Chapter 10

The next day, I headed to the chieftain's residence with Giselle.

I can't say I don't feel some resistance about asking the chieftain to be my master. I don't really know him well, and to be honest, he's a bit intimidating.

Still, there's no one more suitable than the chieftain to be my magic master in this village. The training will probably be quite strict, but I'm ready for that.

As I was about to enter the wooden fence, a voice was thrown at me from behind.

"Oh, isn't that Abel, the Otem maniac? What brings you to my house?"

Turning to the source of the voice, I saw a Maren girl about my age standing there. Her sharp, red eyes were fixed on me, and her arms were crossed in front of her chest, reflecting her confident personality. Her voluminous long hair, tied only at the ends, was blown by the wind, swaying arrogantly.

It's Filo, the chieftain's granddaughter. I've been spotted by a troublesome person.

"Take it back! My brother is not an Otem maniac! Thanks to Father's persuasion, he hasn't made more than two Otems a day recently! He pays attention to me too! Isn't that right, brother!"

No, that actually means he used to be an Otem maniac, doesn't it? You see me like that, huh? Big brother is a bit hurt.

"That's what being an Otem maniac means."

Filo said with a cool look.

"Relax. I didn't come here to see you."

"What!? I'm not expecting or hoping for that! Besides, I didn't mean it that way! Don't say weird things!"

Filo's face turned bright red as she shouted. She uncrossed her arms and pointed a finger at me. Kids are easy to tease.

"Anyway, I know Abel is a pervert who only gets excited by Otems! I won't fall for such tricks!"

I feel like punching her. So, that's how I'm seen? Who spread such a ridiculous lie?

"I came to see your grandfather."

"Don't call him so casually, Otem maniac! Call him Chieftain!"

"It's fine, I'll call him Chieftain in front of him."

The Maren people use formal language even with family, which makes me feel suffocated. I want to be more relaxed when talking with kids.

"Hey, don't call my grandfather 'grandfather'! Who do you think you are! I have no intention of becoming your wife! I don't like you at all!"

"That's not what I meant! I was just trying to be sarcastic!"

I don't want you to read too much into it; it's confusing. Fine, I'll call him Chieftain in front of Filo. Talking to Filo is exhausting.

"Anyway, I'm going to see the Chieftain."

"Hmph, I have no idea what you're up to. Well, I don't care what Abel wants to do. Just be careful not to make a fool of yourself."

I turned my face towards the house and waved Filo away with my hand. As I started walking, I heard three sets of footsteps. Looking back, I saw Filo following me.

"...Filo, this isn't your business."

"What! I'm just going home! What's with that look! Stop saying I'm following Abel! Understand! This is my house! I can go home whenever I want!"

She's not a bad person, but...

Still, I haven't met the chieftain many times. Having Filo around might make the conversation a bit easier.

If she's here, there's no need to force her to leave. But it would be better if she went somewhere else.

I entered the house. At the entrance, I met Filo's mother. After a brief greeting, I conveyed my intention to see the Chieftain.

"Of course, of course. The Chieftain should be free today. Oh, since you're here, Filo, why don't you show him around?"

"Me, Mother? Well, I guess I have to. Given the situation, I suppose I have to. Fine, I don't want to, but I'll show you around. I really don't want to."

Filo sighed and said it dramatically.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, Filo. Thank you for showing me around."

I changed my attitude and bowed politely.

"Whoa, you're throwing me off..."

When I'm in front of adults, I always maintain this attitude. It works better.

"Sorry, Abel. Filo isn't being honest. She's a good girl at heart, so please be kind to her..."

"Mother!"

Filo's cheeks turned red, and she gritted her teeth as she raised her voice. Her mother chuckled and left for another room. Filo cleared her throat and started walking.

"Hey! What are you standing there for!"

With Filo leading the way, we walked down the corridor towards the room where the chieftain was.

I remember the chieftain as a rather stubborn person. I only intended to make an appointment and leave today, but since I was so easily shown in, it seems that wasn't necessary.

The chieftain doesn't go hunting; the young people do that. There haven't been any major incidents recently, so he's probably not very busy. Besides, I'm just a seven-year-old. This isn't a large village, so he might see me as a grandchild coming to play.

"Mother is so casual. Well, I'm here, so I'll show you around. I'm taking time out of my schedule to accompany you, so I hope you're grateful. I don't know what you want from my grandfather, but don't do anything to embarrass me. If you're rude, I'll kick you out, got it?"

Filo turned back and said quickly, then immediately turned her face forward again.

You were just going home, right? I want to say that, but I'll refrain from such a petty comment.

The chieftain is human too. He might soften a bit in front of his grandchild. It probably won't work against me.