Chapter 237

It had been about two years since Ardis and the others started living in the village . In that time, the village that only had about a hundred people at first expanded quickly, and now the population is over five hundred people ranging from different ages .

Normally, a sudden spike in population would call for discord between the villagers . However, surprisingly, the people brought over by Sera were able to get together without any many problems .

It’s unknown what method she employed but, perhaps she had chosen people based on some criteria . Seeing the village with many twins, and several tribes from the western countries, or children that are of mixed races, despite the occasional surprised look, there were no discrimination .

That’s why, for Riana, there’s no need to be scared and put on a fake self in this village, it’s a place where she can be herself .

「Riana-chan . 」

Riana who was called out stopped walking and turned around . It was a wolf-like creature that came nearer . However, his size was many folds larger than a wolf .

The enormous body even larger than an entire carriage, covered with black fur, it looks exactly like a fierce demonic being or beast .

Although other people might shrink in fear from the gigantic black creature, or get into a fighting stance, Riana did neither but replied casually .

「What’s the matter, Rupus? 」

The black beast’s name is Rupus . Two years ago, it was the beast that can understand human language that Ardis and Rona brought to the village .

In the beginning, Riana was afraid too but, she had gotten used to it now and can converse with him without any problems .

Rupus continued to approach . However, his every step was accompanied by children’s laughter noises . There were several children hanging down and swaying while grabbing onto his black fur .

Despite wearing a tired expression because of the children that wouldn’t get off, Rupus still moved carefully to not shake them off . After looking at the children having fun with Rupus, Riana asked purely out of curiosity .

「Is it not painful? 」

「Uuu……, it’s a little painful . But they won’t leave me no matter what I say . 」

Rupus with an expression almost crying grumbled .

「Well, I think it’s better to be liked than afraid of right? 」

「It’s a little different from that though, I think……」

Even Rupus himself who was timid at first had completely become one of the villagers by now . However, he soon became a popular figure for the children as the people came to understand his gentle nature, or his weak personality if not saying it nicely .

After they found out Rupus isn’t scary, the children only saw Rupus as a playing mate that’s comfortable to touch . Because of that as well, Rupus is now always a playing partner for the children .

「Rupufuu――」

While they were chatting, a boy about three years old approached, hugging onto Rupus’s leg and started climbing him .

It was indeed a peaceful scenery . If it’s Rupus who has strength equalling Ardis or Rona, then he wouldn’t be tired out even after playing with the children .

However, it’s apparent to the eyes that he’s terribly tragic . Not injuring the children and enduring the discomfort and pain from his fur being pulled, there were no longer anyone in the village that saw Rupus as a dangerous beast .

「So, what’s the matter? 」

Riana asked, then Rupus sighed a little, before starting to talk with his fierce looking jaws .

「Did Ardis-san went somewhere? 」

「Ardis? ……I think he went to Reiten with Rona together today . 」

Recently, whenever Ardis and Rona leaves the village for an occasion, either Riana or Fillia would be accompanying . And so, today’s rotation is Fillia being a company and Riana staying behind .

「I see . They went out huh…… . Will they be back within today? 」

「Probably, I think they will be back before night . 」

「Then can you tell him that the village chief called for him when he’s back? 」

It’s rare to see the village chief call for Ardis . Riana looked gloomy as she thought that something bad happened .

「I can do that but…… . I’m going to patrol now, so I probably won’t be around for a while? If it’s a message, I think it’s better for you to find Nere, she’s staying in the house . 」

Already considered as an adult, Riana has her role within the village .

「Uuu……, that person is a little scary……」

「……Is that so? 」

Riana who had been together with Nere for a long time didn’t understand Rupus . Certainly, Nere’s expressionless face doesn’t give people a good first impression .

However, Nere is akin to a family member after spending half her life together with . Even if she hasn’t changed one bit in appearance since the day she met her, Riana wasn’t afraid .

「She’s a kind person, I don’t think you have to be nervous . 」

「U…nn . ……………I will try . 」

Rupus with depressed shoulders left the area . Despite his inexplicable sad atmosphere, the children were playing with Rupus like he’s a slide, it was a strange scene .

「Sorry for making you wait . 」

「Nope, it wasn’t that long actually . 」

It was her year-long friend, Karina who was waiting at the entrance of the village . It’s a rule to have villagers form a group of two whenever they’re patrolling within the barrier .

As the partner is not set in stone, Riana will be patrolling the east side together with Karina today .

