Volume 4 Chapter 37-2 Reunion and the Smiles of the Hometown
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
A kid spotted Tifi and dashed over, shouting.
In a blink, we were surrounded by a swarm of children.
”Whoa! It’s the mole uncle!”
”And the elf auntie too!”
Lifia and I got caught up in the circle.
As usual, the kids just love Lifia.
Her gentle nature and petite frame must make her easy to approach.
And, well, half-elves are pretty rare around here.
And, of course, I’m stuck with the mole uncle label.
Last time we visited, I helped the kids deal with a pesky horned mole that was trampling the fields.
Ever since, that’s how they’ve come to know me.
I’d rather be called big brother, but…
I’ve given up on that.
”There are new kids too!”
”A magician!”
”Is the red-haired lady a knight?”
Kéa and Yomi drew their interest too.
Still, I wonder if Kéa’s demeanor alone is enough to be recognized as a knight, even in that bikini armor.
I guess her bearing really does have that knightly flair.
”Heheh, indeed I am! I am a knight in service to Milord!”
”Woohoo!”
Kéa, proud as can be, and the kids cheering with glee.
”The magician lady’s got a bouncy butt!”
”Eh!? Wha──what!?”
*Thwack*.
Yomi, startled as a mischievous kid smacked her rear.
Her unique high-leg leotard outfit must be a rarity here.
I hope this doesn’t warp their little minds.
As the kids were making a ruckus, an older man emerged from the back.
The head of this orphanage, the priest.
”Tifi? Welcome back. This visit was rather sudden, wasn’t it?”
He seemed a bit taken aback.
Clearly, the unannounced, abrupt return had thrown him.
”I’m back, Father.”
Tifi greeted him with a smile.
* * *
The church’s dining hall was filled with the warm aroma of cooking.
Normally, the orphanage meals were quite simple.
But today, thanks to the ingredients we brought, dinner was a bit more luxurious.
”Because of Mr. Taro and the others, we have such a lavish meal today. Everyone, let’s express our thanks.”
At the priest’s words, the children turned to us in unison, their innocent smiles expressing gratitude.
”Tifi, thank you!”
”Thanks, Big Sis Lifia!”
”And you too, big bro!”
Then the kids all chime in with a lively “Let’s eat!” and dive into their meals with enthusiasm.
”Mmm, delicious!”
”This soup is so warm and tasty!”
”So much meat!”
The mess hall quickly fills with noise and laughter, faces beaming all around.
Lifia and the others have become quite the favorites among the children.
”Big Sister Lifia, this meat is so good!”
”Yeah, it sure is.”
Lifia’s surrounded by the kids, a bit flustered but looking happy all the same.
And so the bustling meal carries on.
After eating, we’re sipping tea and explaining things to the priest.
Our reason for visiting this time.
”I see… I’d heard rumors that the western forest has been restless, but to think a stampede is really happening…”
The priest’s expression grows serious as Tifi explains the situation.
”I’ve heard that a ‘Shadow Forest’ stampede caused great damage even a hundred years ago. The harm around here was considerable then, too. Will it be the same this time…?”
They don’t have the option to run.
If they flee from this town, they’ll lose their fields and have nowhere to live.
That means losing their livelihood.
So they stay and strive to survive in the place they were born.
In this world, there’s still not enough welfare to go around.
”Don’t worry, sir. Mr. Taro will protect us!”
Tifi flashes a bright smile and declares firmly.
The priest looks surprised as he glances at me.
”Mr. Taro…?”
He’d be taken aback, of course.
The last time he saw me, my combat skills weren’t much to write home about.
I only took down a horned mole that was ravaging the fields.
A weak monster that even a child could defeat.
But now, things are different.
”Sir, please be at ease.”
Tifi continues, smiling gently.
”Mr. Taro is far stronger than before; he’s a real powerhouse now, capable of tackling the deep floors of a dungeon.”
”Incredible…!”
”And Lif-Lif has gotten stronger too. Plus, we’ve got new companions.”
With that said, Lifia, Kéa, and Yomi all turn their gazes to me.
They’re surrounded by kids, giggling and fussing together.
All 3 of them are insanely popular.
They’re dealing with the children, but honestly──
──they’re still just young girls themselves.
It doesn’t look like they could handle a proper dungeon raid at first glance.
”I won’t claim I can protect everything.”
I lock eyes with the priest and speak plainly.
”But I’ll do everything I can──to protect this town and your family, Tifi. You probably won’t believe it, but that’s the truth…”
”No, I believe you.”
The priest smiles warmly and says to me,
”If Tifi says so, then it must be so. I trust Mr. Taro.”
”Thank you… truly.”
The priest’s words mean she believes in us.
So I have to respond in kind.
We don’t have much time before the stampede begins.
We need to push forward──full steam ahead.
The monsters expected to emerge from the forest are roughly the same strength as the first or second floor of a dungeon.
At worst, they’re about a 4-story boss level.
They’re not the enemies we’re facing during this 5-layer assault.
At least, we should be able to defend just Saoriba’s town without falling.
But guarding the town alone isn’t enough──if the surrounding areas get wiped out, it’s all pointless.
If nearby towns and villages are destroyed, our economy and safety will both nosedive.
We’ve got to get to the frontlines──keep the damage from spiraling out of control.
But my skill is *Love Hotel*.
It’s not for combat.
I don’t know how much help I can be in an all-out battle.
Still──I have to do everything I can.
For Tifi’s homeland, for her family’s future, and for their smiles.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply