โโThe threat of monster had left the town.
The tidying up began from the next day.
They took out the magic stone from the defeated monsters and burned the corpses outside the town.
The funeral of their death allies was also waiting.
Aria was watching such work while expressing her feeling.
ใIt's lonely to be buried here even though their birthplace is at the capital.ใ
Many of the dead soldiers were buried at Gioni. Even if they carried the corpses to the capital, it was unknown if there would be anyone who received them.
Miranda was knowledgeable about the situation in the capital.
ใEven burying corpse will take money after all. Even after we bring them there with great pain, I believe that there will be house that refuse to receive the corpse, so it'll be better to bury them here.ใ
Aria and others didn't have the leeway to deal with this in case-by-case basis. That was why, the corpses were getting buried hereโโin Gioni.
ใI'm saying that's lonely. Because aren't they family? Even if there is a grave for them in an unknown land, no one will be able to come to visit it.ใ
ใโฆโฆAria is really kind. But you see, that's how it is.ใ
There must also be family that wanted to accept the corpse, but they had no leeway to confirm it.
The best they could do was only delivering the articles of the deceased.
Seeing Aria looking dissatisfied, Miranda was,
ใIf it's here they'll be able to sleep as the heroes who protected the town.ใ
ใโฆโฆThat's true butใ
The two who were really exhausted from the battle yesterday were unable to help with the work. As expected even Miranda was tired. Aria too was only watching the work.
Aria looked around.
ใWhat about everyone else?ใ
Miranda was chuckling.
ใIf it's Shannon and Novem then they're looking after Norma. You know, she has to prepare the written report so they're checking her work.ใ
Norma was promised that the achievement this time would belong to her.
ใSophia is still sleeping, and Monica is still workingโฆโฆwhat are Clara and Eva doing?ใ
ใIf it's those two they're together with Lyle.ใ
ใIs that so.ใ
The two of them were watching over the workโโ.
โโThe inn.
ใWhy are you appearing at the north gate when you should be giving instruction at the center!?ใ
Novem criticized with a slightly loud voice. Norma's eyes were tearful.
ใBe, because, I was wondering if my role was a bit too inconspicuous.ใ
ใYou'll be evaluated with your active role as the commander. And yet you're making this kind of inconsistent report. Its truth will be doubted!ใ
Norma was facing the table, while Novem was instructing her like a school teacher or a private tutor. Shannon was also beside them.
ใYou're an idiot aren't you? At first you even tried to report that all the hippogriffs were defeated by you.ใ
ใI, I'm not an idiot! Now listen, my success is hanging on this report!ใ
In order to convey how important her role was, Norma prepared a written report that stole the achievement of other people.
She gave the appropriate instructions from the center while also playing active role at all the four gates! The hippogriffs were all defeated by her along with a hundred other monsters in addition. That was what she wrote.
โฆโฆ.No matter who read it they would only think of it as a lie.
ใProtecting the city as the commander and also defeating one hippogriff are already great enough achievement. You should hand over the other achievements to your subordinates.ใ
Novem too at first was asking her to correct the report by sayingใThat's a bitใ orใWriting it a bit like this will beใ with a kind tone. But, Norma who was feeling good from achieving the griffon subjugation completely ignored Novem's opinion.
Novem was exasperated by that and as the resultโฆโฆNorma was looking tearful.
ใโฆโฆBecaues, if I write my role to be bigger then I might become able to be promoted as one thousand-knight leader.ใ
Norma was having the delusion of skipping past being a hundred-knight leader and getting promoted straight into a thousand-knight leader.
Novem glared.
ใIf you wish to play an active role at the frontline then ten-man knight leader or a hundred-man knight leader will be suitable. You have to learn that for a thousand-man knight leader their job is to consolidate their subordinates and make them raise achievements.ใ
ใIf I do something like that then I'll be unable to get promotion forever just like Morris.ใ
ใโฆโฆIf you don't obey, then we'll spread out the truth. Are you alright with getting doubted and losing the achievement that you obtained with great pain?ใ
Norma tried to talk back at Novem's threat, but she shut her mouth seeing Shannon smirking.
