Chapter 8: Arrived at Tabou

We’re finally done bathing in the river. Noa went straight into our room and helped me pack the belongings of our late friends. At least their possessions will be a memento for the family left behind.

“Hey, you can sleep in the bed with me, you know,” Noa said. “I can’t bear seeing you sleeping on the floor after what you’ve done to us.”

I want to, but I want every first time I have in this world to be with Miyuki, big sis. Back on Earth, I lost all my first times to my stepsister and some shady woman and guy in the back alley for money to survive.

“Why are you spacing out? Come here.” Noa said, patting the pillow next to her.

I’m sorry, Miyuki, big sis. I put my robe down and put on my casual clothes to sleep. I climb into the bed and lie down beside Noa. “Excuse me.”

“Go ahead,” Noa said.

I turned my body in the opposite direction from her. So there will be no accident. Noa poked my shoulders. “Do you want to keep the candle on or off?”

“You decided that,” I said.

“Okay.” Noa turned off our candle room. I can feel her movement trying to move closer to me. “Can I pat your head before sleep? Elves like it when someone pets their head, right?”

“Mmmm.” I think of it.

“It also helps me fall asleep fast.” Noa persuaded me. “And it’s beneficial to you too.”

“Alright, but do it slowly,” I said, and turned my body to face her. Her hands slowly pet my head. I feel comfortable with this touch, and slowly, I give up and close my eyes to sleep.

The morning I wake up, Noa is still sleeping with her arms enveloping me. Her smell is nice too. Cautiously, I move her hands away. But she wakes up, her brown eyes staring directly at me.

“Good morning, Taka.” She said.

“Morning, Noa,” I replied. Quickly, I put on my robe again and combed my hair. Noa does the same and goes out first. I bring our late friend's belongings and go out. Seele was already there waiting for us.

“Noa and Taka, sorry for making you worry. I feel it’s my fault that they died. I’m a bad leader.” Seele said.

“No, you do not. Let’s use this as experience to move forward.” Noa replied.

“I know it. Let’s bid farewell to the village chief and continue our way home.” Seele said.

After bidding farewell to the inn master and Rita, we start our journey home again. The war has ended, so we no longer need to worry about being captured by military police. Noa walks closer to me and asks me another question. “So we arrived at our village. Will you stay there first for some time?”

“Geez, Noa, stop flirting with him,” Seele said. “You already heard from him that he has a girlfriend.”

“Are you jealous of me, Seele? I just asked them if he can stay at our village to teach our people how to write and read.” Noa answered. “We need helping hands to educate our village, you know.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll stay,” I replied.

“No, I’m not!” Seele replied.

We spent the next 1.5 weeks staying on the road. Our journey was pretty clear without being attacked by a monster or bandit. I spend more time close to Noa and Seele. I can safely say that Noa has a cheerful personality and Seele has a tsundere personality. Sometimes she didn't say clearly what she wanted, and honestly, with that person being our leader, it made me pretty irate. But thank God I managed to calm my head when dealing with her.

A shepherd boy in the distance sees us. He’s running towards us happily. We both stopped and waited for the boy to come at us. He’s shouted, “Noa, big sis! See you, big sis! Welcome back home!”

“Ah, that’s Rudi,” Seele said. “Noa, little brother.”

“Hiya, Rudi, how are Father and Mother?” Noa carries her brother in her arms. “Meet Taka the Wandering Healer. He will stay with us from now on.”

“Are we close to your village?” I asked.

“Behind that hill,” Seele answered.

“Okay, Rudi, now back at your job, and don’t venture too far!” Noa put down her little brother.

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“Big Brother Taka, nice to meet you,” Rudi said, and was back at guiding his herd.

We finally arrived at Tabou, a small agricultural village. There are 15 houses here; most of them are close. A villager who saw us gathered the entire village to welcome us.

“Welcome back, Seele, Noa. Where are Tucker, Sammy, and Netz?” an old man asked us.

“Say it, Taka. I don't dare to say it.” Seele said and hid her face. I chose to tell a white lie and blamed myself. Seele may not like what I do. But I feel bad telling them if their sons died in the hands of a monster. Hope Noa and Seele play along.

I put their bag full of their belongings. “Deepest condolences, sir. Three of them have fallen in battle. I only managed to save Seele and Noa, who were badly wounded.”

The old man fell silent in tears when he grabbed Netz's belongings. Some parents are in tears. I can assume that they are Sammy and Tucker's parents.

“And who are you?” the old man asked. “You’re not part of the Orthodox Elf Tribe who lives nearby, are you?”

“I’m Taka, the Wandering Healer. I’m from the Magro Tribe. On my way to Keraks, I pass the battlefield and only manage to save Noa and Seele, who are badly wounded and dying. I also accompanied them to go home. I’m sorry for not arriving in time to save your sons.” I said and took off my hat.

Seele's and Noa's parents come out and hug their daughters.

“It’s okay, Taka. Thanks for telling me; at least my sons died on the battlefield.” The old man answered. Tuckers and Sammy's parents came to hug me, and I tried my best to comfort them.

