The Strongest in Our Neighborhood - Chapter 12

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Our Neighborhood’s Strongest (12)
“Look, I understand the child is ill, but that doesn’t mean I can heal him unconditionally.”
“Please, this is all the money I have in the world. My husband died not long ago, and this is everything that’s left. Please take it and save my son.”
Rahena drew a small pouch from her bosom, but Siran did not accept it.
“First, let me examine whether this is an illness that Binston—that I can actually cure.”
“Yes! Th-thank you. Thank you so much!”
“Could you lay him down over here?”
“Of course.”
Rahena unwrapped the cloth that had been cradling the child, spread it on the ground, and gently laid the boy upon it.
The child had not stirred when his mother faced down the wolves, had not woken during the journey here, and did not stir now.
After a moment, Siran reached her hand toward the child’s body.
Shimmer.
White mist formed in her palm and seeped into the boy’s body.
After roughly five minutes had passed, the mist faded and Siran opened her eyes—but her expression was troubled.
“Well? Do you think the illness can be cured?”
“It would be difficult for Binston and me to heal it, but I think Elder Elena could manage it.”
“Elder Elena? Then please take me to her.”
“I understand your feelings, but I cannot bring outsiders into the village. Instead, I’ll go and speak with the Elder, then return with an answer.”
During the journey here, Rahena had heard from Jang Gaein how insular the Druid Clan was, so she refrained from pressing further and agreed to wait for Siran to bring back the Elder.
Siran went straight into the village and sought out Elder Elena.
Elder Elena heard Siran’s words and made a dismissive expression, but the moment she learned that Jang Gaein had brought the woman with the ailing child, she finally showed interest.
“Hmm! Is that so? Then what is the relationship between him and this woman?”
“They met while he was searching for Shabel in the Monster Forest, so it doesn’t seem like there’s anything special between them.”
“Is the woman’s appearance exceptional among humans? Or does the sick child have some remarkable talent? There must be some reason why he would extend such favor.”
“The woman’s appearance was ordinary, and I don’t know about the child’s talents. Perhaps he simply wished to help because their situation was pitiful—just as he helped us when we were nearly killed by the ogre, despite knowing his own body might be damaged.”
After hearing Siran’s words, Elder Elena fell silent in thought before speaking again.
“Come to think of it, he helped us without asking for any compensation when the village children and teachers were kidnapped by those hunters.”
“Yes.”
“That suggests his nature is quite different from what I understand of ordinary humans.”
“That does seem to be the case. I haven’t encountered many humans myself, but his disposition is certainly different from what I was taught humans are like.”
“Then if I heal this child’s illness, when I ask him for a difficult favor afterward, the chances of him accepting will be much higher.”
Upon hearing Elder Elena’s words, Siran’s expression grew puzzled.
“I’m sorry? A difficult favor? What sort of favor do you mean to ask?”
“Hmm! Well, the truth is, it’s a matter I’ve been discussing with Elder Malata, and I meant to tell you about it today or tomorrow anyway. Since it’s come to this, I’ll tell you now.”
……
“The reason I asked you to delay leaving the village for a few more days was because of this—lately there have been frequent sightings of human hunters near the forests around our village, and the opinion has arisen that we should drive them out.”
“Ah, I’ve heard about that from Teacher Gaanna as well.”
“Yes, in fact I’ve been hoping he would participate in this endeavor, but I cannot gauge what compensation might be needed, so I’ve hesitated to approach him.”
“Hmm! Given his nature, I think he might help if you simply asked him.”
“You have a special bond with him, so it’s easy for you to think that way. But village matters are different, aren’t they? When the safety of the villagers is at stake, I cannot simply rely on personal connection to make such a request.”
“You’re right. In that case, I’ll ask him about it.”
At Siran’s words, Elder Elena nodded.
“Good, ah yes! You said he brought the sick child here. Let’s hurry.”
Elder Elena tucked several Potions into her bosom, and Siran led the way.
* * *
Gulp.
Smith’s mother, Rahena, gazed at the large hunk of meat the Druid woman had left behind, and swallowed hard despite herself.
The roasted grain she’d brought when she entered the forest a week ago carrying her son had run out two days ago, and since then she’d been subsisting on wild fruit and mountain greens.
“Would you like some of this meat?”
At that moment, the man named Jang Gaein, who had rescued them, drew his Short Sword and began cutting into the meat.
“What? Oh, n-no, that’s fine.”
“There’s a wolf over there for Shabel to eat, so we’re free to have this. Please try it. It’s Venison Leg—I rubbed it with various spices and smoked it for about half a day, so it’s quite delicious.”
Jang Gaein cut the meat into a perfect-sized piece and held it out to her. The moment Rahena caught the aroma, she swallowed again without meaning to.
The hunger she’d endured for two days with barely a proper meal came rushing in all at once.
“Th-then I’ll just have a small piece.”
The moment she hesitantly accepted it and put it in her mouth, the fragrant aroma mingled with the meat juices, and a symphony of flavors unlike anything she’d ever tasted bloomed across her tongue.
It seemed she’d barely chewed before the meat melted away, leaving only a deep longing in its wake.
‘Heavenly! What spices did he use to make venison taste like this?’
“How is it? Delicious, yes?”
“Yes, incredibly delicious.”
When Jang Gaein cut another piece of meat, Rahena found herself unconsciously licking her lips and savoring the taste.
“When I first ate this meat, I realized that everything I’ve eaten until now was… well, garbage, frankly. It was quite a shock.”
