It seems we somehow managed to crush the demons in the forest.
Then, the two ninja appeared soundlessly.
"Lillinsama, it seems like there are no more demons in the forest. Ah, I forgot to give it to you… Oh, here. It's a paralysis medicine famous among the ninja. Please use it on those with severe symptoms. …Ah, it's alright! It's not a poison, okay?"
"It's all right, I'm not worried about that, but I do wonder why you are so kind to me."
"Aah, isn't… that right. You'd usually think that, wouldn't you? Our Princess is a little… No, considerably rebellious, and~, perhaps, it's certainly unbelievable, but she likes Lillinsama quite a bit. Ah, it's true, really. Otherwise, she wouldn't dispatch us here. Anyway, it seems Lillinsama isn't injured."
While Hanzou-san was talking, Sasuke-san, who kept silent for a long time, opened his mouth.
"Hanzou, you, talk too much. Princess, will get angry."
"Ah, that's right. I was told to save you secretly. Yes, that was impossible. Because there was a person who noticed what we were wearing. Well, since it's been exposed we were able to help you like this."
"Crime of conscience?"
Sumire-sama likes me?
No way, there's no way, right?
Did Sasuke-san understand what I was thinking?
"Princess, likes, you."
"Uh, what should I say… It's a little hard to believe."
"Well, can we save that discussion for later? It'd be bad if we don't hurry to the village."
That's a good point.
We must secure the village.
"Understood. I haven't been convinced yet, but will you come anyway?"
"Yes, that's right. But we will hide and then follow you. Well then…"
Having said that, Hanzou-san and Sasuke-san disappeared.
Sana was watching our interaction without interrupting.
It was because she knew they've helped me at least once.
But it seems her feelings are different.
"For once, for once they helped so I decided to keep silent, but Princess Sumire liking Lillinsama? It's too late to be joking like that. The ninja are good at spouting nonsense."
"Really, what did they mean by that? I know it's easy to like Lillinoneesama as she's a wonderful person, but it's questionable thinking about the events so far."
"For now, let's wait and see. If they intended to attack, they had a fantastic opportunity. They did the opposite and helped, perhaps it's true she wanted to help."
Everyone's saying what they want, but I think the two ninja are listening from somewhere.
But I wonder if they understand they are being listened to.
I handed Hanzou's medicine to the knights who were still unable to move.
Those who drank it were shocked how numbness went away in the blink of an eye.
Ninja's medicine is frightening.
But frankly, I'm grateful.
We were able to exit the forest safely and headed straight for Sai village.
As we advanced the village started coming into view.
However… the village gate is open, although it's difficult to see from the distance.
In our territory villages are enclosed to keep the monsters out, the only entrances being gates.
That the gate is open… With a bad premonition we hurried to the village.
The village… was empty.
Yes, there was no one there.
Nevertheless, there weren't any dead victims.
What's going on?
About fifty people should have lived in the village.
Did they escape?
But they couldn't have pa.s.sed through that forest.
Then…
An unexpected man appeared as we were looking for clues.
"You are late."
The one who said that… Grandfather!
We approached grandfather.
"I see, Ricardo and Lillina, both of you came. Even so, that forest seemed troublesome. I've thought of clearing it if you were a bit later, but it seems it was done without me having to do anything."
My grandfather laughed.
As expected of grandfather, he could clean up that forest.
Ah, but it's about the residents of Sai village.
"It's been a long time, grandfather. Sorry for the curt greeting, but could you please tell us what happened to the inhabitants of Sai village?"
"Ah, it's on your mind. All the villagers are okay, don't worry. They have evacuated for the time being."
"Evacuated… is it?"
"A lot of demons appeared here as well. While we were pa.s.sing by hunting demons, I told Leafia to evacuate the village as it'd be dangerous even if a wounded demon rampaged inside."
Leafia… ah, grandmother.
Because it's rare to call her by name, I didn't realize for a moment.
"So, where's grandmother?"
"The western country is indebted to us. They knew our circ.u.mstances, so they willingly accepted."
They were evacuated to the western country.
Well, it'd be bad if grandfather had missed a demon during his rampage and it attacked the village.
"I think they'll come back soon. Prince Chris should have removed the cause about now. With this, there should be no more ma.s.s demon occurrences for the time being."
"The… cause?"
"Ah, I haven't talked to you about it yet, but there's a reason behind demons appearing. Let's go back to the mansion for the detailed talk. Look, they're here."
Looking at the direction where grandfather is pointing, I can see villagers walking.