episode_0089

Jid Looprian

“Do you recognize me now? Haha! Anyway, it’s been a long time, Zeke! We haven’t met in about fourteen years, have we?”

“F-Fourteen years, Uncle Jid… Ah, no, that’s not it… Why are you here, Uncle?!”

Jid Looprian. My uncle, a traveler. My uncle, a traveler who roamed the entire world, occasionally returned home, but I hadn’t seen him since we last met fourteen years ago. So our family thought he had been in an accident or had tragically lost his life… So why is he here?!

“Ahahaha! You know best that you’re not the only one in our family with a personality that enjoys exploration or travel, don’t you?”

“Right, well… You’re also the one who added fuel to my dream of exploration, Uncle… So, have you been in this region for fourteen years, Uncle?”

“Yep. While getting some sword training here. You just saw me using two swords, didn’t you? That’s the result of my blood, sweat, and tears from training in this region.”

Indeed… Considering my uncle, who originally used one sword, was now freely wielding two swords, almost as if he were dancing with them, he had clearly become far stronger than before. But… why did his swords change?

“But Uncle. Didn’t you used to use a double-edged sword? But those… they only have a blade on one side, don’t they?”

“Ah, these, you mean? To perform those movements, thick swords were too much. So I switched to nimble ones. These are still heavy, but… when executing free movements, these swords are perfect for me. By the way, your sword has changed too, hasn’t it? What about the greatsword my brother in Todrua gave you?”

“Ah, that sword… The greatsword broke.”

When my uncle asked where the greatsword I used with Rascal to save Aria from Cecilia was, I recalled that memory, scratched my head, and said it broke. Hearing that, Uncle Jid’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, and he crossed his arms. Then he nodded and said,

“Hmm. I see. Indeed… With so many dangerous things in this world, that greatsword couldn’t have withstood everything, I suppose. But the most important thing isn’t the sword, Zeke.”

My uncle, who understood that the greatsword broke, chuckled softly and placed his hand back on my shoulder. Then, with a gentle smile, he told me,

“What’s important is that you’re safe. I’m glad you’re alive, Zeke. My brother and your mother would rather you be safe than have the greatsword. So don’t worry about the sword.”

Uncle Jid moved his hand from my shoulder to my head and stroked my hair. He used to pat my head like this, supporting my dream, even when I proudly said I wanted to try exploring… It brings back old memories… Before, when my mother opposed my dream, she would get angry whenever my uncle did this and immediately rush over… And now, I hear footsteps rushing over like that again… Footsteps?

“How daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaare you!!!”

“Huh? That woman is…”

“…?! Ah… Aria!!”

The source of the sound, rushing at incredible speed, was… Aria?! Why… Why is Aria, who should be in the waiting room, here?! And why is she so furious?! I was aghast at Aria’s distorted expression, and Uncle Jid looked bewildered by her.

“How daaaaaaaaaare you!!! To take out your anger at losing to me on Sir Zeke!!!”

“Anger… taking out anger…? Did I do something wrong, Zeke…?”

…!! Ah… I-I see! Aria is misunderstanding that my uncle is taking out his frustration from losing to her on me! And because she wants to protect me, she’s convinced that’s the case! Realizing what was happening, I waved my hands at Aria and shouted,

“Waaah!! No, Aria!! This is my uncle!! He wasn’t trying to take out his anger on me!!”

“Anger… Huh…?”

As if hearing my shout, Aria’s face, which had been contorted with rage, instantly relaxed. Then it began to shift into a look of profound embarrassment, and Aria, while running, suddenly dropped to her knees. Sliding across the ground on her knees, Aria arrived in front of my uncle and me, immediately bowing her head to the ground and apologizing.

“I-I’m so sorry!!! To realize so late that you are Sir Zeke’s family… I have committed a grave sin!!”

“Huh?! No… that’s… not that serious…”

“…Aria…”

As Aria suddenly bowed her head and apologized, Uncle Jid looked greatly bewildered. And as everyone around us stared at Aria’s noisy behavior, I averted my gaze from both of them with an embarrassed expression.

‘Even though you know I hate being the center of attention…’

“Ah… no… this isn’t the time for this… L-Let’s go talk somewhere else first!”

Hearing the murmuring sounds from the surroundings, Uncle Jid grabbed Aria’s arm and my arm and quickly exited the arena. My uncle, having brought us to a secluded spot under a forest, panted heavily.

“Ah… Oh dear… I’m out of breath…”

“Haaah… Aria! You don’t have to overreact that much, you know?!”

“Ah… Ah… That’s… My apologies…”

When I snapped at her, Aria knelt again and bowed her head, apologizing. Then Uncle Jid, who was panting beside us, took a deep breath and asked me,

“Hmph… Zeke, this person is the famous Black Saintess from the Magrion region, right?”

“Yes. Although you probably already knew from hearing the spectators talk.”

