The town where the children first began their activities as adventurers, Warrior Bill.
Originally, it was planned to start in a small rural village near the Elm Forest. However, for some unknown reason, that village became a ghost town, leaving only a desolate landscape behind.
People vanished without a trace, and the remaining houses became empty ruins.
The children ultimately decided to begin their activities in Warrior Bill, which was across the river. After steadily gaining experience there for about two years, they finally crossed over to the royal capital and achieved great success as adventurers.
– Step by step
It was an unavoidable choice, but since it was not far from the Roen Forest, there was no significant inconvenience in traveling to and from the church and Warrior Bill despite it being a village across the river.
Because we had the World Tree’s portal.
“Feels like it’s been a while here….”
Walking along the well-maintained path and slowly observing the surrounding scenery. At that time, there were widespread rumors about vampires, so I always brought the children here because we could not enter the village.
“Hmm….”
To be honest, I was already well aware of most of the traces the children could find here, so there was no need to spend time coming back. Still, I had deliberately returned because the children had met their first proper teacher here.
I don’t know if those individuals are still active in this town. If they are still around, I plan to visit each of them and say hello.
.
.
.
As I entered the village without much problem, a strong warrior scent filled my nostrils.
True to the name of the Warrior’s Village, everywhere I looked around was bustling with people in heavy armor.
Even the shopkeepers wore vicious swords at their waists and large shields on their backs.
The conversations they were having were quite unusual too….
All they talked about were battles, monster hunts, and equipment.
“…….”
I was momentarily at a loss for words. I never imagined Warrior Bill would be like this.
I had thought it would be a peaceful village where ordinary adventurers came and went, like the area where you first respawn in a game. But upon visiting, I belatedly realized it was a huge place filled with the battles and survival of all sorts of macho men.
“It wasn’t this intense at the entrance….”
Though the scenery made me think a lot from the very start, grumbling about it now, given how much time has passed, would be meaningless, so I decided to move on.
Anyway, thanks to the children’s many experiences here, they were able to do well in the royal capital.
– Step by step
I tried hard to ignore the noisy atmosphere of the town and calmly walked toward the center. Most of the major buildings were gathered in the town center, so if you didn’t know the way, heading to the center first would be the wisest choice.
– Step by step
I wondered how many minutes it had been. The deeper I went into the town, the more strangely I felt that the voices of the people were becoming fainter.
The lively atmosphere of the village, which had felt so vivid just a moment ago, was gradually fading, replaced by a strange silence and a sense of tension that was unsettling.
“…?”
I could barely hear the voices from the street or the sounds of axes and swords from the weapon shop anymore. It felt as if I were the only one left in the village.
I paused my steps for a moment and looked around. And then─.
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
For some reason, most of the people passing by on the street were fixated on me. Their expressions were vacant as they stood there, blinking slowly, which felt somewhat eerie, causing me to involuntarily furrow my brow.
I had covered my face with a veil and even wore gloves to prepare for such a situation…. Could it be that I had already been discovered?
“…….”
As the silence of the people around me lengthened, my anxiety gradually grew. Each time it did, the necklace I wore acted out, trying to calm my rapidly beating heart. Unfortunately, the growing anxiety surpassed the calming effects, and I could hardly regain my composure.
“Um, excuse me….”
At that moment, a man’s voice suddenly came softly from behind me. Instinctively, I flinched, and my body turned reflexively.
“Y-yes…?”
“Are you perhaps lost? You seem to be new to this village.”
My mind was already completely blank, like a white sheet of paper. Despite my thorough preparations, I could not believe I was being suspected in such a bleak atmosphere.
“I’m just… heading to the village center… I have business at the guild….”
“Oh, in that case, I’ll guide you. The paths here are quite complicated.”
“No, there’s really no need….”
“That’s alright. Just trust me and follow me.”
The man was quite friendly. However, I couldn’t accept his kindness with joy. No matter how I thought about it, it was strange that someone would be so friendly to a stranger in such a bleak atmosphere.
There seemed to be more than just kindness hidden in the gleam of his eyes. It felt as if he wasn’t just helping me out but trying to confirm if I was a specific type of being.
