109 - Additional Request
We noticed the sky had been dyed madder red only after we emerged from the forest.
Stepping out from the dim woods, we felt a cold wind blowing more strongly than usual.
Covered in blood and mud, we wanted to return quickly and wash ourselves.
I readjusted the materials packed in the leather bags and began walking, followed by Miranda, Aria, and Eva.
I looked at everyone's expressions.
Eva looked exhausted from leading us, as we were not accustomed to the forest.
Miranda and Aria were also worn out from entering a forest they weren't used to.
(Maybe I'll make tomorrow a day off. After we finish the Grey Wolf subjugation in the next go, we have to leave this village.)
I decided to spend a day on a break to let everyone recover their strength and inspect their equipment.
However, it wasn't just because my companions were tired that I wanted a break.
(I mean, it's tough for me too.)
An unfamiliar environment is incredibly draining.
Though my movements had improved on the first and second days, my clothes were in tatters.
Walking through the forest and pushing through pathless terrain is a great struggle.
With our bodies sticky from sweat, mud, and blood, we hurried our heavy frames toward the building where we were staying in the village, eager to wash our clothes.
That was when Eva spoke.
"Hey, make sure you report this properly. Otherwise, this place will be overflowing with monsters someday."
Eva, who had felt that there were far too few beasts in the forest, urged me to report this to the village chief.
I couldn't simply tell her to say it herself.
The village chief was fine, but I didn't think the villagers would listen to Eva's opinion. Elves are a race with a weaker social standing compared to humans.
And since I was the leader, this was my job.
"I know. I'll go to the village chief after I change. But you come too. I can't explain it on my own, so I want your advice."
Eva was the one who noticed the strangeness in the forest. However, even if it were explained to me, it wouldn't immediately click. I was anxious about whether I could explain it clearly.
Depending on the situation, the village notables might gather to discuss it. I was worried about whether I could convey it well then.
"I want to lie down because I'm tired, but I guess that's impossible... Fine."
Since Eva agreed, I continued.
"Tomorrow will be a day off. Two days in a row is too hard on the body. Depending on how things go, let's rest for a day or two. Actually, should we do the report tomorrow?"
Eva glared at me.
"I want this handled urgently, though?"
It seemed more serious than I thought, so I apologized and said I was sorry.
Aria spoke up.
"In that case, I'll finish inspecting my equipment today after I change. I want to take it easy tomorrow."
As for Miranda.
"I hope there's somewhere interesting to look around. Come to think of it, Eva sang a song on the first day, right? Are you going to do it again?"
Eva made a slightly troubled expression and put her hand to her forehead.
"I was cautioned after that, so next time I need to get permission from the village chief or the notables. Apparently, some villagers came to listen and neglected their work. That was a failure on my part too."
It seemed that after she sang because children begged her, the adults had gathered as well.
Thanks to that, Eva had received a warning.
(No such story reached me.)
Perhaps someone had cautioned Eva personally.
"Then I'll get permission while I'm visiting the village chief."
At that, Eva beamed.
"Really!"
"Well, as long as you don't overdo it. As long as you inspect your equipment and rest your bodies, I can't complain about the rest."
The voice of the Fourth Generation came from within the Jewel Orb.
'Finally. Liel, who had absolutely no interest in others and caused trouble for Novem in the beginning, has grown.'
He was intentionally using a voice that sounded like he was crying.
Conversely, the Third Generation laughed.
'But even if he's grown, there are still many things he's bad at. Because his initial evaluation was so low, you can feel growth from even the smallest things.'
The Fifth Generation spoke.
'...As for me, I think it would be bad to get too deeply involved. Listen, make sure you subtly follow up with everyone. Talk to them, ask about their health. Really, don't forget.'
I was being worried over quite a lot.
Thinking it was unexpected, I headed for the building where we were staying.
When I took Eva to the village chief's house, it seemed they had already finished their meal.
I had aimed for this timing, thinking it would be a nuisance during a meal or preparation, and it seemed I was correct.
Upon entering the house, the village chief told his wife to prepare drinks, and he agreed to hear us out.
"Now then, what is it? Did some idiot peek or steal again?"
Together with Eva, I explained the situation.
"Actually—"
The village chief listened with a serious expression.
Just as we finished our explanation, as if perfectly timed, his wife brought us warm drinks.
I thanked her and took the drink, sipping the hot liquid to soothe my throat, which was tired from explaining.
Eva was blowing on hers, as it was too hot.
"...Thank you for letting me know. No wonder the Grey Wolves are increasing. It wasn't like that until now."
