CH 123

Afterwards, we purify the parasitic mushroom controlling Zahle, and the villagers gradually start to wake up.

One of the first people to wake up is the village chief, and we explain to him what is happening to this country.

Other people gather around us to listen too.

“And so, we decided to let ourselves in here on our way to the capital. And then, they purified the parasitic mushrooms that infected all of you.”

I tell them mostly about what Ahri, Roa, and Taula did, and the village chief and villagers seem moved.

They all praise and thank them, and the trio responds with smiles. But for some reason, their eyes aren’t smiling, and they look a little scary pointed my way.

The village chief insists we spend the night in the village as a way to let them thank us. That night, the three women would be very mad at me.

Ahri smiles

Roa is silent.

Taula looks calm and composed.

It looks like everything is as it usually is, but the pressure is very strong.

I apologize profusely for worrying them, and tell them what I did was absolutely necessary. I also tell them the role that this magic potion I made using blood, bloody potion, will play.

“Master Rust?”

“Yes?”

Ahri calls out to me with a smile on her face, and I stop my fervent explanation.

“I understand that you need this bloody potion. But there wasn’t a need for you to test it on your own body.”

“Hum, but see… If I asked someone else and it turned out to be irreversible…”

“That means it was dangerous for you too.”

Points out Roa.

“Do you understand the consequences there would be if anything happened to you?”

“…Kalin would probably lead the soldiers in Habbafulton and attack the capital. But Kalin is bad against enemies that use tricks like these, even if she’s known as the heroic demon slayer. Fighting this demon would probably lead to a lot of damage.”

“I see, at least you understand that much. If there is a need for something like that in the future, ask Roa or me.”

“No, that is my duty. I have been saved twice, so that is a good opportunity for me to repay my debt.”

Taula cuts in.

“…No, I can’t do that to any of you. I can’t promise you that!”

My response is a little delayed, but I can’t back down from this.

“Then please try not to create a situation like this. Try not to depend on human experimentation. I’m sure someone like you can do that.”

Ahri’s high expectations feel a little suffocating. Roa and Taula are also looking at me with serious expressions.

“All right. I’ll try my best.”

It’s all I can do to even say this before scurrying away.

I enter one of the rooms the village chief let us have for the night, and finally take a breather.

“…I guess I should prepare for tomorrow.”

I start getting ready to transmute, as a way to escape reality too.

I take out the bloody potion I stored, to use a few drops as material.

Then I use a scroll to make the drops float in the air, and start transmuting.

The next morning, we say goodbye to the villagers and leave Toma. I lend a few Hipopo Brothers to the village chief to help protect the village.

I raise my hand, as a way to tell them I’m counting on them.

For some reason, the villagers watching us leave let out a triumphant shout. I think they misunderstood my gesture.

“To our village’s saviors!”

“Good luck, saviors of our country!”

“Thank you!”

“Thank you for everything!”

We leave Toma behind with those encouraging words on our backs, and I feel a little awkward.