The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I'm a "Farmer", Not a Demon King! ~ - Chapter 583

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

Chapter 583   Evil God Suppression Battle: Sofia and Bell’s Thoughts

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Lilia included, as I scan the battlefield while checking the rear, the number of enemies has significantly decreased. There’s still room to reduce their numbers further, but I don’t intend to defeat every last one of them.

It would be preferable if I could do so, but there’s a possibility of unforeseen events occurring. Like taking unprecedented actions due to too many of my subordinates being eliminated, for example.

So, it’s better to compromise to some extent, that’s what I’ve decided.

“Now then, it’s about time. The numbers are looking good… Let’s go.”

After this, I’ll gather with Granny, the old man, and my mother. Then with Lancia, and maybe even the hero, for a final check, and then it’s onto the last stage of the plan… which means launching a direct assault on the evil god. With the enemy numbers decreasing and the evil god getting closer, it’s probably best to head to the assembly point for now.

With that in mind, I rise from the battlement where I had been leaning and turn around.

“Well then, Sofia. Once we’re gone, assist Granny.”

There might be time to talk more later, but then again, there might not be. We might gather and depart immediately, so it’s a possibility.

“…Sofia?”

Thinking it would be best to address her now, I spoke up, but for some reason, unlike usual, there was no immediate response this time.

“Lord Vesnar, even though I won’t stop worrying, and the situation won’t allow it either, I… I can’t help but feel anxious.”

Looking closely at her face, I noticed Sofia had dropped her usual composed demeanor and revealed her emotions.

Those emotions, as she had said, seemed to be filled with anxiety.

But even if she said that, I couldn’t just stay back. Honestly, if I could just watch, that might be better.

Still, I didn’t have the option to not go.

“Well, if I didn’t have to go, I wouldn’t want to either. But, it seems like I’m needed. That’s just how it is.”

It wasn’t persuasion, per se. Sofia herself seemed to understand and accept that I needed to go. So, to ease her anxiety, I took Sofia’s hand and firmly grasped it.

With that action, Sofia’s hand twitched momentarily, but she quickly returned the grip.

“Yes, I understand.”

“But, it’s not just normal to feel happy when someone worries about you… no, it’s more than that. It’s really heartwarming.”

Understanding that it’s a very heartwarming thing for someone to worry about you, I couldn’t help but feel really happy about it, even though Sofia expressed her worries and concerns.

So, as a thank you for her concern, I’ll stay by her side until I can alleviate that anxiety. There should still be a little time left.

“I apologize for showing such an inadequate side and for intruding.”

“You’re not inadequate. It’s amazing to be able to worry about someone. It shows how much you care about that person.”

“Well… yes…”

After a few minutes, Sofia slowly spoke up, and I responded, but it seems like she’s feeling better now.

She might still be worried and anxious, but I hope I managed to ease her mind at least a little.

With that in mind, I released Sofia’s hand. It felt somewhat lonely or unsatisfying when the warmth disappeared, but I distracted myself by tightly squeezing my own hand.

We’ve spent some time now, so I thought it’s about time to go, just as Bell appeared.

“Lord Vesnar! Lady Carmena is calling for you!”

“Bell. Ah, understood.”

I thought it was about time, and it seems Granny feels the same way. I wonder if the others are also ready? Hopefully, they haven’t gathered yet.

“Um, Lord Vesnar!”

Just as I was about to leave to avoid being scolded, Bell called out to me loudly.

“What? Bell? What’s wrong?”

“Um, well… I’ll say this now since it’s the perfect chance!”

Startled by Bell suddenly shouting, I looked at her with wide eyes. She seemed desperate or perhaps even angry as she spoke forcefully.

“I still can’t accept the idea of Lord Vesnar and the others going alone.”

“But…”

Sofia felt anxious. If she did, then surely others would feel the same. And it seems Bell was no exception.

However, while I appreciate her concern, there’s nothing I can do to alleviate her worries.