It seemed Eva wasn't the only one sensitive to the changes in the forest.
For the villagers who lived near the forest, it seemed to be a grave matter as well.
"The number of beasts is low, huh. Now that you mention it, there have been fewer opportunities to encounter them recently."
The village chief, looking convinced, seemed to have an idea.
He nodded several times with his hand on his chin.
"Do you have an inkling of what it is?"
"...There were some idiots who targeted your equipment, right? Those guys have been entering the forest often lately. That in itself isn't unusual, but recently they've even been bringing weapons. There are no nobles here, so as long as they deliver the designated amount of food to the city, they're fine. They're relatively wealthy, but there are many who use that money to buy weapons. They probably brought out the weapons they had at home, but..."
The farmers of Beim were wealthy, and I had confirmed they owned weapons when I entered the village.
The village chief made a disgusted face.
"Traps, huh. I taught them not to leave them behind when using them to catch prey... Damn it!"
Listening to the village chief, it seemed they had thought to kill monsters in order to grow stronger.
In Beim, it is believed that you can become stronger by defeating monsters. With so many adventurers, it's likely proof that many have experienced this firsthand.
And—.
"They went after beasts instead of monsters. I told them not to touch them because it's dangerous if the balance of the forest is disrupted... but I guess they can't tell the difference."
—What is the difference between a living creature and a monster?
When asked that, most people answer, the presence of a magic stone.
If a magic stone drops, it's a monster.
If not, it's a living creature.
If you want to confirm, you just have to kill it and try to take the magic stone.
As a result, they probably killed many beasts instead of monsters.
Living near the forest, their knowledge of setting traps in the woods had become a curse.
They probably killed captured wolves and the like in groups.
If a magic stone was obtained, they took it back, if not, they left it.
To an observer, it might have looked like they were defeating monsters.
The village chief looked regretful.
"It's my mistake. Sorry, it helped that you told me. However, the guild sent us some good adventurers."
The conversation reached a natural break, and I tried to get permission for Eva to let them hear her song. However, the village chief shook his head.
"Sorry, but tomorrow is no good. It's not because I don't like it or because she's an elf. Tomorrow, I'm gathering the notables and the villagers to haul those idiots out and shame them. I have to make sure others don't do the same thing."
(They're going that far?)
As I thought that, the Third Generation seemed to notice my question.
The Third Generation's voice came from within the Orb.
'...It's inevitable that some idiots will do stupid things, but if you handle the aftermath wrong, a village can easily be destroyed. The method might differ by village, but they'll do whatever it takes to ensure the same stupidity doesn't happen again.'
The Sixth Generation added.
'And even after suffering a terrible fate, the same things happen once the generation changes. Those who do stupid things even after being taught will still do stupid things.'
To the Sixth Generation, the Fifth Generation muttered.
'...I've told you many times that it lacks persuasiveness coming from someone who ran away from home.'
While letting the conversation of the successive heads pass by, I glanced at Eva.
She seemed to think it couldn't be helped and didn't seem to mind much. Rather, the fact that they were so serious seemed to please her as an elf.
"Sorry. For us, it's a matter of livelihood, or rather, lives are at stake, so please forgive me."
Told that by the village chief, we returned to our companions.
The next day.
For the first time in a while, I slept soundly without a serious battle with the successive heads. When I woke up, the sun was high and I could hear the voices of my companions around me.
As I sat up and stretched, my body still felt a bit heavy, perhaps because I was tired.
"I wonder if the village meeting is over?"
Muttering that, I went outside, and Monica discovered me and approached.
"Waking up just before noon, you truly are an unbelievable person. Please think of me, who does the cooking and cleaning. Having such a useless master, I'm so happy I could cry."
Was she angry, or was she happy?
Monica held out the items in her hand to me.
"What's this?"
"Since there's time until lunch, it's a light snack. Once you've eaten, please give it to the little girl hiding in the Porter and tell her to wash it."
I took it and opened the lid, there were sandwiches inside.
When I took one and ate it, it was a bit damp, but delicious.
"What, is Shannon hiding?"
"Hmph, even though there's no such thing as a holiday for housework, she says it's unfair that she's the only one who can't rest... well, I'll do my best for the sake of that chicken fellow for lunch!"
Thinking it would be better if she were her usual self, I thanked Monica as she finished her sandwich. I took the container and went to the Porter.
Looking around, it seemed Novem and the others had gone out.
The door to the Porter's cargo area was open, and Clara was sitting there reading a book.
