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I Got a New Skill Every Time I Was Exiled, and After 100 Different Worlds, I Was Unmatched (Web Novel) - Chapter 378.1: Side Story 1: Memoirs of a Certain Elf: Part 1 Happy Reminiscence
Chapter 378.1: Side Story 1: Memoirs of a Certain Elf: Part 1 Happy Reminiscence
This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl
(T/N: These are some side stories author wrote when Volume 1 was released, they are set before the events of Volume 1)In the depths of a dark and dense forest, where few dare to tread, amidst the overwhelming presence of nature, there stood a solitary, seemingly out-of-place artifact.
No, to be fair, it wasn’t exactly out-of-place. The handmade-looking house wasn’t grand enough to assert its discordance with the surrounding woods… to put it bluntly, it was modest. Its log walls, entwined with vines and moss, truly seemed a part of the forest itself.
However, stepping inside revealed a different story. The interior, arranged by an adept spirit user, the homeowner, maintained a comfortable temperature, equipped with sturdy cooking tools not easily found in the city, and even magical devices capable of preserving food for long periods. Should a lost thief stumble upon this building, they would likely leap for joy, dreaming of possibilities… before despairing over the long journey back to town.
“Hmm-hmm-hmm…”
Inside this incongruous home, an Elf woman, the homeowner, hummed a tune while cooking. Her hair shone like the bright sun, and her emerald eyes seemed to draw one in. Her skin was flawless, and her long ears, swaying in good spirits, signified her accumulated wisdom.
The young and beautiful Elf woman, Lunaritia, moved her fingers as if dancing, tossing prepared ingredients into a pot of boiling water one after another.
“This should be enough, I guess? Hmm, I’ll need to gather more ingredients later.”
Lunaritia’s cooking skills were average. Neither particularly delicious nor disappointing, she managed to prepare meals that were satisfactory.
In fact, this skill was quite valued among those called adventurers. Being unable to return to town for days meant relying on preserved food, so being able to create “quite tasty” meals was indeed a rare talent. However…
“Mmm, it’s still not right…”
After tasting the thoroughly simmered stew, Lunaritia tilted her head in frustration. She had been attempting to recreate the taste of a dish made by a companion ten years ago, but it just wasn’t working out.
“What’s missing? I’m using the same ingredients…”
The dish was, after all, something eaten while camping. It wasn’t made with special ingredients or complex procedures. If anything, it seemed to have been simmered for a long time, but she had plenty of time at home.
Yet, it still wasn’t the same. While not bad, it never reached the taste of that time, no matter how many times she tried.
“Ah… I guess Ed really was a great cook.”
She muttered the name of a nostalgic person, filled with a hint of sentiment. This was a companion from her travels, and also one she had driven away. Each time she thought of that day, regret piled up in Lunaritia’s heart.
“If only I hadn’t done that back then… would fate have changed?”
It was a meaningless question, yet she couldn’t help but ponder. Those joyful days of travel were Lunaritia’s sole consolation…
—
“Hey, what are you doing? Hurry up and come here!”
“Okay… I’m coming… ah, sigh.”
Approaching was a young human man with hair brighter than mine, clad in impressively beautiful armor. The hero, Alexis, called out, and another boy, staggering towards them, was Ed. A newcomer who had recently joined our party as a porter.
“Come on, lad! Put some spirit into it! If you falter at this, you’ll never be able to keep up with us!”
“I understand… I’ll do my best!”
Ed, a head taller than herself but slender, responded to Gonzo, a muscular man with a fatherly demeanor and a cheerful personality, who always lifted everyone’s spirits with his healing magic and cheerfulness.
“Are you really okay? Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“I’m fine… thank you, Tia-san…”
Feeling concerned, I inquired, and Ed tried to smile and bow, but faltered, almost losing his balance.
“Whoa!?”
“Careful!”
I hurriedly caught his arm, preventing him from falling. Though my body was light, almost feather-like, it seemed I was able to support Ed from falling.
“Ha, what are you doing? If you’re going to be a nuisance to Tia, you really can’t come with us!”
“I’m sorry! I’m okay now, really!”
“Alexis, you don’t have to speak to him like that! I don’t mind—”
“Really! I’m truly okay now!”
Ed desperately interrupted my protest. Though I had issues with Alexis’s attitude, Ed’s words left me speechless.
“Really, Ed… you could stand up for yourself more. Alexis is always like that, but it’s not like he won’t listen…”
“No, I’m really fine! Just being able to accompany you all is…”
“Mmm…”
Lately, Ed had been frustratingly self-deprecating. He was always nervous, seemingly obsessed with “not being abandoned by Alexis,” which honestly irritated me at times.
But Ed was trying his best. No matter what Alexis said, no matter how treacherous the path, even when nearly injured by demonic beasts, he never once said, “I quit.”
“Why do you try so hard, Ed?”
I had asked him once. I had seen many who worked hard or flattered others for the title of being a hero’s companion, but Ed’s efforts clearly went beyond that.
I was curious. What drove this seemingly unreliable yet determined boy to stay with us? To my question, Ed smiled shyly and shared his reason.
“Why? Well, I… I want to go home.”
“Home? So… you can’t go back?”
“Yeah, sort of. It’s quite far, and… on my own, I can’t make it back.”
“Huh. But what does that have to do with following us? Oh, is your home occupied by demonic beasts or the Demon King’s army? If that’s the case, I can talk to Alexis—”
“No, it’s not that! It’s different… I can’t explain it well, but somehow, I feel that if I keep working with the hero, I might eventually be able to return…”
“Mmm, I don’t quite understand. If you explained a bit more, maybe I could help…”
“Ha ha, thank you, Tia-san. But, I’m okay. I’ll make sure to do my best.”
“Really? But if you’re ever in trouble, make sure to tell us. We’re companions, after all.”
“Companions…?”
“Yes, of course. Isn’t that why you’re here? If you say we’re not companions now, I’d be so sad I might cry.”
“Eh? No, please, spare me that, Lunaritia-san!”
“Boo! Tia!”
“Huh?”
“That’s why, Tia! You should call me Tia, remember? And talk to me more casually!”
“But, isn’t that too familiar…?”
“Tia!”
I stared intently into Ed’s eyes. My reflection was clear in his deep black eyes… and finally, as if conceding, Ed let out a small sigh.
“Understood… no, I got it, Tia.”
“Good!”
With a wry smile, Ed conceded, and I, basking in the glow of victory, unwittingly fluttered my ears.
