“First, let me thank you. For saving the merchants.”
The Hero said as he bowed.
“Uh…huh?”
“I received a report from a hunter who was in the mountains. He saw traces of the monsters having passed through, but I thought that I might be too late. Those people are alive because of you.”
“Ah…ah.”
What was with this guy?
Sheto stared at the boy in front of him.
“Uh, did you not understand what I just said?”
“…No, I do.”
“Hey, Hero! There are wounded here! Please help!”
“Yes! I’ll be right there! Uh, sorry. Could you wait a minute?”
Without waiting for an answer, the boy ran off to where someone had been dragged out from a pile of bricks.
‘What is it?’
“No…um…”
He didn’t know what he should say. What had been said to him just now?
Some of the humans that had just arrived were now looking at him with hostility and suspicion. And that was understandable.
However, the Hero had been completely different.
‘Are you surprised? That he thanked you.’
“…Yes…”
‘The person he receives blessings from is my old friend. And so she told him. To not fight you as an enemy. Of course, he agreed.’
“Why?”
Was all he could say.
What reason would there be for that?
“Sheto!”
While ignoring the crumbling cliff, Guto rushed down while Fi rode on his back.
“Are you alright!? Were you hurt!?”
“Aye, there is no worry. Besides, I heal quickly.”
“…Sheto… Um… I…”
The eyes were filled with regret. Sheto smiled with a nod.
“I, Salia’s subordinate. Sometimes it’s not bad, doing things like this.”
“Sheto…”
“They would have, died. You are kind, Fi. For not abandoning them.”
He said as he patted the dragon on the head. Fi just looked down and didn’t move.”
“…Tha-that’s right! I picked them up! The arrows you used!”
As if to escape Sheto’s hand, Fi pulled out the arrows from his saddle bag. He had already cleaned off the blood, and they were not bent.
“Well done. Things like this, might happen again. So I’ll count on you.”
“There were a few that were stuck and had to leave…”
“Fine. Still have more arrowheads. Can make more later. Guto!”
The star wolf got back up and Sheto climbed onto the saddle.
“Let’s go. Get on, Fi.”
“Ah…yes.”
“No, wait Sheto. Don’t go yet.’
Just as Salia said it, the Hero came running back.
“Hey, wait a minute! Where are you going!?”
“Monsters, all dad. I, will go.”
“But I haven’t finished thanking you yet! Just wait a little more…”
“I, didn’t do it to be thanked.”
He could not help but sound sharp when talking to the Hero. This caused the others to also look at him more angrily.
“I, hunted them. For experience points. Finished. Will go now.”
‘…Sheto.’
The air became sad, and he could smell Salia’s feelings.
Yes, he knew that it was unbecoming for him to be reacting like this.
‘I understand how you feel. However, he is likely being honest when he says that he is grateful to you.’
“…That’s…his choice. Nothing to do with me.”
‘Um…could I speak to you a little?’
Sheto raised his head at the unfamiliar voice.
“Who are you?”
‘Canila Farada. A goddess who is participating in the games with Keita. Sheto…will you listen to what I have to say?’
She sounded strangely modest. An air that was very different compared to Salia and the dragon god. And so Sheto nodded.
‘I have heard all about you. How your family and friends were killed, how you were attacked by Heroes. Of the horrible things you experienced…(
“What about that? You, plays games. You make the rules. I, don’t care anymore.”
‘…Indeed. There is nothing I can say now that will change anything for you. But…’
The goddess Canila spoke with great earnestness.
‘You helped our friends from certain death. That is true without a doubt. And so…thank you.’
“…Ye…yes.”
Sheto felt terribly tired now.
Unexpected words from someone he had assumed was an enemy.
“What is it? Sheto?”
Fi must have been listening as well. He now looked at Sheto with a puzzled expression.
“Were you too reckless after all? Even with auto-recovery. It’s just like pushing the fatigue back a little.”
“No…I’m fine.”
‘I understand your hesitation. But, this one is not like the other Heroes. Canila is also not like the other gods. She is participating for different reasons.’
Sheto then turned to the boy.
As he was sitting on Guto, their eyes were at the same level. The black hair, eyes, and flat face. He had freckles on his nose.
He really was a child. Just like the others.
And yet…he was not an enemy?
“…I know this is an awkward time. But it’s quite moving.”
“What, do you mean?”
“In this world, beastkin only exist on the monster side. So I’ve never seen one up close before.”
The Hero smiled without any sense of caution. If Sheto wanted to, he could take out his hatchet and slash his throat right here.
“Fine. That’s enough.”
He said, unable to hide his irritation.
He didn’t care what the Hero was thinking anymore. If he was not an enemy, then it meant he could save his strength.
“Be grateful, if you want. I’m, leaving.”
“But where will you sleep tonight?”
That’s when Sheto realized that the sun had become quite low. At this rate, it would be dark by the time they found a good campsite.
“Will search now. No time. Don’t stop me anymore.”
“In that case, you should come to the village where I live.”
Not just Sheto, but even the other humans were stunned.
“He-hey. Wait, Keita! Are you really thinking about letting him in the village!?”
“Yes. He saved the people who were going to come to our village, so it’s the least we can do.”
“That is going too far! He is a kobold!”
“He is not an ordinary kobold! He is a Hero, just like me!”
The ridiculous argument continued, and Sheto just watched silently.
Surely he should have predicted this reaction. Was this Hero really so ignorant?
“Fi. We must search for a place to rest. Might be hard. Sorry.”
“Ah…that’s fine. I’m used to not having a roof over my head.”
Fi said with exasperation, and Guto yawned.
However, the argument suddenly came to an end.
‘Everyone, please listen to me.’
The humans all looked around in surprise.
‘Please allow this one to enter. I, goddess Canila Farada, will guarantee that he is safe and innocent.’
Apparently, those who followed the Hero were able to hear her voice. And then those who had been complaining started to accept the Hero’s argument.
“Sorry. You will be able to come into the village now.”
“Won’t it…hurt your position?”
“Maybe…”
The Hero shrugged with a chuckle.
“But I was interested in you. And it would be a waste to say goodbye now.”
“Fine. We’ll go.”
While he was clearly just trying to be nice, it was rather troublesome for Sheto. The people from the village, as well as those in the wagons, were all looking at him with suspicion.
“Alright, let’s go then. …Everyone, please start moving! As for the formation…”
The Hero took the lead and gave out detailed orders. Sheto muttered as he watched.
“Fi. Keep your guard up in the village. Remember, stay ready to leave.”
“…Yes.”
Sheto held the reins tightly and followed after the Hero.
Thank you!