"I don't know if you've heard, but we received permission to investigate the areas where mana has been corrupted into demonic energy!"

Did I spend the better part of the day getting swept up—or maybe not—in the energy of the two dumplings and the Berserker?

We had a chance to gather, eat dinner, and hold a discussion. Though it was called a discussion, it was closer to a briefing on our future plans now that the incident was roughly resolved and our course of action set.

Particularly, the intentions of White Wind, who led the Magic Tower.

"Unfortunately, the place where the Mountain Lord was born has already been purified, so we can only investigate the remaining locations in Zatab."

"Are you talking about the place where they raise those snakes called Jahukayas?"

"Yeah! We needed to investigate where Zatab got that cursed jar anyway, so it worked out perfectly."

"So are we going to Zatab?"

At Fierce White Wind's words, the Inquisitor briefly raised a hand. At that question, White Wind exchanged a brief glance with the Archmage.

"I don't mind either way, but—!"

"I think it would be best if we don't go."

"This one says no!"

"Why...?"

What's this? This totally looks like an opening for a chain quest, so why aren't we going?

The entire party focused their attention on the Archmage, who was expressing her opposition. Oh, let's exclude the Berserker, who was just eating his dinner as if he didn't care either way.

"There could be heretics involved. So why..."

"Because that possibility is significantly low."

The Archmage gave White Wind a look. Receiving her gaze, White Wind's eyes curved into a smile.

"According to the Zatab commander currently being interrogated, an outlander broke into the Chief's house in the dead of night and left that item behind."

"They didn't kill the Chief, but just left that behind. Then how did the Chief know what it was and use it?"

"They didn't just leave it; they had a conversation with the Chief before leaving."

White Wind cherry-picked only the necessary details from what the Zatab commander said and neatly summarized them.

"The outlander waited for the Chief to wake up and tried to talk to him as soon as he did. The Chief shouted for help from outside, but no one heard him, and only the Chief was subdued."

"Then... did they make a deal in that state?"

"They called it a deal, but it was closer to just dropping it off, Hero. It's just that... since the intruder could have killed him but didn't, the Chief held onto it in a state of uncertainty about whether they were truly an enemy or not."

"So he must have taken this opportunity to unload it."

"Correct! For reference, the outlander told him to use it if it seemed like he wouldn't be chosen at the Katina. The Chief didn't believe that and used it now instead."

"... Do you think they were trying to kill all the Chiefs?"

"Well, I don't really know about that. But just going off of what we've heard, I don't see much of a connected link."

Definitely. Hearing just this, Zatab was simply the side being used. It's a bit hard to call them victims since they actually went through with it, but anyway.

"However, we cannot trust only the commander's words."

Still, like the Inquisitor said, was this something to just walk away from? Not really. I didn't pull back my gaze, keeping it fixed on the Archmage.

I didn't think White Wind would have rejected our involvement, so I suspected this was entirely her intention.

"The Inquisitor is right. But Inquisitor, this is not a matter that can only be resolved if you step in."

"That's..."

"I have already contacted the Temple. And the Magic Tower has plenty of personnel as well. On the other hand, what about us?"

"Is there a problem with us?"

"There is no immediate problem. But there isn't exactly no problem either. Come to think of it, have we ever properly rested?"

Sure enough, it was the Archmage who had opposed it. And for a fairly valid reason at that.

"I am not talking about resting for a day or two. I mean that in the several months our journey has continued, we have never once completely relaxed and rested."

True... In a game, there was no need to force in a rest storyline—the game itself was a hobby done during rest time, and players would just mess around on their own in between anyway—so I hadn't thought about it. But looking at it realistically... Yeah. It wasn't just "about time" to rest, it was long overdue.

Even if our physical stamina recovered from resting a day or two here and there, the accumulated mental fatigue couldn't be ignored either.

Moreover, our physical rest felt a bit ambiguous too. We fought while putting our lives on the line, but our actual rest time was three or four days at most, wasn't it?

I mean, I knocked out for two weeks straight, but it's a bit of a stretch to call that a rest. And it seemed like the others worked non-stop during that period.

Even during those three or four days off, there were many times we didn't rest properly. Whether it was because I forced us to look for work to keep up my concept, or because an incident found us first and pushed aside our break.

It really was time to take a proper rest now.

"In order to do the things only we can do, now is the time to rest."

The problem was whether my concept would cooperate.

"... I'm in favor."

In the midst of this, DeB was the first to cast a vote in favor. Since he had a physical weakness, it wasn't strange at all.

"Berserker has no stamina problems. Fighting is better."

"Isn't it easier to clean up after sparring in the city rather than here, and nicer to grab a drink afterward too?"

"Then Berserker goes to the city."

The Berserker was immediately won over by the mention of a drink.

"I'm not too sure about this, but..."

And the Inquisitor...

