The Regression Of A Grand Mercenary - 24 - Peace in Days to Come

Despite the…’Intriguing’ visit Evelyn made that early morning, she quickly made the action to dress up. After that, she joined us to our breakfast.

As we ate, she acted like nothing happened…but even so, I can tell that Theresa helped her in getting into my room. It’s a mystery how I wasn’t able to detect her when she got into my room, but it might be because I didn’t assume her presence as a threat. In all the time we spent together, I now considered her a valuable member in my life…someone who I could trust with my life.

While we ate, I would find myself looking to her and she would look to me with a soft smile.

“By the way, Tilly, isn’t today the day you start your classes with the new sister in the village?” Asked Theresa as she placed a few plates on the table.

“Hmm, that’s right! I’m really excited to go and learn how to read!” she said as she was holding on to a cup filled with milk.

“If that’s the case, how about I walk with you to the church.” I suggested.

“I would love that!” she said as she smiled from ear to ear.

It’s been a while since we spent time together. With how I’ve been busy at the clearing and at the workshop, I barely get to see Tilly around.

“Great.”

“Say, Miss Evelyn, when did you come by our home?” asked Thalia as she looked to Evelyn with an innocent curiosity.

“Hmm? I came by just this morning. Why? Do you not want me here?” asked Evelyn in return.

“I love you being here…but you’ve been coming by most of the time when my brother is around. Do you like my brother?” she asked.

“pft-!” I couldn’t help but be a bit surprised by my sister’s question, that I choked a bit.

“Of course I like your brother. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here right now.” she said.

“Is it when you come by our home during the storm?” asked Thalia.

“Oh no, it was way back when I was taken away by a few bandits.”

“Really? You were taken away by some bandits?!” asked Thomas as he stood from the table in surprise.

“Yes, and your brother came by to save me from them. He was quite the knight in shining armor to my eyes.” she said.

“Eh? When did this happen?” asked Theresa as she looked a bit concerned.

“it’s been quite a while, maybe weeks ago.” she said as she looked to me.

“Wha-when??” asked Theresa as she looked to me.

“Um…It was when I went to the City to sell my swords.” I said as I tried to avoid eye contact.

“Y-you didn’t tell us about this! Why did you keep it hidden?”

“It wasn’t really something to worry about. I just came by the forest and saw the bandits. I took action and saved the ones who were kidnapped…Evelyn was one of them.” I said as I tried not making a big deal out of it.

“I guess it’s nothing so worrying about. I mean, he did kill a dragon, that’s much more surprising than killing a few bandits.” said Thomas as he backed me up.

“Still, you should have at least told me!” said Theresa as she looked angry.

“So is this why you’ve been coming around? You like my brother?” asked Tilly.

“…”

“…” Evelyn became silent, but she looked to me with a smile.

“…Yes.” she said. And after that, both Thomas and Theodore were taken aback.

“Whoa…this is the first time someone actually likes our brother.” said Thomas.

“Oy, I’m sitting right here.” I said as I was bit insulted by their comments.

“I mean, don’t get me wrong. For the past couple of days, you’ve been great. But before that, you were kinda…wimpy.” said Thomas.

“Hmm..yeah.” said Theodore.

“…Wow, I can’t believe my brothers would say such a thing. It hurt me to the bone.” I said.

After a bit more of our conversation, Evelyn left to the tend to the construction. With how much time has passed, the construction was already at the start of its process. With a foreman leading the construction, in about two months or so from now, they might just finish making the building.

That is if there won’t be any delays. But that’s highly unlikely. The amber family was rich in every sense, not only were they rich in connections or money, but they know to professionally manage their time. Two months is a realistic time in finishing the construction.

Coincidentally, around that time, Theodore will also leave to go to the academy.

***

“Are you excited for your first day Tilly?” I asked as she was putting on a nice dress for her first day in learning.

“I am!” as she was finished, she walked beside me and we made our way.

“Okay then, lets get going.” as I said this, I held her hand and we both walked down to the village center. As we did, I noticed that a few of the villagers were looking to me with a smile on their faces. Their reactions might be because of the fact that rumors of my actions in saving the village were spreading like wild fire.

I don’t really know how to act around this attention, so I just waved to them and smiled. Normally in my past life, I was more feared than anything as a war-defying warrior, but now, they look to me with a soft smile on their faces.

“A lot of them are looking at us.” said Tilly as she too noticed.

“…right.”

