Chapter 35

The coming-of-age ceremony ended successfully.

Originally, it’s not a particularly long ritual.

It involves drinking a decoction made from plants said to have strong resistance to curses, carving an otem, singing in the spirit language, and praying to the spirits of ancestors with a homemade flute.

After the ceremony, I distribute the meat of the monster I hunted to those who came.

Although there are many people, it’s mostly a formality. It ended with just giving out bite-sized pieces of meat.

It must have some symbolic meaning to show that I’ve become an adult.

Finally, with a kiseru in one hand, I make a cross in the air with the other hand, marking the end of the ceremony.

The whole thing takes a little over two hours, starting in the morning and ending around noon.

About forty people or so attended, including some I didn’t know very well.

I don’t have many acquaintances, but my father has a wide circle of acquaintances.

It’s also nice that the clan leader, who never goes outside, came out specially for this.

After the coming-of-age ceremony, I put the kiseru away.

“Phewksh!”

It’s still smoky.

The smell is good, but I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.

“Now you are also a full-fledged adult of the Maaren clan. From now on, be more mindful of your reputation and go hunting as well as studying magic.”

I’ve already received permission from my father to use magic during hunting.

To be honest, my father has finally given in.

So helping with hunting is fine, but I can’t really be careful about using magic.

Anyway...

“...I’m sorry, Father, can you help me? The clothes are heavy and I can’t move. Can I take off the top?”

“C-can’t you say that a little more quietly!”

During the coming-of-age ceremony, we wear special ritual clothes and heavy decorations on our heads.

They are so heavy. I’m drenched in sweat inside the clothes.

“I’ll help you, Brother! Congratulations!”

“I’m sorry, but I’m out of energy…”

I had planned to sell the incense leaves at the exchange square afterward... but maybe tomorrow will do.

I just want to sleep today. I want to lie down and relax with the otem.

I am led by Jizel and stumble into the shadow of a building.

“Congratulations. Now Zere’s son is a full-fledged adult.”

“Ah... Mr. Garia, thank you for coming.”

The one approaching with applause was Siby’s father, Garia.

“Still, the way you two act, it’s like you’re newlyweds. So, when are you getting married?”

Garia’s teasing makes Jizel’s face turn bright red.

She buries her face in my heavy clothes to hide her blushing face.

“Haha, don’t tease us so much, Mr. Garia.”

“Huh? Oh, I see?”

Garia, looking unconvinced, puts his hand on his chin.

From the outside, it might look like we’re a bit too close, but that’s not the case.

“Still, usually you’re always talking about Abel, but where’s the idiot Siby? I’m really sorry. He suddenly disappeared…”

“No, no, actually, I asked him to do something for me!”

“Asked him?”

“Yes, I had some business to take care of, but I couldn’t move because of the coming-of-age ceremony… I’m sorry.”

“No, no. Oh, Abel, I see. Well, he should have said something… So, what was the business?”

I don’t really like the way he’s understanding it...

But I’ve taken Siby out quite a few times before, so I can’t really say anything...

I’m sorry, I’ve caused you trouble.

“Here it is.”

As I say this, I lightly shake the kiseru.

The smoke spreads around.

“I thought it had a strange smell. So, you made it yourself!? I heard you were doing something, but Siby didn’t say anything, so I thought you had given up…”

“I wanted to mass-produce and distribute it, so I asked you to keep it a secret. Now, I’m asking Siby to help with transportation, securing a location, and gathering information. I’m really sorry.”

“Haha! So Abel has gone this far. If you make too much, the Kalko family might take notice. Be careful.”

“It’s fine. We’re only making what we can manage with three people.”

“That’s great, a masterpiece! So, do you have any spares?”

Garia laughs heartily and urges me.

“Yes, I do. How about it?”

“Alright, then I’ll be your first customer.”

Garia takes out a magic array-embedded mineral from his clothes, a kind of currency guaranteed by the clan leader.

“I actually planned to distribute it to those who came. As a thank you and for promotion. It’s not a lot, but it’s like a sample. Look, the contents of that burlap bag are it.”

“...Did you make quite a lot? Is it okay? Just between us, they’re quite underhanded, so be careful.”

Garia’s smile disappears, and he lowers his voice to warn me.

But it’s too late.

I know the Kalko family is underhanded, and I’ve already made preparations.

We are ready to sell at a low price continuously.

Since I don’t want to move much in my heavy clothes, I ask Jizel to bring the burlap bag.

I take out the incense leaves wrapped in cloth from the bag and hand them to Garia.

Garia takes the incense leaves, crushes them with his fingertips, puts them in the kiseru, and lights them with magic.

After exhaling the smoke, he exclaims, “Wow!”

“Hey! This is good! During the coming-of-age ceremony, you looked so uncomfortable, I thought it would be bland.”

“I’m just not good with the smoke…”

“Abel! Abel! Something’s wrong!”

Siby interrupts our conversation.

“Hey, Siby! You didn’t tell me…”

“Eek! F-father! C-could you wait a moment! It’s urgent!”

He seems very flustered.

“Why are you here? Weren’t you securing the location…?”

“It’s fine, I’ve asked a friend to do it for me… but I’m not sure if it’s fine… I feel a bit insecure, so if you’re done, could you come early?”

“Which one? What happened unexpectedly?”

“Actually, I was delayed in securing the location… I rushed to a good spot and started preparing, but it turned out to be right next to the Kalko family. By the time I realized, only the corner was available… I thought about moving, but the Kalko family seems to be putting a lot of effort into today, so maybe we should change the date…”

“Good job, Siby!”

“Huh?”

Time is running out.

I try to take off my layered ritual clothes, but the sweat makes it difficult.

“Damn, go ahead! Don’t let go of that spot! Guard it with your life! I’ll be there soon!”

“S-seriously?”

Siby, with his mouth agape, says.

“Who would retreat here! Jizel, help me take these off!”

“Sure, leave it to me!”

“Abel! What are you doing!?”

My father, who was bowing to the clan leader, sees me and screams.

But I don’t have time to worry about that. I’ll cut a cross or something later.