Chapter 302: Farewell, Panemo Village

Chapter 302: Farewell, Panemo Village Farewell, Panemo Village

* * *

“Welcome,” he said, and then, “Please leave the village.”

Unable to fully grasp Village Chief Toppipappugen’s true intentions, I tilted my head.

I’m not emitting black haze or anything.

I’m not that irritated.

In any case, I didn’t understand what he meant.

So, I was puzzled.

To explain how I feel, it’s something like this.

<I’m a bit annoyed...... but I think it’s okay to kill them......>

Calm down, Extra-sama.

You’re a bit too hotheaded.

Now, no matter what I’m thinking in my mind, my face is expressionless.

However, it seems that my bewilderment was fully conveyed to Village Chief Toppipappugen by the fact that I ended up freezing silently.

He scratched his head while slightly lowering his eyebrows with a troubled look.

“......I’m sorry. Honestly, I would like to at least hold a welcoming feast for you...... but there are circumstances that prevent me from letting you stay in this village.”

Then, after letting out a big sigh, the village chief began to explain those circumstances.

“Do you know the name of the noble who governs this area, including Panemo Village?”

“I don’t know.”

Of course I wouldn’t know.

In fact, I just learned from the village chief’s words that this country is called “Ashgo.”

<We crossed another country’s border without realizing it. We didn’t notice because we were basically progressing through the forest since escaping from the ruins.>

“......Then I’ll tell you, this land is the Daychib Duchy, governed by Duke Daychib. And this duke is...... despite his advanced age, a youthful person.”

Trickle, trickle......

The village chief slowly speaks while pouring the orange tea from the teapot-like object into our emptied teacup-like objects.

Slowly, while choosing his words.

“And we, the people of Ashgo, feel indebted to the black-haired and black-eyed people, but this person is different. The duke hates black hair and black eyes, no matter what.”

“Why?”

“......I’m sorry. I can’t go into details of this either. I cannot speak of the circumstances around here, it’s too dreadful.”

Gulp.

Saying that, the village chief took another sip of tea.

Again with “I can’t go into details”

I wonder what he means by dreadful?

While pondering that question, I also sipped my tea slowly.

“Anyway, the duke hates black hair and black eyes. If you catch his eye, he will probably cut you down on the spot, that’s how much he hates them. And since all the officials are at his beck and call, if they find you, they will immediately report you to the duke’s knights.”

“And I...... maybe even the villagers, will be captured?”

“Probably. In the past, it wasn’t this bad. There are no longer any loyal vassals to advise him, and those around him are honing their skills to please him every day...... ahem.”

After exchanging those words, I turned my back on Panemo Village and started walking on the white path.

“Myogomyoggoshugoshuggo...... Myogomyoggoshugoshuggo......”

The sound of Myogomyogoshugo reaching my ears is getting farther and farther away.

Instead, I start to hear the sound of the grass in the meadow surrounding the path rustling in the wind.

Looking at the meadow, I see various flowers growing there, such as yellow lily-like flowers and large, tall celery-like flowers.

And if I walk absentmindedly, a small lizard runs between my feet and immediately hides in the grass, disappearing from view.

When I turn around to follow the lizard’s movement with my eyes, I see a sun-tanned figure that has already become as small as a bean, standing on the other side of the path under the blue sky with arms crossed, watching me intently.

I don’t know if they can see me from over there.

I bowed once.

I couldn’t lift my head for a while.

* * *

Now.

Now, now, now!

Then, after walking straight on the white path and the village chief’s figure was completely out of sight, the fork he mentioned earlier appeared in front of me.

In the middle of that fork, there’s a brand new signboard.

It says, “Dead end! Entry prohibited due to danger!”

The village chief probably put it up.

“............”

I glanced at the signboard and...... ignoring its warning.

I changed my course and started walking towards the fork...... towards the cape where a monster is said to live.

<Emi, are you going to repay the tea and dried fish by exterminating the monster?>

Extra-sama speaks in an exasperated voice.

<Your gratitude is excessive. That monster is surely strong. It’s big, right?>

A big monster, that’s exactly why, Extra-sama.

<Huh......?>

Extra-sama let out a questioning voice, not understanding what I mean.

You see, Extra-sama.

I only stayed in that village for a short while.

But I certainly liked that village.

<Yes.>

But you know, Extra-sama.

That’s a separate matter.

<Yes?>

You see.

“I’m hungry.”

The words unintentionally slipped out.

And also, pitch-black haze.