Aiming for a Cozy Life in a Dangerous Forest in Another World! - Chapter 5
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- Chapter 5 - Let's Hear the Story
Chapter 5: Let’s Hear the Story
When I asked the boy I had rescued for his name, he replied,
“My name… well, I… I can’t tell you.”
“You can’t tell me?”
“Ah… um, I understand it’s only polite to introduce myself properly and express my gratitude, especially to someone who saved our lives… but… I’m forbidden from giving my name…”
“Forbidden? By whom?”
“His Majesty, the King.”
“The King?!”
I couldn’t help but shout in surprise. What was with this king forbidding people from giving their names? And was this boy somehow related to the king?
Also, there really was a king… which meant there were probably nobles too…
As I was lost in thought,
“Until two years ago, I was a noble. The second son of a viscount, to be precise.”
“The second son of a viscount…”
“Yes. But two years ago, knights suddenly came to our house and took away my father, mother, and older brother. My little sister and I were told not to leave the house. A little while later, a carriage arrived, and we were ordered to board. We obeyed and got into the carriage, just the three of us: me, my sister, and the maid who looked after her.
We were taken to a village called Canaan. When we got off the carriage, we were taken to the village chief’s house.
There, we received an order from His Majesty, the King, forbidding us from using our previous names. We were also forbidden from leaving the village. And so, we began living in Canaan Village, working under the direction of the village chief.”
“I see… So, what happened to your parents…?
“We heard a while back that they had been executed.”
“…I see… But then why are you in this forest? Is Canaan Village nearby?”
“Canaan Village is a short distance from the edge of this forest. We’re here because we were banished from the village and sent down the river.”
“Sent down the river?!”
“Yes. It seems some monsters invaded the village fields and ruined the crops. The villagers blamed us… and as punishment, we were ‘set adrift.'”
“What the…”
“They put my sister and me on a wooden plank and sent us down the river.”
“Wait? What about the maid who came to the village with you?”
“… She ran away soon after we arrived at the village.”
“I see… And then, after you were set adrift?”
“I held onto my sister tightly so she wouldn’t fall off, desperately clinging to the wooden plank. But we couldn’t hold on any longer, and we both fell into the river. When I came to, we were lying on the bank. We started walking through the forest, my sister beside me, and then that huge tiger attacked us. I thought we were done for, but then you saved us.”
“I see… Well, my name is Kotoha. Nice to meet you.
But it must be inconvenient not having names. What did they call you in the village?”
“In the village… they called us ‘you’ or ‘brats’…”
“…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked about such painful things.”
“No! It’s only natural for me to explain why I can’t tell you my name…”
“… Well, um… If it’s alright with you, would you like me to give you new names?”
“You? Give us new names?”
“Yes, if you’d like.”
“Yes! Please! We’d be honored to receive names from the person who saved our lives!”
“… Okay, then.”
His straightforward joy made me blush a little.
But what names should I give them?
I had brought it up, but it was surprisingly difficult.
After thinking for a moment, I decided to choose names based on their appearance and aura.
“How about Kaito for you? And for your sister… Pola.”
“Kaito… Pola… Yes! Thank you, Onee-san!”
“I’m glad you like them.”
“Speaking of which, what are you doing in such a dangerous place, Onee-san?”
“…Dangerous place?”
“Yes. This is the Great Forest of Chrys, isn’t it? They say it’s teeming with powerful monsters, and no one who enters ever comes back alive.”
Seriously?! This place was that dangerous?!
Why wasn’t I told?!
I was born here! Yesterday!
As I screamed internally, I tried to think.
How much should I tell them about myself? Should I mention that I died in another world and was reborn?
Should I tell them I’m a “Dragon Demon”?
And about my magic… well, they already knew about that.
While grappling with this dilemma, I tried to explain my situation vaguely.
“To be honest, I don’t really know. When I came to, I was here. I went out into the forest to explore, and I heard a tiger roaring, and that’s how I found you, Kaito and Pola. So, I had no idea this was the dangerous Great Forest of Chrys, and I don’t know why I’m here either.”
“I see… Even so, we’re so grateful! That you were here! We would have died if you hadn’t come!”
He’s very positive, I thought with a wry smile.
Just then,
“Onii-chan?”
Pola, who had been sleeping, woke up and called out to Kaito.
“Pola! Are you alright?!”
“Pola?”
“Ah! This is Kotoha-onee-san, the one who saved us. She gave us new names!
I’m Kaito now. And you’re Pola!”
“Kotoha-onee-san?”
“It’s nice to meet you. Do you remember me?
Kaito, your brother, and I took the liberty of giving you a new name after hearing about your situation. I hope it’s alright.”
Pola, the girl I had given a new name, and Kaito, both seemed to be slowly processing our words. Then, Pola nodded and said,
“…Yes! Pola! My name is Pola! I’m so happy! Kotoha-onee-san!”
She answered with a smile.
I was relieved that she seemed to like it.
Pola, who seemed to remember that I had saved her, looked at me with a bright smile at Kaito’s prompting and said,
“Thank you for saving us, Kotoha-onee-san!”
She said with a big smile. So adorable.
“You’re welcome.
But Pola, don’t forget to thank your brother too.”
“Ah, that’s right. Thank you too, Onii-chan!”
“O-of course.”
Kaito said with an embarrassed smile.
♢ ♢ ♢
“So, what are you two going to do now?”
I asked them after Pola had some water and we all calmed down.
Not that they had anywhere to go, being orphans and all.
Besides, this was the dangerous Great Forest of Chrys. It would be tough for them to make it out of here on their own.
“Um, well, you see… If it’s alright with you, we’d like to stay with you Onee-san…
… If it’s too much for both of us, then even just Pola!”
“No way! Pola wants to stay together with Onii-chan!”
“But… taking care of both of us…”
“Stop right there. I’m sorry, that was a mean thing to ask. If you two are okay with it, why don’t we live together from now on?
Though, I still don’t know anything about this world.”
“Really?”
“Of course! I’m lonely on my own. And I would never do anything as cruel as separating siblings like you two.”
“Thank you, Onee-san!”
“Thank you!”
“Alright, then. It’s nice to have you, Kaito, Pola!”
And so, on my second day after being reborn into another world, I gained two companions.