◆ Ikana Village, Central Square, Assembly Hut ◆
“That’s definitely a divine nature at play. It’s countering Kurinka’s regeneration, after all.”
I knew this wasn’t a topic meant for village discussions, and I might get scolded for bringing it up, but I felt it was an issue that couldn’t be kept to ourselves. The sudden death of one of the Avangarde Special Operations Unit members, Lester. I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of horrific skill had been used to tear apart his flesh and cause such massive bleeding in the end. Yet, Elmera insisted it was due to divine nature. To be precise, she explained that Lester’s death wasn’t caused by an attack but rather the consequence of something brought upon by someone else. I feigned understanding, knowing that if I showed confusion, they would just mock me again.
“I don’t know much about this Lester person, but it might be related to the sudden rise of the Special Operations Unit,” I said.
“From what I’ve heard, it seems like some kind of backlash. The Special Operations folks were originally at a low level, right?”
“Yes, just barely double digits… Elmera, their levels were already exceptional. Truly.”
“Hey, sis, your attempts to cover for them are getting a bit sloppy.”
“So, what do you think happened in the end?”
If someone didn’t steer the conversation back on track, we’d just keep wandering off topic. I felt bad for the village elders, but it was possible that this could eventually affect our village as well. I wanted them to listen closely. The Special Operations Unit viewed me as an enemy. If that were the case, they might do something to the village.
“It’s likely due to the rapid increase in levels. If they’ve easily surpassed the Level Cap… it’s the worst-case scenario. They could die at any moment. Whoever did this must be well aware of that.”
“Plus, a divine nature that can repel Kurinka’s regeneration… what does that mean?”
“Who could it be?”
“…Madias.”
Aleid, the leader of the Comet Wolf Brigade, and Vandalsia had all suddenly grown stronger. I hadn’t realized it since I defeated them quickly, but if left unchecked, they might have ended up like Lester. But it felt strange.
“The other Special Operations members… Nikka and the others are fine, right?”
“Isn’t there individual variation? That’s why I said they could die at any moment.”
“Wait! This is serious! We need to inform them immediately!”
“They wouldn’t believe it anyway.”
Elmera’s tone was cold, but I thought the same. Besides, even Kurinka’s regeneration couldn’t do anything about it, so what good would it do to tell them? Kurinka seemed to be in shock for the first time in a while, only managing to eat four bowls of stew before going to bed early last night. It was sad to see her unable to eat. I wanted to help her somehow, but I was probably the only one who couldn’t assist her with recovery. What could I possibly do for Kurinka?
“That matter with the Special Operations Unit seems serious… Rua. We have quite a troublesome situation here as well.”
“What is it, Elder? By the way, is there any hope for the village’s finances?”
“It’s already looking quite hopeless…”
“…I’m sorry.”
Why was my father apologizing? My mother had her hand on her forehead, not even looking at anyone’s face. Others seemed to be glaring at my father as well.
“Tomorrow, soldiers will be coming from the Royal Capital.”
“W-What?! What happened?”
“During a trade, I… hit someone.”
“…Father?”
“I was mocked for the crops harvested from Ikana Village…”
“No, no, wait! Jook! You’re not at fault here! Just be honest!”
It was Bongo from next door who stood up. I didn’t understand what was going on. I didn’t want to believe that my father had hit someone and got caught.
“It’s true that I lost control…”
“No! I felt something was off too! Sure, I got angry when they mocked me, but my body wouldn’t move as I wanted! If anyone should be caught, it’s me too! I hit them as well!”
“I’ve heard it said that the crops from this village, which once perished, are rumored to be contaminated and inedible. Well, it’s infuriating, isn’t it? Ha ha.”
“You…! Tell the truth!”
Unable to hold back, my mother shook my father’s shoulder forcefully. No one wanted to believe such a thing. But if someone said that, I wouldn’t forgive them. This village was finally rebuilt through everyone’s efforts. We had toiled for days to cultivate the fields until we could finally harvest crops. We had passed the strict inspections to see if they were sellable. So, no matter who it was, even that Naked King, there was no way they could interfere.
“If my father hit a normal person, wouldn’t he kill them? Was that person okay?”
“Ah, they were alive.”
“Bongo said that his body wouldn’t move as he wanted. Was that the same for you, Father?”
“…That’s not the case. I lost control of my emotions and acted out. That’s all there is to it.”
“If you care about the village, then please be honest. Why hide it?”
“Hide what?”
“That you were manipulated by some skill.”
