Yamada , a 35-year-old single man, wants to build his ideal second home in the village of another world. A life that combines the best of both the other world and reality - Episode 5

The next day, we got up early, had breakfast, and got ready.

“Yamada. Are you going like that?”

When I finished changing and returned to the living room, Miriam asked me.
I was wearing my business suit.

“We’re going to give our greetings, so I should be in formal wear, right?”
“It’s not that big of a deal, you know. It’s just a tiny rural village, nya…”

Even so, for me this was a matter of mindset.
For some reason, wearing a suit makes me feel sharper and more focused.

“I think it suits you.”

Ruri said that with her hands clasped together, praising me. She was wearing a white hooded robe.
She was probably going for a white mage look.
I thought it was cute.

“Well, whatever, nya. Let’s go.”

When Miriam said that, Ruri picked her up.
We left the living room, walked down the hallway, opened the familiar door, and arrived in the house of the other world.

“Hm, as mysterious as ever… so many books, and lots of strange equipment I’ve never seen before.”

Since I’m the successor, does that mean I’ll have to read all the books here?
Maybe I should start reading them bit by bit before bed.

“Then, let’s try using that equipment.”

Luri made the suggestion.

“Shouldn’t we go greet them first and give them the medicine?”
“We need to make that medicine first.”

Ah, I see…

“Even if you say ‘make medicine,’ that sounds like a pretty big hurdle.”
“It’s not that difficult. It’s just medicine for back pain, and I’ve already prepared the ingredients.”

Prepared?

“When did you…?”
“Last night, I gathered them. They grow nearby.”

I was about to say “It’s dangerous at night,” but this girl is probably stronger than me.

“Alright then. How do we do it?”
“It’s simple. You see that rice cooker over there?”

Sure enough, there was a rice cooker sitting on the workbench.
It looked incredibly out of place.

“I see it.”
“Put this inside.”

Ruri handed me a jagged-edged leaf.
Not really understanding, I took the leaf as told, placed it into the rice cooker, and closed the lid.

“You’re not telling me to press the cook button, are you?”
“Yes. But please infuse your fingertip with magic power.”

This was probably made by Grandpa… what a lazy contraption.

I channeled magic into my index finger and pressed the cook button.
A familiar tune played, and the lid popped open.

Inside were about five tablets.

“That was easy.”
“Well, it’s a rice cooker, after all.”

A magic rice cooker, huh?

“But with this, you could make all kinds of medicine, right? Seems really convenient.”
“It would still be faster and more effective for you to just use your own healing magic.”

Healing magic…
Another amazing thing.
Could it really heal wounds and such?

“I can do that too?”
“Of course. I’ll teach you later. But for now, let’s go to the village chief’s place.”

Fair enough.

I stored the tablets away with spatial magic and left the house.
As I’d heard before, there was a straight road flanked by forest, and at the end, I could see houses.
It was maybe a hundred meters away.

“That’s it?”
“Yes. It’s a pioneer village with about thirty residents.”

That’s not many…
Then again, it is a pioneer village, so maybe that’s normal.

“Oh, Yamada, I should warn you, nya. In this world, there are dangerous creatures called monsters that don’t exist in your world, so be careful, nya.”

Monsters…
Well, it is another world, so of course there are.

“Should’ve brought a weapon…”

Not that I had much—just a kitchen knife or an umbrella.

“It’s fine, nya. You can deal with them with your fire magic, and Ruri and I are here too, nya.”
“Leave it to me.”

A dependable cat and a dependable girl.

“I’m counting on you… By the way, will we be able to communicate with them?”
“No problem. Just focus your magic in your ears.”

Following Ruri’s instructions, I concentrated magic into my ears, just like I had tested before.

“Okay, I did it.”
“Right now, I’m speaking in this world’s language. You can hear me just fine, right?”

Wait, really?

“I can.”
“In the same way, when speaking, channel magic into your throat. When writing, into your hands. And when reading text, into your eyes. That will do it.”
“Magic really is amazing…”

It can do that much…

“Indeed, mages are special, nya. If you go to the city, you could make it big, nya.”
“You’re saying I’d have to work more? No thanks.”

I’d get sick from that.

“Oh right, nya… well, take it easy, nya.”

We started walking toward the village.
When we arrived, there were people farming and chopping wood.

They were all thin and didn’t look very healthy.
The houses scattered here and there were wooden and honestly pretty shabby.

“This is… something.”

I wanted to choose my words carefully, but nothing came to mind.

“This is normal for a pioneer village, nya.”

So much for a slow life…

“Indeed. The village chief’s house is over there.”

Ruri pointed toward a house.
But despite being the chief’s home, it didn’t look much different from the others.

“That’s it, huh… Well, let’s go.”

When we reached the chief’s house, Ruri opened the door without knocking.

“Village chieeef!”

She went straight in, so I followed.
Inside, a white-haired old man and a young blonde woman in a black robe were sitting at a table, drinking tea.

“Oh, Ruri.”

The old man’s face lit up.

“It’s been a while.”
“Long time no see, nya.”
“Miriam, it’s been a long time indeed… And that gentleman is?”

The old man looked at me.

“Yes. This is Lord Tadashi’s grandson. Village chief, there’s something I’d like to discuss…”

Ruri glanced at the blonde woman.

“Oh, don’t mind me. You go ahead.”

The blonde woman politely motioned for Ruri to speak first.

“I see… thank you. Village chief, I have a report. The other day, Lord Tadashi passed away.”
“Wh-What?!”
“Lord Tadashi…!”

The chief and the blonde woman froze in shock.