Chapter 7

Holding hands, I was led by the priest to the back gate, when my father and the others returned, having finished the monster extermination.

"You all did a great job. Everyone seems to be unharmed—thank goodness."

"Sorry, Father, for making you prepare in a hurry."

"No, it's fine. The most important thing is that everyone is safe. Even though healing magic isn't all-powerful."

This time, we were told to prepare the priest first because those who can use healing magic need to be ready to respond quickly if something happens. Of course, there are also cases where evacuation comes first.

"…Luka, are you okay? Are you hurt at all?"

"Yeah, as you know, I was the first to run away."

"That's not what I mean… I was just wondering if you were scared, seeing those monsters."

I feel indignant at my father's words. I wouldn't be scared of something as small as a pea. If they had come closer, things might have gotten messy down there. But leaving that aside, when I told him that, he patted my head.

"Got it, then that's fine. Right, Father?"

"Yes, Luka was very impressive. He was quick and accurate, and his hands didn't even shake."

The priest smiled at me warmly.

I see, he must have thought I was scared and was trying to reassure me. Come to think of it, I'm only ten. Maybe I should have been scared? …But it's too late now.

"You guys, today's development work is over. You can go home. Distribute the monster meat to the villagers, even if it's just a little. We'll decide what to do with the other materials later. Roger, you're with us."

"Sure thing."

After hearing the casual response from Lener, the development team members each gave their responses and dispersed.

I was taken to the mayor and only had to explain how I found the monsters before being released.

"Luka, you're done for today."

"Y-Yeah."

For the first time, I felt like the field work ended early. It probably never happened before, right? I felt a bit elated, but at the same time, I didn't know what to do with the free time, so I felt a bit restless.

"Go home and report to your mother. After that, you can play with Alice and Lener."

"Oh, right… Yeah, I'll do that."

– Right, I can go home and play. I guess I was working like an overworked employee.

◇◇◇◇

– Mayor Toshiten's House

"So, what do you think was the reason for the monsters appearing in broad daylight this time? Roger, when you went into the forest last time, did you notice any signs?"

"No, there was nothing unusual at the depth we could reach. At least, nothing we could notice."

Roger, who also serves as the leader of the hunting team in this village, answered.

"I see. If you didn't notice, the cause might be something deeper in the forest. Maybe they were driven out after losing a territory dispute?"

"Who knows, maybe it was just a coincidence?"

"There's no way. Monsters are smart. They don't leave their homes unnecessarily, and if they do, it's not during the day when it's disadvantageous for them."

Roger, who was joking, shrugged at my words, but it was just to lighten the mood. I could tell from his eyes that he wasn't thinking that at all.

But—

"Perhaps it really was a coincidence."

The priest, who had been deep in thought, said this.

"Hey, Father. Ed said—"

"Of course, I understand. I know more about monsters than most."

Interrupting Roger, the priest continued.

"Please consider this as a hypothesis. Normally, Forest Wolves hunt in groups of 5 or 6. They hunt day or night in their territory, the forest. The Forest Wolves that appeared in the development area were also 5, so it's highly likely."

Roger, Toshiten, and I nodded… I didn't notice him, but of course, it's his house, so he's always there, like a shadow.

"Monsters are said to have the instinct to sense magic. They use it to find prey with high magic. And this village has that."

"Could it be the magic grass? Father, did they come for that?"

Right, I thought, maybe the high-magic magic grass lured them, but the priest shook his head.

"No, it's true that magic grass is eaten by herbivorous monsters. However, carnivorous monsters like Forest Wolves don't usually eat it."

Unless they are starving, the priest added.

"Then what?"

"Luka."

At those words, my blood ran cold. My face must have turned pale.

"Luka…?"

"Yes, that child has an unusually high amount of magic. He is also loved by magic. Both the quantity and quality of his magic make him a delicious prey for Forest Wolves—"

The word "prey" made my blood boil.

"Don't call my son prey!!!"

"Captain!!!"

I lunged at the priest, but Toshiten stopped me just before I could grab his collar, having knocked Roger aside.

"Sir, please calm down. The priest didn't mean anything bad about Luka."

As Toshiten's calm voice brought me back to my senses, I felt embarrassed by my outburst.

"Sorry, Father, I lost it. Please forgive me."

I put my hands on my knees and bowed as low as I could.

"No, I was also at fault. Even in a story, no father would be happy to hear their child called prey, especially Luka, who has had a lot to deal with. I should have been more careful, despite being warned about my lack of understanding of human emotions. I apologize for my lack of training."

The priest also bowed, and as I reflected on my actions, Roger, who had been knocked aside, voiced his complaint.

"Captain? Father? The one who suffered the most is here, and no one is helping me?"

"Roger, you need more training. Support the young master properly."

"Father, I did my best to stop him. That's not fair…"

Toshiten, who had somehow ended up next to Roger, was helping him up while lecturing him.

"Sorry… But, both of you are using the old terms. We're not in my father's territory anymore."

I apologized in a low voice.

After calming down, I had Toshiten make tea and continued the conversation.

"Getting back to the point. The Forest Wolves that found Luka must have been unable to resist the quantity and quality of his magic. I think that's why they came out of the forest during the day."

Luka doesn't know how to hide his magic, the priest added. It's like placing a prime cut of meat, inviting someone to eat it, which made me even angrier.

After discussing the re-examination of the forest and the distribution of materials other than the Forest Wolves' meat, the priest mentioned Luka's plans for the next day.

"So, Edward, I've told Luka to take a break from development work and come to the church tomorrow."

"–Father, that is—"

"Yes, when Luka comes to the church—"

We discussed Luka for a while, and then we dispersed for the day.