In the cooking area, several furnaces stood, and pots were boiling over brightly blazing fires. Amidst the bustling housewives, the woman who had first welcomed them returned. She was carrying a pot, some bread, and a leather pouch.
“Here. Breakfast.”
“Thank you.”
“Where will you have lunch today? You can eat with us if you like?”
“I have to patrol the mountain today, so I asked Gemma to make me something I can take out.”
“Oh, dear. Being a Hero sure keeps you busy. Well, stop by for dinner then.”
“Very well. See you later then.”
While carrying the breakfast, which looked rather heavy, Keita started to walk. When Sheto offered to carry some, the boy smiled and nodded. They then began to go back from where they came.
“We can’t patrol while carrying this. So let’s eat breakfast first.”
“Yes! Let’s hurry up and eat!”
On their way back, they received cheese and freshly squeezed milk, which resulted in an extravagant breakfast table.
“The people sure do love you, Hero.”
“…Even though I haven’t done all that much. My main job is to create defense barriers around the village, and fight off monsters with the defense team. Also, I help to treat the sick and wounded and grow medicinal herbs.”
‘From what I can see, this village seems to be known for its apples. Have you tried artificial pollination or crossbreeding?’
“I don’t really have time for crossbreeding, but we’ve done some artificial pollination… In fact, they said there were more flowers in bloom this year, and were very happy.”
When talking about his achievements, Keita was very lively, unlike yesterday.
While Sheto didn’t really understand what he and the dragon god were talking about it, he understood that Keita was strongly attached to the village.
And so…
“Keita.”
“What is it?”
“You. Do you mean to lose, this game?”
While he was focusing on helping to develop the village, he was not actively going out and defeating monsters.
In other words, he was abandoning the work of leveling up. He was not acquiring power in order to be victorious.
The boy laughed sadly.
“I know that the Seer’s Hero is coming. Well, I know that eventually…a Hero with a higher level will come and defeat me.”
‘Still, we have no hostility towards anyone, and plan to declare defeat when the time comes. I doubt any god would still kill us.’
Sheto then smelled Salia’s sadness.
‘Are you really fine with that, Canila?’
‘Yes. I’ve already recovered everything I spent on Keita’s blessings.’
“I can’t become a Hero who saves the world. However, I can be a Hero who makes a village happy…I think.”
It was the words of someone who saw everything, and knew what they should do.
Sheto let out a sigh.
“I, am jealous, of you.”
“Sheto?”
“If I, lose, I die. That is all.”
After seeing the village in the morning, a certain thought had occurred to him.
In a way, this was the future he had wished for. A peaceful world where he and other kobolds could live.
However, there was a big difference between him and Keita.
“Even if you lose, the village will stay. The villagers, will remember you. But if I die, it’s all over.”
“Ah…”
“Kobolds, just monsters. If I die, no one will care.”
The breakfast table suddenly seemed very cold.
Still, Keita opened his mouth desperately.
“In-in that case…”
‘Stop. You must not make that suggestion.’
The dragon god stopped him.
‘If you did that, it will result in the worst trouble for you. It could result in a disaster…where this whole village will be wiped away in a flash.’
“What…”
‘You think of things too lightly. Remember the reaction of the villagers yesterday. As someone from another world, you cannot imagine how deep the roots of opposition go.’
It was at that point that Sheto realized what Keita was about to propose. And he was shocked.
The very idea of accepting kobolds into this village.
‘Let me ask you this. If this town were to accept monsters like kobolds, it would be seen as an enemy from neighboring villages and even countries. Can you really protect this village and help it to develop under such circumstances?’
Keita was silent.
It really was strange. Sheto was reminded of what he had felt towards these people several times.
These Heroes from other worlds.
Their actions really were those of children
They were creatures of emotion. It almost felt foolish to judge their actions as good or evil.
“Sorry…I…just…”
“It’s fine. I was…complaining. Don’t be, bothered.”
It was a little more than complaining.
While he was fighting for his life, he had it so easy where all he needed to think about was doing good deeds.
“Wha…what?”
The blue dragon noticed his gaze, and turned away awkwardly.
“I, mean to hunt all. Heroes, Demon King. And make a forest, where kobolds are not harmed. Don’t need, your help.”
“Do you…really mean that?”
The Hero looked confused and surprised. Sheto nodded.
“Sheto…”
“Still, I won’t…hunt those, who won’t fight.”
The Hero looked downwards and then bowed his head.
“Thank you.”
Just then, the door of the house was hit rough.
“Keita! Come quick!”
“…What is it!?”
“Monsters have entered the village!”
Everyone became nervous at that.
However, Sheto’s face contorted with pain as he heard the following words.
“…Koolds. In the traps outside of the village! Come quickly!”
Noooo!