Chapter 123.

For a moment, time stood still.

‘You met the heroine.’

I met with him in order to get to know him, but once again I was in for a shock. He had already volunteered with the heroine.

‘So what do I do now?’

It was expected. It was following the story of the game. It was really scary because Winter had met the heroine and would soon bring it.

Unlike me whose life was threatened, he gazed at me with eyes containing unknown feelings and said calmly.

“…… Take it, and hopefully it will be snatched up and eaten by children with more strength.”

True enough. But this is the poverty equivalent of having a minimum amount of food in the house.

“Just because you eat a lot today doesn’t mean your stomach won’t be hungry tomorrow.”

Waking up from my thoughts I shrugged and told him absently.

“Besides, overeating after days of starvation can cause a lot of problems, haven’t you ever experienced that?”

The military blue pupils peeking out of the slits in his mask froze, streaming with stark emotion.

“You say that as if you’ve experienced it.”

“Yeah. How does it feel?”

I squeezed out a smile and guffawed. And predicted what Winter might be thinking right now.

Has the woman who became the empire’s only public daughter overnight among the commoners ever felt what it’s like to be poor. Or, have you ever pitied a “real princess” who is like an angel but lives in unfortunate circumstances?

“Call me today, and learn all you can about what kind of person I am.”

“It wouldn’t be fun if I told you everything.”

It doesn’t matter why he brought me to the volunteer event anymore. The game was on track.

In the back of my mind, Winter Belldandy had a red “x” drawn above his name.

After the meal distribution was over, we moved seats. Because there was one more place to distribute.

“Do you mind?”

Probably because she was wearing a light skirt, Winter showed an apologetic expression.

“It’s okay.”

It’s also my fault, so I can only say it’s okay. Plus it feels good to stand still and not think about anything but handing out bread.

We made our way through the winding alleys to the end of the village. To the rocky buildings on the outskirts and fewer people going back and forth around us.

Finally reaching the end of the village, where the cliffs meet the sea, there is a vast plain. Instead of buildings, houses made of simple wooden planks were crowded together, and a village like that appeared.

I’ve seen war-torn villages in the past, but the much harsher conditions there shocked me.

“Where the hell is this?”

“It’s a place where people with magic power live, who were driven out by the villagers.”

“People with magic power? You mean magicians?”

“No, they lack qualifications and learning …… that is to say, just possess magic power. After the bombardment, I brought a crystal ball to confirm the magic power and performed a large-scale verification.”

That statement confused me. I was already aware of the fact that the Imperials were unknowingly rejecting magicians. But wasn’t it too much to push some people to be poorer in just as difficult a situation.

“Why are they doing this? It’s obviously all from the Inca Empire.” I asked, frowning.

“There was also the effect of the war, but the recovery of Tratan wasn’t easy due to the periodic attacks of Layla’s new country.”

“Leila’s new country?”

“Yes. It’s because their ambition is to wipe out all magicians from the world. That’s why the people of the Tratan region see them as the culprit of the problem.”

Probably a stale contradiction, there was no particular emotion in Winter’s voice.

I asked reasoned questions.

“Why aren’t troops being sent? Are there no lords here? If the attacks are frequent, hide and wait for them to sweep in.”

“The remnants of Layla’s new country that lost the war and lost their garrison hid behind the Aquinas Islands and attacked with magic.”

“Ah.”

“But the surrounding waves are ferocious and there are many canyons, making it difficult to approach. A dilemma, I guess.”

After he finished speaking, he pulled something out of his pocket. Then approached me and bent down.

“Ah, what ……”

There was no retreat, the rabbit mask suddenly came closer, and his neck heaved.

“Please be sure to wear this around your neck, ma’am.”

Looking down at what he’s hanging for me, a huge white bead set in the center of the star-shaped ornate ornament.

“This is ……”

I knew exactly what it was. In normal mode, it was the key to proving that Penelope had poisoned the heroine.

