'Ahahahaha!　Have you been drinking, Lex!

　I was eating my food in front of the campfire when a very excited Elysia-san squared her shoulders and offered me a drink.

"No, I didn't think that the boya that Liliella brought with her could cure everyone's illnesses in the blink of an eye, but I still can't believe it!

　After curing Marielle, Lilielle's mother, of her Alza disease, I was asked by Lilielle and the others to cure all the Alza patients who were living in the village.

　At first, people in the village looked at us confused and suspicious when we came to their house suddenly and said we would cure them, but when they saw Marielle's cured body, they begged us to save their family.

　Right after everyone was healed, the former mayor of Liliela's village suddenly announced that he was going to hold a banquet.

"To celebrate the cure of the disease that has afflicted our family for so many years, to thank the great boy who saved us, and to celebrate Liliella finding a son-in-law...!

　Wait, that last one is wrong.
　But my correction was in vain, and not only the people of Liliela's village, but also the people who originally lived in this neighboring village joined in on the big party.

We're so happy!　Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

'I didn't think you could cure your family's disease!　That's great!

'Oh, thank you!　I'm really glad I did!　

'My son is cured!　I can walk on my own legs now!　Hahahahahahaha!

I didn't think I could actually recover from this illness but it's like a dream.

　Well, everyone seems to be happy about it, so I guess it's tempting to take the frame up a little bit, right?

　You're not going to be able to do that.

'Wahahahahaha!'

'Hahahahahahaha!

　What started out as a celebration, gradually turned into a party as the participants began to get drunk.
　The children had already gone home, and those who had made a full recovery were taken back by their families, who told them not to take it too seriously.
　The only people left are the adults.

Can I sit next to you?

　I had been watching from the sidelines at a distance, trying not to get caught up in a drinking contest, when Liliera-san comes to me.

'Where's Marielle-san?'

Mother would have gone home with her aunt. I'm sure you're still ill.

　To tell the truth, the Elder Heel has completely cured me of my illness, but I guess I can understand why my family would want to take a break from it, considering how I feel.
　Besides, I have to take time to rehabilitate my body that has been weakened by the disease.
　Well, there is some magic to it.

Thank you.

　Liliera murmurs a word of thanks.

''Hmph, I'm kind of constantly thanking you.

Don't worry about it, okay?

'It can't be that way. You saved my life, and I owe you everyone in the village for saving me.

　I didn't do that much.

I'll definitely thank you for this.

Don't thank me.

　You don't have to think about repaying me for something like this.

You can't. I owe you more than I can ever repay. So, I need to repay that debt. Otherwise, it's not fair that you're the only one who keeps giving.

　........unfair?
　What can I say, people in this era are really kind people.
　They're all so nice that it's hard to think of them from the life I once had.

'What's wrong?'

　As I was lost in thought, Liliella-san approaches me and asks me.

"No, no, it's nothing.

　Yeah, it's pretty close.

I'll pay you back for this. I promise!

　Haha, please don't take it easy.

　◆.

　The next morning I woke up at the former village chief's house.
　Marielle's house was just big enough for Liliella to stay, so the former village chief suggested that I should stay at his house.

''Oh no, I'm so thrilled that my benefactor would let me stay here, you Zoong!

　The former chief of the village, a.k.a. Mr. Zoong, nodded his head in agreement as he ate his breakfast.

Here you go, Mr. Lex. I don't have much, but please eat a lot.

　That said, the person who came to recommend the meal was the wife of the former head of Zoong village.
　His wife is quite thin and her skin is a little white.
　Yes, she was another person who had Alza's disease, and she was one of the people who was completely cured of her illness last night by my recovery magic.

''Thank you,''

'No, I'm really happy for you!　Thanks to Mr. Lex, our village workers are energized!　If we can all work together, we won't have to bother everyone in this village!

Are we bothering you?

Yes, we were originally residents of another village. We are strangers to the people of this village. We have been allowed to stay in this village through their kindnesses, but some of the hard-working men have fallen ill and are unable to make a decent living, and many of them are in debt to this village.

　It's true that when the workers get stuck due to sickness, it's going to be hard for them to live and stuff.

But thanks to Lex, those who were unable to move due to illness are now able to work, so they will work hard to pay off their debts, and those who are stuck at home with their relatives said they will do their best to get a home of their own.

Home?

Yes, he says he's sorry to continue to cling to the good intentions of his people. We're all ready to bury our heads in the sand as residents of this village.

　For a moment, Zoong's former village chief and his wife show a sad look on their face.
　They must be sad that they cannot return to their hometown.
　I'm reminded of Liliella's appearance the other day.

