The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I'm a "Farmer", Not a Demon King! ~ - Chapter 452

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

Chapter 452   Words of the Saint Elf

“Eh? It’s not like there’s anything like that, right? Are you just misunderstanding something?”

I tried talking to Lilia about the events leading up to this point and what had been troubling me, but the response I received was just that.

Faced with such an answer, I placed one hand on my head and sighed deeply.

“It’s something that happens. …That’s why I find myself in this situation, struggling.”

Until now, I had secretly looked down on others. Of course, I never consciously felt that way, but it was merely my intent. Even though I wanted to change myself because I despised that aspect of me, it’s inconceivable that my arrogance was just a misunderstanding.

“Hmm? Well… I really don’t think so.”

However, even after listening to my words, Lilia showed a thoughtful expression and mumbled as if negating my statement.

“Well, I’ve never felt like I was looked down upon. If you’re feeling that way, isn’t it because you think that?”

Lilia said so, but it should not be just my own perception. Otherwise, there’s no way Bell would cry like that, and Granny wouldn’t have commented on my inner thoughts and essence.

“Bell and the others said the same thing.”

“In that case, maybe Bell is the only one who thinks that?”

Even when I countered, Lilia continued to deny my thoughts, creating a semi-transparent barrier with magic. She then sat on it, floating in the air, and casually drifted around.

Why does she keep denying my words and thoughts like this? What I’m saying about myself should not be wrong. Moreover, it’s unusual for Lilia to counter like this. Normally, she would end it with something like, “Oh, I see.”

“Oh, Lilia! Don’t just go off on your own—”

“What’s up, Vesnar? Were you here all along… Were you talking about something?”

As I was thinking about that, Bell and Kyle, who seemed to be searching for Lilia, hurriedly opened the door and entered.

Come to think of it, Lilia was with them. Given her current words and the dialogue with Bell and Kyle, she probably ditched them and came here on her own.

“This is perfect! I’ll solve everything for you!”

The reason the two of them arrived in the midst of my troubles was probably just that. Lilia joyfully declared that she would solve everything.

Honestly… What does she think of people’s troubles? Should I punch her hard once?

…And on a completely irrelevant note, standing on that see-through barrier, no matter how long the dress is, your underwear is visible. Or rather, it’s visible. I’m not pointing it out, though.

“You guys seem to be saying weird things and almost getting into a fight… Seriously. You’re so helpless without me~.”

While shrugging her shoulders, Lilia said that. However, despite her casual words, she was still standing on the barrier with her underwear showing, and I was more dumbfounded than irritated.

Due to that, even though the current line would usually come with a punch, considering the absurdity of the situation, I couldn’t muster up much anger.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but he’s saying he caused trouble and made you sad because of his selfishness. That’s why he said he wanted to change…”

While saying that, Lilia manipulated the barrier she was on and descended to us. She attempted to jump down lightly, but failed and ended up stumbling. Somehow, she managed to land without falling completely.

And probably because she didn’t fall, she let out a small sigh, took another deep breath, then switched to a stern expression and looked at Kyle and Bell.

“What do you guys think? Do you want him to change?”

While asking this to Kyle and Bell, the answer was already clear. After all, they had already said something like, “I don’t like the current you,” at that time. It implies a desire for change, doesn’t it?

“That is…”

“I, um, I would be happy if you started considering us more…”

Yeah, that’s what I thought. Seeing the hesitant Kyle and the softly spoken Bell, I clenched my fist again, reaffirming that my thoughts weren’t wrong.

However, when Lilia saw the two of them, she let out a sigh as if she were exasperated. Then, with a slightly stern expression, she addressed Bell and Kyle.

“You guys are so stupid. Someone won’t change just for your convenience. Isn’t that common sense? You hate someone, so they should change. Do you really think saying that will make someone change? It won’t, right?”

…That’s certainly true. Even if you say you hate something about someone, it won’t change anything. You might get them to fix minor things, but it won’t change anything substantial about their nature.

Those words were correct. I felt that way.

However, this time, influenced by Bell and Kyle’s words, I decided to change my own essence—my way of thinking. It might be something unusual. So, was I wrong to want to change?

“This person is saying he’s arrogant, but you guys are arrogant too, asking someone else to change for you. Realize that!”

Demanding someone to change because you don’t like something about them is an act that denies the other person’s humanity, their individuality, and indeed, it might be considered arrogance.

Lilia, who said such things, seemed different this time. Or rather, it was clearly different. There was a faint but unmistakable dignity in her, reminiscent of the time she gave a speech during the previous war.

“If there’s something you don’t like, shouldn’t you change yourself instead of imposing on someone else? Right, Bell?”

Addressed with a gaze and words that were different from her usual self, Bell, who seemed startled, slowly opened her mouth.

“Well, that’s… true, but… I just don’t want Lord Vesnar to get hurt…”

“That’s just your own thoughts, right? It’s not Lord Vesnar’s perspective.”

Upon hearing Lilia’s words, Bell bit her lip, gazing at Lilia with a saddened frown.

“So, what should I do… Is it so wrong to not want the person you love to get hurt? Is it so wrong to want them to stay with you more!?”

