Uketsukejo ni Kokuhaku Shitakute Guild ni Kayoitsumetara Eiyu ni Natteta

Chapter 54

Chapter 54: Fighting Snowman

After filling our bellies with stew, we left the village.

We walked on the snowy road for a while before the forest came into view.

I could see the tall trees standing under the clear sky.

The barks of the tree are all white and the area is covered in snow. All I can see is white.

“You’ll definitely get lost here if you don’t pay attention…” (Dorami)

“I’ve also gotten lost in forests like this in the past.” (Jade)

“How were you able to escape?” (Dorami)

“Using my compass of love.” (Jade)

“Dorami doesn’t get it…” (Dorami)

“You’ll find out one day.” (Jade)

If you have a person you love, just walk in the direction that you feel like they’d be.

When I tried doing it, I was able to return to where Garnet-san was.

“Well then, should we get cutting?” (Jade)

“Umu. A big tree would be best.” (Dorami)

“We can make more firewood that way, after all.” (Jade)

We looked around for a big tree.

“Umu… They all look the same.” (Dorami)

“If I had to choose something… how about that one?” (Jade)

“That’s a splendid tree. Then, how about that?” (Dorami)

“Isn’t that one good too?” (Jade)

“In that case… huh?” (Dorami)

“Which one?” (Jade)

T/N: It’s a pun. Dorami says あれ (are) which can mean “that”, which is what they’ve been using, and its other meaning is “huh”. Jade said どれ (dore) or “which one” in response to Dorami saying “huh” mistakenly thinking it’s “that”.

“It’s not about the tree. There’s a snowman.” (Dorami)

“A snowman? Here?” (Jade)

“Yeah, look. It’s over there.” (Dorami)

“…You’re right. It’s a pretty good snowman. Why is it in a place like that?” (Jade)

“Isn’t it made by one of the villagers?” (Dorami)

If the village had a lot of children, I’d get it. But, this village has nothing but old people.

Why would they go out of their way to make a snowman all the way out here where they come to cut trees?

Is it one of the village’s customs to make a snowman for something like a prayer of safety, perhaps?

Well, let’s leave the snowman for later.

“So, which tree should we cut down?” (Jade)

“Let’s cut down the tree that Dorami found earlier.” (Dorami)

“Which one?” (Jade)

“Umm… Dorami thinks it’s that one.” (Dorami)

“You sure?” (Jade)

“Maybe…? In that case, um… Huh?” (Dorami)

T/N: Same pun again.

“Which one?” (Jade)

“…It’s probably just Dorami’s imagination.” (Dorami)

“Is that so…? Well, why don’t we just go with the first one for now?” (Dorami)

“Umu. And, while Jade is cutting, Dorami will look for the tree that she found earlier.” (Dorami)

“Got it. Just watch out for any fallen trees.” (Jade)

I strengthened my axe and swung it.

SUKON!

It happened in an instant. As I caught the tree that was about to fall and slowly lowered it to the ground—

“It wasn’t just Dorami’s imagination?!” (Dorami)

Dorami yelled out.

What has she been going on about since earlier?

“What’s wrong?” (Jade)

“T-t-the snowman was walking!” (Dorami)

“The snowman…?” (Jade)

“I-it’s true! Dorami saw it with her own eyes! It was walking around!” (Dorami)

She trembled as she pointed at the snowman.

…The scenery looks the same, but it feels like it’s standing at a different spot from before.

“What do you want to do? Should we break it just in case?” (Jade)

“B-but, if the grandpas in the village made it, that’s not good…” (Dorami)

“Right, they might feel sad about it…” (Jade)

“Exactly! Dorami has a better idea!” (Dorami)

Declaring so, Dorami pointed at the snowman.

“You there! It’s completely obvious that you’re moving!” (Dorami)

Looks like she planned to scare it.

But, the snowman didn’t react at all.

“It’s not moving.” (Jade)

“Maybe Dorami was just mistaken…” (Dorami)

“Want to try my strategy next?” (Jade)

“Yeah, yeah.” (Dorami)

After we held a strategy meeting while whispering,w we looked away from the snowman.

We pretended to look for a tree—

Then turned around.

“I-it’s definitely getting closer!” (Dorami)

“Yeah. It looks bigger than earlier.” (Jade)

Like Dorami said, it was definitely watching us.

Though I’ve never heard of it, it’s definitely—

“It’s a snowman monster.” (Jade)

“Dorami was almost deceived by its cute exterior! She was hesitating to destroy it but now that she knows it’s a monster, there’s no other choice but to fight!” (Dorami)

She raised her fists and assumed a fighting stance.

“Come on! Dorami will blow you away with her wind magic!” (Dorami)

The moment Dorami declared war—

Nyoki

Nyokinyoki.

Thick limbs suddenly sprouted out of the snowman.

It raised its arms and ferociously ran with a ‘dododododo’.

“Uoooooo! Dorami Cyclone Tornado!” (Dorami)

A gentle breeze blew.

But, the snowman didn’t stop.

I swung the tree that I had been holding onto the snowman.

Boshu!

I could hear the sound of the piled-up snow falling as black smoke rose from under the tree.

Dorami retreated once she saw the ether.

“It’s alright, I’ve already defeated it.” (Jade)

“T-that’s not it. Dorami’s just trying not to absorb the ether.” (Dorami)

“Why? It’s such a good chance to grow stronger.” (Jade)

“If Dorami doesn’t grow on her own, she wouldn’t be able to face Marin.” (Dorami)

“Ooh, what a great way of thinking.” (Jade)

“I-it’s not really that amazing…” (Dorami)

Dorami looked embarrassed.

After checking if there were any more snowmen in the vicinity, we cut down a new tree and left the forest with it on my shoulders.

We returned to the village and stored the wood in the shed next to the inn.

There, we saw the owner chopping firewood.

Since he has a five-petal Enhancement Crest, he only needed to swing his axe lightly.

“We got some wood~!” (Dorami)

“If you need more, I can go back.”

“No, no, that’s enough. Were you not attacked by monsters?” (Owner)

“We were attacked by a snowman!” (Dorami)

“That was a monster, right?”

“Fighting Snowman. It’s a monster whose punches can topple large trees. It’s also extremely cautious, and troublesome because it tries to sneak closer. Weren’t you scared, young lady?” (Owner)

“Dorami wasn’t scared at all!” (Dorami)

“As to be expected from an adventurer, you’re so reliable.” (Owner)

“Umu! And, since Dorami is an adventurer, she’ll also help more!”

“Do you want me to chop the firewood for you?” (Jade)

“No, no, my body will become dull if I leave it to you.” (Owner)

“You don’t have to hold back…” (Dorami)

It seems like she wants some more praise for helping the owner.

Probably because he understood Dorami’s feelings, the owner picked up a bundle of firewood.

“Then, can you deliver this to Yuki-san on the outskirts of the village?” (Owner)

“Leave it to us! …But, is it okay to give her some of your firewood?” (Dorami)

“Yuki-san helped me with shoveling the snow before. It’s my way of saying thanks.” (Owner)

“In that case, Dorami will accept it!” (Dorami)