Shannon was a daughter of a viscount. Furthermore, she was a daughter of Circry House. It was a house that possessed authorityโฆโฆshe was someone that she ought to behave modestly against.
ใIf you don't obey then I'll tattle at Onee-sama.ใ
ใPle, please wait. I'll do as you say. So I'm begging you please don't get angry!ใ
Norma reluctantly rewrote her report.
ใDamn itโฆโฆwhy is a daughter of a famous noble is in this kind of place.ใ
Novem too finally felt relieved that Norma was rewriting her report, but she immediately became expressionless and took away the report.
In it, it was written that she was giving command at the center while taking a bit of active role at the frontline. It was better than before, but she didn't understand at all the meaning of what she was told.
Novem started to rip apart the report to pieces.
ใRewrite it again.ใ
ใNo wayyyy!ใ
Seeing the crying Norma, Shannon was,
ใThis woman is really an idiot.ใ
Saying that in astonishmentโโ.
The bow training ground that was created in the town.
It was decided that this training ground that was built in a hurry would be dismantled with the fight over.
I was watching over Luka's bow practice before we left.
Clarsan and Evsan were beside me.
Seeing Luka's bow handling, Evsan gave him various advices.
ใIt seems he know the basic, so he'll be fine like this I think.ใ
If it was Evsan who was more knowledgeable in handling bow than me, surely she wouldn't teach anything wrong. I was able to watch with a peace of mind.
ใOnee-san, thank you.ใ
When Luka said his gratitude, Evsan looked happy.
ใWhat a good boy. Here, try this.ใ
Luka pulled the bowstring and fired the training arrow.
I was talking with Clarsan.
Clarsan was making a complicated face at my question.
ใThe moon is pretty, is it?ใ
ใYes, when I said that I got the reply that she don't mind even if she die.ใ
ใโฆโฆLyle-san, you often read book aren't you?ใ
ใWell, I guess.ใ
Clarsan's face turned into a really conflicted expression, and then she took off her glasses and taught me the answer while looking embarrassed.
ใIt means "I love you". You were alone just with her, and then based from your story the atmosphere was also like that. Arisan replying that she doesn't mind even if she die meant that she was saying "I love you too".ใ
ใโฆโฆEh? But, I said that because the moon is pretty when I looked up!ใ
ใI guess that's how it is for Lyle-san. But, Arisan is unexpectedly a maiden. It's not strange even if she know that indirect expression. And yet, if she is replied with words like it's no good if she really diedโฆโฆ. I can only say that it's good you were forgiven with just something like a slap.ใ
While I was dumbfounded, Clarsan was making a face that said ใI don't understand why you're looking that surprisedใ.
ใIt's strange! How can such meaning exist!?ใ
ใI'm troubled even if you ask me that. It's an expression that has existed since a long time ago. Well, there're various theories about its origin, but it's not clear which theory is the correct one. It's a famous story that is really old.ใ
โฆโฆJust who in the world thought it up? But more importantly, what kind of face I should make from here on when interacting with Arisan?
While I was being unable to accept the situation, Evsan who overheard the conversation joined in.
ใOh, isn't it a lovely story? Even so, Lyle's knowledge is really unbalanced. Even though yesterday you were that amazing, you're completely like a different person after hearing the story just now. Well, it's good that there is such gap. I love something like an unknown side of a hero!ใ
Was I becoming a greatly knowledgeable character who could win a battle of this scale at my young age inside Evsan?
I wouldn't say that it was everything, but most of it wasn't because of my own thinking. I couldn't tell her that though.
ใEven so Clara, you're uncouth aren't you? Things like theory or origin isn't necessary for this kind of thing. It's fine as long as the feeling of I love you is conveyed to the other party.ใ
Clarsan made a slightly irritated face.
