NOVEL NEXT Chapter 44 - Chapter 44: Oni Folk
Chapter 44: Oni Folk
Regaining our composure, we return to the market in Misharl. The stalls are still bustling as ever. Kuro is effortlessly managing the stall alone. Doesn’t anyone find it strange that an imp like him is running the stall by himself? People in this world sure are adaptable. Well, it’s a world with monsters and strange creatures after all. You just have to go with the flow.
By the way…
“…Why are you following us?”
“Huh? There aren’t many oni folks who travel around with two oni women. So, I thought I’d learn.”
“Huh…?”
He started saying something that doesn’t make any sense. Shiro and Gisella are completely ignoring the oni man’s presence now. What should I do about this?
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Zamza.”
“I’m Bonus. Are you a mercenary?”
“Yeah, that’s right. I’m a hero of the oni tribe who has defeated Kidanakemo!”
Shiro and Gisella look at Zamza with faces that seem to mock him. Zamza notices their gaze and looks a bit dejected.
“Huh? Welcome back, Bonus.”
Kuro and Melanie look at us with curious faces.
Ah, how do I explain this guy? Maybe I should just leave it.
“I’m Zamza, the hero of the oni tribe. I’m planning to learn from Bonus for a while.”
He started introducing himself on his own. Every time he says “hero,” Shiro and Gisella snicker, and Zamza looks disheartened.
Maybe he should stop calling himself a hero… He should start learning from around here.
Still, Zamza’s face is gradually returning to normal despite being beaten up so badly. His recovery ability is downright unfair.
“Bonus, it’s a shame we couldn’t shop.”
“Gisella, could you go shopping with me again tomorrow?”
“Of course, no problem~”
“Zamza, you’re in the way there.”
When Shiro says that, Zamza quickly moves behind the stall as if he’s been pushed.
Isn’t he a bit too scared of Shiro?
“Shiro, is it okay to leave him alone?”
“Well, as long as he doesn’t get in the way, it’s fine, right? He’s just a kid.”
To Shiro, he seems like a child. Well, his face does look a bit young.
“How old are you, Zamza?”
“I’m 14. I’m an adult!”
14 years old… I see.
Gisella doesn’t even pay him any attention anymore.
“Are you going to keep following me?”
“No, I sleep at night.”
“I see. Do you have a place to stay?”
“No, I sleep on the road.”
No wonder he looks so dirty. Well, considering their toughness, it doesn’t matter where they sleep. Even Shiro, who’s clean now, was smelly at first. Gisella’s hair is messy, too. Oni folks really don’t care much about grooming. Learn from Kuro, who keeps herself immaculate.
“Zamza, first lesson: occasionally take a bath and clean yourself up.”
“Huh?”
“Gugyau gugyau.”
Kuro nods approvingly. Zamza tilts his head and sniffs himself.
“Try going to the bathhouse.”
“O-Okay.”
He’s surprisingly obedient and a bit cute… I wonder if he has money to take a bath. Well, he seems to be a mercenary, so maybe he earns enough. And he sleeps outdoors. He probably doesn’t spend much money. It must be easy being physically strong. At least he doesn’t have to be scared of everything like me and constantly worry about money. But, if you ask if I envy him… not really.
“Bonus, can I have some chocolate?”
“Shall we take a tea break, everyone?”
“Gugyau!”
“Yeah.”
Kuro quickly prepares some coffee. She prepares milk chocolate, which is now about half of it, for everyone. Pink and Melanie also come over to join us. I thought I brought plenty, but it seems I’ve given out quite a bit. Pink seems to be sneaking some as well.
“Kuro’s coffee is really delicious.”
“Some customers insist on having coffee made by Kuro.”
Melanie often observes our stall closely. If something goes wrong, she casually lets us know or helps out. She acts more like a manager than me, who always seems stressed out.
“Kuro has truly become the face of this stall.”
“Kuro is amazing.”
“It’s hard to understand why Kuro is an imp~”
“Gugyau~gugyau~gugyau~”
I stroke Kuro’s fluffy head, regaining peace of mind that was disturbed by the violence of the oni. She wriggles while making happy sounds. Kuro doesn’t seem too bothered by it.
“Kuro has become quite cute.”
“Gugyau~? Gugyau~!”
“Kuro is cute, and she’s good at wearing accessories and clothes. When I put our stall’s items on Kuro, they sell really well.”
I thought Melanie just liked being around Kuro, but she even does that kind of thing. She’s quite business-savvy… Lately, customers often talk to Kuro and smile at her. Well, I can understand that feeling. She’s cheerful, adorable, and very cute now. Just watching her makes you feel brighter. She’s truly become the mascot of this stall.
“Shiro-san, Gisella-san, could you wear our accessories while working at the stall?”
“Huh? Sure, why not.”
“Huh, you don’t need money? Can I really wear them?”
“Yay! It’s the best to decorate such a beauty with my accessories!”
I had a feeling, but Melanie seems to have somewhat peculiar tastes. Still, I can understand that feeling to some extent. Shiro, who receives meticulous care from Kuro, has become quite beautiful. Her transparent white hair reflects the intense Savoian sun, shining like fresh snow. She has a perfect physique with a hint of femininity. Decorating her with accessories on her tanned skin that emphasizes her healthy body would definitely make her stand out. However, she often does heavy lifting while smiling in the background. Consequently, she has fewer interactions with customers than Kuro. Still, it’s not uncommon for mercenaries and townsfolk, regardless of gender, to gaze at Shiro with fascination.
Gisella will probably start taking care of herself more at some point. Although she’s somewhat tidy now, her hair is messy, and she mostly wears scraps of cloth as clothes, giving her a rough impression. However, Gisella has a different, more feminine allure and a carefree side that adds to her bewitching charm. It’ll be interesting to see how her charm evolves as she takes better care of herself.
“Melanie, if they find something they really like, I’ll pay for it later, so go ahead and sell it.”
“It’s okay. If you help advertise our products, I’ll treat you!”
“Well, let’s not get carried away.”
Perhaps because we made plans to hang out later, Melanie has been in high spirits today and yesterday. Speaking of which, today, I have plans to drink with Marie. I’ll leave the entertaining to Pink and Kuro.
“Oh! Welcome back, feeling refreshed?”
“Ah, yeah. I’m back.”
Zamza, who has tidied up a bit, returns sluggishly. He seems a bit happy when I talk to him.
“These are my stall’s products, but you can eat them.”
“Huh?”
Since he just took a bath, I give him coffee milk and chocolate. He looks puzzled, shifting his gaze between my face, the coffee, and the treats. He looks a bit like Shiro did when we first met.
“Eat up.”
Thinking that, Shiro instructs him to eat as if telling him to hurry up. He flinches for a moment, then quietly drinks the coffee milk and eats the chocolate. He seems to like it, smiling. He looks even younger when he smiles.
“Stay out of the way in the back.”
Next, Gisella warns him, and he hurriedly goes behind the stall in silence. It feels like scolding a misbehaving little brother… Big sisters can be scary.