Chapter 150

Come in person?

A busy elder walking to another city on his own feet?

It was absurd. That such administration was tolerated.

If this were Korea, the official in question would have already received at least five hundred complaints.

But even such nonsensical tyranny was brazenly carried out in this rigid medieval class society.

"Is a representative allowed to do this? It's a royal something territory, right? Managing territory belonging to the royal family is their job, yet?"

"Y-yes, but. P-perhaps they have some unavoidable c-circumstances."

"It seems like this situation can't be handled by just any 'unavoidable circumstances.'"

What could be done about this?

"Miss Amelia, I'm asking just in case, but the village elder of Gallo..."

"I've been l-looking, but. Taking c-care of the injured is the p-priority. Due to the l-lack of manpower, there's n-no progress."

The village elder of Gallo had turned into a madman in an instant.

Even if they found him now, there was no guarantee he would return to his senses.

That's why one shouldn't read a grimoire carelessly.

"Did the elder not have a family? Children, maybe?"

"His f-family all... That is, I h-heard they chose to b-become demonic beasts."

"How unfortunate. Wasn't the elder quite old? Did he designate someone to succeed him beforehand? Anything like that?"

"It s-seems not."

"Damn it."

Amelia cautioned him with 'P-please use p-proper language!' but it didn't even register in his ears.

What could be done about this?

This village had neither an elder nor a successor.

The villagers were overwhelmed just trying to pull themselves together.

Amelia, watching him groaning and agonizing, tentatively called out.

"Y-Your Grace."

"I'll think about it. For now, let's maintain the policy of assisting the villagers. Please convey this to Sir Leandros."

"Yes, I u-understand. About your m-meal..."

"I don't feel like eating."

"Then p-please rest."

Amelia even extinguished the oil lamp that had been lit before leaving.

The snowman that was under the blanket asked.

"Worshipper. Go to Valentine city?"

"Why should he go? He had decided to return to the castle. Leandros probably doesn't need his help anymore."

"Decided?"

"If he goes, he'd probably just get rolled around thoroughly and come back. Wouldn't it just create troublesome situations? At this rate, it's better to take care of his body a bit."

"I hurt worshipper. Worshipper, angry?"

"It's not so much that he's angry, but rather that this seems to be his fate of sorts."

Even if it hadn't been Aphoom-Zhah, he would have been severely injured. That's what being a supporting character's fate was like.

So he wasn't particularly angry about that.

The snowman didn't say anything more and awkwardly stuck to his side.

The chilly cold cooled his flesh swollen with wounds and bruises.

* * *

The next day.

He settled his debt to the bed early.

Though he was pushing himself a bit, he'd be returning to the castle soon.

He didn't want to lie in bed until just before leaving.

From the morning, Verde came to his room with a haggard appearance to check his wounds and change his bandages.

"Ah, I'm really too sleepy. Your Grace, I feel like I'm dying. Can't I just die? How many patients do I have to take care of..."

"Die after you completely heal me. Is it okay for me to walk around in this condition right now?"

"What's with that nonchalant reaction? Are you a cold-blooded person?"

Verde secured the bandage and stood up.

Handing him the crude crutch that had been leaning against the bed, he spoke deliberately.

"Don't run. Please, absolutely just walk. Don't take deep breaths. Don't get excited. Needless to say, don't lift heavy things. And don't push yourself. If you do..."

"If I do?"

"You'll give me the opportunity to dissect Your Grace's body. I, of course, would be delighted. Wow! An opportunity that doesn't come even in ten years! I very much welcome it!"

Ugh. Verde didn't seem to be in his right mind at the moment.

Leaving behind Verde who was clapping his hands with relish, he walked out of the room using the crutch.

As he slowly stepped outside, the sunlight he hadn't seen in a while felt stinging.

As he squinted and looked around, Leandros approached from afar with large strides.

"Your Grace. Is it alright for you to be moving now?"

"Verde told me not to push myself."

"If you're alright, I'll support you from the side."

"I'm fine. How is the demonic beast elimination going?"

"It's almost complete. There are some that have shrunk and hidden in ditches or collapsed buildings, so we're expanding the search range."

"That's a lot of work."

Leandros, uncharacteristically, paused for a moment before answering.

"Not as much as Your Grace's."

"All I did was lie down for a few days. By the way, how are the people? Are they treating you well?"

"They revere me like a hero."

"How does it feel? Feels good?"

"I don't feel much. But I think I understand their grateful hearts."

Hmm. He recalled Leandros's statement that he wouldn't mingle with those weaker than himself.

This was considerable progress.

He limped along, and Leandros walked beside him, matching his slow pace.

Leandros's impression had changed slightly in the few days since he had last seen him.

If before he had given an impression of being stoic and uninterested in the world, now he appeared stoic yet subtly attentive to the outside world.

So the protagonist's blossoming was needed after all.

As they passed buildings and streets, he explained various things to him.

"People who are injured are staying around that path. Verde visits them morning and evening."

"Verde came to me and said he wanted to die. He said it's tough."

"I'll make sure he stays alive. And over there, people who are able to live are staying. We're prioritizing the reconstruction of the collapsed commercial district. The outskirts aren't that important."

"Is there any shortage of supplies?"

"Lady Arnold was concerned about that as well, but it seems she plans to consult with Your Grace about whether support from our side is possible."

"No, don't ask me..."

Just as he was about to say that he would go back and handle it, he saw children playing ahead.

"I'm going to be Sir Knight!"

"No, I'll be him! I'll be the Black Knight. You cried yesterday evening because you didn't want to eat beans! My sister says heroes eat everything well!"

"No! Sir Knight is tall. I'm the tallest, so I should be Sir Knight! I'm the Hero of Gallo!"

