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Todrua, the Village I Grew Up In

My name is Zeke Luprian.

My mother and father were strong individuals who protected Todrua. They wanted me to be strong as well, but I wished to explore. So, my parents initially opposed my exploration and even asked if I would consider protecting the village with them.

However, I confidently told my parents that I would become an explorer. For that purpose, I trained my body, learned survival techniques in the wilderness, potion-making methods, and accumulated all knowledge necessary for exploration. Seeing this, my parents seemed to decide they no longer needed to worry about me, and they readily granted me permission to explore.

Therefore, I decided to dedicate the first page of my book to information about Todrua, the village where I live. Todrua wasn’t part of any nation; instead, it voluntarily protected itself and engaged in bartering with nations, making it effectively a nation in its own right. However, the villagers didn’t wish for its scale to grow too large, so they neither joined a nation nor formed one. As a result, its finances were quite sound, and the monsters nearby weren’t very strong, making them easy to subdue.

The monsters living near the village included slimes, bats, and boars. All of them possessed usable hides or byproducts, which Todrua used to create various tools for trade with other places. Todrua’s currency was the Leaf, using coins made of bone. They also conducted trades using magic stones obtained from monsters.

“Hmm… this should be enough, right?”

As I filled a page of my book with information about Todrua, it still felt like something was missing. I had written about who the village chief was and what their daily life was like, but it felt hollow. So, when I added Todrua’s location from the map to the book, it started to look plausible.

“Good! Is this enough…?”

“Oh ho… is this the first page of my son’s exploration journal?”

Huh? My book…!! I was so engrossed in writing that I didn’t even notice Father standing beside me! Father was quite tall, so no matter how much I stretched my arm, I couldn’t reach the book. I flailed my hands, reaching out, but Father playfully stretched his arm upwards, refusing to give it back.

“Aaaah! Father! Give it back! I haven’t finished writing yet!!!”

“Hahaha! Still, Zeke. This entry… it’s not bad. Are you planning to record every place you travel to in this book now?”

“Oh…? It’s not bad?”

My entry isn’t bad? But it still feels like something’s missing. I haven’t even written about how vast it is, what seasons it has, or its climate! Then Father asked me again.

“Right. So… what’s the answer to my question just now?”

Ah. That question.

“Yes, Father. I will explore every corner of this world! And its history, ecosystem, and various other things… Huh?!”

“Hmm? What’s wrong, Zeke?”

Right! I just realized what was missing! This place’s history! I hadn’t written its history! I quickly jumped high to snatch my book back from Father and, opening Todrua’s history book beside me, began writing down Todrua’s history. Behind me, Father chuckled as he watched me suddenly start writing again.

‘Todrua’s History…!!’

Todrua was a village founded by the current village chief’s great-grandfather. It was initially a terrifying forest teeming with monsters, but the previous village chief and their followers eliminated the monsters and built a strong village in the forest. Luckily, Todrua was an optimal location for trade, and with assistance from other nations and villages, Todrua eventually created its own currency. The person who organized the soldiers to protect the village was the second village chief. Unable to stand by as monsters grew stronger day by day, the second village chief began protecting the village with strong villagers… Wait… Could that be why?

“Father. Was our grandfather also a soldier who protected this village?”

“Hmm? That’s right. I also continued your grandfather’s will and have been protecting this village.”

“…. Wait… Does that mean I didn’t know that fact even after turning 24?!”

“… You’ve been hopping around talking about exploring since you were little, haven’t you…?”

Ah. Come to think of it, I was so busy doing all sorts of things to become an explorer that I didn’t even know my own family’s history. I should reflect on that… So that’s why Father wanted me to become a soldier. Because our family was a soldier family… Still, I’m glad my father and mother respected their son’s freedom. The moment I closed the journal, Father asked.

“But, Zeke. It’s winter now, will you be alright? The snow has stopped, but… you’ll be away from home for a long time.”

“I’ve learned how to survive no matter the season for this, Father. Whose son do you think I am!”

“…. Couldn’t you avoid saying things like that only at times like this…? Your mother is also very worried right now…”

“But you’ll help me again this time, won’t you, Father?”

Father chuckled at my words. Of course. Father was the first to support my becoming an explorer. After several attempts, he persuaded Mother, and I was able to freely study to become an explorer.

“Alright, you rascal. When are you leaving?”

“In an hour…?”

The moment I was about to say I’d leave in an hour, Father pulled me into a hug. And then, suddenly, someone else appeared and hugged me too. It was Mother. It seemed she had heard our entire conversation from outside.

“Oh… Mother… when did you…?”

“Your father told me to wait outside. Yes… you’re leaving soon. Zeke. Your father and I will love you forever. Please… take care of yourself…”

“Same goes for me, Zeke. It’s okay if you get hurt. But… make sure you return alive to tell us all your stories.”

“Father… Mother…”

Their words choked me up. Honestly, what son wouldn’t shed tears after hearing those words? I hugged them both and said.

“Me too. You both have to live long, Father, Mother. Only then can I tell you my exploration stories until you burst with excitement.”

“Alright… Oh my. Is this what you wrote….”

“Huh? Aaaah! Wait… just a moment!!!”

In that emotional moment, Mother, whose eyes landed on my journal, began looking at my entry about Todrua. Honestly, I was writing the journal to show it to someone eventually. But wouldn’t anyone be embarrassed to reveal something they’ve written for the first time? Especially to family!!

“Aaaah!! Just a moment!!”

“Oh ho ho! Honey, look at this! Zeke wrote it so well!”