“It’s an ancient artifact.”

As he replied, his eyes lit up.

[System] Acquired [Ancient Magician’s Relic]!

[System] Confirming [Winter’s] trust, gaining [Winter’s favorability +3%]!

The purple progress bar on Winter’s head is flashing, maybe the favorability is rising. I looked at the suddenly rising system window with some skepticism.

“The color changes when there is a toxic substance nearby. In particular, the further away from the original color, the more dangerous it is, so please avoid it immediately.”

Winter immediately explained why. I asked in a numb voice.

“Why did …… give this to me?”

Why wasn’t it given to the heroine, but me?

“To prepare for a situation you may not know about.”

He answered my question immediately. It wasn’t what I wanted.

“Unlike the place where the rations were distributed just now, this place is a bit dangerous for outsiders. It’s because the remnants of Leila’s new country might be hiding.”

“Even if you’re thirsty, don’t drink a sip of water given to you by someone else.” Winter explained the precautions in a steady tone.

“…… Thanks, will take care of that.”

I still nodded blankly. Close up in the rabbit mask, that slit saw his eyes were beautiful.

“This place has a small population, so we’ll soon be able to distribute it to everyone and return to the capital.”

In a rare delightful remark, he straightened up. Then we walked straight. On the way across the village, not knowing whether to recognize him or not, two people with gloomy expressions came out of the shack.

Unlike the village children who ran excitedly, there weren’t even any such children here.

Just staring blankly at us. The deep breath of despair choked me.

Standing at the end of the cliff, Winter quickly repeated what he had just done in the village.

Pulled out the cloth bag and pulled all the shrunken things out of it. If there was a difference, it was probably in the presence of someone with magical powers who could do it without fear. It was quickly apparent that he was purposely trying to give hope to the frustrated people.

With everything ready, after a while, a bucket of shabby meals was brought out. From then on, it was a repetition of the rationed meal not much different from what had just been served.

Probably because of the small number of people, like Wynter’s words, it was over quickly this time.

“It seems to be over, please sit down and rest for a while, ma’am.”

Then Winter said to me as he pulled a chair. I looked at him in surprise as he spoke.

“I need to see the village chief here.”

“The village chief?”

“He’s a wizard.”

A wizard as the head of the village. That’s truly magical. I didn’t show it, but sat down obediently.

“Work at ease.”

“Thanks.”

Wynter curtsied like me briefly, turned around hastily, and descended the slope. It just so happened that my leg was hurting badly too.

“Ouch. My leg.”

I flopped down on the chair he’d brought. Just in time for a cool breeze to cool the heat from the labor. I dragged the chair over the edge of the cliff.

It was not a date, but aimless work, and it was breathless any way you thought about it, but looking out at the bright ocean wasn’t a bad mood to be in.

“…… What. It’s nice to do good deeds once in a while.”

The boundless blue sea. The sky that was unconsciously reddened by the evening sun. It was a completely different landscape from the village in the back.

Always viewing the beautiful sea and cliffs. A dot was faintly visible on the distant horizon.

Could that be the …… Aquinas Islands?

If so, it was closer than expected. At the time I thought Winter was coming and was about to ask him.

–Haha! With the laughter of the children.

“Penelope!”

Someone behind me called out loudly. Looking back, Lavon was surrounded by children and waved at me. From the cane he was holding in his other hand, soap bubbles erupted with a poof.

Is it because I’m with friends who are in the same situation?

Lavon, who was using a completely different kind of magic than just now, looked happy. Lavon shouted at me with a bright expression.

“Can I follow my friends to the beach under the cliff?”

“No.”

I refused decisively. Instead of showing signs of disappointment, Lavon became bright.

“Why?”

“Because there is no teacher. That’s why Penelope allowed me to ……”

It sounded right. Agonizing for a moment about whether or not to allow it, but quickly shook his head firmly.