The chattering and squabbling sounds reached them.

By the way, the Black Knight? Surely not.

"...They're talking about you, right?"

"..."

"Hero of Gallo, they say. What thoughts come to mind seeing this, Black Knight and Hero of Gallo?"

"...I'm perplexed. Please don't look at me like that."

Leandros muttered to him, who was beaming with a broad smile.

Meanwhile, one of the little ones turned in their direction and exclaimed, jumping.

"It's Sir Knight!"

"Where? Really? Wow, it's Sir Knight!"

"He's really black and big!"

In an instant, the children who rushed over surrounded Leandros and chattered away.

Leandros, flustered, stood frozen in place, unable to prevent the children from pulling his cloak or clinging to his legs.

"Sir Knight! My mom says you're the coolest person in the world!"

"Show us this, show us the swoosh and the boom!"

"Sir Knight, can I touch this? Is this a sword? It's so big!"

Unable to even think of brushing away the small hands, Leandros simply stared at him.

It was a look asking for help somehow, but he just laughed heartily.

It was hilarious to see him awkward with children, just like with Jonas.

As Leandros stood helplessly between the laughing Arenheit and the children excited to see the "Hero of Gallo,"

One of the adults passing by while moving materials came and pulled the children away.

"You rascals! What are you doing to Sir Knight, being so rude! I'm sorry, Sir Knight. Since there are no adults to watch over the children, they wander around as they please."

"It's nothing."

"By the way, is the person next to you a companion of Sir Knight?"

"Yes. Hello."

As soon as he greeted, the man grabbed his hand warmly.

"I heard you stayed in the village until the end with Sir Knight. And the others helped evacuate the villagers. Truly, I can't thank Sir Knight's companions enough."

It wasn't as if they had saved the village out of pure hearts.

Feeling awkward, he wanted to pull his hand away, but the man continued speaking, firmly holding his hand.

"Even now, you're continuously treating the injured and guiding the village reconstruction, and I'm so grateful. We should hold a festival to honor our benefactors, but we can't, and I'm ashamed. Everyone feels the same way."

"It's nothing. We didn't help you expecting anything in return. Don't feel burdened."

"Once news of Gallo reaches the representative of the royal direct territory, support will come soon. Then we can find a little ease. Would you wait until then? I feel uncomfortable just receiving help and sending you off. We should offer some hospitality."

"W-well, about that."

"Please, I beg you. We can't just let Sir Knight and his companions leave like this. It's not right. You saved our village. You won't have to wait long."

Judging from this reaction, it was clear that Amelia hadn't disclosed the contents of the representative's letter to anyone.

She seemed to have quickly intercepted it and reported only to him.

Seeing the villager repeatedly requesting them to wait just a little longer, he felt strange.

You know, your representative said if you want support, come to a city called Valentine...

But with the village's actual administrative manager gone.

Gallo had neither a person who could go to Valentine nor the luxury to do so.

Would it be right to tell them this fact?

Amelia had probably chosen a course that would benefit the Hartmanns without hesitation and delivered the letter only to him.

"The thing is."

"Actually, some people are still saying bad things about you all. You might already know, but they're saying your motive for coming to this village is suspicious, or that you all made the elder disappear."

"That's."

"It made me angry to hear it. What nonsense to say about people who saved our village! All the causes are in our village, and you all were just unfortunately caught up in it."

That wasn't true. It really wasn't.

In a way, they were the ones who had triggered this incident.

"So don't be too hurt. We are on the side of Sir Knight and his companions."

He felt a slight churning in his stomach.

Things will get better when support comes. Then we'll definitely hold a festival. Please do come. The children are so happy...

In front of him, he couldn't outright say that the representative wouldn't come.

We need to leave for our next destination. So we can't help any more.

We have our own plans.

As his lips moved slightly, Leandros, noticing his expression, interjected gently.

"This person is a patient and cannot stand for long. Please understand."

"Ah, ah. Of course. That would be the case. I'm sorry. I kept talking for too long, holding onto an injured person."

He repeatedly apologized and left with the children.

To him, who was blankly watching them, Leandros asked.

"Is it weighing on your mind?"

"...There's probably no one in this village with the power to summon the representative here."

"Even so, there's no one who can blame us."

That's right.

He had thought so too and had decided to return to the castle.

But it was inevitable that his heart wavered.

Leandros placed his hand on his shoulder.

"And we too won't blame Your Grace for whatever decision you make."

"I don't want to wield you all at my whim. I don't want to make you all suffer because of my wrong judgment either."

"It's alright."

"Even if I make a mistake?"

"Your Grace has always been reckless, so whatever decision you make won't be surprising."

Was that an insult?

Feeling unsure, he looked at Leandros. He couldn't believe his eyes.

The corners of his mouth were raised slightly more than usual.

"Just convince us."

"Convince?"

"It's far better for us to suffer harm because we ourselves desire it than to suffer unwanted harm just because a superior ordered it."

"You're telling me to choose a path that harms you?"

"The path that brings profit cannot always be deemed right. Conversely, the choice that accepts harm cannot always be deemed wrong."

He let out a hollow laugh.

It seemed he was overflowing with confidence after taking down one incarnation of a deity.

Still, it didn't feel bad that Leandros spoke to him like this.

There was one thing he realized anew at this point.

The mistake he had made in the previous iteration.

The fact that he had decided everything.

In a world where only he regressed, it had been fundamentally impossible to overcome everything with his sole experience and knowledge.

Even if he regressed thousands of times, the people around him would remain the same.

Many people were intertwined in this story besides himself.

So, now he should stop making judgments and decisions alone.

"I'll try to convince you all."

He hoped there would be a better ending at the end of this.

With that thought, he promised Leandros.