The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I'm a "Farmer", Not a Demon King! ~ - Chapter 242

The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I’m a “Farmer”, Not a Demon King! ~

Chapter 242   Could it be that you’re actually capable?

“…By the way, where’s Lilia?”

However, on our way to the outer wall, I remembered Lilia’s presence and stopped in my tracks. Honestly, it might be better if she’s not around, avoiding any unnecessary trouble, but if she’s not there, I can’t help but worry. Who knows what she might be up to when I’m not looking?

“What were you doing?”

So, since her location was known for the time being, before heading to the enemy’s location, I decided to go towards my mansion.

However, when we arrived at the mansion, there was Lilia, standing in front of other elves, speaking arrogantly about something.

What is she doing, going so far as to prepare a stage from somewhere? A speech, perhaps?

“What am I doing? Well, that’s obvious, isn’t it? Enemies are coming, right? So, we need to strengthen our defenses by erecting barriers.”

“Well, it’s true that we need to reinforce our defenses, but to put up a barrier? …could it be that you put up a barrier?”

I couldn’t believe it, but it seemed my words and attitude didn’t sit well with her. Lilia, perched on the platform, opened her mouth with a displeased look, looking down at us.

“There’s no other way, right? What are you talking about? Well, it’s true that I didn’t do it alone.”

“No way…”

Unable to believe those words, I reflexively responded. But considering there were other elves around, it might not be a complete lie. If she didn’t do it alone and had help, then it wouldn’t be impossible.

Well, but still…

“Hmph! How rude. I’ll do it when I need to!”

“…By the way, where did you set up this barrier?”

I didn’t know where Lilia had placed the barrier. That’s why I couldn’t fully believe her words. So, where exactly was this barrier? Given its purpose and effects, maybe at the entrance to this garden?

“Here. I set it up over the entire garden. If you try to leave now, you won’t be able to deal with anyone who comes.”

“What? The whole garden?”

“Yes. Because earlier you were fighting, right? If something like that gets in, it would be a problem.”

Certainly, it would be a problem, but what I want to say isn’t about that. Could she really set up a barrier of this scale?

I could understand if Lilia, along with the other elves, cooperated, but still, setting up such a large-scale barrier without any preparation seemed difficult. If there were a magic power tank or something similar somewhere… Ah, that’s right, the Sacred Tree.

While Lilia herself is not a contracted party to this Sacred Tree—she’s contracted with Flora, the child of the Sacred Tree, as a sort of aunt or close friend. If asked to lend a bit of magical power, Flora probably couldn’t refuse.

Even without that, if it’s to protect this place, she would likely lend her strength.

However, I have my doubts. Even if the magic power issue is resolved, can she set up a barrier of this scale so quickly after an enemy attack? That’s what I’m thinking.

…Thinking about it, if my one floating idea is correct, it might resolve that doubt as well.

“No, wait… hold on. You… were you actually capable?”

Yes. If Lilia, who usually lazes around, plays, and does nothing useful, turns out to be competent, it wouldn’t be so strange for her to immediately gather the elves, understand the enemy’s attack, and set up such a barrier.

However, my mind, which has witnessed Lilia’s lifestyle so far, refuses to accept the fact that she might be competent. My mind just won’t accept the idea that she is actually skilled.

“Why are you saying ‘actually’?! I’ve been incredibly competent from the beginning, haven’t I?! What have you been seeing all this time!?”

“Even if you say that, it’s your actions. I’ve been watching, and haven’t you been doing all sorts of stupid things, claiming to aim for ‘evil’?”

From our first encounter, there was no trace of competence. Even when gathering allies, there must have been a better way. After that, there were various schemes that ended in failure. Trying to follow us on a journey resulted in being captured as a slave. After returning to this city, you just lounged around in rooms and flower gardens.

Do you feel any competence? Recently, especially, there hasn’t been any action that seems remotely competent. Where did your initial purpose go?

Well, I suppose technically, since this is a city of criminals, and she’s beside me, the leader, she could be considered a top executive of an evil organization…

“N-no, it’s not like that. It’s, um, the flow of time, or, it was just bad timing… ah! Right! It’s because you always get in the way! That’s why I always fail!”

Certainly, I interfered with whatever Lilia was up to. If I left it alone, the aftermath would be troublesome.

But even if I didn’t get in the way, would she inevitably self-destruct in some way? Is that just my imagination? Is it my imagination that she hasn’t shown any competent actions lately?

“Well, there’s still some discomfort with the idea of you being competent…”

“Why!?”

“Good job. Thank you.”

My head still hasn’t fully accepted the fact that Lilia might be competent. However, I can understand that her actions are not wrong, and in fact, the situation is better than I anticipated. So, I should properly express my gratitude for that.

“Eh… Oh, yeah. You’re welcome?”

After lightly patting her shoulder and expressing gratitude, Lilia seemed surprised by my words as she responded hesitantly.

Why the questioning tone? Just be more normal. Or is there something else? Is it strange for me to express gratitude? I mean, everyone says thank you. How rude.

…I might not have had many opportunities to thank Lilia. Maybe only during Mom’s treatment?

“You, you can rely on me more! I’ll tell you who’s in charge of this town!”

“At the very least, it’s not you.”

While it’s a bit of a dilemma whether it’s me or Edward, one thing is certain—it’s definitely not Lilia.

“Well, whatever. If there’s no worry about the rear, then there’s no problem. Let’s head to the enemy quickly.”

“Yes.”

“Yeah!”

As we were about to start walking, the voices of four people could be heard… Four people?

“…Huh? Lilia, your coming too? What about maintaining the barrier?”

“It’s okay to leave that to everyone. The construction itself is finished, so all they need to do is be careful and manage it so that no gaps appear. If any gaps do appear, they can repair them as needed.”

“Well, if there’s no problem, then it’s fine.”

If I hadn’t brought her along, she probably would have come on her own. If that happened, there was a good chance that something unexpected would occur.

Moreover, it’s safer to bring her along from the beginning. Well, it’s a sensible choice.

And, in case someone gets injured, her healing magic would be useful.

“Hehe! I’ll definitely show you how amazing I am this time!”

Take it easy. I’m the one who has to clean up the mess afterward.

“So, is that the enemy’s army?”

Climbing onto the wall surrounding the town, in my field of view, there was a crowd of people that I hadn’t seen when looking from the tower before. Probably, or rather, definitely, that must be the enemy army.

Judging from the direction they are coming from, they probably cut through the forest. And from the looks of it, they are attacking us directly after coming out of the forest, without setting up a camp or tents in the vicinity.

Just when I thought that, they stopped advancing towards us midway and started setting up camp. What are they thinking? If they came all the way here, I think they should just attack without stopping…

No, I see. They just arrived earlier. Since they’re cooperating in several territories, it makes sense that they need to converge.

“Bell, send a messenger. Be on guard against enemy attacks. Don’t make a move yet.”

“Yes!”

After sending Bell out for that purpose, I waited for a while. During that time, people gathered from various places, and eventually, the number swelled to nearly a hundred thousand, just as I had heard.

I don’t know if there are actually a hundred thousand, but well, there are probably that many.

“Do you think they’ll launch an attack today?”

“Who knows? It’s already getting dark, and they must be tired from coming this far. It’s usually the standard to rest today and start tomorrow, I think.”

“Well, if that’s the plan, then we’ll go with it.”

“Even so, don’t let your guard down, okay?”

“I know.”

Kyle warned me, but I don’t intend to be careless even without him saying that. In fact, even though I know it’s a number that I can defeat, being confronted by this many people creates a sense of intimidation.