Rising from the Slum City of Reincarnation in Another World ~ Gathering, Hunting, and Living a Slow Life by Eating - Chapter 45

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

Chapter 45   Ed’s poop

Tuesday.

Counting every day, but it’s getting confusing.

When Sunday comes, I’ll know because there’s bread, but counting is quite a hassle.

The day before yesterday was supposed to be Sunday.

Why am I thinking about such things since morning? It’s because it was just decided a while ago that today would be a temporary closure due to my poor health.

We had breakfast together.

Fortunately, everyone else seems to be healthy for now, which is good.

In that case, food might not be relevant.

My stomach hurts.

It’s fortunate that it’s not diarrhea, but for some reason, my stomach hurts.

“My stomach hurts.”

“Mew~”

Mīnya let out a disappointed meow.

I didn’t even eat anything strange, so why?

“Illuminate with healing light—Heal.”

Mīnya has also learned how to use Heal, so I had her try it, but while it provided temporary relief, the pain came back again.

“I guess it didn’t work after all.”

“Yeah, I guess…”

Mīnya looked disappointed too.

But just having Mīnya watch over me all the time wouldn’t solve anything. Plus, there’s a possibility of getting infected if it’s a cold or something similar.

“It might be a cold, so Mīnya, go play outside.”

“But Ed…”

“Well, don’t be so down. How about taking Lania and doing some security work in Lanierda?”

“Uh, okay. I got it. If Ed says so, then I’ll do that.”

Oh, surprisingly, she obediently listened to what I said.

In the past, she would have definitely refused to leave or said something like that. I wonder what’s changed.

“Well then, see you later, Ed. I’ll be back.”

“Take care, cough, cough.”

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, just have a stomachache. See?”

“Yeah, I’ll be back.”

Mīnya left the house, even though I looked back several times.

Mīnya’s father, Gid-san, took refuge at the neighbor’s house, where they make baskets.

Mīnya’s mother, Melun-san, is boiling water there.

She’s putting some unknown herbs into the hot water.

After a while, she’ll bring it over.

“Here, stomach medicine. Did you eat something?”

“Uhm, nothing.”

“I hope it’s not appendicitis.”

“I don’t think so. I heard it’s excruciatingly painful.”

“That’s true. I wonder what it could be.”

“Well…”

Anyway, I received herbal tea.

Even though we don’t have regular tea, we have things like this.

Melun-san seem to be quite proficient as an herbalist or healer.

She also use healing magic, so if herbs are effective, she would use them too.

After taking the medicine, I started feeling warm and before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.

When I woke up, Melun-san was nearby.

And Mīnya had returned. They were crying uncontrollably.

Huh, why are they crying?

Lania was nearby too, but I could clearly sense anger radiating from her.

Sniff, sniff, sniff.

Perhaps they had finished barking and were now sniffing and hiccuping.

Their eyes were red, and there were traces of tears, giving a somewhat painful appearance.

“Mīnya, what’s wrong? I’m fine, you know.”

“Yeah. It’s not about you… Ed isn’t at fault. It’s them, those guys.”

It’s unusual for Mīnya to use such strong language.

“What happened with them?”

“No… um…”

When I gently asked, Mīnya struggled to find the words.

This kind of hesitation is also unusual.

Although they usually give off an air of not thinking about much, deep down, they’re not as carefree as they seem.

Their carefree attitude might be partially an act to prevent me from worrying.

They’re doing it because they care about me.

“I won’t get angry, so please tell me.”

“Well, you know, someone made fun of me, calling me ‘Ed’s poop’.”

Oh, I see.

“Ed’s poop.”

So, it has come to that.

“Who was it?”

“I don’t know the kid. Probably someone from the slums on the north side.”

“Oh, I don’t know who it is specifically, but I kind of understand.”

In Lanierda, where we are, it actually falls under the eastern district.

And Lanierda extends all the way to the front of the northern gate.

The residents are somewhat affiliated with the district of the gate they usually use, the one closest to them.

The middle area around the northeast seems to be a buffer zone where houses haven’t been built yet.

There’s Miranda General Store near the northern gate.

And Dridon General Store near the eastern gate, creating distinct living zones.

In other words, the eastern and northern districts have always had a strained relationship.

Even the kids from the northern district know our names and faces.

And they used the term “Ed’s poop” to refer to me, who is usually followed by Mīnya.

This nickname was given to us by someone shortly after Mīnya started walking behind me, and Mīnya particularly dislikes the expression.

There’s a similar expression in Japan.

Ah, that’s right, it’s “koi no fun” (goldfish poop).

In this world, not many people have pet goldfish, so they can’t imagine it, but the general sentiment is largely the same.

Of course, it’s infuriating.

But Mīnya isn’t angry, they’re crying.

“Ed was made fun of. It’s sad. Especially when you’re suffering right now.”

Ah, maybe it’s because I’m feeling weak.

By the way, what happened to the ones who made fun of me?

Lania swung her staff, threatening them with “I’ll throw a fireball at you.”

Even though actually hitting them with a fireball would be fatal, I suppose she wasn’t serious.

But her feelings were genuine.

It’s scary, scary.

“If Ed won’t fight back, I’ll keep hitting them until Harris apologizes.”

That was Lania’s line when she got angry. It was brought up as a topic before, some time ago.

It’s one thing to get hit, but a fireball is just too dangerous.

Lania is also a beautiful girl, but when she gets angry, she can be scary. It’s one of the reasons why people our age keep their distance from her.

“See, Mīnya, I’m okay, so come over here.”

“Okay.”

I pat Mīnya gently. I stroke their head.

Doing this helps her calm down a little.

Then I give her a tight hug.

Mīnya rubs her head against me.

Lania joins in and gently leans closer.

Well, it’s just something kids would do. There’s no point in getting worked up over it.

First of all, Mīnya is a beloved child in Lanierda, especially among girls.

Mīnya’s silky, long blonde hair is the object of admiration.

Even boys find it appealing.

And because of me, the hunchback accompanying them, they want to gain attention by teasing us.

That’s where the “Ed’s poop” comment comes in.

In the past, I would drive them away or Mīnya would get genuinely angry, so the kids from the East District learned their lesson a long time ago.

But I guess the kids from the North District haven’t realized it yet.

Well, I suppose their intention is to criticize me, but it’s counterproductive when it comes to Mīnya.

Putting me down as a stranger doesn’t elevate their own reputation. It’s not a relative evaluation.

This comment won’t increase Mīnya’s likability towards them.

I hope they understand that.