The next morning, there was a slight commotion in the village.

　In fact, the village headman had gone missing (・・・・) the day after the festival.
　There was no way there was going to be a commotion.

　But if so, it's clear that Allen and his team are the ones who are suspicious. ...... It's not that they were never suspected.
　It's also a minor disturbance, and what happened was that the whole village was informed that the chief was missing, and there was a discussion about what the next chief would do.
　There was no search for the culprit, or even a suggestion that someone else might have done something about it.

Either that's how peaceful the village is, or people think that's possible because we're in the middle of nowhere. ...... Either way, I don't know.
Well, I guess that's about it. Somehow, it looks like you were more concerned with keeping the peace than making a fuss about it.
Is it ...... a good thing?
"Well. . isn't it our job to determine whether that's the case?
...... Sure, maybe.

　If the people of that village were okay with it, then it would be okay.
　It's not for outsiders to complain.

　Well, it's also true that it was good for us.
　So now we can leave that village and sit back and relax on the carriage.

　The morning after the brief commotion was over, Allen and his friends had left the village.
　We had planned to leave, and everything we needed to do there was done.
　In fact, there's no better reason not to leave.

　The farewell greeting was easy enough.
　I didn't have much contact with the villagers to begin with.
　That's the extent of the woman's encouragement to play nice, but that's about it, and Allen and the others had left the village so easily.

　There is no suspicion of the village chief's case, which makes me wonder if we're okay with it: ......
　It's a good thing that the village is just the way it is.

　It's a good idea that the village head is the mastermind behind it. I told Leeds and the others in the morning that it was.
　Both of them may have sensed this, but they didn't seem particularly surprised and just nodded their heads.

　Anyway, that's why Allen and the others are now on their way back to the city, basking in the sunshine.

"...... Ah
"Hmm?　What's wrong?　If you say you forgot something ......, I don't think you brought anything to forget in the first place. ......
No, I was just wondering what happened to the sermon.

　I didn't have time to do anything in the morning, and I've been taking it easy ever since.
　I almost forgot that Beatrice hadn't given me a lecture.

　But when I said this, Leeds looked at me bitterly.

...... Why did you say that out loud, Allen?　If you've forgotten, that's fine. Or did you want to be lectured by Beatrice so badly?　Are you a pervert who enjoys being lectured?
I think there's a misunderstanding, but of course I don't want to be lectured to, do I?　But it's true that it was our fault. Then we need to take the sermon to heart.
"Ugh, that may be true, but ......

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make your life easier.
　When I turned my gaze on that thought, Beatrice was smiling bitterly.

You'll be able to find out more about this.　It just occurred to me that I'm not sure I'm qualified to preach at .......
"Qualified to preach?
." "Oh. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with them. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're talking about.
"Hmmm ...... I think I'm just overthinking it.

　At the very least, what Allen and his team did is something to be pissed off about.
　To begin with--

It's true that Beatrice may have been tricked, but that doesn't give you the right to scold others for it, because that's exactly what's wrong. It's just that it's the deceiver's fault.
...... Yes, I know. And I was tricked by the chief, too. I didn't realize that I was being tricked, either.
...... In a normal world, you could say that. But I'm a servant of Master Leeds. If I put the Lord in danger because of my deception, I'd rather be the one to blame.

　You will find that you will be able to get a lot more than just a few of these things.

　You'll be able to see that you have a strong sense of responsibility, or perhaps a stubbornness, as always in some strange way.
　Normally this is often the case for the better, but at times like this, it's a problem.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that you can't get away with it. Maybe I'm wrong as a knight in the service of the Lord ...... but I'm definitely right as a person nonetheless.

　You are able to trust people without thinking that you might be deceived.
　It looks easy, but it's very difficult, and I'm sure there are not many people who can do it, even though they are knights.
　It's a hard quality to get, so I really hope you cherish it.

　It's probably something that Allen will never have again.

I guess I'm not much of a person in that sense. In more ways than one.

　Naturally, it sounded like he was mocking himself, which Allen meant.
　But .

. that's not true.
"...... Leeds?
At least, no matter what anyone else says, I think you're right. Because that's who helped me.



　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　I'm sure you'll be able to see that he or she feels that way from the bottom of his or her heart.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you.　Mmm, I'm being serious: ......!
No, I'm sorry. I know you're serious about this: ...... Yeah. Thanks, Rees.
"......?　You're welcome, right? ......?

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time with us.
　It's a good thing ...... is still the same girl who unknowingly speaks words of relief to us, as always.

　It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with them.

"Well, anyway, that's why, Beatrice, you can lecture Rees mercilessly.
Oh, so why do you want to rehash it like that ......, not just for me, but for you too, Allen!
No, I've just been given the stamp of approval from Leeds that I'm right. So Leeds is the only one who gets a lecture, right?
"It's not fair ......!
...... I'm not ready to forgive myself for my mistakes, but ...... is certainly not the same thing as that. So let's get on with it and preach to Master Leeds.
"What, it's really just me ......!

　While talking and smiling at each other about such things, ......, Allen's thoughts turned to the "it" that was tucked away in his pocket.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

　It had rolled out of the bosom of the village chief, a lump that resembled something you've seen before.
　It was the same lump that the man had pulled out of his bosom in that forest.

　It might look like ore, but I knew immediately upon looking at it that it wasn't.
　It seems that this is a kind of powerful tool, and that it was used to control the dead.

　And Allen hasn't told them about it yet.
　I'm not sure how I'm going to tell them.

　The fact that he was manipulating the dead.
　Alfred, who was only himself from the neck up.
　The general was dead from the neck up.

　It seems that he hit the nail on the head in an unexpected place.
　Together with Alfred's story, we've got the general idea.

　I'm just wondering why we've come all this way to relax, but there's no way around it.
　There is no doubt that Leeds is deeply involved in this chain of events.
　If so, Allen couldn't just leave it at that.

　However, this is the farthest reaches of the frontier, and it's still a long way to go to get to that city.
　Whatever you do, you'll have to return to that city first.

　I'm not sure what will happen after that, but ...... if there's anything we know, it's that peace is going to be far away again.
　I'm fed up with the thought of it, but I can only believe that when all is said and done, peace will return this time.

　But that's still some time away.
　So until then, let's enjoy this momentary peace.

　--And so I thought.

"Oh, wait a minute, Beatrice!
"Hmm?　What's going on?　Stalling for time doesn't change what you end up doing, does it?
"No. ...... Seriously. The communication has arrived.
"Hmm?　Coming from the other side of the world instead of from us: ...... What's the urgency?
"I don't know, but please check anyway: ............ huh?

　The moment Leeds let out a stunned voice, Allen had a bad reflex feeling.
　And then, as if that premonition was going to come true--

"What's up?　What's going on in King's Landing?
...... In a way, I suppose, you could say that. --I've heard that a general has appeared in King's Landing.
"......?

　Beatrice let out a stunned voice at the report from Leeds, and Allen let out a sigh.
　Apparently, he was not even able to enjoy a moment of peace.