Chapter 43: Smooth Criminal (1)

As soon as we arrived in Sista Village at night, we were confronted with the sight of the villagers, holding torches, trying to chase away outsiders.

Naturally, we, having just arrived, were also lumped in with those outsiders, and.

“W-We’re serious! We’ll burn you!”

The result was this tense standoff.

“W-What in the world could have happened…?”

Miki seemed quite shocked by the atmosphere, which was so different from the Sista Village he had only heard about in stories.

Certainly, it was a shocking sight.

The only reason I wasn't surprised was simply because I knew in advance that we would witness this very scene the moment we arrived in this village.

It was all part of an ‘event’.

And another thing I knew was that.

“H-Hey! What have we done…”

“This is your last warning! Leave the village at once!”

Once the situation progressed to a certain point──

“──Everyone! Stop it!”

An elderly man would rush out and shout like this.

“What is the meaning of this!”

That old man was the chief of Sista Village, a devout follower of Sistina who was highly respected by the villagers.

“Do you really intend to go against Lady Sistina’s will!”

Sure enough, at his rebuke, the villagers who had been glaring just a moment ago quickly began to look like scolded children.

Though they couldn't talk back, they looked as if they were being wronged.

“But chief! These people…”

“Enough!”

Perhaps that's why the chief's scolding voice felt much more vigorous than his age would suggest.

“There is no proof that those people are involved in this incident!”

“Th-Then are you saying that someone from our village is doing such things!?”

But at these words, even the chief showed a moment of hesitation.

“That is…”

Perhaps sensing an opportunity, the man who had spoken immediately tried to press on.

“It is clearly the work of outsiders! We must chase them all out of here before it’s too late!”

At that moment.

--

[Perception] Success

--

You notice the old man’s hesitation.

With the success of the check, the ‘Voice’ suddenly interjected.

He believes the people’s actions are wrong.

However, he also thinks that the man’s words have some merit.

In short.

At this rate, you might not be able to set foot in the village and be chased away.

It meant it was my turn to step up.

“──Wait.”

The moment I stepped in front of the torch-wielding villagers, they flinched in surprise, then brought their torches closer.

However, it was a movement closer to trying to get a better look at my face than a threat, and.

“W-What are you!”

“I am just an adventurer on a journey.”

As they saw my face, or more precisely, my ‘mask’, they showed a slight tension.

As I mentioned before, in their eyes, I was currently in a state that was no different from having my face ‘completely covered’.

“Are you in league with those guys!”

“Why are you covering your face? Reveal your identity!”

“It would be better for you if I didn't.”

“What…?”

“First, let me be clear, I am not a suspicious person. The reason I'm covering my face is… just, so that you don't fall for me.”

“W-What nonsense is that…!?”

“There he goes again….”

Ibi muttered from behind as if she was fed up, but right now, it was better to be honest than to gloss over it by saying I had my reasons.

Otherwise, they would have told me to take it off, regardless of my reasons.

They were not in a relaxed enough situation to care about someone else's circumstances.

“Anyway, my party and I have just arrived in this village. So whatever happened in the village, it probably has nothing to do with us, don't you think?”

“D-Don't be fooled, everyone! Who knows if they're actually in league!”

“How can we be in league when we don't even know what the situation is?”

Well, I actually did know.

But since the rest of the party really didn't know, if three out of four didn't know, couldn't we just say we didn't know?

“So, if you could explain what is going on first, I believe we can clear up any misunderstandings.”

Sure enough, some of them, as if they thought my words had merit, couldn't hastily refute and began to exchange glances among themselves.

“Indeed, those people haven't even been here until now…”

“No! Whether they have been here or not, who knows what they'll do if we let such a suspicious person in!”

“H-Hear, hear!”

Of course, half of them still maintained the attitude that they should be chased away.

--

[Persuasion]

Difficulty 10

Success

--

“…No, that person is right.”

The important thing was that, in the end, the chief was [Persuaded].

“Lady Sistina said that any weary traveler can rest in front of her hearth. We must follow her words.”

“But chief…”

Of course, there was opposition, but the chief immediately shook his head and dismissed it.

“Besides, it is absolutely unacceptable to suspect, hate, and even chase people away without any proof.”

The emotional turmoil from a moment ago was gone, and his tone was calm yet firm.

“It's not because we are followers of Lady Sistina, but because it is what we should do as human beings.”

Wise words, elder.

Words I truly wish many people could hear.

“Am I wrong?”

“…….”

At the chief's firm attitude, even though there were still those who seemed unconvinced, no one expressed it verbally anymore.

At that, the chief turned around and this time, spoke to the ‘outsiders’, including me, who were on the verge of being chased away.

