Chapter 536: Refrain
Today marks the one-week since the march by several hundred people that began in the craftsman village. The royal court, which at first did not seem to understand this 「Mass exodus」 and did not seem to understand what was happening, has indeed fully grasped the situation over the past few days and has tightened its pursuit.
“This means that we have taken away almost all of the ironworkers in this closed kingdom.It would be a huge miscalculation if we had to support an unreasonable increase in the number of people”
“Due to the extreme grouping of occupations, it is unlikely that we will be able to find a replacement”
In that sense, our actions to evacuate the craftsman village may have inadvertently caused considerable damage. The reason why only about ten or so of the three hundred heroes always come out is because, besides the narrow roads, it is also because they cannot procure weapons. In fact, some of the heroes sometimes come with wooden swords or wooden spears. However, Neia is particularly distressed by the gasps of the villagers who are suffering from the unfamiliarity of the move.
“The difficulty of retreating while protecting so many civilians……I’m beginning to think that maybe it was a mistake to bring everyone in the craftsman village so easily”
“……It’s not a mistake”
Tetes denies it as she looks sideways at the villagers’ backs as they continue down the cliff path.
“The choice to abandon them even after being asked for help should not be in Master’s or Neia’s mind. Should we call their decision a mistake in a situation where they have no choice?”
“……That’s just the way it is, though”
“And a cause is important. Aside from Master, Neia-san, who works by the logic of trying to save the country, should not be able to endure……so long in a situation where everything she protects is across the street. Even if it is only a few hundred people out of 30,000, Neia-san needs to have something to protect behind her”
“……Truly, I’m glad Tetes was there”
“E, Emm……all of a sudden?”
“No, no, I’m not that smart”
Even though we try our best to remain calm, if we are in a difficult situation and are dominated by weakness, we may end up doubting our own choices like we did just now. However, Tetes is calculating the effects of her actions to the point of cool-headedness. That is encouraging. Yes, it is. There is no point in assuming that it would have been easier if we had not done what we did. Reality is always moving forward. If we have time to regret, we must recognize the advantage we still have and use it to think about what to do next. Tetes’ way of dealing with such reality is sometimes too immediate and dangerous, but it certainly seemed necessary at this time.
“Now……all we have to do is to see when 100-man commander Dianne will make their move”
“If they made it home safely, it shouldn’t be too late……I think”
“This place is all about location. I’m also reminded that I can’t approach things half-heartedly. ……No matter how good 100-man commander Dianne is, I think it’s best not to be too optimistic”
“……Right”
In the end, we have to bet on her arrival. But we can’t go about things thinking that it will be tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
“But……I guess we also have to prepare some answers to how long this hypothetical situation will last after this”
“That’s……true, though”
We can endure. Dianne always helps me in the end. Even if she runs out of energy along the way, she will surely come to the aid of her friends who remain behind. Dianne is the trump card in our hearts and even if it is Rainer or a dragon, we can believe that she will never give up. But what about the villagers in the craftsman village who are suffering and traveling? For example, even if they were able to continue upstream and settle down somewhere, how long would they have to wait in limbo, embittered and in limbo with the current royal palace……such questions would eventually arise. Convince many people. We have to convince a lot of people to remain on our side. It’s terribly hard……kings and nobles have all been thinking about such things for generations and when I think about it, I realize that I’m not suited for royalty and nobility after all.
The dragon perception that Maia possesses is very effective against the heroes that attack night and day and the attack can be detected at least thirty minutes in advance. There is almost no doubt about its accuracy. Once the med was established, Maia was put in charge of magic treatment, which was difficult for the other members of the team, or hunting monsters for food. Since Maia had so far only been protecting the wounded, the monster hunting had been left to Neia and Brian, who were free to do so. Tetes and Apple had taken care of wounds and physical condition, but they were not strong enough to deal with hundreds of people.
“Maia. You’ve been working a lot, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Don’t underestimate a dragon’s stamina”
Maia was always working hard, never taking a break. She never rests, never eats, heals people’s wounds, carries monsters and sends out the news of the approach of the heroes.
