Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town? (たとえばラストダンジョン前の村の少年が序盤の街で暮らすような物語)

Uh? Aw...

Lloyd!

Guess who's home!

Shoma!

You get bigger every time I see you!

Gramps is waiting for us. We should head back.

Okay!

So is living out here as awesome as it looks?

Someone can't wait to strike out on his own.

Uh-huh!

Don't worry, I've been working extra hard so you can.

Huh?

Oh, yeah.

Almost forgot. For you!

Wow! You're the best big brother ever!

What'cha waiting for, slow poke? Come on!

Right behind you!

It's open.

Hi there, sorry to bother you.

You're, um, the Witch of the East Side? I mean, Marie, right?

Sorry! I've come here to--

Your heart's desire is child's play to a witch,

but not free. Unless you come prepared to make a sacrifice,

I suggest you be on your way.

You understand the cost of getting what you want, then?

So be it.

For what purpose are you willing to pay

the unthinkable ransom required?

Well... My name is Lloyd Belladonna,

and I've traveled here from the countryside

in hopes of becoming a soldier, ma'am!

Also, I've come to be your ward!

Hm?

Your heart's desire is child's play to a--

Yeah, we've kinda been through that part already.

If I'm so predictable, you can "journey" to the nearest inn

and take your chances there!

Ugh, bad enough these yokels

think I'm a glorified serving wench.

What backwater hellhole did you say you were from again?

Uh, I didn't. It's called Kunlun.

Well now, when you crawl back tell them witches

aren't to be trifled with, that your heart's desire--

Wait a minute.

What's the name of your village chief?

Huh? Alka.

Oh, yeah, that reminds me. I'm supposed to show you this.

You did not just bring that crystal

nonchalantly into my house!

Ahh...

Ha... Hey, sweetheart! Long time no see!

Surely you haven't forgotten your master.

Does Alka ring a bell?

Ugh...

Anywho, that's the lowdown.

Take good care of Lloyd, darling.

He's simply too precious for words.

You realize this means I'm counting on you, right?

As you decree, so shall it be done.

Also, if I might trouble master with a teensy little question.

Oh, by the way, I should mention this

is all a prerecorded message. So if you have any questions,

you're out of luck. Sorry, Marie.

You waltz in here like you own the place

and scare me half to death with a rerun?

You slack-jawed...

Just kidding, it's in real time.

Hm. How often do I have to grill you about

not letting your guard down so easily?

Ugh...

So, there's that. Lloyd, my dear, if you ever get lonely,

feel free to pop by for a snuggle. 'Kay now bye!

That lousy hag!

I finally break free of your loli-grandma shenanigans

and out of nowhere you hit me with this? Dress your age!

I'm sorry, I didn't realize she was gonna upset you.

That's okay, it's not your fault she and I have a history.

So then, you said your name is Lloyd?

Yes, ma'am!

Suppose I'm stuck with you, least till it's time

for you to have a crack at the entrance exam.

I assume sleeping in the backroom will suffice?

I'm sure it'll be perfect, thanks! Ha, ha!

Um-- I'm looking forward to our time together.

You seem nice!

Decent enough li'l fella once you give him a chance.

Too bad he's connected with the harpy.

Hands to yourself.

Give him so much as a sideways glance

and I'll turn you into a frog.

How--?! How are you here?

Teleportation.

This crystal doubles as a gateway.

You can't just go around

using magic like it's an everyday thing!

Yeah, as you can see, Lloyd Belladonna

is almost impossibly pure in his innocence.

Calling him angel would be an understatement.

No funny stuff between you two, got it?

Not going to be an issue.

And, so we're clear, I totally picked up

on the loli-grandma comment earlier.

I think the Curse of Repeated Small Misfortunes

is in order, don't you agree? I love ancient rune magic.

Kind of extreme if you ask me--

I do not need this!

She's playing with fire!

Runes come from an ancient civilization!

One wrong move and the whole world could be destroyed!

Decimated! You don't use them for something

as petty as The Curse of Repeated Small Misfortunes--

Harpy!

Where did this...?

Good morning.

Oh, yeah, sure, uh--

Hope you don't mind!

I sorta made myself at home in your kitchen.

Well, I don't see a problem.

I tried to make some breakfast for you,

but it didn't quite turn out the way I wanted.

Nothing special, but it should get you through to lunch.

Oh, gosh, I knew it. You don't like pancakes, do you?

Are you kidding?

If I could, I'd eat pancakes for every meal!

So good!

Not to sound rude, but...

You actually intend to try and join the military?

Yeah, I know. Dumb idea, right?

Whoa! Hey! I didn't mean it like that, I just--

It's fine, I have to be realistic.

Hey, now--

Seriously, I'm the runt of my village.

I can't gather wood. I can't fish.

The one time I sparred with my older brother,

I was out of commission the whole day.

But... There's this person I look up to,

a real true-to-life hero. Their adventures are even

the basis of a popular book series!

A warrior whose stony demeanor

in the face of death is an inspiration.

That's why you want to do this?

I have to give it my best, and if my best

isn't good enough, then at least I gave it a shot.

Do you know what acceptance

into Azami's military academy calls for?

Let's see, there's a combat test,

a written section on magic,

and some kind of interview process, I think?

Exactly, and as you might guess,

the part involving combat is key.

Yeah, I'll have my work cut out for me.

To be honest, my stamina makes fighting kind of an issue.

I'm ashamed to admit it, but this trip took six days.

Given how far Kunlun is from Azami that isn't so bad.

Especially by train, you must've really lucked out

on the transfers.

Huh? Oh, I didn't use any. I ran!

You did what?! Are you serious?!

I know. Under normal circumstances,

I'd have gotten here in half the time.

Okay, just so you know, that's incredible stamina!

Not by my grandfather's standards.

He'd have made it in two days.

Quick question for you, if I may be so bold.

Yes, ma'am?

You didn't happen to run afoul of any monsters

on the way to Azami, did you?

Nah, no monsters, which struck me as weird

considering all the warnings about travel.

I stumbled across a few wild animals along the way, though.

Giant locusts. Fire-breathing lizards!

Wait! Those don't fit your definition of monster?

Come on, even I know the difference

between a wild animal and a real monster.

Monsters always talk a certain way--"Tremble before me!"--

and scary stuff like that.

Those are demon lords! And that's hot coffee!

Careful, Miss Marie! You'll burn yourself!

This is crazy. You have zero concept of your own strength.

That's very nice of you.

But I have to be objective about my self-improvement.

You're also ridiculously insecure.

Uh. Wait a minute, why does my skin

feel so much smoother all of a sudden?

And my complexion is breathtaking!

Every blemish has been erased,

every wrinkle banished from existence!

Huh? That's probably because I used this!

What's it called, and where can I buy it in bulk?

It's just an upgraded handkerchief.

So it's like a homemade remedy?

That's one way of lookin' at it.