/
The village chief came back with the food and thus we had a meal together.
There were no complicated talk during the meal, and the villagers seemed to be enjoying it while joking around. With that being said, we also had an ordinary girls’ (not so much of girls’ talk) talk so that we won’t bother them while Roland and Emile were both talking in a subdued voice.
The dish is a large platter and looks to be a banquet dish. The ingredients are quite ordinary crops and a little chunk of salmon that the hunter seemed to have hunted.
Not only letting us eat, but lots of the villagers are eating as well, so there is no way we can feast lavishly and the villagers seem to understand that. Even though it looks like there’s a seemingly large amount of food, it’s still in fact, a questionable amount for this number of people. It can be said that 『this amount is enough』.
So then, what are they trying to do gathering lots of villagers here…?
***************
We quickly finished eating the meal which was not that big of an amount. As expected, there was still some plates around us and the villagers didn’t want to touch it.
……I was a little suspicious and tried to expand the range of the poison detection bracelet, but there were no other strange things detected.
Now then, as we have finished our meal, perhaps they will start the main discussion right now.
Are they going to force us with 『debt of gratitude for having a meal and stay the night』 after we have eaten the meal?
There would be a reason to respond to it if we are homeless people who have been living by walking around a kingpin, but we who were invited by them do not have such obligation, you know?
Well then, what will happen from now on…
Hasdal: “Now then, we will start the monthly meeting for our village. The guests will also partake in this discussion as you are now 『in this village』 even though you’re happen to be staying on the same day of our meeting. As a resident of the village, please don’t hesitate to give us your opinions so that we will study from a different perspective than what we have. Wahahaha!”
YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING MEEEEEEEE~~!!
What do you mean by 『happen to be staying on the same day of our meeting』!?
You just deliberately planned to start this charade today according to the day that we come here, didn’t you….
Roland, Francette, Emile and Bell are also staring at the village chief with sketchy eyes.
However, as one would expect, it’s the only job that only a Village Chief can do and he seems to not concern the cold stares from five of us (excluding Riette-chan).
And the discussions went smoothly. We also sometimes asked, 『What kind of crops that can be sold in the city now?』,『This is a nice village, but do you know any handicrafts that the villagers can make?』, etc., and after they answered those questions earnestly…
Hasdal: “Now then, onto our last topic for this meeting. That is, 『countermeasures against the bandits who demand money, food, and women as 「Escort Fee」 for the village』. Does anyone have a suggestion?”
SO IT’S ABOUT THIS, HUUUUUUUUUH~~!?!
……and everyone’s complexions are…
Yup, Riette-chan doesn’t seem to think of anything. Such a cutie~…
Similarly, Emile and Bell seem to be thinking of nothing either.
It’s not as if they are unable to think clearly. It’s just… they will only follow my decision no matter what…… That’s what you called 『unable to think clearly』!
Roland has a complex expression.
It’s the duty for the royalty to protect their good subjects. However, this place is not his kingdom and it’s the role of the nobles and royalties in this kingdom instead to protect the villagers. In addition, the royalty protects the people through administration work and does not oblige to protect them by swinging their own sword for them.
……however, to abandon those who are standing in front of you as a royalty, no, as a man is……
It’s probably what he’s thinking right now…
And speaking of which, Francette is…
*sparkle* *sparkle*……
*sparkle* *sparkle* *sparkling sparkle!*
A traveling knight who appeared right in the middle of a crisis.
The knight who can beat the villains easily, left silently but was called from behind.
『Excuse me, your name is…』
『My name is Francette. I’m just a trivial woman who has been appointed as Einherjar, the guardian knight of the goddess…』
…is what seems to be her delusional scene that is hinted in her eyes, that’s….
……Not good!
A noble man who is travelling incognito with expensive gears.
A young woman who seems to be his wife or lover who wears equipment that seems to be expensive as well.
A pair of hunter sibling or lovers who seems to have been hired as escorts.
A maid who is taking care of the two nobles.
And a little commoner girl who is being protected from anyone who approaches.
……yeah, no matter how you see it, you can’t think anything else other than 『A scenery from a common folk song where a good-natured noble couple going on a pleasure jaunt』.
And the aristocratic man is apparently sympathetic, and his wife or lover has already leaked a motivated aura and erupted in all directions.
Thus, the village head seems desperate to endure his grin.
Well, if you looked at this group of people, you would likely think that we are 『influential people who has the highest power』, right….?
Male aristocrats don’t often neglect women. Especially the request from a troubled woman.
Yes, and the pleas from the escorts, maids and also the little girls are irrelevant.
…is what he would think, right?
With face full of expectations, the village chief, as well as the villagers, fixed their eyes on us…or rather, on Roland and Francette.
And with that pressure, Francette finally…
Francette: “Please leave it to us, we will-”
Kaoru: “…pray for the safety of this village, so please feel free to ask the lord for help!”
I won’t let you say it!
I interrupted Francette’s imprudent remark and stopped her from continuing her words.
Villagers: “”””””Eeeeeeehhh!?!””””””
The good-natured and naive aristocratic woman tried to say the line that the villagers had wished for and said, 『Got her!』,『Just as planned…』, but then there was an unexpected nuisance along the way. Hence, their faces were confused and then turned furious. Well, that’s understandable…
Hasdal: “This lowly maid! How dare you said some needless words! You should just follow your master’s decision!”
Villagers: “”””””Yeah! Ye-…””””””
*Gishi!*
Hasdal: “Eh……?”
When the village chief yelled at me along with the villagers who chimed in,
……the air turned cold.
Up until then, Francette, who had sparkling eyes with a wide grin,
Roland who had a thoughtful face as to what happened,
Emile and Bell, who had been unconcerned with the situation and left it to my own decision,
and even Riette-chan, who seemed to know nothing and was being absentminded,
…scowled at the villagers with anger.
Francette: “As expected of Kaoru-chan! You could see through these people’s true nature when they are not being helped, huh……”
Kaoru: “It’s unpleasant. Let’s leave right away. I feel like I’ll be violated if I stay in this village!”
Belle: “…Is it possible to destroy this village before leaving?”
The village chief and the villagers went pale.
Apparently, it seems that what they could only understand is that they have done something wrong.
……No, I don’t really care if you look at me with that imploring eyes, though?
Because,
I’m just a 『lowly maid』 after all, right?