Anyway, Winter had returned and was about to go right back to the capital.

“…… Anyway, it’s dangerous, so no. Only around the cliffs.”

“Hee hee ……”

The moment the begging Lavon was left behind, the moment he turned his head again. Suddenly with a reddish haze as the background, a light shone before his eyes.

[System] Main quest: the whereabouts of the vanished child!

[System] [First, serve the slums with the wizard] Mission completed!

[System] Reward: Winters favorability +5%, fame +50! (Total: 460)

Is it over now? What a fulfilling day.

While looking at the system window and forcing a smile. Suddenly the surroundings went strangely quiet. Suddenly feeling a crisis, I look back.

“…… Lavon?”

Apparently, the seat that had just let out a crisp giggle and gathered children was empty.

Chapter 124.

I stood up gingerly and looked around. But there was no Lavon anywhere to be seen.

“Lavon! You’re kidding!”

Hesitantly, I walked down the cliff and called for the child. But not only Lavon, but the children around me were nowhere to be seen.

“Lavon?”

The hazy village felt surprisingly quiet. There were already few people, but suddenly everyone had evaporated at once.

Creepy, cold sweat ran down his back. A few seconds. Seconds in the confirmation system window.

-Da-da-da.

“Lavon, stop kidding around and come out!”

I wandered frantically through the village, calling out to Lavon.

“They must be playing hide-and-seek with the kids.”

Going behind dozens of huts to confirm each one, I tried to think positively. But there was no Lavon anywhere.

I had no choice but to go to someone else’s house, in order to confirm.

“Lavon!”

The wooden planks and cloth interwoven into the shack were mostly empty. But even if someone was there, it wasn’t Lavon.

“Hey! What are you doing!”

“Ah, sorry. Did you see the lion-masked kid I was just handing out rations with?”

“I don’t know, get out right now!”

I clearly heard my voice anxiously searching for the child, but the people of the village mercilessly shooed me out. The fear and wariness of outsiders was strong.

I searched all the shacks, but in the end I could not find Lavon. Winter, who had gone to meet the village headman, had not returned either.

“Ha, ha ……!”

Without realizing it, I stood on the edge of the cliff and tentatively looked at the plank village from the ramp.

“Where the hell did he go.”

Unconsciously, the evening sun was about to fade.

‘Were you captured by the people of Leila’s new country?’

Before that, hadn’t you heard a warning that Kizaka Village was dangerous for outsiders? The bad feeling gradually spread.

So what if the good feeling plummeted?

The moment Rahon disappeared, before worrying about the child, I was worried about the “plummeting favorability”. I know very well that this is selfish and bad of me.

But I still do it all the time. The nightmare of the first time I saw Winter in the white rabbit mask. The cane that sprayed lasers at me, the plummeting favorability when I didn’t even have time to struggle.

Just going into the secret space and meeting the rescued children became terrifying. If he knew that I couldn’t even keep an eye on one of the kids in that moment ……

What’s worse, if it comes to the worst case scenario, barely over half of goodwill is of no use.

Thinking about it there instantly made his eyes heat up and his breathing become ragged.

“What should I do.”

I desperately suppressed the feelings that welled up and tried to think calmly. In order to break the status quo, one must think rationally.

That instant.

–Penelope! Can I follow my friends to the beach below the cliffs?

Rahne’s crisp voice swept past her ears.

“Ah.”

Too flustered to forget the conversation with Raon just now. That kid can cast magic, and sneaking instantaneous movement can’t be ignored.

I ran straight up the slope. It wasn’t easy to step under the cliffs, stepping on layer after layer of huge rocks instead of artificially constructed stairs. High heels were even more so.

I eventually took my shoes off on the rocks, lifted my gown, and jumped off the rocks with difficulty.

The sun set completely as the rough grains of sand touched the palms of my feet.

“Lavon!”