ใโฆโฆIt's not a bad thing to want to know more.ใ
ใIt's not bad, true. It's just uncouth. It's fine if everything is thinking like that isn't it? What's important is its meaning of I love you.ใ
It seemed there was a difference with the two's way of thinking. Clarsan who loved book and Evsan who loved story. Even though I thought that they would be able to get along.
For some reason they began to argue.
ใInformation should be conveyed accurately. It's not about being uncouth or not.ใ
ใIt's something unrelated to the audience, it's fine as long as the meaning is conveyed. Besides, that kind of story is boring isn't it?ใ
ใAs expected elf is no good. You tend to exaggerate in your story and song, you'll even make alteration. I hate that.ใ
ใWe're only making it so the story can be conveyed easier with more excitement! If anyone is curious then they can investigate it by themselves as they please. Rather than accuracy, excitement is more important!ใ
โฆโฆIt seemed their affinity was bad.
When I tried to stop them, Luka who was in the middle of practice hit the target with his arrow.
Because it made a pleasant sound, us three turned our gaze there. The argument also stopped so I was relieved.
ใI did it! I hit! Lyle-sama, I hit the target!ใ
ใYou did amazing. Great job.ใ
ใEheheใ
I stroked the head of the delighted Luka.
Evsan also looked happy.
ใYou've a good sense. If it's like this, I'll teach you even more things.ใ
ใYes!ใ
Evsan was kind at the obedient Luka.
Shannon came at that time bringing sweets.
ใGeh! There're three more people here other than Luka.ใ
Sweets and drinks were put inside a basket. No matter how I looked at it, it was the share for several people.
ใAh, Shannon-sama!ใ
Seeing Luka happy, Shannon came this way reluctantly.
ใEven though I thought I'll be able to eat this with only two people if there is only Luka here.ใ
This girl, it seemed she planned to eat sweets for five people with only two people.
Night.
I called Evsan in order to make a request.
The location was inside Porter. Novem was also present.
When I said the content of the request, Evsan made a really displeased face.
ใโฆโฆYou're telling me to tell what happened here to my fellow elves? By that, you mean that I have to tell other elves the new material that is only known by me aren't you?ใ
A new material for elf was the same like a source of income.
When exhibiting song or story, a lot of people would want to listen just by adding the label that it was new. To say nothing of how the capital would surely be excited by the case this time. โฆโฆIt would be troubling if we didn't have them to be excited.
Evsan's reaction was bad at my request.
ใCan't you do something about it? Look, the story that is spread out will be the surface story, while Evsan will be the only one to know the truth.ใ
ใMy feeling is reluctant. Even if I know the truth I'll be forbidden to speak it, so there is only demerit for me in this.ใ
A fresh topic that she actually experienced herself.
It must not be amusing for Evsan that she had to teach it to other elves in traveling performer troupe.
It was the false story that would be spread out. It would become a story of Normsan playing a big role as the commander, even so it was about a griffon subjugation that hadn't happened for a long time.
If we returned to the capital surely the place would be roused up.
Perhaps Evsan herself might even rose in fame, and yet I'm telling her to teach it around to her fellow performers, so certainly it was a terrible talk for her.
ใI understand, I'll prepare fifty gold coins. No, how about a hundred gold coins?ใ
When I talked about money, Evsan showed a slight reaction butโฆโฆ.
ใDo, don't consider me as cheap. If I obtain fame with this material and become a popular performer, I'll show you that I can obtain that much right away. I'll grasp fame with my own strength.ใ
โฆโฆI failed in my persuasion.
My shoulders dropped in dejection. Then Novem took my place and started negotiating.
ใEvsan.ใ
ใI won't do it even if it's Novem's request. The reason I worked hard is in order to turn this achievement into a song. My bad but I absolutely won't do it.ใ
Novem nodded several times at Evsan's strong rejection.
ใOf course you will. For an elf being able to monopolize a topic that no other know about will give you a feeling of superiority after all.ใ
ใThat's right. That's why, sorry for this.ใ
ใButโโafter you perform the song about this once in the capital, I think that your fellow elves and other performers will immediately learn about it.ใ
Evsan went ใUh!ใ. Her expression was of someone who got stabbed at where it was hurt.