''Um, I'd like to ask you something.

Yes, what is it?

　You're not going to be able to do that.

　After leaving the house of the former head of Zoong village, I left the village and headed for the Forest of Demonic Beasts.

''Lex-san!　Where are you going?

　That's what Liliella said to me.

I'm going to the Hexenbiest Forest.

'Defeating demons?　Well, then I'm here to help!　Hold on a minute!

　With that said, Liliella hurried back to Elysia's house and came back with her weapons and armor.

''Let's go!''

　That's a lot of effort.

'But I don't need much help with it. We're just going to widen the aisle a bit, okay?

Broaden the path?

　Oh, by the way, Liliera-san doesn't know that I'm building a city road in the forest of demonic beasts.

''Well, you'll have to watch.''

　As we approached the perimeter of the forest of demonic beasts, I used my usual detection magic to check for any signs of humans before burning down the forest.

''Flame Inferno!''

　The hellfire burns down the forest and in the blink of an eye, a large path is created in the forest.

''We'll make a path through the forest like this.

　I showed her the practice of the task I was about to perform and then gave Liliella the details.

''....What?''

''It's dangerous, so please don't go in front of me! Flame Inferno!

　I crisply make a city road in the forest.

It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

　For some reason, Liliera-san was shouting behind me, but what's going on?

　You're not going to be able to do that.

Hey, hey, where are you going?

　I was making my way into the forest when Liliera-san asked me a question from behind.

'It will take a while longer, so you can go back ahead of me, Liliera-san.

　I'm sure you don't have time to just walk around all the time.

'Duh, no!　This is a forest of monsters!　You're the one who's making the way, and you need guards so the demon doesn't take you by surprise!

　Oops, I hadn't thought of that.
　I knew that there were no demons approaching us with detection magic, but it's necessary to be vigilant as Liliela-san said.
　Yeah, as expected of a B-rank adventurer.
　She reminded me that there are special demons in the world that are not falling for detection magic.
　Carelessness is the greatest enemy, it's an ever-present battlefield mindset!

I understand!　I'll leave my back to you, Liliella!

　Liliera-san draws her sword from its sheath and raises it in front of her chest like a knight.

''I'll show you how to protect your back with this sword!

Oh, that.

　I notice something and point to Liliella's sword.

'What?　What?

　Liliera looked in the direction I pointed and froze.

''It's broken, isn't it?''

　Yeah, Liliera-san's sword had broken off beautifully from the middle.

''Shh, shh, shhhh!

　Come to think of it, it was already broken when I saved her from Blade Wolf and the others.

''What should I do~........''

Uh, do you want to borrow my spare sword?

''Yes, it's okay!''

　Liliera-san asks with a puff of light on her face.

'Yes, go ahead.'

　I take out a spare sword from my magic bag and offer it to Liliella.

''Oh, thank you. Well that's why I'm going to leave it to you!

　For some reason, Liliella's voice was up in the air, but I must have been overzealous.
　Anyway, I'll just focus on my work!

　You're not going to be able to do that.

We're here!

　When I arrive at my destination, I stop making my way and take a smoke break.

''...Huh?　Here?

　Mr. Liliera looks at the end of the road and is stunned.

'Yes, I am,'

''Yeah... this isn't my village?

　That's right, the place we came to through the roadway into the Forest of Demonic Beasts was the village where Liliera and the others used to live.

　However, the village, which had been uninhabited for a long time, was in shambles, and it could be said that it was as good as a ruin.
　This will have to be substantially altered in order for people to live here again.

''Wha, why!

　How do you know about this place?　Is that what you're trying to say?

I heard from the former chief of the Xiong village. He said there's a village here where Liliella and the others lived.　

But why do you bother with it?

　Why?
　I'll tell you why.

"Because isn't it normal to want to go back home?

　Yeah, this one. This is the one I'm most comfortable with.
　Now that we've all been cured of our illnesses, we'd like to go back to our hometown next, wouldn't we?

　Fortunately, the Adventurer's Guild has asked me to build a street in the forest, and I won't be working for free!

Mr. Lex....

And Liliella looks at me.
　His eyes were so moist that tears were about to spill out of them.

'I really don't want you to...'

　It was at that moment that Liliera was about to say something.

''Guh-oh!''

　A tremendous roar echoed throughout the village.

''This, what is this voice?!''

　Liliera-san's face stiffened in astonishment.
　It looks like they were in the vicinity of this area after all.

This voice.........from that time!

