Short Story 2: Ceres' village

My name is Najim.

I serve as the village chief of Jimna Village.

Recently, Ceres, whom I dote on like a grandson, gifted me a slave to care for me in my old age.

Though, calling her a slave isn’t quite right—according to Ceres, he arranged a wife for me.

He was worried about the future of us widowers.

What a kind boy.

And so, the wife he arranged for me is Nagi-san.

Her name is just one character different from mine, and she’s an astonishingly beautiful woman.

She looks no older than seventeen or eighteen.

The elven race is truly remarkable.

To think she’s as old as I am—it’s hard to believe.

“Shall I prepare some tea?”

“If you could, perhaps a bit later would be fine. Kazina and Kasim will be coming soon, and of course, Surt-san and Terea-san will join them. Since we’re all here, let’s have a simple tea party.”

“That sounds lovely. Just the six of us, spending the day sipping tea and chatting. That’s quite nice, isn’t it?”

“Aye, these ordinary moments are the best.”

Despite their youthful appearances, Nagi-san and the others are quite advanced in age.

I don’t pry, but given they were sold as slaves, they must have led tumultuous lives.

That’s why their words carry such weight.

“I truly agree.”

A little later, Kazina and Kasim arrived at my home, accompanied by Surt-san and Terea-san.

Nagi-san prepared tea, and I brought out some special baked sweets Ceres had given me.

These sweets are cookies, handmade by Ceres himself.

After taking a sip of tea, Nagi-san smiled and spoke.

“Najim-sama, this village is truly wonderful. It’s surrounded by abundant nature, yet it even has plumbing, so there’s no need to fetch water from a well. I was amazed.”

“That’s not all. Many of the roads are paved, so they don’t turn to mud even in the rain. It’s impressive, isn’t it?”

“It’s so convenient while still preserving nature. I was astonished.”

Nagi-san, Surt-san, and Terea-san spoke with awe, but it’s not that remarkable.

Most of these improvements came from Ceres’ suggestions and his money.

While adventuring, he sends funds back and proposes ways to improve the village.

He’s truly invaluable to the village.

“In truth, much of this wasn’t our doing. A lot of it came from Ceres’ ideas and funding.”

“Aye, that boy is always thinking of the village’s well-being.”

“In Mister Jimna Village, no one has contributed more than Ceres.”

It’s not just me—even the prickly Kazina and Kasim sing his praises.

It’s only natural, given Ceres’ actions.

“Ceres-sama is indeed a remarkable person. I thought he was extraordinary from the moment we met, but to this extent…”

“He listened to us so earnestly and introduced me to Kasim-sama.”

“Indeed, Kazina-sama speaks so highly of him.”

“He’s a truly fine young man. If he stayed in the village, we could skip a generation and make him the next village chief without issue.”

“But he’s become an S-rank adventurer. That’s impossible.”

“It’d be a pity to tie him to the village. That’s why we dropped the idea.”

“That explains it. You two seem like a real grandfather and grandson.”

“I saw it that way too.”

“Same here.”

“Honestly, he’s more than a real grandson. My actual grandchildren don’t care for me this much.”

“Ceres is the village’s darling.”

“There were plenty of us, myself included, who wanted to adopt Ceres, but it’d have caused a tug-of-war, so we left it be.”

Even when he left the village, he was thinking of us.

He worried about our old age and even arranged wives to care for us.

“He’s such a good boy, isn’t he?”

“I bet he’d be popular even in an elven settlement.”

“It’s no wonder so many wanted to adopt him.”

“That brings me to something. We want to do something for Ceres too. Can you help us think of ideas?”

If Ceres is like a grandson, then we’re like his grandparents.

We can’t just keep receiving from him—it’d shame us as stand-in grandparents.

There must be something we can do for him.

◆◆◆

While on my usual village patrol with Nagi-san, I spotted Sectol and Chiwa digging a hole.

“What are you doing, digging a hole out here…?”

“Najim-sama, we’re planning to build a spring here.”

“I’m helping Sectol.”

Even though he’s back from the mines, Sectol must still be struggling with little land.

With Chiwa-san as his wife, life should be tough.

So why are they doing this? A spring?

“Why build a spring here? I don’t understand.”

“Well, after all the stupid things I did, Ceres saved me. I wanted to repay him somehow. Chiwa and I came up with the idea that since Ceres loves the village, we’d make something to keep his name here forever. That’s what led to this.”

“Keep Ceres’ name? What does that have to do with a spring?”

“Right, we’re going to build a spring here and call it ‘Ceres’ Spring.’ That way, his name will live on in the village. If we add a monument for Ceres beside it, it’ll be perfect.”

“I see. But if that’s the case, shouldn’t you have consulted me, the village chief, first?”

“Oh, I completely forgot.”

He seems remorseful.

“Well, fine. Wanting to do something for Ceres is a good motive. I’ll permit it. Do your best.”

“Thank you very much!”

They’re working together harmoniously.

Sectol was a scoundrel, but he genuinely cared for Ceres like a son. There was no falsehood in that.

He’s turned himself around.

