The Adventure of a Boy with the Mind of a Middle-Aged Man

And so I'm currently drinking tea inside the village chief's house.

The first one to speak was Caesar.

"Grey. You're really bullshit."

Don't say that so seriously. You make it sound like I'm a weirdo.

"Really?"

"Yeah," Caesar said. "In what world exists a mage who can punch an awakened Goblin Lord to death?"

I shrugged. "I just got lucky."

"Look here," he leaned forward. "he dazed me, a swordsman, with just a single hit. Lucky my ass."

"That so? So what happened to captured women?" I forcefully changed the subject, and Sebastian launched into an explanation after a quick nod.

"The captured women were the daughters of nearby villages and peddlers visiting the Millard territory. As each and every one sustained heavy psychological wounds, some help there is necessary."

No wonder: there's no way you could maintain your sanity among that tragedy. It should be fine if we send them back to their respective hometowns after they calm down.

"What about the winged pair?" I asked.

"I advised them to return to the 『Ancient Forest』, but they unexpectedly desired to live in the village."

They've probably at least heard from the villagers that I'm protecting the village. But what is this mental 180? They were so scared of me before.

"Is that strange?"

I shrugged. "A little."

Caesar heaved a sigh in amazement. Even If it was me that said it, my statement seemed to have struck a nerve.

"Grey, they seem to want your protection."

"What? My protection?"

"The villagers told them about your deeds, and it seems their fear began budding into piety."

"But did the villagers consent to their immigration?"

"Yes," Sebastian answered in Caesar's place. "They said, 'If Saint-sama so decides.'"

"I see."

Well, if that's what the people in question want, then I don't really care. Besides, I've a little interest in the coexistence of different species.

"By the way, don't you have any desire to become an adventurer, Grey?" The moment Caesar finished his sentence, his associates all bent forward in anticipation. I was bewildered at their seriousness, so I carefully chose my next words.

"Once I leave the Millard territory at 13, I plan to register."

"I see, I see."

Beaming, they clapped my back as they breathed a sigh of relief.

I knit my brows at their eccentricities as Ceasar stood up from his chair.

"See ya later. Contact me once you're an adventurer," Caesar said frankly and exited the village chief's house with his associates in tow.

"Do you really intend to leave this land, young master?" Sebastian asked in a strange turn of events.

"Yeah. There's no way in hell I'll become the puppet of that stepmother(wench)."

"Even if---No, nevermind. I've asked something strange. Please forget I said anything."

Sebastian bowed once towards me before exiting.

"I, too, exited by teleporting to Straheim since I should go meet up with Satella and Carla.