Kamisama Shop de Cheat no Kaori

Interlude 1. The Long-Eared Girl Sets Out Again

A well-maintained forest is much more livable than a forest left to nature, being kinder to both animals and plants.

Sunlight streams through the appropriately thinned trees, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The spirits seem to be napping lazily.

Originally, this region had a climate between tropical and arid, but thanks to the elves’ efforts over the years, it remains lush and green as far as the eye can see. We call this vast forest “Green Garden.”

Over time, this name became familiar even to other races, who came to recognize it as the land of the elves.

Although the elves had no strong desire to claim territory, leaving the forest to other races, especially humans, would quickly lead to its ruin. So, the elders of the past used this misunderstanding to spread the idea of an elven country, keeping other races from intruding into Green Garden.

The many large rivers flowing from the Midal Mountains formed natural borders, ensuring a peaceful coexistence.

There are two countries closely associated with the elves. One is the Cordea Union to the east of the Romlor River. The other is Lakele, situated southwest between the Grila and Cler Rivers.

The Cordea Union is often in turmoil, so the elves keep their distance and will not be discussed here.

Currently, the country with which we have the deepest exchange, including trade and reforestation techniques, is “Lakele, the Land of Mountains and Lakes.”

As its name suggests, it is the largest country north of the Midal Mountains, facing the Mazul Lake, the largest lake on the continent, with mountains ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 meters high.

Although Green Garden is the second largest country in terms of area, Lakele is undeniably the largest when considering population and facilities.

What is most impressive is that Lakele has actively established the Kazmus Church’s secret technique, “Shift Room,” which governs space.

The divine technique of the Kazmus Church is quite unique.

Unlike the divine techniques of other religions, which mainly focus on healing, treatment, and encouragement, the divine techniques of the Kazmus Church work similarly to spatial magic. The most representative example is the spatial storage enchantment, such as item bags.

I once dabbled in spatial storage research, but the results were disastrous, and I understood why there are no specialized researchers in this field.

Research.

Yes, I am an unusual elf, fascinated by the study of spatial magic, and I became a disciple of Master Zergius, the pioneer of this field.

Master Zergius was a short-lived human, so he has already passed away due to old age.

It was Master Zergius, the “Mage,” who proposed and proved the unified theory of all previously fragmented powers such as “magic,” “sorcery,” “martial arts,” and “spirit magic.”

Among his many achievements, the most well-known is the concept of “spatial magic,” which he introduced alongside his unified theory.

He provided a theoretical framework for what was previously considered an incomprehensible and mysterious force. While it is still not fully understood, it is now clear that Master’s theory is fundamentally correct.

Only “divine techniques” are not classified as spatial magic due to religious reasons. However, applying Master’s theory makes it evident that these techniques, which involve the intervention of a third party’s power, are a form of spatial magic. Perhaps Master decided not to antagonize religious groups or believed that deep research would naturally lead to this conclusion. Hence, at the University of Spatial Magic (formerly the University of Magic), divine techniques are treated as separate.

To fundamentally research divine techniques, cooperation with their practitioners is necessary. However, the three major religions, Heoris, Termias, and Aigas, closely guard their practitioners, making research impossible. Therefore, divine techniques are currently ignored in research.

What is known is that one cannot suddenly use divine techniques; one must first be able to use spatial magic. This is true for other religious divine techniques as well.

……

It seems my bad habit has surfaced again.

I shouldn’t be thinking about research during my long-awaited return home.

Walking through the refreshing forest, I am reminded that I am indeed an elf. After all, research facilities are dim, closed spaces filled with books, experimental equipment, and wooden boards, a far cry from the open forest.

Taking a deep breath, the wind spirits generously bring a lot of phytoncides to my lungs. When I chuckle, the spirits dance joyfully.

How long has it been since I last returned to this land? Seventy years?

After leaving home to study, becoming Master’s disciple, unexpectedly becoming his top disciple, spreading Master’s achievements after his death, traveling to various research institutions and schools across the continent, teaching, and finally having spatial magic accepted as a matter of course by the world.

Now, spatial magic is a common field, and research progresses in various regions without my teaching. Master would surely be pleased. I recall Master’s bearded, wrinkled face.

After repaying my debt to Master, I returned to the University of Spatial Magic in Lakele and submitted my resignation.

