In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 304

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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This Life, I Will Become the Clan Head

Side Story Episode 46

Ten days.

That was the time given until leaving the village.

“Finish all preparations within that time. Tell Abane Rofili the same.”

On the day she woke up from a long dream, after a deep silence, Soura left those words and turned away.

Though it was a short time to recover her body and prepare for the long journey ahead, Shan simply nodded.

She only felt sorry for Abane, who suddenly had to finish his research within ten days.

So after recovering enough strength to get up and walk, she frequently visited Abane’s house to help with organizing.

“Phew, I think we’re almost done with this much. Thanks to you, Shan.”

Abane said, wiping his sweat.

It was just three days before the deadline Soura had set.

“It’s all because of me that you have to leave so suddenly in the first place. Of course I should help.”

Shan smiled, dusting off her hands that were covered in dust.

Her face looked refreshed after completing the work they had been devoted to for several days.

“But how about you, Shan? Are you… all ready to leave?”

Abane’s question was infinitely cautious.

“Hmm…”

After thinking for a moment, Shan soon nodded.

“There isn’t much for me to pack anyway.”

“…What about the chief?”

When Soura’s story came up, an inevitable shadow fell over Shan’s smiling face.

“Mother seems to be very angry.”

Soura acted as if nothing had happened.

She worked as usual and sat across from her for dinner in the evenings.

But she wasn’t really acting like nothing was wrong.

“She won’t make eye contact with me.”

Soura consistently avoided Shan’s gaze.

As if she didn’t want to read what Shan was thinking, even by accident.

“The person leaving and the person being left behind are bound to be different. As long as the tribe’s rules don’t change, you might not see each other for a long time. Shan should understand her.”

“That’s right. We might not see each other for a long time.”

The true meaning of leaving the village was something only Shan and Soura knew.

Naturally counting the remaining days she could spend with her mother, Shan got up from where she was resting.

“I should get going now, Teacher Abane. I think I need to get up early today.”

“Alright. See you next time, Shan.”

After leaving Abane Rofili’s house, she headed straight home without going anywhere else.

She thought she couldn’t let the remaining time they could spend together pass by so meaninglessly.

Perhaps Soura would never forgive her for the rest of her life.

But even so, she didn’t want to leave while just watching her reactions like this.

“I should at least prepare dinner before Mother comes back.”

She had to spend time with her mother that way.

She had to see her mother’s face more while she still could.

But such plans crumbled before she could even begin.

“You’re just coming now.”

Because Soura was already waiting for Shan.

“Oh, Mother?”

Shan was quite flustered, not having expected Soura to be home at this hour.

Toward her daughter who stood startled in the doorway, unable to enter, Soura gestured.

“I have something to give you, so come sit here.”

Shan quickly went and sat in the seat Soura pointed to.

On the table placed in the center were several small bundles.

To Shan, who couldn’t bring herself to ask what all this was and was carefully examining everything with her eyes, Soura asked first.

“How are your preparations for leaving coming along?”

“The organizing at Teacher Abane’s house is all finished. I think I’ll be able to leave at the time you mentioned.”

“Good.”

Soura nodded.

And then she said,

“Take these with you.”

“What are all these, Mother?”

When she lifted the heavy first pouch, it made a jingling sound.

Shan’s eyes widened as she tilted her head and looked inside.

“This… isn’t this outside money?”

These were things that were completely unnecessary in a village where they bartered and shared most things.

“They say money is the most necessary thing outside. Dr. Abane Rofili won’t be ignorant of worldly matters, so make sure to get her help.”

“…Yes.”

Shan nodded and unwrapped the second bundle.

The much larger one contained several thick pieces of clothing.

These were clothes too thick to wear in the jungle where it was hot year-round.

Moreover, they weren’t the clothing style worn by the Chara Tribe.

They were dresses and robes like the ones Abane Rofili wore.

“It’s winter outside now, Shan. Once you start leaving the jungle, change your clothes.”

