Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Eight: Let’s Chase the Eerie Mystery of the Night
We politely decline the invitation to rest in the village and decide to hear the story outdoors. Since we’re heading out to investigate anyway, it’s more efficient for us to do it this way.
According to the village chief, who looked a bit worn out from the mysterious creature visits, this giant being started appearing recently… specifically, around the time the saint was summoned and high school girl and I came to this world. The creature apparently doesn’t attack villagers or livestock, it just flies around the night sky. However, the eerie sounds heard throughout the night and the constant fear of a potential attack have been steadily wearing down the villagers.
Well, that’s understandable. They must be exhausted from their daily work, unable to sleep soundly at night, and constantly on alert for a possible attack that may or may not come… It’s enough to chip away at anyone’s sanity and drive them straight to temporary or indefinite madness.
But what concerns the village chief the most is…
“We adults can still endure it. But the children are at their limit…”
“Ah… kids are pretty perceptive.”
“They must be sensing the adults’ anxiety and the unsettling atmosphere…”
The village chief lowered his eyebrows sadly, and at the end of his dropped hand stood a small girl who had appeared without us noticing. She looks about 5 years old. Her features somewhat resemble the village chief’s, so she’s probably his granddaughter.
Her small, chubby hands clutching the chief’s clothes, her puffy cheeks, and her large round eyes that seem about to overflow… She’s such a cute child who’ll surely grow up to be a beauty, but her poor complexion ruins that cuteness.
Oh my… poor thing, she’s really affected by this.
While the men are talking with the village chief, why don’t Ms. Aria and I keep this cutie company? What’s that? "Cutie" is an outdated term? Oh, don’t sweat the small stuff!
“Nice to meet you! I’m Rin, the cook of the Gourmands!”
“Mm. Same… here. I’m… Aria… of the Gourmands.”
“! I’m Meia from Sawashi Village! Are you big sisters adventurers too?”
When we crouched down in front of the girl and introduced ourselves, she smiled shyly and responded energetically.
…Oh, so this village is called Sawashi… I didn’t know that!
Still, while she’s a bit clumsy with her words, I didn’t expect to hear the word "adventurer" from such a small child. Well, even adults might find it difficult to say "adventurer", right? So of course kids might stumble over it. She probably learned the word "adventurer" from overhearing adults talking. She must have good ears. Maybe it’s the age where she wants to use words she’s learned, or perhaps she thinks that unfamiliar people coming to the village are adventurers… or maybe it’s both?
“Yes, we’re adventurers. I slash enemies, check for traps, and hunt meat and fish.”
“We’re adventurers indeed. I’m the one who cooks meals with what everyone hunts.”
“I see! My Papa and Mama go hunting and cook food too!”
To be honest, I’m still not sure if it’s okay to call the cook an adventurer, but I have explored dungeons and completed gathering quests, right? I was wondering how a child would react to someone who just cooks, but it seems Meia is totally fine with it! From her response, it sounds like both her parents hunt and cook the game, so maybe that made it easier for her to understand?
When I offer my hand to Meia, who is looking at us with sparkling eyes, she grasps it tightly with her small hand and swings our joined hands up and down.
For certain enthusiasts, this might feel like a divine encounter, like a fan service moment, perhaps?
‘I’m here too! I’m in charge of being cute!’
“Wow! A kitty! It’s so big!”
Just as the atmosphere became grand, Gomamiso suddenly popped its face out from near our feet. Meia laughed, repeating "big kitty" as she watched Gomamiso puff out its chest proudly. Gomamiso is still a kitten, but I guess to a child, a cat the size of a basketball seems big.
Before I know it, Meia’s pale face is brightening as she gently pets Gomamiso. Maybe she has regained some of her energy.
Gomamiso, this is quite the feat, even for you.
Meia’s hand, which has been softly petting Gomamiso’s head and under its chin, suddenly pauses.
Huh? Before I can wonder why, Meia looks up, her young eyes studying us intently as if appraising something. A thick veil of water covers the surface of her candy-like large eyes.
At that moment, the eerie screeching that has been so persistent suddenly ceases, and silence falls. The wind that has been passing through the trees now rushes between us.
“…Big sisters, will you defeat the scary thing?”
Whether carried by the wind or because the surface tension had reached its limit… tears spilled from Meia’s eyes.
Ahhh… Of course! That’s right! The village chief did say that the little ones were at their limit!
Meia must have been holding back a lot too!
“…Meia, scary things… don’t like…”
“Mm! That’s why… we came… to do something about it!”
“Absolutely! We’ll catch everything scary and turn it into a roast!”
Ms. Aria wiped the tears that were silently falling from Meia’s eyes and clenched her fist with determination, her eyes sharp. I followed suit, flexing my arm to show my muscles. Seeing us give a thumbs up, Meia’s crying face softened into a smile.
Gomamiso rubbing its head against her affectionately also seems to help ease the tension. Animal therapy is amazing!
As the three of us—Ms. Aria, Gomamiso, and I—are comforting Meia, I see Mr. Ville quickly approaching us. It seems the discussion with the village chief has ended.
“Rin, Aria. We’ve been told where the creature’s likely lair is. We’re heading out to investigate now. Are you ready?”
“We’re ready to go anytime!”
“Mm! Feeling motivated!”
‘Me too! I’m going too!’
Perhaps because there was a small child present, despite the aura of determination, his voice remained relatively gentle as he addressed us.
Meia, whose tears had completely dried, looks up at us in response to Mr. Ville’s mention of going on an investigation.
“We’ll definitely uncover the truth behind the shadow. You won’t have to be afraid at night anymore.”
“That’s right! We’ll be back in a jiffy after taking care of business!”
“Get some rest… and wait for us, okay?”
‘With me around, there’s nothing to worry about!’
Hands of various sizes took turns ruffling Meia’s hair.
Suddenly, I realize that the mysterious cries that have quieted down are once again shaking the night sky.
Well then, shall we set off on our nighttime adventure?
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