ใBu, but, even after they heard it once or twice, they won't be able to win against me who had actually experienced it personally. The amount of information in our possession is different. It's the amount of information!ใ
ใOf course. If it's Evsan then you'll immediately become famous.ใ
ใTha, thank you.ใ
ใโโAnd then I think it's unfortunate.ใ
ใEh?ใ
ใEvsan also know that this subjugation force is a sacrificial pawn of the palace aren't you?ใ
The subjugation force was originally assumed that it would perish here.
But such subjugation force actually raised a great achievement. If they returned to the capital then the palace wouldn't be amused.
ใWe will return and Evsan will sing about our achievement. The palace won't be amused and seal your mouth. Or perhaps, they will slander Evsan as liar spreading false story.ใ
โฆโฆWould they go that far? No, surely they would.
If it was Ralph who sent us here to die then it wouldn't be strange even if he did that.
ใBu, but, we really did achieve all that. I think that even the palace won't have any choice but to recognize it.ใ
ใThey might insist that we have done some kind of fraud. There isn't any certainty, and Evsan who popularize our achievement might become in danger.ใ
If Novem's talk was concluded, she meant to say that even if we returned after subjugating a griffon, there was a possibility that the palace would find fault with us and slandered us.
For example, they might say that we did terrible thing at a village in the middle of our march. They would spread that kind of rumor and cancelled the promotion and reward. Depending on the situation there was even the possibility of us getting set up as criminal.
ใAnd so, it will be better to spread the truthโโthe surface truth beforehand so that when we arrive at the capital they'll become unable to do anything.ใ
In the first place, the real reason why we wanted to spread rumor was this.
We could also spread the rumor at the village or town that we stopped by at while going back, but the speed would be different compared to Evsan spreading the story to her fellow elves.
The speed of the story spreading would be at different level.
That was why I requested her butโฆโฆ.
ใNovem, is it alright to say that much?ใ
At first the most I wanted to do was only asking for Evsan's cooperation if possible.
ใShe has gotten dragged this deep, so I wish to help out Evsan.ใ
Evsan held her head in front of us looking terribly worried.
ใDa, danger to my life. But, this is a fresh material that only known by me. Something like teaching it to my fellow elvesโฆโฆbut, with my life in dangerใ
She was conflicted.
From my standpoint, one's own life would be more important compared to any kind of story material, but Evsanโโfor an elf it seemed to be a problem that worth to be worried about.
ใโฆโฆI understand. I'll teach my fellow elves and ask them to spread it. But, it will take some time.ใ
Evsan gave up and prioritized her own life. Novem nodded to her.
ใYes. Also, there's no problem with the time. After all we intend to lend some help with the town and the surrounding area's repair for a while.ใ
If we didn't help with the recovery until a certain degree, the town would be in danger again.
It wasn't just monster, in this world there was also wicked bandit.
At the very least we had to make them be able to protect themselves.
I didn't want any result that left a bad taste in my mouth, and it was also a request from the Second.
โโSeveral days after the battle was over.
The subjugation force was helping with the recovery of the town in addition with the burial and the clean up.
Morris exited the town and observed the state of the fields. He was helping with the repair of the devastated fields and houses.
ใIt'll be faster to rebuild with the destruction this bad.ใ
Hearing Morris's words, the old couples who were the owner shook their head. Behind them were two small children.
ใWe want to do that but, we have no leeway for that. It'll be enough if you can just make the house livable.ใ
The children's parents died and so there wasn't any worker.
Morris didn't know what to say to them.
ใWe'll do the best that we can.ใ
He said that and instructed his subordinates.
Then, a participant of the subjugation force who wasn't from knight lineage raised his hand.
ใErr, I'm from a carpenter family so I think I'll be able to manage something if I just have the tools.ใ
Morris was surprised.
ใReally?ใ
ใYes. If I can borrow the tools that were used for the work, I'll be able to fix the house to be livable somehow.ใ
When the carpenter's son said that, the surrounding looked relieved.