"Ah, for reference, Inquisitor, I am also requesting this rest to examine whether the Demon Knight has any lingering aftereffects from the poison, and if the stab wound near his heart has completely healed."

"What?! Poison?!"

"I-It seems resting immediately is the right choice!!"

"Huh. Comrade, when did you get pierced in the heart?"

Hey.

My concept was one that would rather accompany the group to Zatab, not one to rest just because of a major injury.

Yeah. The concept was like that.

"Let's go, Demon Knight!"

The Archmage's various cunning persuasions—which were actually disguised threats: 'You know your seal shatters because you draw in mana when you're badly injured, right?'—and White Wind's refusal—'What are we going to do if the demon runs wild? Let's get the seal properly remade first!'—and finally, the party's stubborn persistence forced even my concept to admit defeat.

Honestly, that was a part where I kind of wanted to be defeated too.

I mean, they said we were resting! They said they were giving us a holiday! How could I refuse when I was suddenly stuck in a situation where I had to overly immerse myself 365 days a year without ever letting my guard down!

【Are you heading back?】

And so, the next morning, we ended up packing our things to return to Hudelen.

The Great Chief, the Priestess of Serhang, and the acting Chief of Bigabol came out to see us off.

Akata was also in the same place since she had to come with us. White Wind also joined our party, saying that since the important matters were all resolved, she had left the Magic Tower empty for too long.

[Aww, are you leaving already? You shouldn't.]

As a bonus, there was the Mountain Lord, who supposedly returned to the swamp where it lived with the Priestesses yesterday. It seemed to have sneaked out using its unique ability.

[Geez, you're the only person I can talk to without going through a Priestess, guest. Can't you leave a little later? The Priestesses just go 'Oh Mountain Lord, oh Mountain Lord' at every little thing, so we can't even have a proper conversation, you know?]

The mages, who were sensitive to mana, kept glancing over in that direction, but they didn't openly mention it, seemingly having somewhat caught onto its identity.

Taking advantage of that, the snake rolled around right in front of my eyes, whining about being bored. For a Mountain Lord, it really had zero dignity. How could it be even less dignified than the Great Chief it had chosen?

【W-We couldn't serve you properly last time either, but to think you would return so quickly this time as well...】

Meanwhile, I wondered where the Great Chief who handled matters skillfully and resolved situations wisely had gone.

The Great Chief stared intently at me, fidgeting restlessly. His flushed cheeks made him look like a child his age, giving me a strangely peculiar feeling for a moment.

【He... is only returning early because he needs to undergo a more precise examination.】

【... I see.】

This kid already seemed to have adapted to his position and even took pride in it, so going off about how he was already bearing a heavy burden at such a young age would probably be an insult.

However, it was truly unavoidable to feel pity that the Great Chief had lost the time he could have spent just being a child.

【O Black Thunder Snake, you who have been acknowledged by the Mountain Lord.】

Even so, he was already the Great Chief.

【We will long remember the kindness and the efforts for peace you have shown us. Isn't that right, Acting Chief of Bigabol?】

【Of course.】

Leaving behind the one maturely offering his respects and the Priestess who translated his words, I turned around.

My own life was exhausting enough as it was; I didn't have the luxury to pity someone who was already doing well.

"Now then, let's go."

Anyway, after a long while—not quite an hour, but about ten minutes—the Archmage finally turned around. The conversation was completely tied up.

It was time to leave now.

"When we get back to the city, I'll need to make antidotes first. There are a lot of poisons here that will instantly take you out if you don't treat them quickly."

"Uwahaha. Berserker doesn't lose to poison! No need to give me any!"

"Stop acting like you're the only one of a different species. There's a limit to false bravado, you know."

"But it's true... I got bitten by a spider earlier, but I'm perfectly fine!"

"... Why are you only saying that now, you crazy human!!"

"H-Hurry and come closer! I'll detoxify you!"

"Oh my god. Are you even human? Can you spare a little piece of your body for me??"

"Why are you firing up your research motivation again!!"

"... Good grief. It seems deciding to rest in the city was the right choice. More importantly, ahem, 【Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere.】"

【Ah... I-I'm fine.】

【Right. Tell me anytime.】

Unless we were going to catch a demon, there was no need for me to stand at the front. I didn't even know the way.

So, I stuck to the very rear and watched the march of the idiots.

[But hey, don't you think our kid is doing pretty well? He's a little young, but I'll still be alive by the time he grows up.]

Well, part of the blame lay with the snake, who had stubbornly tagged along out of boredom, complaining that it wouldn't have anyone to talk to once I left. It must have been truly bored, seeing how it kept chattering away next to me even though I hadn't answered it once.

[Hmm. Still, I am a bit worried. Great Chief, that's a position where he can't even act like a child; I wonder if he'll be okay. Since I'm stepping up to support him, he won't have to worry about other guys acting up, but...]

Then suddenly, I remembered something I had left behind.

It was right when the village was slowly disappearing entirely from view.

