Chapter 88 - As Aldo the Villager
The next morning, after telling Flora about my past, I came to Elgis-san's house accompanied by her.
It was to tell my past, and the incident from yesterday, to her family, Elgis-san and Fiona-san.
When I knocked as usual, Fiona-san's voice said "Coming," and the door opened.
"Oh, if it isn't Aldo-san and Flora. Come in."
Fiona-san smiled and ushered us inside as soon as she saw our faces.
Without even asking what our business was, it was as if letting family in was the natural thing to do.
I felt ashamed and guilty for having kept secrets from such warm people.
But, as if to envelop those dark thoughts, Flora placed her right hand over mine.
When I instinctively looked at her, Flora looked up at me and smiled brightly.
She didn't say a word, but to me, it felt like Flora was saying, "It's okay."
Gaining courage from Flora's warm smile, I straightened my posture.
"Fiona-san. Excuse us for the intrusion."
"Yes, please come in."
I gave a light bow and entered, with Flora following behind.
Once inside, we headed to the living room as usual, where Elgis-san was sitting and drinking tea. Apparently, he was having his after-meal tea.
The living room was filled with the faintly sweet scent of Apple Mint Tea.
"Welcome, you two. Would you like some tea?"
He must have known it was us from the voices at the entrance. Elgis-san asked while lightly lifting his teacup.
"Yes, please."
"Me too."
"Then I'll prepare tea for the two of you."
When Flora and I nodded, Fiona-san prepared the tea.
In the meantime, Elgis-san, sitting in front of us, asked,
"Aldo-san, how are the fields lately?"
"Yes, I've made the fields larger, but Flora is helping me, so there are no problems. In a little while, the carrots and snap peas will be ready for harvest."
"After that, the Sheil and leafy vegetables will be ready to harvest."
"Oh, that sounds like things are going well."
As Flora and I reported on the status of the vegetables, Elgis-san nodded magnanimously.
While we were discussing our recent life like that, Fiona-san casually served the tea and joined the conversation.
"Flora, are you living properly in the new house?"
She must be worried about her only daughter who had been living in this house until now. Fiona-san turned a worried gaze toward Flora.
"Y-Yes! I'm managing!"
Despite being in front of her mother, Flora's speech became strangely polite.
"...I'm a bit worried. Aldo-san, is Flora doing okay?"
"Yes, she's fine. Flora is doing the housework and field work properly."
Flora let out a sigh of relief at my answer.
It's okay. I know Flora is supporting me properly. In fact, her work is so good that I sometimes think she's too good for someone like me.
Even though I said that, Fiona-san still seemed worried, and it was decided that she would come to my house with Elgis-san next time.
She must have been curious about Flora's life since moving to the new house. I felt like Fiona-san's goal had been this from the start.
Since our lives have settled down, it's not a problem for me either. While inviting them to the new house, I'll make sure to put her mother, Fiona-san, at ease.
Once that topic settled down, the conversation turned to more village-chief-like matters.
The state of the mountains where I go hunting and the state of the villagers. Since a Red Bear appeared before and the forest was disturbed, he seems concerned about the aftermath.
Given the situation where Flora was actually attacked and other villagers might have become victims, Elgis-san is frequently concerned about the mountains.
Since that reason is justified, I told him in detail about the state of the mountains I enter and what I've heard from Lauren-san, Kyle, and the other hunters.
Well, as a result, the forest is stable, so there are no problems. If there's a problem, we'll just report it again.
After spending some time chatting and making small talk like that.
I chose a moment when the conversation paused to speak.
"Elgis-san, Fiona-san. There's something I'd like you to hear, is that okay?"
"Yes, of course. A child's name is important, after all."
"Dear, that's way too early no matter how you look at it."
I intended to start seriously, but the atmosphere was dissipated by Elgis-san's airheadedness.
When it comes to his daughter Flora or grandchildren, Elgis-san's thoughts sometimes skip several steps ahead.
"Aha, that's right. I get ahead of myself when it comes to grandchildren."
"Grandchildren are important too, of course, but first is the wedding at the Harvest Festival. A wedding is a big stage for a woman and a once-in-a-lifetime event."
"That's right. First is the wedding!"
I'd like to say Fiona-san is also getting ahead of herself, but the wedding at the Harvest Festival is quite close, and it's almost time to start preparations, so it's hard to say she's wrong.
Unfortunately, that wasn't the topic for today...
While I was wondering what to do about the situation where it had become hard to speak, Flora, sitting next to me, stood up.
"Geez! Father, Mother! Aldo-san is going to talk about something important, so please be quiet!"
"Y-Yes. Understood."
Elgis-san went quiet, surprised by Flora's voice.
"...Flora, who used to be easily swayed by everyone's opinions, has certainly changed. I wonder if this is thanks to Aldo-san."
Fiona-san spoke somewhat fondly, perhaps happy about Flora's growth.
"...I was given a talking-to yesterday as well."
"My!"
"Wait, even Aldo-san!"
If I let the conversation stray any further, I felt like I'd be scolded even more than yesterday, so I shut my mouth.
Fiona-san also seemed to read the room and stayed quiet without teasing.
Then Flora slowly sat down, and by turning her gaze toward me, Elgis-san's and Fiona-san's gazes gathered on me.
Before opening my mouth, I looked at Flora's face once.
Seeing Flora nod slightly, I took a deep breath.
And then, I confessed to Elgis-san and Fiona-san.
That I had been faking my name and past. And about my real name and past as well.
And even the reason why I had hidden them.
After finishing my story, Elgis-san slowly opened his mouth.
"...So Aldo-san's real name was Aldred-san."
"If it's Aldred, that's the famous A-rank adventurer known as the Dragon Slayer, right?"
Surprised voices from Elgis-san and Fiona-san flowed through the living room.
"...I'm sorry for keeping it a secret."
I slowly bowed my head in apology.
In the next moment, I expected insults to come from their mouths. It was only natural. Their only daughter's lover had faked his name and kept his past hidden all this time. It wouldn't be surprising if they felt distrust.
Even if that happened, I intended to work hard to regain their trust.
Because I don't want to be apart from Flora.
I wonder how much time passed while I had my head bowed.
In the midst of that, Elgis-san spoke in a soft voice.
"...Thank you for telling us."
"Eh?"
"With a past like that, you must have been very anxious when you first came here. It must have been hard trying not to be jerked around by your past. I won't blame you for that, Aldo-san. Rather, I'm happy that you've opened up to me about something so important."
"We're family. We won't hate Aldo-san just for that. Even if your name is a little different, or if you're a Dragon Slayer adventurer, you're still Aldo-san, right?"
...What is this. Their words are so warm. Just hearing them makes me feel like tears are going to come out.
Until now, I could only live as an adventurer. Even when I tried to find a reason to live, my past was always in the way. While struggling to shake it off, I sought a peaceful life.
I felt like my existence as Aldo, a villager living in Nordende, not Aldred the A-rank Dragon Slayer adventurer, had been recognized.
That made me incredibly happy.
I wiped away the tears that were about to overflow from the sheer joy.
As if to calm me down, Flora hugged me.
"We're family, after all."
Flora's words whispered in my ear. The word 'family,' which I'd had little connection with until now, settled comfortably in my heart.
"Please rely on us more from now on, okay?"
"Yes!"
I replied to Elgis-san's words, though my voice was tearful.
Thanks to everyone, "A-Rank Adventurer's Slow Life" has gone into a second printing within a week of its release! Thank you very much!
The next story is scheduled to be updated tomorrow. I plan to rush through the updates until the end of the third arc.