Former Villager A Finds a Breakthrough

"Lord Roh. Is it actually possible to create a labyrinth?"

Ana asked the question reflexively, her voice tinged with the wariness she usually reserved for the eccentric sage.

"Of course. Even a labyrinth is a construct. They don't simply sprout from the earth by chance," Roh replied.

"So, they were built by human hands?"

"No, that is incorrect."

As Ana blinked in surprise, the pervert offered a flat denial, his expression remaining perfectly composed.

"Then who built them?"

"The majority were created by the hands of the gods."

"Wait, what?" I interjected. "If they’re built with divine power, then there’s no way we can do anything about it, right?"

"Indeed. For the two of you as you are now, it would be impossible."

Wait, what? He just said we should build one ourselves, and now he's saying we can't?

"Creating a labyrinth requires power that transcends human understanding," Roh continued. "Without it, one cannot perform a feat like manifesting a sky deep underground."

"I get that, but doesn't that bring us right back to square one? This doesn't solve our problem."

"Not necessarily."

The pervert shot me a smug, knowing look. He was acting refined because Ana was in the room, but I knew his true nature. If we had been alone, he definitely would have started mocking me. “Pee-hee-hee! Does Master Allen really not understand something so simple? Honestly!” or some other nonsense.

"What are you getting at?" I asked.

He stared at me in silence for a long moment before finally opening his mouth.

"To create a labyrinth, one must be able to channel and wield the power of a god."

"Channel the power of a god?"

"Precisely. However, the mana capacity of you two hasn't reached that realm yet. That is why I said it would be 'impossible for you as you are now.'"

"Lord Roh," Ana spoke up, "what kind of training is required to obtain that level of mana?"

"That is a good question, Anastasia. There are several ways to increase one’s mana, but standard training won't get you anywhere near the necessary threshold. If you were granted the highest tier of Divine Protection from a god and spent several decades of ceaseless, grueling effort... well, perhaps you might reach it then."

"And the other methods?" she pressed.

"If your own mana is insufficient, you simply borrow it from another source."

"Borrow it?"

"Yes. It is the same method Loringas once employed."

"Lord Loringas did that!?"

"He did. You must consume the seeds of the Moon Magic Grass. There is a very high probability that doing so will kill you. However, if you survive, you will obtain mana that far exceeds the limits of humanity."

"It... it could kill us!?"

"Yes. There is no way to know the outcome until you ingest them. But as the two of you have a mission to fulfill, I am certain the gods will watch over you."

No way. That’s basically a suicide mission. I can’t let Ana take a risk like that. If someone has to eat those seeds, it’s going to be me.

I opened my mouth to volunteer, but Ana beat me to the punch.

"I'll do it."

"Ana!?"

"Allen, you are indispensable to the Kingdom of Ramslett. I cannot allow you to risk your life here."

"Don't give me that! You're the one who's indispensable, Ana! I don't even have Ramslett blood in my veins. Besides, I only became a part of this kingdom because of you. A world without you is—"

"But Allen, if you aren't there, Ramslett will—"

"I don't care! I’m going to live my life with you. Anything else is meaningless!"

I grabbed her hand, and she squeezed back just as hard.

"Allen..."

"Ana..."

"I understand your feelings perfectly, you two, but could you please save the 'world for two' for a later time?"

""Ah...""

Snapped back to reality, we both let go of each other's hands, faces flushing with embarrassment.

"Now, listen. The probability of death is only high if a single person consumes the seeds alone. If you reduce the dosage to an appropriate amount, it won't be fatal."

You could have led with that!

I barely managed to swallow the retort before it escaped my lips.

"Besides, it should be just about time for the Moon Magic Grass to bloom. I shall guide you to the forest where it grows. I happen to have some business of my own to attend to there."

Right. Judging by the way the Witch of the Forest talked about him, there was clearly some history there. I'm sure he had his reasons.

"Now then, Anastasia. Go and inform the Queen that you will be taking Milly with you."

"Understood."

Ana followed his instructions obediently and stepped out of the room. As soon as the door clicked shut, the Great Sage’s posture slumped.

"Man, I am wiped-o!"

"You're as hopeless as ever."

"And Master Allen is as foul-mouthed as ever-o! Honestly, if I hadn't given you this lead, you'd be wandering around aimlessly without a single clue-o."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm... grateful for that, I guess."

"If you're really grateful, then hurry up and have a daughter so you can bring her to see me-o!"

"...You really are a creep."

Oops. I let my inner thoughts leak out.

"H-How rude-o! I just want to dote on her-o! Besides, Master Allen, you and I are kindred spirits-o!"

"No, we are definitely not."

"Oh, you say that now, but I know for a fact you're going to be blessed with a daughter and absolutely spoil her rotten-o! It’s the prophecy of the Light Spirit-o!"

"...Why are you so convinced it'll be a girl anyway? There's a fifty-percent chance it'll be a boy."

"It’s a daughter-o! The Light Spirit’s prophecy is absolute-o!"

"Are you sure you didn't mistake a curse for a prophecy?"

"Y-You're as insulting as ever-o!"

The pervert gave a strained, twitchy smile.

"Look, maybe 'curse' was a bit much, but there's no way to know which it'll be until it happens."

"I’m telling you, you're wrong-o! It’s definitely a girl-o!"

For some reason, the pervert finished the conversation with a look of pure, unearned triumph.

---

Author's Note: Today, September 15th, the second volume of the light novel "Villager A Wants to Save the Villainess" has been released. This is all thanks to the wonderful support of all my readers.

Thank you so very much.

I would be honored if you could pick up a copy at your local bookstore or through various online retailers.

As for the third volume, it will depend on sales, but as soon as I have information I can share from the publisher, I will post an update here or on Twitter.

Additionally, the next chapter of the afterword is scheduled to be updated in about two weeks. I look forward to your continued support of the web version as well!