When Jang Gaein offered her another piece, she accepted it eagerly, as though she’d been waiting for exactly that.
While they were eating, Smith—who had been unconscious—suddenly awoke.
“Huh? Mom. What are you eating?”
“Yes, Smith. Are you feeling better now?”
“Yes. How long have I been asleep?”
“Only about half a day. Hungry?”
“No, I’m not hungry.”
Growl…
Smith’s stomach rumbled, betraying his words.
“Sounds like you are hungry.”
“Who are you, sir?”
“I was searching for a pet of mine that ran off, and I saved you and your mother from wolves.”
“Oh! Thank you.”
“Want some? It’s a Venison Leg—absolutely delicious.”
“I’m really not hungry.”
“I can hear your stomach growling from here. Just try one bite.”
As Jang Gaein waved the meat under his nose, Smith hesitated for a moment before taking a small bite. His eyes widened immediately, and he began eating frantically.
“You weren’t hungry, were you?”
“I—I suddenly got hungry! It’s so delicious!”
Grrr…
Then, without warning, a deep, guttural growl echoed through the forest.
Turning to look, they saw an enormous Saber Tiger, as large as an ox, pushing through the brush.
“Gasp!”
“A—a Saber Tiger!”
Smith cried out in terror, and Rahena quickly grabbed the spear she’d set down earlier.
“Shabel, your food is over there—that wolf. Don’t even think about this.”
When Jang Gaein spoke to the Saber Tiger, it turned its head and looked back and forth between the dead wolf and the chunk of meat in Jang Gaein’s hand.
Then its tail began to wag, and it padded toward Jang Gaein, who held the meat—not the wolf.
“This is for us, so don’t even think about it.”
Purr, purr, purr…
When Jang Gaein heard the strange sounds the Saber Tiger made and clicked his tongue, Rahena—who had been trembling with her spear raised—opened her mouth in disbelief.
“Gaein, is that Saber Tiger perhaps your pet?”
“Yes. I was looking for him in the Monster Forest when I met you.”
Though no wild ferocity radiated from the Saber Tiger, Rahena quickly gathered her son into her arms and stepped back as it approached.
The Saber Tiger ignored her entirely, eyes fixed only on the meat in Jang Gaein’s hand.
It came close and began fawning, flattening itself to the ground and wagging its tail.
Jang Gaein studied the Saber Tiger for a moment, then cut roughly half of the Venison Leg and handed it over.
“Sigh. There you go—eat up.”
Purr, purr, purr…
The Saber Tiger took the leg in its mouth and went to sit beside the dead wolf, eating contentedly.
Rahena stood there as if watching something from a dream, then struggled to find her voice.
“Gaein, aren’t you frightened of the Saber Tiger?”
“Shabel is my pet monster, so I’m not frightened.”
“Ah, so that’s what you meant earlier when you said Shabel.”
“Yes.”
“Gaein, do you perhaps have the Taming ability?”
“I don’t have any Taming ability. That beast simply learned to survive by reading my mood.”
Whoooosh…
A wind swept across the clearing, and moments later, Elder Elena and Siran appeared, riding the breeze.
As they landed, Rahena bowed toward Elder Elena.
“I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Rahena, and this is my son, Smith. Smith, greet them properly.”
“Yes. Hello. I’m Smith.”
“Hello, I’m Elena—just call me Elder.”
“Yes.”
After acknowledging Smith’s greeting, Elder Elena gave a slight nod toward Jang Gaein.
“So these must be the people you rescued from the Monster Forest.”
“Yes. While searching for Shabel, I found them under attack by wolves. His son was ill, so they mentioned they were looking for someone from the Druid Clan with Healing ability, and I brought them here.”
“Gaein, as I’ve mentioned before, we cannot let humans know the location of our village.”
“I’m sorry. I thought we could come this far.”
“Since you’ve already brought him, I won’t blame you further, but please be more careful going forward.”
“Yes.”
Elder Elena turned her head toward Rahena and spoke.
“Rahena, I cannot heal every ailment. Allow me to examine him first and I’ll tell you what I find.”
“Yes, please. Thank you for your help.”
Elder Elena approached Smith and extended her hand gently. White mist rose and seeped into Smith’s body, then faded as a soft light began to emanate from him.
“Ah! It’s warm. Mother, my belly is warming up and the sharp pain stabbing my chest is disappearing!”
Smith, whose eyes had been alight with curiosity since Elena and Siran appeared on the wind, marveled at the changes occurring in his own body.
“Smith, if you speak, you’ll break the elder’s concentration. Stay quiet now.”
“Oh, yes.”
Even after Smith fell silent, the light flowing from Elder Elena’s hand continued for about three minutes.
When the light finally faded and Elena withdrew her hand, Rahena asked carefully.
“What illness does Smith have?”
“Hmm! Earth Spirit Power contamination… Did you perhaps feed soil to your son?”
At Elder Elena’s question, Rahena’s eyes widened.
“Yes! Soil? Oh, yes. I didn’t feed it to him, but Smith couldn’t overcome his hunger and ate soil.”
No one eats soil, no matter how hungry. Even a child wouldn’t do such a thing—what circumstances could possibly have driven him to it?
Seeing the bewildered expressions around her, Rahena continued.
“It was when my husband went hunting and was killed by a Monster. I was half out of my mind with grief when the villagers discovered Smith eating soil and told me about it. After that, I made sure he never ate it again—could that have caused his illness?”

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