Chapter 11

"It smells good."

"I was thinking of making tomato soup today, so I was boiling the vegetables. Is tomato okay for you, Lord Crest?"

"Yeah, no problem. I'm looking forward to it."

"Y-Yes! I'll do my best to make it!"

Since everyone said such things with a salute, all I could do was smile wryly.

Everyone has become more skilled at cooking than I am...

At first, I taught them a lot, but unlike me, the demi-humans' skills improve with the number of times they use them, so it's better to entrust them with their specialties.

Because of that, I've stopped doing anything other than fighting.

Well, in the human world, people also live by utilizing their strengths, so I suppose it's only natural.

I walked through the village, looking around as if to clear my mind, but wherever I went, I was called "Lord Crest," "Lord Crest."

...I've been treated like this for a long time, but I still can't get used to it.

I don't want to wield power, after all.

I'd like them to be more relaxed around me, but that might be a difficult request.

While thinking about such things, I spotted Elise.

She was looking at the village alone, and when she noticed me, her cheeks relaxed into a smile.

I couldn't just ignore her.

I walked over to Elise.

"Have you... gotten used to the village?"

"Not yet. They are still wary of me."

"......Yeah, I guess so."

I'm still wary myself, so everyone else would be even more wary.

"Still, Lord Crest is amazing. Everyone I talk to only has good things to say about you."

"......It feels a bit excessive, though."

"Isn't that because you've done so much? Even I, just from hearing stories, know that you've been a great help in many battles."

Great help, huh.

It sounds good, but all I did was suppress those who wouldn't follow me with force.

The werewolves, who were once enemies, became allies, but I wiped out the orcs.

...If the lower world is a place like that, then that's how it is.

But I always wonder if I could have done better.

Since we were just getting used to being alone, I asked about something that had been on my mind.

"By the way, how is the upper world?"

I hadn't asked before because I didn't want to give the other demi-humans the wrong impression that I was still attached to the surface.

Elise sighed a little, looking a bit tired.

"I mentioned it briefly before. There are many dimensional holes appearing on the surface, and they are struggling to deal with them."

"Right. ...The people on the surface aren't used to fighting monsters, are they? Is it okay?"

It had been a peaceful time with almost no monsters appearing.

They had been trained, but training and actual combat are completely different.

Elise smiled wryly at my question.

I understood that the situation in the upper world was indeed dangerous.

"The situation has been quite severe. Although the soldiers have become more accustomed to battle, the fighting is still harsh."

"......Yeah, I see."

I was almost resigned, so I didn't have any trouble fighting when I came to the lower world.

Of course, I was afraid, but I had the thought that if I was going to die anyway...

However, the people fighting in the upper world can't be that resigned.

There are probably many people who want to save themselves, and I can't blame them.

I'm... closer to that way of thinking myself.

"Focused on defense, with Minu and me at the center, we have been fighting. However... we have had to abandon some villages and towns to focus on defending the major cities."

"......Abandon them, huh."

"Yes, I think it's an unavoidable sacrifice. You might not be able to forgive it."

I was a bit angry, but Elise seemed to accept it.

...The weak have to be abandoned.

I can't fully agree with the decision made by the people in the upper world... but I can't criticize them since I'm doing something similar.

"If it's the result of trying to save as many lives as possible, there's no choice. ...But if Elise were to disappear, wouldn't the upper world become even more difficult?"

"Even so, I had to meet you, Lord Crest. No matter what you say... I don't want to die with any regrets or apologies left unspoken."

Hearing Elise's words, I closed my lips.

...She must have come to the lower world to apologize for everything she has done.

I haven't completely trusted her yet, but if her words are sincere, I can't keep being wary forever.

"I... have a lot of thoughts about Elise. But for now, I won't think too deeply about it."

"......Lord Crest"

"From now on, I'd be happy if you could lend your strength to this village."

When I said that and held out my hand, Elise smiled softly and took it.

I have many thoughts, but having Elise around is a comfort.

If possible, I want to live happily and get along well, like we did when we first met... like we used to.