When the Villainous Flame User Trapped in a Time Loop Starts Living Earnestly, Every Female Party Member Turns into a Pervert and Now the World Is in Danger!? - 84

Chapter 84: Gratitude

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Mother and daughter’s tearful reunion moved everyone’s heart. Aside from that, Mibou-san explained our presence, or rather, the Sefure’s presence, to the villagers, who were understandably astonished that demonfolk would rescue a human. Even so…

“I see… So it’s the demonfolk… No, you people saved Mibou, didn’t you?”

An elderly woman, speaking for the villagers, bowed low and said that to us.

“I am Ponbiki, the head of this village. We can only offer our thanks for saving our family. We aren’t wealthy, small as our village is, so we can’t give you much in return, but we will do our best to host you.”

“Oh, it’s no bother at all~ We were only answering the request of our beloved Habiri-sama~”

It was a tiny village. Small houses and fields dotted about, with few young men. Mostly old people, women, and children. There was nothing remarkable about this tiny village and yet, somehow… It felt familiar.

“Thank you so much, lads!”

“Whoa!”

While I was dazedly looking around, a big, bearded fellow suddenly thumped me on the back. He was rough-looking, but perhaps one of the younger adults in this village.

“We couldn’t save Mibou when she fell from the ship… If it weren’t for you folks, we…. And Maosha as well, would’ve been done for. Really, thank you.”

He spoke with tears in his eyes. His gratitude was overwhelming and made me embarrassed.

“I can’t promise you fish or meat, but we grow our vegetables with care. Please let us welcome you.”

“R-really…?”

To be honest, Mibou-san hadn’t really been ‘rescued’ in a heroic way. She’d just been found drifting at sea and pulled aboard. Still… Even if the villagers offered thanks, this place wasn’t wealthy. There were twenty-one of us including me. I doubted the village had enough food for all of us. Even if they tried, their resources must be limited. 

“No, we’ll accept the sentiment only. We’d feel bad lounging about in a place with so few people… Habiri-dono, Captain, is that all right?”

Naoho-san began to politely step back as if to form a boundary. Apparently she had assessed the village’s situation and chose to be considerate. The others seemed to understand too, and though a few looked disappointed, no one complained.

“Huh? Wh-what are you saying, Naoho-san!? If they’re offering hospitality, of course we should accept it!”

“Y-yeah, Captain…”

Except for Sefure….

“Ah, Sefure. We have to sail back through this sea soon. We just cleared out a bunch of sea beasts, and by tomorrow they might be swarming again. It’d be better to get out of here while we can.”

“Pffft! Don’t be silly! With the invincible Sefure Pirate Crew and Habiri-sama combined, we can handle anything, can’t we?”

“U-uh… Everyone…”

Even when I tried to suggest a reason politely, they didn’t take it. They were foolish, but I still found them endearing.

“Onii-chan! Onee-chan!”

“Huh?”

“?????”

At that moment, the black-haired little girl who had been sobbing and clinging to Mibou just a moment ago charged forward while clutching a whole bunch of flowers in both hands. She ran up to me and offered me a single blossom.

“Are you giving it to me?”

“Mm.”

She gave me the flower and then said, tearfully.

“Thank you for saving my mama… Maosha… Mama’s the only one I have… Just my mama…”

Seeing those tears felt like a stab through my chest.

“Oh, you’re giving one to me too?”

“Ah~ What a wonderful gift.”

“So cute~!”

“This might be our first-ever medal.”

“Hehe, thank you, little miss!”

The blooms were nothing special, probably common wildflowers, but they were the best the little girl could offer. It was a child’s wholehearted gratitude. That feeling translated across species. Sefure, Naoho-san, and everyone else were touched and visibly pleased by the gift. Then…

Ggrrrr~♪

“?”

“Ah!”

A small, cute belly-rumble came from Maosha. Startled, she clapped both hands over her stomach. Mibou-san gently smiled and patted her head.

“Sorry, Maosha. Mama couldn’t catch any fish again today…”

“It’s okay! Maosha loves vegetables! Maosha is small, so if she eats vegetables she gets full fast! Maosha loves the veggies you grew, uncle!”

Hearing Maosha say “I love your vegetables,” with such conviction, everyone quickly grasped the situation. Seeing that such a little child already understood the circumstances made the reality hit harder.

“…Um…Everyone…About the stuff on the ship, um…”

“You don’t need to say the rest, Habiri-dono. Heh. I’m fine with it. After all, that stuff was taken from pirates to begin with.”

Naoho-san and the others had already understood what I was about to say. They nodded with smiles, so I went ahead.

“Maosha, huh.”

“Y-yes…”

“As a thank-you for this flower… I’ll have you eat your fill, as much as you want!”

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