The Abysmal Territory

[35]

Silica bowed her head and wiped away her tears.

“That’s the last time I saw the person I admire the most. Sorry for an emotional story,” Silica said.

“That’s fine Silica, so the reason you guys are so welcoming is because of that, right?” Akeiko asked.

“Yes, it’s the reason. Though, I also possessed an ability to determine if someone has ill intent so the moment I confirm that the visitor is a good person, we welcome them wholeheartedly in this village,” Silica replied.

“That’s why you’re the one that greeted us. I can see how that hero affects everyone of you,” Akeiko said.

“Yup! We’re so thankful to him that we named our rebuilt village from his name. He’s my hero, and someday, I’ll be like him. No, it’s impossible. Our talent is very different, at least I wanted to meet him again and thank him,” Silica said.

“Hey, Teiko. Why are you not saying anything? Do you know who Silica is talking about,” Akeiko asked.

“I guessed hearing that name again made him speechless,” Saki said.

“Teiko, did you know who’s that hero I’m talking about,” Silica asked excitedly.

Teiko lifted up his head. He said, “Silica, I know that person but I can definitely say that you cannot meet him anymore.”

“Huh? What is the reason?” Silica asked.

“He’s dead, that hero is already dead. The goblins killed him,” Teiko said.

“What?! That’s impossible! He didn't have any kind of weakness when I met him, it’s impossible that he died after just 7 years. You’re a visitor, Teiko, but don’t mess with me! My hero would never fall victim to such a creature,” Silica exclaimed.

“Toya Akitsko, the same last name as Teiko. Died to goblins, have a wife with two kids. Is he your father, Teiko?” Akeiko asked.

“One of the Geniuses, the Hero of the past generation, Toya Akitsko. A loving husband and father. Yes, he is my dad,” Teiko said.

Silica fell down to her feet.

“No way, that’s not possible. But there’s no way his own son would say something like that. No!” Silica cried.

“That happened two years ago. He only did that for the sake of me and my twin sister,” Teiko said.

“No way,” Silica exclaimed.

“It’s alright, Silica. If you couldn’t meet him, you can still be like him. Become a hero,” Teiko said.

Silica stopped from crying.

“Yes, that’s right. He told me that I shouldn’t be like a cry baby. I’m weak at that time, but right now, I can at least protect myself,” Silica said.

Silica stood up on her own. She declared, “That’s right! I’ll be a hero, too!”

“That’s the spirit, Silica-nee,” Saki said.

Silica was shocked. She said, “Wait! So you’re saying you’re the son of this village’s hero?!”

“Yup, Silica-nee. He said that a while ago already,” Saki said.

Silica pointed to a house that is medium in size.

“Go there, my mom is there sewing clothes. Just introduce yourselves as the visitor and tell her my name and she would acknowledge the three of you, or two since she might not see Saki. I’ll go do something,” Silica said.

Silica runs quickly from where they come from.

“And, she left,” Saki said.

“We have no other choice but to go to the house she’s pointing at. Did you hear what she said, her mother is sewing,” Akeiko said.

“Yup, she might teach us about sewing,” Teiko said.

The three of them went to the house and knocked at the door. A woman opens the door for them.

“Hello, young man and young lady. It’s my first time seeing you, right? Although this boy seems familiar. You’re a visitor, right? But it’s odd, my daughter should be with you,” the mother said.

“Hello, Ma’am. We’re travellers and happened to visit this village. Your daughter, Silica, was with us a moment ago but she left us and she just told us to introduce ourselves to you,” Teiko said.

“Okay, you come in. If you know my daughter’s name, that means you’re telling the truth. Make yourselves at home, I’ll just clean up what I’m doing,” Silica’s mother said.

“Thank you very much!” Teiko said and bowed his head.

Akeiko and Saki saw Teiko’s action and copied what he did.

“Thank you for letting us in,” Akeiko said.

They removed their shoes and went inside the house.

“Sorry for the intrusion!” Teiko said.

“No need to be sorry. Just thank you is enough, actually that’s better than saying sorry in this kind of situation,” Silica’s mother said.

The three nodded.

The three saw a pile of fabric in the house.

“This means you’re a cloth maker, Silica-nee’s mother?” Saki asked.

Akeiko and Teiko looked at Saki and smiled.

“You’re a cloth maker, auntie? That dress is very pretty,” Akeiko asked as she pointed to one of the dresses hanging in the cabinet.

“Yes, to be exact, I’m a tailor. This is my job in this village, I’m the only one making clothes for the whole village so it’s normal that you would see tons of fabric and clothes here,” Silica’s mother said.

“That's hard work for you, Auntie,” Teiko said.

“It’s fine, I’m accustomed to doing a lot of work and I’m training some kids including Silica so that I can have someone helping me. Anyway, just sit at the table, I’ll prepare some tea and we can continue our conversation later,” Silica’s mother said.

“So Silica can also make clothes? Sorry, Auntie. We’ll wait for the tea before asking something, again,” Akeiko said.

Silica’s mother smiled.

“I-I mean, thank you!” Akeiko stuttered.

“You’re learning it already. Wait there for a while, okay?” Silica’s mother said.