I actually wanted a long vacation, but I decided to take it easy for several decades. In a human-run university, it was beyond the scope of a leave of absence. I was slightly troubled but decided it was time to show my parents my face. Would they be happy with my accomplishments?

Oops, my bad habit appeared again.

Looking around, I see a familiar large tree spreading its leaves majestically.

“I’m back, everyone.”

Since I left the village unusually young for an elf, I don’t remember much, but the forest, like a garden where I spent my childhood, reminds me that these trees have been watching over me. This means my home is just ahead.

Since my house was built a little outside the village, I haven’t met anyone yet.

Approaching the still quite new wooden house, a large sheet flaps on a rope tied to the tree branches.

I hurriedly approached and opened the front door wide.

“I’m home!”

Nothing had changed in my house. The familiar scent and scenery. Standing in front of the small hearth is…

“Mother!”

My mother, who turned around, her long emerald-blue hair swaying, was stunned for the time it takes to throw a stone and watch it fall, but her face gradually blossomed.

“Lalaila-chan?”

Without a second thought, my mother and I embraced tightly.

――――

“Yes, you really did well.”

She responded in her usual relaxed manner.

Lulil, my mother, listened to my story with a constant smile on her face.

She made tea and cooked meals while listening, but gently refused my offers to help, saying it was a mother’s job to welcome her child.

The villagers, upon hearing of my return, came one by one to greet me.

They decided to speak more with me from the next day onward, likely being considerate.

The dinner made with the ingredients everyone brought was, of course, a feast.

Elven life is a communal one where people support each other by doing what they are good at. Hunters distribute their catch, and those skilled in brewing share their drinks with everyone.

Living in a human-centric society made me forget this sense of community, which felt both itchy and delightful.

That night, though a bit embarrassing, I slept in the same bed with my mother.

We continued talking even after getting into bed, and I was shocked by the final revelation.

“Is Father out hunting again? He never comes back once he goes out.”

I didn’t mention my homecoming in a letter, wanting to surprise them.

“Well, about that…”

Mother continued slowly, and I was left speechless after hearing her.

“What? He hasn’t been back in over fifty years?!”

Even for elves, who have a peculiar sense of time, that’s too long.

“So I’ve been lonely,” she said, hugging me tightly.

“What did Father leave for?”

“Training, of course.”

“…I guess so.”

He was always known as the odd elf who only cared about training his body.

“Remember the letter he sent fifty years ago?”

“I send letters frequently, so I don’t know which one you’re talking about.”

As usual, the conversation felt a bit off.

“Well, the one about your master’s death?”

“Oh, that one. Yes, I sent it.”

“And then, Father thought you’d come home soon and went out for some training.”

“If he thought I was coming back soon, he should’ve waited.”

“Oh, did you forget? For elves, ‘soon’ means years.”

That’s right. Living among humans made me forget.

“He thought it was a good time to do some serious training if you were coming back.”

I see. Both Mother and Father are too laid-back.

“With both of you gone, I’ve been lonely.”

“I would’ve come back if you’d sent a letter.”

“But you were doing important work, and your father doesn’t get my letters.”

I pressed my forehead lightly, feeling a headache.

“Does he send letters?”

“Sometimes.”

Too laid-back, even for elves. I felt sorry for Mother.

“It’s okay. I’m back now.”

“Yes, I’m happy.”

She hugged me again. I had more to say, but I fell asleep amidst the nostalgic scent.

――――

Five years passed.

I lived a relaxed life with Mother.

For elves, the village is like a single family. Some work, and some spend their time leisurely.

I lived as a teacher, instructing adults in spatial magic and children in reading and writing. The hunting elves provided food. It took me some time to regain this sense of community after living in the harsh economic world.

Father’s letters arrived about once a year, if at all.

They mostly contained war reports like “Defeated a Dullahan” or “Defeated a Muspell,” with little concern for Mother’s feelings.

…Expecting anything different from my physically inclined father might be futile.

A rare letter from Father indicated his location, suggesting he was in the northwestern continent.

So, I decided to go find him. Five years with Mother seemed enough.

I set two conditions for my departure.

First, to return every twenty years even if I didn’t find him.

Second, to come back immediately with him once I found him.

I readily agreed, as I planned to do so anyway.

And so…

On a clear day, with the entire village seeing me off, I set out on my journey.