“But…”
People were already starting to move as the morning sun illuminated the village.
There was a well along the path that pierced through the village, and the women had gathered around it.
And men carrying baskets or pulling horses could be seen as well.
He saw some children running towards a small house with smoke coming out of the chimney.
There was a gentle hill outside the village, where numerous apple trees grew.
“This, a nice village.”
“…You can tell?”
The kobold nodded at Keita.
Even if they looked different, he could see the peaceful lives these people must live.
As if seeing what he had lost, Sheto smiled at the sight, and then pointed to one of the buildings with a chimney.
“There. Cooking house?”
“Yes. There are many communal areas in this village. In the house with the chimney, they can both cook and use it as a smithy for farm tools. I think the morning bread should finish baking soon.”
“What! I want to see it!”
Fi said while taking a step forward. As they walked, several of the villagers noticed Keita.
“Good morning, Sir Hero.”
“Mr. Rejinas. Good morning. Thank you for yesterday. Are you headed to the mountains today?”
“After the monsters passed through, all of the beasts ran away. I’ll just have to be a watch guard for some time now.”
Said the hunter. He only glanced towards Sheto, and then walked away.
“Ah, Hero. Morning.”
Said an elderly man who had just emerged from a hut.
“Good morning, Mr. Selick. How is your back?”
The man, who had short, salt and pepper hair, slapped his lower back.
“Feeling better, thanks to you. I should be able to return to work by tomorrow.”
“Please don’t overdo it. The land development efforts won’t progress without you.”
“I know! Well, see you.”
After that, others called out to Keita, and he answered them politely.
“Keita. Are you, village chief?”
Sheto asked when they were alone again. The boy shook his head with an embarrassed expression.
“It’s not like that at all. But, perhaps I do represent them in a way.”
“Morning, Mr. Keita!”
“Good morning, mister!”
Some children shouted. They held small baskets and pots and seemed to be running errands.
One of them looked at Sheto and pointed.
“Why is there a kobold here!”
“Mister! Drive it away!”
“There’s a wolf and a strange lizard too!”
“Who are you calling a strange lizard! I happen to be a dragon!”
Keita had to hold Fi back as he squatted down in front of the children.
“You know how people were attacked on the way to this village?”
“Yes! I heard that you and the fathers fought off the monsters!”
“Well, this kobold helped us.”
“No way!”
“Why would a kobold do that!”
The children shouted. Still, they were looking at Sheto with interest.
“Sheto has his reasons. Regardless, he is now helping friends of Lady Canila.”
“Hmm?”
“Hey, you! Stop bothering Keita!”
An elderly woman shouted from the building, and then the children scattered.
“Really, those children… I’m sorry about that. I’ll talk to them later.”
“It’s fine. Is the bread ready?”
“Aye. I’m just cleaning up now… Ah, so this is the kobold they’re talking about.”
She took a look at Sheto and then turned to Keita with an exasperated laugh.
“You are too kind for your own good. Even though we need help, you not only get people from other villages, but even drag in monsters?”
“It’s not like that. He is…”
“Well, nevermind. The men may complain about it, but I’m on your side!”
She slipped Keita on the back, and then invited them into the building.
Intense heat greeted them, and they saw that several women were pulling the bread out of the large stone ovens.
“Woah…amazing.”
Fi said as he took pictures of the sight.
“But why are you cooking her? Why not the stoves in your houses?”
“If everyone use, one fire, less firewood is used. Cooking together, mean you can share food.”
“Besides, you need a lot of heat to cook bread. It’s best to do a lot at once.”
“I see…”
Awe, this is nice