Deep forest.
Among them, there was something that cast a different light.
It's a tiny house.
Only the surrounding area is illuminated by the sun, and even the big tree is inviolable under the light and not even a single branch is approaching.
There was an old man swaying in a chair on the outside of such a house.
"Are you Grandpa Les?"
"Hmm? Who the hell are you...?"
It looked like an immortal.
Gray-haired, wrinkly face.
The only thing that is different from the image is that the beard is not growing.
She was trembling with shivering.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." I'm Zed. "
"Hmm... is that Mr. Zido...?" I don't know where we met..... "
"No, it's nice to meet you."
"Oh, is that so?"
I've forgotten what I said before.
It must be quite busy.
"Grandpa Les, have you seen a girl named Sheila with blond hair?" I'm looking for him. "
"Well, you saw it... I don't think I've seen anyone in the past few years..."
This is troublesome.
Reacting to the name Grandpa Les, I'm sure the village man was talking about grandpa.
I've never met anyone in years.
At least the last few days have seen the arrival of knight humans.
Sheila must have been asked about it.
Grandpa Les suddenly looked at my waist.
"Hmm? You have a good sword..."
"Oh, this is it. Do you understand? It seems to be the Holy Sword."
It is still worn out and rusted.
Occasionally, rust falls and the sharp edges of the inside are hidden, but when will it be possible to recover their true form?
"Hmm... well, it's been a long time since people came." Why don't you go inside and have some tea? "
"Tea? I don't have time for that..."
I can see why the knights couldn't listen.
I don't think I've been able to dig up many memories.
I had better move to various places and explore a wide area with my detection magic.
I could use magic power twice a day, but I thought it was more likely.
There is no elevator.
My grandfather opened his heavy eyelids a little bit and looked over here.
Almost there, I think I can remember something.
You're doing well...
But if they say so, we'll have no choice but to hang out.
“Okay, just a little bit.”
When I nodded, Grandpa Les stood up and walked into the house.
"Fufufufu. You can go in."
Oh, I'm sorry to bother you.
Inside was plain.
There are desks, chairs, and even a kitchen with magic items.
There are several other rooms.
(Pretty modern.)
I have such an impression.
I thought that I hated people and civilization because I lived alone in the woods.
However, in this situation, I wonder if they are interacting with the outside of the forest.
(Maybe a fanatic is trying to get information from the guy who's tracking Sheila down...?)
A tea cup is placed when you eat something.
It seemed like he had already brewed me some tea.
"Fufufu. You don't have to be so vigilant." Come on, sit down. "
"Oh, oh, thank you."
I put my feelings in your head.
It suddenly became sharp when I thought that I was stubborn.
Maybe this is finally being turned into something.
"Oh, you're a guest again."
As soon as I sit down, Grandpa Les moves out of the room.
Indeed, I felt a sign from the outside.
When I used detection magic, I could see the group approaching from a distance.
But I can't even see people yet.
(This grandfather......)
◇
Grandpa Les went out to cater to visitors.
The door seems to be slightly open and I can pick up my voice.
"Grandpa, I'm here to see you."
"Huh, who is it...?"
"I'm an Astorian priest, don't you remember?"
"Hmmm...?"
Grandpa Les is having the same conversation as I did.
Will it get busy when I go out?
"Well, it's fine with me." But there's something I told you at that time. I don't want you to remember that. Did your grandfather leave you a note yesterday? "
The voice of the priest was frighteningly cold.
Your voice contains a smile, but you don't have to see it.
I don't think your eyes are laughing.
"Hah... there's no note..."
"It's pathetic to be bluffing." Do you see this, Grandpa? "
”It's a sword... I remember it was a weapon to protect me”
"It's just a pity." This is a tool to dig up memories from you. "
As expected, I couldn't miss it.
I get up from my chair and open the door.
Outside, there was a young priestly man with a sword.
There are others armed.
Is he a believer?
Who are you?
"Don't you know me?"
"Ah? I don't know. Have you ever seen a blonde before?"
"I don't know where the blonde is."
"Hah... no. This is it, this is it."
The priest puts out a piece of paper.
Sheila's face was there.
I don't know.
"Shit, then don't call out to me from the beginning!"
It's an intimidating thing to say.
It is a serious act as a person who serves God and Buddha.
Are you done yelling at me? I looked at Grandpa Les and pointed my sword at him again.
"Remember, we're crushing the church of Astaire, not far from here, defeating the Knights of the Holy Republic who were on guard and fleeing." The chasing knight was defeated around here, and you were there to testify. You're hiding it, aren't you? "
"Huh...?"