Everyone didn’t seem particularly surprised. They knew my father’s personality well and understood it was a mistake. They also knew he had a strong sense of responsibility. He regretted that I had to live alone and deliberately refrained from interfering. He felt he had no right to say anything as a parent since he couldn’t protect his child.
“I may seem like I do whatever I want, but most of the money I earn goes back to the village. I want to make things a bit easier for you and Mom. I’m happy right now. It was tragic what happened to the village, but because of that, I was able to go to the Abyss Cave. As a result, I am who I am now.”
“…Rua.”
“I’m feeling fulfilled now, and I’m grateful for the past. So please don’t dwell on it so much.”
“…I’m sorry. It’s embarrassing to be supported by my child.”
My father’s voice was weak, as if he were drunk and slumped over. No one here blamed him. Seeing my father on the verge of tears was a first for me. Everyone around him looked on with strong, supportive gazes, so it was no wonder he felt like crying.
Even though resources were abundant around us, living in these mountains wasn’t easy. Yet, we had all found this place together and worked to make it a livable home. Everyone who had worked so hard wouldn’t neglect each other. I wanted to hit someone for saying that the vegetables from our ruined village were inedible.
“It’s because my father countered the skill that the person didn’t die from the blow. If my father hit a normal person for real, they would die.”
“That may be true… but it’s a terrifying skill. I had no idea where or how it was cast…”
“It was Nentro, one of the former Twelve Demon Generals of the Neo Demon Lord Army.”
The murmurs from my father and the others turned into gasps. It was understandable; after all, the Demon Lord Army had once been their allies. They had gathered here to build a village, having not sought revenge against each other. Those who sought revenge had become the Demon Lord Army and challenged the world.
“Nentro… is it really him?”
“I can’t be certain… but I believe he manipulated your father and Bongo as an attack against me. He hasn’t given up yet. The Demon Lord Army has long since vanished, but his obsession is incredible.”
“Even if we’ve gone down different paths, why would he…?”
“Juo and Nentro… they can’t be saved. There’s nothing we can do.”
“…I wish you wouldn’t say such things.”
From my bag of tools, Shin emerged sluggishly. There was drool at the corner of his mouth; he must have been asleep until now.
“Even those guys were subordinates of the Demon Lord… and more than anything, I believe the Demon Lord is a comrade. Even now, surely…”
“…That’s true. They’re among the few survivors from Belmund’s experiment.”
“Rua, Kurinka, this Shin bows his head to you…”
Shin floated in the center of the table, facing us. Then he quietly landed and placed his hands on the ground, looking somewhat frustrated. I could tell that bowing his head was truly humiliating for him. What did he think of us?
“I’m not asking you to save them… just don’t kill them.”
To think that the cheeky Shin would go this far. Had he always felt this way? He must have watched us defeat the Demon Lord Army while following us. Perhaps he realized something as he continued to observe.
“I-I don’t really understand what kind of wind blew in for Shin! At first, I thought those guys should just die! I only thought about how great it would be if the Demon Lord was around… But ever since Eerlich, Getou, and Mimmy disappeared, I started to realize something… What that something is… umm…”
“Hmm…”
“W-What is it! Shin is bowing down and you’re just grumbling!”
“No, no, I just thought Shin has some cute sides too.”
“Hmph, so you finally noticed?”
Despite being small, she’s full of energy and really cheeky. For me to bow my head to Shin would take a lot of courage and determination. It’s better than Elmera, though.
“Shin, I have a request… but I can’t decide on it.”
“Huh? Even though I, Shin, bowed down and created a good atmosphere? Hah?!”
“Everyone is here, and they should have a much deeper connection to the Demon Lord Army than I do, so everyone’s opinions matter.”
“Everyone, what do you think? Those former comrades who manipulate Juke and Bongo are likely trying to tarnish the village’s reputation…”
No one speaks up immediately. Even if they were once comrades, it seems there are things that can’t be forgiven. Some are deep in thought with stern expressions, while others look up at the ceiling with their eyes closed. Everyone has their own thoughts on the matter.
“Is it… not okay?”
“Even if we don’t kill him, Nentro won’t show any mercy. He’s always been extreme in his beliefs and exclusive to anyone outside of us. After that experiment, he became even worse.”
“If he were to harm someone in the future, there would be no reason to keep him alive. No matter how much of a comrade he was… and this incident is simply unforgivable.”
“Ah… Ikana Village has become completely isolated because of this incident.”
