Chapter 17 : True Heart
Lonis couldn't see at all how Elucia had made her move, but the previously invincible village chief, as if petrified, could no longer take any action.
Rip— the village chief's body split in two and collapsed just like that.
(Did we succeed... no, people are coming from outside.)
Although Elucia was skilled and had dealt with the village chief in just a few moves,
the earlier sounds of fighting had still attracted the villagers.
The first two young men had already rushed into the hall with clubs.
"Village Chief?!"
"You... why did you kill the village chief!"
"Alert, someone has murdered the village chief, everyone assemble."
The villagers looked at the scene inside in shock. The current situation was that Elucia had assassinated the village chief, so no matter what she said, it seemed impossible to convince anyone:
"I didn't kill the village chief. Your village chief was already possessed by a puppet worm!"
"How is that possible? The village chief was always so kind and friendly... Tonight the village chief even said the two adventurers were acting suspiciously and to be careful. We didn't expect you really did kill the village chief."
"!"
"Damn adventurers, pay with your life."
Compared to strange adventurers, the villagers would definitely believe the village chief... The two young men rushed forward angrily, attacking Elucia.
But Elucia's response was also decisive:
"Slave maid, run!"
"Huh?"
"We can't stay overnight tonight. First escape from the village."
......
......
Because Lonis was in the shadows, she was relatively easy to hide.
But because Elucia was trapped in the magic furnace room, to get out, she had to get past these villagers... Facing the black-haired little loli, they showed no mercy, swinging their clubs forcefully, trying to beat this little one to death.
And because Elucia couldn't kill the villagers and could only passively defend, she appeared somewhat disheveled.
But fortunately, her figure was very small. Often with just a slide tackle she could slip under someone's crotch, and by the time the adults bent down to try to catch her, Elucia had already escaped.
......
Just like that, about fifteen minutes passed...
"Where did she run to?"
"Seems like she ran toward the eastern road."
"Stop her. These adventurers killed the village chief. We absolutely can't let them escape!"
......
The entire village was mobilized. The villagers held torches, constantly searching for the two figures.
However, as if familiar with the local terrain, Elucia found a cave and led Lonis by the hand, slipping inside without a sound.
"Mm, we should be safe here."
Once inside the cave, Elucia sat down... This black-haired little loli didn't seem too panicked, but Lonis was so worried she was breaking out in cold sweat.
"Hah... hah... That was really dangerous just now... We almost got caught by the villagers."
"Oh ho, dangerous? Lonis, when you were a hero in the past, didn't you encounter more dangerous situations than this?"
"Huh?"
Lonis was stunned and responded somewhat awkwardly:
"I did encounter them, but being chased by villagers was a first... This feeling is completely different. When chased by monsters you just need to escape, but being chased by villagers feels like being a thief."
"Hmph, didn't you kill that chicken in Creek Town?"
"That chicken in Creek Town...?"
"Hah, you really are an idiot. (Completely unsuited to be a hero.)"
Seeing Lonis show a bewildered expression, Elucia sighed deeply:
"Anyway, you saw what happened just now. That village chief was controlled by a puppet evil worm. And corrupt demons like puppet evil worms are targets we must eliminate..."
"Puppet evil worm?"
"Puppet evil worms are fallen demons similar to leeches that invade through the mouth when people are asleep. After that they gradually take over the host's body and control the host's consciousness... That village chief had been controlled for a long time and was beyond saving, so I killed him decisively."
"I-I see..."
Hearing Elucia say this, Lonis's body involuntarily trembled... She wasn't afraid, but felt sorry for what Elucia had endured.
When she was a hero, whenever she completed a task she would receive praise from villagers.
But this little loli not only fixed the magic furnace but also saved the villagers, yet in the end she became the object of the villagers' hatred. It was truly too tragic.
"Elucia..."
"Hah? When did I give you permission to call my name directly?"
"Ah... Mas-Master... I mean, that..."
"If you have something to say, say it. Don't be so wishy-washy."
"That... Master, don't you feel it's regrettable? This way, those villagers will always see you as a mortal enemy and might even hunt you down."
"......"
Hearing Lonis say this, Elucia frowned slightly, seeming about to say:
『My affairs don't need a slave maid like you to worry about.』
But perhaps because Lonis's expression was somewhat sincere?
Elucia just snorted coldly and explained:
"Hmph, can't you tolerate even this kind of thing?"
"Huh...?"
"To become a hero and save the world... the misunderstandings you must endure aren't just these. You have to make many choices that are clearly correct but will be hated by others."
"!"
"If you're trying to show concern for me, it's completely unnecessary... Those villagers will never leave the snowy mountains. As long as we don't return to this village, nothing will happen."
"Elucia..."
"Anyway, let's just make do sleeping in the cave tonight. Really, why is everyone so annoying?"
The black-haired little loli swept away the dust in the cave, seeming to want to collapse and sleep right there.
However... Lonis understood something in her heart.
......
As expected, Elucia wasn't an android. Something must have happened to her.
Killing the village chief without hesitation, escaping from villagers so skillfully... This all showed that Elucia wasn't doing this kind of thing for the first time. She had probably been misunderstood before.
But she still continued to help villagers.
Knowing she would be misunderstood, she still decisively killed the village chief who was destroying the magic furnace.
In that case...
"Master Elucia!"
Suddenly, Lonis clenched her fists.
"Hmph hmph, what is it? Want to be my human mattress?"
"N-no, that's not what I mean..."
Lonis's face flushed red, but she still raised her head and looked at Elucia with determination.
Perhaps what she was about to say might make Elucia dislike her.
Perhaps her actions would be seen as challenging her master's authority.
But...
This was a feeling she absolutely had to convey:
"Master Elucia, I-I know what you want to do."
"Huh?"
"So, no matter how people misunderstand you, at least I won't misunderstand you. I know your true intentions are very kind!"
Lonis raised her head and said very seriously.