Third Outer World Story Series: Pumpkin Sorcerer - Chapter 23
Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter
“Well, shall we introduce ourselves to each other as we head into town?”
“Ah, yes.”
After setting the girl down on the ground, Pumpkin started walking towards the town that was visible in the distance.
“My name is Pumpkin, and yours?”
“I am Rio. Thank you for saving my life earlier.”
“Oh, that? Do not mention it. I was doing it for a lot of self-interest reasons too.”
“I-Is that so?”
The girl, Rio, turned her face towards Pumpkin and expressed her appreciation, but since Pumpkin was expecting her to return the favor in various ways after this, he replied without hesitation.
Although Rio made a subtle face at his words, Pumpkin didn’t pay attention to it.
I am not so benevolent as to save her without any calculation…
“Uh, so Pumpkin-san, you’re…”
Rio seemed to want to ask him a lot of questions but was at a loss for words.
Well, I suppose you have a lot of questions to ask. Given my appearance, it goes without saying.
But I don’t want to end up in a weird corner, so I’m going to have to either cover it up or force my way out of it… hmm. Looks like I have to force my way out of it.
“I’m a traveling apprentice sorcerer.”
“H-Hah.”
“But on my journey, I encountered a strange magical beast that cast a bizarre spell on me and transformed me into this. After being transformed, things were very rough. Initially, I couldn’t even stand up because my body was so different from when I was human, I lost the knowledge of magic and tools that I had acquired through painstaking efforts, and to top it off, I was hurled into the middle of the sea of trees where ferocious magic beasts roamed! I ultimately stabilized my life, but not before I frantically learned how to fight with this body and escaped from the humans who mistakenly assaulted me for a magical beast!”
“…”
“It was tough. It was truly grueling. Until my lifestyle stabilized, I feared for my life many times; in fact, there were times when I was on the verge of death. But as long as I don’t give up, things will work out. Having stabilized my life in this way, I finally set out to break the curse, and as a first step, I decided to head for the nearest town from where I resided. But then a thought crossed my mind. Even if I simply went to the town, I would be regarded as a magical beast and will be attacked. The reactions of the people I met during my life in the forest convinced me that this was the case. I then reasoned, ‘If only there is an intermediary from my own race, then it won’t affect me at all.’ Right, that’s why I saved you. I need you to negotiate with them so that they won’t attack me when I go to town. That’s the greatest repayment of favor you can give me!”
All of this was said in one go.
Phew. If I had a human body, I would have definitely run out of breath halfway through. At times like this, I really feel grateful for my body.
You’re arguing that my narrative occasionally contains fabrications? Hahaha! What in the world are you pointing to? This is the kind of tactic people use to facilitate relationships!
So, after hearing his story, Rio said…
“I-I understand! I will do my best to return the favor you have done for me! Don’t worry! I will make sure that Pumpkin-san will be able to walk the whole town of Kunukihappy with dignity!!”
“O-Oh.”
Even Pumpkin was somewhat teary-eyed and hyped up at a level that made him pull back.
Oh yeah. I have to disclose the truth to her one of these days.
“E-Even so, that town is called Kunukihappy, isn’t it?”
Since the atmosphere was getting slightly uncomfortable, Pumpkin made an effort to shift the subject and pointed towards the town, which was drawing much closer to them.
Or rather, it turned out that when they went closer to this distance, the town’s surroundings included regular fields and such.
“Ah, yes. It is called Kunukihappy, the center of Count Kunuki’s territory. It is far from Senkonoto, the capital, but it is the largest town near Lean Forest, which is a dream come true for all adventurers, and it is very bustling.”
“Oh, that’s something to look forward to.”
Rio’s words lifted his spirits inside.
If the town was that large, it was likely to have decent parchment and ink, and there might be at least a fragment of information about “Kage-Ochi” that was available.
“Ah, I can see it now. That is the large front gate of Kunukihappy.”
“Heh.”
Saying so, Rio pointed to a massive iron gate attached to the stone castle wall.
Both the iron gate and the wall seemed to contain incredibly minimal magic power, but considering their size and the fact that only magic with very high output can penetrate them, it was not a matter of concern.
“Oh! Rio! Thank God you’re alright!”
A man who was at the bottom part of the gate, plainly dressed as a soldier, called out to her when he found Rio, so they headed that way.
“When I heard that some foolish adventurers had provoked a nest of giant Hunting Bees, I was worried, but I’m glad to know that you’re safe and sound.”
“Well, to tell you the truth… I was in quite a bit of danger, but with the help of… Pumpkin-san here, I was spared the difficulty.”
“Hello. My name is Pumpkin.”
“Oh, that’s very kind of you. I would like to thank you as well. My name is Gohei. I’m the gatekeeper of this Kunukihappy.”
Gohey, the gatekeeper, was introduced to Pumpkin by Rio, and he greeted him in return.
Somehow, he had a pleasant atmosphere and magic power.
“So, Pumpkin-san is…”
“Ah, I’m hoping to enter the town, but there’s more or less a reason behind it.”
Pumpkin, therefore, said something similar to what he had just mentioned to Rio, along with the fact that his head was real, not a headgear.
Then…
“I’m sorry you’ve been through so much… Oh, in that case, Rio. Make sure you support the person who saved your life!”
“Of course!!”
Gohey also said the same thing as Rio.
Ah yes. Even though I was half-deceiving him, believing a stranger’s words that easily, is this town’s defense going to be okay?
“Then, I’ll issue a temporary permit for now, and the money is…”
So you’re going to carry out your duties well? That’s a bit of a relief.
But on my part, money is…
“Uh, Rio. I’ll pay you back later, can I request the money from you now?”
“Sure.”
“Okay. Then let us say it again.”
[[Welcome to Kunukihappy!]]
Having done so, Pumpkin entered Kunukihappy after borrowing money from Rio with a pass issued.