“Thanks for saving our daughters.” No, Father said. Seele's mother said the same thing to me.

Noa's parents invited me to their home. Noa told them my story, and they let me stay with them for a while. Noa is very happy with this; I will sleep with his little brother from now on. This village was pretty quiet; in the afternoon, they held a burial ceremony for Tucker, Sammy, and Netz. They buried their son's memento as a symbol.

Seele comes to Noa's house and asks us to go foraging. I’ll use this time to renew my potion ingredients and make some. Seele moves closer to me. “Thanks, Taka. I know why you say that they fall in battle, not eaten by monsters.”

“Yeah, I just realized it too. Their reactions might be different if we told the truth directly.” Noa joins in. “Thanks for not letting them know that we’re deserted.”

“Tomorrow, our agenda is setting up the schools! We have plenty of kids who want to learn how to read and write.” Seele said with renewed vigor.

“Their parents are not teaching them?” I asked.

“Well, Taka, their parents mostly spend time in the field and don’t have a chance to teach their children. I and Seele are lucky that we are junior high school graduates.” Noa explained. “How about you, Taka?”

“As nomads, my parents still educated me with their best. I learn so many things from my father and mother on our journey.” I answered. That’s also because I’m not from here either. I was just born again in this world with my earthly knowledge still intact.

I spent almost six months here in Tabou. I grew closer to the village and closer to Noa. With the village already growing and attracting more people to move in, I think it’s time for me to depart to Kerak and search for Miyuki, big sis, there.

I heard the sound of heated debate outside. When I walked outside her little brother's room with him. Noa’s father is angry. “What’s the matter, Uncle?”

“Noa said that she wanted to go with you.” Uncle Terizo said.

“What? Why, Noa?” I said and sat next to her at their dining table.

“Well, I’m still young and want to adventure,” Noa explained. “Staying here is not suitable for me. Also, I think Taka needs a bodyguard; he’s a healer who can’t fight.”

“Are you sure you want this, Noa? You will be a long way from home. Are you sure you will not miss your parents?” Aunt Ebelia said.

“I’m sure!” Noa said. “Seele is already here to stay and train the children. I think it’s safe for me to adventure with Taka.”

“Just for clarification, I didn’t ask her to go with me,” I said to clear it out. “I’m sure I only told Aunt Ebelia and Uncle Terizo about my departure time.”

“I’m the one who told Sister! Sorry for eavesdropping, Brother Taka.” Rudi said and ran away.

“Please persuade her to stay.” Uncle Terizo is begging me.

“Do you want to live a nomadic life?” I asked her. “Not every day will we sleep in a bed.”

“I already made up my mind, Father. Please, Taka, let me go with you. I want to explore this world too.” Noa begged.

“Alright, if she asks for it. So Taka, will you promise that someday you will return here with her again?” Uncle Terizo said.

“Mmmmmm, s-sure?” I said nervously. “But I don’t know when yet.”

“Haah. Alright, Noa, you got my permission, too. Please pack your belongings. I’ll give you two a merchant carriage and a horse.” Aunt Ebilia said and joined in to sit at the table. “I’m sure Taka is a capable man to help you and protect you, too.”

Noa is ready to go with me. Today we helped to prepare our journey to Kerak, the Nekalma Elf Federation capital, to search for Miyuki, big sis. I helped Uncle Terizo readying our horse and carriage while Noa arranged my belongings and packed hers.

I made a good amount of all-around medic potions in this village. I write the instructions on how to use it and make it for Seele. Seele pinched Noa’s cheeks, “Geez, Noa. I know that you will someday follow Taka. I want it too.”

“But I can’t since I’m already married,” Seele said and patted her belly. “I think if my baby is born, I will name it Noa if she’s a girl and Taka if he’s a boy.”

“Thank you for saving us that day, Taka,” Seele said again. The entire village gathered to bid us farewell. They throw in supplies and other things that might help us on our journey. “Promise to be back at our village, okay?!”

“Okay! I promised!” Noa said.

We finally departed from Tabou back to the main road and went to the Border Fortress Town of Sarigig. Noa sat in the front with me, who was controlling our horse. “Hey Taka, will you teach me how to make potions too? I think I can start being your assistant! The Wandering Healer and his assistants!”

“Sure, Noa, I’m glad that you’re joining in with me too. I feel much safer going out alone.” I replied. “And most importantly, I’m not alone anymore.”

Noa opened her maps. “With this carriage, we can arrive at Sarigig in five days again if we do not rest our horse. If we choose to rest at night, it’s six days. It’s up to you, Taka.”

“Let’s rest when we need it. By the way, for the rest of our journey. You're the one who does the cooking, Noa.” I said.

“Do you like my cooking?” Noa said.

“Sure, I am,” I replied.

“What will you do at Sarigig?” Noa asked again.

“Selling some potions and exchanging info. Maybe gathering some material or money. Before continuing to Kerak. I planned to stay at Sarigig for two days.” I answered.