Chapter 33

"Even if it is a distant future, make allies of those who can be beneficial to you before they even show their potential."

"Do not oppose great power. Try to place yourself under its protection, and if possible, use that power to rise."

While staring at the unknown tools spread out before him, the adjutant recalled the maxims his father had taught him since childhood.

The village chief had mentioned earlier that the man named Kazura, who was explaining various unknown tools to Isaac, might be the Gracior himself he had heard about in legends. If he is the real Gracior... even if he isn't, if he is someone close to it, I am really lucky. Even if I can't make him an ally, this is a great opportunity to leave a good impression.

"This is a can, and it contains food. It can be stored for several years in this state."

The man standing behind him, completely unaware of what Ichirou was thinking, took out a new can from his Boston bag and explained it to Isaac.

"Will the food inside not rot?"

"As long as it is within the designated storage period, it should be fine. The storage period varies depending on the item... shall we open it?"

"...No, that's fine. Let me try it out in Isteria later."

While explaining to Isaac, Ichirou let out a sigh of relief. From Isaac's responses, it seemed that he was generally trusting Ichirou's explanations. ...However, the fact that Ichirou would be taken to Isteria did not seem to have changed.

"Ah... So, do I really have to go to Isteria?"

"...I'm sorry, but at this point, I cannot definitively determine that you are Gracior. You have shown various tools, but there is no proof that you are Gracior."

Sweat appeared on Isaac's forehead as he answered with a pained expression. Perhaps, seeing the various tools spread out before him, Isaac was starting to believe that Ichirou was Gracior, but he had not yet seen any decisive proof that Ichirou was a god. Unless Ichirou demonstrated something, this stubborn captain would not be convinced.

"(Proof that I am Gracior... there's only one way.)"

While Ichirou was thinking, he observed Isaac's reaction for a few seconds, then stood up, placing his hands on his knees.

"Then, let me show you proof that I am Gracior. Please follow me."

"Hey, where are we going?"

Ichirou smiled at the flustered Isaac, who quickly stood up to follow him.

"The entrance to the world of the gods."

About 10 minutes after leaving the village chief's house, the five of them were in a mixed forest at the edge of the village. Incidentally, the two men who were on guard in front of the house continued to do so.

"Beyond here is the domain of the gods. No one but me can proceed."

Ichirou confirmed that there were marks on the nearby trees, then walked through the place where Valeria had previously teleported.

"Valeria."

"Yes."

When Ichirou called out to Valeria, she walked over to him. Then, at about the same spot where she had teleported before, Valeria's figure disappeared in an instant.

"Valeria!?"

"She, she disappeared!?"

"..."

The village chief and the adjutant were shocked to see Valeria disappear before their eyes. Only Isaac stood there with a serious expression.

"Don't worry. Valeria is just returning to the entrance of the forest."

The village chief showed a relieved expression at Ichirou's words. Anyone would be anxious if their daughter suddenly disappeared before their eyes.

"Isaac, please come this way. You will also return to the entrance of the forest, just like Valeria."

When Ichirou said this, Isaac knelt on one knee and bowed his head solemnly.

"...I apologize for my numerous impertinences. All of this was my own decision, and my subordinates and deputy have no fault. I will offer my life, so please forgive the others."

"Huh? ...Wait, wait!"

"Captain! What are you doing!?"

As Isaac pulled out a dagger from his waist and placed it against his neck, Ichirou and the deputy hurriedly rushed over and pulled the dagger away from his neck.

"Stop it! I don't want your life!"

"But, how can I apologize to Gracior...?"

While blood seeped from a shallow cut on his neck, Isaac groaned, apparently intending to cut his throat.

"...There's no need to apologize. You were just doing your duty... and your willingness to protect your subordinates in this situation is admirable. How can I hold you accountable for that?"

Ichirou knelt and placed his hand on Isaac's shoulder, trying to speak as gently as a merciful god would, with a soft expression. Isaac looked up at Ichirou, seemingly moved by his words, but then his expression darkened and he looked down.

"But, I called you 'you' and even tied your arms. As a human, such actions towards a god are unforgivable..."

Seeing Isaac like this, Ichirou thought,

"(What a troublesome guy...)"

But he maintained his smile and patted Isaac's head.

"That's understandable. If you saw me in human form, anyone would react the same way."

"But..."

"I forgive all your sins since you came to this village. That's the end of it."

"Wh-What!?"

When Ichirou said this to Isaac, who was still trying to confirm his own sins, he forcibly ended the conversation. When he said he would forgive all his sins, the other three people, except Ichirou, let out surprised exclamations. Of course, from their perspective, Isaac had been directly pardoned by a god.

"Well, now that I've proven I'm the real Gracior, I don't think I need to go to Isteria, do I?"

"Gracior, I humbly request..."

Sighing, Ichirou said this, and the adjutant, who was standing next to Isaac, knelt on one knee and faced Ichirou.

"Currently, a large-scale famine is occurring in this country of Arcadia, and many people are losing their lives every day. With the power of Gracior, the god of mercy and abundance, can you please save us?"

"...Ah... Yes..."

The adjutant, with a desperate expression, made Ichirou inwardly sigh. He had heard from Valeria and the village chief before that a large-scale famine was occurring due to drought in this country. It was only natural to seek salvation from a god of mercy and abundance who had appeared before them.