“I didn’t say it’s wrong. If you just want to think about it, then go ahead. However, I’m telling you not to impose your thoughts on others.”

In response to Bell’s outburst, Lilia didn’t retort angrily; she merely conveyed her words as if advising.

Lilia’s somewhat detached demeanor silenced Bell. Ignoring Bell, Lilia turned her gaze toward me and continued speaking.

“You too, since the world won’t change the way you want it to, why not sometimes give up and go with the flow? No matter how hard you try, there are times when you’ll fail. Just live as you like and face things as you like. If there’s anything that needs to change, it’s not your essence, but rather your approach.”

Changing is not about one’s essence, but about one’s approach…

“In simple terms, what matters most is your mindset! No matter how much you think about what you should do, there won’t be a correct answer. Even if you find an answer, it’s just what you think is right, not necessarily what truly is. So, just do what you think is right!”

So, my idea of changing myself was just my own perception of what’s right. No, that’s right. Just a while ago, Sofia told me the same thing. I’m not wrong. She didn’t want me to change because she didn’t think I was wrong.

After wrestling with these thoughts for so long, being told that there’s no need to worry feels like all that time was wasted. However, I’m not wrong. Simply hearing those words lightens my heart.

Sofia said the same thing to me before, and perhaps that’s why Lilia’s words resonate with me.

“… I see.”

“…Or rather, if I don’t think that way, I won’t be able to handle it! How many times do you think I’ve failed until now? Even if I prepare and try my best, for some reason, I end up failing. It’s not that I’m at fault; it’s the world that’s at fault!”

… What’s going on? After saying serious and good things until now, uttering such foolish words creates such a stark contrast that it leaves me in a strange mood.

“Well, whatever. So, you said you want to change but can’t, right? But you haven’t really changed, have you?”

“…I couldn’t change, and that’s what troubled me.”

“Someone who really hasn’t changed wouldn’t be troubled in the first place. The fact that you’re troubled because you want to change means you’ve already changed. All you have to do is change a bit more from there. If you do that, you’ll be able to change so much that you won’t have to worry anymore, right?”

With a confident smile that held no shadows, her words were a relief to me, who was filled with hesitation. Though I’ve already had some clarity after talking with Sofia, it still felt reassuring.

“… If you were always like this, I probably would’ve thought differently about you—”

That’s probably why I started saying that, but I stopped myself before finishing the sentence.

“Sigh… I’m exhausted! Oh, Flora, thanks!”

“How was it?”

“It went great! Tell that child I said thanks too!”

“Hmm, it was fun, so don’t worry about it!”

“Oh, really? Then I won’t worry about it!”

Flora, who had been quiet until then, suddenly appeared and started talking with Lilia.

At the same time, the air of dignity I had felt from Lilia disappeared completely.

It’s not a big deal since she doesn’t usually have any dignity, but what did that meaningful conversation just now mean?

“What was that conversation about?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Um, well, I got her cooperation. You remember, I showed you that before, right?”

“Before… do you mean during the war?”

I’ve felt this atmosphere from Lilia before, so if it’s the same as that time, the ‘before’ she’s referring to is probably during the war. The feeling she had when giving a speech during the war.

If that’s the case, ‘that child’ would be the Sacred Tree from Lilia’s place.

“Yeah, exactly. I borrowed her power at that time, and this time, I got a little help from her. Well, since this place is a bit far, I had Flora establish a connection.”

Oh, so that’s why she was having that conversation with Flora. Come to think of it, looking back, I feel like Flora wasn’t there from some point in the conversation.

But now that I know what happened, the question remains: why did she decide to do something like that in the first place?

“Why did you do something like that?”

“Huh? Well, if we’re doing it, might as well make it look cool, right? I thought it would be nice if I could give a cool answer to everyone’s concerns, make them satisfied, and maybe they’ll come back for more advice or rely on me again. So, how was it? Do you want to consult again? You can come anytime!”

Is that really the reason? Well, it helped, and what she said wasn’t wrong.

But leaving that aside, there’s something more important now. I need to act before this atmosphere and mood disappear.

“Bell, Kyle. Can we talk for a bit?”

“Talk?”

“Sofia told me that we’ve never really talked about ourselves before. Because of that, we can’t truly understand each other, and misunderstandings happen easily.”

“Well, this wasn’t exactly the kind of town where we’d casually talk about ourselves, and our relationship isn’t the type to easily share things.”

“Yeah. So, what do you think? Let’s talk more, understand each other better, and see if we can come closer to each other?”

It feels quite embarrassing when I say it like this. I can manage to say something like this during a speech, but when facing someone I’m close to, it feels too embarrassing. That’s why I couldn’t look at them directly and averted my gaze.

“…Mainly, if you say something like that, it’s a disqualification for a servant… No, maybe it doesn’t matter for a guard or a servant. Well, I get it.”

Kyle said that and shrugged, then lightly patted my shoulder with his fist.

“What about you, Bell? Let’s talk more and—”

“Yes… Yes! I’ll talk more! Much more, forever!”

I won’t discard the old me. After all, I’ve learned that it’s okay to be myself.

But even without discarding the old me, I can still change. Talk more, reach out more.

What will change? Probably nothing much, but it’s all about the attitude, isn’t it?