With this blissful lifestyle, there’s no way I wouldn’t be in a good mood.
"Mmm, it’s so sweet and delicious... it’s like eating at a fancy restaurant."
"French toast, chicken and veggie tomato soup, and river fish meunière—it’s totally a shortcut meal. I can’t do anything too fancy at an inn, so you’re overpraising me, Shizuko-san."
"No way! You always, always amaze me, Ceres-kun."
"For me, the food you make tastes nostalgic and I love it more."
"Really? If that’s all it takes, I’ll make it for you anytime."
"Then I’ll look forward to lunch."
"Hehe, leave it to me. I’ll put my all into it."
I’ve always lived with a smile.
Even when things were tough, smiling was the better option.
That’s what Sayo taught me.
But those were fake smiles—rarely from the heart.
With Ceres-kun, though, it’s completely different.
Every day, I’m happy from the bottom of my soul. Kind, passionate in bed—there’s no woman who wouldn’t fall for this.
I can smile genuinely because it’s so much fun.
Sector and Zect don’t matter anymore.
I’m probably not a mother anymore.
If Zect and Ceres-kun were both dying, I’d choose Ceres-kun without hesitation.
I’m his woman, after all.
"I’m really looking forward to it."
"Leave it to me."
There’s no one more precious than Ceres-kun, who smiles at me like that.
◆◆◆
"One for all, and all for one!"
We swore to share our joys, our sorrows—everything.
If it’s Ceres-kun...
Well, everyone liked him, so it’ll be fine.
They’ll be shocked, I bet.
◆◆◆
"Ceres-kun, you’re incredible!"
"Well, I can manage this much."
As he said that, Ceres-kun tossed an Ogre King and thirty other ogres into his storage pouch.
That shy smile of his was so cute and lovable.
"Ceres-kun, you’re really strong!"
S-rank means someone beyond the scope of A-rank, plain and simple.
They say there are about thirty S-ranks in the world, but S-rank just means surpassing A-rank—there’s no other common thread.
So, it could be someone just a bit above A-rank or a monster who’d take fifty A-ranks to even scratch. They’re all S-rank.
All my old party members were former S-ranks, but even in our prime, we weren’t this absurdly strong.
Sure, I could take an Ogre King one-on-one, but with thirty other ogres? Even with all four of us, we’d likely get wiped out.
And he did it alone...
Is he really weaker than Zect?
"I had to hunt a lot to earn money solo."
"Ceres-kun, why’d you need to worry about money when you were in the hero’s party?"
"Even though it was a party, it wasn’t the four core roles, so we didn’t get support funds. I had to tag along at my own expense."
"So, you were joining Zect and the others in their demon king fight while taking on separate quests to cover your own living costs... Is that it?"
"Yeah, pretty much. No choice."
Did he go that far because we asked him to look after our kids?
From what I’ve heard, he was juggling two roles and still got stuck with all the housework. That must’ve been rough.
"That’s because we asked you, right? I’m so sorry..."
"There’s no need for you to apologize, Shizuko-san. I decided to stick with them as a friend—not just as a father figure—because I wanted to."
"That’s a relief to hear. Sorry, and thank you."
"It’s fine, really. I followed them because I wanted to."
"So, Ceres-kun, what’s the biggest thing you’ve ever hunted?"
If he can wipe out an Ogre King and its pack, he’s got to have taken down some serious stuff.
"Dragon types, I guess? Wyverns, earth dragons, rock dragons, water dragons. Those feel like the biggest."
"Uh... you hunted stuff that big, and you’re really weaker than Zect and them?"
"I don’t really know. I didn’t want to mess up their four-person coordination, so I just cleared out the small fry from a distance. I’m not sure, but since they’re the hero’s party, they’re probably stronger than me!"
"I see. But if you’ve hunted dragons, why aren’t you a ‘Dragonslayer’?"
"We were always moving from one journey to the next with the hero’s party, so I didn’t have time to claim medals or titles."
"I’m so sorry... Let’s check on that next time."
"Yeah, sounds good."
I’ve heard some heroes were so weak they couldn’t even take down a dragon type.
