The Feelings of the Villagers Who Say Thank You for Being Helped
* * *
Zaan Zazaan
From far away, the sound of waves can be heard faintly.
Louder than that is the flapping sound of small beetles drawn to the magic lamp placed on the desk.
They fly towards the lamp, bump into the glass with a thud and fall on their backs, get up and charge at the lamp again.
Haa.
Village Chief Toppipappu-gen, brushing away such annoying small beetles, sighed with a tired face, furrowing his brow.
It was already completely dark.
The surroundings were quite dim.
Despite that, what he was glaring at, even wearing unfamiliar glasses, was the ledger of dried fish sales.
The traditional dried fish of Panemo Village has been a very popular product since long ago, starting with nearby cities like Jabba-Jabba.
That hasnt changed even now, and if you take the product, it will definitely sell.
The reason why the village chief sighs despite that is because the taxes are too high.
The tax increase that started in the Daychib Duchy two years ago is truly terrible.
It doesnt consider the lives of the people at all.
Although Panemo Village is somehow holding on, according to rumors, several settlements have already gone under.
Yet, the excuse for that tax increase being to raise funds for the 80th birthday celebration ceremony of the Duke is laughable.
Theres also a fishy smell to it.
However, even such a foolish reason for a tax increase might actually be done.
Duke Daychib is a person who makes even Village Chief Toppipappugen, a commoner, think that way.
After all, despite what happened to the royal family, he is a decorative duke who had already renounced his right to the throne succession and was thoroughly prevented from being involved in national politics.
His credibility as a ruler is almost non-existent.
Until now, even such a decorative duke had a watchdog, and the domain was running smoothly, but
Here, the village chief lightly shook his head and pushed aside the useless thoughts to a corner of his mind for now.
Leaning against the back of the chair, he stared at the ceiling dimly illuminated by the magic lamp.
Now, how to manage and pay the taxes?
The price of dried fish has already been raised as much as possible.
Theres no longer enough savings left to dig into.
Despite that, due to the offerings to the monster that appeared at the cape, a considerable amount of product has disappeared and sales have dropped.
Nothing comes to mind.
Its a dead end.
Village Chief Toppipappugen, this time resting his elbows on the desk and slouching, drooped dejectedly.
It was at that moment.
Pyurururu
From the direction of the sea, certainly.
The cry of that hateful monster was heard.
!
The village chief quietly stood up and grabbed the spear he had been using since his younger days when he was a soldier.
That monster should have basically stayed at the cape.
But its coming near the village!?
Why in the world!?
Even though we gave it so many offerings is it saying it wasnt enough?
Does it intend to destroy the village?
Dont screw with me!
Blood vessels bulge on the village chiefs forehead in anger!
V-Village Chief! Its terrible!
And a little later, the one who vigorously opened the door of the village chiefs house saying that was Pyunchapong, a young man of the village.
He is a clever young man whom the village chief is currently training to be his successor in the future.
In order not to cause anxiety, Village Chief Toppipappugen has been hiding the monster at the cape from many villagers, but this young man is one of the few who knows that secret.
It has come?
The village chief asked that and pursed his lips into a shape.
His eyes are sharp and filled with fighting spirit.
Pyunchapong held his breath at the sight of such a village chief, but he pulled himself together and continued his report.
Yes thats right, but! Thats not all!
Pyunchapong shouted that while sweating, but the corners of his mouth were raised.
Seeing that, the village chief thought, Oh?
Anyway! Anyway, come to the beach, Village Chief!
Without fully understanding the situation, Village Chief Toppipappugen, holding a spear in one hand, was led to the beach near the village.
The villagers who heard the cry and came had already gathered there, and they were staring at the waters edge in a daze, holding magic lamps and torches.
Excuse me excuse me, what happened?
Village Chief! L-Look at that!
Pushing through the crowd and reaching the front row, the village chief glared at where the villagers were pointing with trembling hands.
Seeing what was there, the village chief unintentionally widened his eyes and let out a scream!
T-This is!?
It was the corpses of a super giant shrimp and squid.
