Life in Another World as a Maid Mage
Prologue - Housekeeping Services Available During your Adventure!
04 – A place to belong
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"It's disgusting." I couldn't help but show an indignant look on my face as if I had chewed on bitter bugs. They treated their friends like tools and then threw them away like dirt. It was an inhuman act.
It was a crime against humanity.
"So, Dawn, what happened to them? You can't tell me they got off scot-free," I said.
"They pushed their previous statement that they were in danger and were forced to flee. It was impossible to disprove the testimony of five people so the decision couldn't be overturned; in the end, no one was held accountable," Linus responded. "But after Shiori's departure, the requests didn't go well. Until then, they were able to finish their requests, even by the skin of their teeth, because Shiori was there, after all. Finally, they let one of their members die and didn't want to stay in Toris anymore, so they moved to another branch."
"I see…"
Alex turned his gaze to the tent. What had Shiori thought when she was abandoned by her fellow companions? Abandoned just when she'd finally found a place where she thought she belonged. Abandoned alone in the dangerous depths of a dungeon where no one had come back for her. Left there all alone.
After bathing, Shiori came out and awkwardly bowed her head to us, then disappeared behind her tent to do laundry.
"I'll... go check on her."
Maybe I should have left her alone, but watching her lonely back walk away bothered me.
As I walked behind the tent, I saw Shiori sitting while gazing blankly at the column of water where the washing laundry spun round and round. Rurie was next to her.
A high singing voice could be heard faintly
I chased after rabbits on that mountain.
I fished for minnows in that river.
I still dream of those days even now.
Oh, how I miss my old country home.
Father and mother―are they doing well?
Is everything well with my old friends?
When the rain falls, when the wind blows,
I stop and recall my old country home.
Someday when I have done what I set out to do,
I'll return home one of these days,
Where the mountains are green, my old country home,
Where the waters are clear, my old country home.
It is a really sad sounding song, if you are interested in it you can search for it on YouTube as "Furusato Japanese song" and plenty of
results should come up
I translated the song in a more literal meaning, however there is also a less well-known English version of it, translated by Greg Irwin and published in the album called "Japan's Best Loved Songs of the Season" in 1998. There should also be a Lexi Walker performance of that version. The lyrics for that version are as follow
My Country Home by Greg Irwin
Back in the mountains I knew as a child
Fish filled the rivers and rabbits ran wild
Memories, I carry these wherever I may roam
I hear it calling me, my country home
Mother and Fathers, how I miss you now
How are my friends I lost touch with somehow?
When the rain falls or the wind blows I feel so alone
I hear it calling me, my country home
I've got this dream and it keeps me away
When it comes true I'm going back there someday
Crystal waters, mighty mountains blue as emerald stone
I hear it calling me, my country home
Was it a song from her home country? I didn't understand the meaning of the song, which was sung in an unfamiliar language, but the exoticism of the song struck my heart with a terribly sweet and sad resonance.
"Shiori." Perhaps under the illusion that the ephemeral appearance would disappear, I couldn't help but involuntarily call her name. The singing stopped.
"I was rude to you earlier. I'm sorry."
"No. It's okay."Shiori laughed, saying that I had gone out of my way to worry about her.
"That's because… we are friends and you're a cherished companion."
Shiori's eyes widened at the words I had just said, then they narrowed with her smile. "I'm glad, my friend."
I couldn't properly understand what I was thinking, but I was still certain that my words had actually touched a soft spot in Shiori's heart. "Well… let me help you, so we can both quickly get some rest. Tomorrow, it'll be time to complete the request."
"Okay."
I waited for the laundry to finish and held out my hand to Shiori. She hesitantly reached to take the outstretched hand. I pulled her up.
She was a strong woman who had come back to this business of adventuring to earn money despite the hardships she had suffered. However, her figure was somehow dangerously fragile. I was tempted to hold her close to my chest, but I just barely restrained myself.
The next day.
Feeling refreshed after a good night's rest thanks to Shiori's earnest efforts, the group finally arrived at their destination, the forest where the manticore roamed.
"It seems the manticore has sensed our presence, too. The killing intent that clings to your skin is hair-raising," Linus joked with a gulp of trepidation, in an attempt to lighten the mood. Meanwhile, the members of the group readied themselves for battle and held their ground.
