0.0000001% Demon King - 0DK Chapter 29: The Village of the Sun God (1) (Part 2)
As they entered the village, the gathered residents welcomed them warmly. They threw petals, making way for them, a spectacle that made Karos frown.
‘What’s this?’
It was a welcome befitting a fairy tale. To that reception, Sinclair purely marveled.
“Always grateful.”
“First, let us guide you to your lodging.”
“Understood.”
“We are also graced by the hero’s presence, after all.”
The village chief led Sinclair to the center of the village, with Karos following and scanning the surroundings.
It was an ordinary village. The number of people and houses were just average. But something felt off.
‘It’s too clean.’
The village showed no signs of human wear and tear.
**** ****
“Please, come this way.”
The village chief led them to a building that seemed newly constructed and was impeccably clean. The interior was modest but neatly arranged.
“We apologize for not providing better accommodations.”
“This is more than satisfactory.”
The rooms were divided into two, each capable of accommodating one person.
“Then, rest well.”
The village chief left. Sinclair spread her arms, proudly showcasing the place.
“How is it? Their hospitality. Isn’t it impressive?”
“Impressive indeed.”
The amount of labor it would have taken to prepare the petals that covered the ground was not insignificant. Despite Sinclair not notifying them of her visit in advance, the sheer volume of petals prepared indicated the extent of their welcome.
“Truly impressive.”
“Yes, isn’t it?”
Sinclair beamed with pure joy, untouched by any hint of deceit. Karos concealed his expression as he surveyed the bedroom.
“With two rooms available, we can rest separately.”
“Uh, um? Are we not sleeping together?”
“…Given the gaze of others, I believe it would be difficult.”
Sinclair’s face fell slightly at Karos’s words.
“Hmm… If that’s the case, then it can’t be helped.”
Her mood dampened momentarily, but soon she perked up again.
“What about you, then?”
“I’ve accumulated quite the fatigue, so I’ll need to take some time to rest.”
“Alright. As a hero, it’s my duty to assist all humans. I will go out and lend my aid to them.”
“As you wish.”
“Rest well.”
Sinclair left the house with a bounce in her step, leaving a tranquil silence behind. Karos took a deep breath he had been holding and flopped onto the bed. The slightly scratchy fabric and the hard straw mattress might not have been the epitome of comfort, but to him, at this moment, it was paradise.
“Ah, ah, ah.”
Karos caressed the bed. Not feeling pain in his back or pressure on his stomach from simply lying down was an ordinary yet blissful experience.
“…The joy of normalcy.”
He was hit with the sweet intoxication of contentment he hadn’t felt in a long while. He wished he could stay like this forever, pushing aside the urge to conquer the surface world.
Creak.
The door opened, and a young woman entered, carrying a tray. She bowed slightly at Karos, placed the tray down, and left. Lifting the lid from the dish revealed a soup inside.
“Oh, oh, oh.”
Karos’s hands trembled as he reached for the spoon. He brought the moderately viscous soup to his mouth and shivered with every sip.
Potato soup, mashed and mixed in. It was a simple taste, nothing outstanding in terms of seasoning or ingredients. Frankly, it was leagues below what Sinclair had prepared.
But it was delightful. Not inducing nausea or vomiting, not bringing pain with every bite, just a meal his body could comfortably accept.
“Ah…”
After a month of torment, the simplicity brought tears to Karos’s eyes.
**** ****
“…I don’t want to wake up.”
Having finally slept soundly for the first time in ages, Karos wallowed in the bed, reluctant to leave it. The realization that the ordinary had become so precious to him washed over him anew.
‘Indeed, happiness found in despair is the sweetest.’
He thought about the truth of that statement once more. Suppressing the desire to stay in bed forever, Karos forced himself up.
“I can’t just stay still.”
Now, in the village, was his chance. He had to find out Sinclair’s weakness and seize the opportunity to escape. He dragged his reluctant body outside.
The day was beginning to darken. As he walked through the streets, various eyes followed him.
‘Hostility and… anxiety. Roughly that sort of vibe.’
It was natural for such villages to be wary of outsiders, but he was accompanying the hero they celebrated. Even if they didn’t offer him the same celebration as Sinclair, there was no reason for hostility. Unless…
‘Because I’m with the hero.’
What reason would the Basin of the Sun God have for showing hostility towards the hero’s companion?
First, finding Sinclair was a priority. Not long after, Karos found her.
“Vain, you’re awake.”
Sinclair, shouldering a wooden barrel, greeted him cheerfully.
“What are you doing?”
“A hero is someone who helps others. They’re building a new storehouse here, and it seems their strength alone is insufficient. I’ve been lending a hand.”
No doubt, the hero’s strength was a significant aid. She effortlessly carried a giant barrel that would typically require two strong men to handle.
“May I also offer my assistance?”
“Hmm.”
Sinclair appeared slightly troubled by Karos’s offer.
“It’s fine, but shouldn’t you be resting to recover from your journey?”
“I’ve been feeling restless from staying idle. I plan to help to the extent that it won’t overburden me.”
He had no intention of just sitting around, actually.
This village wasn’t a normal one. There were no signs of armaments typical of a village. Not even a fence that a cat couldn’t jump over.
And the absence of children. Walking through the streets, not a single child was in sight.