Chapter 29

"Well, it's not like I had any particular business. I heard that the chief's disciple is making smoking leaves, so I just came to check it out."

I see, that's the connection.

If an ordinary person were to make them for personal use, there shouldn't have been a problem.

But I am close to the chief.

It's said that the chief once planned to mass-produce smoking leaves to lower their value.

Lowering the value of smoking leaves would help many people's lives.

But it also had the meaning of reducing the influence of the Kalko family.

From the chief's perspective, the Kalko family, which could interfere with the village's policies for selfish purposes, was a hindrance.

It wouldn't be strange for them to think that I'm continuing the chief's scheme.

In fact, this time, the cultivation of smoking leaves would have been impossible without the chief's materials.

"I understand your concern. Don't worry, I don't intend to grow that many. It's just out of curiosity."

"It seems so. Just one plant, huh. My dad told me to threaten you if necessary, but it seems there was no need. Well, but, I did find something good."

It seems like I'll be let off. What a relief.

The two behind me, the short one and the tall one, also looked relieved.

Those two also seem to have had a tough time...

"That's a relief... but, what do you mean by 'something good'?"

"Well, I heard that Otem has a beautiful sister, but I didn't expect her to be this beautiful. I just wanted to take a look, but I like her. Recently, my dad has been annoying me, saying it's time for me to get married."

Wait, isn't this conversation getting a bit strange?

"Hey, you there, I'll make you my wife. Come forward."

"Huh?"

I had been trying to be polite, but I couldn't help but speak my mind.

What is this father-complex rich kid babbling about?

"Nono, Noswell! That's going too far!"

"Look at his eyes! He's definitely angry! Apologize! Of course, I'll bow with you!"

Noswell punched the tall one in the face.

"Have you been noisy all this time! Are you Iben Boa!"

Iben Boa is a beast similar to a pig.

It eats a lot and makes a lot of noise.

It's fat, has a lot of fat, and is delicious.

In the Maren tribe, it's often used as a mid-level insult.

"Ugh... I want to go home..."

The tall one muttered, holding his nose.

Just let them go home. Those two clowns aren't helping at all.

I glanced at Giselle.

Giselle had moved behind me and was trembling slightly.

"Hey, I said come forward! Can't you hear me? I'm talking to you!"

Noswell approached.

"Hey, Noswell!"

The short one tried to stop Noswell by putting a hand on his shoulder, but was easily shrugged off.

I stepped forward and faced Noswell.

"Sorry, but Giselle is allergic to Kappa."

"Kappa?"

"I mean creatures with heads like yours."

"What!?"

Noswell grabbed my collar.

I thought about using a quick spell, but managed to stay calm.

Kicking this Kappa head would feel great right now, but using magic on a human would cause trouble with my father.

Especially since the other party is the Kalko family.

I need to be patient. At least, I should wait for them to make the first move.

"My sister doesn't seem to like you. Now that we've finished our business, please leave."

Noswell pulled on my collar.

Too close! His face is too close!

"...Let me tell you a story. My dad also married a woman with a brother. He said the look of regret on my uncle's face was the best."

...Huh?

I don't understand Noswell's story.

What does it mean to marry a woman with a brother? Of course, my mom has a brother too.

Is this a cultural misunderstanding due to my past life values?

I feel like I might have a fundamental misunderstanding about Maren tribe culture.

Well, it doesn't matter. I don't need to be considerate of this guy. I'll just react honestly.

"So?"

"Huh? W, well, my dad... is..."

"Are you saying that your father, a pervert who gets excited by the complex expression of a brother seeing off his sister, is also a pervert like you?"

When I put it simply, it sounds like a very twisted and specific kind of pervert.

"Y, you're insulting my dad!"

Noswell's face turned red, and he pulled on my collar, slamming my side into the ground.

"Ugh!"

This guy really did it.

I lifted my upper body from the ground and glared at Noswell.

"Ah! Ah!"

For some reason, the two lackeys screamed.

I'm the one who wants to scream.

"Brother! Are you okay!"

Giselle helped me up, putting her hands on my back and stomach.

"Ah, sorry."

What should I do with this perverted father-complex rich kid?

"Noswell! That was a bit..."

"...Damn, maybe I got a bit too heated."

Noswell wiped his hand on his clothes and glared at my house.

He must have been wary of my mother coming out if she sensed something was wrong.

"Hmm? Hey, Abel, that Otem is making a fundamental mistake."

Noswell suddenly became calm and said this, pointing at the living Otem, Mr. Mountain.

I was caught off guard by his sudden change and lost my anger.

"Huh? No, it's going as planned..."

The two lackeys sighed in relief as the atmosphere changed.

"No, no, it's different. Show me a bit. As someone from the Kalko family who makes a living from smoking leaves, I can't overlook this mistake."

Noswell moved in front of Mr. Mountain.

Does he have something to say about my Otem?

What is it? Where?

Maybe it's the paint?

The information on living Otems is old, and the recommended materials are no longer made, so I used something completely different. It should be fine, but if there's any doubt, it would be there.

Did this guy see it just by looking from a distance?

"Right here!"

"What?"

"Right here!"

Noswell kicked Mr. Mountain, who broke in half with a snap.

"Mr. Mountain!?"

"Ah!!"

The two lackeys screamed, hugging each other with pale faces.

What are these guys really?

"Sorry, I didn't mean to kick so hard, but I got a bit frustrated. Well, I'll let you go today. I don't have time to deal with someone like you all day."

"You...!"

When I glared, Noswell shrugged dramatically.

"Run for your lives!"

"I'm not involved! I'm just an escort! I still want to be human!"

The two lackeys ran away in a mad dash.

Noswell laughed and walked in the same direction they ran.

"Brother... um..."

"Mr. Mountain... my Mr. Mountain..."

I slipped out of Giselle's arms and fell to the ground, kneeling.

"Are you okay!?"

I looked up at Giselle's voice. In front of me was the broken face of Mr. Mountain.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

I've decided.

This time, I'm going to do it thoroughly.