After Story Chapter 20: Former Villager A Prepares for Monster Extermination

After leaving the work in Wiechen to Ana, I headed for Weissenhafen. The advance party had already arrived and handled the preliminary arrangements, so my meeting with the village mayor proceeded without a hitch.

"Welcome, Lord Hero. I am Hans, the mayor of this village."

Deep wrinkles were etched across the face of the man who introduced himself; he appeared to be quite elderly. He was also painfully thin and heavily sunburnt, making it clear at a glance that life in this village was far from affluent.

"I’m Allen. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

I shook the mayor’s hand. It felt rugged and calloused, a testament to the fact that he likely still engaged in grueling field work even at his advanced age.

"You must have been busy preparing for us. My apologies."

"No, no. We are simply grateful that the Lord... ah, no, that the King is sending adventurers to exterminate the monsters for us."

Despite his words of gratitude, the mayor’s expression remained clouded.

"What is it? Are you feeling uneasy about something?"

"...Well, it is embarrassing to admit, but the truth is, we have very little in the way of stores..."

"Don’t worry about the food," I reassured him. "We’re bringing in wheat, and I plan to distribute any surplus meat from the hunted monsters among the villagers."

"...But as for the money we are to pay..."

"Consider it covered in lieu of a lodging fee. You don't need to worry about the cost this time."

At that, a look of profound relief washed over the mayor’s face.

Wait, I thought. "Mayor, what do you mean by that? Did someone demand money from you?"

I cast a sharp glance toward the officials of the advance party who were sitting in on the meeting. The mayor looked toward them with an awkward, conflicted expression before quickly averting his eyes as if he’d said too much.

"Klaus, what is the meaning of this? I’m certain I told you that the Kingdom would be footing the bill this time."

"Indeed, and I conveyed as much to the mayor. Isn't that right, Mayor?"

"Y-yes..."

"Then what was that talk about payment just now?"

"Now, let me see..." Klaus adopted a look of deep contemplation. "Ah, perhaps I know what happened."

"Well?"

"The amount of food support the mayor initially requested was enough for half a year, based on the population. However, your plan, Lord Hero, is only for three months. Therefore, I informed him that he would have to pay the actual costs for any supplies exceeding that three-month window. Otherwise, those extra supplies would essentially just become the village’s private stockpile."

"...Mayor?" I asked.

"T-that is... well..."

"Ah, and there is one more thing," Klaus added.

"There's more?"

"No, it’s just a guess on my part, but the mention of monster meat was news to me. Perhaps the mayor misunderstood and thought the meat wasn't included in the three-month food support plan."

"...Is that right, Mayor?"

"T-that is exactly right."

The mayor jumped on Klaus's explanation, but it was painfully obvious he was lying to cover his tracks, seizing the lifeline Klaus had thrown him.

Good grief. What a mess.

I had no intention of letting corruption slide, but for now, it seemed to have ended as a mere attempt. Getting the monsters under control was the priority; I decided I could afford to look the other way just this once.

"I see. If that's the case, don't worry about it. As I said, I intend to provide the surplus meat from the adventurers' kills to the village free of charge."

"Yes. Thank you, truly."

After that, I continued my discussion with the mayor, confirming the layout and details of the surrounding area.

---

After leaving the mayor’s house, Klaus and his men guided me to a vacant lot on the outskirts of the village. Timber, stone, and various other construction materials were piled high. A group of villagers had gathered to help move the supplies, and a large crowd of children had followed them, buzzing with curiosity.

The kids were just there for the show, no doubt.

Come to think of it, when I went to Iersdorf (), the local children pestered me relentlessly to show them some magic.*

"Alright, let's get to work."

I began drawing a series of prepared magic circles on the ground, encircling the mountain of construction materials.

"What's that?"

"What's he doing?"

"I've no idea, but..."

"Is that magic?"

"Eh?! Magic?!"

"Can that big brother use magic?!"

"Amazing!"

"I wish I could do that."

The children, hearing the adults mention magic, perked up instantly, watching me with wide, sparkling eyes.

Yeah, it was exactly like this back then. How nostalgic.

However, I didn't have time to indulge in sentimentality. I needed to get this done quickly.

"Transmutation!"

The magic circles erupted in a dazzling light. In an instant, a stone, Western-style manor stood where the materials had been.

"Ooooh..."

"So this is the Lord Hero's..."

"Incredible..."

"What is that?!"

"Magic can build a whole house!"

"So cool!"

"Big brother! Do it ag—"

"Hey! Hush! That man is a noble! Don't you dare be so disrespectful!"

The adults nearby turned pale, franticly holding back the children who tried to rush toward me.

Right. That’s how it is now. My status had changed.

It felt a little lonely, but I knew I couldn't act as freely as I once had.

"Alright, let's start moving things in. Everyone, to your stations."

"""Yes, sir!"""

At my command, the gathered villagers began carrying the furniture into the new building one by one.

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(*) The visit to Iersdorf is an episode that takes place between Chapters 26 and 27 of the web novel. For those interested, please check out Volume 1 of the Light Novel or Volume 3 of the Manga.

Notice: Volume 7 of the manga version of Villager A Wants to Save the Villainess was released today, February 12, 2025. Please be sure to pick up a copy!

Notice 2: I have published a new work: Magic Revolution Starts from Muscle ~Since Magic Has Declined After Reincarnating into the Future, I Think I'll Do Some Muscle Training~.

In a world where the mistaken belief that muscles inhibit magic has become common sense, the protagonist stands against the status quo with the motto: "A healthy mana dwells in a healthy muscle." It’s an academy power-fantasy story.

It is scheduled to be 21 chapters in total, so please give it a read!

https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093094063379412/episodes/16818093094063845051