And then one more personโโa middle aged man raised his hand.
ใโฆโฆI'll do something about the field.ใ
ใCan you do it?ใ
ใI ran away from countryside and came to the capital. I had been living in the slum all this time butโฆโฆใ
It seemed the middle aged man who was thin and wearing ragged clothes participated in this subjugation force to change his life.
(These people were decided to be members in my group without consulting me when composing the group but, could it be they were added as my subordinates knowing this? If that's the case, then Lyle-kun is really tactful at that young age.)
Lyle was also the one giving instruction regarding the assistance of subjugation force in the recovery work.
Morris thought that it was helpful there were people with the capability or the knowledge to do the work, but he also noticed that they were placed here by Lyle who understood from the start the skill of each person.
(He is far more reliable than the like of me. Perhaps a hero is someone like Lyle-kun.)
Morris felt ashamed that he thought of Lyle as someone still young with little experienceโโ.
While the recovery work was progressing.
I was holding a report with one hand.
I was teaching Luka how to use hatchet on a high ground.
I watched how Luka was doing while hearing the report from Clarsan.
ใThere are ten people who decide to stay behind in the town. Patto-san is happy and grateful because the number of male help in this town has decreased.ใ
It would be troubling if the number of man was few, so Patto-san would surely accept the immigration happily.
Even so, I never thought that there would be people who decided not to return to the capital and lived here instead.
ใOn the contrary there're around twenty people who want to got the capital and will come along with us.ใ
I was surprised and almost burst out. When I thought that our number would decrease by ten, another twenty joined up, what's with that?
ใWhy?ใ
ใIt seems they lost their house and field. After that, there are also a lot of young people who want to try going to the capital.ใ
ใThey should just live in their birthplace. I've bought food and raw material from the surrounding village and town. They can just go independent and help out here.ใ
Clarsan was making a complicated expression.
ใLyle-san who is going that far is strange when thinking from common sense. In the first place, I think normally anyone would return right away after subjugating the griffon.ใ
It seemed that I was strange for helping with the recovery and also taking care of various other things after that.
Certainly, this wasn't my own territory.
Spending effort and a lot of money like this would look stupid from other people's perspective.
I returned my gaze to Luka. He was swinging hatchet and training hard.
โโIn the first place, the reason I was going this far was because of the Second's request.
And then if I raised one more reason, it was because of Luka.
Certainly he was an existence that was like a cute little brother, but even more than that the possibility of him being a descendant of Walt House was high.
ใThe Sixth had caused trouble after all. There're people who'll be annoying if I don't work a bit harder.ใ
Clarsan tilted her head in puzzlement when I grumbled.
ใWhat's the matter?ใ
ใActually it's because a relative was causing trouble in this area. It's something that happened a long time ago, but this is like atonement for that relative.ใ
ใA relative causing trouble? Is that so.ใ
Clarsan's expression was lacking that I didn't understand whether she was convinced or not.
Luka looked up at my face from below.
ใLyle-sama, have you ever come to this town before?ใ
ใNever. But, my relative once came here. It seems that various things really happened at that time.ใ
ใThen, there is a granny who is really well-informed. How about asking her?ใ
I got a bit curious and decided to listen to that granny's story.
I wouldn't be able to understand the truth no matter what just from the Sixth's story. It would be interesting too to listen to the story of this well-informed granny.
The granny at the evacuation shelter was drinking plain hot water.
When I came together with Luka and said that I want to ask about past story, she readily accepted if it was only that much.
Howeverโฆโฆ.
ใโฆโฆAbout Luka's ancestor you said?ใ
The face of the gentle looking granny suddenly changed into an annoyed expression when she listened to the subject that I wanted to ask.
Luka tilted his head. I became a little bit scared to ask.
ใYe, yes, that's right. I wonder that perhaps, his ancestor was someone who came from other place.ใ
The granny dropped her gaze to the cup she was holding.