　Liliera-san's eyes are tinted with anger.

''Liliera-san, I'm the owner of this voice, but........''

"Yes, that thing that attacked our village and made our mothers sick. That demon that took our village away from us!

　Along with Liliera-san's angry voice, a demon appeared from within the forest.

''That's........Venom Rex!

　Venom Rex, as the name suggests, is a dinosaur-type demon with deadly poison.
　Unlike the four-legged lizard-type demons, the speed of its huge body running on two legs is tremendous, and more importantly, its poisonous attacks have taken the lives of many warriors.

　It couldn't fly like a dragon, but it would need a high-level monk's healing magic or a high-ranked antidote potion to treat the deadly poison.

　And if the detoxification was delayed, the demon was extremely troublesome, as it would catch Alza disease like Marielle and the others.

''I can't believe you're still here!

　Liliera-san holds her sword at the ready and heads towards the Venom Rex.

''Liliera-san!''

Don't touch him!

　Don't mess with me, you're reckless to take the fight to them without any poisoning!

Wait for me to cast a poison resistant spell!

　But Liliera-san didn't hear my voice in anger and charged towards the Venom Rex.

''Guhaw!''

　Venom Rex grins and swings his claws, dripping with poison, at me.

''Is it going to hit?''

　Liliella dodges the poisonous claws and dives into the bosom of Venom Rex.

'No!'

　Venom Rex's venom isn't just poisonous in its claws!

Gawd!

　With a jacking sound from the tip of the Venom Rex's tail, a venomous stinger that looks like a bee pops out and extends towards Liliella-san.

''Sheesh!''

　Liliera-san's face turns impatient.

It's not a good idea.

It's not a gaau, it's not!

　I kick away the poisonous needle that was about to pierce Liliera-san's body as hard as I can.
　The Venom Rex's poisonous needle snapped off with a banging sound.

''Gawd!

''Anti-poison!''

　I hurriedly cast a poison resistant spell on Liliella-san and turned to Venom Rex.

'I just cast a poison resistance spell.

Oh, thank you...

Guuuuu....

　The Venom Rex breaks in and warns me of my intrusion and backs away.

　Nevertheless, if this continues, Liliella-san will repeat her reckless assault.
　I have to properly teach her the proper way to fight this thing.

''Okay?　This is how to defeat the Venom Rex!

　I first kick the Venom Rex's poisonous claws on both of its front legs.

''Bigaaaah!

''The Venom Rex has poison in its fangs, claws on its paws, and a needle hidden in its tail!　So, when you take down a Venom Rex, you have to break these first before you can fight it!

　Next, he smashes a nearby rock into the Venom Rex's fangs and snaps everything off.

''Gagyaa?!''

Also, the Venom Rex is a bipedal demon, so if you break one of its legs, it won't be able to walk!

　Saying that, I punch Venom Rex's limbs as hard as I can and break them.
　I also hit him a few more times to keep him quiet.

"Bogyaaaa?

The rest of the time, I'll either attack from a distance with a spear or use magic or a bow to unilaterally attack from a distance to finish it off!　This is the common way to defeat a Venom Rex!

　As I slammed the Venom Rex until I couldn't move a single muscle, I looked at Liliella and finished my explanation.

''Hey, it's easy if you keep calm and fight, right?''

"This isn't easy at all!　What the hell kind of difficulty is that?

　Huh?　I showed him the easiest way to do it.
　If you're a demon that uses poison as a weapon, I think it's easiest to disable the poison.

''Better yet, come on, put a stop to it.

'Well....'

　Lilliera is confused when she is suddenly told to stop.

''That's what you've been working so hard for until today, isn't it?''

.....

　Liliela looked at Venom Rex for a little while, but her resolve was hardened and she thrust the sword in her hand into Venom Rex's neck.

''Gboaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

''Ugh.......I don't feel like I'm avenging myself at all......''

　Venom Rex writhed in pain, but it wasn't much of a move since the damage had been inflicted beforehand.

　The slender sword couldn't inflict a fatal wound, and Liliera stabbed her sword into Venom Rex's neck repeatedly.
　Hmm, maybe I should have prepared an axe or something for this.

　And after some time passed, Venom Rex finally stopped moving.

''Hahahahaha.....

Thanks for your help.

　I let out a rough breath and praise Liliella-san for defeating the Venom Rex.

''Hahaha thank you.''

　Finally, in a small voice, Liliera thanked me.

'You're welcome. Now, let's go back to the village and tell everyone about this!

　You're not going to be able to do that.

''Hey, what is this?!

