After Story Episode 21: Former Villager A Receives a Welcome

It took until evening, but we finally finished moving the luggage in. I’d managed to set up an environment where I could at least live and work comfortably.

"Everyone, good work. The Mayor will be paying your daily wages, so please see him to collect them."

When I made the announcement, cheers erupted from the villagers who had helped with the move. As the excitement bubbled, Klaus approached me.

"Lord Allen, the Mayor has invited you to a banquet this evening."

"Right, I understand."

Led by Klaus and his men, I headed toward the Mayor’s house.

While I call it the "Mayor’s house," it was quite different from the stone manor I’d transmuted or the buildings back in Wiechen. It was a wooden structure, yet compared to the other houses in the village, it was massive.

To give you an idea of the scale, the front of the building was roughly as wide as the long side of a tennis court. While the other villagers lived in small, single-story homes, the Mayor’s residence was two stories tall and featured a tower that looked like it was meant for a lookout.

The size wasn't a result of the Mayor being particularly extravagant, though. Apparently, the house doubled as the village office and served as a shelter for the residents during emergencies, such as monster attacks.

Setting that digression aside, we arrived at the house. Hans, the Mayor, was there to greet us at the entrance.

"Welcome back, Lord Hero. Everything is ready."

"Thank you, Hans."

"Now, please, come this way."

Guided by Hans, I stepped inside. We passed through the entrance hall and walked down a corridor to a room in the back. A long table had been set up there, surrounded by chairs.

"Lord Allen von Ramslett has arrived!"

At the Mayor’s announcement, the guests already seated rose as one and bowed deeply toward me.

Scanning the room, it looked like almost every seat was taken. It seemed we were the last ones to arrive.

"Please, take the seat of honor."

"Thank you."

I was ushered to the head of the table. Hans sat to my left, while Klaus took the seat to my right. Almost immediately, glasses filled with wine were brought out.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to ask for a toast from Lord Allen von Ramslett—the hero who saved our Kingdom of Ramslett and the husband of Her Royal Highness, Princess Anastasia."

Huh? Oh, I guess that makes sense. No one told me about this, but given my position, I should have expected this kind of duty to fall on me.

I picked up my glass and stood.

"Thank you all for gathering. I am Allen von Ramslett."

I paused to look around at the faces of the attendees.

I see. It looks like quite a few villagers are participating as well.

"As some of you may have heard, we plan to begin exterminating monsters in the nearby forest and clearing a path for a new road. Adventurers will come, merchants will follow, and I have no doubt that Weissenhafen will soon prosper."

The villagers listened to my words with expressions full of hope. Still, I didn't want to drone on with a long-winded speech, so I decided to wrap things up quickly.

"To the future of Weissenhafen. Cheers."

"""Cheers!"""

I raised my glass, and the guests followed suit in unison.

I only pretended to take a sip before sitting back down. Hans, however, was quick to notice. He leaned in with an anxious look on his face.

"Oh? Lord Hero, is our wine not to your liking?"

"No, it's not that. I just don't drink much alcohol."

"Is that so...!"

Hans looked genuinely disappointed.

"I’m sorry, especially after you went to the trouble of preparing it."

"No... Please, forgive me for not researching your preferences beforehand."

"Don't worry about it. That kind of information hasn't exactly been made public anyway."

"You are too kind."

Hans seemed incredibly apologetic, but he quickly pivoted to a new topic.

"By the way, Lord Hero. This is my daughter, Rhea."

He gestured to a young woman standing behind him dressed in a maid’s uniform.

"Ah, I see."

"What do you think? It isn't my place as her father to say, but she is quite talented and has a reputation for being the most beautiful girl in the village..."

Wait, what? Ah, right. I get it.

I have Ana, so I had zero interest in his daughter. However, it would be cruel to embarrass the girl in front of a crowd, so I offered a polite platitude.

"Yes, I see. She is a very lovely young lady."

"Oh! Indeed she is! She's my pride and joy!"

"I... I see."

Hans began to boast about his daughter, clearly heartened by my comment. The girl herself didn't seem to mind the attention, either; her cheeks were tinged with a faint blush.

"Lord Hero, would you prefer some fruit juice instead?"

"Yes, please."

"Understood. Rhea, go and prepare some."

"Yes, Father."

The girl gave me a polite bow and withdrew from the room.

Announcement: The eighth volume of the manga version of Villager A Wants to Save the Villainess is on sale today, August 8, 2025. Please be sure to pick up a copy!