I looked around, once again searching for Lavon. But the white sandy beach was so wide and dark that it was difficult to immediately recognize the body of a small child. Nonetheless, I ran aimlessly across the wide expanse of sand.

Constantly running, walking, looking around, repeating as many times as I could, I finally saw the unattainable child.

“Lavon!”

I let out the child’s name and ran that way.

But something was wrong. Possibly recognizing me, the child hesitated and immediately moved towards me.

As the distance narrows to the point where the shape of the shadow can be seen. Brush and pull – a blue glow can be seen around them.

The indistinct silhouettes became visible. Six people wearing black robes stood in a circle.

And, among them, the child who was raped is seen being placed on their backs. As if they had done something, they all lost consciousness.

”The remnants of Leila’s new country!”

I clenched my teeth and ran. Since I’m not a fool, there’s no way I can’t realize that they’re trying to move with magic.

Blue color was released around them. Inexplicable patterns soon appeared under their feet.

Although I ran desperately, I didn’t know if I could reach it before the teleportation. Even if I reach it, I don’t know if I can stop them alone.

What should I do?

At that moment. A box brighter than the blue light on their bodies appeared before my eyes.

[System] Breaking news!

Recite a magic spell to stop the evil forces that kidnapped [Child]? [Reward: Wynter favorability +3%, fame +50, extra bonus]

[Acceptance/Refusal]

“Accept!”

Without time to feel that the situation was wrong, I frantically hit [Accept] in rapid succession. The words in the system box changed.

[System] cast a spell on [Evil Force]! (Magic spell: SUN THE PIROOM)

“SUN THE PIROOM!”

I quickly recited the spell without taking a breath. At the same time, a flash of light appeared in the sky. Bang–With a loud roar, several lights accurately shot over their heads.

Bang-

“Ah-!”

The gathered guys scattered like popcorn.

“Ah, ah……”

The rapidly spreading blue light went out, and they groaned and stood up.

‘What ah, why is it so powerful?’

I stopped running briefly and stared blankly at the sight. In that case, it seemed like it was enough to deal with six people.

At that time, one of the guys who fell to the ground pointed at me.

“Get rid of that girl first ……”

“SUN THE PIROOM!”

I recited the spell again.

CLUNK-! Once again, a flash of light fell on the guy’s head. He didn’t even have time to scream before he collapsed again. Black smoke came out of his body.

“Ah!”

I was taken aback by the horrific sight.

‘I’m going to be in a lot of pain.’

But having been attacked, the guys were still in good spirits.

“SUN THE PIROOM!”

“SUN THE PIROOM!”

“SUN THE PIROOM!”

BANG-! CLUNK-!

Extra punishment was applied to the three squirming guys. Instantly, they were as black and smoky as the first guy and fell silent. Silence fell around me as I panicked and ran to the kids. The unconscious children were of course wearing lion masks between them.

“Lavon!”

I carefully picked up the tiny body. Gently shaking it, but Lavon didn’t move.

Should I take off the mask and observe the state of the child, or should I check on the other children and leave quickly.

“Uhm ……”

The body held in his arms shivered. Then Lavon let out a faint moan and opened his eyes.

“Lavon …… are you awake?”

“Penelope ……”

“No more ……”

I’m sorry to the other kids, but first, I have to get Lavon out of here. In any case, find Winter first, tell him about it, and bring the rest of the kids back.

After the agonizing, I jerked to my feet. Then was about to move my feet when a small hand grabbed the corner of my coat.

“Back, back ……!”

Suddenly, creepy, cold sweat ran down my back.

“Go to hell!”

Because of the proximity, it was too late to suddenly turn around. Unconsciously, a man in black silently approached behind me.

Something was emitting a blinding light, moving closer to me every moment, and time stood still like an eternity.

I opened my mouth wide. I knew it was too late to scream at this point, but it was to protect Lavon.

“…… Pilatio.”

A tiny whisper came before me, and a white light came before my eyes.