Chapter 28

It was the morning of the eighth day after Valetta's attempt to travel between this world and Japan had failed.

Kazuya was inside a fence at the back of the mayor's residence, feeding two root-cutting birds along with Valetta.

The feed he was giving to the root-cutting birds was a well-balanced mixed feed, which he had purchased in Japan six days ago.

The two root-cutting birds were pecking at the feed scattered on the ground, looking as if they were enjoying it, much like chickens in Japan.

"Good, good. Eat a lot and lay strong eggs. If possible, lay fertilized eggs."

Over the past few days, the root-cutting birds, having been fed Japanese feed, had laid two eggs in just four days.

So far, the parent birds had not incubated any of the eggs, but fertilized eggs might soon be produced.

Since there were only two root-cutting birds, it was crucial that they not weaken and die, so they were being fed Japanese feed, which seemed to be improving their health as expected.

"If the number of root-cutting birds increases in the future, we might be able to make their production a new industry for the village in a few years. ...I need to study more about poultry farming."

Since it was determined that Valetta could not travel to Japan with Kazuya, she had become even more enthusiastic about her studies.

Kazuya also studied with Valetta, but her quick understanding was so fast that in some areas, Kazuya was learning from Valetta, who had already grasped the content.

Kazuya had not yet studied poultry farming and only had basic knowledge about raising chickens, which he had learned from a store clerk when he bought feed at a home center.

"I'll buy some specialized books on poultry farming when I return to Japan next time. ...We'll need a bookshelf soon."

During these eight days, Kazuya had returned to Japan several times to purchase food supplies, and on those occasions, he had also bought a large number of books as souvenirs for Valetta.

However, the number of books had increased significantly recently, and if storage space was not prepared, they would pile up in the corner of Kazuya's room.

"Yes, that's right... There should be a lot of lumber for taxes near the forest, so let's use some of it to make a bookshelf."

"Since we're at it, let's make a big one... Hmm? It seems someone is visiting."

While they were talking and feeding the root-cutting birds, they heard multiple people shouting the mayor's name from the entrance of the house.

It seemed that someone from the village had come to visit, and the atmosphere was one of urgency.

The two of them looked at each other and headed towards the entrance of the residence to see what was happening.

When they arrived at the entrance, the mayor and over a dozen villagers were having a serious conversation.

When the villagers noticed Kazuya and Valetta, they all fell silent and looked at Kazuya with a mixture of anxiety and pleading.

"Um..."

"Everyone, has something happened?"

Feeling uncomfortable being stared at by so many people, Kazuya stepped back, and Valetta stepped forward to address the villagers.

The villagers, who had been looking at the ground, remained silent, but the mayor, unable to bear the silence, spoke up.

"...It seems that an Isterian army is heading towards the village from the eastern road. They say there are about a hundred of them."

"Wh-What!?"

Hearing her father's words, Valetta turned to Kazuya.

In her knowledge, except for the legend of Gracior, an Isterian army had never come to Grisaea Village.

During the war with Barvelle, only three soldiers would visit for conscription, which was considered a large number.

"...Well, I'll just stay in my room for now."

Feeling the heavy atmosphere, Kazuya decided to retreat to his room, as he was being stared at by everyone, including Valetta.

Everyone in the village, including the mayor, believed that Kazuya was Gracior.

If he stayed, the villagers would not be able to have a proper discussion, so Kazuya thought it best to leave.

After saying this, he walked away, feeling the gazes of everyone on his back, and disappeared into the residence.

Once Kazuya had gone, the villagers turned back to the mayor.

"Mayor... The army heading towards the village must be sent by Lord Nelson to capture Lord Kazura!"

"No, it's not decided yet..."

"What other reason could there be for an army to come to this village? If we do nothing, just like the legend, Lord Kazura... Lord Gracior will leave us again!"

The mayor, who was concerned about Kazuya, hesitated at the villagers' urgent and desperate voices, though they were speaking in a low tone.

To the villagers, Kazuya was Gracior, the god of mercy and abundance who had appeared to save them.

The fear that he might be taken away by the lord, just as in the legend, seemed to have put the villagers in a state of panic.

"We cannot repeat the same mistake as in the legend. Open the armory."

