CH 166

Chapter 166 – Welcome To Lafan

We left Roses before dawn, and it was only when the sun began to set that we finally caught sight of Lafan.

Even after I saw what appeared to be an undulating man-made structure at the end of the horizon, I didn’t think for a while that it was the cityscape of my destination.

It was partly because it had assimilated with the undulating coastline and become a part of the scenery…

“No city walls.”

“Lafan developed in a radial pattern from the port. It was originally just a desolate fishing village in the countryside. Not like the inland towns that were built as fortifications for defense.”

I nodded in understanding at McCain’s explanation, but since I had never been in a walled town before I came to this world, I was not sure if it was correct or not.

“How far is it from here to Lafan?”

“I’d say about two miles to the outer rim and another mile or so to the center.”

The horse-drawn sleigh that drove in front of us was slowed down and lined up with the sleigh of Calmon and the others.

“Where is Calmon’s family home?”

“Near the sea, on the outskirts of the north. It is about a mile from the center of the town.”

We are moving east, so it’s on the left when you look at it from here. Considering it is at the edge of the settlement, it seems quite far.

“Where are your parents’ houses, Rufia-san?”

“Our house is about a half mile inland from Calmon’s house.”

We are planning to go to Calmon’s house for now, but in that case, Rufia-san’s house would be right in our path.

Since there were no obstructions around us and we had a clear view, we could see them, but they did not come close to us at all. After about an hour of driving by horse-drawn sleigh, the farmhouse finally came into view.

“The two houses on the left are my parents’ house.”

In the direction indicated by Rufia-san, there was a large field, covered with snow but still larger than expected, and a small, one-story house.

I could see smoke coming from the main house, indicating that dinner was being prepared.

“I would say hello to my parents and then go to Calmon’s house.”

In a world without telephones, they had no way of knowing that their daughter would be arriving. A surprise reunion with their daughter, who had not been home for a long time. It was a little refreshing.

“Rufia-san, give this to your parents.”

I handed her a set of souvenirs in a small cardboard box.

“What’s this, Takifu-san?”

“Sugar, baked goods that will last a long time, and tea. You see, if their daughter suddenly came back with her family, they would be worried, wouldn’t they?”

Calmon didn’t seem to understand what was going on, but Rufia-san seemed to get the message.

She took Nora-chan’s hand and got out, accepting the cardboard box and bowing.

“I appreciate your concern.”

“Uncle Takifu, you’re going to Sea Grandpa’s place too, right?”

“…Hmm? Oh, you mean Calmon’s parents’ house. Yes, that’s right.”

“Okay! I’ll be there later, too!”

Nora-chan waved at me. She’s so cute.

I don’t have any nephews or nieces, so I’m kind of happy.

“Yeah, I’ll be waiting for you.”

Calmon asked me as we slowly made our way through the sleigh.

“Hey, Takifu. What do you mean when you say they’ll be worried if we don’t give the box to our parents? I don’t think they know why we left Sarz.”

“That’s why, you idiot.”

Myrril-san understands. Eino and Colon understand, too. Louis and Tig don’t even listen to it. They don’t seem to be interested in it.

While gender differences and gender roles are stricter here than in my former world, there are many people who are “not concerned” about it.

“If a daughter came home empty-handed and with nothing but her clothes on, people would be worried that she had gotten into trouble or was being chased away. But if she brings a small gift, her parents will be relieved.”

“With baked goods?”

“No, it doesn’t matter what it is. It means that you had time, feelings, and money to choose a souvenir to take back to your parents’ house.”

Even after hearing the explanation, Calmon is not convinced. Men are rather like that. Until I heard it from my grandma in Koriyama, I thought they were only pleased with the goods when they were pleased with the souvenirs, too. I don’t blame others.

“Calmon!”

An old woman who seemed to have just returned from the sea suddenly shouted out in a confused voice. In her hand was a basket of small fish. Her skin was tanned and reddish-bronze and her back muscles elongated. She looked old but strong.

“Oh, Mom. I’m back.”

Parking the horse-drawn sleigh in the yard, Calmon heads for home. He turns around and calls out for Tig and the others but does not look at his mother as if he is uncomfortable with the situation.

That’s what this is about. Listen to the advice of others. Hey.

“Don’t say, ‘I’m back now!’ What’s the matter with you? You didn’t screw up something at Sarz and run away, did you?”

See? I’ve been through this before; I know what happened. I mean, with my grandma in Koriyama, it was great.

But, well, I’ll give you a little service this time around for the future.

“Calmon-san! You forgot to bring something for your parents!”

I followed after Calmon, carrying a wooden box, a cardboard box, and a burlap sack. I push the bags to Calmon, who is a bit nervous in front of his mother, whom he has not seen in a long time.

“Calmon, who’s this?”

“Oh, uh…”

“Well, well, well. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mother.” [T/n: He called Calmon’s mother ‘Okaa-sama'”

“”…Mother?””

“I am Takifu, formerly a merchant of the kingdom. Over there is my wife, Mir. I stayed in Sarz only during the winter, and I am very grateful to Calmon-san for all the help he has given me. I have heard that Calmon-san is making a triumphant return to his hometown, and as I have always wanted to visit Lafan, I have asked him to escort me on the way.”

“H-huh…”

The only way to win over a well-spoken middle-aged woman is to force more information on her than her brain can handle.

When Calmon’s mother’s eyes went black and white, I took the burlap sack from Calmon’s hand and put it on her hand.

“This is part of my thanks to Calmon-san for all the help he has given me. I heard that he was going to give this to his mother, so I have been keeping it for him.”

“What is this… W-whoa!?”

The mother froze when she saw the silver coins in the burlap sack and looked at her son for an explanation. Calmon’s eyes just swam, and he turned to the side with a sigh.

No, say something. I know I’m pushing your buttons, but come on.

“S-such a lot of money! What did you do in Sarz?”

“I heard that he became a successful adventurer and decided to return to his hometown for his family. Please ask him for more details.”

Well, that was the end of my service. Leaving the mother and son, I returned to the horse-drawn sleigh.

“What was that, Takifu? You look like a real merchant.”

“A merchant is still a merchant, you know. I used to be a salaryman, though.”

“I don’t know what a “salaryman” is, but you look like an adult to me now for the first time.”

Hey, isn’t that a bit much for a 34-year-old man who has been working for 12 years?