It’s fair to think that.

◆◆◆

Next, I visited Kaito’s fields, where he’s farming.

Kaito’s new wife is a young woman named Eleanor.

As village chief, I need to check on new residents.

“How’s it going, Kaito? Getting along with your wife?”

“Najim-sama, as you can see, we’re doing great.”

“Najim-sama, thank you for your hard work.”

They seem to be getting along well.

This looks fine.

“Good, that’s what matters… Well then.”

“Najim-sama, since you’re here, we have something to discuss. Do you have a moment?”

“I have time, but what’s the matter?”

Kaito and Eleanor look at me with serious expressions.

“We’ve been thinking about something and want your advice.”

“Advice? I’ll listen, but is this a long talk?”

“We’ll discuss specifics later, but after talking with Eleanor, we want to establish an Adventurer’s Guild in the village.”

“An Adventurer’s Guild? What for?”

“I’m grateful to Ceres, you know. He loves this village. I thought about what he’d need if he returns someday. As an adventurer, Ceres would need an Adventurer’s Guild.”

“I see. That makes sense. But, Kaito, can you manage an Adventurer’s Guild?”

“That’s no issue. Eleanor’s a former mercenary and knows the Mercenary Guild inside out. The Adventurer’s Guild and Mercenary Guild are similar, just with different affiliations. Since there’s no Adventurer’s Guild here, joining shouldn’t be a problem… It might not be profitable, so I’ll run it alongside farming.”

“I understand. It sounds feasible. So, what’s your request?”

“Well, setting up an Adventurer’s Guild requires the village chief’s approval. Can we ask for that?”

“Is that all? It’s good for Ceres and the village. Why would I refuse?”

“Then we’ll visit tonight with Eleanor to discuss further.”

“Aye, I’ll be waiting.”

Kaito’s a stubborn old man, but he’s upright and deeply caring.

He must’ve seen Ceres as a son and wanted to do something for him.

Now, I just need to check on Shoot and Kazuma to wrap up today’s schedule.

◆◆◆

It’s just past noon.

“Nagi-san, shall we have lunch?”

“Lunch?”

“Aye, there’s only one diner in the village, but it serves delicious food. It’s named after its owner, Kazuma. Let’s go eat there.”

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”

Nagi-san can cook delicious meals, but Kazuma’s food has a different flavor.

Eating at Kazuma’s now and then is nice, right?

We arrive at Kazuma’s diner.

It seems Shoot and Charlotte beat us there, already with Kazuma and Mary.

“Is today’s lunch ready yet?”

“Najim-sama and Nagi-san?!”

“What’s wrong? You’re all staring at me.”

“Well, Najim-sama, Mary and I are planning to head to the capital soon.”

“Ceres told me. You want to test your cooking in the capital, right?”

“That’s right, but before we go, I’m giving some of my recipes to Shoot for free. And…”

“I’m planning to make Ceres Manju and Ceres Monaka at my shop! That’s what we’re discussing.”

What’s that about?

“What are those?”

“Well, Zect’s Hero party will probably make a big name for themselves. But in this village, I think Ceres outshines those four. To honor his contributions, I want to make sweets named after him. I talked it over with Charlotte-san and came to consult Kazuma.”

“Shoot-san said he wanted to do something for Ceres-san. I suggested making a product with his name to turn it into a village specialty.”

“I see. With Kazuma’s diner gone, the village will lose a culinary joy, so leaving recipes is a big help. A specialty would benefit the village, but how does that help Ceres?”

“Najim-sama, Ceres-kun loves this village. He’ll probably return someday. By then, given our ages, we might not be here. So, I want to leave lots of things with Ceres-kun’s name so he won’t feel lonely… That’s what I thought.”

“Shoot, did you talk to Sectol about this?”

“Sectol? No, why?”

“Well, Sectol and Chiwa are building something called ‘Ceres’ Spring.’ I thought you might’ve coordinated.”

“We didn’t, but Sectol probably had the same idea, right?”

“True, Ceres loves this village. Leaving his name here is a fine idea.”

“That’s what Charlotte-san and I thought.”

“It’s a good plan.”

“For me, I want Ceres to enjoy nostalgic flavors whether he returns here or visits the capital. That’s why I’m leaving recipes. It’s small compared to others, but testing myself in the capital is a promise I made to Ceres.”

“I see. Losing Kazuma’s diner is sad, but if that’s the case, it can’t be helped… I’ve heard enough. The village will think of something too. But I’m starving. Can you serve some food?”

“Oh… sorry!”

“For now, two recommended lunches, quick.”

When it comes to Ceres, Shoot and Kazuma are like different people.

Shoot, apathetic except for books and learning.

Kazuma, interested only in cooking.

Yet, when it’s about Ceres, they’re driven to act.

Ceres is truly loved by this village.

◆◆◆

I invited Kazina and Kasim to my home to discuss Ceres.

“I gathered you today for one reason: Ceres.”

“Najim, about what everyone in the village is doing, right?”

“I’ve had several consultations come my way. Of course, I supported them. Are you two doing anything different, Kazina, Kasim?”