Chapter 61

"Ano... What were you on guard against?"

There, the captain of the knights responded with a softer smile than before.

"Could you take a look at the device in the center of the village?"

"A, hai."

We turned our gaze to something that looked like a stove in the center of the village.

It looks like a large stove.

It's a bit bigger, though.

What is that?

"That device emits a protective force to prevent monsters from invading the village... It's a tool that reproduces that ability."

"Is there such a tool?"

It's a convenient tool that can speak for the deceased barrier ability user.

Well, it's indeed a dangerous world with monsters.

Without such tools, you couldn't even build a village.

"On the one hand, it's convenient, but it consumes a lot of points to operate, making it difficult to maintain. Our country's knights stay here to maintain these points by defeating nearby monsters."

"Haa... Is it harder to maintain than the barrier ability?"

"It seems you know. Yes, it's far less efficient than the ability itself."

Hmm.

Even if he were alive, it wouldn't be useless.

Well, to maintain a barrier, you need a way to recover magic power.

"But the essence of that device is not just that. It also prevents potential issues before they occur."

Besides preventing monster invasions, there are other important issues?

What could it be?

"What is it?"

"Maybe it repels criminals like thieves?"

Ah... like thieves.

Indeed, people who steal and kill are not much different from monsters.

In that case, I can't enter the village...

The captain of the knights replied, "It's a pity."

"The correct answer is that it identifies and repels ability users who can 'plunder'—the ability to steal and accumulate others' abilities. It often appears in past legends and traditions, and among the otherworldly people who try to take over the world, it is one of the abilities that must be eliminated. I apologize, but we tested to see if any of you had that ability."

That's... about Oono, right?

He has a copying ability, but from what I've heard, his extended ability might also qualify.

"What would have happened if there was a 'plunder' ability user?"

"First, the device would immediately send a message. There's a good chance that the village alone couldn't handle it."

Well, that makes sense.

If the knights in the village couldn't defeat it, it would be meaningless.

"After sending a messenger, we would explain the barrier to everyone and guide them to another entrance... Then, we would call out the 'plunder' ability user and the stationed knights would set a trap to eliminate them."

Wow... So even if Oono left the forest, he couldn't easily enter.

Moreover, there would be a system in place to definitely kill him.

Even with the Metal Turtle's sword, it's questionable whether Oono, who was defeated by me, could win in a surprise attack.

"Of course, we would explain the situation to the remaining otherworldly people. However, there's a high probability that negotiations would break down. Please understand our fear of 'plunder' and similar abilities."

"Well... I understand."

I don't share the same feelings, but I can empathize.

Many people were killed by Oono.

It's natural for the people of this world to be wary of ability users like Oono.

"Other ability users can also be repelled if they steal and use the ability to enter the barrier. The device is designed to constantly repel them, and even if it is destroyed, it creates a zone where the ability temporarily becomes unusable. It also reacts to several other dangerous abilities of otherworldly origin."

It's a very convenient tool.

"Hagi, can you replicate it?"

"Maybe later..."

It could be useful for the tent.

If we had this back then, it would have been helpful.

"Since it was created by past otherworldly people, it might be possible."

It would be convenient if we could.

"It seems that none of the otherworldly people this time have that ability, which is a relief. According to the legends, the most dangerous situation is when there are a few or just one, so I was initially cautious, but I felt relieved after hearing the number."

"...No, there was one."

We explained the events that had occurred to the captain of the knights.

While everyone was resting in the village, we, as representatives, were talking to the captain of the knights and the village chief.

"I see... So it was already resolved among you?"

"Hai..."

"That must have been a tough experience..."

He directed a sympathetic gaze at us.

It seems he was also testing us, but he was also cautious.

It's not a situation to complain about.

"By the way, do the people of this world also have abilities?"

"Yes. However, they can only be acquired through a special process, and according to the legends, our abilities are slightly inferior to those of the otherworldly people."

The captain of the knights answered our questions.

Apparently, people without abilities can gain them by sacrificing all their levels after reaching a certain level.

