Chapter 40

When I returned to the village, Maarnas immediately came over to me.

Next to her was Vanya.

Maarnas looked proud, and her tail was wagging as if she had found her master.

"Lord Crest! Welcome back from your work!"

With a cheerful voice, she bowed her head.

"Well, I didn't really do anything special. Are you two together because of the enhanced magic stone?"

"Of course, Lord Crest! You understand so quickly! Yes! Please check it out, I've just finished it!"

Maarnas said and handed me the magic stone.

The magic stone in her hand glowed with a beauty that was almost mesmerizing.

I thought it might be inappropriate to check it in front of Maarnas, but I glanced at Vanya.

"...Vanya, is this okay?"

"Aye. I've checked it multiple times, and there's no problem."

"I see."

It might not feel good for Maarnas, but she has a history.

With Vanya's approval, I took it.

"You can use it by putting it in your mouth."

"Is it safe to eat?"

"Don't worry. I've flavored it with Orangei fruit!"

"...You can do that?"

"Yes!"

Maarnas, looking happy, wagged her tail, and Vanya nodded.

He looked pleased.

"It was indeed delicious."

"Did you eat it, Vanya?"

"Aye. But the effect was halved for me. It's designed specifically for you, Crest."

"...I see."

As I looked at the magic stone again,

"That's right! I infused it with lots of love for Lord Crest!"

"Nothing strange in it, right?"

"I stopped her before she could add anything."

...I didn't ask what she tried to add, hearing Vanya's dry laugh.

I probably would have regretted it if I had.

I was a bit uneasy, but I had to trust Vanya.

I have a duty to protect this village now.

If there's a chance to gain power, it's worth trying.

As I put it in my mouth as instructed, I felt a power similar to when I activated the Dark Knight.

The power surging from deep within my body was like receiving Eris's support magic.

...If I combine this with Eris's support magic and the Dark Knight, I could gain several times my current power.

The effect should last about ten minutes.

That's just right. The Dark Knight's activation time is limited to that anyway.

"How is it, Lord Crest?"

Maarnas looked up at me with hopeful eyes, and I nodded with a smile.

"...Yes, it's enough. Thank you, Maarnas."

"That's good to hear, Lord Crest!"

"Is there something like a reward... maybe I can ask someone to make you some clothes?"

As a token of gratitude for Maarnas's help, I thought I should offer something.

But she shook her head vigorously.

"N-no, that's not necessary! I'm happy just to serve Lord Crest!"

"R-really? But if there's something you really want, let me know?"

"R-really!?! Then... can you pet my head?"

Maarnas said, her eyes shining.

...She does have something in mind, doesn't she?

I was a bit surprised by her request, as I expected something more outlandish.

Compared to her usual requests, this was relatively tame, so I nodded.

"...Well, that's fine."

"Really!?"

"...Y-yes."

Maarnas, leaning in, tilted her head.

"Then, please!"

Maarnas, unlike before, looked nervous, her tail and ears trembling.

With that reaction, I was a bit at a loss for how to respond.

As I thought about it, I slowly petted Maarnas's head.

It was soft. When my hand touched her ears, I felt a fluffy sensation.

"Mmm! It's so sweet!"

Maarnas let out an excited voice, breathing heavily.

...I wasn't sure how long to pet her, but after about a minute, I stopped.

Maarnas let out a short, wistful sound and stepped back from me.

"Lord Crest... if I do something good again, will you give me a reward?"

"...Y-yes."

"Then, I'll do my best!"

Maarnas's eyes sparkled, and she ran off.

As I watched her go, Vanya looked at me.

"Crest, Maarnas might be a bit strange. You should be cautious."

"...Now?"

Vanya's serious face made me feel a bit deflated.

However, the northern sub-humans would be here in three days.

I couldn't afford to be relaxed for long.

I gathered the leaders of the various races and shared today's information.

The northern sub-humans were set to depart for the upper world in three days.

During that time, I trained as much as possible.

Using the enhanced magic stone, the Dark Knight, Shadow Arts, and the Black Shield.

...I wanted more gacha points, but I didn't find any new monsters, and the Dark Knight remained at level 2.

Still, I believe my skills improved significantly over these three days.

...It's finally here.

I was on guard outside from early morning when I noticed a reaction to my detection spell.

Then, the sub-humans of the village ran over to me.

"Lord Crest! The sub-humans are coming this way!"

It's finally here.

In sync with the lookout's cry, I looked toward the north gate.

Everyone is ready to fight, as I've already informed them.

...It would be best if we didn't fight.

A few minutes after the report, a group appeared.

They were led by lizardmen, but there were also other sub-humans and humans.

Their total number was considerable.

They might all be from that hidden base.

At the front was a man in a hood.

He didn't seem surprised that we noticed them and came straight toward us.

As I stood to greet the man with a suspicious aura, he stopped in front of me and bowed politely.

"You're the one leading the southern sub-humans, right?"

New series starts here. ↓ Please read from the link below!

I accidentally went on a rampage against an S-rank monster while helping my sister with her dungeon, and now I'm a big buzz.

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9783ig/

The Dark Knight who time-looped uses future knowledge to go on a rampage ~ From the bottom, I rise to the top after being exiled as an unlucky class ~

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9795ig/