I'm Not an Earthworm, I'm an Earth Dragon

Marie was smiling, fiddling with the worn silver and copper coins she had received from the receptionist. It had only been a few weeks since she had become an adventurer, but she had already become a proper bronze rank by utilizing her archery skills, and she was happily contemplating what to eat today.

Should she try the normal meat, not the strange stew from the inn’s first floor? Or should she go to the restaurant her vanguard colleague had suggested?

After being saved by kind people, what should she do? She had been wandering when the receptionist asked if she wanted to become an adventurer since she had nowhere else to go, and she had agreed on a whim. It felt like yesterday.

Even though it was humble, she felt a bit proud of herself for being able to confidently say she was an adventurer.

Even if she had nowhere to return, there were many new places to explore. Even though she had lost something precious, she had gained other precious things.

Above all, she had heard what happened to those she sought revenge on, so she decided not to dwell on the past. Her father always said that those who left would not want them to cling to them.

When her vanguard called out to her, asking what she was thinking about, she replied that she was just thinking about the past. Then, upon seeing something, she told him to wait there and ran off.

“Hello! Myungho! And… Altera… I didn’t expect you to come back!”

The fearsome yet kind woman who had saved her, the kind hero, and the rest of their party.

She had so many things she wanted to say to them but couldn’t, so she ran to them to express her gratitude. Altera reacted immediately.

“…Hello.”

Altera recognized her immediately and greeted her back with clumsy words, but Myungho couldn’t figure out who she was right away.

“Uh, who are you… Ah. Is it perhaps Marie? No, not you, Marie. You’ve become an adventurer! No, not you… Ugh, anyway, that’s good news.”

Why is that girl reacting when he’s calling me? Is that girl’s name also Marie? But it seemed more like she was singing than answering.

Putting aside the minor question for a moment, she spoke the words she had been holding in her heart.

“I… I don’t think I ever thanked you. You saved me, provided me with food, and even avenged me, but instead of being grateful, I was suspicious… I’m… I’m grateful. I always wanted to say this. Thanks to you, I found the strength to live on.”

“…I only did what I could.”

“Altera says she only did what she could. Still not honest. I was honestly worried too, but I’m relieved to see that Marie is doing well. No, not you?”

“I… I’m not sure if this is the right atmosphere to ask… but is her name also Marie…?”

“It would be more accurate to say ‘that’ rather than ‘her’… Yes. Her name is also Marie. She’s a doll… Yes. I don’t believe it either.”

No matter how hard she looked, she couldn’t see how that was a doll, but gold ranks were said to go to the seas of other worlds.

For her, a bronze rank who only roamed the fields and back hills, it was a distant, dreamlike world. So, she decided to believe it.

After giving her thanks to Altera in a way she could understand, she returned to where her vanguard was waiting.

When he asked where she had gone, Marie said she had gone to thank her saviors, and they decided to have lunch at the restaurant recommended by that precious person.

– – – –

“…She’s doing well. Even after going through something like that, she’s smiling happily.”

Someone’s parent is the enemy of one of their parents. To be honest, I was envious. How great would it be if I could just let go and be happy like that?

If I could eat delicious food, see beautiful scenery, and meet enjoyable people. Then I could. But the stone embedded in my heart won’t come out.

As long as that bastard, the enemy, is alive, I can’t live in peace.

“…Are you thinking about Marie?”

“Something like that. I thought she let go well after going through something like that.”

Well. She can live comfortably because I avenged her. Even if I hadn’t… she probably would have been fine.

I had that thought. Am I the only one who is too obsessed with revenge? But I soon erased that thought. How could anyone just let it go after going through something like that, after seeing something like that?

Literally, everything I had was shattered in an instant.

“Well. You can’t let go and are hung up on the past, so you probably can’t understand how that thing can let go and live happily. Or not. A woman’s heart is as complex and turbulent as a magical torrent. It’s best to leave it alone.”

Akash was saying something to Myungho. Myungho seemed like he wanted to say something, but he just remained silent.

The worry continued even after we returned to the adventurer’s guild, got a room, and unpacked. What if Marie was me, or if I was in Marie’s position? No matter how much I asked, no answer came.

If I were as weak as Marie, would I even be able to think about fighting?

