The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I'm a "Farmer", Not a Demon King! ~ - Chapter 454

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

Chapter 454   Talk to the Hero group

“Are all of you traveling as a group of four?”

As far as I could see, there were only these four, so I decided to ask. However, it’s just “as far as I could see,” and I know there are others hidden behind. After all, these guys were together until partway, right? Everything is transparent.

“Oh, but even though we’re on a journey, we haven’t really been to various places.”

However, the hero hides the existence of others and insists that it’s just them. But that’s probably true. Those who separate along the way and enter the city would never acknowledge each other’s presence.

“Is that so? Still, you chose quite an unusual place as your destination. Normally, you’d avoid such places.”

“Huh? Uh, well…”

Normally, one wouldn’t choose a city of criminals as a destination for a journey. When I pointed that out, the hero visibly became flustered.

…Even though I had heard about it in advance from the plants, this guy really seems to struggle with deception and tricks, huh?

“While on our way to the Holy Kingdom, I wanted to know what kind of place it is. If I understand the level of danger, we can take appropriate measures when necessary in the future.”

“I see.”

As if assisting the hero, the woman next to him—Canon, the Saint—interjected and began to explain.

Even though she’s referred to as a saint, I haven’t heard any stories of her achieving anything. She didn’t earn the title for being kind, helping people, or risking her life to save others. She was simply chosen in the Holy Kingdom for being able to use ‘Light Magic’ and ‘Healing Magic’—basically a ‘professional saint.’

However, I know that, despite saying she’s going to the Holy Kingdom, she actually came from there. I’ve been tracking her since she left the country. Well, I thought it was clever of her to enter from the opposite gate to avoid revealing she came from the Holy Kingdom, and it did surprise me.

“I didn’t think it was particularly dangerous, and I was hoping for some useful tools or convenient items.”

“Indeed, in terms of having rare items or useful weapons, it could be beneficial.”

The mage—Lina—seems to have a more carefree attitude compared to the saint, whether it’s because she doesn’t take things as seriously or if it’s just her personality. She gives off a rather relaxed vibe, almost as if she’s genuinely on a sightseeing trip.

Canon seems to acknowledge Lina’s words, but she also wears an expression that suggests she won’t admit to agreeing with them. Well, if you grew up as a ‘Saint’ in the Holy Kingdom, you probably wouldn’t approve of the goods handled by this gathering of criminals. Almost half of it is stolen or illegal. Still, the fact that it’s limited to about half is because this is the Garden and not the main street of Karakas. There, about 80% of goods, except for groceries and daily necessities, are illegal. Even those groceries and goods are often obtained by threatening regular merchants or through fraud.

Because of that, I understand why the saint dislikes it, but even knowing that, if she still enjoys it, this mage, Lina, might surprisingly be well-suited for Karakas.

“But the Holy Kingdom, huh. I have thought about visiting it at least once.”

“It’s a wonderful place. Everyone leads a pure and righteous life, and everyone can live happily, believing in God.”

When I said that, Canon seemed surprised that someone here would be interested and spoke to me in a slightly excited voice.

Indeed, I had thought about wanting to visit the Holy Kingdom. I always wanted to see the world, and even if that wasn’t the case, if the Holy Kingdom was going to do something more, I thought it might be necessary to go and have a “conversation.”

However, I have absolutely no interest in faith or gods.

“God, huh…”

“Do you not believe in God?”

I made a careless remark about the existence of God, and Canon, who had been excited until then, suppressed her enthusiasm, looking at me with a somewhat stern gaze as she asked.

…I didn’t know this from the information from the plants, but she’s a “saint raised in the Holy Kingdom.” It becomes clear. While she might not be a fanatic, there’s a distinct feeling of being deeply involved in religion.

“Well, I do think there must be some existence like a god since I can use skills. But as for believing, I’m not so sure.”

I believe there must be some god-like existence that granted me this supernatural power.

I appreciate the power they gave me. However, that’s different from having faith.