“No… I knew because a merchant from the Magrion region, who came to the Herlos region, once told me about the Black Saintess. And then I noticed this Saintess turning her head towards you while fighting Bahent, so I guessed you two had a special relationship… But I didn’t expect it to be this much.”

“Oh, well… But I didn’t know Aria had become so famous in the Magrion region… I didn’t expect it to be this extent.”

Learning that even Uncle Jid had heard about Aria through a merchant, I was greatly surprised that Aria had become this famous. Aria, hearing Jid’s story, also widened her eyes in surprise and looked at Jid. But she wasn’t surprised because she learned about her unknown fame, but rather…

“You noticed that Sir Zeke and I have a special relationship…?! So, it means Sir Zeke and I look good together even to outsiders, right?!”

“Huh? Uh… That’s ri…”

“W-Wait, Uncle!! Let’s talk about that later!!”

Instinctively sensing that Aria would faint from sheer happiness again, I hastily stopped Uncle Jid’s answer. Then Uncle Jid, with a slightly bewildered expression, said to me,

“Uh… Ah… Alright. By the way, she seemed like a quiet person when fighting me… So this is what she’s really like?”

“That’s not it. It’s because when I’m next to Sir Zeke, I’m happier than at any other time. That’s why smiles naturally appear on my face…!! Hehehe…”

As Aria, still kneeling, gazed at me with an enraptured expression, I deliberately looked away. Uncle Jid, observing Aria’s and my reactions, scratched his head.

“…So… this Saintess is in love with you, Zeke.”

“Yes…!! I love Sir Zeke!! More than anyone in the world…!!”

“…You can stop that now… Ugh… First, let me introduce you, Aria. This is my uncle, Jid Looprian. He says he’s currently traveling around the Herlos region.”

“N-Nice to meet you, Saintess Aria. I am Jid Looprian. I am traveling in the Herlos region.”

“Yes… Embarrassingly enough… I realized belatedly that Sir Jid’s face resembles Sir Zeke’s face… I apologize for not recognizing your family relationship…”

“Ah… You… You don’t have to apologize that much, Saintess. Ahahaha…”

As Aria continued to try and apologize, Uncle Jid began to feel awkward himself. Indeed… it’s not like he couldn’t understand Aria. I didn’t recognize Uncle Jid either until he tied his hair… Besides…

“But Uncle Jid. Why did you grow your hair long? And what’s that outfit?”

“Ah? My hair, you mean? My hair grew a lot while I was training. But I was too lazy to cut it, so I just left it. And this outfit is the traditional attire of the place where I trained… It’s comfortable, you see. And this hat I’ve been wearing on my head is called a gat… It’s pretty convenient for blocking the sunlight, you know. And this is…”

Uncle Jid showed me the gat and various other items, telling me how he had lived. When Uncle Jid returned to Todrua fourteen years ago, he had short hair and wore armor. But with his weapon, attire, and hairstyle all changed like this, I couldn’t recognize him.

“But why did you change your name?”

“Hmm? You dislike becoming famous, don’t you? So I used a fake name, Sarzohn, for your sake. It was clear that my nephew would definitely embark on a journey… If I became famous everywhere, you, with a similar name, might find yourself in trouble, you see.”

I see… Uncle Jid had been using the fake name Sarzohn out of consideration for me. Uncle Jid certainly seems to be famous enough in the Herlos region to be called a swordsman… If he hadn’t used a pseudonym, I, with a similar name, might have ended up in trouble. And if people bothered me, Aria wouldn’t stand idly by… It’s a relief in many ways.

“I have a mountain of questions to ask too, Zeke. First… did your mother finally allow you to leave Todrua to go exploring? Hahahahaha!! What in the world happened to her, the stubborn one. Fourteen years ago, she swore she would never allow it! Hahahahaha!!”

“Father persuaded her repeatedly. But when you suddenly lost contact, Uncle, Father also hesitated about opposing me.”

“Ahaha! I got so engrossed in my training that I completely forgot! So… how did you meet that Saintess?”

“Ah, Aria, you mean… Well…”

When Uncle Jid pointed to Aria and asked how we met, I took an exploration journal from my backpack and handed it to him. Uncle Jid looked at my exploration journal with interest, then took the book and said to me,

“Wow… So this is the book my nephew is writing, is it? Let’s see… Oh! There’s content about Todrua too! How nostalgic…”

“Yes. Everyone is lively and well. Well… that’s obviously from when I left, though.”

“I see…?! W-What are you saying, Zeke?! The Esrad Kingdom was destroyed… And the last Saintess mentioned in this book… Surely not…”

“Yes. It’s her.”

Uncle Jid, who was reading about Esrad, began to alternate his gaze between the book and Aria when he learned that Esrad was destroyed and that Aria was the last surviving Saintess from Esrad. Then Aria smiled and, in a polite posture, introduced herself to Uncle Jid.

“Hello, Sir Jid. I am Aria Ritt. I am the same age as Sir Zeke. The world calls me the Black Saintess. I love Sir Zeke, and I am following him like this to be helpful on his journey.”