I don’t know. My head felt like it was going to split from the complexity. I’m confident when it comes to playing with numbers or formulas, but I’m not good at playing with these complex problems.

Languages are bearable. I grabbed Myungho, who was just idling around, and asked him.

“…Myungho. If you write ‘be happy’ to someone with your brush… will that person become happy?”

“Uh…? Uh. I guess so. But… would that really be true happiness? Being played by someone else’s ability, or relying on drugs… What value is there in happiness obtained like that? I don’t know.”

I was foolish to think for a moment that I should just forget everything and write ‘be happy’. Yes, Myungho is right. Happiness obtained like that can’t be called true happiness.

“You’re right… I feel a little relieved. As long as the enemy remains… it seems cowardly to run away like that. Thanks for answering.”

“Uh… I’m glad I could help. Have you been thinking about that since earlier?”

“Yeah. Seeing Marie made me think. Maybe I’m too obsessed with revenge. Maybe I am… but I need to see that guy die.”

“It doesn’t seem like… a problem that can be solved through conversation. I hope it goes well.”

“So, let’s go buy some clothes.”

“…Altera. It’s a touching offer, but why did the conversation suddenly turn to that?”

I know, it’s a bit sudden. But there was a reason.

“From now on, we’re going to look for that guy. Mother will probably be watching. She wouldn’t want her child to be running around half-naked. And I don’t want to be looked down upon by that guy.”

It’s definitely not because I’m conscious of other people’s gazes, and it’s definitely not to look good for Myungho. It’s just to refresh and strengthen my resolve.

Honestly, wearing clothes doesn’t really affect my ability to sense things. If I need to be less noticeable, I can just wear something tight and short.

I don’t really dislike unpleasant gazes… but I don’t want to show my body to those ugly things, and I’m not living in the mountains anymore, so I should dress like a person.

Uh. Anyway, that’s it.

“I… see. Uh, okay. It’s good that you’re going to wear clothes. I won’t ask why. So where should we go? A clothing store? Or a blacksmith or equipment store?”

“No. Instead, I know a skilled person who lives here.”

“…Are you going to go back to that little Akash? Didn’t you forgive her…?”

“I gave up on revenge, but I never forgave her.”

“I see… Well, okay. I’ll go with you. I don’t know where it is, so we might get lost… but if you’re buying clothes, I should follow you.”

Myungho had a complicated expression as if he had heard something difficult, but he readily agreed to follow. Then, the door burst open and Akash suddenly barged in.

“Then I’ll join too! A chance to personally nag that brat, how long have I been waiting for this!”

“…Okay. You can come too, and help that little Akash.”

I didn’t want that guy to come along.

– – – –

Whatever the reason, I couldn’t refuse to follow her since she finally said she would wear clothes. I was curious to see how beautiful she would look in clothes.

Well, given her personality, she probably wouldn’t wear a fluffy dress or anything like that. But the important thing is that she’s going to wear something that resembles actual clothing.

She was so scantily clad that I didn’t know where to look, so I was grateful that she was finally going to wear something. I was also proud of her for trying to adapt to society.

…She completely denies it, but that’s how I felt.

“…Akash. By the way, do we really have to go this far? This is practically lying.”

“Ahem, lying? I just didn’t tell the whole truth. Besides, that kid never asked who I was coming with, right? So it shouldn’t matter if we go together, right?”

Akash was still spouting plausible nonsense while confidently guiding us through the alleyway. When I asked him how he knew the way this time when he didn’t last time, he said that the Akashes were communicating through a shared consciousness.

It’s not a network, though.

“Hey, earthworm. Put on the cloak. You understand this much, right? If you don’t, tell her for me. Hide your appearance by using stealth. I want to see that little kid fall on her ass in surprise.”

What is wrong with the Akashes that they’re so harsh to themselves? Altera glared at Akash, then refused, saying she didn’t want to.

“…Sorry, Akash. I don’t like that suggestion either. It’s completely meaningless.”

“Hmph, you guys don’t know how to have fun. Then let’s just go. Was it here? Yeah, it is.”

Akash clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction, then coolly led us. And after a while, we arrived at her workshop.

“…Liar me. What am I even… doi… Wai, wait a minute…!”

And the little Akash, who had presumably come out to meet Akash, was so startled when she saw Altera that she trembled and her hands shook.