Subjugating Cultists (3)

The next day, a little after lunch, we were able to arrive in the village where the hunter lived.

It was a small village whose only defensive facilities were poorly constructed wooden fences.

Would a barrier like that be able to stop a cultist from attacking?

The gap was wide enough for even a small child to pass through, so I thought that if a cultist's altar was discovered, the wooden fence should have been at least strengthened.

As soon as we arrived in the village, an elderly woman welcomed the hunterman.

"Oh my, this person." He didn't come for long, so I thought he was dead!"

"I waited for a long time because no one wanted to take the request."

"If it was going to take that long, I would have sent someone else! Oh my, so there are pretty girls here?"

"Yes. These are adventurers who accepted the request."

"Ayu, thank you. People with beautiful faces also have kind hearts. Ladies, please take care of me."

It starts with 'If there's anything uncomfortable, let me know' and then 'When I was young...' The lady's words continue endlessly.

We couldn't even run away from the lady who grabbed her hand with both of her hands, saying thank you for accepting her request, and we just said, 'Yes, yes.' I had no choice but to respond with '.

It seems like I'm a little weak towards talkative ladies...

It's a distant memory now, but I remember having a hard time with Auntie Lunone, whom I met when I just started playing the game.

"Ma'am, these people also have work to do."

"Oh my goodness. Look at my mind. Hoho, I'm sorry. Ladies. The ladies are also here for work, but they made her waste time for no reason. They say that as you get older, you talk more. It's because I'm so happy to see you, so please understand. Huh? "I'll look at it again later when I have free time."

"Uh, um..."

I couldn't bear to nod my head when she asked me to see her again.

Fortunately, the people we met after the lady left simply said hello, and no one caught us.

After meeting with the village chief and talking briefly, we were guided to the house where we would stay.

The house built in the corner of the village was more prosperous than expected.

"You can stay here."

"And. " It's a really nice house, isn't it?"

When making a request from a village in such a remote forest, it is common to rent a room in a village house or a spare room in the village chief's house.

There were very few cases like now where a house was given out for guests to stay in.

"Ah. This is a house prepared for the occasional peddler to stay. In a remote place like this, each and every item traded by peddlers is precious. They say that if you prepare a house like this and have peddlers come at least once, it will be a huge benefit."

"Does this really work?"

"The village chief said that, but actually, I'm not sure. Haha!"

Anyway, it was a good thing that I had a place to stay.

Because you can live much more comfortably renting a house than renting a room.

"The toilet, bathroom, and kitchen are on the first floor. All bedrooms are on the second floor. If you need anything, please let me know." I will try my best to save it."

The spare house in the remote forest is fully equipped with a toilet, bathroom, kitchen, and even running water.

It was a good idea to take care of this even if it meant sacrificing some realism when starting the game.

The concept is good, but shouldn't you just get comfortable with it first?

"How far is the altar from here?"

In response to my question, the hunter looked back on his memory for a moment and then said,.

"You can go into the forest for about two hours. Would you like to go now?"

There's still some time left until the sun sets, but night comes early in the forest.

There's no need to search in the dark. I shook my head.

"Then I will come back tomorrow morning."

The hunter left with those last words. Those of us who were left unpacked first.

"Ruler. Here's what you know. "This is Flora."

Various foods and daily necessities fall from the air.

"Inventory is very convenient."

"Yes? " It's not the most famous ability for no reason because it's convenient."

Asil muttered, 'Shouldn't I have that kind of ability?'

If so, you should have set it when creating the character.

Well, it would have been natural for Asil to have an inventory when creating the character, so it's not understandable that it wasn't included as an ability.

"What are you going to do today? Should I rest like this?"

"You know, it's not even dinner yet, but I don't think we're taking a break already."

"But the altar is two hours away. "Is there anything we can do?"

Asil is already thinking about taking a break, and Flora is scolding him.

This time I took Flora's hand.

"It may not have much to do with subjugation, but let's go around the area and do a search. If there are any traces of cultists nearby, the villagers must evacuate first."

"I've lived well so far without any incidents; will cultists suddenly attack this place?"

"I don't know. "If you don't like it, let's just go for a walk and go for a walk."

"Eh, that's annoying."

"You know, don't do that!"

Asil lay down on the bed, saying it was annoying, but Flora pulled his arm and helped him up.

Asil whined as if Flora was annoying... Considering that last time when time was stopped, Flora's head turned because she fell, this guy is also a tsundere.

"It's annoying, but I can't help it... What. Soira, why are you grinning like that?"

"Ugh, it's nothing."

"I feel uneasy."

Asil grumbled, but got her butt off the bed and changed into comfortable clothes.

A short-sleeved dress with a design that tightens with a ribbon under the chest.

As she hung out with other girls at her academy, the frequency with which she wore skirts gradually increased.

I always wear short shorts underneath, but how much progress is this alone?

Her original TS bitch depravity was said to have started with her being narcissistic and enjoying her own appearance. Is this your first time hearing this? Because I just made it up.

Anyway, for now, let's be honest and rejoice in Asil's growth.

"As expected, I feel some unpleasant gaze from somewhere."

Asil tilted her head and steadily pulled her high-heeled socks up to her thighs.

"Asil, are you ready?"

"Yes, go now."

I sent Asil and Flora out first and closed the door.

Because it was a small town, there were no locks on the doors. It doesn't matter because I put all the important items in my inventory.

◆

30 minutes.

It was the time it took to walk around the village once.

"It's a tiny town."

"It's normal. No, this is a big village, considering it's in the forest, right?"

"Really?"

"If you want to build a village in the forest, you have to take care of the trees first. Because that's not an easy task either."

At that time, Flora, who was looking around her, said.

"But somehow, it feels empty."

"Is it empty?"

"It seems a bit spacious... It feels like it's empty."

"After hearing it, it seems like that."

There was nothing in the middle of the town square.

There was nothing hanging on the walls of the small general store.

There was a strange distance between the houses.

As if there was something in between, and it was removed.

"Ah. See you again, everyone."

"Chief grandfather?"

Let's ask these questions to the village chief, who appears just in time.

"You have a keen eye for attention. You're right. Originally, there were all kinds of miscellaneous luggage piled up there."

"What now?"

"The cultist's altar was moved after it was discovered. If anything happens, we will have to abandon the village and take refuge."

"Aha. So..."

"Yes. That's probably why you feel like the village is empty." It's not a space that was empty to begin with."

"I see. Ah. I didn't doubt it. "I'm just curious."

"Haha. It's okay. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask."

The village chief left with a kind smile.

But is what the village chief said really true?

"Soira? "What do you think?"

"Huh? Ah. Flora. Just a little bit. "I have something to think about regarding the request."

"Did you find anything?"

"No, it's not like that... Really. Do you guys know what kind of Shinigami the cultist we are chasing believes in?"

"Hmm, what did you say? Driftert. Did you say that?"

"That's right. "He is usually called 'Drifter of Endless Dreams.'"

"But why suddenly?"

"Cultists sometimes borrow the power of the gods they believe in and use it. As the name suggests, Drippert is a god with powers related to dreams, so it seems that people sometimes have nightmares near Drippert's altar."

"Eh… "

Asil and Flora were disgusted by my words.

"… Should I just stay up all night tonight?"

"If I didn't know, I wouldn't be able to sleep if I thought I might have a nightmare."

"Hey, I'm just saying that could happen. "If it takes two hours to get to the altar, you'll probably be safe."

"Yeah, right?"

I got lost in thought, leaving the two who had already started worrying about the night.

Anyway, I've never seen a case in which the quest to subdue a cult didn't involve trying to screw the adventurer.