Chapter 37

Before I knew it, the site had surpassed five million views. It's all thanks to everyone.

Thank you.

"Strange... Big Brother Silvio isn't here."

I stood alone on a lively street lined with food stalls, nibbling on some salted beans in one hand, and looked around again.

Even after noon, the villagers' bustle showed no signs of waning; it only grew more lively. The voices from the stalls and the cheerful conversations of families added to the vibrant atmosphere, which only intensified as evening approached.

"Maybe Big Brother Silvio got lost."

Finding Big Brother Silvio in this crowd, being as short as I am, would be difficult. Tiring myself out searching seemed pointless, so I concluded as much.

Could he have been kidnapped by those perverts? The thought crossed my mind, but I dismissed it. Big Brother Silvio is quite noticeable with his appearance. Given the village's good security, that's unlikely.

"Wow, there was an incredibly handsome blonde boy just now!"

"Really?!"

"Yep! And he was holding hands with a small black-haired boy!"

"What a nosebleed-inducing sight! I wish I could have seen him too!"

"He must still be around! Let's hurry and find him!"

"Sure thing!"

"By the way, is it okay with your husband?"

"Who cares about that! Right now, I need to find that blonde boy!"

"Right!"

"Hehehe..."

"Maybe he was kidnapped after all."

I muttered this as I watched the perverts run off down a side street. The conversation I overheard made the situation seem more suspicious. If I were the police, I might have classified Big Brother Silvio as a special missing person.

However, since the perverts were going to "worship" him, it shouldn't be a problem.

I'm busy, so I won't get involved unless it's a serious matter. Besides, the perverts' network would probably find him faster.

I decided to leave Big Brother Silvio to the perverts and wander around.

What should I eat next?

Following the delicious smell, I wandered for a while, enjoying the food.

I never managed to meet up with Big Brother Silvio.

"Hey, did you find him?"

"He's not here either!"

"Where could he be?"

"Nora said she saw him heading west!"

"Really?!"

"Let's go!"

"Sure!"

Apart from the frantic women running around, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

I turned around and started walking east instead of west.

I just had a feeling. The east smelled good, and I had a hunch something good would happen there.

I exchanged greetings with the friendly villagers as I walked.

In the square, an arm-wrestling competition was in full swing, drawing a large crowd.

The atmosphere was particularly intense in that area.

As I approached, I saw a man taking off his shirt, baring his muscular upper body. He was swinging his arms and shoulders, showing off his strength. It was Roland.

The man let out a roar, proudly displaying his physique to the audience.

The crowd erupted in cheers and offered food.

On the other side, Westa stood with his arms crossed, eyes closed. Suddenly, he opened his eyes wide and took off his shirt in one swift motion.

"Wow! He looks even better without clothes!"

"Seriously! I didn't think he'd look that good without clothes!"

"Where did those muscles come from?"

"Damn, I bet on Roland!"

"No, look at Roland's arms!"

"Wow! They look like logs! He could probably knock a goblin's head off with one hit!"

"Even an orc, maybe..."

"I want to be hugged by those muscles!"

"Huh?"

Westa's muscles were impressive too. I hadn't noticed them before because he usually wears loose clothing. His muscles were bulging, and I wondered where he had been hiding them.

Westa cracked his neck and knuckles, then gave Roland a confident smile.

Roland responded by showing off his log-like arms and ripped abs, taunting him.

"Five gold coins on Roland!"

"Seven gold coins on Westa!"

"I'll bet a copper coin!"

"Ooh!"

The two men glared at each other, and the villagers placed more and more bets.

The men of this village really love gambling. I guess it's a big entertainment in a small town with few distractions.

The atmosphere grew even more intense as the two men placed their elbows on a large wooden barrel and locked their right arms together.

"Ah!"

"Go for it!"

"Strong, muscular arms entwined!"

"Sweat running down bulging muscles!"

"Staring into each other's eyes from a distance so close their breaths mingle!"

The perverts were getting excited, and their high-pitched cheers added to the commotion, far surpassing the enthusiasm of the men.

"Arm-wrestling is always popular with women every year, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is."

"Isn't that your wife over there? Haven't you asked her about it?"

"I've asked once, but she didn't tell me. Something about a family tradition or something."

"Well, it's not a bad thing, so don't worry about it."

"You're right."

The young men nearby discussed their innocent questions. Sometimes, not knowing is better.

With a bitter expression, I moved away from the crowd. As more people gathered, I couldn't see the men anymore because of my short stature.

"Start!"

"Ooh!"

"Ugh!"

The starting signal was followed by the villagers' roars and the perverts' high-pitched cheers, enveloping the square.

× × ×

"That beautiful, smooth blue hair!"

I caught a glimpse of the hair of the respected lady. The hair, reminiscent of a clear river, could only belong to her.

I hurried to follow her, who had already turned the corner and disappeared from my sight.

On the way, I heard someone calling me, but I ignored it. I had no time for that now.

Turning the corner, I saw Emma's back.

The white nape of her neck, partially hidden by her blue hair. She wasn't in her usual training outfit with a wooden sword, probably because there was no training today. She wore a white blouse and a brown long skirt, like a village girl. Feeling a sense of freshness from her different attire, I approached to greet her.

Next to Emma, I saw a boy with the same height as me, with a dull brown head.

"Emma, who's that guy?!"

"Huh?"

"What? Who is this guy?"

As Emma turned around, the freckled boy beside her spoke rudely.

To call someone "this guy" upon first meeting is quite disrespectful.

"Hey, you called him 'this guy' first, didn't you?"

Did my inner thoughts slip out? The boy glared at me with half-lidded eyes.

"Hey, Thor! Don't talk like that! This is the lord's second son, Alfrid."

"Really? This guy?"

"Don't call him 'this guy'! I'm sorry, Alfrid. He's a poorly behaved younger brother."

Emma smiled wryly and bowed her head, making Thor do the same.

"... Poorly behaved... Even you, sister, are—"

"What are you mumbling about?"

Emma pulled Thor's cheek, who pouted and mumbled. Is he okay? Thor's eyes were tearing up, and his gums and throat were visible from the pulling.

Thor shouted, "It hurts! I get it!" and his cheek returned to its original shape like a rubber band.

"Sorry about that. I'm Thor, Emma's younger brother. I'm eight years old."

Thor, rubbing his cheek, greeted me with teary eyes. Maybe Emma is stronger than she looks.

"I'm Alfrid, the second son of the lord here. Nice to meet you. I'm six and have an older brother and sister."

"Huh? Sister? Lord? No way!"

After hearing my introduction, Thor seemed to think for a moment and then shouted loudly.

"Hey, Alfrid, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Huh? What is it?"

Suddenly, Thor lowered his stance. I wonder what's going on. Even after learning I'm the lord's second son, Thor didn't change his attitude. What did I say that made him change so drastically?

While I was thinking, Thor called out to Emma and led me to the side of the road.

What's going on? I can't read Thor's mind.

"So? What do you want to talk about?"

"Um, well... It's... that."

When I asked, Thor started fidgeting and spoke hesitantly. His fidgeting butt movements were somewhat amusing.

"I'm not your mom, so I can't understand just that."

"Um, so... Does... Does Elinora have a fiancé?"

"Huh? What about a fiancé?"

I couldn't understand him. He spoke softly, looking away, making it hard to hear.

"Tha-t's it! I'm asking if Elinora has a fiancé!"

"......Huh? Whaaat!?"

Wait, the harvest festival isn't over yet.