A man raises his sword in response to Grandpa Les.
"First, my right arm."
――
Enter between Grandpa Les and Father.
The priest and the sword jump.
"Guu... ahhh! I'm cumming!"
"I just added and subtracted it. Next time, you won't be able to speak."
"Dammit... who are you!" You know I'm an Astaire priestess! "
"Are you sure you don't know me? That's a bad priest. I don't even know the man with the fangs of true Asteanism."
One of the guards finally finds out what I said.
Then he left the priest alone and seemed to be talking to each other in the guards.
"Hey, hey, this is Zed. with the S rank of the guild....."
"Did you defeat the strong one of the demons in the Holy Republic?" Huh? Did you say no to brave men? "
Holy crap, both of you!
They're still sourcing the information.
But the priest didn't seem to know.
"Hey, you guys! Take him into custody for anything!"
"Ah, don't say that!" It's even worse to get involved! "
What a conversation, the escort quickly dispersed.
The priest also saw that his portion was bad, and without saying anything, he ran insensitively and disappeared somewhere.
The old man smiled as he looked at me.
Fufufufufu, thank you so much
There was a certain gratitude there.
However, I was convinced that there was something frivolous in it.
"You tried. You're politely hiding your strength, but you're stronger than that priest."
"... do you understand?"
Leave a moment for me to say.
Looks like he was surprised I caught him.
"Half of it is guesswork." Even my eyes can't see your strength. I've never seen that magical power crafted so advanced... no, I've only seen it once before. It was a monster called "Lord" in the forest where I was born and raised. But that's about it, isn't it? "
"Fufufu. Those eyes are amazing."
An old man walks into the house.
Then I'll follow Grandpa Les and sit in the chair in the room.
"Is the tea cold?" Let's make something new. "
There is steam coming out of the tea cup.
Feel the heat close to your mouth. Comfortable.
"Why did you try me?"
"Astaire doesn't care. But I like people. Especially those who are kind."
Grandpa Les looks at me.
I hate it when a kind person points at me.
"It's possible that I'm working with them, isn't it?"
"You and the Aztec priest who turned down the hero?"... oh, no. Was it true Astheism now? "
You know that much, don't you?
"Some members of the New Astheism are close to you. Because I was helped to establish it. It's not strange that I feel indebted. But as an organization, it's not hostile. A defective priest who can only be wrapped up in a long one cannot be with him since he was founded. Inevitably, I don't think we're working together."
"Hey, hey, this isn't the level of familiarity..."
"Did you think it was just a blonde grandfather?"
Grandpa Les laughs at Nimari.
I'm pretty sure I was fooled by this face.
Could you be an actor?
"Fufufu. You just have to look at it and use it." I'm not going to live up to my job. "
I see.
I don't feel bad about being praised.
But he was such a great grandfather.
Proficient, sophisticated.
If I lose my guard, it will be taken away.
How good would it have been if that bad priest had been the opponent?
"By the way, what do you do when you find a blonde girl?"
"Did you remember?" On the contrary, I want to ask. Why were you hiding it? There was also a possibility of being in danger. "
You will have the power to defeat that evil priest.
But it leads to hostility against True Astaire.
Moreover, even the Holy Republic's knights have been damaged.
Confrontation with the country is not a very good idea.
It's not good to hide at least half a joke.
……
In response to my question, Grandpa Les responded in silence.
I don't think it would be useful to hear this.
I don't want to be pretended to be bothered again.
Let's just answer the question.
"Is that why you're looking for me?" It's easy. We know each other. I can't reach you anymore, so I want to see you. "
"What are you going to do when I see you?" You don't even know if she really is? "
"That bad priest showed you, didn't he? It's real."
It's not true, though.
Well, it had nothing to do with Grandpa Les.
I didn't know that.
"It may look the same, but it may not look the same." Maybe she's not the one you know anymore. "
"...... you"
This question should be read in depth.
I am aware of Sheila's situation.
No, I know he's Nerim.
Is there still a reason you were hiding it...?
"That's right, don't be hostile." I know where he is because of the peace of mind. "
"... where are you? Sheila?"
"Towards the Holy Republic. I'll put a rough destination on the map. You can go and help me."
Can I believe it?
No, there's nothing else to believe.
"Thank you, Grandpa Les"
"Hey, don't worry about it. And Less is my nickname."
Is that so?
Speaking of which, I heard from the man in the village and called him that afterwards.
Everyone has a real name.
“My real name is Ray Nice. It's good to remember."
"That's a good name."
"I'm glad to hear that." But don't tell anyone too much. I like being called Grandpa Les. "
"Yeah, I got it."
Then I left the house.