Chapter 3 – Drive Out
Keita walked through the mist-filled village, just before dawn.
Soon, the people would be waking up and starting their morning work.
Right now, such simple thoughts brought him pain.
When he reached the gates, the guard standing there raised his spear and faced him.
“Good morning, Sir Hero. I heard that you would be leaving.”
“Thank you.”
He turned towards the opening doors, as if to look away from the Seer’s crast that was on the guard’s shield.
There was no one on the familiar road in front of the village. It was no wonder. Since he had told the others to not see him off.
“Well, farewell. Have a good journey.”
The soldiers smiled and bowed their heads. Keita could do little but keep a straight face as he passed through the gates.
And then the doors shut behind him.
“Wai…”
He turned around to be met with the doors, reinforced with plates of iron. The sight of the village behind it was not completely closed off.
As the sky gained tints of blue, his feet felt heavy. It was as if he were wearing shackles.
He walked, and walked. And then reached a branching path.
If he took the left, he would reach the Limris Kingdom. If he went to the right, it would take him through the mountain road and to the ancient kingdom of Kaiter.
Keita stood there, dumbfoundedly.
“Which…way should I go?”
His voice faded in the quiet air.
If Canila was there, he could not hear her.
Perhaps she had abandoned him. Of course, as long as he continued to exist, he would have the blessing.
But he no longer felt any connection.
And then Keita remembered it.
The meeting with the Seer.
—
Ever since he heard Vengras’s confession, Keita’s heart became unbearably heavy.
The villagers thought he was still recovering from his fight with the Demon King, and so they left him alone. Vengras also avoided him.
Keita was relieved, but there was also an air of hopelessness as the days went by.
“No. This isn’t right.”
He declared aloud. But the goddess who was supposed to be by his side remained quiet.
“Just because the other god is strong, it doesn’t mean he can do whatever he wants. If they came a little sooner, fewer people would have died.”
He did not expect an answer. At first, she had offered some consoling words. But they became fewer, and then stopped altogether.
“Whatever Canila thinks, I won’t accept this. After all, clearly…they used this attack on the village to create a base on the frontlines! But they didn’t have to do it that way… They could have just come sooner and taken it…”
As Keita had plenty of time to think, the situation became more clear in his head.
How they had allowed the monsters to roam free, so that they could attack the village.
Canila had also been told about Sheto and Salia in order to use them.
He didn’t know how much of it was all planned by the Seer. But the idea that villages died because of it…
“Surely I should be able to protest somehow… If Canila doesn’t want to. Then I could…”
‘The Seer’s god seat is…closed. And it will not allow any lesser gods in until the game is finished.’
“If you knew, you should have told me! Something so important!”
‘…I’m sorry.’
His irritation sparked like fireworks. Keita snorted at the goddess’s bitter words.
“You made me wait so long, just to say that! Do you know how it felt to…”
“Excuse me.”
There was a knock on the door. And then the tactician’s cool voice rang.
“I hope I am not interrupting anything. May I come in?”
“…Yes.”
And then Vengras entered.
He appeared to be alone.
“How do you feel?”
“I’m fine now…physically.”
Perhaps it was due to his frustration, but he spoke roughly. But the tactician did not seem to notice as he nodded.
“Did…something happen?”
“Our god, the Seer, Furukamuto, wishes to meet with you.”
Thank you for the chapter