Chapter 11 - Finally, the northern town

 In addition to Gina, there were people from the Pharmacist and people from the guild who came, but since Shou didn't have much to do with them, Shou was looking forward to Leon and Doushi coming.

In the end, I earned an extra 10,000 gils a week from herbs and lizards, and stayed in the Northern Woods hut from the middle of 11th month until the middle of 12th, 13th, 1st month and the middle of 2nd month, so I made 400,000 gils a month for about 4 months, 1.6 million gils in total. It was also how many monsters there were in the Northern Woods. Of course, that's what Shou earned, so Falco's earnings were outrageous.

Such was life in a hut full of quotas, but the day came when the monsters began to lessen and we could finally return to town. I don't have much to pack. A change of clothes that Falco bought me, my favorite yellow-green jacket, chopsticks and a stick for slime. While I was packing those,

“Shou, do you need that fishing rod , no, the stick?”

“I don't know if there are branches this long in town”

“Hmmm, maybe there is, but it might not be useful right away, so that's okay”

So, we packed up into the carriage and set off between Leon and Falco in coachman seat. The town is said to be simply the northern town at the foot of the Northern Woods, the northernmost point of the Deep Forest.

“But it wasn't that cold in the winter”

“It rarely snows. It's rather cold on the western mountain side. It's surprisingly warm here thanks to the forest”

We made our way through the trees, which were gradually less and less frequent, and headed into town. The carriage swayed and my butt hurt a bit, but I enjoyed the forest with a hint of spring.

“Ah, Shou”

“What?　Leon”

“Forewarned you, don't be surprised”

“On what?”

“Hmmm, when there's no one to hunt in the North Woods, there's a lot of monsters coming down to the Northern Town and causing a lot of damage. Falco was the only one this year. Actually, it's pretty dangerous, you know?”

“But the hut was fine though”

“It's scary when being alone in the forest. No one would have blamed me if I refused, but still, Falco, who went into the forest, well, he's the most popular guy in town”

“That's amazing”

When I looked at Falco with a respectful gaze, he turned away.

“You're at the age where you shouldn’t be embarrassed. Is it because Shou is listening?　Well, that's why they usually welcome hunters back from the north woods, but this year, I think it's more so”

“You mean?”

“I mean, I'm sure quite a few people will be out to welcome Falco”

“Okay, I'll be in the back”

“Hmm, maybe it's less dangerous that way”

“Hey Falco, where do we live in town?”

“I've been living in an inn until now. Now that Shou is here, I can boldly buy a house, but I think I'll stay at Gina's inn for a while first. They have food and bathrooms”

There are hot springs in the town as well as in the Northern Forest, and the larger facilities always have a bath.

“If we're going to buy a house, let's get one with a hot spring”

“Yup!　Gina, let me help her cook”

“If it is from Shou's help, she's more than welcome”

As we were talking about it, we approached the town. Wow, there they are. Shou was getting a little nervous.

Amidst cheers of appreciation, Falco gets out of the carriage and is immediately surrounded by people. Now, let's get down while there's still time.

“Shou”

“Sein-sama”

Doushi was coming to pick me up. As I rushed over to Doushi, he quickly lifted Shou in his arms and,

“I guess nothing happened on the road”

He says me gently.

“Yeah, it was fun to feel the spring in the air”

And as I say that with a smile on my face,

“Who the hell is that guy”

“I mean, you're already 10 years old, don't he feel embarrassed to be hold”

“Pathetic—”

“I'm so jealous of him having Doushi's hug, no, it's embarrassing—”

I heard. What the heck. As I turned around, still being held in his arms, I saw a group of children there. There were about two groups of girls, all with their hair long and wearing pants and a slightly longer tunic. Oh, my tunic is too short. Is this for a boy? Shou was a little disappointed. I'll get him to buy one for me next time. It is more colorful than the clothes Shou has. It is important to be stylish, even if I am small.

“What's the matter with you, look at me”

It was a group of boys over there. These were the kids who had been badmouthing me earlier. They seemed to be loosely divided into two groups, too, ranging from maybe 10 years old to 13, even 4 years old.

“Stop it. He just got here”

“What's up with that, you acting all nice. I hear you're Falco's adopted child. Can a spoiled brat like you become a hunter”

One of the older ones stopped him while the other pushed at Shou. Shou sighed. I thought it was strange to have to hug ten years old. Falco, Leon, and maybe even Doushi must have been in on this together.

“Sein-sama, please put me down”

No, there is no need to look so sad. Show was gently put down.

Then I head towards the boy who provoke at me. He's just one head, no, bigger than that.

“I'm not being spoiled. It's not like I've decided to become a hunter”

Shou said back. Not mature enough?　Yes, I'm ten years old. The boy didn't think he was going to get a word in return.

“What was that, you cheeky one!”

And then he pushed the little Shou away. That was a baptism out of nowhere!　As expected, the people around me were thinning, too. Clearly, it was too much. Shou was silently stood up as she was pushed off and rolled to the ground. She glanced at the boy for a moment and then went to her luggage. She grabbed a stick for slime without a care in the world.

“Whoa, what the hell”

I hit the boy who is pulling back a bit, aiming at his knee.

“Whoa, ouch, hey, stop!”

While the people around him, who hadn't expected me to fight back, were too flabbergasted to do anything about it, Shou chased the boy around, hitting him with a stick. Shou knows. Boys may be small, but they are tough on power relations. If I gets look down here, Shou's north town life is determined to be a lowly one. All I had to do was join a group of girls, but Shou was pretty angry and lacking in composure at the time.

“That's cowardly, using a weapon!”

That being said, Shou said it back.

“It's just as cowardly when the big kids push the little ones away. The first one who does that is the worst!”

“Whoa”

“Well, that's true too”

“Yeah”

The kids around me were just starting to get behind Shou's shoulders when the boy from earlier stepped in to mediate.

“It's Cain's fault. You know that, right, so apologize”

“...... sorry”

Shou said with a huff and a snort.

“Fine, already”

Then the other kid came in.

“Hey, you're pretty good at what you do. It's a pleasure to meet you”

“Me too!”

“Me too!”

Shou was frowned upon. Cain was the reason for it, but the town boy seemed to approve of it. That's okay, Shou, so.

“Looks like Shou has made a friend right off the bat”

“That is my girl, Shou”

“It's not. I was worried that she'd be rather expressionless and wouldn't fit in, but when she has to do it, she does, that fellow”

It was Leon and Falco who had managed to get out of the crowd and were watching Shou. But they were soon surrounded by people. This time it's the young women.

“Hey, now that you're back, let's have some fun today”

They saying something without hesitation. It even reached Shou's ears. Huh? Play? Shou turned around and looked back at Falco.