“There’s something I want to ask.”

Kati’s voice from behind me was quite rigid. This is bad, she definitely overheard my conversation with the Village Head.

I should have been more careful about that… In any case, it’s too late to regret it now. I have to cover it up. Thinking that, I turned around to see her with her arms crossed and a difficult expression.

“…Ah, what is it?”

I asked back, averting my gaze… Hey, this is way too suspicious… but my body isn’t cooperating.

This is bad, in this situation, should I do something to her…? However, I want to avoid laying a hand on characters who might become allies as much as possible. Phili and the others might join the party, and—

“…Hmph.”

Then, Kati let out an exaggerated sigh.

“…Never mind. I have a mountain of questions, but… I understand that you’ve done a lot for this Village.”

Oh? When I looked back at her, Kati sighed again.

“Anyway, I think… no matter how chaotic it was, if you defeat demons with a single blow inside the Village, you’ll be suspected, you know?”

Ugh, starting from there, huh… I didn’t mean to show an expression that said ‘this is bad,’ but she seemed to understand my feelings from my silence and showed a troubled expression.

“It feels like I’m interrogating you… So, it’s fine. But just tell me one thing. Will you eventually tell me about these things?”

“Well, that is…”

How about that? It might be okay to reveal everything after defeating the Demon King… No, in this case, another commotion would almost certainly arise. That is, because of my strength, the Nation might entrust me with some important role or—

“I’m sorry, I can’t promise that.”

So I had no choice but to answer that way. Then Kati muttered, “I see,” curtly, and

“I hope you’ll tell me, if possible.”

“Ah, yes…”

“Also, I felt I should thank you somehow.”

The topic changed. I blinked in surprise.

“Thank me?”

“For the Village… you said you received it from an acquaintance, but… well, let’s set that aside for now.”

She seems to have vaguely guessed that it’s mine. It’s probably a deduction based on combining information like defeating demons with one blow and so on.

“Anyway, there’s no doubt you went to great lengths for this Village. So, I have to thank you somehow.”

Even if she says thank you… I have items in abundance, and making her an ally is also problematic. I have another important event coming up. Taking her with me to that would be absolutely out of the question.

To add one more thing, I think it’s not a problem since I’m already a Human who died in the game, but if I move player characters around on my own initiative, the scenario might change.

This game is a Free Scenario, and individual events are also prepared for ally characters. Among these events, some can greatly change the Protagonists’ actions. In Kati’s case, there are no standalone events, but special events occur by acting with other characters. If I were to carelessly encounter such an event while acting together… and if a Protagonist character were there—thinking about that, I thought it would be better not to interfere if possible.

It’s true that I thought I might be overly nervous. But she is, for all intents and purposes, a party character. She might fight other Protagonist characters, and I shouldn’t interfere.

“…In that case,”

I thought in my head and opened my mouth.

It’s true that I owe this village… so I want it to be rebuilt.

Yes.

Alright, Kati. In addition, this place used to be an adventurers’ stronghold. People who will fight the Demon King in the future might come from among them… so I want you to help rebuild the village.

…I see.

Of course, if someone asks you, I want you to fight monsters and demon races… that’s about what I want you to do.

Since she’s from this village, I should have been able to make her a companion here after the attack. For example, if it were a protagonist other than Phili, this village would have already been destroyed… but even then, Kati would have remained. So, if I make this request, it shouldn’t affect the story.

I understand… I’ll do everything I can for this village too.

Yeah, I’m counting on you.

I can’t help but feel like I’ve been talked into something… but oh well.

Kati had a sulky expression until the end, but it seemed there would be no further probing… That was good. For a moment, I wondered what would happen.

Well… I’m leaving soon.

Where are you going this time?

Who knows. I’ll listen for rumors of people fighting the Demon Race or the Demon King… and just try my best not to die myself.

Kati gave a wry smile at that. She must have wanted to say, “Who are you to say that, you who can defeat demons in one blow?” But she held back.

…I see. Then I’ll make sure to give you a proper welcome next time you come to this village.

Yeah. I’m counting on you.

The timing of the reconstruction might be hastened since I provided items… but there are no events in this area after the mid-game, so it should probably be fine. If anything happens, I can deal with it in the Capital City.

And so, I parted ways with Kati and left the village… For a moment, I truly wondered what would happen, but everything ended well, so I’m relieved.

After leaving the village for a bit, I thought about what to do next… and the next event is the crucial point of the early game.

Regarding the event content… this involves the female knight Eina Forked, one of the protagonists different from Phili. In her scenario, the castle is attacked in the first event. The King and Princess are captured, and Eina escapes with other knights… that’s the general outline.

By the way, the name of that nation is the Barx Kingdom, and the Sage’s Bloodline has ruled the nation for generations. Eina is the Princess’s cousin and possesses the Sage’s Blood—if she is chosen as the protagonist, the ending waiting for her is to become the Queen of the Barx Kingdom.

Since she might defeat the Demon King, I can’t stop the collapse of the King Nation, which would be the reason for her journey. What I want to stop is somewhere else… the rescue of the King and Princess.

The two meet a tragic end, imprisoned and starving to death. There’s an event in the latter half of the story where Eina finds out about this when she enters the Castle to defeat the Demon Race and becomes enraged… but the outcome is too unpleasant, so I want to change it.

So, I set my next objective for the Barx Kingdom… just then, a bird came near me. It was a Familiar I had sent to the Continent.

Upon checking it, I realized it was the Familiar I had sent to the Barx Kingdom—immediately after,

“…Oh.”

I let out a small groan.