Chapter 28

However, it's Nozwel Kalco.

I never thought that someone from the Kalco family would come here in person.

There are no specific restrictions on growing aromatic tobacco leaves in this village.

Originally, in households with little to spare, many people try to grow their own to make ends meet.

However, compared to the high-quality leaves from the Kalco and Rietta families, the quality is far inferior, so they tend to give up quickly.

Once you've tasted high-quality aromatic tobacco leaves, anything of lower quality just tastes bad.

Perhaps because of this, I've never heard of anyone from the Kalco family going out of their way to harass people who grow their own.

If there were any precedents, the tribal chief would have stopped it.

After all, this Maren tribe village isn't that rough.

But the fact that he came at this time can only mean it's about the aromatic tobacco leaves.

This is a problem.

I've prepared for this, and I don't want to give up halfway.

Giselle gripped my shirt tightly.

She was trembling.

Looking ahead, Nozwel was staring intently at Giselle.

Thinking his gaze was creepy, Nozwel licked his lips.

Ah... this guy is no good.

"...So, what do you want?"

As I said this, I stepped forward to shield Giselle.

"Hey, Nozwel, let's stop. Let's go home!"

"Y-Yeah, that's right. That guy is really dangerous. I've told you many times, you shouldn't mess with an Otem addict."

The two people behind him sounded unusually scared.

It seems they were afraid of me.

I feel a bit good knowing my magic is being praised.

"Shut up! I'm the eldest son of the Kalco family! What do you mean, Abel? I'm the strongest and most important person in this village!"

Nozwel shouted at the two people behind him.

While I think the term "important" is a bit misleading, the Kalco family does have considerable influence in the village council.

They've even managed to get the tribal chief to change decisions unfavorable to them. The chief has complained about this before.

During the war, the Kalco family was the only one to act as if nothing was happening.

"There's someone who was turned into a chimera after challenging Abel..."

"My father also told my sister that if you do something bad, Abel will come and turn you into an Otem..."

The two followers tried to persuade Nozwel, grabbing his shoulders.

Hey, who said that?

Who spread such baseless rumors?

There are things you can say and things you can't.

Who gave you permission to use this for children's moral education?

Some people actually believe it.

Bullying is not just about the instigator; it's also about those who encourage it, leading to escalation.

"You guys are idiots! That's impossible! My dad can't do something like that!"

That's right. It's impossible.

Good job, Nozwel, for saying that, for whatever reason.

"But I've seen him call a fat bird 'Shivvy'! I'm sure it was the fat one from the Ardie family! He must have done something to it! There's no doubt about it!"

"Look! Someone said they saw a pile of Otems whispering sadly! Look, their faces look like they're about to move!"

...No, I have a bit of a guilty conscience.

I named a chimera 'Shivvy,' and I've made Otems talk a few times.

There's a magic spell that records Otems' voices and plays them back. It was quite fun.

Is this okay?

Maybe my dad has been suffering because of me?

"...And, and I heard he's a bear killer. He cuts off the head of a Greater Bear and brings it back to display... I'm sure he's not right in the head. Don't get involved, let's go home, Nozwel!"

What are these guys doing, spreading rumors about me?

Trying to break my spirit?

It's hard to deny because I have a guilty conscience.

I'm about to cry.

Giselle gripped my shirt even tighter.

No, my sister is scared. I don't know why this trio came, but I should at least get Giselle home.

But Giselle stepped forward, contrary to my thoughts.

"W-What do you want? My brother didn't do such a thing!"

She shouted at the trio with a firm voice, despite her trembling body.

Thanks to her, I calmed down a bit.

"Regarding the Greater Bear, he was disappointed that he couldn't find the upper body he cut off and wanted to bring back! It's all lies! S-Stop making things up!"

That's not helping, you know!

...No, that's not it!

I just wanted to use it as material for a chimera!

The two followers turned pale.

They tried to run but were held back by Nozwel.

"Don't overreact! It's obviously a lie! Besides, I can kill a Greater Bear with my magic! If it appeared in front of me, I could do it! But that's not the case!"

The two followers stopped running, following Nozwel's lead.

But they still looked like condemned prisoners awaiting execution.

...Can this guy really kill a Greater Bear?

Not even my father or Galia could handle it.

I thought I could deal with it using magic if necessary, but this might be dangerous.

I'm getting a bit excited.

The only person I can really talk about magic with is the tribal chief.

I didn't expect much from others, but maybe Nozwel could be different.

I want to check his status, but using unique magic in this situation might be seen as a sign of aggression and complicate things.

I still don't know why Nozwel is here.

Let's try to keep the conversation calm.

I thought this weird guy with the bowl cut was just here to cause trouble, but hearing he likes magic made him seem like a good guy.

His distinctive hairstyle even looks dignified.

I really want to be friends with him.

"Sorry about the noise behind me. H-Hey, don't be so tense. I'm not going to eat you... Why are you smiling?"

"No, please, let's talk."

"......"

Nozwel scowled.

But, perhaps not wanting to be led by the other person's pace, he cleared his throat and quickly regained his composure.