ใโฆโฆI too didn't see or hear it directly. It's a story that I only heard later. It's a story from when I was still young and this place wasn't a town but a small village.ใ
An unpleasant atmosphere was also drifting inside the Jewel.
ใโฆโฆEh, isn't the atmosphere bad?ใ
ใIt's not certain that it's a story of the Sixth butโฆโฆใ
ใSomehow I want to hear it, but I also don't want to hear itโฆโฆใ
ใโฆโฆIt's still not decided that it's a story about me.ใ
ใIt's unsightly that you say so.ใ
โโThe voices were minus one. Another voice had vanished.
ใThis kid's family was a family of hunter from that time. One day, a youngster who seemed to have high status stopped by here. The one taking care of him was a single daughter of that hunter family.ใ
The Second recognized it.
ใAh, that was me.ใ
โฆโฆSo it was you as expected huh.
ใHe was a big man and looked strong. He was a fierce warrior who exterminated a monster that troubled the village by himself. He was living in the village without the villagers being able to speak strongly to him.ใ
The Seventh talked with a rough voice from irritation.
ใOh, it seems that person was really a bother.ใ
ใBut, the daughter fell in love with him. She soon was pregnant with a child. The child was a boy so the daughter's parents were also really happy. A young man like you might not really understand the circumstance but, sometimes the injection of new blood from outside is also a good thing for the village. The village also didn't say anything about it.ใ
Certainly it was something that I didn't really understand. Was the Third knowledgeable about this? It felt like the Second would be knowledgeable about this kind of circumstance.
ใHowever, the young man immediately left the village after that. It seemed that he left behind some amount of money, but the daughter was really sad.ใ
The Third and the Fourth spoke coldly at the Sixth.
ใโฆโฆThe worst.ใ
ใThis fiend.ใ
The Sixth made excuse.
ใIt won't be strange that even you guys had child in other place! Lyle, listen well. Sometimes when feudal lord like us goes to a village, the village might assign a village girl to us to take care of our need. I'm telling you that I'm not the only one who is bad!ใ
It only sounded like an excuse.
The Fifth laughed scornfully.
ใIn that period it was when you ran away from home wasn't it? Then, you were just a stupid son who ran away from home, so there was no way the village would assign you a village girl to take care of your need. You're in the wrong.ใ
The Seventh also jumped on the bandwagon.
ใThat's right, you're in the wrong.ใ
The granny's story continued.
ใAfter that, the boy grew up splendidly. But, the daughter who became a mother didn't marry till the end. She said that it was because that person might return back someday.ใ
At this moment, my evaluation toward the Sixth inside me dropped a lot.
The other ancestors must be the same too.
But, the Sixth alone was,
ใโฆโฆSo you were waiting all the time for me, Angie!ใ
He was feeling moved for some reason, but it was a line that was unthinkable to come from a man who didn't even go to meet her because he was scared of his wives. This guy is the worst. Apologize to Angie-san.
ใI too only heard the story, but that daughter is really pitiful. I want to give my complain to the man who abandoned her.ใ
I was also filled with apologetic feeling. I'm really sorry for my ancestor.
ใButโโใ
ใBu, but?ใ
I was fearful that there was still more. But then granny said something strange.
ใAfter that the village became really prosperous. For some reason while the boy was alive, it seemed there was aid from somewhere. The adults who knew the situation at that time shut their mouth and absolutely wouldn't say what was going on. Because of that even I don't know what happened. Other people were saying rumor that surely the man was a noble from good place, so he was sending aid to the village.ใ
Someone was sending aid? From the Sixth's story, he shouldn't have done anything.
The Fifth also said ย ใI don't know anythingใ, the Seventh too said ใI also don't know about thatใ. It also wasn't the Sixth secretly giving help. The person himself was only showing the reaction of ใEh, there was something like that?ใ.
Luka looked bored. It seemed he didn't understand the talk.
ใErr, is Luka that man's descendant?ใ
The granny slowly nodded at my question.
ใYes. I wish that this child will safely grow up and become old like me.ใ
With this it was certain that Luka was a relative.
The ancestors were relieved.
