第６８７堀：たのしいさとがえり (Part2)
I had heard even before leaving the village that they were quite active in the "procreation" department, so perhaps that is where the problem lies. I’ll have to talk to Yuki about it later.
As we were discussing this, Kirue opened her mouth as if she had just remembered something.
"Oh, that’s right. It’s fine that Eris got married and had a child, but what are you going to do about *him*?"
"Him?"
I tilted my head, genuinely not understanding what she was talking about. Kirue slapped her hand to her forehead with an "oh boy" expression.
"Eris, you were never interested in him to begin with. Actually, it’s a mystery why you even got married in the first place, but never mind that. You know, your suitor from back when we were in the village."
"……Ah. That guy."
"Yeah, that guy. The one who used to go around saying, 'Eris’s chest belongs to me!' What an idiot."
Back when I lived in the village, there had been talk of marriage to ensure the village's survival. Well, I was still just a young girl, and there was an unspoken understanding that elves didn't reach childbearing age until after they turned one hundred, so the plan was to discuss it after I returned from my travels. But even back then, there was an idiot who loudly proclaimed throughout the village that my ample bosom belonged to him.
In fact, one of the reasons I hurried my departure was because I couldn't stand him.
"Can't we just leave him alone? I’m a married woman now, and I have a child. I won't be settling down in the village, so won't he just end up looking for someone else within the village?"
"Wait, Eris? You’re not coming back?"
"No, I can't just leave the country that easily. I have an important job. Besides, I don't want to be separated from Yuki."
"I see. Well, I guess that’s not a problem then. You know, he’s only smart when it comes to his head, right? Because of that, he’s been taking advantage of a lot of people."
It seems that idiot has turned into complete trash over the last ten years.
"……What does the Elder say about him?"
"Hmm. Well, it’s a matter between a man and a woman, and since those women were the ones who took the bait of that idiot’s advances, there doesn't seem to be any direct punishment. I mean, if we started punishing people for that, we’d have to forbid divorce and remarriage just because of bad compatibility. Besides, his intelligence is technically considered an asset."
Hah. Calling that level of intellect "smart" is a laughingstock now. Compared to the research and accumulation of knowledge by the people of Yuki’s Earth, his knowledge is nothing but dust.
Regardless, the fact that there are women who find that idiot appealing and are willing to entrust their bodies to him, even temporarily... the world is a vast place. It’s a world I don't understand at all, and one I have no desire to understand.
Well, that idiot is no longer any concern of mine. I was just about to say goodbye to Kirue and head to the Elder’s place when...
"Oh!! That chest is undoubtedly my Eris!! You’ve returned!!"
……The idiot had arrived.
And he was still that same idiot who claimed I belonged to him. He started charging toward me, and since he looked like he was about to touch me, I decided to state the facts.
"Don't come any closer. I am already married. I have a child, so I have nothing to do with you, you idiot."
When I told him that, he looked surprised for a moment, but he immediately started closing the distance again.
"Haha! I heard the rumors. That you were forced into being a concubine by the consort of some small nation called Weed and made pregnant. But don't worry. I will protect you, Eris."
……Ah, right. He was the kind of idiot who never listened to a word anyone said. If he were capable of listening, he wouldn't be a problem in the first place.
As I wondered what to do...
"That consort is here now, isn't he? I shall strike him down! With the ultimate magic I’ve developed during the ten years you were gone! Don't worry about the child he forced upon you. I’ll dispose of it for you!"
At those words, my body moved before I could even think.
I slammed an explosive spell at his feet, ensuring the damage was contained only to him, and as he was lifted into the air, I thrust one hand into his throat and hoisted him up.
"……So, you want to die, is that it?"
"N-no, wait……"
What’s different?
He said he would kill my Yuki and Eria.
Doesn't that just mean he’s asking to be killed?
I will kill anyone who tries to steal my happiness, even if they were a god!!
Without hesitation, I began to tighten my grip...
"Wait, wait. Eris. What on earth are you doing?"
"Calm down, Eris."
"What happened?"
Before I knew it, Riel and the others, along with Yuki, had run over to us. Seeing Yuki helped calm my heart a little, but it didn't change the fact that he had said those words.
"It’s because this guy..."
But at the same time, I regained my composure. If I killed him without explaining why in front of Yuki and the others, I would just be a common murderer. I needed to show them he was evil before disposing of him, I thought, when...
"H-hey, what’s so good about that guy... I’m much better for you..."
Conveniently, the idiot looked at Yuki and began to insult him. Hearing that, Riel and the others were immediately convinced.
"Kill him!" they all said in unison.
Just as I thought I could finally dispose of this idiot in self-defense, Yuki stepped in to stop us...
"I was wondering why Eris hadn't arrived yet, so what on earth are you doing? This isn't just a case of 'magic gone wrong'... these are very clean traces of magic."
"Ah, Elder."
"E-Elder!?"
"Hm? Oh, do we have guests? Nice to meet you. I am the Elder of this village, Aedel."
Good. If the Elder is here, there shouldn't be any problem disposing of this idiot.
"Elder. We can discuss what happened at the meeting. Until then, I’m going to truss this idiot up like a bundle of straw. Is that alright?"
"A-ah... well, I can tell what happened just by looking at the situation."
"Heh? You knew he was causing trouble and you just let him run wild? Have you gone senile, old woman?"
"Calm yourself. How on earth did you manage to develop such a menacing aura in just ten years..."
"Ah, that’s, of course, the power of love."
Yes, the power of love. There could be no other reason.
"Is that so? I had heard the rumors, but it seems you’ve found a wonderful partner."
"Yes."
I answered with a clear, bright smile.
"Well then, let’s go and hear the story properly. This way."
And so, we finally had our meeting with the Elder. Returning home has its joys, but it also has its unpleasant moments. Well, I suppose that’s just how people are—a mix of good and bad. Everyone has those, don't they?