“No, really. It’s fine. I can go alone….”
“Then I’ll escort you─!! Indeed, a warrior is more trustworthy than a thief─!!”
No sooner had I rejected the man’s kindness than another man suddenly appeared in front of me and loudly began to speak.
“Since you’ve come all this way, why don’t you look around a bit before heading straight to the guild? I can show you around!!”
“Y-yes…?”
“It seems you came here to request something, but if it’s not urgent, why don’t you come with me….”
Before the man’s words could finish, yet another man suddenly interrupted and hurriedly spoke to me. He looked overly excited at a glance, his voice trembling and his words coming out in a jumble.
“That guy has a reputation that’s not very good in this village─!! I’m much more reliable than that low-quality guy, so come with me….”
“What are you talking about?! Why do I have a bad reputation?!!”
“Shut up and stay out of this─!!”
“What do you know about me to say that? Do you want to die?!!”
In an instant, the situation became chaotic. The two men shouted vehemently at each other, arguing fiercely.
Yet, despite that situation, the people around me still could not take their eyes off me. There were even some who quietly approached me to speak.
All of them approached quite friendly, offering to guide me.
“…….”
I stood there silently observing the scene, and eventually let out a hollow laugh before carefully turning to leave.
Indeed, the Warrior’s Town, Warrior Bill.
I seemed to have underestimated them.
I thought if I just covered my pale skin, I could deceive them.
But I had overlooked their keen observation honed from years of living as adventurers.
They must not have missed even my slightest movements.
The gazes I carelessly cast and my subtle tension would surely have been detected.
That’s understandable, considering they have lived their lives on adventures.
Distinguishing between humans and demons should be nothing to them.
While it seems they are still in the stage of suspicion, it’s too early to feel safe.
From now on, I must act and move more carefully to barely deceive their eyes.
“Um, what’s the request…?! I’d really like to take on that request if possible….”
“…….”
“Is there some dangerous event happening to the children under the care of the nun?!”
“No.”
“Then is something happening with that nun….”
“There isn’t.”
I moved as quickly as possible.
I tried hard to escape their persistent interest, but they continued to follow me, relentlessly bombarding me with questions.
The stares of countless people felt like a burning heat on my back.
The sensation that all eyes were fixed on me was so uncomfortable that it felt like I couldn’t breathe.
Being in a situation where I seemed to be the center of something was very disconcerting.
I didn’t understand why I was already under suspicion and scrutiny from so many people without having done anything yet.
“Why are you doing this?! I said I didn’t need a guide.”
Eventually, unable to hold back anymore, I blurted out loudly.
Only then did the people stop walking and begin to keep a certain distance from me.
“I don’t know which part of me seems suspicious, but I’m only trying to go to the guild for something important.”
“Oh, we know…. That’s why we’re trying to help you a little….”
“Who do you think we are? You’re just harassing me because I’m an outsider. Be reasonable.”
To avoid their suspicion, I tried to continue the conversation as best as I could.
Though it was clear they were suspecting me of being a demon and chasing me, I tried to calmly redirect the conversation and navigate the situation.
“Harassing you? That’s a misunderstanding. We were just trying to help.”
“As you can see, the paths in this village are quite complicated. It would be tough without a guide.”
However, these people were also not so easy to deal with.
They had somehow manufactured a valid reason to follow me.
“I’m not looking for the guild because of a request, nor am I lost. So please just leave me alone.”
“What? Then why did you come all the way here…?”
“I have someone I want to meet. I’d prefer not to discuss personal matters further.”
With that firm statement, I tried to end the conversation, took a deep breath, and began to walk again when suddenly.
“It seems you have some business with us….”
A solemn voice echoed out from somewhere.
In an instant, the previously loud surroundings fell silent, and everyone’s attention slowly focused on one side.
“No, I called for you…. Why are you going to the guild instead of the church…?”
There stood a frail old woman, dressed similarly to me in a nun’s habit, supported by a cane.
“And you were supposed to come yesterday….”
“Me?”
