Kousuke felt the conversation was veering off track, so he turned his gaze to Romana.
“So? That wasn’t the only thing you wanted to talk about, was it?”
In response to Kousuke’s question, Romana shook her head.
“Of course, I have other objectives, but that is what I wanted to talk about the most. Thanks to you all, our village is changing for the better.”
There was no lie in Romana’s words.
The village, which had been shrouded in a sense of stagnation, had been revitalized by the arrival of Kousuke and his companions and the installation of the teleport gate.
As a representative of the village, she wanted to convey her gratitude by reporting on the current situation.
“On behalf of the villagers, I thank you.”
Romana bowed her head, and Kousuke and Colette exchanged a glance before Colette nodded.
Colette’s expression clearly showed that she had put the past behind her.
Seeing this, Kousuke also felt at ease and turned back to Romana.
“I accept your gratitude, but it’s too early to be relieved, don’t you think?”
“What do you mean?”
Kousuke added more to Romana, who looked puzzled by his words.
“Just because someone becomes pregnant doesn’t mean they can deliver safely. There are things that happen afterward too. There are still many problems.”
“That is certainly true. We are doing our utmost to accommodate them in the village.”
For Elves, who had difficulty conceiving, a pregnant woman was treated with the utmost care.
Of course, they weren’t doted on unnecessarily, but they were considered those who needed to be protected above all else.
The Tower’s village had a similar custom, and it remained unchanged even now that more children were being born compared to before.
Everyone understood that even though children were precious, the challenges began not only before they were conceived but even more so after they were born.
After all, no Elf was born an adult.
“Children are treasures. That’s probably true in every village.”
Rirazu, who had been silently listening to their conversation, interjected with a deep nod.
As the representative of the village in the Tower, he was one of those who had most closely observed these changes.
He had personally felt the stark differences between the past and the present, before and after moving to the Tower.
“I suppose so. I feel that way every time I visit this village.”
Romana nodded, her expression a mixture of envy and sadness.
“If the children are born safely, won’t the same happen in your village?”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
Kousuke, sensing the meaning behind Romana’s expression, offered this advice. Romana nodded with a startled look.
She reconsidered, thinking it was pointless to worry needlessly.
Regaining her composure thanks to Kousuke’s words, Romana added.
“Our village still has a long way to go. There’s no use envying others.”
Her companions said nothing further in response.
They understood that she didn’t want validation, but rather someone to listen to her.
Romana, sensing this, blushed slightly.
“Ah, how embarrassing. To be at this age and still have to confide in someone like this.”
“No matter your position or age, it’s good to have someone to talk to, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Rirazu’s words seemed to re-energize Romana, and she nodded.
Then, Romana turned her gaze to Kousuke and Colette and said.
“Kousuke-sama, and Colette… no, Colette-sama. I know it’s a bold request, but would you mind visiting our village sometime?”
At Romana’s words, Kousuke and Colette looked at each other again.
Both wore expressions of pure surprise.
Kousuke was one thing, but Colette’s visit to the village was expected to stir up unnecessary trouble. For this reason, Colette had not visited the Seuri Forest village since the teleport gate was established.
Not to match Colette’s actions, but Kousuke himself had never visited until now.
He hadn’t expected Romana to have a reason to request a visit so strongly.
As if reading their thoughts, Romana continued.
“As I mentioned earlier, rumors about you two have spread throughout my village. Along with what’s happening here. I’d like you to take this opportunity to visit. Of course, I won’t force you…”
Romana’s gaze then shifted to Colette.
Given their past, bringing her along might have the opposite effect.
Furthermore, Colette was currently pregnant.
Even if she was in her stable period, it would be counterproductive to push her too hard.
If Colette, a symbol of fertility, were to miscarry, it could quickly turn the current positive situation sour.
Therefore, Romana had no intention of forcing Colette.
However, she desperately wanted them to visit for the sake of the village.
Sensing Romana’s feelings, Kousuke sighed and looked at Colette.
“Colette, what do you think?”
For Kousuke, it didn’t matter either way.
He certainly had no intention of pushing Colette into anything reckless.
He didn’t mind cutting ties with the village’s circumstances.
While he had already come to terms with the past, if visiting the village would negatively affect Colette, it would be better not to go at all.
Kousuke looked at Colette, leaving the decision to her. Colette let out a wry smile.
“Kousuke, you worry too much. Romana has gone to such lengths to ask us to come; surely she has her reasons?”
Colette said something that Kousuke didn’t understand, but Romana seemed to grasp it immediately.
She nodded with a wry smile.
“It probably seems disingenuous to you, Colette-sama.”
“Romana, you worry too much too. I’m not bothered by it anymore. The reason I haven’t gone until now was purely to avoid causing unrest in the village.”
“I’m glad you say that…”
“You don’t need to apologize anymore.”
Colette waved her hand, interrupting Romana, who was about to bow her head again.
“So? It’s probably difficult to visit today, so when would be good?”
Colette knew that Kousuke was free all day but assumed the Seuri Forest village would not be prepared, so she quickly moved the conversation forward.
“If you two can spare the time, we are available anytime from tomorrow onwards.”
“That’s right. In that case, how about tomorrow?”
“Oh? Kousuke, is that alright?”
“Well, yes. There aren’t any particularly urgent matters.”
While there were always things to do if he looked for them, none of them were of high priority.
The village visit was decided so easily that Romana bowed deeply and took her leave.
As she left the room where Kousuke and the others were, she walked away quickly, likely to convey the news of their visit to the village.
After seeing Romana off, Kousuke and the others continued with some aimless conversation.
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When Kousuke returned to the management layer and informed everyone about what happened at the Elf village, Shurein unexpectedly said.
“Hmm. May I go as well?”
“Shurein? I don’t see why not, but is something the matter?”
“No, nothing in particular. When it comes to children, Elves and Vampires are quite similar. I thought it might be helpful for reference.”
For Vampires, unlike Elves, having children was not as critical.
Of course, Vampires were not immortal and did need to procreate, but in terms of preserving the species, it was not as important.
This was evident from the example of the Prost Clan, who had been revived from a long time ago. Shurein wanted to see the Elf village and come to her own conclusions about what direction her own kind should take as Vampires.
In the end, Kousuke accepted Shurein’s proposal, and the three of them headed for the Seuri Forest village.
Once again, they were heading for the Seuri Forest.
Colette had a feeling, but something awaited them in the village. And Shurein would be joining them.
