WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS
Translator: Abood
Editor: Ryuu
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Saviour Embarks on a Nameless Journey
Chapter 24: Suspicion
As morning came, I got up slowly just as Pya, still half-asleep, tumbled off my stomach and scrambled back onto my shoulders in a panic.
No sign of the merc in the room. Given the all-night commotion outside, he’d probably pulled an all-nighter.
"Good morning."
Stepping out of my room, I was immediately in the living room. Next to it was the kitchen, no door between. The wife had apparently come back early and greeted me as she came out from the kitchen.
“Good morning.”
“Morning.”
Compared to the lively wife, the two people in the living room looked exhausted. Definitely had been up all night.
Compared to the lively wife, the two people in the living room looked exhausted. Definitely had been up all night.
“Ah, good morning. Mind making some tea?”
I said, glancing at the two while asking the wife.
“We’re just baking some bread now, so please wait a bit. Can’t offer much, but please eat plenty.”
She handed me the tea.
The tea was pleasantly fragrant with a faint sweetness. It was like the corn tea they often drink around here.
“Hey, I want a refill too!”
If he’s asking for seconds, then the mercenary must’ve already eaten.
From the kitchen, the wife’s voice came back: ‘Here you go. And what about you?’ The farmer replied, ‘I’m good,’ and declined.
“Sir, the lord’s offering a reward. To collect it, you can either wait here a few days or go to the town of Hadi where the lord is. What will it be?”
“No thanks. Too much hassle.”
The mercenary answered curtly.
Luckily, I’m not short on cash. Unlike my previous travels, I’m not counting every coin. I plan to eat all the local specialties I want and even stay at inns I missed before.
Besides, I don’t want to go traipsing into town and get tangled up with nobles. If my whereabouts get leaked, more trouble will follow. But staying here for a few days is too close to the capital.
Well, as long as I don’t give my name, it should be fine. That Elm kept going on about a ‘secret child’ or something. Probably because I caused a stir under the name Suirun, and they don’t want news of the hero leaking out. Guess they’re trying to cover it up with rumors about a secret child. Even if some gossip spreads, they want that to be the headline.
“I thought you’d say that. If dealing with officials is a hassle, I can collect the payment and bring it to you.”
“Huh? Did you mess something up?”
The farmer gave a surprised look at the mercenary’s offer.
“It’s just the paperwork that’s a pain. And dealing with nobles on top of that is annoying.”
I waved my hand dismissively.
“It’s a pretty good sum, too. They’re adding on extra since you took down that whole monster.”
“Oh, sorry I’m late, but thank you. That really helped!”
The farmer suddenly straightened up and bowed.
“Next time there’s monster rumors, please don’t hang the prey in front of the house.”
“Yes, understood. I can’t pay you in cash, but please take this wild boar meat.”
“And don’t forget boiled eggs, two or three.”
I requested from the farmer.
“Oh my, then I’ll boil some eggs right now.”
The wife said this as she set down a plate of food.
On the plate were two nicely browned slices of bread stacked together, some lettuce, and boiled then roasted wedge-cut potatoes.
Between the two slices of bread looked like some filling. I picked it up and took a bite. The cheese stretched like string, and a soft-boiled egg yolk started leaking out from the middle. I quickly turned the sandwich upright to avoid a mess and took another bite.
The salty ham and cheese, the sweet richness of the soft yolk coating my tongue, and a faint herbal flavor masked the occasional raw egg smell. The wife was clearly skilled at cooking.
“Pya—”
Pya climbed up my shoulder onto my lap.
And then started eating my breakfast right off my hand. The bread vanished in an instant, there was no way I wouldn’t get caught. What was I supposed to do now?
“You eat fast, sir. And your eater’s impatient, too?”
The mercenary asked with a slightly surprised look.
“......”
…She didn’t notice!?
Did Pya do something? Did she meddle with someone’s mind, or show some kind of illusion? Even rotten, she’s still a sacred beast.
“Oh my, eating too fast isn’t good for your health. Here, boiled egg. Would you like a second helping of bread?”
The wife asked with a bright smile.
“…I’ll take it.”
Great, now I sound like some glutton.
“Pya—”
Pya swallowed the peeled boiled egg whole topped with mayo, pepper, and some chopped herbs.
Hey, chew it! Eat properly! And save some for me!
“Sir, you’re swallowing whole…”
“What!?”
Wait, could it be that it looks like I’m the one eating? Are they actually seeing me eat? And somehow Pya’s way of eating is being reflected?
I want to ask, but now’s not the time. The mercenary’s one thing, but the farmer looks like he’s ready to go around telling everyone he met a sacred beast.
Pya quickly finished eating and slipped back onto my back. Hey, aren’t you stretching out from the weight on my stomach? You’re starting to look like an eggplant or something.
I ate the boiled egg that was barely left. Since the egg inside the sandwich had been soft-boiled, this one was cooked a bit harder. Still, the mayo kept it from being dry. I didn’t really taste any herbs, but the occasional sharp kick of black pepper was there.
With the corn tea, I enjoyed the boiled egg and hot sandwich and felt satisfied. But what to do about this strange suspicion lingering in my mind?
Footnotes:
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