If you think about it that way, I don’t see much of a gap between him and Zect.
Ceres-kun’s S-rank strength is on a whole other level.
◆◆◆
At Shizuko-san’s suggestion, we stopped by the adventurer’s guild in a town on the way to Jimna Village.
When we checked, it turns out I’m still registered with the hero’s party.
"But I talked it out with Zect, the hero, and we parted on good terms."
"From the guild’s perspective, we haven’t received a withdrawal form signed by both Zect-sama and you, Ceres-sama, so your registration remains active. The accounts are managed separately, and there’s no interference, so it’s fine to leave it as is, right? There shouldn’t be any issues."
"If there’s no downside, I don’t mind. I might never see Zect again, but that’s still okay?"
"In this situation, there’s no problem at all."
But that’s weird.
If that’s the case, how am I in a party with Shizuko-san?
"Um, but is it fine that I’m in a party with other people?"
"Huh!? Wait a sec. Oh, I see! No issue there. You’re listed as a separate unit of ‘The Light of Hope.’ Didn’t the staff mention registering a party name when you formed it?"
"Now that you mention it, I don’t think they asked."
"That’s because it’s registered as a separate unit."
"So what’s Shizuko-san’s status then? We haven’t talked to Zect about it."
"Since you’re the leader of the separate unit, Ceres-sama, there’s no problem. Officially, it’d be ‘The Light of Hope Separate Unit Leader: Ceres’ and ‘The Light of Hope separate Unit Member: Shizuko.’"
Does that mean the hero’s party privileges still apply?
"What about the hero’s party privileges?"
"Those privileges stick with you once you’ve been part of the party, period. Normally, people only leave a hero’s party if they die or can’t fight anymore. Neither the kingdom nor the guild would strip privileges from someone like that."
True, hardly anyone leaves a hero’s party with a functioning body.
"So that means I’m part of the hero’s party too?"
"Technically, you’re with the separate unit. The closest analogy would be Ceres-sama’s subordinate, independent from the main group... Oh! Also, a Dragonslayer title application was submitted at a previous guild, and it’s been approved."
"Normally, don’t you get that directly from the king or pope along with a medal?"
"Since you were traveling with the hero’s party, they made a special exception and approved it informally. We’ll add it to your adventurer’s card later, so you can use the title starting today. The ceremony might happen after Zect-sama defeats the demon king, but the reward money will be deposited later. Looks like the rock dragon payment is included too."
"That’s amazing, Ceres-kun! While we’re at it, have any other members hunted dragon types?"
"Zect-sama took down a wyvern, a sub-dragon, and Rida-sama did the same solo, but since they’re sub-dragons, they don’t qualify for the Dragonslayer title. In the last few years, it’s just you, Ceres-sama! Congratulations!"
"Hmm, so Zect took down a wyvern? He’s gotten a little better."
"Even if you’re close, he’s a hero—better add ‘-sama’! You’re a guerrilla unit, after all."
"Shizuko-san is Zect’s mom, so I think it’s fine. What do you say?"
"His mother!? My apologies!"
"Hehe, it’s fine. I’m Ceres-kun’s lover now, anyway."
The receptionist lady dropped her pen.
"Huh? But Shizuko-sama is Ceres-sama’s slave, right?"
"Well, hehe, maybe a ‘love slave’?"
"Ceres-sama... what’s going on here?"
Why do I have to explain this to a receptionist I just met?
But since we’ve come this far, I figured I might as well clear it up properly.
With no choice, I explained everything that’d happened.
"That Sector guy, your dad, is a real enemy of women! I get the situation now. The guild can’t do much, but I’ll make sure it’s recorded properly. So, here’s a suggestion for you two lovebirds—how about a ‘Guild Marriage’?"
"No way, me? An old lady like me... hehe, it’s embarrassing."
Shizuko-san seems to know what it is.
She’s blushing and squirming—it’s cute, so it’s fine.
"What’s a Guild Marriage?"
"It’s marriage! You register with the guild that you’re married. The church is the traditional route, but lately, adventurers pick this for convenience. It makes notifications and account management easier too."
