Chapter 102: 28.2

editors: sleepchaser, ASplashofMusic

“Since the leaves of the trees on the mountains have begun to change color… maybe we’ll be able to see beautiful autumn leaves around half a month from now.”

“Hmm, you’re right… That will surely be a sight to see.” Then Marie brings her hands together in a clap. “Let’s go for another picnic after the maple trees in the mountain have turned red, Lian-sama!”

“Ooh! That’s a good idea, Marie-sama! We definitely have to have a picnic!”

“Yes! Let’s go!” She releases a giggle. “I’m looking forward to it! And I’m sure everyone will be too. We’ll have to prepare lots of sandwiches and sweets.”

“Yeah, let’s make sure that we bring a lot. Otherwise, the kids are going to gobble them all up in no time. And I can help with making the sandwiches! I can make them with fried egg and ham, so please make a lot with potato and bean paste, Marie-sama!”

“Hehe, sure. Lian-sama really likes that kind, huh?”

“Yes, I love it!”

Marie puts sweet potatoes and boiled beans with chunks of savory nuts in her sandwiches. It’s a masterpiece of a hearty meal.

Of course, it’s also very popular with the kids. Last year, we even played rock-paper-scissors to determine who would get the last sandwich with potato and bean paste. By the way, I lost in the first round back then. So vexing.

As we plan for the picnic with excitement, Marie suddenly covers her mouth with a hand, letting out a soft “ah.”

“What’s wrong, Marie-sama?”

“Oh dear, I almost forgot again. Uh, I’m sorry, Lian-sama, but I have a request… Is that fine?”

“Sure, please tell me. Since it’s from you, I’ll agree no matter what it is!” I say in a joking manner.

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This brings surprise to Marie’s face. Then she bursts into giggles, rosy cheeks turning into an even deeper red, before resting a hand on her chest. “Thank you very much, Lian-sama. Are you meeting with Al tomorrow on Saturday, Lian-sama?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“That’s good! The thing is… I asked Al to fix a leak on the roof the day before yesterday. But he seems to have forgotten his toolbox. He left it here.”

“His toolbox?”

“That’s right. That child’s important toolbox. Before he headed back home, I stopped him so that I could give him the pears we picked on the hill, the gloves I knitted for him and Cheddar-san, and a lot of other things. He was in a hurry when he took them and left… That was probably why he forgot to take his toolbox with him. But to think he forgot something that important to him. That child’s too careless!” Marie purses her lips as she places her hand on her cheek.

I can’t help but burst into laughter.

Although the future hero is already a young adult, he’s still that “careless child who forgot to take his important toolbox home” in Marie’s eyes.

Laughter once again leaves my lips. “I understand. I’ll return Al’s ‘important toolbox’ to him.”

“Thank you very much, Lian-sama! Ah, what a relief! I wanted to give it back myself as soon as possible. But I’m pretty busy in the church these days, so I can’t leave…”

“Ah…”

I understand that.

The number of orphans in the church has increased from when Alfred was still considered a child and lived here. Just the tasks of dealing with the laundry and preparing the food alone have become more difficult. And there are many other chores needed to be done in the church.

Aside from me, Alfred, Cheddar-san, and the good-natured villagers living nearby have also extended a helping hand to the church every once in a while. With their help, she’s able to barely manage everything.

“No problem. This is just a small favor.”

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“Thank you, Lian-sama. You’re a great help! Let me go get the toolbox now before I forget again! Please wait a moment.”

“Okay. But you don’t have to be in such a hurry. It’s dangerous for you to run around. The consequences could be devastating if you fall.”

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If someone falls down when they’re already old, they might receive unexpectedly severe injuries. Even just a little slip can break bones. A long time ago, my grandfather fell as he was watering the garden and broke his hips. Although Marie is still healthy, she’s already quite old. So it’s better to be careful.

“…Yes. Thank you very much, Lian-sama.” Marie flashes a smile and nods.

Afterward, she rises to her feet and walks toward the back of the room at her usual fast pace, until she stops in her tracks all of a sudden. She then walks more slowly.

After Marie gives me Alfred’s toolbox, I leave the church. It’s now early in the evening.

The long metal toolbox is so large and heavy that I have to hold it with both hands.

I remember the seniors at one of his past workplaces telling him, “Tools of the trade are a craftsman’s life, so you also should bring your own tools around!” After which they generously gave him some of their tools and nails. Over time, this box slowly but surely filled up.

If I give this to him when he comes to the mansion tomorrow morning, he’ll have a hard time since he’ll have to lug this around with him all day. So I decide to drop by the Cheddars’ ranch on my way home.

　＊　＊　＊

Looking into the distance, I see the western horizon start to redden.

At dusk, the various colors in the sky mix together, creating this hazy color that is characteristic of neither the day nor night sky.

I let out a sigh, leaning against the carriage’s window frame as I continue to stare at the hazy mix of colors that comprise the passing landscape.

Why, of all things, is the Cheddars’ ranch located in the western part of Leis village?

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The demon horde will first arrive somewhere near the village’s western region.

Is that just a coincidence? Or is that fate?

Earlier, when I began thinking about this matter again, I felt I was just overthinking. But for some inexplicable reason, I’m now getting the feeling that this arrangement was deliberate, sending a shiver down my spine.

It feels like the game is trying to create a situation that will deal the protagonist, Alfred, the most suffering.

If something happens to the Cheddars and the kids that cause Alfred to lose the people he considers as family… Alfred will forever mourn and regret how he wasn’t able to save them. It will haunt him his entire life.

In the original storyline, after losing the village and his loved ones, everything, the hero will experience emotional anguish, which will prompt him to leave all that he had known.

Following that, he will convert his deep sadness to anger. This raging anger will then give him the drive and strength to slay all his enemies.

It doesn’t stop there either. Alfred will be subjected to the experience of losing everything several more times.

And he will continue to struggle with the resignation and despair of losing his loved ones, with the regret that he failed to save them, with a sense of loss that will leave an irreparable hole in his heart. Over and over again.

…I don’t want Alfred to have to undergo such a sad journey.

That future must be changed.

And I will make sure to change it. Definitely.

Regardless of what I have to do or sacrifice to achieve it.

Anyway, the fact that the Cheddars’ ranch is located in the west, which is where the demon horde will first pass through, is something I can’t change.

Therefore, I can only focus on strengthening the defensive measures in the west to the point of somewhat overdoing it.　

genshin has eaten all my motivation to do anything else but to play the game… send help

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