It was one of the many books she had bought to read during travel.
However, Clara had already finished reading all of them.
"Rereading?"
When I spoke, Clara nodded.
Then, seeing the container in my hand, she shifted her gaze to Shannon, who was wrapped in a blanket in the back of the cargo area.
"She's sleeping. Miranda-san invited her to look around the village, but she's been like this ever since she came back halfway."
It seemed she had returned alone and was hiding and sleeping.
I climbed onto the cargo bed and went to Shannon.
Just then, Aria came running back.
She headed toward Monica and shouted loudly.
"Monica, is Liel awake?"
Monica looked at Aria and, thinking it was urgent business.
"He went into the Porter's cargo area. Did something happen?"
Aria approached the spot where the Porter was stopped. Monica was with her.
Despite the chilly weather, Aria, who was sweating, spoke to me.
"Liel, it seems the people you mentioned yesterday have run away. Moreover, they said they went into the forest. Because of that, the village chief says he has something to talk to Liel about."
I climbed down from the Porter's cargo bed.
"The village chief? What does he want with me?"
Deciding to head to the village chief's house with Aria, I told Clara and Monica to wait.
As the two of us headed for the village chief's house, the village adults also seemed to be in a panic.
Arriving at the village chief's house, I joined Novem, Miranda, and Eva, who were already there, to hear the story.
The village chief's spacious house felt narrow with the village notables gathered there.
The village chief, looking exhausted, spoke to me.
"Sorry for making you come. Actually, I want to make an additional request."
Hearing the word request, I looked around.
The notables were indignant, and Novem and the others had subtle expressions.
"The details?"
Since I couldn't accept it without hearing the details of the request, I decided to confirm.
The details were.
"I want you to bring back the idiots who ran away. We saw them flee into the forest, but it's difficult for the village people to enter and search for them."
The notables raised their voices.
"What are those guys thinking, while monsters are increasing?"
"Village chief, isn't your response too lenient? That's why I said it's better to exile them."
"They ran off with the village's money... management is the village chief's responsibility, after all."
Voices of dissatisfaction toward the village chief were rising, and the notables seemed to be sizing me up.
"Are these adventurers okay? It's just women and children."
"Under the previous village chief, more capable adventurers were dispatched."
Our age and appearance certainly didn't look like veteran adventurers.
But it didn't feel good to be told that.
The village chief let out a sigh.
"I will prepare the additional reward myself. I'll settle the rest on my end, so please go back for today."
The notables left the village chief's house while grumbling and complaining.
A few of them were glancing at his wife.
Those who remained were a man slightly younger than the village chief and us—.
The village chief slammed the desk and glared at the door.
"Damn it! They do nothing normally, but they only unite at times like this! Who do those bastards think they are, making eyes at my wife!"
He looked frustrated, and more than anything, he seemed to dislike the people who had been looking at his wife.
The remaining man looked to be in his thirties.
"Village chief, we have to move forward with the talk now. I'll listen to your complaints tonight."
"S-sorry. I'm sorry, but can I ask this of you? At worst, as long as you can recover the village money they ran off with, that's enough. If you can't, that's fine too, but if you remember them when you enter the forest, please try to look for them."
Searching for youths who had entered a vast forest would be difficult even for adults in a situation where monsters were increasing.
The reward offered was more than the amount of money that had been stolen. If he didn't do that, they wouldn't come back.
Additionally, it seemed that if they brought back the youths who ran away, they would receive an additional reward.
I told the village chief that I would accept.
"It's tough for you too, Village Chief."
"Hmm? Ah, it's the usual. Even though they know we can't put out requests properly on our own and can't get adventurers dispatched... they only attack me, a former adventurer, at times like this. The treatment of those idiots is also too harsh, but they say they can do terrible things because I'm an outsider. That's why I didn't want to do it."
I felt like sympathizing with him in an environment where he was complained to no matter what he did.
Why did he decide to settle permanently in this village?
I wondered for a moment, but then I remembered my conversation with the village chief.
He had said that if he earned more, he could have had a mansion in a better place. He had also told me to become capable of earning.
"Were other villages no good?"
Whether he understood the meaning of my question or not, the village chief shook his head.
"Everywhere is the same. Popular places cost money. There are even places that make you pay a large sum just to live there. Rather than that, I chose a village that doesn't cost much... damn it, even knowing that, it still makes me angry."
The man in his thirties spoke.
"If you're an adventurer too, make sure you become capable of earning."
After confirming the details of the request, we headed outside.
Then, the village chief's shouting could be heard.