"When we successfully defeat the manticore, I want to eat some of your fried food, Shiori," Clemens said while grinning and batting his eyes wistfully for a moment as he thought of the meal.
"I prefer yakitori
"Well, as for me, I'd prefer fruit macedonia in mint syrup. It's the perfect after-dinner dessert." Ellen chimed in this time.
Clemens and Ellen had joined the banter, following Linus's lead. Alex understood. Favorite foods as a reward wasn't at all a bad thing. Entertained, Alex also spoke of his hopes, "Then I'm in Team Pork With Ginger. I liked that thick sauce."
"Spread out!" Alex called out suddenly in anticipation of the manticore's attack, though the rest continued talking even as they prepared to confront the beast.
Shiori laughed as she remained a safe distance away. "Then tonight's menu is everyone's favorite!"
The group cheered while preparing to face off against a strong opponent. Morale was high.
We can do it, Alex thought, then asked out loud as he added his magic power to his beloved sword, "Shiori, what about you? Do you have anything you want?"
"Me?" Shiori blinked. She hadn't expected to be asked. "Well, then I…"
Shiori's words were drowned out by a deep, rumbling roar. A wind with overwhelming force shook the trees, and a demonic beast with the hideous face of a deformed man appeared.
"Tsk… let's go!" Alex called out.
"Yeah!" the team chorused.
The battle had begun.
"Well, that's certainly a manticore. You've done what the request demanded. Thank you for your efforts, you've done a great job." After inspecting the head, Zack exhaled and announced the completion of the request. Immediately, the adventurer's guild was filled with cheers from various bystanders.
"As expected of Alex! His gallantry is no different from an S-Class!"
"I would have loved to see Clemens swinging his double swords."
"If we're talking about a flying demon beast, then Linus is one to watch! I'm talking about a guy with outstanding dynamic vision who can shoot birds out of the sky."
"Look, they're hardly injured or tired. It's true that I'd feel safer with Ellen and Shiori supporting me."
I let my gaze drift to Zack and our eyes met as my friends surrounded me and praised me before turning to talk excitedly amongst themselves.
"So… how did it go? Did you like the Toris branch's special?" Zack asked.
"It's amazing. The journey was comfortable and less extenuating than normal," I replied.
Zack was pleased with the praise.
"So… is that girl currently free, that Shiori?" I asked.
"Oh? I told you it was a one-time deal." Zack, who seemed to have misunderstood, smiled firmly at me.
"That's not what I mean. I just mean, is she dating anyone?"
Zack's jovial smile disappeared and was replaced by a piercing gaze. "She isn't. She isn't, but why do you care?"
"I like her. I'll take that woman."
"Oh?" Zack stared daggers at me. Even a dragon could be shot down by that gaze.
In a soft voice he threatened me, "You two are too different in status. She's the one who's going to get hurt if something goes wrong. If this little boy is just going to play around with her, don't do it."
Even though he had retreated from the front lines and had fallen slightly out of shape, the former S-class rank wasn't just a calling card. He unleashed a furious aura towards me, so strong it could even be considered murderous. I withstood the brunt of that force and carved a smile with my lips.
"It's not a game. I'm serious, man. I've worked my ass off for my country all my life. I can't be punished for wanting to have a wife who loves me, can I?"
Yes. I found myself drawn to that woman. She was a woman like no other. I was drawn to her unconventional ideas, her courage to turn her own shortcomings into advantages, her strength to stand on her own, her attentiveness shown in the midst of our journey, and her calm and serene face with a delicate range of emotions…
"I'm just going to say it, you know I'm not the type to sit back and keep my mouth shut. I'll repeat it for you: if a problem arises, you're not the one who will suffer the consequences. She's the one who'll suffer them. You know that, don't you?"
I smiled fiercely at Zack, who was unusually insistent. "… Aren't you being too defensive? Maybe you're the one who doesn't want to let go of her, Your Excellency…"
Zack smiled coldly. He seemed to have taken the provocation to heart.
"I picked that girl up. She's like my little sister. As a brother, you're supposed to wish for your sister's happiness. She's been hurt enough. I don't care how much you want her, I dare you to try to hurt her any more, Your Royal Highness…"
The standoff, which was taking place in secret among the clamor of celebration behind us, eventually ended when Zack diverted his gaze. "I don't want to see that girl get hurt again."
