Welcome to the Demon’s Cabin - Chapter 50

“Then, as we do not know what might happen, how about releasing it toward the side where there is no flower bed, that is, toward the direction where the birch forest begins?”

“I think that much distance would be fine.”

Irene, having gauged the distance, nodded her head and accepted. She felt like a villain for some reason.

“You even look after a small mole; as expected, Mr. Idris is very kind.”

“I am hearing such words for the first time. I have often heard people ask why my personality is so twisted.”

By this point, the words ‘Do you perhaps have a disease where you die if you cannot self-deprecate?’ rose up to the tip of her throat. Irene, having swallowed a curse that was not quite a curse, offered a normal answer.

“You always say that. Anyway, that mole is very lucky. To meet a person who would bestow such mercy.”

“…….”

“Then shall we go and release it right away?”

Irene completely removed her hand from the handle of the shovel. She was about to move her feet, but there was no presence following her. Looking back in wonder, she saw Idris staring fixedly at the mole in his hand.

“Why are you doing that?”

“Thinking about it again, this fellow is an animal too, so could we not roast and eat it?”

“……Are you serious?”

“It looks like it would not taste good even at a glance, but I wonder if it might be alright in a pinch.”

“No, did you not say just a moment ago that you would release it?”

‘Why did he suddenly turn into a villain?’

As a result of a brief discussion, they eventually decided to release the mole. For some reason, the roles had been reversed from the beginning, but regardless, the conclusion was the same.

‘A single beast is of no consequence, but attempting a strange diet is not a very good thing.’

The fact that it could not see and was struggling with sharp claws reminded her of a monster she had seen a long, long time ago, making her want to feed it to Idris even less. She did not want to eat it either.

That monster was probably the first monster she had ever eaten. And her appetite ended up walking a path of no return.

Irene pushed through the grass following Idris while recalling unpleasant memories. From the way he moved his feet without hesitation, it was evident he had become quite accustomed to this place.

Finally, the birch forest beginning outside her territory came into view. Idris knelt on one knee and placed the limp mole upon the soil.

‘Exhaustion?’

Just as she was about to observe closely, the mole began to move frantically. The creature scurried about and soon disappeared into the earth by digging a hole.

‘Not at all.’

She felt a sense of refreshment for some reason. Perhaps it was because it had been a long time since she had done a good deed.

“Then, shall we go now?”

“Yes. I believe we have delayed too much time as it is.”

“Still, we have almost finished tilling the field, so it will be fine.”

Though I do not know if the farming will be successful.

Beside Irene, who was having cynical thoughts, Idris walked while matching her pace. Since the difference in stride was quite large, he would often move his feet slowly when walking with Irene.

“By the way, what are you thinking of planting first?”

“I wonder if potatoes would be the most common choice.”

“That is a good idea. Oh, right. Do not ask for my opinion. I am fine with anything. I am still a complete novice.”

“Are you not being too firm?”

Idris scolded her with a playful voice.

Irene also giggled as if the light joke were amusing.

Idris’s attitude, which had become noticeably friendly, reached her clearly, and her mood improved in an instant.

She did not know why Idris had come to show a more playful and relaxed appearance over the past few days, but it did not matter. Since she had not particularly changed her own attitude, she felt it would be fine to continue just like this.

Irene, who had raised her head with an excited heart, suddenly froze solid.

“……!”

“What is the mat—”

“Shh! Shh! Lower your voice!”

Irene looked back at him, placed her index finger to her lips, and whispered urgently. Grabbing the arm of Idris, who was looking around repeatedly as if he could not understand the reason, she pulled him sharply.

When she even linked arms with him, Idris was greatly flurred, but Irene, whose mind was captured by the living creature in the tree, did not notice at all. Pressing her thin body against him as much as possible, she pointed between the leaves.

“Look over there, over there! It is a snowy owl.”

“……?”

“Do you not know? In Orihen, it is a tremendous omen of good luck if seen during the day.”

Irene’s fingertip pointed straight at the white, round bird that was moving its head upon a tree branch.

“It is the first time in my life seeing one in person. I was always upset because I was the only one in the village who had never seen one……!”

The excited Irene hugged Idris’s arm tightly. Idris looked down at Irene with trembling eyes, seemingly flustered by the body heat felt through his clothes.

“I know it as a bird that lives in cold places, but I never expected to see it here after not seeing it even in my hometown.”

Irene smiled as she watched the owl, which was tilting its head and shining its golden eyes.

“It is said that they began to be considered a good sign because they are owls that uniquely wander about even during the day. It might also be because they are as beautiful as pure white snow.”

Full of excitement, she poured out various words. The line of Idris’s mouth, who had been quietly listening to that voice, softened gently.

At that moment, Irene’s head lifted and their eyes met.

“It seems something truly good is about to happen. You think so too, do you not, Mr. Idris?”

Irene’s red eyes sparkled innocently. Idris ended up letting out a small laugh. Her appearance, which had brightened up all at once as if she had never shown a subtle mood, was truly like Irene.

Until just a moment ago, she was displeased over a single mole, yet now her mood is improved to the fullest by a mere superstition. He thought she was a woman who had a childlike side to her, no matter when he looked.

“Yes, it appears to be so.”