　Everyone in the village that was brought to us was stunned to see the Venom Rex defeated in the middle of the village.

''Not only is a path created in the forest, but that d*mn monster is in this mess...''

　The former head of the village, Zoong, opened his mouth and murmured.

''The demon that once tormented you all has been successfully defeated by Liliera-san!

'What?　No, no, no, I didn't.......beat him.

　Liliella humbles herself, but since it was Liliella who finished it off, it doesn't matter that it was Liliella who beat it!

''Now you can rebuild your village with the material rewards from the demons Liliella-san defeated!

""What?　Really, Liliella?

　When the people of the village are surprised and approach Liliera-san, she looks at me as if she wants to say something.

''Liliera-san's goal is to cure everyone's illnesses and restore the village, so the sales of these demon materials will also be used to restore the village, right?''

That's why you put a stop to me.

　Huh, let out a sigh and Liliera-san puts her hand to her forehead.
　Oh, have you been found out?
　If I defeat it, funding the reconstruction of the village would be an arrogant and unreasonable charity from someone else who can't see the reason for it, but there's nothing wrong with Liliella-san wanting to get her village back, because there's nothing wrong with her defeating the demon and using the money to restore the village!

I don't know how much I have to thank you for that.

　Ha-haha, the person who defeated this monster is Liliella, so there's no need to thank her.

But even if the village is restored, I can't maintain it.

　The former chief of the village, Zoong, came over and spoke to me with a sad face.

I'm happy for them," he said, "but no matter how much we rebuild the village, it is still surrounded by a forest of monsters. This means that soon the village will be swallowed by the forest again, or it will be attacked again by a horrible monster like this one and the village will be abandoned.

　The harsh words of the former head of the village, Mr. Zoong, bring sadness to the people of the village who were happy to be back in their long-lost hometown.

　But don't worry, I'm thinking about that too.

''I have a suggestion, but when we rebuild this village, why don't we turn it into an inn town?

An inn town?

　The former village chief of Zoong rolls his eyes and asks back.

''Yes. Right now, the Adventurer's Guild is leading a project to build a forest roadway across the Forest of Demonic Beasts to other villages and towns. However, the forest of magical beasts is so large that merchants and travelers are camping out in the large open square at night.

　I look at everyone in the village.

But camping is not only physically demanding, it's also mentally draining. That's why even in the middle of a dangerous forest, if there was a town in the forest that had a lodge where you could rest without worrying about the dangers of the forest, I think people would come here instead of camping.

　This was the suggestion I had in mind.

''But what should we do about the trees in the Forest of Monsters?　We don't have enough money to ask the Adventurer's Guild to cut them down.

　The former head of the Zoong village voiced that it was still impossible.

''It's fine. The country and the adventurer's guild will put a lot of effort into cutting down the forest to protect that precious stopover point if a safe place to rest in the dangerous forest is created. And rather than spending a lot of effort to build a stopover point from scratch, it is cheaper to protect a place that has already been built to some extent.

　In order to do that, our first priority is to rebuild this village, but I guess we'll need to discuss that with the Adventurer's Guild.
　The money will probably come from the reward that Liliella got for defeating the Venom Rex.
　Above all, I'm sure Milisha-san, who wants to build a street in the Forest of Demonic Beasts, would be happy to bite into this proposal.

''How about it, everyone, don't you want to live in your new and reborn hometown?

''I want to live there.

　The village was silent at first, but when a muffled voice is heard in the village, one by one, words of approval begin to pour out.

'Me too!　I want to live here again, too!

I want to tell my dead mother that I'm home too!

So am I. I've returned to my village before I died. I will never abandon my village again!

That's right!

We'll live in this village again!

　Yeah, that one looks good.

Good luck, Liliella.

　I give my congratulations to Liliella standing next to me.

''........''

　But Liliera-san kept her mouth bent into a crooked shape and did not move slightly.
　Huh?　Why are you angry?
　You wanted to go home, didn't you!

....

　Liliera-san turns to me silently.

''Liliera-san?''

'Oh....'

Huh?

'Thank you!

　Suddenly, Liliera-san hugged me while crying.

"What?　This again?

　Hey, hey, is this a pattern again?

Oh!　Liliella has embraced Lord Lex!

'Good!　Push me down!

'Hahahahaha!'

Hee-haw!

　Wait! Everybody stop it!

My goodness, will I be a grandmother soon?

　Hey, Marielle!　Would you please stop your daughter?

'Truly thank you........!

　In the end, once again I remained in her arms until Liliella-san cried herself to sleep.