Volume 2 Chapter 5 a Most Suspicious village and Bell's Changed Behavior
After convincing Minori and Suzu, who had just returned, we set off the next day for Cattle Village, guided by Belle, the Lynx.
Even though they didn't get much rest, my sisters accompanied me on this new mission without a single complaint.
They're truly amazing sisters, more than I deserve.
The reason we decided to investigate the famine-stricken village was our suspicion that it might be related to increased monster activity.
Before we left, we consulted with His Excellency Duke Hoffman.
His Excellency also suspected a connection and officially requested that we investigate.
After walking from Sartzstadt for 3 and a half days, we arrived at our destination, Cattle Village.
"Something about this village feels off,"
"Hmm, I feel eyes on us, big time."
"Well, they're probably just wary of strangers,"
I said, trying to calm my dissatisfied sisters as I observed the village.
Just as Minori said, the village had a gloomy atmosphere.
I wondered if it was the famine.
However, I didn't see any signs of people suffering.
There were vacant stares, but no one seemed to be starving.
This wasn't what I expected a famine to look like.
"Hey, Belle, are you sure this village is actually suffering from a famine? The famine villages I've seen were more like a living hell, with people writhing in hunger."
When I asked, Belle looked like she had trouble saying something, fidgeting with her mouth.
"Well... um... I want you to see the fields..."
"The fields... I see."
Lene glanced at the nearby field and made a strange noise, so we turned to look.
Sure enough, almost all the crops in the field were withered, and it was clear they hadn't produced any fruit.
But there was one exception: a plant with green fruits and black stripes, about the size of a fist, was thriving, its leaves lush and green.
"Hey, Lene, what is this plant?"
"I... I don't know. Belle, what is this?"
Lene, asked by me, didn't know what the plant was either, and passed the question to Belle with a tilt of her head.
If she doesn't know, considering her extensive knowledge of plants, it must be quite a rare species.
"...Dunno."
"Huh?"
I couldn't help but let out a dumbfounded voice.
It's growing in the field, and you don't know what it is?
What's going on?
"I dunno. This plant suddenly appeared while the other crops weren't growing. With no food around, the villagers call it 'Sedum Fruit' and eat it... but I'm getting a bad smell, so I haven't eaten it."
"...Hmm."
The villagers are human, but Belle is a cat-person, so she's probably more sensitive to smells.
Something smells fishy.
I bet it's sucking the nutrients from the other plants.
"Big Bro Ryuuji."
"Yeah, what is it, Suzu?"
Suzu tugged on my sleeve and spoke in a low voice, so I crouched down to meet my little sister's gaze.
Did Suzu, an excellent magician, figure something out?
"I feel weak Magic Power in this area. Something's been set up."
"...I see."
If that's the case, this was indeed an adventurer's problem.
Something's happening in this village.
"What are you doing there!"
"Eek!?"
Suddenly, the room was filled with the resonant voice of an elderly man, startling Lene, who let out a yelp as she examined the mysterious fruit.
Oh, and in the process, she's already picked the young fruit.
Ah, looks like I've done it now.
"Hey! You there, half-breed woman! You've taken something precious! You were supposed to wait until it ripened!"
"Huh? Huh? Um, I'm sorry!"
Lene hangs her head in a near-tearful expression.
As the old man continues his grumbling, I catch Belle's eye, and she signals back with a motion that reads "village head."
I see.
"Ah... Mr. Village Head. We're adventurers here to investigate the famine. In other regions, there's no famine, but only in this village──"
"We don't need you! Get out!"
...Huh?
"...But, considering the famine, this plant is thriving vibrantly. Could it be absorbing the nutrients?"
"There's no problem with the Sedum fruit! Just eat that and there won't be any issues!"
"No, no, what about taxes? I can't see these dodgy fruits selling well."
"Dodgy!? You! Don't you dare mock the Sedum fruit!"
The village head is seething with anger at our calm probing, Minori and me.
...Hmph.
"Absolutely disgraceful... Belle! Have you forgotten the favor I did by picking you up, bringing these idiots along! You're truly a useless half-breed!"
"Ugh......"
Belle groans in pain, her head bowed, looking like she has her own issues.
It seems like she has her own story too.
After that, we were called out by the villagers to leave and ended up turning back to the village entrance.
Well, adventurers are usually unwanted outsiders, but this reaction seems a bit too extreme.
There's definitely something going on here.
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