In the dark (2)
“… … It is a plan.”
After my explanation, each of the five children was pondering something, and I put down the pen and gave them time to organize their thoughts.
Usually, I only did things that could be completed in a day or so, but this time it seemed like I needed time to think, maybe because I had to work on it for a little longer.
After a moment of silence, it was Nora who cautiously raised her hand.
“Yes, Nora.”
“I… … If things go wrong, will you fight the priests?”
“There is no chance of that.”
“That doesn’t work… … . My parents say that the priests are God’s representatives, so if you say harsh words or fight in front of the priest, the god will know everything… … . Then he said he would be punished.”
Nora said as she rolled her eyes.
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Unlike the other children, it seems that they came from a devout family. Before I could say anything, the answer came from the side first.
“you stupid! They’re bad guys disguised as priests! How about a fight! No, on the contrary, even God would be asking for that, right?”
When Frederick said that, Claire and Delan nodded in agreement.
“These are the ones who betrayed God and joined the Dark Truth Church. If the heavenly punishment falls, you will head there, right?”
“There must be some priests who have nothing to do with the Dark Shinrikyo, but… … Shouldn’t it be okay if I kill you?”
As she said those words casually, Nora’s neck receded and looked like a turtle.
The atmosphere became sharper for some reason, so I clapped lightly to get attention.
“Now, stop. What was your goal this time?”
“Investigate!”
They opened their mouths again, making eye contact with the children who answered in one voice.
“Even if you end up fighting the priests, you guys should be able to get out of there. Even if the knight is your opponent, if you make up your mind and hide, you won’t find it? You think so?”
“At least one… … .”
“I can even have five!”
“Can I subdue it without killing it and run away?”
“never… … You won’t find out.”
“I won’t let anyone who is so careless and makes a mistake first.”
I didn’t worry too much when I saw the children chattering wildly according to their inclinations.
As I said, if these children are currently hiding, the skills of the children who have grown so rapidly that only the same industry can find them are excellent.
Even if they were caught, they were learning a few ways to hide again.
That’s why I decided to take the children to dig up Beretinio’s back.
In fact, if I knew more about Berretinio, I wouldn’t have to do this.
“Then let’s start slowly. Ask any questions you have in the carriage, and we will hand out related materials, so remember as much as you can along the way.”
“yes!”
The children responded vigorously and began to check their own luggage and common equipment and load them into the wagon.
Hazel, who was quietly watching the scene from the side, spat out.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t go with you.”
“it’s okay. Even the kids do their part. I alone will be enough to support you.”
“Hmm, feel free to tell me if you need any help.”
“… … It’s really embarrassing if you keep doing that.”
Ever since the previous incident, Hazel has been saying these things to repay me.
The problem was that I didn’t get along with Hazel at all and it made me sick to my stomach.
I said it openly, but Hazel just cleared her throat and turned her head away.
“Mister, everything is ready.”
Just then, Rowen approached and said so, and when he turned his head, he saw the children huddled in the wagon.
The children looked at Hazel and waved their hands vigorously.
“Goodbye, Grandpa and Master!”
“you idiot. I have to say I’m coming.”
“I’m coming, Grandpa.”
“I’ll come back safely… … .”
Hazel’s nose twitched at the scrambled greeting, and Rowen, who was in front of her, bowed lightly and greeted her one last time.
“Then I will go.”
“… … OK. Take care of yourself.”
At Hazel’s blunt greeting, the children showed more color and waved their hands vigorously, and I also greeted Hazel.
“You don’t have to worry about the children.”
“Who was worried, sniff.”
His grunting was no different from other grandfathers.
I smiled and climbed into the carriage as it was and made a final check on the safety of the children before we set off.
The target is Lista, a city in the northeast of the continent.
It was the place where High Priest Berretnio was.
Amidst the clatter of horses’ hooves and the chattering of children, the sound of the fluttering of paper mingled.
It was a data document containing the personal details of all the priests belonging to Lista that he obtained at the request of the Golden Bird Guild.
As I said before, I didn’t know much about Berrettinio, so I got some help.
What I know for sure is that Beretinio is a spy belonging to the Dark Truth Church.
I didn’t know what kind of activities they were doing internally.
Although he was not friendly with the Holy Church, Berrettinio would be found out as a spy and executed as is in the next three or four years.
Since he had risen to that position, he couldn’t have gone quietly, but he had only heard rumors that he had caused numerous casualties.
So I thought that there was nothing to do with me, but I never thought it would be like this.
Thanks to you, isn’t it such a hassle to go to the investigation?
As I was thinking about that, Claire shyly pushed her face in from behind and asked.
“Mister, can we go out to play after we finish our research?”
“I was thinking of taking a vacation before starting work?”
“Really?!”
Claire showed joy all over her face, and the other children showed similar emotions in their own ways.
For the children who spend most of their time in training, spending most of their time in Findel, traveling was something they could not help but look forward to.
“I heard that everyone is doing well in training as well as in the work at the top. Claire is nice to customers, Rowen is very helpful with paperwork, and Delan is quiet and gets things done quickly.”
“Ehehehe… … .”
“Learning letters from him was helpful.”
“I wanted to finish quickly and go to sleep.”
