Volume 2 - CH 460

10-46. A Tale from the Past 8: Intense Pain

Two days after the drinking session,

The Akki Gate Village, which had become more livable, seemed to be a comfortable place for Dacia and Atrak. They decided to take a while to relax here.

With the battles over, they finally had some leisure time to spare.

Not knowing when the next battle might occur, they seemed to have thought it wise to rest when they could.

Regarding these matters, I believe it’s up to their judgment, so there’s no need for us to point out anything from our side.

As Amaka and the others explored the village that had changed slightly since their arrival, they engaged in conversations with the oni.

Atrak, who was visiting this village for the first time, seemed to be enjoying himself greatly.

Despite being one of the oldest members of the devil race, he apparently enjoyed witnessing such developments the most.

“Wow, you’re quite the thinker.”

“But be careful, alright? The tiger’s jaws are dangerous.”

“Yeah, definitely.”

Atrak observed the trap that Amaka had set up with great interest. He seemed to be unfazed by the danger, poking at it even after being warned.

Meanwhile, not far away, there was the sight of Urushima checking the condition of the soil and seedlings by sinking his feet into the rice paddies.

Dacia seemed to be intrigued and was listening to his explanation.

“Is this what you use for making alcohol?”

“Once cooked, it becomes delicious rice.”

“Not just alcohol… it’s also a food!”

“Yes. It would be great if we had other plants around here, though… They don’t seem to be plentiful.”

“Your knowledge is truly something that benefits everyone.”

“I-It’s not something grand like that…”

Urushima possessed the ability to alter soil composition and other similar skills.

With this ability, he could create the optimal soil. By adjusting the soil’s properties according to the vegetables being cultivated, it was possible to achieve abundant harvests.

Only the management of water had to be done manually.

Skills were truly convenient things.

And that’s why they were also mysterious.

“Dacia-san, do you have any thoughts about skills?”

“Skills? My skill is one where my physical abilities and technique strength increase based on the roll of a dice… I don’t really have any thoughts about it. It’s just a weapon necessary to survive, that’s all.”

“Is that so. I find it frightening.”

“Frightening?”

“Someone as small as me, wielding a power that’s almost god-like… Well, it’s scary, you know.”

Dacia had never thought about such things before.

But upon hearing it and thinking about it, the answer remains the same.

It’s the power necessary to live, the weapon necessary to protect.

Nothing more and nothing less.

People from their hometown, including Hiwa, tend to think strange things.

She’s not saying it’s a bad thing, but it feels suffocating to think that deeply.

While she thought it’s something she couldn’t do, she looked at the firmly rooted seedlings.

“How much longer until we can harvest these?”

“About five months from now.”

“That’s a long time. What about sake?”

“Well, all the naturally growing rice was used for making sake, so we can’t make any until we harvest this. We won’t expect more harvest unless we expand the rice fields a bit further. But we can’t push the oni to do more than they can handle.”

“What if we use the children? If we have them do it from a young age, they’ll naturally learn how to take care of things.”

“That’s a possibility… I’ll ask Enma-san and the parents about it.”

Reliable.

If it were Urushima, who contributes this much, he could probably use the children as he pleases without anyone saying anything. But that’s Urushima for you.

“Dead serious” is a phrase that suits him well.

He made the fields on his own, created the waterways on his own.

Being able to do all that without borrowing anyone’s strength is probably thanks to his skill.

The village oni had been gossiping that he made them in almost a single day.

Being able to accomplish what normally takes dozens of people several days to do for fields and waterways in such a short time might be why they questioned his skill.

“Ah, a frog… Eww!!”

“It’s a Bellfrog. Be careful, it’s poisonous.”

“Gyaaaaah!”

Urushima runs away upon seeing a frog with abnormally large eyes. He seems his age in situations like this.

“Aaaaaaaah!!”

“”!!?””

Suddenly, the scream of a woman can be heard.

They recognize that unusual voices belong to.

“Amaka-san!?”

“Let’s go, Urushima!”

“Yes!”

The two of them ran towards the direction of the voice.

There, at the weaving place, they found Amaka contorted in pain.

The female oni who were working nearby looked worried, but they were not doctors.

They seemed to be in a state of confusion, not knowing what to do.

Urushima rushed over immediately, took her hand, and checked her pulse.

He held her face and opened one eye, but she immediately began to thrash and struggle in pain.

“What happened?! Hey! What’s going on!!”

“Amaka!! What’s wrong!? Can you hear us!?”

“Aaaghh… Ugh… Grr…”

“Urushima! What’s this!?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know! But I’ll do what I can! 【High Heal】 !”

He used his skill to initiate healing.

However, it seemed the pain wasn’t subsiding, and Amaka’s consciousness gradually drifted away.

Everyone present was surprised by Amaka’s sudden collapse, but after taking her pulse again, Urushima nodded, seeming slightly relieved.

“She’s going to be okay. She fainted due to the pain.”

“I-Is that so… That’s a relie–“

From Amaka’s body, a blue sphere emerged.

“…What is this?”