Summoned by the Heretics – Even in Another World, the Zealot Who Worships Death Remains an Outcast - Vol 3 Chapter 57

“You’re good with children, aren’t you?”

As he watched the twins, exhausted from playing with Sukui, sleeping on his lap under the bright sky, Mei’s father commented.

“Is that surprising?”

“…No.”

Without even shifting his gaze, Sukui responded, and Mei’s father gave a small shake of his head.

It seemed the discussion had concluded. The buildings in the village would be divided into residential and public spaces, with roles and functions clearly defined.

The next step was task allocation, but as it wasn’t much different from before, it seemed that decision would be made quickly.

“It’s a good village.”

After a brief silence, Mei’s father spoke.

The two villagers who participated in the discussion were proactive and quick to understand. Despite the sudden arrival of Flame and Mei’s father from outside, they listened intently to every opinion, showing a genuine desire to improve the village.

They even showed genuine gratitude for any helpful suggestions, even though Mei’s father wasn’t the smoothest talker.

Originally, this village was a gathering centered around a faith in death. While this likely helped their adaptability to outsiders, it was clear that they possessed a deep ambition and a vibrant, cheerful demeanor. Even in matters as basic as cooking, they eagerly discussed ways to prevent hunger in the village, sharing their thoughts and the current state of the village to come up with ideas.

In the fields, Mei and Horo were once again talking, observing the crops. This time, it seemed Horo was teaching magic. There were quite a few spells useful for fieldwork, and Mei, interested in learning anything that could help with farming, was asking for the most efficient way to acquire such skills.

Villagers had gathered around the houses, where Flame was running from house to house, handing out necessary supplies and tools for repairs, explaining their use along the way.

While immediate improvement was unlikely, their living conditions would undoubtedly be far better than relying on the remnants of an abandoned village.

“It’s a poor place—no resources, no people. At a glance, it looks like they’re managing, but without your help, they wouldn’t have lasted a year.”

Even if they were fine now, a shift in climate, a monster attack, or a betrayal by others could easily cause things to fall apart.

“But that won’t happen, because…”

“Because they’re strong.”

Sukui interjected, cutting off Mei’s father.

“It’s true; this village was unstable, and without intervention, it would have struggled to survive.”

However, these are people with strong wills.

“That’s because they understand death. In the face of death, there’s no such thing as suffering.”

Sukui spoke with an extraordinary calmness, articulating what might sound like madness.

Yet his expression lacked the usual fanaticism.

“You…”

Mei’s father seemed as if he was about to say something but held back.

“My inn likely won’t last much longer.”

Instead, he voiced different words.

The inn he had run for Mei’s sake—although his debts were cleared, it still required money and effort to keep an inn with no guests.

And Mei would remain bound to it.

“When that time comes, the inn will be unnecessary. It’s too large for just the two of us, and besides…”

It didn’t hold particularly pleasant memories.

For Mei, it was a place filled with memories of her grandfather, but for Mei’s father, it was a symbol of the debt-ridden legacy left by his father, who had run away.

“But isn’t it still an important place for Mei-san?”

Sukui asked, turning the question back.

The reason Mei’s father continued to run an unprofitable inn was because it was a place that held significant meaning for Mei.

She must have harbored at least a small desire to one day revive it and make it popular again.

“Yeah, but…”

Agreeing, Mei’s father looked over to see Mei happily chatting with Horo.

Would his daughter have been as joyful in an inn with no guests?

There was no doubt that Mei had enjoyed tending the inn and working in the fields. Yet, seeing her finally fulfill the role of innkeeper when Sukui arrived, Mei’s father wondered if she had always been this bright.

But.

“She can be happy without it.”

It was a slight confession of guilt.

A father’s regret for not being able to make his daughter happy except by confining her to an empty inn.

Sukui listened to those words without objection, simply in silence.

“It may not be the ideal answer for you, who wanted to make that inn your home.”

“No, it doesn’t change anything.”

Not “it’s okay,” but “it doesn’t change anything.”

Considering the true meaning of those words for a moment, Mei’s father let go of his thoughts.

“You know, this village will grow from here.”

“Yes, regardless of size, the environment will change significantly.”

“It’ll need people.”

“It would be helpful to have individuals with specialized knowledge.”

With Sukui’s words, Mei’s father seemed to reach an understanding.

There was no need for him to wish for anything from the start.

Sukui had already considered the possibility of welcoming Mei’s father into this village.

Of course, not once had Sukui tried to persuade him.

Yet with the dwindling inn, Mei’s cheerful expressions, and the chance for Mei’s father to reconsider his future, the option of settling in the village emerged.

Sukui had prepared to welcome him, should that path be chosen.

How far ahead did he plan?

How deeply did he perceive others?

“It really is a good village.”

Mei’s father didn’t voice his thoughts.

He doubted Sukui sought gratitude.

He simply repeated.

“Yes, thanks to the admirable villagers.”

“Because you’re here.”

However, he said this firmly.

“It’s a good village because you’re here.”

For the first time, Mei’s father spoke directly to Sukui, meeting his eyes.

Sukui averted his gaze slightly.

“I don’t necessarily intend to live here, though.”

At that, they heard Flame’s voice calling from afar.

It seemed some work required assistance at a higher location.

It was likely difficult for Flame to handle physically demanding tasks alone.

“Please go help him,” Sukui said, looking down at the sleeping twins on his lap, and relayed to Mei’s father.

“Alright.”

With that, Mei’s father walked over to Flame.

“Oh, Dad! Look at this!” Mei called out as she spotted her father on the way, forming a small ball of water in her palm.

“Turns out, I had it in me all along! Maybe all the water work I’ve been doing was a condition for learning it!”

Mei’s father, watching his daughter excitedly talk about potentially using it for watering, smiled and, unusually, patted her head.

“You really are good with children.”

Muttering to himself, Mei’s father headed over to assist Flame with the village work.