Hearing the reaction of the shy children, he even finished the story of the remaining two children.
“Frederick said that he was very active in everything, and Nora said that meticulous work was his strength. I wouldn’t say they’re not without mistakes, but they’re doing really well.”
“Ugh, I’ll make fewer mistakes.”
“So as not to become a nuisance… … I am doing my best.”
Unlike Nora, who spoke in a low voice, Frederick seemed to be stabbed.
I heard that there are often accidents that are not accidents because I move actively, but it was just a really minor mistake.
The other kids also made a few mistakes, but basically they were all well-received.
There is even a story that the atmosphere of the upper class has become brighter thanks to the children.
Thanks to that, I was able to get approval for the children’s leave without such difficulty. It was to the extent that I even received support for vacation expenses so that I could take enough rest before coming back.
It seemed that there were people who felt sorry for the poor circumstances of the children.
“So, the people at the top also asked me to let you guys have fun as much as possible. If you want to fully enjoy it, the rock garden in between is much better than Lista. Lista really has nothing to see.”
In fact, it seemed that these children would be happy anywhere, but if they were going to play, shouldn’t they play in the right place?
Although he claims to be a supporter, he has rarely played in this way, and he has never traveled, including vacations, with determination.
After going out to monster hunting training, it was all I took a short break.
I glanced at the children who started chattering about what to do in the rock garden during the vacation and turned my head again.
This job is just a light investigation anyway, so you can feel free to come and go.
* * *
listen these days
No, I’ve been thinking about this often for a while now.
I wondered if something would happen if I was too complacent.
There have been quite a few such things in this life.
That was the reason why I dared to mention Rock Garden and chose it as my vacation spot.
This was because it was a very clean city where nothing had happened until the end of the world.
The development of the city was at the level of a tolerable small and medium-sized city, so it was enough for children to play.
“mister! Let’s go over there!”
“Hey, that looks delicious!”
“Can you look at those clothes, Mister?”
“Can I come see a book?”
The children were chattering and looking for something to enjoy. Even so, there were no children far away, so it was convenient because there was no need to manage them separately.
Meanwhile, Rowen calmly looked around, prioritizing the children’s safety over her own desires.
I want you to leave all of that to me, but my innate temperament was like that.
Even so, when the children asked for something to do, they did well, and when they ate something, they showed a happy expression, so they seemed to be enjoying themselves.
And, fortunately, there was a small event in progress that Rowen could play an active part in.
“Come on, is there any next challenger? There are special giveaways available only today. Win gifts for family, lovers and friends with your own hands!”
As I moved my gaze following the hand gestures of the man who was soliciting customers, there was a shooting range that was simply made sloppy.
It seemed to be a small event in which an arrow was shot at a target at the end and the points were added up to receive prizes. Of course, there was also a participation fee.
The distance was about 150 meters, and it was a job for ordinary people to reach the target.
In fact, the contestant who is currently challenging seems to be able to hit it properly at first, but gradually loses strength and cannot even go near the target.
“Total score of 25 points! Now, here are the prizes to choose from!”
The contestant returned the bow he was using with a shy expression and headed to the place where the prizes were piled up.
“… … huh?”
what? why is that here
I closed and opened my eyes and looked again, solidifying my thoughts even more.
Any way you look at it, it was genuine.
In the meantime, the children who were watching the prizes next to them were talking loudly.
“Oh, I want that doll.”
“I am that! The ball over there!”
“I think that strange drum will be fun.”
“That blanket… … It looks warm.”
The children, who were talking about the items they wanted, soon focused their eyes on one place.
Receiving that gaze, Rowen crossed his arms and opened his mouth with a displeased expression.
“not… … .”
“I’ll do the laundry for you for a week!”
“I clean!”
“I’ll wash the dishes then!”
“snack… … . You can eat all of mine.”
Fearing that Rowen would say no, the children scrambled to offer deals.
Perhaps he didn’t know that he would want it so passionately, Rowen put on a puzzled expression and then looked at me asking for help.
I smiled and approached and removed the children and told Rowen.
“Aside from the prizes, would you like to give it a try?”
“… … .”
At my words, Rowen looked at me slightly.
It was Rowen who had practiced handling a bow unlike other children from the beginning of training.
No matter how mature it is, you can’t just pass by that kind of thing.
I wrapped my arms around Rowen’s shoulders and pushed him as we headed to the venue.
“I’m just playing, so try participating. It’s good for both siblings if they get the giveaway they want and give it to them.”
“… … yes.”
If he really didn’t like it, he would have stubbornly endured it, but Rowen calmly walked away, and the quick-witted children behind him were smirking without saying anything.
“The next contestant… … father?”
“No, not me, this kid.”
When I pointed at Rowen, the host nodded and said to Rowen.
“Ah, but if we want to prepare a target for children… … .”
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“It’s fine as it is.”
He seemed a little surprised by Rowen’s confident remarks, but soon put his hand inside with a commercial smile.
“A confident challenger has appeared! Will you be able to show off your skills? Come on, you can go right in.”
“Rowen, hold on.”
Grabbing Rowen who was about to enter right away, he lowered his head and whispered a word.
“With the remaining points after choosing the prize… … Ask for that bow.”