Luna Village -2

Since the other party seems to want it too, is it alright? I try to reach out, but my strength won't cooperate.

Shaking uncontrollably, I force my trembling arm to move, still uncertain but trying to act.

A soft thud—something hard touches my hand. It's a healing crystal.

I must have left it there overnight, not bothering to put it away.

If I use this, I might regain some strength in my arm. If that's the case...

Lilka slowly traces her fingers along her body.

Grasping the healing gem with her overwhelming inner desire, she poured in magical energy without restraint.

A powerful light emanating from the gem spread throughout the dark room.

The light enveloped the two of them, visibly demonstrating its effect.

She gripped the healing gem tightly.

She felt strength surging through her arms and legs. At the same time, her thoughts grew clearer and clearer, as if fog was lifting. She had never felt anything like this before.

With her thoughts now clear, a certain hypothesis came to mind. I moved Rilka aside and turned on the room's light. I placed a glowing gemstone in the room, activating it.

Just as if to prove my hypothesis, Rilka stared at me, bewildered.

"Chee, you're awake already. You're a man, yet... you're withering?"

"Excuse me? You're the one who should explain what's going on here."

"What do you mean by that?"

Feigning understanding, pretending to be innocent—trying to play it straight, I suppose?

"It's about that strange drink. Such a state where your strength completely drains isn't normal. Plus, the fact that we recovered significantly using a healing crystal proves it."

"Well, to put it simply, that's the kind of alcohol it must be. I heard it usually doesn't restore consciousness, though…"

Placing a hand to his mouth, he seems to be searching for reasons why things didn't go as planned.

He doesn’t seem to feel bad about it. And it’s not just one person…

"Why did you sneak over at night, then?"

"Hmm, well… I thought you were nice, Taro…"

He looks away, voice wavering.

Clearly hiding something. I don’t want to do this, but I’ll have to force it out of him.

Otherwise, I can’t feel at ease while investigating the ruins. And in a village full of good people like Gram, I don’t want to leave behind something like this.

I picked up the light crystal I had placed on the floor and activated my magic. Lines of light shot through the air, followed by a sharp cracking sound.

"Yipe!"

It seemed to have frightened him enough. He staggered back, his face pale, and fled to the far corner of the room in an instant. Poor guy, but I can't afford to be taken for granted.

"I didn't really want to do this, but if you won't talk, then you'll just have to endure my lightning magic.

I don't recommend it. After all, this power can take down a monster in a single strike."

Speaking as he increases the output and moves closer. The room glows violet, and a high-pitched sound fills the air.

"I'll talk! I'll talk—please, don't come any closer!"

She seemed completely terrified. I need to stop the light stone’s activation.

After confirming it, Riruka begins speaking.

"The village... it's small and has few people. So Father always said we either need to increase our numbers, or each person must become stronger."

Maybe it's because she's not hiding anything? She suddenly feels younger, more childlike.

"Why would you say something like that?"

There are quite a few thieves around here, so a man is always on guard duty. But we can't always have someone watching, and there's no guarantee we'll win every time... If each person becomes stronger, fewer people will suffer. Also, the enemies aren't just thieves—sometimes powerful monsters from the south attack... That's why we've been told not to increase the number of villagers.

I can understand Riruka's point of view, but I can't accept it.

Trying to supply villagers from outside, and even hoping to increase the number of children, is that the real intention?

To strengthen each individual—that must be what it means...

But isn't that reducing the villagers to mere tools of the village too much?

Is this really just how things are in this era, with a village this small!?

"You're really okay with that? You're talking about giving birth to a child by a stranger you don't even know!"

"Besides, it's said that children of strong magic users tend to be strong magic users themselves, and the villagers do let them choose to some extent... Everyone else returns to the village this way."

"That's not what I mean. It's about your feelings."

From listening to Lirka, this way of life seemed completely normal in the village. They'd lived their whole lives in an environment where they didn't know, and couldn't know, anything beyond it.

"My feelings?"

That's right! What did you admire as a child? What kind of world do you always dream of?

His voice suddenly rises in pitch.

I just couldn't accept the customs of this village.

"I want to see other countries. The cities I've long admired since childhood. I want to see the landscapes of distant lands—stories told by traveling merchants or familiar adventurers who pass through. And I want to see the sea too. There's a place here filled with water, even though everything else is just sand."

"With such noble dreams, how can you bear to have a child with a boy you don't love?"

"But that's just how things are, isn't it?"

Our definitions of normal are too far apart.

This child's educator must have lived just like this.

"...I understand. I plan to stay around here for a while. How about coming along with me on my adventure? Let's actually do it."

According to Gram, almost no one in the village has ever visited the ruins.

"Are you sure? I'm not as strong as Taro."

"You're not completely incapable of fighting, are you?"

"Just a little... I've made sure I can escape if I run into thieves..."

"Then there's no problem. If we end up fighting, just hide like that. First, let's go see the world that Liruka admires in person!"

"...I understand."

"...What's wrong? You don't have to go back, you know?"

"Can I really go back?"

"Go back and get some sleep quickly! Tomorrow we'll be investigating the ruins early in the morning."

Thus, the peculiar archaeological expedition party was formed and set off for the ruins the following morning.

Along with Rilka, Gram also joined the investigation. Though I had stated there was no problem, he insisted on coming along, claiming he wanted to repay a favor.