"...? Where are you going?"

"There is something I left behind."

"I'll go wit—"

"Go on ahead."

"... Alright. We will do that."

[Eh. What did you leave behind? Shall I fetch it for you?]

It wasn't something material I left behind, so there was no use saying it.

After giving the snake a pointed look, I swiftly turned around. The idiots belatedly noticed my U-turn and tried to follow, but the Archmage stopped them effectively.

In the meantime, I briskly hurried back to the village. The Great Chief must not have left his spot even after we departed, as I could see his figure slowly ambling back.

【...? Ah.】

"O Black Thunder Snake. Has something..."

I had been thinking this since earlier, but I suppose Black Thunder Snake was the nickname they had given me.

Thinking that it sounded badass and that I liked it, I stood between the Great Chief and the Priestess.

"If you find the heart guard, bury it in the ground."

I wasn't even sure if these people took it, and even if they did, getting it back was out of the question, so I should at least leave them with a piece of advice.

That was an item I ordered to save others, not one crafted to hurt someone else.

I gave a slightly more detailed explanation to the Priestess, who asked what a heart guard was. I didn't tell her that it was a bomb.

I had it made with only enough force to blow away a heart anyway, so even if they just dug a hole about a meter deep and buried it, it wouldn't escalate into a major problem.

"And..."

I didn't come back just to talk about this.

I had one more reason for coming here. I reached into my inventory.

"Take this."

I had already given away all the shiny and pretty things, but that didn't mean I only had things unfit to give to others.

I placed the item I had picked out on my way back into the Great Chief's hand. It was a flute carved from wood.

I had quickly scraped it with my dagger on the way, slightly engraving a snake shape into it. Since they were people who worshipped the Mountain Lord, I carved the pattern figuring they would like snakes.

"That is..."

[Hehe.]

【It is a flute...】

That snake guy said this would be a more than sufficient gift, so it should be fine. It had mentioned that when it eavesdropped, he, um... seemed to have wanted to talk with me, or something like that.

More accurately, rather than just a conversation, it was closer to him wanting to see me fight clad in mana, or wanting to talk about it, but to sum it up, that was the gist of it.

"It is a gift from the snake."

[Eh. It's not from me, it's a gift from you, guest.]

But was this concept the type to share gentle words?

So just be satisfied with this. Of course, giving it myself would break character, so I'll just use the Mountain Lord as an excuse.

[Mhm. Well... I suppose it doesn't matter. Hehe.]

Listening to the snake's giggling, I turned my body around again.

I was really going to leave now.

【Ah, wait—!】

CRASH!

The black mana wreathed around my body swept through the forest like thunder, like a gale.

【He's gone...】

【... It is my second time seeing it, but it truly is astonishing.】

Meanwhile, those left behind stood with dumbfounded expressions after the one who had come like the wind and left like the wind. It couldn't be helped.

The warrior who had made a massive impact on this Great Forest was completely arbitrary in his entrance, his exploits, and even his exit.

【Another tale will be added to the legend of the Black Thunder Snake.】

【Indeed.】

However, that was exactly why he was even more mysterious.

The Priestess watched the empty space left behind by a being who would be elevated into a legend across generations.

【For this Great Chief... the issue of legitimacy will absolutely never be brought up. You must be pleased, Priestess Vivia.】

【Of course I am.】

The suddenly appearing Black Thunder Snake had saved the people of Serhang, saved his tribe, and eliminated the troublemakers of the Zatab and Bigabol tribes—who were strong candidates but harbored problems—thereby saving those two tribes as well, while proving they were unfit for the position of Great Chief.

And the Mountain Lord, having intervened in that situation, had made the Chief of Serhang—whom the Black Thunder Snake had saved—the Great Chief.

Furthermore, even the Black Thunder Snake had left something behind for the Chief of Serhang before departing. An item engraved with a snake, no less.

A snake pattern that no one but the Great Chief could possess.

【Are you pleased?】

【... Pardon? What?】

The Priestess glanced at the snake engraving, which looked pitch-black due to the shadows inside the flute.

Once this was passed down, would anyone dare stir up discord over this story?

Would anyone dare ignore the choice of the Mountain Lord, their object of faith, and the Black Thunder Snake, whom the Mountain Lord had commanded them to treat as they would itself.

【Do you like the gift?】

【Ah... Yes. I love it so much.】

With this, the Great Chief would be able to wield stronger authority than in any era before.

And if it was the Equa she knew, he would lead the people more wisely than anyone else.

Prosperity would undoubtedly come. An era of prosperity that would allow them to advance into the future.

【I am so, so happy, just like the day Mother gave me a gift.】

However, even if all of that meant nothing, it didn't seem to matter.

Looking at the child who was smiling as brightly as someone who had finally laid down every burden for once, Vivia also quietly broke into a smile.

The value of that flute was more than enough with just Equa's smile alone.