The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I'm a "Farmer", Not a Demon King! ~ - Chapter 317

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

Chapter 317   Readiness to bear the burden of determination

Knowing my father, he’s not someone who lacks trust or concern for his comrades. There’s undoubtedly a reason for his actions, and I understand that I’m the cause of that reason.

Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but feel somewhat displeased with his attitude, furrowing my brows unintentionally.

“But leaving them here is dangerous.”

“We left guards, and a support team will come later to collect them. There’s no problem.”

Only three people, including the one who fainted, withdrew. Considering one person was unconscious, there were only two capable of fighting. No, in reality, it was just one person, as someone had to carry or protect the unconscious individual.

Leaving them alone in such a desolate place could make them vulnerable to monsters. Even with a recovery team coming, it would take at least a day for them to arrive, unlike us who ran while applying healing magic. In that time, dangers could easily arise.

Despite all this, my father showed no concern for what was left behind, and he simply looked ahead as he began to speak.

“Even so, if the worst happens, they might die. But, Vesnar, they… including these guys, everyone participating in this special attack is prepared for that. And that resolve is for your sake.”

“For my…”

A resolve for my sake…

That resolve is likely the determination to achieve something even if it means losing their lives in the end.

I’ve always had the determination to do something. I wished to move for someone or something, made a resolve, and took action. It was for revenge against those who wronged my friend, or to save my mother.

However, it was the first time someone directed their resolve toward me rather than the other way around.

The man who collapsed earlier from using too much magic, and those who stayed behind as guards, likely had that resolve directed at me. That’s probably why, even though they reached their limits, they still squeezed out their remaining strength to use magic and remained despite the danger for the sake of their comrades.

“That’s right. You said there were people you wanted to save. Myself and these guys wished to cooperate and acted upon that wish. Admittedly, we did it on our own terms. However, you need to understand the meaning of that resolve and bear it. If you can’t do that, well, that’s fine too. It’s your life. How you feel and what you think is your choice. But, beyond that, no one will follow you.”

Resolve, to bear it…

It’s, how should I put it… very heavy.

Having had the determination to risk my life for actions until now, I understand the meaning and weight of the word ‘resolve.’

I’ve always acted with the resolve to do something, but when that resolve is directed at me, I hesitate a bit to face those feelings. To be honest, it’s scary.

Because the determination to risk one’s life for someone else shouldn’t be taken lightly. There’s a valid reason for thinking that way, and that choice shouldn’t be an easy one.

However, even so, my father says that I have to accept that resolve.

“Look around more. You’re not alone. Understand that.”

He’s probably talking about the current situation. I had planned to act alone, to rescue Mom and Filia on my own terms. It would be dangerous, but I was prepared for that resolve.

However, maybe my father wants to convey the message that I should rely on others more, that I’m not alone. That’s what I thought.

I can’t know for sure, but while acting selfishly is one thing, it’s probably not a good idea to think I can do it all by myself.

I can’t definitively say I’ll stop doing it all by myself yet. After all, I haven’t reached the point where I can bear someone else’s resolve.

“Sorry for saying something cool, but no matter what I say, it doesn’t look cool when you’re being carried like this.”

“There’s no difference!”

“Besides, Captain’s, cool lines don’t suit you, so stop!”

Though I couldn’t make the determination, I could think about it. However, just as I was about to convey the serious atmosphere prevailing in the situation, my comrades, as if to disrupt it, started teasing each other.

Well, certainly, saying anything while being carried like a sack by a guy makes us look pathetic. I may still have the appearance and age that barely allow for it, but when I look at my father, I can’t help but burst into laughter.

“…You guys, remember this when we get back, you bastards.”

But no matter how angry I got, I couldn’t afford to mess with them and risk slowing down our marching speed. So, as much as my father’s veins popped out in frustration, that’s all he said.

“We’re almost there… about a hundred kilometers left.”

As our movement speed had considerably slowed down compared to the beginning, and most of the comrades who were initially there had dwindled to just a few, my father muttered.

“From here on, you’ll have to run on your own. Get on here.”

“…Got it.”

Rather than continuing to run with recovery magic, it would be faster for my father to carry me and sprint at full speed.

So, I got off the guy who had been carrying me and walked towards my father.

“Boss, I think worrying about it is just a waste, so I won’t say anything… But, kid, please be careful enough. Helping your mother is important, but for us, your life is far more precious than anything else.”

Eddie, who had stuck with me until the end, spoke to me in that way. For me, rescuing my mother was the top priority, but for Eddie, it wasn’t. That was natural. After all, my mother was just my mother, and Eddie didn’t have a direct relationship with her.

“Yeah… I understand—no, I got it.”

Although I nodded at Eddie’s words, I reconsidered for a moment and nodded again.

His resolve was much stronger than I had thought.

I thought I understood how much I had been cherished, but perhaps my understanding was still too naive. Maybe I only thought I understood.

Therefore, I nodded again, this time to understand and remind myself of the fact as something ‘newly understood,’ not just something ‘already known.’

“We’ll be waiting, so make sure to rescue your mother and come back.”

