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Volume 9 Chapter 243

A Brief Moment of Joy

「Ryuushin-sama, here, please have some」
「Oh, thank you」
Currently, I’m being entertained in Hinata’s village, which I rescued from the wicked dragon’s kin.
Hinata, seated beside me, serves the dishes prepared by the villagers.
Having Hinata, a girl, right next to me makes my heart race a bit.
Though I asked to come here to enjoy a meal when I visit, today, in celebration of the village’s liberation and as a gesture of gratitude towards me, a feast has been hastily arranged.
For a long time, the village had been under the control of the wicked dragon, and exchanges with surrounding villages were restricted by the dragon’s minions. Hence, there was less variety of foodstuffs available.
Nevertheless, the quality of the food was not bad.
It seems the wicked dragon desired delicious humans and used its minions to regularly transport food and daily necessities to the villages it ruled.
With minions of the elemental dragons, some can even assume human forms.
In fact, the wicked dragon’s kin who were monitoring Hinata’s village were said to have appeared in human form to deliver food.
「Ryuushin-sama, your drink has run out. I’ll bring another one. What would you like?」
「Ah, the red sweet one I had earlier was delicious. Is there any left of that?」
「You mean rubies? I’ll get it!」
Saying so, Hinata leaves my side.
After rescuing the village, Hinata received medical treatment before the banquet.
Then, to cleanse herself of dirt, the village women forcibly took Hinata to bathe.
After grooming herself, Hinata appeared before me, looking very beautiful.
Her hair, which had been darkened and stiffened by sand, dust, and blood, had become silky brown.
It seems there is no one in the village who can use healing magic beyond intermediate level, so there were small scars on Hinata’s face and body, but her skin was still clear and beautiful.
I plan to ask Haruto or Ryuuka to treat her injuries.
With their recovery magic, even old wounds from years ago could be healed.
「Ryuushin-sama, thank you very much for saving the village」
As I wait for Hinata, the village chief approaches me.
「You’re welcome. There’s something I’d like to ask, though. Is it okay?」
「Yes. Feel free to ask」
「About Hinata’s family…… Could it be that they’re not here?」
Since I brought Hinata back, I haven’t met any villagers claiming to be her family.
I thought if she had family, they would approach me, considering I saved their daughter.
「……Hinata’s parents were killed four years ago when it was decided that Hinata would be the next sacrifice. They were killed by the wicked dragon’s kin when they opposed it」
It seems the sacrifice was determined through the eyes of the minions, acting on behalf of the wicked dragon.
So, when Hinata became the next sacrifice, her parents were killed.
Hinata was depressed for a while after her parents were killed, but it seems she was threatened by the wicked dragon’s kin—- saying, 『If you don’t willingly become a sacrifice, we’ll kill all the villagers in this village』.
Since then, Hinata has obediently followed the minions’ instructions.
「Ryuushin-sama is not only the benefactor who saved this village, but also the one who avenged Hinata’s parents」
「……I see」
Ideally, I would like to revive her parents, but even Ryuuka can’t revive someone who has been dead for years.
Moreover, their bodies were taken to the wicked dragon, and it seems it devoured them.
Among the countless human bones I saw in the dragon’s cave, there might have been her parents’.
I’m starting to think that it’s important to collect the remains in that cave and pay respects as soon as possible.
If it’s Seira, the former holy maiden who recently became Haruto’s wife, she should be able to guide the souls of those killed by the wicked dragon to the right place.
After this feast, I’ll propose it to the village chief.
「Ryuushin-sama, here you go」
Hinata returns with drinks and a new dish.
「Now that Hinata’s back, I’ll leave. Please enjoy, Ryuushin-sama」
「Yeah. I’ll do that」
The village chief leaves our table.
Is it because I declared that I like Hinata?
Our table is a bit away from the other villagers’.
No one comes near us when I’m talking to Hinata.
It’s like they’re being considerate of us.
By the way, as for Hinata—
「Ryuushin-sama, this dish here is my favorite. Please, enjoy!」
「Yeah. Thank you」
She seems very cheerful.
Her smile is adorable.
Also, she’s oddly close to me.
Midway through the banquet, Hinata started snuggling up to me.
Since except for my sister Ryuuka, I’ve hardly been touched by any other girls, I’m extremely nervous.
Why do girls smell so good?
And Hinata’s hair looks so silky and nice.
……Is it okay to touch it?
A little should be fine. After all, I’m her benefactor.
I gently stroked her hair as gently as possible.
Hinata was startled by my sudden action, and her body shook slightly.
「Oh, s-sorry」
「No, it’s okay. Um…… I’m just happy that Ryuushin-sama touched me」
Although I quickly withdrew my hand, it seemed she didn’t dislike it.
「My parents always praised my hair, so it’s my pride and joy. If Ryuushin-sama doesn’t mind, could you touch it more?」
She asked me to touch it. Well, I guess I have no choice.
I touch Hinata’s hair.
As I expected, it feels incredibly silky and pleasant.
「……..Ryuushin-sama」
Hinata leaned her head against my body.
Fwaa!!!
What’s with this girl? She’s too cute!
Sometimes I see Haruto and his wife flirting in the classroom.
I used to wonder if they weren’t embarrassed with outsiders like me around—
Now, I get it.
From the perspective of the ones involved, they don’t care about other people’s gazes.
A cute girl snuggling up to me, it feels incredibly blissful.
The surroundings, the situation, it all doesn’t matter.
After that, I enjoyed my time with Hinata for a while.