After a while, we just ignored them and we reached the church. I meet eyes with Emily who was standing by the door, greeting every child that was walking in.

“Oh, its you.” said Emily.

“It’s been a while. Um, this is my sister…I hope you teach her well.” I said as I handed her over to Emily.

“Don’t worry, I’ll teach them well.”

“Isn’t that him?”

“You’re right, it is him!”

As I was conversing with Emily, I soon heard the quiet mumbles of a few kids inside the church. They were looking to me.

“Oh, don’t mind them. A lot of the people in the village have been talking about you for days now. I’m sure the kids just idolize you for defeating a dragon.” she said.

“Is that so? A-anyway, I won’t be staying long. I need to go back and continue on my work.” I said as I tried to excuse mysself from her.

“I see, farewell.”

As I left I made my way back on the same path in the streets.

But as I walked, for some reason, a familiar old farmer walked up to me and handed me a sack filled with potatoes.

“Um…what is this for?” I asked.

“Its my thanks for your efforts in saving the village from such a nasty monster.” he said as he tipped his hat to me.

And soon, what followed this old farmer were a few more men and women coming by, holding on to gifts.

“Please accept this!” said a girl as she was holding on to a basket filled with cherry and cherry tomatoes.

What followed more were the other villagers carrying things that were abundant in their own homes. The local butcher carried a whole piece of meat and gave them to me, another woman came by and gave me all sorts of vegetables that were freshly picked. Soon, my hands became full with all sorts of gifts given by the villagers.

“I-I don’t really now what to say.” I said.

“You don’t have to say anything, we just want to thank you for protecting our village. If it weren’t for you, we would have lost our homes and our loved ones.” said the old farmer.

I humbly accepted their gifts. And as I made my way home, I couldn’t help but feel warm over the kind gesture they made to my actions.

***

A few days has passed yet again and as of now, I was making my way to the construction site, carrying the nails that were ordered by Evelyn herself.

As I arrived, I came to see that already, the construction was a quarter way through. Beams and columns were being put up, cement was being mixed, and over a dozen men from outside the village were here working on and on with the progress of the building.

With how busy I was, I made the efforts to focus on helping the construction pass through by providing them with any necessary metal works, but I didn’t forget about my own training nor Theodore’s.

Right now, I was close to developing the second core. Maybe a day from now, I might be able to develop it, so I was excited.

Along with this progress, there was also the Wolf Cahol group who stayed behind because monsters were starting to appear near the construction site. After the dragon’s death, the monsters started returning, so with that the Wolf Cahol’s contract was extended even after finishing the clearing.

They were now bodyguards for the construction workers.

“Here’s a batch of nails for you.” I said as I placed a crate filled with nails down on the floor.

“Thank you, you really do work fast with this. And yet again, you make fine quality work.” said Desmond as he observed the nails I made.

“Thanks for the compliment, so how goes the construction?” I asked.

“It’s going well. I’m sure that by the end of this month, we’ll be finish halfway through.” said Desmond.

“Wow, the Amber family really knows how to work fast huh.” I said.

“Of course! Never underestimate the working fortitude of the Amber Lineage. What started from being a simple merchant that roams the country to that of a great family whose name spreads far and wide, the Amber’s are surely a gem that speaks of its own value.” said Desmond proudly.

“I bet. Have there been any issues lately? Are the monsters still attacking near this place?” I asked.

“Not as of late. Compared to the first day of their arrival, as of now, the monsters must have recognized that we are now claiming this land as our own. It won’t be long before they’ll completely avoid this part of the forest soon.”

“Good, that’s good. Looks like the Mercenary group has their work cut out for them.”

“Indeed, they’ve been doing a marvelous job protecting the workers.” said Desmond.

“And as for Evelyn, what has she been up to?” I asked.

“Oh? Are you curious about our lady?” asked Desmond as he showed a tone of interest.

“I’m just asking.” I said.

“Hmm, as of now, she’s back at the inn, doing paperwork.” said Desmond.

“I see.”

“If I may, Mr. Thill…I’ve heard of a story that you were the one responsible for saving Miss Evelyn’s life from the bandits. Is this real?” he asked.

“Did she not tell you?” I asked.

“Sadly, I cannot ask such a question directly from the Misses. But I did hear it from your brothers and sisters. It seems the Amber Family owes you a great favor for delivering Miss Evelyn away from such a cruel fate.”

“Well, it was jut a coincidence that I saved her.”

“Nonetheless, she is now safe because of you.” said Desmond.

