Rising from the Slum City of Reincarnation in Another World ~ Gathering, Hunting, and Living a Slow Life by Eating - Chapter 104.5

Rising from the Slum City of Reincarnation in Another World ~ Gathering, Hunting, and Living a Slow Life by Eating

Chapter 104.5   SS5 Obon in Another World

Summer vegetables, including cucumbers and eggplants, had arrived from Lanierda Elementary School.

“Like this, yeah, just like that.”

Cow-shaped eggplants and horse-shaped cucumbers. Each with wooden sticks for legs and beans for eyes.

These were traditional Japanese Obon decorations called “shōryō-uma” (spirit horses) and “shōryō-ushi” (spirit cows).

In Japan, we used chopsticks for the legs, but there are no chopsticks here.

“What are these?”

“They’re a horse and a cow. In my hometown, we use cows like ox carts, similar to how you use horse carriages.”

“Really, where are you from, Ed?”

“Uh, well, I can’t remember that much.”

“I see, you were very young, huh.”

“Yeah.”

Minya looked at the horse and cow with wide, curious eyes.

Even though the Eldania Manor is a lord’s mansion, it has a Raffalier altar and a kamidana (household Shinto altar).

The grand dining room is a bit too luxurious but is used just as it is, like a hotel dining room.

The magical chandeliers and lamps are also left as they were, which is convenient.

Down the hallway connected to the grand dining room is the altar room, where offerings are quietly made to the gods and ancestors.

Evening.

“Let’s go to the entrance.”

“Uh, okay.”

We stepped outside the entrance and moved to the side. Placing a wooden stick on a white plate, I used fire magic to ignite it.

I had also learned fire magic. However, my output was low—just enough to start a fire.

“Fire.”

“Oooh!”

Minya, Lania, and Ciel, even though they all knew I could at least use fire magic, were still impressed. They’re such good kids.

“Fire is a nice thing.”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Nya, fire is scary, nya.”

The wooden stick, which was like a piece of firewood, caught fire and began to crackle. A small flame rose, casting an orange glow.

I see, Ciel. Being a cat beast-person, she’s scared of fire. Lania, on the other hand, seemed to have a special connection with fire, likely because she’s good at fire magic, and she watched the flickering flames intently.

Basically, in Eldania Manor, fire isn’t used. All the lamps are magical lamps, and cooking is done on magical stoves. The bath is a wood-fired kiln, but it’s closed because it’s too much trouble to maintain. The main reason is, of course, the fear of fire hazards. The former lord, who lived a luxurious life, seemed to have been meticulous about such things, and everything was well-equipped.

On the contrary, lighting a fire was an exception, and I had to borrow the wooden sticks from the item box. Since there was a possibility of camping outdoors, I had a complete set of fire-related tools. I even had a portable outdoor pot, and a big one too, for making something like tomato soup.

Well, even though I’ve come to another world, having a day once a year to think about the spirits of our ancestors, the family left behind on Earth, and my grandpa and grandma wouldn’t hurt.

“Let’s give thanks to Lady Raffalier-sama.”

We all offered a prayer in the style of this world, facing the fire.

Crackle, crackle.

Occasionally, sparks flew up into the sky. These tiny, truly tiny particles of fire were somehow very fantastical and beautiful.

In this world, where there is no outdoor lighting, it gets dark quickly after evening. It’s about time we head back.

“This is a ‘welcoming fire’ to invite the spirits of our ancestors.”

“Hmm.”

There was nothing particularly special about doing something reminiscent of Japan, but I just felt like trying it. It’s just an imitation, but maybe that’s how culture gets passed down.

“It’s really beautiful.”

“Yeah.”

It’s always Lania who says things like this. Minya and Ciel, on the other hand, were now fascinated by a moth fluttering around.

“What’s the difference between a butterfly and a moth?”

“Uh, well, I think there are a lot of differences.”

“Hmm.”

The moth flitted right and left, drawn to the fire. Minya and Ciel’s gazes followed it right and left. It was cute, like the way cats are drawn to toys.

Lania and I watched their innocent behavior with a smile.

The wooden sticks had mostly burned down, and the fire was now just a small flame.

“Alright, I think we’re done here. Let’s wrap it up.”

“Okay!”

“What would you like for dinner tonight?”

“Curry and bread! I want eggplant curry!”

“Oh, eggplant curry, huh? Sounds good.”

With that, aside from Sunday lunch, let’s make eggplant curry with summer vegetables tonight.

I need to hurry and get things ready.

The hungry little fairies are getting hungry.