ใI'm glad. I'm really glad we asked Lyle to work hard.ใ
ใMy conscience feel hurt. Because of a certain someone's fault.ใ
ใI'm really sorry for what my idiot son did.ใ
ใDon't suddenly act like a damn father! The Fifthโโno, it's you who is the real fiend!ใ
ใShut up, this stupid idiot! Taking that attitude even though you were scared by mothers and couldn't do anything, it's pathetic. However, I wonder which house sent that aid?ใ
I asked the granny.
ใAbout the aiding house, is there really no information about it at all?ใ
The granny shook her head.
ใI didn't hear anything about it. But, the adults were really on their guard. We talked between us that perhaps the condition of receiving the aid was for them to keep the name a secret. Thanks to that the village grew bigger, but now we have to start from zero. More importantly, Luka is looking really sleepy.ใ
When I looked there, Luka was dozing off while standing on his feet.
I couldn't ask anymore than this, so let's end this here. Or ratherโฆโฆI wanted to finish with this story already.
But, after hearing the story I was thinking to pour all my strength into this town's recovery.
Evsan returned two weeks later.
At that time, we were also entering the preparation to leave.
I felt reluctant to leave, but we were also unable to remain here forever.
There was also how our food was about to run out, but more than that the palace would move ahead if we took too much time. We had to return before that.
It seemed that Evsan also spread the rumor to the surrounding village and town. She said that the circulation would surely reach the capital too before long.
ใWhen we arrive at the capital, there might be a lot of people who know the story already.ใ
In that case the palace also wouldn't be able to extinguish the flame.
If there were only few people in the know then they would be able to shut them up. In the worse case, they would even consider erasing a small city and its surrounding from the map.
But, they should hesitate if the rumor had spread too widely and the targets that had to be erased were too many.
Around the time when we returned and the rumor had spread in the capital, surely there would be a lot of spectator there.
I listened to the report from Evsan, then I said my thanks and handed her a bag filled with gold coin.
ใThank you very much. Also, this is the reward.ใ
Evsan accepted it, but she then looked seriously at my face.
ใErr, what is it?ใ
ใHm~โฆโฆI'm also considering various things. I've thought it too before but, if I'm together with Lyle then perhaps even more interesting things will happen.ใ
ใUsually we were ordinary you know?ใ
ใWhat ordinary?ใ
She said it like usually we weren't ordinary. I tried to retort back, but Evsan said to me.
ใHey, can I travel together with you for a while? I'll leave the capital too anyway, and it's also pleasant staying together with Lyle and others. It's also not boring.ใ
ใWith us? I don't really mind butโฆโฆNovem she, how should I say itใ
Novem was strict in the matter of choosing comrade, or rather her standard was different in the first place. She was perfect as a partner, and yet she was problematic only in that.
ใIt's fine. I had also told Novem. She said that it's fine for me to come along if Lyle gives your permission.ใ
ใSo you've finished discussing it with Novem. Got it, I'll permit it.ใ
I also had to talk with the other members. What would Mirandsan say? More importantly, would Clarsan oppose this?
Various troubles were really increasing when the number of people increased.
But, even such complication felt better for me compared to loneliness.
ใThank you. It's fine, I'll be useful. Besides, I'll sing for everyone anytime. It won't be free though.ใ
ใYou're charging there?ใ
ใNaturally. I won't sell it cheap. Well, if I'm in the mood then I'll sing for everyone free of charge.ใ
The boisterous Evsan temporarily joined our party like this.
The day for the subjugation force to leave arrived.
People remaining here, people who conversely departed, there were also the change of people butโฆโฆhow should I say it, the parting was complex.
ใI love you, my second home town!ใ
ใFuh, farewellใ
ใI'll come to meet you again, you guys!ใ
There were a lot of people in high tension who were painful to look at.
This was also one of the reasons we didn't immediately return to the capital. From the fight with the griffon, a lot of people went through growth. There were also a lot of people who never experienced growth decently until now, so the battle this time became a great experience for them.