“…I’m so surprised I can’t speak… To think something like this happened in the Esrad Kingdom while I was in the Herlos region… You must have had a truly difficult time, Aria…”

Uncle Jid, guessing how painful Aria’s past must have been, comforted her. However, Aria didn’t show any gloomy expression; instead, she gave a bright smile and, hugging me tightly, said,

“It’s alright! I only have Sir Zeke! Let a hundred such countries be destroyed!”

“…What…”

At Aria’s chilling words, Uncle Jid’s face, which had just been filled with concern for Aria, stiffened. If even my uncle is this bewildered, then am I strange now for having heard this for over four months and gotten used to it…?

“Ahem… Well… if you’re happy, that’s what matters. My next question is for you, Zeke. It’s about the weapon you’re holding… You’ll know about it if I read this book, right?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. I’ll read quickly since you two have time.”

Worried about our time, Uncle Jid quickly flipped through the book to check its contents. Up until the middle, Uncle Jid had been reading with interest, but when the content about the Kriton region appeared, his jaw began to drop. After seeing everything in the book, Uncle Jid closed it and, looking greatly bewildered, said to me,

“Zeke… You’ve been through incredible things… Elves… the World Tree… even spirits…”

“Yes. And this weapon is a sword an elf gave me, Uncle. Its name is Trahan.”

“I see. No wonder… it felt extraordinary… By the way, Aria must have protected you a lot during this journey.”

“Yes. Well… sometimes it’s tough, but… thanks to Aria, I was able to come here safely.”

“…!! Th-That’s only natural, Sir Zeke… Ehehehe…”

When I praised her, Aria answered with a shy smile. Uncle Jid and I smiled at the sight. Then, when Uncle Jid took her hesitant hand, Aria was startled and looked at him. Uncle Jid then bowed his head and said,

“Indeed, Zeke is my kind and good-hearted nephew. Seeing him even embark on explorations, it’s clear he hasn’t neglected his training. But there are still many dangerous things in the world. So, on behalf of your brother and sister-in-law, I ask you. Please help keep Zeke from getting hurt.”

“S-Sir Jid…”

“Hmm… Just don’t let him die. Understood, Aria?”

“…!! Yes!! Even if I have to sacrifice my life, I will help Sir Zeke complete his journey safely!”

As Aria shouted powerfully that she understood, Uncle Jid smiled faintly, seemingly relieved. Then he released Aria’s hand, pulled something out of his pocket, and handed it to me.

“Hmm? This is…”

“I thought you’d need it. It’s a map of the Herlos region. You need it, right?”

“…!!! U-Uncle! Thank you!!”

Receiving the map from Uncle Jid, I was ecstatic. There was no reason not to be excited, as I now had a map, which could be called an essential element for exploration and travel. What’s more, it even showed the topography of the Herlos region… I had a hard time getting a map in the Kriton region!

“Well then… I should leave now. Be sure to win, Aria.”

“Yes, Sir Jid. It was a short time, but truly enjoyable.”

“Alright. Later, when I see your clumsy father, I’ll ask him to relay your story in Todrua. And Zeke, I’m truly happy to see you doing what you wanted.”

“Yes, Uncle. It was wonderful to see you after such a long time.”

“Alright… Oh, right, Zeke. I heard there’s a region in the east where it snows fiercely. Besides that, there are many strange things in the east, like a few villages that suddenly lost contact, so you might like it~ Well, I’m off!”

Uncle Jid informed us about the strange places in the east, then waved his hand and entered the forest. Watching Uncle Jid leave, we put away the map and headed back to the arena. It’s a relief that Uncle Jid is safe… A real relief… While I was feeling relieved that Uncle Jid, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, was safe, Uncle Jid continued walking through the forest.

“Ugh… It’s good to see my nephew after a long time… Well then… I should get back to what I need to do…!!!”

Jid, feeling very pleased after seeing Zeke for a long time, stretched, then suddenly drew a sword from his waist and cut down the tree behind him with a single stroke. Someone then leaped down from the tree, and Jid pointed his sword at them, chuckling softly as he said,

“Do you think I earned the moniker ‘Swordsman’ for no reason? You’ve been eavesdropping on our conversation from up in that tree for a while… Who are you, yellow-haired one?”

Jid continued to hold his sword pointed at the long-haired yellow-haired woman who had descended to the ground. Then the woman slowly stood up, and seeing her dressed in white priestess robes, Jid scoffed in bewilderment, saying,

“Ha. Do priests climb trees these days? Ah… I heard a lot of strange statues have been appearing in the Herlos region lately… Is it your doing?”

“Knowing too much isn’t good, Swordsman.”

“Hey… Don’t play coy. I was hoping to have a conversation… but you shouldn’t act like this… My nephew, whom I met after a long time, is achieving what he desired. So… this uncle needs to do some work for his nephew.”

Jid drew the other sword from his waist and charged at the woman. And so, a battle between Jid and a female priestess began in the forest.