When I tried to enter a forest with persimmon trees, I noticed that there were signs of many people.
It's just... I don't feel hostile.
... this feeling...?
What's wrong, Grimm?
Mr. Maidaman asked me if I suddenly stopped moving.
"Yes, there are signs of many people in the woods."
"Eh, is it from the forest?" Why are you in this forest...?Are you hiding here... a bandit or something? "
“No, I don't feel anything hostile.”
"Maybe... it's the kids. They're hiding a lot."
Nia stopped in the air and framed her arms.
"I'll take a look, just a minute."
When Nia said that, she flew away.
After a while, Nia came back.
"I knew it, kids." There's a lot of kids hiding.You feel frightened.
"Do you think you can talk to the kids?"
"Hmm... I'll try to talk to you a little bit"
Nia flew away again.
"Hidden children! I'm not scared, come out!Let's talk about it! ”
Nia is calling out loudly.
I wasn't in the woods, but I used my [Hearing Enhancement] skill to hear it.
After all, it didn't seem to come out normally.
"Lily, Chappie, let's go into the woods together."
"It's okay."
"Don't go ~"
I decided to bring Lily and Chappie to meet up with Nia so that the children in hiding wouldn't be alarmed.
I thought it would be safer to see the same children, Lily and Chappie.
"Everyone, come out!"I'm not scared! "
"There's some delicious food, too."
Lily and Chappie called us.
Then, from the grassy area, boys and girls about the same age as Lily and the others came out fluttering.
"Food..."
"... will you give it to me?"
Both of them are thin.
And it's dirty.
My voice has no power.
"No! Don't be fooled!" They're going to trample us!You have to run while I'm dealing with you! "
Suddenly, a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy with a stick jumped out.
The two children who came out first ran into the grass as the boy told them.
"Everyone else, run faster!"Take the little one with you!Run as far as you can! ”
When the boy shouted again, the children who were hiding in the grass ran off at once.
"Now, what shall we do..."
"I can run around and force you to catch me..."
"It's okay! Don't run away because you won't do anything!"I just want to talk!Besides, I really have food, so if you're hungry, don't hesitate to eat it! "
I shouted out loud.
"You're going to catch him with such sweet words and sell him out!?"I'm not gonna get in that hand! Everybody run! "
This boy must be the leader... He's trying to protect his children.
I guess that's because I feel strong... my story doesn't resonate at all.
And there are circumstances where you can't believe an adult.
"It looks like you think it's some kind of human trafficking..."
Wait... Speaking of which, the bandits we detained in the Central Ward thought they were taking you away and selling you to a slave trader.
Everyone who's running away from them may be you.
"It's not a human trafficking."Believe me, I just want to help you! ”
"Can you believe it!" Why do you think you need to help us?Nobody cares about being kidnapped!After all, you must have the guts! "
The leader-like boy is furious.
"I'm in trouble..."
it can't be helped.....
"Lily, Chappie, can you go after the running children and give me this pear?"
I took the Japanese pear I bought earlier out of the "Wave Storage" via the magic bag.
It's okay!
"I'll take care of it..."
When they said that, they transferred the Japanese pear to their magic bag and ran out.
With their physical abilities, they will quickly catch up with the running children, and instead of forcing them to bring them, they will only give them pears, so maybe they will relieve their guard somewhat.
There were probably about thirty of them, but Lily and Chappie would be quick.
"Hey, don't be silly! I won't forgive you if you touch one of my fingers!"
The boy was a terrific swordsman, and he hit me with a stick.
I grabbed the stick with my left hand and presented the pear to him with my right hand.
"Get off me! Don't be ridiculous! We can't fish with food!"
"If you intend to abduct me, I will abduct you by force."... there's even a little one, right?Isn't everyone hungry?I just want to help. "
The boy seemed to hesitate for a moment in my words, but took a backstep away from the stick.
It's quite difficult for me to let off my guard...
You must have had a hard time.
Hmm... it seems like we still have to do a simple plan to grab the stomach bag.
Yeah, I guess I'll be camping here today.
I deliberately said it out loud.
"Sounds good, Mr. Grimm." I'll go out with you too.Ready for dinner? ”
Mr. Maidaman was on board with me.
Understanding my intentions, he responded loudly.
“I see. I'll make you a baking place, so let's make you a barbecue.”
I started preparing the barbecue.
"Don't be silly! What are you doing!?"
It seemed to have turned the boy's nerves upside down, and he was furious again.
"I liked it here, so I thought I'd have dinner here."It's full of meat, why don't you eat it with me? "
This is bullshit!
"There's so much meat, I can't eat it."It would be great if you could help me eat. Here! "
--DOUGH
I took out the boar monster from the "Wave Storage" via the magic bag that I took down in the morning raid.
The leader boy was surprised by the rice cake he was wearing as if he had pulled out his waist.
My mouth is poking open.
I don't seem to be able to speak.
"You see, we can't eat it alone, so you can always tell me if you want to eat it."
In response to my words, the leader boy turned to me and looked down with some kind of bump.
That's where Lily and Chappie return from their mission.
"I gave it to everybody."
"I showed you the swatches to eat too."
And some of the kids seem to have come around to talk about Lily and Chappie, and they're watching us.
"Thank you both. I'm thinking of camping here today.I'm going to roast the meat skewers now, so I want you to distribute them to the children. "
That's fine!
"I want to feed them quickly."
“That's a good idea! I've been watching the whole thing from the sky, and the kids are eating a lot of pears right where they got them.No one has left this forest so far.You look pretty hungry. "
"I see... I really prefer food with good digestion..."
"Well, that's fine." The smell of grilling meat is the best. "
Nia agreed, and I baked the meat tactfully.
"Hey, don't hold back, eat the pear."You can eat the pears there.I know you're vigilant, and it's great that you're trying to protect everyone.But don't be stubborn.Trust us. I know you know how fast Lily and Chappie are going, but if you're serious about catching them, you can catch them all right away. ”
Nia is talking to the leader boy who is vigilantly watching our situation.
"Why are you being so nice to us...?"
"You've decided, because you're a child!"Protecting your children is the adult's job.Besides, it's only natural to want to feed a hungry child. ”
"... there has never been such an adult before..."
"Maybe... you guys were about to be kidnapped by a bad adult, so you ran away here?"Those bad guys just got away with it, so it's okay.And now that you know me, whoever it is, I won't let you touch me with one finger!I'll protect you, so don't worry. "
Nia stopped in front of the leader boy's face and thumbs out.
The leader boy... looks like he has tears in his eyes...
"There have never been any adults who would say such a thing..."... no... don't let me fool you!We have to protect everyone!... you know, how do you protect yourself with such a tiny body?! "
Hmm... my open heart... feels like it's closed again.
"It's not going to be that easy..."