Published at 30th of March 2021 01:37:52 PM

290 Village Crisis

I spread my wings to leave the abyss nest, and meet up with the petit nightmare, araenie, and lesser treant that are waiting for me at the top.

Kikih! Kikih!

Gaah!

The petit nightmare tries to get on my partners head, but she resists. Though I dont care about them, whats more important is

I turn to look in the direction the forest children pointed, towards the village. I spot them on a nearby tree root. Our eyes meet, then they disappear once again.

They really are trying to lead me somewhere, I think. Following along might be for the best. I dont know what their relation is to the Lithovars. I though they might be hostile, since Gods Voice said they live by absorbing the magic power of trees and are called the guardians of the forest.

I guess Ill check next time I see Hibi. Theres thatand theres one more thing I need to ask. I need to ask about the standing of the dragon-god. I really dont want to, since I know itll get a bit awkward, but Its not as though I can let that stop me and stay silent I have no idea what shell say, though.

Aro stares anxiously in the direction the forest children disappeared, towards the village. That reminds me, Hibis the only one I can question about the dragon-god, but Aro should know about the forest children. She doesnt have any difficulty in talking any more, so Ill try asking her.

GuOh

I cry in a low voice, and Aro turns to look at me.

For the feared gods to show themselves with a purpose is exceedingly rare

Ooh, theres a slight lisp, but shes speaking normally. I once again feel amazed at how far shes come? Wait, feared gods?

I frown, and Aro tilts her head to the side. It seems the forest children are called feared gods here.

Eh Those little guys? Feared gods? Not fearless gods, then? What did they do?

A long time ago, an ancestor roused their anger and caused a huge landslide, is what miko-sama said

Seeing my confusion, Aro explains.

Ehh Was that really those guys doing? Couldnt that Hibi-san be exaggerating a bit? I have doubts about the dragon-god too, so I have some resistance to just accepting this without question

But if they really can do that sort of thing, I ought to be careful not to anger them. I get the feeling theyve been observing me suspiciously up to now. U-using Fake Life would be badright?

In any case, if Im going to follow their guidance, then lets get going. They wont get angry with me for going where they say.

Im worried somethings happening in the village, too Its possible that, after I defeated their boss, the abysses fell into chaos and surged into the village. If thats whats happening, I wont be able to look them in the eyes.

I drop Aro and the others off at the shrine on the way, then continue on to the village by myself. I thought she might want to go to the village too, but after thinking for a bit, she shook her head slightly. She might not have found her resolve just yet. Until she says she wants to go, Ill just watch over her quietly.

As I get closer to the Lithovar village, I notice things are off. Its strangely quiet I dont see a single person around. It doesnt look at all like the aftermath of a battle with abysses. Even when I look around, theres nowhere near enough traces of blood.

Gaaa?

As though thinking it strange, my partner tilts her head.

Using [Presence Perception], Im able to confirm that there are people further inside. For some reason, theyre stock still.

GuoOOOH!

I raise my voice. Normally, Hibi should come flying out with this. Ill have her explain whats happening. I dont like rudely calling out to her like this, but theres somethings wrong with the village.

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A short moment later, two spear-wielding Lithovars run up to me. They might have been guarding nearby.

Wh-what should we do Dragon-god-sama has come!

B-but, but

H-huh? Im not all that welcome? Are they simply in shock Eh? Seriously, whats going on?

Other Lithovars start coming out of their houses and appearing in front of me, but theres really something strange with them. I notice one person walking while supported on the shoulder of another, and then I see more of them that seem to be in a poor state of health. Whats more is that their expressions are all dark, as though exhausted. N-normally theyd be in high spirits after seeing me

One person My attention shifts to one man in the middle in particularly bad condition. Sweat drips from his forehead as he leans against the wall. The people around him are fretting and tell him to come down.

[Roji Rogum]

Species: Lithovar

Condition: Poisoned, Paralysed

Lv: 27/65

HP: 26/155

MP: 132/132

P-poison and paralysis? Could the anti-dragon-god guys have done something? They poisoned my partner with paralysis poison before. I thought things would go better after I defeated the manticore but I guess that was naive. No, its not like its certain that thats whats happening.

anyway, I cant leave this be. [High Rest] can But its not like its one or two people My MP Well, I shouldnt run out. It might be worth having them gather all those that are in danger into one place. To do that, I first need to get Hibi

Is there anyone who can hear dragon-god-samas voice?! If we do not borrow dragon-god-samas wisdom, it will be terrible! Besides, at this rate, we may be abandoned!

A single old woman screams hysterically at the people around her. Eh? H-huh, is Hibi perhaps not around?

Ill try looking around in the equipment storage.

That wont do! Only women of the miko family can enter there! Do you want to rouse the anger of the feared gods?!

B-but, since Hibi-sama has died

H-hibi hasdied?