However, talking about such things would only sour the atmosphere. In fact, when I mentioned that I don’t have faith, Canon and another knight who is a companion of the hero—a man named Darado—began to show signs of being displeased.

To change the mood, I decided to bring up a different topic.

“By the way, it seems like the Holy Kingdom is going through a bit of a tough time right now. They say there’s a locust plague or something.”

That was the chosen topic. Even if I was changing the subject, I thought it would be good to inquire about any information that might come up.

I mentioned a locust plague, but I know it’s not actually happening. However, externally, it’s not disclosed that the plants are withering due to unknown causes. Probably because if it were known, people might say it’s a curse or something.

So, publicly, it’s said that the Holy Kingdom is facing difficulties due to a locust plague.

I don’t know what’s really happening since I can’t gather information from the plants. The only information I have is from the reports of the ‘shadows’ I sent in and occasional updates from meetings with Edward.

However, none of the information can be considered accurate. It’s all very similar, and I don’t know anything specific.

I’m still investigating the anomaly, but since the people living in the Holy Kingdom are right in front of me, it would be quicker to ask them directly.

“A locust plague? No, it’s different. For some reason, the plants suddenly started withering.”

The hero said so, his voice darker than before, while frowning.

But can he really speak so easily about it? Glancing behind, I noticed Canon frowning. Maybe she’s silent because, after all, we are residents of Karakas. Even if we speak, the information won’t spread, and nobody will believe us. So, why not be honest and try to grasp at least a bit of a solution by talking about it?

It might also be because the hero has already started talking on his own, and stopping now would seem unnatural.

“Suddenly? …Is there something happening?”

Even when I asked, the hero didn’t answer, and his gaze was fixed on the sacred tree.

And the other three had similar expressions.

“It seems there’s nothing like that happening here…”

Wondering if Flora might be showing any signs, I turned my gaze towards the sacred tree, but there was nothing unusual. It looked the same as always.

“Yeah. That’s why I’m a bit surprised.”

Responding while nodding towards the lush sacred tree, which, in the heroes’ perception, is just a giant tree, he continued.

Certainly, even though this is a different country from the Holy Kingdom, the distance between them is not that great. Normally, if there’s an anomaly in one country, it wouldn’t be strange for some abnormality to occur in the other country as well.

Nevertheless, if in the Holy Kingdom plants are withering and there’s no damage here, it’s not unreasonable for them to be surprised.

“Were there any signs or omens?”

“Who knows? I haven’t been in that country for a long time. Recently, things started getting weird, so I came here to check it out.”

Earlier, he said they just stopped by on their journey, but now his opinion seems to have changed.

Well, it’s probably just his foolishness.

“Is the cause within this country?”

“Huh? Ah! N-No, it’s not like that… What I meant to say is…”

When I asked with a puzzled expression, the hero visibly started to fluster. It’s unmistakably the behavior of someone hiding something.

If it were just this hero, they probably wouldn’t have come to Karakas. But with the saint accompanying them as support, it’s only natural that this time, too, there will be the hero’s blunder covered up by the saint Canon.

“This country gathers various rare medicines, aside from illegal items. Though we’re in the middle of our journey, we thought we might find something useful in this country while checking its situation.”

“Y-yeah, that’s right.”

Agreeing with Canon’s words, the hero nodded. However, even that appearance seems to prove that it’s a lie. Therefore, Canon is slightly frowning at the hero.

But, even though it’s clear they are lying, well, let’s overlook it. I’m lying too, after all.

“I see. However, when it comes to a medicine for plants… Well, is it related to soil improvement? Or perhaps fungi or insects?”

I guess I can’t say anything without seeing it directly. Even though they mentioned it’s like a drought, it doesn’t seem like the ground is cracking, and there seems to be water around, so it might not be a drought. However, without further details, it’s hard to determine other factors just by asking.

Well, even if I look at it, can I really say anything? I’ve studied, but I’m not a researcher. Maybe it would be better to catch an elf around here and throw them into it? They’re supposed to be experts in the forest, even with something like this.