The Stone of Days Chapter 8

But, the last words that he spoke were shockingly true (Since he pa.s.sed away, isn't it obvious that I'm not living with him?), I was resolute for an answer as I looked at him determined. The doctor laughed as he scratched his head.

"It's because your face says it all?"

"Is my face some sort of family registration census?"

The doctor suddenly burst into laughter.
Well, of course that doesn't make any sense. Even with the family registration census form, all you could get is the person's name, where he lives, and birthday. Not only that, he just learnt my name. So, the chances of him knowing me beforehand is slim to none.

"Puha, Puhaha, PUHAHAHA… Look, here Fabian. What benefit of the doubt would I get from doing a background check on you? Are you that great of a man?"

Although I became a bit fl.u.s.tered –  it was only a speculative thought, and maybe it's due to excessive blood loss, but I was pale for the majority of the time - I was more concerned with satisfying my curiosity.
However, I couldn't match the doctor's level of curiosity.

"So you weren't born here then?"

I don't think so.
Whether he made a mistake or not, until I solve this mystery, I wasn't going to leave as I silently expressed my adamant determination, but the doctor just kept laughing, seemingly having no interest in giving an answer.

"It's called "Physiognomy."

"Physiognomy? What's that?"

"That…I'm not too sure how to describe it as it is quite complicated."

Nauke (the name of the doctor) said such a thing existed. Just by looking at the face, you can determine the person's past and current situation, and also predict the future. At first, even I didn't believe it to be true, but seeing how I'm guessing it right, I'm just enlightened by it.

"Hahaha…doctor you're too funny. What part of me can you say that you can just easily guess? Especially when you're not on the same level as the one that taught you. So, just because it's interesting, you take any person and mess around I suppose?"

Hmmm… so he's just implying that I looked interesting to mess around with. Suddenly, I felt sad. No, I expressed a disappointed look.

"If it was all a joke, then I will take my leave."

"Uh, wait a moment."

The doctor carefully stood and grabbed my back, causing me to nearly die from the impact. Is that person actually a doctor?

"Even if it was a joke, I was correct, weren't I? Don't make such a melancholy look. It pains me."

Well, technically you did get one of them wrong… …

"Okay."

I'll answer him with at least that I suppose.

"Hehe…how interesting."

Doctor Nauke with a smile scratched his head as he wondered how awkward the situation had become.

"Don't be like this. I'll explain it to you."

Thus, I was able to teach one person how to answer questions. What a rewarding day it was.

That night, I dreamt a strange dream.

[You, were you born at a place far away?]

It was the doctor. I nodded my head.

[I was born in Big Deer Habiyanak.]

[You were born from the forest, right?]

Wondering where the teacher that I spent quite the effort teaching on how to answer, he was, as ever, only asking questions.

[What nonsense are you saying. I was born under a roof.]

[Those that received you when you were born were the elves, right?]

Aigoo, so frustrating! I waved my hands in denial as I articulated loudly.

[I, WAS, BORN, AND, RAISED, HERE!]

[YOU WILL SOON LEAVE HERE!] The doctor stubbornly shouted.

At that moment, I woke up.

Despite it being a chilly day, I was sweating. The nightmare wasn't too terrible. I slowly recalled the contents of that dream.
I'm going to depart here soon?
My G.o.d, I'm going to leave such a beautiful place? (Of course this excludes Arnowalt and Teacher Tadea).
If I were able to travel and make branches of Big Deer General Store after making a lot of money across the continent, then I would maybe consider the idea.
Turning my body sideways in bed, I took a glance at my mother. Though it was dark, I could faintly see a sleeping figure without any sound or movement.
As if it was a corpse.

Hey, what am I saying!
I must've have not slept enough. Taking the water cup that I always prepare for my mother who wakes up often in the midst of her sleep, from the ledge above her bed, I gulped down the water. The cold water plummeted down towards my stomach. Simultaneously, my half-conscious brain became clearer.
Hehe, I wonder how she'll react when she wakes and looks for water.

With a clear mind, I thought of exploring why I was having such dreams, but the thought of having to meet the doctor that would needlessly ask questions, I could only deem it a mystery. Have I ever thought of leaving before? No matter how much I think about it, other than the time I weaved those sparrow nets with my mother overnight, there was none.

Speaking of nets, weaving all those nets happened to be useless as I recalled back to yesterday. After returning back from the castle, due to my mother's tirade of words, I walked towards Flame Snowy Mountain Inn (After seeing my injured arm, my mother forbade me from riding the s...o...b..ard. If I had injured myself from the s...o...b..ard, I would most likely never see it again. Has any of my premonitions ever been wrong?

"I don't need any more nets."

As if he was departing in a short while, or as if he just returned, Mirbo Genz spoke those words as he sat in his tidy room. Of course he wouldn't need any. I nodded my head, and soon I broached the subject with a curious face and asked about the jewel's name.

"It doesn't have a name. And it should cover up for the value of the nets."

Antic.i.p.ating such an answer, I nodded my head again and turned to leave. Confirming that he doesn't need any change is plenty enough. But Mr. Genz looked at me as if had something more to say. As I was about to close the door, he called for me.

"Wait. Come here and touch this for a second."

It was the white package from before. What a strange request. Walking in, I lifted up the package. Strange, it wasn't as heavy as before.

"Isn't it heavy?"

"Not really."

"Hmm, I see."

He then waved me away. As I was about to close the door, Mr. Genz quietly uttered, as if he was murmuring, a single sentence.

"…… the life of a fairy."

"What?!"

TL Afterword: Oh my goodness gracious?!?! Finally?!?! Fairies, born under a forest?! Elves?!?! More fantasy please~ And wow, so much foreshadowing and metaphors.

Translator: Calvis
Proofreader: Sai101