“Hahahaha!!”

Mother took my journal and showed it to Father, laughing heartily. The thought of snatching the book back from Mother instantly vanished, replaced by the wish that my writings would be interesting enough to make people smile. And then, at the village entrance, piled high with snow, all the villagers came to see me off.

“You’re really leaving, Oppa!”

“Oh. Will it be ten years by the time you return?”

“Zeke, the world isn’t that small. I told you that ever since you said you wanted to be an explorer.”

“Yes, Village Chief-nim. And… thank you for everything!”

“Oh, don’t mention it. Your stories that we’ll hear later will be enough of a reward!”

“So where are you going next?”

“I’m planning to go to the Esrad Kingdom, which is known to be a little far from here. It’s a kingdom we’ve had exchanges with.”

“Yes, that’s good. But… lately, we haven’t been able to contact them easily… I’m a bit uneasy because they might consider it rude if you go without a letter of recommendation from me.”

Huh? It’s a kingdom we sent fruits to just last year? The contact suddenly cut off? Hearing that sparked my curiosity. It was the right choice to explore that place first. The Esrad Kingdom, which appeared close on the map. What could be there?

“Don’t worry, Village Chief-nim. I’ll go and see for myself.”

“Alright then… I guess we’ll hear that news a few years from now… Or we’ll go there, so don’t think about contacting us and just enjoy your exploration. You said your goodbyes to your mother and father, right?”

“Yes! Then… I’ll be back…?”

The moment I took a step, someone grabbed my hand. It was Father. He pressed something into my hand. It was…

“Oh… Father… this is…”

“It’s said to be the tear shed by the legendary Snow Woman. Keep this close to you. It’s a gift from your mother and me, so your exploration goes well.”

“Hey! We helped find that too! Have a good trip, Zeke!!!”

Everyone was waving their hands at me. With that send-off, I vowed deep in my heart that I would definitely return. I will surely come back to this village alive. And I will tell everyone what I saw and learned.

“Everyone, stay healthy!!”

Amidst everyone’s send-off, I finally left the village, having adorned the first page of my exploration book. And… with the thought of finally seeing the whole world, my heart pounded. With my heart pounding, I unfolded the map. The Esrad Kingdom, known for its beautiful stone architecture, lay straight to the west. To get there, I began walking through the forest.

“Let’s see… my backpack… and various books… and the exploration journal… potions and bottles to hold potions. And a cloth wrap for food… Huh?”

What’s this? When I moved the cloth wrap, there was something underneath. It was a bundle different from the one I had packed. Inside it was… Aha… bread made by Mother. It seemed she had put the bread in, perhaps worried I might get hungry often during the cold winter. No matter how old I get, I’m still a child in my parents’ eyes, I guess…

“Haha… she really likes surprising me with gifts… And… huh?”

As I was organizing my backpack, I felt something standing in front of me, so I looked ahead. It was a monster, a slime… Wait, what?

“Uh… a slime? Why is there a slime on the way to the kingdom?!”

What? Why is there a slime on the way to the kingdom? Did the people we traded with have the power to instantly dispatch slimes, so they said this path was safe?! Shouldn’t I change the map’s contents?! They said this place was safe!

The slime shrieked!

The slime began rushing towards me! This is crazy! I started running for my life. Then I glanced back. I was horrified to see even more slimes swarming towards me. No, this isn’t right, not this many. Why are there like twenty slimes coming?!

“Slimes aren’t supposed to live in groups!!”

I absolutely hated the record. More precisely, I hated the record in the monster encyclopedia. It said they didn’t act in groups! How dare it lie to the reader!

“Aaaaah!! Who’s the author of this?!”

I angrily pulled out the sword from my backpack. At the sudden appearance of the greatsword, the slimes, which had been chasing me, suddenly stopped and seemed to recoil in fright. What? They’re supposed to have no intelligence. How dare they write false records!!

“As a fellow record keeper, I absolutely cannot tolerate this!!”

Expressing immense fury at the author, I charged towards the slimes. The slimes then recoiled in fear and began fleeing. This was because I had trained my body and mind for over 10 years for this exploration. Thus, with my current physical abilities, I could have instantly dealt with multiple slimes. But I didn’t. They were still a little pitiful. I calmed my anger and headed towards the kingdom again.

“Hoo… hooo… I swear, whoever that author is, I’m going to kill them… What if people get into serious trouble because of false information… I truly can’t forgive this…!!”

As I walked towards the kingdom, I thought about many things. An author should never put false information in a book. It was with that spirit that I had looked forward to this exploration. However, I quickly changed my mind at the possibility that slimes might have changed. Honestly… how could anyone observe slimes all day long…

“Right… I must have been crazy for a moment… Does this mind of mine remain the same even after training…? Huh?”

As I was reflecting on my mistake, I discovered something strange. Bricks were strewn across the roadside. No, that wasn’t it. The debris of a destroyed building lay scattered. Had there been construction?

“Hmm… I haven’t been outside much, so maybe I just don’t know… But…”

Something is strange. No, something is terribly wrong. There was too much debris. I kept running. As I continued running towards the kingdom, I saw something that greatly shocked me. It was…

“Oh my… then those ruins…”

A completely collapsed stone wall. The sturdy stone wall that protected the kingdom was torn down to a height I could reach. The inside of the kingdom was the same. Horribly collapsed buildings lay scattered all around.

“W-What in the world is going on… Could it be…?”

This situation was telling me. The Esrad Kingdom had already fallen. And without the people of Todrua knowing.