CH 365

“Kuoon♪”

“Grrrr.”

“Oh, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you mother and son grooming each other. Well, I guess it can’t be helped now that I’ve deactivated the auto-protection.”

“So cute.”

“♪”

After Makina and Fath-san went to find the person in charge, I also asked around and rented a space under a large tree in the village to rest and prepare for camping.

I had auto-protection to keep out the dust and sand while I was on the move, but I couldn’t use it in the village. Radia was holding Ash in her arms and grooming him to clean him up after the dust and sand he had been exposed to earlier.

As Dasha smiled at the sight of Ash jumping up and down, Ornob-san came back from a distance and spoke.

“I think It’s a nice village with a peaceful atmosphere. The river seems to have been branched off somewhere and drawn into the village. It’s a long way from the town, and if I want to live self-sufficient, hunting monsters and cultivating fields, I think even I can do it. How about you, Yukuta-san?”

“I’m good at field work, and with this much water, I might be able to grow crops outside of the arid regions with my [Soil Cultivation]. Like rice.”

When I heard about Yukuta-san’s skills, I put Sephiro on my shoulder and joined the conversation.

“Yukuta-san’s skill is similar to my father’s [Fertility].”

“Lars-san’s father? Isn’t he a wizard? I’m jealous because [Fertility] can revive thin soil. “

“Now that I think about it, it’s the only place that grew vegetables really well, so that’s the case …… Hmm, if I could get my dad to come here, the village would grow.”

“Well, you can’t let the lord do that, can you? Let’s let the people of this country do their best. I don’t think we can revive the whole country. Roen-san will dry up.”

“Well, I guess that’s true.”

And then Basleigh-sensei, who was playing with the wild rock turtle, came over and said something like that. The skill takes magic, and it would take months to nourish the soil in this village.

“…… What? Is Lars-kun …… No, Lars-sama a nobleman, perhaps ……?”

“Huh? Ahhh, I guess that’s true …… but I’m an adventurer now, so don’t worry about it.”

“Oh, even though you’re a nobleman and you’re helping people like us.”

“If you’re saying that, then Basleigh-sensei here is the Minister of Reflexion.”

“Ehhen!”

Basleigh-sensei, who is proudly deflecting his empty chest, continued.

“As the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, I’m interested in [Soil cultivation]. Please let me see it sometime, and maybe I should ask you to work at Reflexion.”

“Ah, yes.”

Yukuta-san, who had been taken aback, straightened her posture and replied, but just then Makina came back. 

“I’m back! I didn’t know you were here!”

“Welcome back, Makina. Huh? Where’s Fath-san?”

“Er, you see–“

Makina came back alone, so I asked her about it and she told me that Dibit-san was hiding at the village chief’s house. And she said Fath-san was talking to a former comrade in arms.

He also said that he wanted to see me who wanted to learn transfer magic, so he wanted me to come to his house.

“There’s also a reason why Dibit-san can’t go out for a while. I’ll tell you about it over there.”

“Okay. All right, let’s get moving. Are you guys ready?”

I said, and they nodded their heads in agreement and let the carriage go again. If we’re going to train, I think Johnny and the others will have to rest here for a while.

As I was thinking about this, we arrived at the village chief’s house, where there was also a large tree, so we let the horses, Radia, Schneider and the others rest under the shade of the tree and went inside.

“Master, we’re back.”

“Hmm. Lars, this person is DIbit.”

“What, it appears that he’s quite a handsome lad. I’m Dibit of David the Impetuous. Nice to meet you, Lars.”

“I’m Lars Irving. Nice to meet you.”

He stood up from his chair, puffed on his cigarette and asked for a handshake. When I grabbed him back, he raised one eyebrow and muttered, “Hoh”. 

“…… I see, this guy’s quite interesting. Well, sit down for now! I’ve heard about you guys, let’s talk about that too.”

“I understand.”

When everyone was seated, Dibit put out his cigarette in the ashtray and opened his mouth.

“As I told Fath and Makina, there are people in this village who helped Afmand. And it seems that the former king’s entourage, who escaped at the last minute, is trying to regain the castle.”

“I thought the previous king was overthrown ……?”

“No, Afmand is keeping him alive. He seems to be holding him captive to avenge the resentment of those who mistreated them for so long. But on the other hand, if we help him and he takes the castle back, we’ll be in trouble. The aide’s name is Darva. He’s not very powerful, but he’s got a good head on his shoulders. I’m sure that’s why he ran away–“

This is why he built this village about a year ago, anticipating that those who cooperated with King Afmand would be retaliated against.

The reason for this is that if they don’t get rid of Dibit-san, who was particularly active back then, they will inevitably be defeated when he rushes back to take back the castle. Therefore, he predicted that they would attack to defeat Dibit-san by any means necessary. The reason they are in the valley is because it is easier to fight a war of extermination.

He also said that he created the village because it is easier to protect them if they gather together than if they spend their time separately and try to destroy each other.

“That’s why, Ornob, right? I don’t think you guys should stay here because it’s dangerous. I think it’s fine if you stay here for a while.”

Dibit-san said as he lit a new cigarette, and Ornob-san thought for a moment before replying.

“I can’t go back to town because I’m a runaway slave. I’m sure I can help since my skill is a combat type. I think it would be better for Yukuta-san and the others to have Lars-sama take them somewhere else again.”

But Yukuta-san and the others objected in unison.

“No, I’m staying. I’m not going to live long anyway. I’m not afraid of dying, and I’m sure my knowledge will be useful.”

“Me too. I can’t imagine leaving Ornob-san while we’re going somewhere else.”

“Dasha wants to be with uncle too!”

“Uh, mmm ……”

When Ornob stammered at their serious faces, Fath-san started laughing and talking.

“Ho-ho-ho. So this is how it came to be …… I would have preferred a different location, but then again, Dibit’s here, so I guess we’ll just have to defeat the assassin. What do you think, Village Chief? “

“Eh? Yes, I don’t mind …… Dibit-san ……?”

“Ka-! You guys are all idiots!”

“What did you say!? I can’t ignore what you just said!”

“It’s not Basleigh-sensei he’s talking about, so keep quiet!?”

As I restrained the indignant Basleigh-sensei, Dibit-san scratched his head and let out a sigh.

“It can’t be helped. But you’re on your own if anything happens, okay?”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

“It’s not the time to say thank you …… Oh well, Chief, you’re in charge of these guys. If we don’t have enough houses, we’ll build them …… No, I’ll have Lars build them, so just tell me.”

“I understand. Then I will guide you around the village, so please follow me.”

The village chief took Ornob-san and the others out of the house. After seeing them off, Dibit-san pointed his cigarette at me and smiled.

“Well, now it’s time for Lars. I’m going to give you everything I know about magic.”