“…”

“And I’d like to inform you that once this entire building is finished, Lord Amber will surely come by to visit the land. If you would, we would love to invite you to meet him personally. Surely, he will give you a great reward for saving his daughter.”

“…That may be an enticing offer, but I don’t really have anything I want ask from the lord himself. But nonetheless, if you do want to invite me into the house-warming party, I’ll be sure to come by.” I said.

“I see.”

After delivering the nails, I made my way back home.

But as I arrived, I saw Tilly sitting by the front of our door.

“What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the church right now?” I asked her.

“Our class got canceled. Some people who looked important came by the church today, so Sister Emily had to let us go home early.” she said.

“…What did those people look like?” I asked.

“Hmm, from what I remember, they looked like they were priest. They wore all black but they carried the a star sign on their backs.” she said.

“A star sign…I see.” as I heard her description, I started making my way to the workshop.

I might know who those people are…

And I might now what their after.

As time went by and the sun sets, the dark came about and I made my way to the church.

“…” without making any introductions, I opened the door and entered the church.

As I did, I came to the sight of Emily knelling in front of our religious symbol. A Sun Cross.

And beside her, two men were found dead by her feet. One was left with a hole on his chest while the other was left stabbed with a spear on his back.

“…Why are you here?” she asked as she remained in a praying motion.

“…I could ask the same thing to you. Why are you still here in the village?” I asked.

“…Do you know who I am?” she asked.

“I do…The Undeclared Saint of the Alticrast Church, am I right?” I said.

“.…Do you know what I am…?”

“Yes…a Saint unlike the rest, and those men, from the symbol on their backs, their from the Partrus Church, aren’t they.”

“…They came here to take me away.”

“…and you resorted to defend yourself” I said as I approached her slowly.

“I didn’t mean to…no, I had no choice.” she said as her voice was shaking with fear.

“…”

“I have to ask…how did you come to know of my identity?” she asked.

“…I have my ways.” I said.

“Hmm, for a man who lives in a rural village like this while still being able to kill a dragon, I’m quite curious about your identity, as you are to mine. I can only assume that in the recent events, you must have known about my identity from one of the Guard hounds of the kingdom.” she said.

“No, and you are wrong to assume that I’m a threat of any kind to you. I’m only here because I worry about the future of this village.”

“…I guess you’re right. I think it’s time I move away again.” she said as she looked extremely tired by the thought of it.

“Why not just go straight to your own church? The main palace of your God? Why hide here in the village?”

“The church…no, the pope did not accept my being. I was denied the title of a saint despite the blessings brought unto me.” she said.

‘I see…so that’s why she was running away.’

I’ve heard back in the past that the current Pope was a corrupted head who took bribes from high nobles. He abused his position and to it, it lead the dysfunction of the palace of God.

For Amelia to stand here must mean that she was a threat to his position not only in power but in ideals. If she was declared to be a saint, most likely a revolution would have happened with those who wish for the betterment of the religion along with its people against those who wish to conserve the corruption which are backed by the high nobles and the Pope himself.

That’s why she doesn’t have any sort of protection with her…she’s all alone. Despite the fact that the kingdom has their eyes on her right now, they can’t act because it will act as a sign of aiding a possible threat. It makes sense now that Orion couldn’t act…

But for her to raise to power, she needs to be officially be recognized as a saint. If she is bestowed by that position, not only can she move the populace through a right ideal, but she can raise a banner against the corrupted.

She’s backed into a corner right now.

There’s no doubt that she is a strong warrior capable of defeating members of the Partrus Church, but if she moves away from this village, who knows what awaits her.

She needs to be protected. But I have to have a more clearer understanding of her position,

“Why are these people from the Partrus Church after you?” I asked.

“…Why do you ask?”

“I have to judge on whether or not I should…help you.” I said.

I know for a fact that I’m stepping in to help her. It isn’t my place to help her, but I need to secure her life for the future of one day raising into power and defeating the demon king.

“…I thought you wanted me to leave?”

“I have yet to decide.” I said.

But as I said this, she lowered her hands and tears started to drop from her eyes.

“…I-I’m sorry. I really am…” she said as her voice was shaken.

“…” I could only stand behind her as she showed weakness to a stranger.

“I don’t know why you would want to help me…there’s no profit in mixing yourself into my situation.” she said.

“We’ll see about that in the future to come.” as I said this, I sat in one of the chairs close to me and started hearing her out.