"I've heard that story all the way through… I'm the one, Zack. I'm going to be the place where she can belong."
Zack let out a short sigh as if he had given up. "Don't go back on your word… Try it if you can, Alexei."
"Yeah… I'll take care of it, Blazack."
"Well, then I…"
"I want a place where I belong."
The voice had been faint, but still, Shiori's wish had certainly reached my ears. These were the rest of the words that had been interrupted before by the manticore.
She was a strong woman. But the occasional fleeting look on her face pained my heart.
I didn't understand how difficult it was to be in a strange land far from your home with an ambiguous identity. But if I was allowed to, I wanted to be part of her heart.
"Shiori."
Finally free from the fuss and cheering, I called out to her as she was getting ready to leave the adventurer's guild headquarters. She was already saying goodbye to her temporary comrades.
Shiori looked back at the scenery of the city with a hint of dusk looming in the background.
"Now that you've defeated the manticore in one piece, we've got a hearty meal for you. Did you get what you wanted?" I took Shiori's hand, while she remained silent, pressing my lips onto the back of it and kissing it like a knight.
"If you want me to, I'll be there for you," I offered.
I watched her face as she understood the meaning of my words, a blush gradually spreading across her cheeks.
Now… how do I woo her? I pondered.
I lifted the corners of my mouth at the thought of the joyful days ahead.
Shiori Izumi: 31 years old. B-Rank adventurer. A maid mage. Japanese.
Alex Dia:
Clemens Saeden: 36 years old. A-Rank adventurer. Twin swordsman. Loves grilled chicken.
Linus Caulfield: 28 years old. A-Rank adventurer. Archer. Favorite food is fried chicken.
Ellen Oweri: 27 years old. B-Rank adventurer. Healer. Favorite food is fruit in syrup.
Zack Ciel: 40 years old. Former S-Rank adventurer. Guild master. Favorite food?
Rurie: …Age? Slime Familiar. Favorite food is water created with water magic.
※ Author Note: Since the copyright protection period seems to have expired for the lyrics of the song "Furusato", I've decided to publish it as is in the novel.
[1]TL NOTE: The song is "Furusato" which is a well-known Japanese children's song. It usually is a 3 verse song, the 3rd verse was cut short but here it is:
Someday when I have done what I set out to do,
I'll return home one of these days,
Where the mountains are green, my old country home,
Where the waters are clear, my old country home.
It is a really sad sounding song, if you are interested in it you can search for it on YouTube as "Furusato Japanese song" and plenty of results should come up.
I translated the song in a more literal meaning, however there is also a less well-known English version of it, translated by Greg Irwin and published in the album called "Japan's Best Loved Songs of the Season" in 1998. There should also be a Lexi Walker performance of that version. The lyrics for that version are as follow:
My Country Home by Greg Irwin
Back in the mountains I knew as a child
Fish filled the rivers and rabbits ran wild
Memories, I carry these wherever I may roam
I hear it calling me, my country home
Mother and Fathers, how I miss you now
How are my friends I lost touch with somehow?
When the rain falls or the wind blows I feel so alone
I hear it calling me, my country home
I've got this dream and it keeps me away
When it comes true I'm going back there someday
Crystal waters, mighty mountains blue as emerald stone
I hear it calling me, my country home
[2]TL NOTE: Ahh, "nakama" my old nemesis. Anyone that has a history with any shounen genre work should know this term but it is somewhat hard to explain organically. Basically the term roughly translates to "comrade, friends or companion" but carries a heavier meaning. They are basically your second family which ties heavily with this chapter's (and last chapter's) history. Shiori considered Dawn close to family, and that's why she felt so hurt and why she tried so hard for them for so long. I altered the translation to better fit the flow of the conversation while still conveying at least a fraction of the word's social connection, but they're both saying the same word, "nakama".
[3] Yakitori is a Japanese skewered chicken, cooked on a grill with either sweet soy sauce or just salt.
[4] This name is a pun. The last name can also be read as "Dear" since well… he will become Shiori's "dear"? Maybe? I guess we will find out together.