While gazing out of the open window, he twirled the feather pen in his hand. The green fields swayed in the wind, sounding like ocean waves.
Keita just sat at his desk with an open book in front of him.
‘You aren’t making any progress.’
“Mmm…”
‘Are you wondering about Sheto?’
“…Sorry. I’ll get back to work.”
He gripped the pen again and staredd to write down the details in regards to the apple trees and artificial pollination. Still, after writing just a few lines, he stopped again.
‘At this rate, you won’t get anything done no matter how many hours you sit there. Perhaps you should go out and get some air?’
“…I don’t feel like doing that.”
Canila sighed and fell silent. Keita then stood up and picked up the staff that was next to the table.
“Twist and layer. Radiant resonance come forth!”
A small light appeared at the tip of his staff, and he focused on it.
“Play. Play. Like the wings of a waterfowl.”
Fragments of light began to dance in front of him.
This was one of the training methods he had learned. Canila had guided him to an old magician who had told him that this would help him calm down.
“Descend and rise, just as my heart desires!”
As he watched the lights, he remembered something.
“Draw in and pull away, a rippling radiance of light!”
The feeling of having these lights come together and shoot the enemy. The thrill of having an enemy charge at you. And the excitement of overcoming that danger.
“Descend and… Ah!?”
Suddenly, the lights exploded and the tip of his staff was burned black.
Keita let out an exaggerated sigh and then sat down and looked up at the ceiling.
“It’s no use.”
‘…Do you want to go with Sheto?’
Canila sounded neither sad or angry.
But she did sound nervous. Could it be that she was afraid?
“Canila?”
‘It’s fine. You should do as you wish.’
“Bu…but, this village…”
‘The treasures from the dungeon will help the village thrive. They just need a priest to come and visit, and become my disciple. That way, the barrier will protect them, even if you are not here.’
As she talked, the more calm she sounded. On the other hand, Keita felt more anxious now that it had been put into words.
“But everyone is relying on me. I think they would be in trouble if I left.”
‘That is true.’
“Besides, didn’t we make a promise? To help those who are affected negatively by the games.”
‘Yes, we did.’
She said flatly. Canila really was acting differently now.
“What’s the matter! Do you really think that I should have gone with them!?”
‘That is not how I feel. That is how you feel, Keita.’
“No!”
He said instinctively as he rose to his feet.
He had decided to become the Hero of this village.
“I wouldn’t…”
Still, something was off. A difference in what he really wanted was starting to appear.
‘Of course, I want you to stay here in this village. While the dungeon is gone, not everything has been resolved.’
It was starting to darken outside. The sun was falling behind the mountains, and the world would be plunged into shadows soon.
‘But ever since yesterday, you have looked as if you left your heart somewhere else. Even the villagers have noticed it.’
“What…?”
Upon hearing that, Keita thought back on his whole day. No children had come to play with him.
But things had seemed a little tense after the incident with Sheto. And he had not thought too much about it.
“Could it be…that they hate me now?”
‘I don’t think so. But they have noticed that you act differently.’
Keita sat back down and pressed his staff against his forehead.
Should he go after Sheto now?
The dungeon adventure had gone so well. From Salia’s orders to Sheto’s courage and ability. Fi’s scouting and Guto’s ambush.
‘It really is different when a magician is in the party. You have so many more options for strategy.’
Fi had told him that on the way back. Even Sheto, who had been so hostile at first, waved to him when they parted ways.
Perhaps he had a place with them.
Among those who were not normal. Not humans.
‘Could you stop that? Acting as if we’re friends.’
The words pierced his chest.
‘I’m not interested in any of that. I was just curious at the time… Stop bothering me now.’
He did not want to experience that again.
“I’m fine, Canila.”
Keita said cheerfully.
“I am the Hero of this village. Nothing else matters.”
‘Are you sure?’
“Isn’t that the contract? A god shouldn’t suggest that I break it.”
He said with a chuckle, and she also laughed.
‘Alright then. You must focus on your work. Things should return to normal tomorrow.’
“I know. Well, I’m going to go and get dinner then.”
Keita put down his staff and exited the door of his hut.
At the same time, he still felt something in his heart.
‘Are you sure?’
Keita clenched his fists.
As if to carve it deep within. No. It was impossible to be anything but the Hero of this village.