Because of that, after a while people who became unable to work due to bad physical state appeared one after another.
They obtained a lot of experience, and so the period of them being in bad shape also became longer, which was bad.
Even the people who were alright collapsed in succession after several days and entered the pre-growth period.
As the result, the course of events moved in the direction of it was better to stay here until the situation calmed down.
The eyes of the allies who became calm after going through the high tension post-growth were just terrible. Their eyes looked like dead fish.
ใโฆโฆWas I also the same like that?ใ
ใDon't say it! Forget it quickly.ใ
ใI'm glad this isn't my home town.ใ
โฆโฆI myself was twitching nervously of when I would enter my growth, but it seemed that this time I wouldn't be in bad shape pre-growth.
My two times growth dealt a deep wound in my heart.
The same thing mustn't happen ever again. I mustn't cause them.
When the subjugation force was walking out of the town, the townspeople and the allies who remained behind in the town came to see us off. There were also a lot of people who were watching the high post-growth tensioned group with a complicated expression.
There was a boy crying near me.
He was carrying the bow that I used on his back. A hatchet was dangling on his waist.
ใLyle-sama, you're leaving?ใ
I was an adventurer. I couldn't stay here forever.
I was reluctant but let's depart.
ใI'm an adventurer after all. Lukaโฆโฆbecome strong so you can at least protect someone.ใ
Shannon who was acting like a big sister toward Luka looked at me with a disgusted face.
ใLyle is saying something that doesn't suit yourself. Luka, you mustn't become like this guy. You understand?ใ
โฆโฆYosh, it's decided that I'd give this girl a finger flick on her forehead later.
ใWhether you become a hunter or an adventurer, you should become strong at least. After thatโโใ
I looked at Clarsan.
Her hands were holding picture books and simple books.
ใI'll give you these. Please use them to study reading and writing.ใ
Luka's mother looked troubled.
ใErr, there is no way we can receive something expensive likeโโใ
Clarsan shook her head.
ใWe aren't using this. These are Shannon-san's old books.ใ
It was a lie. Clarsan prepared these books using her Art.
Luka accepted the books. She looked at the books' titles and rejoiced.
ใI read these books together with Shannon-sama. Novem-sama and Monicsama also read them for me.ใ
Shannon brushed up her hair.
ใLuka, I'll allow you to call me as Shannon "onee-chan".ใ
Shannon acted self-importantly. You also had someone else read book for you, so why were you acting more proudly than Luka?
ใYes, Shannon-oneechan!ใ
Shannon looked happy to be called Onee-chan. After seeing her I,
ใUse them to study to read and write. Surely it will be useful.ใ
ใโฆโฆYes.ใ
Luka looked down.
The time for our departure came. Morris-san mounted his horse and called out to us.
ใLyle-kun, let's depart soon.ใ
Morris-san then went around calling out to everyone. I saw him off before turning back to Luka.
ใLet's meet again one day.ใ
ใYes!ใ
Clarsan climbed up on the driver's seat and turned on the engine. It made a loud sound.
We also climbed in but, the other members were already inside Porter, this wasโฆโฆ.
I and Shannon moved to the roof, went outside, and saw the scene of the townspeople waving their hand at us.
Shannon waved around both her hands energetically.
Porter started moving and gradually took distance from the town. Shannon was crying.
ใโฆโฆAre you sad?ใ
ใShut up. Someone heartless like you won't understand my feeling!ใ
ใYes, yes. That's right. I'm heartless.ใ
It must be painful for Shannon to bid farewell to a little brother that she made for the first time. I too understood her feeling a bit.
ใWe can meet him again one day.ใ
ใI don't need any poor consolation. Besides, if you leave the country then I'll also end up leaving the country. I won't be able to meet Luka like that.ใ
In the future, I would aim toward a foreign country that was called the adventurer capitalโโBeim. Certainly, the possibility of being able to meet him again was really low.
ใThere is possibility as long as you're alive.ใ
Yes, there was possibility as long as we were alive.
Luka continued to wave his hands until he was unable to see us anymore.
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