「I was a little late too, thanks to Deen taking more time before we left . 」

「Deen is at the north today, right? 」

「Yep . He’s with Nakka today, so he’s in high spirits . He even put up a nice hairstyle despite patrolling is our work . What a stupid person, right? 」

「Ahaha……」

Without knowing what is best to reply, Riana could only vaguely laugh . Although twins too, Karina and Deen are unlike Riana with Fillia who have exceptional good relationship .

It might be because of their difference in gender but, they always like to talk bad about the other person disregarding whether the other person is around or not .

After confirming their own equipment, the two entered the forest after leaving the village . The forests near the village are safe, as not even preys could be found .

Since there’s still some distance to the area they need to start being careful, the two were chattering while walking towards the outskirts of the barrier .

「But is it really okay? 」

「Eh? About what? 」

「About Deen . That guy, even though he was so stuck up with Riana half a year ago, he easily changed over to Nakka as soon as she arrived in the village……」

Nakka is another girl at fifteen that had joined the village half a year ago . A child of a minority tribe in the western countries known as the Reto tribe, she’s an adorable girl with large brownish eyes even in Riana’s eyes .

Since she’s an archer, she is tasked with patrolling within the barrier and hunting just like Riana .

「Not really, I’m not really bothered . And……, I don’t really understand those things . 」

Currently, Deen seems to be interested in Nakka, and he’s proactively trying to be involved . So for him, today’s work with Nakka as a partner is probably half date .

Of course, Riana didn’t hate Deen either . However, that’s only to the extent of a friend, about the same level as her friendliness to Karina .

It was not the 『Special kind of like』 that they talked about before . That’s why, Riana didn’t really felt disappointed when Deen stopped his approach . Rather, she even felt like some of her troubles were lifted .

「Seriously . Are faces the only thing that men see? 」

「W-Who knows……? 」

Not even able to respond badly, Riana simply tried to redirect the topic .

「What about Karina, is there anyone you’re interested in? 」

「Me? 」

It seems like she didn’t expect to be asked, as Karina pointed at herself in surprise .

「Leaving aside two years ago, there’re now quite a lot more boys of similar age right? 」

When Riana came to the village two years ago, there were only about a hundred people in the village . For Deen or Karina, there were not many people of the opposite gender with similar age to be particular about .

That’s probably why Deen had interest in Riana who was similar in age . However, the village now has more than five hundred people . For Deen and Karina, they would have more people to look from .

「I suppose . Nn――, maybe someone like Ardis-san is good . 」

「Eh……, Ardis? 」

「Unn . Ardis-san always has this strange reassurance around him even when he’s not moving, and the fact that he offers help in kindness also scores a high point . And his face is not half bad too, and above all, that strength! Even if demonic beings attacked, he will definitely protect us right? 」

「Eh……, a……unn……」

Riana who was taken by surprise struggled with words while she agreed . She was half happy knowing someone else understood Ardis, but she also felt half pain in her chest without knowing the reason .

「In fact, Ardis-san is quite popular in the village, you know . Especially with the hunting tribes like the Reto, according to their tribe’s standards, Ardis who always bring back tremendous amount of preys is very well-received . 」

「I-Is that……so……」

As Karina continued to praise about Ardis, Riana’s fuzzy feeling became stronger . While wondering what is it really that she was feeling, Riana continued to vaguely reply .

It was at that time . Riana’s mana detection suddenly caught several responses . About ten human-sized responses, and they were heading straight towards themselves .

「Karina, there’re people ahead . About ten . 」

Hearing that, Karina’s warm and loose expression immediately became tense .

「People? There’s no mistake? 」

「With that many, and on top of that, they’re walking in formation, there aren’t any other creatures inside the forest that can do that right? 」

「That’s true too . ……Riana, let’s hide in the trees . 」

Without waiting for Riana, Karina quickly climbed a nearby tree . Riana as well panickily followed and climbed up another tree and hid herself .

Eventually, the mana signatures drew closer, and it’s about the distance they can make visual contact . The front leader is a man carrying a bastard sword .

Then a slightly shorter man with a bow . And then two more mercenary-like people, and another shorter person behind them as if hiding .

As the distance closed and as their faces became identifiable, Riana and Karina both sighed in relief and lowered their guard .

It was because the group had people of familiar faces within them . The two landed back on the ground so that the other party could see them easily, before starting to wave their hands .

「Michelle-san! 」