Besides that, sturdy closed-toe shoes and gloves were all prepared.

“And this.”

Soura handed Shan the third pouch.

It was smaller than the previous two and much lighter in weight.

But somehow she could immediately predict that this last item would be the most important and valuable.

Shan pressed her lips together and carefully opened the third pouch with cautious hands.

“Mother, this is…”

Shan’s green eyes looking at Soura wavered.

“It’s a map… isn’t it.”

The location of the Chara Tribe village nestled in the vast jungle of the Southern Region had been kept thoroughly secret.

Long ago, it was a way to protect the tribe from people who coveted magical power.

But now, the map Soura handed to Shan had detailed routes recorded from the village to outside the jungle.

“You should see how stubbornly those old folks in the Elder Council refused to give that up. It’s just a copy drawn following the original anyway.”

Soura grumbled with dissatisfaction.

“Is this why you’ve been busy all this time?”

“Yes. You need that to safely escape the jungle. And just in case.”

The words that had been cut off continued.

“You should know the way back too.”

A surge of emotion.

Shan unconsciously pressed her lips together once more.

And she barely managed to speak.

“I… I thought you were angry with me, Mother. So I thought you didn’t want to see me.”

“Nonsense.”

Soura clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

“Did you think I would send you away empty-handed?”

“…Thank you.”

“Make sure to pack everything properly.”

Shan folded the clothes and map with extremely careful hands, worried they might wrinkle.

Soura, who had been watching her intently, suddenly asked.

“Where are you going?”

“…A place called Lombardy.”

Shan, who had hesitated for a moment, answered.

“It’s in the central part of the Empire, so they say it will take quite some time to get there.”

“Good, then that works out well.”

“Pardon?”

To Shan, who tilted her head in confusion, Soura said.

“On your way there, ask Dr. Rofili to teach you the outside world’s writing. You cannot go without knowing how to read and write.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“And I’ll write you a letter, so once you leave the jungle, go find the Sector Family. It’s a place our tribe has had exchanges with for a long time, so they’ll help you. And…”

Soura was not one for many words.

The woman Shan had observed while growing up was rather taciturn.

So it felt strange to see such a mother pouring out words one after another.

“Shan, you have a habit of falling severely ill once a year, so be careful.”

In the end, all of these were worries about the daughter she was sending away alone.

“Mother…”

Shan pulled Soura into a tight embrace.

Soura, who had stiffened in surprise for a moment, soon began slowly stroking Shan’s back.

“I pray that your choice will lead you to happiness, Shan.”

For a long time after that, the embracing mother and daughter couldn’t bring themselves to part.

* * *

It was the day Shan and Abane Rofili were leaving the village.

At the time when dawn was just beginning to break, Shan and Soura left the house and headed toward the village entrance where Abane would be waiting.

The sound of their trudging footsteps echoed particularly loudly.

Neither Soura nor Shan said anything.

The long yet short path came to an end at the village entrance.

Abane, who had quietly greeted Soura from a distance, did not approach closely.

It was to give the mother and daughter time to say their farewells.

Shan, who had been gazing as if measuring the road that stretched beyond the village, turned toward Soura.

“Mother.”

“Shan.”

But neither of them could bring themselves to continue speaking.

I’m sorry.

Stay healthy.

I love you.

Countless words swirled in her mouth, but in the end, the daughter who couldn’t dare voice any of those words embraced her mother tightly one last time.

“…Yes.”

The mother, understanding that heart, gripped the shoulders of her daughter who still seemed so young and spoke firmly.

“Go without looking back.”

Shan, who had frozen in place for a moment, slowly left Soura’s embrace.

Step, step.

The sound of footsteps gradually grew distant.

Though she knew the sun would soon shine blindingly bright, her daughter departed down the road that was still dark.

Soura stood leaning on her staff, watching that retreating figure.

Until finally, the sound of those footsteps could no longer be heard.

“Please be careful. Be careful…”

In the end, only Soura’s voice remained at the village entrance.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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