𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞, 𝐞𝐧𝐝…
Albero and Ridelle headed to the village to join up with Ashe and the others.
Upon returning to the village, they found Ashe’s group and Esterize’s group gathered together.
It seemed they were taking shelter from the rain in a barn that was visible from the outside.
As Albero and Ridelle entered the barn, Esterize spoke.
ㅤ
“Where were you?”
“We went to defeat the demon. More importantly, Ashe, Lapis, Yorha, are you all injured?”
“I’m fine.”
“Me too.”
“So am I. But I want to know where Oswald went?”
ㅤ
Yorha asked Esterize. It seemed like they had been waiting for Albero and Ridelle to return.
Esterize gave Yorha a sharp look, but then Sanbalt answered.
ㅤ
“Oswald is helping the villagers evacuate. It seems he couldn’t get everyone out. . . . . .but considering the attack by the demon and demon beasts, it’s good that there were survivors.”
“Onii-sama, about that, there’s something that’s bothering me.”
“Hmm, what is it?”
ㅤ
Yorha, glaring at Esterize, said,
ㅤ
“After the demon beasts and demons attacked, I gave instructions to the S-class and started evacuating the villagers immediately. But something was strange. When I checked some of the houses, there were signs that people had hurriedly fled. But. . . . . .the other houses were too clean. Essential living items, money, valuables. . . . . .they were all packed in bags, as if they were ready to leave at a moment’s notice.”
“Uh. . . . . .and so?”
“Don’t you get it? It was as if they were preparing to run away in the middle of the night. Could it be that ten families had planned to flee on the same night? Or maybe. . . . . .they knew about the demon’s attack? It’s just speculation, but it was very unnatural.”
. . . . . .”Is, is that so.”
ㅤ
Neither Sanbalt nor Esterize knew.
Esterize had only heard that “when the demon appears, evacuate the villagers to the nearby settlement.” She didn’t know there was another plan.
The villagers who had packed up properly were advised by Oswald in advance to “pack up, and keep it a secret even among the villagers to avoid panic.” Esterize and the others didn’t know this.
Only the villagers selected by Oswald escaped. And those who fled were grateful to Oswald.
ㅤ
“To all the A-Class Summoners, I won’t deny that you risked your lives to defend the village. However. . . . . .Oswald, being the leader and an A-Class Summoner, fleeing first is not commendable. There were other ways. Esterize, instead of just following orders, you should have voiced your opinion and taken command as an A-Class Summoner. Let me be clear, the damage could have been minimized.”
“. . . . . .”
“Y, Yorha!! How can you say that?!”
“Please be quiet, Onii-sama. You would understand if you saw the devastation at the edge of the village. More than half of the villagers are charred remains. Probably the demon appeared at the edge of the village.”
“What?!”
“. . . . . .sigh.”
ㅤ
Yorha sighed.
Talking to her slow-paced brother seemed to be quite taxing for her.
Esterize, on the other hand, retaliated.
ㅤ
“Then, I ask Yorha-sama. If you’re in charge, how did you manage? I expected two S-class members to assist against the demons, but they were missing, weren’t they?”
“. . . . . .Kid retreated from the battlefront, while Ridelle was already engaged in combat.”
“Engaged, you mean, Ridelle was already fighting the demon at the edge of the village? So, why were there villagers’ corpses there? . . . . . .Ah, did Ridelle fail to protect the villagers?”
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Ridelle looked down, disheartened.
Although Esterize’s words were harsh, they were accurate.
Ridelle failed. . . . . .failed to protect the villagers. . . . . .the children.
Yorha leaned in closer to Esterize.
ㅤ
“What about you? Acting high and mighty without ever facing a demon?”
“Speaking of which, Yorha-sama, what have you done?”
“I defeated three demon beasts. They were trying to eat livestock in a villager’s home. Protecting villagers’ livelihoods is also a summoner’s duty. It’s not just about swinging a sword mindlessly.”
“I was guarding the entrance to the village. To prevent a horde of demon beasts from invading requires swordplay. You, being a princess, might not understand.”
ㅤ
Neither was willing to back down.
Then, Albero, who had been silent, spoke up, addressing not Yorha or Esterize but Fugil.
ㅤ
“Nii-san, what will you do now?”
“Huh?! Um, well. . . . . .for now, we should send messengers to nearby villages and contact the Asgard Kingdom and Alfheim Kingdom.”
“Understood. Which is faster, Gryphon or Marcosias?”
“”. . . . . .””
ㅤ
Ashe and Lapis exchanged glances, seemingly pondering the question.
Yorha then hastily interjected.
ㅤ
“From now on, I will take command! Ashe, escort Albero to a nearby village and deliver a message. The Asgard Kingdom army should be waiting. The rest will attend to the burial of the deceased.”
“Wait, you can’t just. . . . . .”
“It’s a princess’s command.”
“. . . . . .!”
ㅤ
Esterize remained silent.
That’s right. Yorha is the princess of the Asgard Kingdom. It’s hard to go against royalty.
Then, Sanbalt interrupted.
ㅤ
“Yorha. You can’t just do as you please.”
“Onii-sama. You’re not yet the king. Our positions should be equal. You don’t have the authority to command me.”
“Then, I will override your orders. Esterize and the others are exhausted from battle. They need to rest until Oswald returns.”
“Suit yourself. I wonder how it will look when the Alfheim Kingdom army arrives here: an A-Class Summoner lounging around versus an S-Class Summoner mourning and burying the citizens. I’m quite curious about their impressions.”
“Ugh.”
“Let’s get to work. Albero, Ashe, come with me to write the letter.”
“Alright.”
“Yes.”
ㅤ
Fugil and Grits then began to move.
It seemed Rashild cast a glance at them, but Rashild appeared to be waiting for instructions while watching Esterize.
ㅤ
“Grits. Was there a shovel in the stable?”
“Yes. I also found a cemetery when I patrolled the village.”
“Alright. Let’s bury it there. . . . . .We have no choice. Let’s all do the burial together.”
“I, I will dig the hole.”
“I will help too.”
“. . . . . .Lapis-sama, would it be alright if you pick some flowers to offer with Grits?”
“. . . . . .Yes!”
ㅤ
Fugil was giving orders, though he seemed unsure.
Undoubtedly, by his own will.
ㅤ
“. . . . . ..”
“Esterize. Let’s take a break. . . . . .I’ll make some tea.”
“. . . . . .”
“Elder sister. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Esterize, Sanbalt, and Rashild headed to the village chief’s house.
And the only one left was Wolve.
ㅤ
“Well, well. . . . . .Can’t everyone just get along?”
ㅤ
He muttered to himself and yawned big, then started walking to look for a shovel.
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