“To go this far and end up in vain, I won’t allow it.”

With such farewells from my comrades, the final healing and strengthening magic for this march were cast on my father and me.

“Yeah… Thanks.”

“Let’s go.”

And so, my father carried me towards the capital.

“Smoke?”

While being carried by my father for a while, I felt like I saw smoke in the distance.

“《Body Enhancement》.”

I used the Thief’s third-tier skill, 《Body Enhancement》, to focus my consciousness ahead. The Thief’s body enhancement is relatively allocated to vision and leg strength, as it doesn’t assume direct confrontation like a swordsman. However, in a situation like this, the enhanced vision proves to be useful.

With enhanced vision, I could clearly perceive the smoke I had seen in the distance, and beneath it, I saw the city that was the source of the smoke.

I’ve seen it before, but that’s the capital. It may not be as glamorous as before, with the ground gouged and what seemed like the bodies of monsters or people scattered on the ground, but it’s still the capital.

However, the situation is different from when I last saw it. In just one day, we’ve come this far.

Thinking about the comrades who dropped out along the way makes me anxious, but they willingly cooperated with my selfishness, pushing me forward.

So, worrying here won’t change anything; I can’t afford to stop.

“Father, what’s that smoke?”

If the city was under attack, it wouldn’t be strange for smoke to rise. However, the actual battle happened days ago. Why is smoke rising now?

“There are several possibilities… The most obvious one is a rebellion.”

“Rebellion… as in the regular army against the rebel forces?”

“Yeah. Taking control of a city doesn’t mean everyone immediately follows orders. Even if there’s a declaration after the battle, it doesn’t mean the fighting is actually over. Especially when it’s the capital of a country, like this time… It won’t settle down for at least a year.”

“But even if the goal is to reclaim the capital, if there’s smoke like that, it means something is burning, right? Is that okay?”

“They probably thought it was fine, even if they were destroying their own ‘box.'”

Father answered with an exasperated tone, but it’s true, if you’re trying to reclaim something and end up destroying it yourself, there’s nothing you can do.

“But, well, there’s another possibility. A warning perhaps? Also, the disposal of corpses. Oh, and there’s the possibility of distribution. Setting up a large-scale distribution for all citizens could generate that kind of smoke.”

“A warning…?”

Hearing the term “warning,” I mumbled my words, and Father continued as if it were nothing.

“Like I said earlier, battles don’t necessarily end with just the fighting. To suppress rebellion against the rebel forces, it’s common to execute or burn the members of the resistance in front of the square or the castle.”

Well, that makes sense. If there are dissenters, crushing them as a deterrent and taking care of the leaders is necessary, including their families—wait, seriously!?

“Resistance organization… W-what about the royal family!?”

The king escaped. I don’t know if he’s being protected by the resistance or not, but he should be alive. However, what about his family?

I came here to save my mom and sister, assuming they are captured. In the midst of battle, there’s a possibility they were killed, or they might be considered a danger, captured, and executed later.

It’s a straightforward, obvious thought that comes to mind, but maybe because I didn’t want to think about my mom and sister being dead or considered it too late, I unconsciously eliminated the idea that it might already be too late.

“Hey, calm down. I can barely carry you.”

I grabbed Father’s shoulder in a hurry and asked, putting force into the hand holding it. In response, Father shook his head lightly, attacking me in return.

It wasn’t a forceful blow, but in my haste, I couldn’t avoid it and took it on the chin. It stung a bit, but it helped me calm down a little.

Certainly, in my current state being carried by Father, if I moved, it would interfere with his running. So, I stopped moving and tried to calm down, but my mind was still far from settled.

“The priority for the queen and princess is low. Women have their uses. If they were to kill someone, it would be the prince. So, don’t worry.”

Whether to reassure me or not, Father began explaining.

“Female members of the royal family won’t be killed as long as they don’t resist too much. They’ll be restrained and thrown into a cell for a while. Considering it’s been only about a week since the rebellion started, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

Hearing that, I felt somewhat relieved. However, even if they weren’t killed, it didn’t mean they were entirely safe. Mom is still in her thirties, and being raised as nobility, she’s quite attractive to be taken advantage of. The same goes for my sister, Filia. Even if they weren’t killed, there’s still the possibility of being used for something else.

In fact, I know the fate of a captured noblewoman. After all, we’re currently harboring one at home, and I’ve seen how it turned out.

“What about concubines?”

“…Can’t say for sure. Even if the higher-ups don’t do it, the lower ranks might act on their own.”

Father hesitated for a moment in response to my question, but then decided it was pointless to evade the topic and spoke in a flat voice.

But, that makes sense. If my father, a former knight familiar with criminals, says so, it’s likely not a mistake.

Understanding that, I involuntarily tensed up, squeezing the hand that was holding onto Father tightly.

“However, thinking about it now won’t change anything. Stay calm and focus on figuring out how to help.”

Even with increased physical abilities due to rank and skills, Father should still feel some discomfort with this much force. Despite that, he didn’t complain and continued running, saying those words.