Third Outer World Story Series: Pumpkin Sorcerer - Chapter 66

Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter

“I would like you to head to the new village that has been created in Lean Forest.”

When Count Kunuki told this to him, he… Tax Whiteeye, thought he was going to faint.

Speaking of Lean Forest, for more than a hundred years, a variety of things have prevented them, humans, from entering the forest, and the only village that has ultimately been created was Maunpir Village, which was established on the borderline between the inside and outside of the forest.

Under such circumstances, the Count’s command to approach the newly established settlement in the forest was akin to sentencing him to death; nevertheless, considering that this was Count Kunuki, he had to have a strategy.

Or rather, please have one! I’m not willing to die, no matter how much I may be the third son of a nobleman in name only!

“Don’t put on that face. I’ve prepared the documents and the residents of the village are very capable. You won’t run into any issues.”

“I can only hope so…”

The Count, perhaps sensing his feelings, took out a few sheets of paper, but also offered him words of appreciation for his labor.

Ugh… If he says that to me, all I can do is to go… not that I have the choice to refuse due to my rank in the first place though.

“Well, hang in there. If you do well, you’ll be promoted to a great position.”

And so it was that Tax would be sent to the newly created Samsara Egg Village in Lean Forest.

———————

[[[Let’s sing, let’s make noise, the one who enjoys life wins, hooray?]]]

[[[Bunbubu, bunbubu, bububububu, bun?]]]

“…”

And now, in front of Tax, a new race of pumpkin-headed Spalpkins and Hunting Bees, who were supposed to cooperate with humans but never live together, were dancing around the fire, and the sight of them left Tax in a state of utter bewilderment.

“Are you having fun?”

“O-Oh.”

Tax responded as he accepted a bowl of soup with some vegetables and Clawing Boar meat from Spalpkin, who supposedly called herself Reigi.

No, in fact, it was not only the spectacle before his eyes that caused him to be absolutely awestruck.

What took him aback was the power of these Spalpkins.

“Then, look at this.”

“T-Thanks.”

Despite their small size (about 1 meter in height), these Spalpkins possessed the strength to lift a square timber that Tax would never have been able to lift by himself. On top of that, they had the technology to create weapons made from plants, which were known to be difficult to process, in a flash, and the speed to create a building for Tax to live in less than half a day.

To add to that, they were competent enough in combat to defeat the Clawing Boar effortlessly with just a few of their own.

“Zuzu…”

Tax sipped the soup served in a wooden bowl. The simple taste of the ingredients itself pervaded his mouth.

To share the truth, these facts even frighten me.

At any rate, we have an amicable relationship now and there are only a few of them, which is fine, but if they increase in number in the future and then revolt against us, that would be…

No, that’s precisely why my job is so important.

While he was also here as a tax officer, he has also been assigned to investigate the race known as Spalpkin.

Should he understand them properly and develop a good rapport with them, then his current concerns should be unfounded.

“Hey, are you enjoying yourself?”

“Bunbububu. (Good evening.)”

“Oh, Pumpkin-san and the Queen Bee.”

At this point, Pumpkin, the village chief, and the queen bee of the Hunting Bees who resided in this village arrived at the top of Pumpkin’s head.

“Yes, I am enjoying myself.”

“That’s good to hear. We had a welcome party for you, too.”

“Haha, I see.”

Pumpkin, seemingly content with Tax’s answer, dexterously twisted the hole in his face into a smile.

Count Kunuki informed Tax beforehand that the recent earthquake was reportedly brought on by Pumpkin’s magic, and that he was required to look into Pumpkin’s magic as part of his work.

Though that being said, I didn’t really understand the details when it was explained to me.

“In fact, this village and we ourselves are still in a stage of exploration… we don’t even know what we can do and what we can’t do.”

“Haa…?”

Pumpkin said so with a somewhat distant look in his eyes.

According to the information given to Tax by the Count, the race called Spalpkin was born last summer, so Pumpkin’s words made sense considering that.

“That’s why I have high hopes for you as well, Tax-san.”

“?”

He racked his brain at Pumpkin’s words.

What in the world does a man of his ability expect from me? Is there anything I can do that he can’t…

“I have recently noticed that I lack common sense in many ways, and my children, the Spalpkins, are also not familiar with common sense, perhaps because of my influence.”

“So what do you expect from me?”

Does that mean I am supposed to play the role of a common sense person…?

How should I say it, should I be happy or sad…