Shizuko-san’s face is bright red, and I’ve already decided she’s my wife, so it might be a good way to make it official.
It’s like "getting registered" in my past life.
"If Shizuko-san’s okay with it, I want to do a Guild Marriage?"
"Um... really? I’m quite a bit older... This is official, you know. You won’t regret it?"
"No regrets! I fell for you first, after all."
"True. Okay, please marry me in a Guild Marriage... Now I’m the main wife."
"Gladly."
Wait, did Shizuko-san just say something weird? Oh well, whatever.
"Congratulations! I bless you from the bottom of my heart!! So, the registration fee is two silver coins, and how about matching rings? They’re trending among adventurers right now—one gold coin for the pair."
This receptionist is a real hustler.
Shizuko-san looks like she wants them, so why not?
"Then let’s get the rings too!"
"Thank you! Now, please put them on each other."
We hesitantly held out our hands and slid the rings on.
Maybe they’re enchanted—they adjusted to the perfect size automatically.
"Congratulations! Now, please sign these documents."
"I’ll go first... Here you go."
"Hehe, my turn next."
As we signed, the realization hit—we’re married.
I glanced around and noticed adventurers at the tavern and counter staring at us silently.
Why?
"If you’d like, how about treating everyone at the tavern? Just a round of ale will get you blessings from everyone... Uh, that’d be five silver coins total!"
This receptionist is really good at business.
Shizuko-san’s happy, so I can’t say no.
Fine, I’ll go all out.
"Everyone! I’m not stingy enough to just offer one ale! Drink as much as you want today—I’m leaving five gold coins, so take care of it, miss!"
"It’s Ceres-sama and Shizuko-sama’s wedding celebration—they’re treating you all! The place is yours today—give them your blessings!"
"""Congratulations on your marriage!"""
"""Be happy, you smooth-talker!"""
"""Shizuko-san, Ceres-san, may you be happy forever!"""
We left the guild amid everyone’s cheers.
The receptionist got the better of me, but with Shizuko-san clinging to my arm, beaming—yeah, it was a cheap price to pay.
◆◆◆
And so, we arrived at Jimna Village.
Shizuko-san’s smile had been fading a bit before we got here.
Of course—Sector, the man who sold her, is here.
As soon as we arrived, we went to greet the village chief, Najim-sama.
In a village, unless a noble steps in, the chief is like a king.
As long as you’re in village society, their authority is absolute.
It’s the same in Jimna Village.
That’s why greeting the chief first is standard practice in village life.
By the way, the name Najim, tied to the village, is a tradition passed down to each new chief.
"It’s been a while, Najim-sama."
"Indeed, it has."
Shizuko-san and I greeted him together.
"Shizuko-san, you’re alive? Sector told me you’d died!? And Ceres, is it okay for you to leave Zect and the others? ...I’m glad to see you, but did something happen?"
After my parents died, the village raised me, an orphan.
A kid without parents not getting sold off and living peacefully is a big deal in this world. That alone shows how prosperous this village is.
"Shizuko-san, should I explain?"
"No, it’s fine. I’ll do it..."
Shizuko-san calmly recounted what had happened to her.
She’s strong.
I really thought so.
Hearing her story, Najim-sama’s eyes shifted from casual to deadly serious.
"I see, that must’ve been rough... That rotten criminal. If he were here, I’d cut off his dominant arm and banish him, but sadly, he’s not in this village."
Selling a wife or kid when you’re truly desperate is begrudgingly accepted in most villages.
But selling them into slavery when you’ve got money? That’s a crime in almost every village. In Jimna Village, which even took care of an orphan like me, it’s an even graver sin.
"What happened to Sector?"
"Nothing big... That fool didn’t pay his taxes. The lord took him away. That’s it."
Hearing that, Shizuko-san froze, then burst into laughter.
"Hehe, haha! So that’s what happened, huh? Haa, hehe!"
"Shizuko-san, hold it together."
"Shizuko-san, you okay?"
For a while, she laughed like she’d lost her mind—unlike her usual self.
But she quickly regained her composure.