Since Granny called for me, I can’t stay here.

“I understand. It’s frustrating, but I know I can’t be of much help here. That’s why it’s even more frustrating for me. But I also understand that throwing a tantrum here won’t accomplish anything… So, I’ll do my best to shine when I come back. After all, I’m still a maid.”

But Bell, without waiting for me to say or do anything, faced forward with only her own strength, smiling brightly.

I can tell it’s just a facade. Suppressing her anxieties and worries to smile like that, it’s evident from her trembling hands.

Even so, she smiled for me. She forced herself to smile so I wouldn’t worry. In that case, I can’t ignore her determination.

“Yeah. I’d appreciate that. I imagine you’ll be really tired when you come back.”

“Yes… So please make sure to come back.”

“Of course.”

So, I patted Bell’s shoulder, and then started walking away—

“■■■■〜〜〜〜〜!”

“――Wha?!”

Suddenly, what sounded like a scream echoed from the direction of the battlefield.

Well, it wasn’t exactly a voice we heard. It was more like a “sound,” if you could call it that.

But it definitely felt like a “scream.”

“Huh? What’s that…?”

Turning towards the direction of the scream, we saw the battlefield, and in the distance, the evil god was there, but on its surface, there was something that looked like a giant human face.

“Is that… a human face?”

“Probably. But what the hell is that…? And it feels like I’ve seen it somewhere before…”

I’ve never seen anything like that, something resembling a face on a tree. Even a treant doesn’t have a face.

But for some reason, I feel like I’ve seen that face before.

“Don’t you know anything from Sofia’s ‘Records’?”

“…I can’t definitively say I’ve seen anything like that shape before. But I have one person in mind.”

“Who? …Hey, look over here.”

In response to Bell’s question, Sofia, who has the skill to record what she sees, answered, but for some reason, that face was now turned towards us.

Could it be… I don’t want to think about it, but does it resemble me?

“Lord Vesnar’s father. The former king of the Zaviet Kingdom.”

Ah, I remembered now. Was it that?

Huh?

“What? …! Hey, that’s…”

So, does that mean that face belongs to the former king?

“Most likely. However, as I mentioned earlier, since he’s no longer human, I can’t say for sure.”

“But the possibility is high, huh?”

I must have seen him somewhere before. I’ve only met him a few times, but I can remember because, well, he’s him. He’s a significant figure for me.

But what does it mean for his face to be there? Did the evil god absorb him? …It’s not an impossible story. In fact, I can’t think of any other explanation. Even if it’s trying to mimic a human, why would it choose such a face? There are plenty of better options, like past heroes or popes. Despite that, it chose that face, which suggests it wasn’t an intentional decision.

But then the question arises: how did the evil god know his face? As a god, it wouldn’t be strange if it knew the faces of people all over the world. However, it seems more likely that it incorporated him internally, considering how it presented itself.

Well, even if it did incorporate him, there are probably many similar entities, and it’s just a twist of fate or obsession that led to him appearing.

“Haaah… Seriously. We were searching everywhere for him, but I never expected him to be there. I mean, how did he end up there? If he’s swallowed by the divine tree, does that mean they found the main body of the divine tree somewhere? Or perhaps it’s the doing of the evil god? Maybe he wandered into another cursed area… Ugh. Anyway, no matter how you look at it, it’s just causing more trouble at this point.”

Just because it turned out like this doesn’t change the fact that we have to defeat him. But still, having to face him again in this situation feels like… he’s getting in the way again, you know?

“Oh well. I’ll go see Granny and the others.”

There’s no point in staying here and watching, and if I’m going to worry about it, I might as well do it with Granny and the others. With that in mind, I started walking again.

“Oh, Lord Vesnar!”

“We eagerly await your safe return.”

“Yeah. I’ll be back.”

Responding to their words with a raised hand, I couldn’t help but feel like I was trying a bit too hard to be cool. …Well, I suppose this much is within acceptable limits.