“Then… can I ask you just one thing?”
“Yes, sure.”
If this wish of mine can be fulfilled, then…
“I would like to ask you to send some knights to patrol Leis Village’s borders. In particular, the west border.”
The eyes of both knights simultaneously widen.
Is this too difficult of a request for them?
If there are knights patrolling until the day of disaster, I’m sure that more villagers can be saved.
“Patrolling? In this village?”
“Y-yes. Specifically knights who are skilled in combat,” I added. “On the other side of the western forest lies a large country called Valmcardo, which is currently at war against a large southern country. The war has intensified in the past few years. And I worry that refugees and demons may come to this village after being chased from the western lands.”
Two years later, a horde of demons will come to this village.
“This village has been very peaceful, so we don’t have any skilled fighters. You might think that I’m being paranoid, but… I have the feeling that something bad will happen. And that worries me. This village is a good place, and the villagers are peaceful and kind. So I want to protect them. Is that… impossible to ask for?”
The two knights exchange glances.
Is it a no?
After all, it’s a tedious and time-consuming job. And costly. He might even have to hire transporters to send them here.
The bespectacled knight looks at me, still wide-eyed.
“Are you okay with that? You’re…”
“Yes. Is it too hard?”
“No, it’s not something we’re unable to do, but…”
“R-really!?”
So it’s possible! Because their help will definitely be appreciated.
“Hmm, let’s see. I can send some knights to this village on monthly shifts. They will patrol the village to increase the security. Is that okay with you?”
They agreed! “Yes! That’s enough. Thank you very much!”
Thank you, bespectacled captain!
“I understand. If you have other requests, you can tell us, so─”
“No, this is enough!”
“Enough?! L-Lian-sama, you’re fine with just that?”
“Yes. Ah, but please make sure that the knights sent to this village can really fight.”
It’ll be a problem if they bolt at the mere sight of the demon horde.
To those people who are only knights in name, I’d have to refuse.
The bespectacled captain fell silent, appearing deep in thought.
I knew it. Will he say that I’m asking too much?
I have a feeling he will.Even I myself think that it’s a pretty excessive request.
As I prepare myself for their refusal…
…The captain suddenly bursts into laughter.
Huh? Why is he laughing? I didn’t say anything funny.
“Wow, it’s rare to see senior laugh. How scary! There will definitely be a heavy snowstorm tomo─ow!”
The bespectacled captain slapped the back of the tired-looking vice-captain’s head, still busting a gut.
“Hahaha… okay. I’ll fulfill your wish. Rest assured, Lian-sama. I will select the knights carefully.”
This is great! I was ready for the bad news, but he didn’t give me any.
I only asked this since there’s nothing to lose. And I’m glad I did!
“Yes, thank you! It’ll be a big help!”
The captain flashes me a smile, but his narrowed eyes take me aback.
“W-what is it?” I ask.
“Nothing. It’s just that this situation turned out differently from what I had expected. Quite interesting for you to make such a request.”
“I-I’m sorry. I made a pretty unreasonable request, but…”
But otherwise the villagers and I will die soon.
I need to do everything I can to prevent that.
“No, no. The dispatched knights will likely be ecstatic. This is like a rewarding business trip to them. Don’t worry about it.”
“Rewarding business trip?”
The vice-captain nods. “Yeah! A trip to a quiet and refreshing village in the countryside can be considered a vacation! The knights only have to patrol the perimeter and follow orders. After that, they’re free to do anything. I-I wish I can be sent here too every once in a while…”
“No. You don’t have that much free time. Your duties are waiting for you.”
“Nooooo! Cruel demon boss, this is an abuse of power!”
The bespectacled captain once again whacks the back of his vice-captain’s head, still with a smile on his face. “Who are you calling demon boss?”
Lian’s father then starts talking about using one of the Owens’ vacant houses as lodgings for the knights during their stay in the village. After giving my thanks once again to the captain, I decide to leave the reception room.
Before I left, the bespectacled captain tells me to stop by if I ever visit the capital. All this time, his smile has never left his face.
I’ve heard this phrase from other people countless times, so I just give a standard response, agreeing with him.
When I had been summoned to the reception room, I felt anxious about the future. But now it doesn’t seem so bad anymore.
Every thought of the upcoming disaster has made my heart and stomach hurt. It is certainly approaching, but if I continue to persevere, I will eventually overcome it.
The most important thing is to not give up. Find a way to succeed and do my best. In this way, I can change the ending for the better.
My grandpa always tells me this whenever I feel dejected. I’ve always believed in these words.
So I’ll do my best, grandpa.
I won’t ever give up until the end.
Looking up at the sky, I nod to myself with a smile, before returning to my room to continue my work.
T/N rant: When I realized it, it’s already December 15… I feel like I accomplished so many things this year (start translating, finally have a stable job), but I also feel like I don’t (stressing over work deadlines and uni assignments, very unhealthy sleeping schedule). Time to make another new year resolution for better health! Readers, please take care of your health as well!(・・;)
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