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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 378.2: Side Story 2: Memoirs of a Certain Elf: Part 2 Sharp Tongue and Poor Judgement
Chapter 378.2: Side Story 2: Memoirs of a Certain Elf: Part 2 Sharp Tongue and Poor Judgement
This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl
“Ed? How’s it over there?”“Ah, no problem! All good!”
Having traveled together for half a year now, Ed had become completely comfortable with everyone, and his demeanor had changed significantly.
Specifically, he had lost that nervousness. Of course, he was still polite to Alexis and Gonzo, but he no longer excessively humbled himself or acted subservient. Watching Ed grow from a seemingly unreliable boy into a man appropriate for his age was a joy for me.
“Then, since there are no signs of demonic beasts around, I think we should camp here for the night. I’ll handle setting up the tent and cooking…”
“Hmm, then I’ll go gather some dead branches. Alexis, why don’t you hunt for something suitable?”
“Gonzo, are you planning on making me procure food?”
“Would you prefer to collect branches?”
“Ha, fine. Having an extra dish does sound good. Tia, you—”
“Oh, I’ll help Ed here. I’ll also set up a barrier to keep the bugs away.”
“Understood. Let’s go with that.”
With that, Alexis and Gonzo disappear into the forest. So, I start working on setting up the tent with Ed.
“Ed, hold that side.”
“Got it, there!”
“Here!”
Setting up the tent, which was a challenge when we first started, had now become second nature. Especially with someone to help, we quickly erected two impressive tents. All that’s left was to pull out the foldable metal base from Ed’s pack to complete the makeshift stove.
“Hey, I’ve gathered a bunch!”
And there was Gonzo, returning with a mountain of branches. It’s more than we could ever use, but since they were just lying around, it’s fine if we leave the extras.
“Then, Tia. Please.”
“Leave it to me.”
Asked by Ed, I quietly called the spirits. Big spells required proper chanting, but lighting a small fire on some branches didn’t need that. I mumbled a bit, and with a flick of my fingers, the fire I lit easily caught on the branches.
“Hey, Tia. I’ve always wondered, doesn’t that get hot?”
“Eh? Oh, I’m fine. The fire transfers to the branches as normal fire, not magical fire. Unless I’m really distracted, I won’t get burned.”
“Huh. Magic is really convenient, huh?”
“Ed, you can’t use magic, right?”
“Yeah, not really. Seems like I just don’t have the talent for it.”
Saying this, Ed shrugged casually. This slightly theatrical gesture had become one of Ed’s habits that I’ve noticed recently. Alexis and Gonzo don’t point it out, so maybe I’m the only one who notices… Thinking about it that way makes it a bit fun, like I’m keeping a secret.
“Indeed, the lad has very little innate mana. He’s what, twenty… no, twenty-one now? At that age, it’s unlikely he’ll see much growth.”
“Aw, that’s not true. Sure, without more mana, he can’t use strong magic, but with the power he has now, he could still learn simple spells if he tries.”
“That may be true, but… that’s a perspective unique to Elves, who live long lives. Human lives aren’t that long. Pouring one’s heart into something they’re not suited for… it’s not a waste, but it’s inefficient. If he wants to grow as an adventurer, it might be better to cut his losses.”
“Hmm, that seems a bit wasteful… What do you think, Ed? Do you want to use magic?”
“Well, I guess…”
At my question, Ed looked up at the sky, and I followed his gaze. The gaps between the trees were turning quite red, and the early stars were already beginning to shine.
“If I could, I’d like to try it. But like Gonzo-sama said, rather than struggling with something I’m not suited for, I’d rather improve on my strengths.”
“Right. In your case, it would be best to continue honing your swordsmanship. I could teach you healing magic or martial arts…”
“I could teach you spirit magic, but I’m not good enough with a sword to teach anyone. In that sense, you should learn from Alexis.”
“Learn from the hero? That might be a bit…”
“What’s wrong with me?”
At our casual conversation, a slightly sarcastic voice came from a distance. We all looked over to see Alexis, holding a plump rabbit.
“Ah, you’re back. Seems like you’ve caught something.”
“Wow, isn’t that a Killer Rabbit? You did well to defeat it.”
“What do you think I am? There’s no way I, a hero, would be outdone by a mere rabbit.”
“No, no, Killer Rabbits are fierce beasts that leap at you and bite off your neck or limbs! To take on five… I’d be dead if it were more than two.”
“That’s just because you’re weak. Don’t lump a mere porter like you with a hero like me.”
“Haha, well, that’s true.”
Ed laughed off Alexis’s harsh words, but I know it hurts him inside.
Two people per tent, and since Alexis only sleeps with Gonzo, Ed ends up in my tent. That’s how I know. Sometimes at night, Ed has nightmares.
But I pretend not to know. Because a man, not a boy, wouldn’t want others to know he cries or shows weakness.
“Alexis, you always say things like that! That’s not good!”
“That’s right, Alexis. The lad may be weak, but he’s trying. Not everyone can be as strong as you. Don’t forget that.”
“Ugh! Weak…”
“Gonzo too! It’s okay, Ed, I’ll protect you!”
“Ah, haha…”
“Hey, Tia. I think you might be saying the worst things of all?”
“Eh, why?”
“…”
Alexis, who usually had harsh words, looked at me with disbelief. Hmm, I don’t get it.
“I’m an older sister, right!? Then it’s natural for me to protect someone younger, isn’t it? That should be the same for humans and Elves, right?”
“Well, that’s true, but… I’m stumped.”
“Um, Tia? Maybe that’s enough…”
“What? Why am I being made out to be the bad guy? Gonzo, Ed, why are you looking at me like that? Muuuuuuuu!”
“I’m grateful! Really grateful, and I rely on you! Look, I’ll prepare the game quickly and make a delicious meal, so please cheer up!”
“I don’t know! And I’m not in a bad mood! I’m just indignant at being treated unfairly!”
“So, that’s being in a bad mood… no, never mind! Right away! I’ll make it in seconds!”
As I puffed up my cheeks, Ed somehow tried to soothe me. It’s unclear who’s comforting whom. As I huff and puff, the delicious smell of cooking meat wafts over, and Ed offers me a skewer with a wry smile.
“Really. The men in our group are just… oh, this is delicious.”
“Right? It’s perfectly cooked! And here, look!”
He handed me a skewer of meat, cut into bite-sized pieces. Just one bite, and the juicy fat almost made my cheeks fall off. And then, Ed poured a thick, brown, sweet-smelling sauce over it.
“What’s this, it smells sweet…? Wow! Yummy!”
The sweet and spicy sauce is perfect with the freshly grilled meat. Amazing! Delicious! I could eat three… no, four skewers of this!
“Ed, this is delicious! Give me another one!”
“Of course. Here you go.”
“Yay!”
I feel like something was glossed over, but I quickly forget about it. The secret to happiness passed down among Elves, who live many times longer than humans, is to enjoy the present happiness without dwelling on the past.
And so, I went to sleep full and happy, having eaten my fill of delicious food.
