Last updated: Jan 17, 2026, 11:05 p.m.
View Original Source →2024/03/03: I have corrected the errors that were previously pointed out. Thank you very much.
After leaving the Witch's Forest, we made our way to the Elven Village. Our goal was to speak with the pervert who had apparently caused so much trouble for the Witch of the Forest.
He’s a pervert, sure, but he was once revered as a Great Sage. Whatever his true motives might be, there’s no denying the depth of his knowledge. I figured there was a decent chance he’d know something useful.
At the very least, he might have a lead on what we need to do to liberate Mary’s soul.
"Allen. And Anastasia as well. It is good of you to come."
The pervert greeted us in his full "public persona" mode.
"Lord Roh. It has been quite a while," Ana replied.
His acting was as flawless as ever. Looking at him now, I doubted many people would suspect his inner self was... well, that.
(Oho? And what brings the happy couple here today-o?) he whispered to me, dropping the act instantly.
(You’re as much of a creep as ever,) I muttered back.
(Little me isn’t going to change that quickly-o!)
Honestly, this guy...
As I stood there exasperated, Ana explained the situation to him.
"I see. So that is what happened," Roh said, nodding thoughtfully. "If those were the divine revelations of the God of Wind and the Goddess of Ice, then it would be wise to follow them."
"Yes," Ana said. "We thought that you, as the successor to Loringas the Unselfish Great Sage, might know something. We’ve come to borrow your wisdom."
"I understand. However, I am afraid I know of no geographical 'place where the wind always blows and there is always ice.' There is a location in the Far North that comes close, but even there, the wind eventually dies down."
"Lord Roh, what about a high mountain peak?" I asked.
"The result is the same. Even at the summit of the tallest mountain, there are moments when the wind goes still."
"Is that so..." Ana murmured, looking dejected. "To think that even Lord Roh doesn't know..."
She seemed discouraged, but the pervert continued with a look of supreme confidence.
"Actually, I believe your mistake lies in fixating on a physical, geographical 'location' to begin with."
"Eh? What do you mean by that?"
"Anastasia, you should try to be a bit more flexible in your thinking. That staff is perfectly safe as long as it remains in this village, so let's consider this your homework."
"B-but..."
"Besides, you have a reliable partner right beside you, don't you?"
"Ah..."
Ana stole a glance at me, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink.
Guh... she’s too cute. Even though it’s been a while since we got married, seeing Ana make gestures like that still makes my heart race.
"Your usual room should be prepared," Roh said. "Why not distance yourselves from the secular world for a bit and think it over slowly here in the village?"
"Thank you very much."
As we turned to go, the pervert leaned in and whispered in my ear once more.
(For now, you should just do what needs to be done, get it all out of your system, and then think-o!)
"..."
When I woke up the next morning, I realized I’d lost all sensation in my left arm for the first time in a while.
Ana was breathing peacefully, using my arm as a pillow. She really was beautiful. I could have stayed there forever, watching her sleep in this place full of memories, but it was almost time to get up.
Just as I was about to wake her, Ana’s eyes fluttered open.
"Ah..."
The moment our eyes met, Ana turned bright red—likely remembering the events of last night. I found it irresistibly endearing that she still gave me such cute reactions.
"Good morning, Ana."
"Good morning, Allen."
Ana smiled and leaned in, silently asking for a kiss. I leaned down and gave my precious princess a gentle morning kiss.
"Ana, we should probably get up soon."
"...I suppose so."
Reluctant as we were, we finally climbed out of bed and began to get ready.
I finished my preparations first and stepped out of the room to wait. The pervert didn't waste a second before scurrying over to me.
"Allen-uji, did you enjoy yourself last night-o?"
That was the very first thing out of his mouth.
"You really never change, do you?"
"Whatever do you mean-o? Little me is constant as the stars-o!"
"I guess you’d have to be, to play the part of a Great Sage while hiding a personality like yours..." I muttered, letting out a heavy sigh.
"So, when’s it happening-o?"
"What?"
"The baby talk-o! Little me will teach you all sorts of things, you know-o!"
"..."
If anyone else heard him say that, they’d probably weep with joy at the 'Great Sage’s' kindness, but knowing his true nature just made me feel conflicted.
"Well, fine-o. I can wait. So, now that you’ve cleared your head, did you come up with anything-o?"
Actually, I’d been thinking about it regardless of his "advice," and I’d arrived at a certain hypothesis.
"Yeah. I have an idea."
"I see. Most impressive."
"Eh?"
The pervert had suddenly switched back into his "saintly sage" mode. I froze for a few seconds, caught off guard by the lightning-fast transition. Then the door opened, and Ana emerged, fully prepared.
I see. So that’s why.
"Well then, Allen," Ana said. "Could you tell me what you concluded after thinking it over last night?"
"Right. Since it’s not in the Far North or on a mountain peak, that leaves only one place: underground."
"Allen? But the wind doesn't blow underground, does it?"
Ana looked at me, her expression skeptical.
"Usually, no. But remember all those strange places we visited? The ones that were deep underground but still had a sky?"
"...Ah!"
Ana finally realized where I was going with this.
"Exactly. I think 'a place where the wind always blows and there is always ice' refers to a labyrinth hidden somewhere in this world."
"As expected, Allen," Roh chimed in. "To reach that conclusion in a single night is impressive. However, as far as I am aware, no such labyrinth exists on this continent."
"No..."
Ana’s face fell at the pervert’s words.
"But Anastasia, there is no need for sorrow," he continued. "If such a place does not exist, then we shall simply have to build it."
"「Eh!?」"
It’s been a while. How is everyone doing?
With the release of the second volume of the light novel scheduled for September 15th, the wonderful cover art by our illustrator, Parum-sensei, has been revealed.
In Volume 2, not only have we added several brand-new episodes, but I’ve also thoroughly revised sections that readers found confusing in the web version. After consulting with my editor, I believe the story has become much easier to follow. Additionally, there’s a new side story about the pervert’s past, which I know some of you have been dying to see.
At my editor's suggestion, we’ve also included a map, so the geography of the world is much clearer now.
I consider the book version to be the "complete" version of the story, so I would be honored if you’d pick up a copy and see the differences for yourself.
As for these after stories, I’m planning to conclude them after the release of the third and final volume. Of course, that depends on whether Volume 2 sells well enough to justify a third...
You can find the official Earth Star Novel site for Townsman A Volume 2 here: https://www.es-novel.jp/booktitle/117chonin2_r.php
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