Nagai Koto Chapter 007

The Long Journey Until I Reunite With You

An Annoying Pattern

If it were the previous world it could become a tourist attraction, but the police would definitely intervene on the shop. A one-handed buster sword, a dagger for self defense, sets of bows and arrows, spears, cudgels made for adults, together with shields and armor to defend oneself with. Up till now I’ve never once come to this shop so to me it had the feeling of a museum. However, I was at a loss deciding what weapon I should use.

「I haven’t come here before, but as expected of the royal capital, it’s got a good selection.」 (Melma)

「Well I’m here to pick out a weapon. But, nothing really stands out right away.」 (Velt)

To be frank, when it comes to swords and spears, I’ve never touched a real one before, though I do have experience with wooden swords. In any case, in order to get used to it, I’m not sure how many years of training I’ll have to go through. In any case, I should choose something that’s easy to handle and that I’m familiar with.

「Asakura, what sort of style did you fight with」 (Melma)

「Kicks. I’ll kick and kick and kick. I didn’t really punch much.」 (Velt)

「Ooh, you’re pretty unusual.」 (Melma)

「But, in this world there are common demons and demi-humans who are several times stronger than humans, aren’t there? I haven’t met them before, but if that’s the case then fighting unarmed is basically suicide right?」 (Velt)

「Hmmm, I see～ Have any experience fighting with weapons then?」 (Melma)

「When I fought against a bunch of people, when my opponent took out a spiked bat, I struck back with a baton.」 (Velt)

「A baton? Is that really how you’ve been carrying yourself?!」 (Melma)

「Buuut, thinking about that there ain’t anything like a baton. It might be because it’s a different age in a different world.」 (Velt)

If I were to use a weapon, it’d be good if it were something I’m experienced with. I’ve used batons and metal bats a few times before. However, as expected I don’t see them. There are cudgels, but there aren’t many kids that can carry something around like that.

「Whatsat～ Going to use a weapon kid? Even though we only sell to people over 13?」 (Shopkeeper)

Looking over the figures of sensei and I who extensively looked through the shelves, the old man sitting on the chair spoke out to us.

「That’s why, sensei is going to hand you the money and buy it for me.」 (Velt)

「Nonsense! The point is, like I said, a kid will be using a weapon that I’m selling!」 (Shopkeeper)

Well, that’s how it is. Since I wanted to smoke in high school one of my senpais bought it for me. But, even then I didn’t leave.

「Hey, old man. I’m asking you. In this world I’m trying to get strong enough to protect my family and childhood friend. Especially since I don’t know when the demons and demi-humans are going to come and attack with their armies.」 (Velt)

Everything was a lie. But, it’s better to reason with the geezer. However, the old man had a weak response.

「Fu~n, you’re a pretty cheeky brat for saying these things aren’t you? As far as how much you’ve fought through, you should know this country’s army isn’t weak.」 (Shopkeeper)

「Er- well, that’s true.」 (Velt)

「Even then, kid, come and stand over here for a bit.」 (Shopkeeper)

「Kay.」 (Velt)

Doing as he said, I stood in front of the old man. He silently looked at me from the bottom of my feet to the top of my head, and finally gazed right into my eyes. Or rather, there was a serious look in the old man’s eyes.

「Fu~n, you’re pretty dull huh. You don’t have the hope, talent, or resolution.」 (Shopkeeper)

「Haa? What the hell are you saying all of a sudden? Or rather, what the hell can you see with your eyes you senile old man?」 (Velt)

「Ooh, a boy without manners or sensibility. Well, getting to the point, you don’t have the qualifications or the resolution to go about wielding a weapon, kid.」 (Shopkeeper)

「Resolution?」 (Velt)

「You listening? You hold a weapon to take out your opponent, but you need the resolution to be killed yourself.」 (Shopkeeper)

At this time, I had a bad premonition. This pattern was a pain in the ass. This old man will be burdened with the responsibility of people hurting others, which is why he has to blab on about resolution.

「If you’re going to injure someone you’ll need to resolve yourself and take responsibility for becoming fit to do so. If you don’t have the resolution nor the responsibility, don’t even think about holding a weapon.」 (Shopkeeper)

Look here. Ever since the past, and in whatever world there is, there hasn’t been anyone lecturing and twisting themselves over this as much as this guy.  As for how it should be, kids shouldn’t have to think about every single damn thing, right?

