Chapter 29

When I turn four, I will set out on a journey with Samyue.

The purpose is to see the world and search for the gemstone.

Samyue said she would investigate for this reason and left our house.

During this time, I buried many talismans to strengthen the house’s defenses and lined up a large number of substitute dolls on the shelves for my father.

Father has been carrying these dolls with him since he started hunting, but they can only be used once. So, I lined them up like this so that they can be replenished even after I’m gone.

I lined them up on a small shelf that I could reach. This corner, filled with a large number of wooden dolls with eerie faces, has a slight feel of an arts and crafts exhibition, but I want them to be appreciated as part of the interior.

"Reni has a unique sense."

Mother laughed.

At 270 years old, she doesn’t mind even if her daughter lines up eerie dolls. Her composure is different.

"…peace."

Two weeks have passed since Samyue left home, but nothing special has happened.

My parents don’t seem to be worried about the debt, and I even got a shovel. Father’s hunting is going well, and the fields are bountiful. The economic situation must have improved.

My warning bell hasn’t rung either.

The debt collectors have stopped targeting our house.

So, our family has been enjoying time together, going on picnics and shopping at the village tool shop.

"Mom, can you give this to Dad?"

"Sure. Reni really loves Dad, doesn’t she?"

I pointed to the lined-up dolls while Mother was washing dishes. She wiped her hands on her apron and patted my head.

As I enjoyed the feeling, Mother tilted her head and said, "Oh?"

"Reni, it seems Samyue is nearby. She wants to talk to you."

"! I’ll get ready!"

Maybe she found out about Mayor Schultem.

She said she would investigate, but how did it go? Human trafficking and secret ledgers. Was he enriching himself through these? Were there others who were sold like Mother? Is he planning to continue?

While thinking about this, I sat on a chair and waited. Soon, there was a knock on the front door.

I got off the chair, ran to the front door, and spoke to the other side of the door.

"Samyue?"

"Reni-sama!"

It feels like it’s been longer than two weeks since I last saw her.

I hurriedly opened the door, and Samyue rushed in, kneeling on one knee.

"Reni-sama, it’s been a while. It’s been a while, Your Majesty."

She smiled at me and then bowed to Mother.

Mother smiled and replied, "Yes."

"Reni-sama, I’ve obtained some general information on the matter, so I came here."

Samyue told me in a low voice so that Mother couldn’t hear.

I nodded and tightly held Samyue’s hand.

"Samyue, I’ve missed you so much."

I thought about going to Mayor Schultem’s place alone many times at night.

But since Samyue said she would investigate, I couldn’t go alone. I believed that Samyue would thoroughly investigate things I couldn’t understand. I waited for her.

And as I hoped, Samyue has returned with information.

I’m glad I waited. Even though I usually can’t control my impulses, I’m glad I waited this time.

So, I couldn’t help but hold Samyue’s hand.

But, Samyue…

"…gasp…"

Her breathing was heavy. Her nose was flaring.

"Try, try… No, I can’t collapse here and show a pitiful sight. Breathe in, breathe out… Calm down…"

She was panting and trying hard to endure.

"…I’m sorry, Samyue."

Feeling the danger of her rolling eyes, I quickly let go of her hand.

Samyue seemed to relax and straightened her back.

"I apologize. It’s hard to endure without mental preparation…"

"…Yeah…"

"And about the information, since Reni-sama doesn’t want to tell Your Majesty, I’d prefer to talk outside."

"Let’s do that."

Mother is 270 years old and has a strong composure, but she was an elf queen and is unfamiliar with the secular world. She has lived using magic for a long time, so it’s amazing that she can live a human life without using magic now.

So, I don’t want to burden her too much.

Of course, I intend to tell her important things, but I want my parents to live in peace.

Therefore, I told Mother we were going for a walk, and Samyue and I headed to the entrance of the forest.

Monsters live in the forest, so not many people come here.

Only hunters like Father occasionally pass through, so there’s no worry about someone overhearing our conversation.

"Okay, Samyue, please."

"Yes."

I sat on a nice log and encouraged her to speak.

I wanted Samyue to sit on the log with me, but that wasn’t possible. She would hyperventilate…

Samyue knelt on one knee on the forest undergrowth and continued.

"Reni-sama, I examined the secret ledgers and documents you obtained, and it was confirmed that Schultem is behind them."

"…Yeah."

"From the beginning, he targeted women, lent them money through Slanita Finance, and when they couldn’t pay, he took them as collateral. He repeated this process."

"Mother was one of them."

"It’s because Your Majesty is beautiful… There were a few others in the village who were in debt. Thanks to Reni-sama’s efforts, Slanita Finance is gone, and they are in a weakened state, but they might repeat the same thing if given time."

"…Yeah."

That’s right. Just because we shut down Slanita Finance doesn’t mean we can relax.

Since Mayor Schultem is the mastermind, he can gather people and repeat the same thing. Cutting off a lizard’s tail or eliminating the bugs it produces is meaningless. We need to crush the lizard and the parent that produces the bugs.

"The women who were bought are working for Schultem. And—children are also being captured."

"Children too?"

"Yes."

"However, it seems that the young children are not kept by Schultem but are sold further."

I pondered as Samyue spoke.

When I tried to retrieve the promissory note and fought the debt collectors, they tried to capture and sell me. The burlap sack was the right size for a child, and perhaps they had captured and sold children several times.

The leader of Slanita Finance said, "There are places that will pay a high price for children like you." That means—

"—they are being sold to a certain religious group."

Samyue’s voice was lower than usual.

"A place rumored to possess a gemstone."

The gemstone that saved Mother.

Father and Samyue obtained it from a dragon in this world. In the game I was reborn from, I defeated the cave boss and found it in a hidden room.

A different religious group, rumored to possess a different gemstone, is buying children.

"…It might be a charitable organization, or they might be raising young children to increase their followers."

"…Yeah."

Children being kidnapped, separated from their parents, and living in an unknown land.

Well, if they can live…

"We haven’t been able to investigate the religious group yet. I hurried here after investigating Schultem, as it might be dangerous for Reni-sama and Your Majesty if left unchecked."

"Understood."

I nodded at Samyue’s words.

I’m curious about the religious group, but first, I need to deal with the immediate issue.

"Samyue, will you come with me?"

"Yes! I’ll accompany you!"

"Dad and Mom, the current town is dangerous. I want to make it safe for them to go to town."

I want to do one last job before we set out on our journey to ensure my parents can go to town without any danger.

For a peaceful home, forever!

"Leave it to me."

—Let’s go and defeat Schultem!