While Ichirou was hesitating on how to respond, Isaac, who had been looking down, sheathed his dagger, straightened his posture like the adjutant, and looked up.

"I also make this request. The royal family and regional lords are trying various measures to protect their people, but the damage is only increasing. Please save the people of our country."

"Hmm... One question, what is the population of this country?"

"About 2.5 million, I think."

"..."

At the mention of 2.5 million people, Ichirou felt a momentary dizziness. Not all of them would be starving, but even if only 1% were, that would be 25,000 people. Moreover, according to their accounts, the entire country was in a state of famine. The number of people in need of aid could be two or three times that.

"2.5 million... By the way, what is the population of the Ister region?"

"About 450,000... But, is the number too large...?"

At the anxious words of Isaac, Ichirou thought,

"Of course it is! It's too many!!"

But he swallowed the urge to shout and, with a bead of sweat on his forehead, spoke.

"No, that's not the issue. However, I don't think it's a good idea for me to directly save everyone. Human problems should be solved by human effort."

Honestly, feeding several million people at once was impossible for Ichirou at the moment. Financially, it might be manageable, but the problem was the transportation and the length of time needed to continue the aid. Using a handcart as before would not be sufficient to meet the necessary amount. Even if he removed the doors from the house to allow a small car to pass, it would be impractical to transport food for tens of thousands of people.

"But, then...!"

The adjutant, with a pleading expression, responded to Ichirou's words. It was as if he had been told to "solve it yourselves" by the god of mercy who had appeared before him. It was only natural for him to object.

"Havel, hold your tongue! This is in the presence of a god!!"

"But, if we do nothing, thousands, tens of thousands of people will starve...!"

Ichirou smiled gently at Isaac, who was reprimanding the adjutant, and Havel, who was still trying to speak frankly.

"I'm not saying to abandon them. I will help you overcome this crisis, to some extent."

Honestly, he didn't want to, but rejecting their request here could lead to an unfavorable situation for the residents of Grisea Village. Everyone would think, "Why is Grisea Village receiving so much divine favor?"

"Really!?"

"Gracior..."

At the word "help," Havel's face lit up, and Ichirou nodded. Next to him, Isaac's eyes were moist with emotion.

"I will teach you methods to increase crop production and how to make efficient tools like water wheels. I will also provide some food... but there are a few conditions."

"Conditions?"

The two, who had been rejoicing at the prospect of divine assistance, looked at each other in surprise at the word "conditions." They had no idea what to expect.

Ichirou, with a serious expression, spoke to the two, who had lost their smiles.

"I don't want you to interfere with anything I do in Grisea Village. If there is any unfair treatment of the village or its residents, I will withdraw all aid."

"Gracior, does this mean you want us to treat Grisea Village specially?"

In response to Isaac's serious question, Ichirou shook his head.

"No, that's not it. I don't want you to forcibly relocate or summon the residents to extract the knowledge they have gained from me for your own convenience. Taxes and other obligations are fine as long as they follow existing laws. Of course, creating loopholes by rewriting laws later is out of the question."

When Ichirou said this in one breath, Isaac and Havel looked slightly surprised. They hadn't expected him to be so specific about Grisea Village.

While Ichirou had said he didn't want "special treatment," his statement that he didn't want interference in the village was already a form of special treatment. The residents of Grisea Village were already being provided with sufficient food by Ichirou, and he had even made it rain and increased food production. Even if he said taxes and other obligations would remain the same, it would be hard to accept.

However, at this point, Ichirou was recognized as Gracior. There was no way for Isaac and Havel to voice any objections.

"...Understood. I will directly inform Lord Nelson of what Gracior has said. I will ensure that your wishes are followed."

Ichirou let out a small sigh upon hearing Isaac's response. It was quite forceful, but he had managed to secure a promise that his actions in the village would not be interfered with. He had also secured a promise that the village would not be harmed, so he could provide some support to the country without causing trouble for the village.

...Although he was well aware that this "some support" would be quite troublesome, he believed it was the best course of action. In the outside world, his freedom in this other world would be almost non-existent, but it was better than being arrested or having the villagers held accountable.

"Then, let's go to Isteria."

When Ichirou said this and stood up, Isaac and Havel looked up at him in surprise.

"You will come to Isteria!?"

"Yes, it would be more convenient."

If he let Isaac and the others return to Isteria alone, the situation could escalate without him, and the story could be interpreted in a way that suited Isteria. It would be quite troublesome, but Ichirou needed to go to Isteria and have a proper conversation with the leadership.

"Then, shall we go immediately... I have brought the troops and a carriage for Gracior to ride in."

"Kazura..."

While Ichirou and Isaac were talking, Valeria ran back from the direction of the village. Seeing Isaac and the others kneeling, she seemed to have understood the situation.

"Valeria, I'll be gone for a while. I'm going to Isteria to sort things out."

When Ichirou said this, Valeria clenched her hands and looked at the ground. Seeing her like this, Ichirou hurriedly said,

"Don't worry, I'll definitely be back in a few days..."

But before he could finish, Valeria looked up and interrupted him.

"I'm coming with you!"

She declared.