「What a pain......」 (Velt)

「What was that?」 (Shopkeeper)

「Well, although there are things that are important, I’m not interested. As for weapons, in my case I’m not wielding a weapon to injure someone, I’m wielding a weapon to protect myself so that I don’t get hurt. With that, my chances of winning a fight and surviving will increase, and the rest is using it with the resolution to beat my opponent. I don’t want to die, nor do I want to get hurt. As for taking responsibility, I haven’t killed someone before, nor have I irrevocably harmed them. I don’t know if I can go that far.」 (Velt)

What a stubborn old man. But somehow, it seems like I was talking back in retaliation.  Without holding back, the stuff the old man talked about was perfectly righteous, but he spoke like he was looking down on people, which pissed me off.

「You’re too honest, and all the more that I ain’t selling to you」 (Shopkeeper)

Well, that’s what happened. The old man was also making a disgusted face.

「YOU IDIOOOOOOOOT!!」 (Melma)

「That hurts, sensei, don’t hit me.」 (Velt)

「No matter how you think about it, what this person was saying is much more just than you!」 (Melma)

「No, well that’s true, but nonetheless.」 (Velt)

Sensei also got mad at me.

「Well, nothing I can do, I’ll come again another day.」 (Velt)

Back in my life as Asakura Ryuuma, the old lady at the store calmly let me buy dirty books at the bookstore, but that doesn’t seem to apply in this world. Although I say that, it’d be unreasonable to do so as in actuality I haven’t even found a suitable weapon yet. From here, I suppose I could only obediently leave, and as I did,

「Oh? If I’m not mistaken is that Velt over there?」 (????)

Suddenly a childish voice called out to me. As I turned my head, there was a young boy wearing trousers and a white shirt covered with a purple mantle.

「It’s Shalt, yo.」 (Velt)

(TN: His name is written as “Shout,” but the name will cause a mess later, so we changed it to Shalt.)

「Yaa, fancy meeting you here, something happen?」 (Shalt)

(TN: They both say the equivalent of “yo” in Japanese and English, so I’ll just leave the Japanese one as “Yaa” (やあ).)

With a figure overflowing with cleanliness, he had well-featured looks and silky blonde hair. He was slender and the embodiment of “well-bred.”

「Asak- no, Velt, is he an acquaintance of yours?」 (Melma)

「He’s a classmate of mine at the magic school. He’s the son of the kingdom’s strongest, General Taira. Although he’s weak he’s the magic school’s top student. He got along with my parents, and is more or less an acquaintance.」 (Velt)

He’s pretty much a classmate. There’s nothing particularly special between us.

「Calling me weak, isn’t that a bit mean, Velt? At any rate, what are you doing here?」 (Shalt)

「I came here to look for a weapon. What about you?」 (Velt)

「Haha, today is papa’s day off. I came here to get a preview of my weapon.」 (Shalt)

「Papa?」 (Velt)

In that instant, a chill ran up my back. I reflexively jumped to the side, then realized that there was a lone man standing behind me without knowing it.

「It’s been a while, Velt. As usual, you’ve got a cheeky look on you.」 (????)

「Ta-Taira!」 (Velt)

「Call me uncle Taira. Really, for the kid of Aruna to have such a rude mouth, unthinkable.」 (Taira)

He had a slender stature, narrow body, and was different from Escort Captain Galva; at a glance it looked like he had no strength. With youthfulness that made it seem like he would have no children, it was as if he were only ten years older than Shalt. Just looking at it, he looked like Shalt’s older brother. Although it looked like he was in his teens, Taira was an older man. But, even though he was constantly smiling and didn’t give off a manly feeling, he was the country’s strongest spellsword and was well-known in foreign countries. I didn’t have any interest in wars nor their heroes, and even though I’ve in reality never fought in a war before, I still knew of him. As sensei arrived in this country even he knew of him, and was surprised at the current state of affairs.

「Oi oi, like how you’re with the princess, why is it that you’re acquainted with these incredible people?」 (Melma)

「It’s not particularly like we’re friends or anything, they’re just people I know. Because of Forna, I’ve somehow become well-known.」 (Velt)

「My, isn’t that mean, even though I thought we were friends.」 (Shalt)

「As usual you’re a pretty twisted kid.」 (Taira)

I’m the son of a simple farmer yet I had these over-the-top connections. It wasn’t unreasonable for sensei to be shocked.