"Hey, what are you saying!? Are you planning to fight Lord Nelson's army? Don't be ridiculous!!"

The mayor, who had been shocked by the villagers' suggestion to open the armory, rebuked them.

Fighting the Isterian army would be tantamount to rebelling against Arcadia.

The villagers, who had flinched at the mayor's stern words, now stepped forward and glared at the mayor.

"Centuries ago, our ancestors, despite being saved by Lord Gracior, did not protect him when he was about to be captured. Lord Gracior forgave us, the descendants of such sinful people, and extended his hand to save us again. If we repeat the same mistake here, we will be abandoned by Lord Gracior this time."

"But to resist Lord Nelson's army..."

The mayor groaned, as if he had bitten into a bitter bug.

He understood the villagers' concerns and, personally, did not want Kazuya to be captured.

However, resisting Nelson's army would result in severe punishment, including execution or enslavement.

If the mayor himself were to be executed, he would be willing to do anything for Kazuya, but the entire village would undoubtedly suffer severe penalties.

The mayor and his family would be executed, and all the villagers would either be executed or reduced to slavery.

"I agree with everyone. If Lord Gracior is about to be captured, we should take up arms and fight, even if it's against Lord Nelson's army."

As the mayor was struggling with what to do, Valetta, who had been silent, expressed her opinion.

The mayor, who had not expected Valetta to say such a thing, looked at his daughter in surprise.

The villagers also seemed more energized after hearing Valetta's opinion.

"But..."

Valetta, who had been pleased that the villagers agreed with her, silenced the mayor with a look and continued addressing the villagers.

"Unfortunately, even if all of us take up arms, it will be difficult to repel an army of nearly a hundred. There are only a dozen or so people in this village who can fight properly."

The villagers, who had been excited by Valetta's agreement, became restless at her comment.

"But, we can't just not fight! You just said we should fight, Valetta!"

Valetta, looking up at the agitated villager who had approached her, nodded.

"Of course, we will fight if necessary. However, that should be the last resort. Our goal is to protect Lord Gracior, and if that is achieved, there is no need to fight Lord Nelson's army."

"But to protect Lord Gracior, we must fight..."

"There must be other things we can do before fighting. Does anyone know how long it will take for the army to reach the village?"

Valetta looked around, and a young male villager raised his hand.

"I heard they will arrive in about an hour."

"Who told you that?"

"A cavalryman on a lata. He said the army would reach the village in about an hour and to tell the mayor to be ready to welcome them."

Valetta sighed in relief.

From the information, it seemed that the purpose of the army coming to the village was not to capture Kazuya.

If that were the case, they would not have sent a cavalryman ahead to inform the village of the army's arrival.

The villagers, upon hearing about the army, had immediately thought of Kazuya and the legend of Gracior, leading to extreme thoughts.

Valetta briefly considered explaining her thoughts to the villagers to gain their understanding but quickly dismissed the idea.

She thought it would be better to give them a task to calm them down first.

After thinking for a few seconds, she began giving the villagers several instructions.

While Valetta was giving instructions to the villagers, Kazuya was in his room, packing his clothes and other belongings into his Boston bag.

According to the mayor, an Isterian army was approaching the village.

Although he did not know the purpose of the army's visit, he decided it would be best to leave the village for a while.

If the army were to stay in the village for several days, there was a risk that his presence might be discovered.

Since Kazuya was not supposed to be in the village, if the army had a record of the village's residents, he might be recognized even if he was dressed like the villagers.

After packing his belongings into the bag, Kazuya looked at the pile of books in the corner of the room, wondering if he should take them with him.

Just as he was thinking this, Valetta entered the room.

"Kazura... Ah, you've already packed?"

Seeing Kazuya with his bag packed and looking at the pile of books, Valetta smiled at him.

"Yes, I'll stay in Japan for a while. The Isterian army that Balin mentioned earlier, will they arrive soon?"

"No, we have about an hour... two hours. In that time, we need to hide anything that might be seen."

Kazuya, hearing this, looked back at the pile of books.

"I need to do something about these books... What is the purpose of the army coming to the village?"

Valetta, thinking for a moment, placed her hand on her chin.

"The purpose is unclear, but since they sent a cavalryman ahead, it seems they are not targeting you. They might be passing through the village on their way to another destination