Upon hearing the true words, everyone returned to their senses.
After that, we took advantage of the village chief’s kindness and stayed in the village for about two days. Thanks to the treatment for the injuries I had sustained so far, my physical condition improved considerably.
“Are you alright now?”
“Yes, thanks to all of you. Thank you very much.”
Finally, I thanked the village chief and the villagers once more. The villagers continued to stare at us with their unsettling gazes. I suppose they are always like this. I can understand why the Hunter Harpies from the home country would respect them. It’s impossible to predict what they are thinking or what moves they will make.
“I see. Then please be careful. It pains me to see people I know get hurt. Do you know the way to Shindo?”
“Yes, we have a map. I wish you all well too.”
The village chief sent us off with a kind smile. After that, as I said, I started heading towards Shindo while looking at the map.
“Even so, it was tough… But why did everyone return to normal all at once, even though I only spoke to Philiana?”
“Words carry souls. Even if you don’t have magic power, sincere words from the heart will reach the other person.”
Elana says that, but does she mean that a single word broke everyone’s enchantments? It was certainly a heartfelt word, but yes, that letter should still be here. I rummaged through my luggage and found that damnable white envelope. This must be completely erased.
I burned the letter with fire. Don’t think you can have everything your way, you selfish Vampire.
“But what are we going to do? We’re completely wanted criminals. Won’t we be caught the moment we enter Shindo?”
As Nina said, the Light Elves probably know about the fight with Cedric too. Now, what should we do? Should we bypass the town without entering it? Sharin opened her mouth, looking at the map.
“There’s no need to go straight through the center. There should be smaller shops around, I think. At worst, we can camp out and just gather supplies.”
“That’s right. Ugh, even so, I don’t feel like I’ve rested at all. It’s like I was having a bad dream. Well, it wasn’t a dream…”
Do they all remember that time? If so, it might have been harder for them than for me. In a way, I had a tough time, but I also had the precious experience of being fought over by girls. I might have used up my lifetime supply of popularity with this.
“Hey Hiroaki, why are you grinning like that?”
“Well, anyone would be happy to be loved so passionately by you. You’ve made a lifelong memory.”
Nina was angry, puffing out her cheeks, teased by Elana, who was still sane. The others all looked uncomfortable.
We continued walking towards Shindo, chatting about trivial things and taking breaks. So far, there’s no sign of anyone following us. But we can’t let our guard down; we don’t know when or from where we might be attacked. Someone who suddenly appears out of nowhere might be an enemy.
We crossed paths with the night and continued our journey as the morning sun rose. After a while, buildings began to appear one by one. It looked as if trees had been randomly cut down and forcibly installed there. The road exists, but it’s unmaintained and made of gravel. Some carriages are left abandoned as they are. No, upon closer inspection, there are clothes drying, so someone must be living inside. It’s like a camper van.
A rustling sound came from my feet as a newspaper was blown away by the wind. It had a large headline: “Pharmaceutical Association Chairman Suspected of Fraud in Clinical Trials.” Come to think of it, I wonder if Marcos, who saved me, and his parents are doing well.
This place we are walking through is supposedly part of Shindo, but it looks completely different. Tattered houses, beggars sitting on the street, empty sake bottles and cigarette butts scattered everywhere. There is no trace of the clean townscape I saw before. Tall buildings I can only gaze up at are hazy in the distance.
Flies swarm over unknown garbage and livestock droppings. Because of that, I feel like there’s a constant stench.
“To think a place like this existed…”
“It exists everywhere. Cleanliness is only in a small part.”
Nina said so, her face contorted as she looked around warily. Pauline and Piyo looked anxious. It might be best to find lodging quickly and hide ourselves.
I decided to ask if there were any inns available nearby. It seems large enough and relatively decent. When I entered, the shopkeeper was sitting there with a lack of motivation.
“Is the room available?”
“…Yes, it’s available, but.”
He’s chewing gum while dealing with customers. Well, whatever, we’re leaving soon anyway. For the time being, we were able to rent four rooms. As soon as we entered our individual rooms, Cecilia started complaining.
“What is this place? It constantly smells like him.”
“Hey, what does that mean, you flat-chested elf?”
As Karubene shot back, I decided to go shopping, leaving everyone behind.