「Speaking of which, I remember seeing the princess. When I was on the way here with papa, we passed by her. You guys weren’t with her?」 (Shalt)

「Haa? It’s not like you should think we’re always together you know? I’ll do things at my own convenience.」 (Velt)

「You really are selfish aren’t you. One day, you’re going to become part of the royalty in this country, so you should at least have a bit of composure when the time comes, right?」 (Shalt)

?

「Shalt, why is it that I’m going to become part of the royalty?」 (Velt)

「Isn’t it obvious? That’s what’s going to happen when you marry Princess Forna right?」 (Shalt)

「Oi, why are you saying that with such a serious look?」 (Velt)

「Likewise why are you responding like that? Just the other day, you made a ruckus with Princess Forna and proposed to her right?」 (Shalt)

「What?? I didn’t friggin' do something like thatー...... Wait, could what I said have been interpreted like that?」 (Velt)

I did say that I’d marry her if she became a good woman, but was this taken as an actual proclamation?

「I've heard of it too. From the maids to the guards in the castle, even the king was talking about it happily.」 (Taira)

This is a problem. From parent to child, why were they all smiling?!

「Well, you should think of taking responsibility as a man. When you become the king, Shalt will have become a general right? If that were to happen, this country would be safe.」 (Taira)

And this is the bad part about this country. From the nobles to the top brass of the army, even though our societal positions were separated like heaven and earth, there was no such thing as a fixation on one’s social status. Normally, something like a peasant becoming the king would be taken as a joke, otherwise causing a disturbance. Nonetheless, right now it seemed that starting from Taira and Shalt, everyone was wickedly letting out their true feelings.

「Hey, Asakura, is it better for me to from now on start selling (ramen) to you with flattery?」 (Melma)

「Stop it, sensei. When it comes to treating me, doing so like when I was in high school is good enough.」 (Velt)

Rather than feeling awkward It was uncomfortable. That’s honestly how I felt.

「I’ve had enough of this, I’m heading back.」 (Velt)

「How difficult, since we’ve met after such a long time, let’s go and eat cake after this.」 (Shalt)

「I’m going to enjoy myself with some nice, rich cake.」 (Taira)

I didn’t have anything else to do, so I’ll immediately make my way back. As I was thinking that on my way out,

「I’ve kept you waiting, General Taira. This is the rapier I’ve produced for your son’s personal use.」 (Shopkeeper)

「Let’s have a look.」 (Taira)

What?

「WAIT A SECOOOOOOOND! What the hell’s the meaning of this, old man?! You gave your opinion earlier but now you’re selling weapon to a noble’s son?! That’s bullshit! He’s also ten year’s old!」 (Velt)

「You fool, don’t compare your shallow self to Shalt-sama! Shalt-sama has the potential to go with the hero and bring an end to this period of darkness. His readiness, resolution, they are clearly different from yours. Shalt-sama is special!」 (Shopkeeper)

Urgh, I couldn’t deny it. Certainly Shalt’s talents are comparable to Forna’s. He's mature in spite of being a kid. But even then, I who had the mental age of a seventeen year old had lost to a ten year old, so it’s fine if I feel down about it.

「Now now, let’s calm down. Nonetheless, Velt, I’m surprised you want to carry a weapon. Did something happen?」 (Taira)

I’m a ten year old brat who’s going to save this world. But it’s actually that I’m going on a journey to search for the girl that I love who might be out there, so I wanted a weapon to defend myself with. How am I supposed to say something so embarrassing?

「Nothing at all.」 (Velt)

「Fufu, could it be frivolous circumstances you can’t talk about?」 (Taira)

It’s embarrassing so I’m not going to talk about the situation. Or rather, if I told them my reason, Forna would beat me up. But, Taira was interested in something and took a little look at my condition,

「Alright, Velt. Just for a bit will you show me how far you’re willing to go?」 (Taira)

「What?」 (Velt)

「It’s a connection from you being my son’s friend. If you’re able to land a single hit on Shalt, then I’ll grant your wish. How’s that? Won’t you show me your resolution?」 (Taira)

Not good. It's following the most annoying pattern.

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