As everyone responds with despair, the village chief explains. Not only was my father taken away, but there’s a chance the entire village could be wiped out by tomorrow. At best, we would be forced to evacuate, and at worst, we could face destruction again. Even if we survived, the future looks bleak since we wouldn’t be able to approach the Royal Capital or other villages and towns. We would have to live in obscurity again. Just when the village and its crops were finally becoming known and prosperous.
“So… everyone is against it, huh?”
“No, if we can capture him and bring him here, that’s different.”
“Eh…?”
“We could at least listen to what he has to say.”
“So… everyone is in favor?”
“Originally, that little one over there was asking you for help, Rua.”
I sensed the atmosphere from the chief’s words. In other words, whether we do it or not, the outcome is up to me, and I’m being entrusted with it. Looking around, I see some people nodding silently, and I understood.
“Alright… I’ll give it a try.”
“…Thank you.”
I heard a small voice of gratitude. I never expected to hear such words from Shin, and I might never hear them again for the rest of my life.
“…I’ve decided too.”
“Kurinka?”
Kurinka, who had been looking down the whole time, finally speaks up with energy. She had been downcast about Lester, but it seems she has made up her mind about something.
“If there’s a power greater than my regeneration, I have to surpass it. Rua-chan has done it, and Shin-chan has worked hard to ask for it. And that was for something other than food for the first time.”
“Plus, you even managed to say thank you.”
“I’m going to do my best. First, we need to deal with that Nentro issue. I’ve come up with my own answer.”
Kurinka pokes Shin, who has completely slumped over the table. With a nod, Kurinka stands up. Kurinka is starting to talk about surpassing things. What if she ends up hiding in some cave like I did? I really hope it won’t take ten years.
“Everyone, let’s prepare for tomorrow! Elmera-chan and Meria-san, I’ll need your help too!”
“Eh? Us? What should we do? Should we capture this person named Nentro? Alright, understood. Right away.”
“You can do it right away?!”
“That’s impossible, though.”
Meria really takes me by surprise. Let’s just say she was startled when suddenly asked while she was dozing off.
“Nentro, Nentro, Clay, huh? I had things I wanted to say to that guy too. But I’ve never seen his true form, you know.”
“Speaking of which, no one in the Demon Lord Army has seen it either… Shin, right?”
“That’s right…”
“Hmm… if that’s the case, then it must be an unexpected form.”
“In that case, there’s no need to worry. We have a good grasp of the situation.”
I felt more encouraged by my father’s reassuring words. Having familiar faces around is comforting; now we just need to think about tomorrow. Still, it’s getting late, and even if we have preparations to make, we need to ensure we get some sleep. Platiu is already using her mother’s lap as a pillow, and I wonder why she’s always here. I understand she feels lonely, but still…
“By the way, Kurinka, what do you mean by preparing for tomorrow?”
“Yes, Chief. We know exactly what we need to do.”
There’s no way I’m going to let this village perish. I remember when I was young, everyone protected me while I ran away. This time, I absolutely won’t run away. I’m not the same me as back then; I will protect the village. No matter what comes, I won’t let them destroy the happiness we have here.
◆ Ikana Village Entrance ◆
“We’ve come to capture those old men named Juke and Bongo! The Makiba Squad will take them into custody!”
The ones who appeared in the village were the Avangarde Special Operations Unit, known as the Makiba Squad. They have a reputation as extermination squads, known for killing hostages when enemies take them and there’s no other option. From the bitter expressions on everyone’s faces, it’s clear they intend to destroy this village from the start.
“After all, they struck one of our precious citizens! They must receive their due punishment! Naaahhhaaa!”
This wild-looking Makiba guy, wearing a beast’s fur as a scarf, is nothing compared to Baste Squad from before. I’ve never seen the other former adventurers in the squad, but they’re probably all A-Rank.
“Village Chief, this place could disappear with just a flick of your wrist. Think carefully with that clever head of yours and give me an answer. Got it?”
“Hmph. I refuse.”
“Hahhhhh! You did it now! Village Chief! You really did it!”
What a quick response. It’s straightforward, which is helpful, but…
◆ Shin Report ◆
Demon Lord, oh Demon Lord,
Please let my voice reach you.
Thanks to Meria’s magic, it should reach you too.
Demon Lord, oh Demon Lord,
I bowed my head to Rua, but ultimately,
Without you, there’s no resolution.
Demon Lord, please awaken!
Right now, something strange is attacking,
With a level over 1000, feeling all high and mighty.
Nentro surely won’t miss this timing.
Before the extermination squad is annihilated, please awaken!
Demon Lord, oh Demon Lord!