“My apologies, everyone.”

While bowing politely.

“Our villagers have committed a great discourtesy. As the chief of this village, I apologize to you all.”

At his sincere apology, the outsiders who had been restless until now, seemed to glance at the villagers for a moment, and then.

“Ah, no. We understand.”

“Given the situation, it couldn't be helped. Ha, haha.”

They awkwardly accepted his apology.

“The situation is a bit… for us to stay any longer. Thank you for your kindness until now.”

Then, half of them seemed to be about to leave the village.

Even though the situation seemed to be resolved, once they had been suspected, it wouldn't be strange for something like this to happen again at any time.

In fact, looking at the faces of the people holding the torches, it was clear that some of them were still dissatisfied, even if they weren't expressing it verbally.

“Um, we're not ready to leave just yet…”

“Of course, you may stay as long as you wish.”

On the other hand, there were also people who still wanted to stay in the village.

“Chief.”

We were, of course, the latter.

“Could we perhaps speak with you separately for a moment?”

“…Pardon? Ah, of course.”

I will guide you.

With these words, the chief began to walk, and I gave my party a grin and a light nod.

* * *

“I once again apologize for what happened a little while ago. You have seen a truly unsightly scene.”

The chief, who had guided us to his home, bowed his head and apologized again as soon as he served each of us a warm cup of tea.

“They are all originally faithful and good people who faithfully follow the teachings of Lady Sistina… It seems they were driven to a corner mentally by the recent events. I should have looked after them as the chief… I am ashamed.”

“We have heard of the kindness of Sista Village. We won't judge it by this one incident.”

“…Thank you.”

The chief, who expressed his gratitude with a nod, then took a sip of his tea and carefully opened his mouth again.

“So, what was it you wanted to talk about separately…”

“What on earth happened in the village?”

I immediately added.

“As I mentioned earlier, we have just arrived in the village. So whatever is happening here, I thought we might be able to offer objective advice or help from an outsider's perspective.”

“…….”

The chief, who let out a sigh at my direct question, still seemed unable to open his mouth easily.

He was probably contemplating whether it was okay to talk about such things to an outsider.

So.

“You can trust us.”

I first took out and presented the 「Insignia of Alliance (Stout)」.

“Th-This is…!”

As soon as he saw the insignia presented before him, the chief quickly raised his lowered head and began to look at us with wide eyes.

Even though this was not Stout, it was a village not far from it.

How could the chief of such a village not know the meaning of this insignia?

“We can surely be of help to you.”

And that it wasn't an item given to just anyone.

“…A while ago,”

In the end, the chief, having finished his contemplation, opened his mouth again.

“People in the village have been found unconscious and collapsed.”

“An attack?”

At Ibi's question, the chief struggled to shake his head and said.

“…That, I do not know.”

“What?”

“I do not know the reason or the method.”

At first, I thought it was a disease.

The chief immediately continued.

“But for it to be something like an epidemic… isn't it a bit strange that they are found collapsed, just one person at a time?”

“Just one person at a time.”

“Yes. So, as you said, we began to suspect it might be an attack by someone, but…”

“Even as an attack, it's strange.”

“…That's right. They were all good people. They were not the kind of people to hold a grudge against anyone.”

“Were they robbed?”

“No. All of the collapsed people, whether they were found outside or inside their homes, had no signs of their belongings or money being stolen.”

It was not an epidemic, not an attack out of grudge, nor a robbery for valuables.

“…All we know is that people are being found unconscious, one by one.”

And yet, victims continue to be found.

For the villagers, it must have been very frightening days.

“That's why everyone, in their fear, committed this act….”

Since they couldn't suspect their fellow villagers, they decided to chase away the outsiders first.

No matter how kind and gentle people usually were, they were prone to becoming extreme when driven into an extreme situation.

“Could I know more details about the victims' symptoms?”

“…I would like to tell you more, but this is all I know.”

“Then who would know more?”

“All the victims who have been found are being treated at the church.”

Of course.

Since it was a place where clerics── ‘healers’ were gathered.

“The clerics there will surely be able to tell you more.”

“Is there anyone you would particularly recommend?”

“…Lily. Go see Sister Lily.”

She is the most skilled healer in this village.

So much pride could be felt in the chief's voice as he added this.

“If it weren't for her, it wouldn't be strange if there had been fatalities already. …She is truly a blessing that Lady Sistina has bestowed upon our village.”

With the chief's words, a quest window popped up.

--

Sub Quest

「Smooth Criminal」

When morning comes, go to the church and speak with Sister Lily.

--

“Don't worry anymore, chief.”

At that, with a confident smile, I declared.

“We will solve it for you.”

Of course, since I already knew who the culprit was.