Chapter 11: Finally, to the Northern Town

Aside from Gina, other visitors included an apothecary and some people from the guild, but they weren’t particularly relevant to Shou. Instead, she mostly looked forward to Leon and the Sage’s visits.

In the end, with herbs and lizards, she earned an extra 10,000 per week. Having spent about four months in the cabin—from mid-November through December, January, and half of February—she had amassed 1.6 million gil. That alone showed just how many monsters lurked in the Northern Forest. And considering that Shou had earned that much, Falco’s earnings were probably astronomical.

It had been a strict, quota-filled life, but the monster population had finally begun to dwindle, and at last, the day arrived for them to return to town.

Shou didn’t have many belongings. The spare clothes Falco had bought her, her favorite yellow-green coat, her chopsticks, and her slime-hunting stick. As she packed, Falco raised a brow.

"Shou, do you really need that fishing pole—er, stick?"

"I don’t know if the town has sticks this long."

"Hmm… They probably do. But they might not be usable right away, so I guess you can bring it."

With that settled, they packed their things into the carriage and set off. Shou sat between Leon and Falco on the driver’s bench.

The town they were heading to was simply called the Northern Town, sitting at the base of the Northern Forest. It was the northernmost settlement in Deepwood.

"But winter here wasn’t that cold."

"It rarely snows. It’s actually warmer than the western mountains. The forest protects the town, keeping the temperature surprisingly mild."

As they rode through the thinning trees, heading toward town, Shou shifted in her seat. The carriage jolted, making her backside ache a little, but she enjoyed the signs of spring emerging in the forest.

Then—

"Oh, hey, Shou."

"What is it, Leon?"

"Just letting you know in advance—don’t be too surprised, alright?"

"About what?"

"Well… When no hunters are stationed in the Northern Forest, monsters start descending into town, and people suffer for it. This year, Falco was the only one up there, right? It was actually really dangerous."

"But our cabin was fine."

"Yeah, but being alone in the forest is risky. No one would’ve blamed him if he backed out. But he went anyway, so he’s basically the town’s hero."

Shou turned to Falco with newfound admiration.

He… turned away, suddenly shy.

"You’re too old to be getting embarrassed. Is it because Shou’s listening?"

Leon smirked.

"Anyway, normally, hunters coming back from the forest get a warm welcome. But this year? Expect a lot of people waiting for Falco."

"You mean…?"

"He’s gonna have quite the welcoming party."

"Then I’ll stay toward the back."

"Good idea. Might be safer that way."

"Hey, Falco, where are we staying in town?"

"I usually stay at an inn, but since you’re here, I was thinking of finally buying a house. For now, though, we’ll stay at Gina’s inn—good food, good baths."

The town, like the forest, had hot springs. Every large facility had a proper bathhouse.

"If we get a house, it has to have a hot spring."

"Agreed! Do you think Gina will let me help out in the kitchen?"

"She’d probably love that. She’d be thrilled."

As they chatted, the town came into view.

And… wow.

There were so many people.

Shou started to feel nervous.

Cheers of gratitude rang out as Falco stepped off the carriage, immediately surrounded.

Now’s my chance—

Slipping down unnoticed, Shou looked around.

"Shou."

"Sage Sein!"

The Sage had come to greet her.

She hurried over, and he effortlessly scooped her up.

"No trouble on the way?"

"Nope! It felt like spring, so it was fun!"

She beamed.

Then—

"Look at that guy."

"He’s got to be ten by now. Getting carried like that? How embarrassing."

"Pathetic."

"I mean, I kinda get it… Being held by the Sage? Envi—uh, no, yeah, totally embarrassing."

She turned her head.

A group of kids.

The girls were in two groups, all with long hair, wearing trousers and tunics slightly longer than hers.

Wait—was her tunic… a boy’s?

Shou felt a little disappointed.

She’d have to get a new one next time. Theirs were more colorful, too.

Being small didn’t mean she couldn’t care about fashion!

"What’s your problem? Quit staring!"

The boys' group.

The ones who had been making fun of her.

They looked to be around ten to fourteen, loosely divided into two groups.

One boy, older, tried to calm things down.

"Stop that. He just got here."

But another stepped forward, sneering.

"So, you’re Falco’s ward, huh? Think you can be a hunter when you’re this soft?"

Shou sighed.

She had known getting carried around like a toddler was weird.

Falco, Leon, and the Sage must have been in on it.

"Sage Sein, put me down."

He gave her a sad look.

Nope. Not falling for it.

Firmly, she was set on the ground.

She faced the boy.

A full head taller than her—maybe more.

"I’m not soft. And I never said I wanted to be a hunter."

Being childish?

Well, she was ten!

The boy clearly hadn’t expected her to talk back.

"What, got a mouth on you?"

Then—he shoved her.

She hit the ground.

The atmosphere shifted.

That was too much.

Silence fell.

Slowly, Shou stood up.

Her eyes hardened as she stared at him.

Then—she walked to the carriage, grabbed her slime stick, and turned back.

The boy took a step back.

"W-what?"

She swung—

"Ow! Hey, quit it!"

She kept whacking his legs.

No one moved to stop her—probably too stunned to interfere.

But Shou knew—boys were strict about dominance.

If she let herself be pushed around, her entire town life would be spent at the bottom of the pecking order.

She could have joined the girls’ group.

But right now, she was pissed.

And not thinking that far ahead.

"Using a weapon is cheating!"

"So is shoving someone smaller than you!"

She snapped back.

"Whoever starts the fight is the one in the wrong!"

The boy opened his mouth—then shut it.

From the crowd—

"She’s got a point."

"Yeah."

The older boy sighed.

"Cain, apologize."

"…Sorry."

Shou huffed.

"Fine, whatever."

Then—

Another boy stepped forward.

"You’re pretty good. Let’s get along."

"Yeah, same here!"

"Me too!"

Suddenly—she was swarmed.

Cain had started it, but in the end, the town’s boys accepted her.

Was this… okay?

"Looks like Shou made friends right away."

"That’s my Shou!"

"Not yours. I was actually worried she’d struggle, being so expressionless, but she knows how to handle herself."

Leon and Falco watched, barely escaping the crowd.

Then—they were surrounded.

This time, by young women.

"Falco, now that you’re back, let’s go out!"

Their squeals echoed.

Shou heard.

And turned—

Deadpan.

Excuse me?

Did they just say… “go out”?!