However, he said it would be better to hear the details from the king at the castle.

"Returning to the topic, the 'plunder' ability user, who is even feared as a demon king in past legends, appeared from the forest, stole abilities from everyone they encountered, and aimed to dominate the world. Many people died, according to the stories."

"Then... are otherworldly people considered dangerous?"

The captain of the knights shook his head.

That makes sense.

If they were considered dangerous, they would probably try to kill all otherworldly people.

"No, the one who saved the world at that time was also an otherworldly person. The story goes that dozens of otherworldly people were summoned to the same place, and the 'plunder' ability user, after massacring other ability users, left the forest."

The captain of the knights summarized the story.

"Fortunately, the world was saved when the survivor stopped the 'plunder' ability user's rampage. It is said that this person accomplished many great deeds afterward."

"Wow..."

"Of course, there are also stories where the 'plunder' ability user was dealt with by the people of this world. The otherworldly people cooperated, and the world was saved from a crisis, leaving behind a wonderful legend."

The former story might involve combat abilities.

The latter might involve production abilities.

Since they couldn't fight themselves, they cooperated with the people of this world.

Well, that's just a guess.

However... the eyes of the captain of the knights and the village chief are sparkling.

Their previous caution seems to have disappeared.

They seemed excited when talking about the legends.

Hmm.

I understand why they are treating us so politely.

They are expecting something.

But we want to know how to return to our original world, and we're not particularly interested in the legends of other otherworldly people.

"Are there any other legends you can tell us?"

The captain of the knights is teaching us various things in a very polite manner.

It seems to have reached the level of a fairy tale for children.

There are many variations of otherworldly people appearing, and it's unclear which ones are true.

The 'plunder' ability user is often depicted as an enemy.

It seems that the fear of having their abilities stolen is deeply ingrained in them.

Well... unlike us, if they lose the abilities they worked hard to acquire, it would be a terrible thing...

"Ano... Is there any story about otherworldly people returning to their original world?"

"There is... or maybe not? I think there are people at the castle who have studied it in detail, so it would be better to ask them."

"Habashi."

At that moment, Hagi and Shigenobu nudged me.

"What is it?"

"Maybe it's like when you returned to Japan, and some strange compensation is working, so you don't realize you've returned."

Ah... I see.

"In that case, it might be difficult to find the method of return from the legends of past otherworldly people?"

Hagi and Shigenobu nodded in response to my question.

Hmm... It's frustrating.

To be honest, I just want to get everyone back.

I don't expect anyone to achieve legendary feats; if people die, it's meaningless.

Everyone is not just game pieces.

"Don't look so unhappy. We can only move forward now. Even if we want to return."

"That's right. We've come out of the valley and into the human world, so relax a bit. Thanks to that device, it's quite safe."

"I know, but..."

"Besides, there's no one among us with a hidden dangerous ability, right? So, someone like Oono won't appear again. Probably."

What's with that "probably" at the end?

It's making me a bit anxious.

"No, you should be more confident..."

"Gau?"

I don't want to lose any of the classmates here.

I don't want anyone else to die.

I must avoid being used and dying for the good of the country or the world.

"Everyone understands how you feel, Habashi. Even the combat group won't treat life lightly."

Just then, Miko came over, and Shigenobu explained the situation.

"Un, it's okay. I have other recovery ability users with me, so I won't let anything like what happened with Oono happen again. Don't worry."

"...Everyone is being very careful and working hard."

Since the incident with Oono, everyone's unity has been strong, and they are taking extra precautions in battle.

"Rather, Habashi... Your fighting style is the most dangerous. Kumako, make sure Habashi doesn't take unnecessary risks."

"Gau!"

Kumako nodded in response to Hagi's words.

In this way, we were warmly welcomed, and everyone rested comfortably.

Kumako even received a thorough grooming, which was a great help.

I was always on guard, thinking something might happen, but the stationed knights and the villagers treated us politely, so we didn't feel particularly uncomfortable as time passed.