Delicious-looking top-quality dried fish ingredients!
How much high-quality dried fish can be made using this!?
Pyururururuu!
At that moment, a familiar cry was heard from offshore.
When he hurriedly turned to look, what was there was indeed the monster from the cape.
It was hidden in the darkness of the night, so only its silhouette could be seen, but there was no mistake.
<<<Human folks! >>>
And the next moment.
The villagers on the beach received the monsters Telepathy voice that sounded almost innocent.
Huh!?
What is this?
I can hear a voice!
The villagers, unfamiliar with Telepathy, started to make a commotion, but the monster continued speaking without minding that.
<<<Thank you for giving me dried fish until now! And Im sorry! Until Anego told me, I didnt realize that everyones lives were getting harder because of me!>>>
Hearing those words, Village Chief Toppipappugen opened his mouth blankly and froze.
Until now, he had feared this monster.
He had convinced himself that it was a hateful demon that would threaten and harm the village with its power.
It took a while for his understanding to catch up to the fact that it was apparently a misunderstanding.
And.
Anego?
Who in the world is this Anego?
<<<So this shrimp and squid are a share as an apology! Please feel free to use them!>>>
Oh!?
This shrimp and squid its giving them to us!?
Amazing! How much dried fish can we make with this!?
Well make a fortune!
Hey! Go wake up everyone in the village whos sleeping! Were staying up all night! Its a dried fish festival tonight!
Ill show you my secret art Dried Fish Tornado!
Absolutely dont eat it raw! Youll get magical power poisoning!
Oh, Sea God! Dried Fish God! Thank you!
Someone bring barnacle killer just in case! And a shield!
Hearing the monsters words, the villagers on the beach all became excited at once!
They hurriedly start preparing to dismantle the shrimp and squid.
<<<Well then, Im leaving now! Take care!>>>
Village Chief Toppipappugen blankly saw off the monster swimming away offshore saying that.
And at that moment.
On top of the monsters head.
A small shadow wriggled and seemed to wave at the village chief.
No way.
Anego.
A small shadow.
That couldnt possibly be.
It was hard to believe, but.
For some reason, Village Chief Toppipappugen was convinced.
With that.
He dropped the spear he was holding onto the sandy beach and lowered his head.
While the surrounding villagers were having a festive commotion, he alone was quietly, quietly, constantly bowing his head towards the sea.
Whats wrong? Village Chief! Crying with joy?
From behind, Pyunchapong patted his back with a cheerful voice, and finally Village Chief Toppipappugen raised his face.
And at that moment, he realized for the first time that he was crying.
He roughly wipes away his tears.
Half joy, half pathetic, I would say
Pathetic?
Pyunchapong tilts his head.
The village chief, gazing at the sea that was no longer visible, quietly continued his words.
I am pathetic. This time too, I was helped again by the Black One. From now on from now on, Ive been thinking and trying my best to protect whats important to me with my own power since then, but
Why mention the Black One here?
Not understanding the meaning of the old mans words spoken in fragments like a monologue, Pyunchapong tilted his head further.
What in the world happened in this village chiefs past?
Even Pyunchapong hadnt heard the details.
However.
As the village chiefs assistant, Pyunchapong had been closely watching this old mans efforts all along.
So even if he didnt understand everything in the village chiefs heart, he had words he wanted to say.
The village chief is well, indeed, hes been working hard all along. Thats something all of us villagers know well.
Patting the old mans back, Pyunchapong said.
So this time, you were rewarded. Is that no good?
Receiving those words, Village Chief Toppipappugen remained silent for a while, but.
Thats right. Thats right.
Finally, he seemed to have sorted out his feelings.
He straightened his bent back and his face returned to its usual valiant expression.
In any case.
And the village chief bowed his head towards the sea again.
The previous bow was from Toppipappu-gen as an individual.
And this times bow was from him as the village chief.
Thank you for saving the village little guest.
Zaan, zazaan
Of course, theres no reply.
Only the sound of waves reaches.
Above, the starry sky is shining brilliantly again today.