“If Maia fails, it’s the end for us. Please don’t do anything unreasonable”
“I’m not at all unreasonable. ……I’m glad you’re here”
Maia was always running around without rest, smiling really happy.
“I am Andy-sama’s dragon. A dragon that is very busy working to embody justice for its rider. ……It’s a great honor to be used so much that I can do my best for my rider, Andy-sama”
“……When people react that way, I don’t know how to reward them for their hard work”
“You don’t have to reward me. I am Andy-sama’s and I am most happy when he is happy with my help and I am most sad when he doesn’t depend on me. So now I am blissful”
“……I don’t like it when you’re sometimes too healthy like that”
“……Really? I hope you get used to it. Besides……”
Maia whispered.
“In that case, when you’re done with all this busy work, I’d like you to have sex with me over and over again until I get pregnant properly. I’m sure that’s what Andy-sama and I would be most happy about”
“……A, Ah”
In the end, maybe that’s all I have.
“……It looks like the hero squad is coming again soon. I can hear footsteps. There are some people walking around on the cliff, so be careful”
The two heroes and Tetes, who are combatants, confirmed their positions under Maia’s direction and headed back to intercept them. I can do nothing but watch them go.
And then. In this march, the one who more than anyone else held the villagers’ hearts was none other than Apple.
“Hang in there. We’re almost to the next break……”
“Ah, sorry, thanks……but I can’t do it anymore. I’d be a liability if I stayed. And I’m sure I’d be a distraction even if I survived……leave me here. I’ll at least buy you some time”
“Rodrigo……okay, I’ll stay, Apple-san, leave us here. As you can see, I’m already a piece of shit. I’m sure I could escape to the outside world like you guys said, but it wouldn’t help anyone. I’ve been a nuisance to everyone and if I’m just a liability on the outside, there’s no point in living anymore”
Someone said, 「The meaning of survival」. Then more and more villagers who are worried about their future, such as those with disabilities in their limbs, declare that they have dropped out of the village. What will happen to this country in the future? Where and how should they live now that they have abandoned the places where they used to live? Their anxiety about such things is amplified and many people make excusatory decisions, saying that they would rather die here than walk in pain and that their friends will be happy in the new world……no matter how many times we appeal to them, 「No, we’re almost there, you can’t die」, they never get it. At such a time, Apple took a deep breath and shouted,
“Don’t give up just like that!”
The villagers, who had decided to sit down and drop out, were stunned by Apple’s sudden, rough words. Apple faltered and choked as she continued to speak.
“Don’t give up just because you are afraid of the future! Don’t give up just because you are weak! Don’t give up just because your feet hurt or because you don’t have a home!”
“……Ah, Apple……san?”
“You can’t just give up on something like that! You are going to have a future where all of you are together! A future where you will see your children and grandchildren sleeping in warm beds with full bellies! The freedom to create and protect that future with your own hands!”
Apple. Clenching her fists and looking as scared as she could. I’m sure she speaks passionately to the people who have respected and appreciated her the most since she was born. A little later, it occurred to me that she was mimicking my example of preaching.
“Even a useless piece of shit like me, there were people who thanked me just for being alive! If I can move my hands just a little, if I can move my legs just a little, there are things I can do! Don’t rest on your laurels with excuses like I won’t bother you or it’ll be easier! You people still have work to do for your descendants! Do you really think that’s enough? You haven’t done anything yet!”
In the valley, the cry of this half elf echoes. It seemed to be a message to the people of the valley, who were about to usher in a new era, but it was also a message to herself. It was also a word for herself and it was a word that came straight to me.
“Yes. ……If you are alive, you can still do anything. There are plenty of things you can do. It’s too early to give up! Only those who have done all they can will die satisfied that I did my best!”
I shouted, taking the hand of the sitting villager and helping him to his feet.
“……Great. Everyone is……”
“You’re awake”
Neia and Brian were amazed and they helped the villagers to get up again.
“……I’m sure this is a rumor……”
“Shh”
Tetes tried to say something in a whisper, so I silenced her. This is Apple’s language. I only imitated her form……and I also renew my resolve. No more big worries. I’m just going to do the best I can.