"I’m fine now. Haa, sorry for losing it. So that’s it... I wanted to punch him once, but since he’s fallen into a worse hell on his own, I’ll let it go. Sorry you had to see me like that."
"It’s fine, I understand how you feel... But you’re happy now, right? Snagging a young catch like that at your age."
"Oh, I’m terrifyingly happy."
"Course you are. And Ceres, wow, you’re something else. Those things you said as a kid weren’t just ‘childish nonsense.’ Never thought you’d actually marry her. Haha, a hero in a different sense!"
This world doesn’t have a term like "older wife."
There are plenty of couples where the man’s older and the woman’s young, but the reverse—older woman, younger man—is almost unheard of. Even marrying a woman three years older gets you family backlash like, "Why’d you pick her?"
"Najim-sama, here."
I handed him a pouch with sixty gold coins and another with twenty.
"Sorry to trouble you."
"I’ve left the hero’s party, but thanks to everyone here, I’ve been able to live as an adventurer. This is my gratitude."
"What’re you saying? I think of you like a grandson. No need to worry about that. Use Sector’s old house freely after he left. This is your hometown—stay as long as you like, both of you."
"Thank you so much."
"Hehe, thank you."
"It’s a busy time right now, but when you leave, I’ll throw a little farewell party. It’s late today, so go home and relax."
"Thank you again."
"Thank you, Najim-sama."
"You must be tired from the long trip. Rest up. Though, newlyweds might end up ‘tiring’ yourselves out more, huh? Hahaha!"
Blushing, Shizuko-san held my hand as we left the chief’s house.
◆◆◆
Village society in this world "sympathizes with misfortune but doesn’t celebrate success"—it’s a place of envy, in a way.
Take a young guy becoming a merchant.
If he fails and comes back, they’ll console him.
But if he succeeds and returns without giving back to the village, they’ll resent him.
That’s why a gift is necessary.
The sixty gold coins are for the village.
Najim-sama will likely say, "Ceres donated this for the village!" and everyone will welcome us warmly, saying, "That’s our Ceres!"
That way, no one will criticize me and Shizuko-san for getting married.
Without that money, though?
"An old hag seducing a young guy—shameless."
"Why’s he with that old woman?"
Stuff like that would fly around.
Since I’ve succeeded as an adventurer, I’ve got to watch out for envy.
The twenty gold coins are for the chief.
That makes me "a grandson he’s proud of."
Most folks here never leave and live as farmers, so hurting their pride would be a disaster.
That said, "the people of this village were so kind to me as a kid." So I always thought I’d bring a gift if I ever came back.
I’m actually relieved Sector self-destructed.
I can’t forgive him for selling precious Shizuko-san, but even a jerk like him took me and Zect fishing when he felt like it. I’ve got a few good memories.
But Sector’s probably done for.
Not paying taxes means he’ll be sent to the mines as a temporary slave.
He’ll likely work there for years, and even if he comes back, there’s no place for him here.
If a villager can’t pay taxes, the chief covers it, and they pay it back over time.
That’s normal.
But Sector didn’t do that, meaning he was hated by everyone.
Zect became a hero and made a fortune.
Yet he gave nothing back to the village and spent it all on himself.
Falling from grace while envied? No one’s going to help him.
Sector’s life is over.
◆◆◆
"Shizuko-san, feel settled now?"
"Yeah, I’m fine. I’m so happy right now. Hehe, like the chief said, I snagged a young catch."
"If we’re saying that, I’m the one who caught you, Shizuko-san. Took a while, though."
"Hehe, true."
"We can finally take a bath and relax tonight."
"Hehe, just relax? Don’t we need to do that ‘tiring stuff’ the chief mentioned?"
True, we’ve been camping for a while, so it’s been a bit.
"Then I won’t let you sleep tonight."
"Hehe, then I won’t let you sleep either."
Maybe because it’d been a while, we both got carried away, and before we knew it, it was morning.
◆◆◆
This is fine.
No matter how awful Sector was, both Shizuko-san and I have memories with him.
If we’d taken revenge, we wouldn’t be smiling like this.
Yeah, this is good enough.
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