At that time, on the surface, in Holga Village, at the Grellod Farm, the Cursed King and Navi…
Boing.
“Ah, what should I do about this?”
Boing.
After receiving White’s report, I head towards the field to get on with my routine.
But—
“What the heck is this?”
There’s a wall, a transparent wall blocking the path to the field. Something feels off. There’s no one around. This path is usually busy with traffic.
“…I wanna go to the field. What should I do?”
For now, I’ll try enhancing my magic power and punch the wall.
Here we go!
“Player. This is a magical barrier. It has spells for repelling people and keeping them out.”
My fist stops just before it hits the springy wall.
“Oh, come on. This is like straight out of a fantasy. What do I do now?”
“Hmm, oh, it seems this barrier is set to block the movement of Holga Village residents, both from inside and out… It’s recognizing people by name. Maybe if we use the Mask of the Elder, we can trick the barrier’s recognition.”
“Oh, that’s cool! Reminds me of the freedom we had in Life Field.”
I put on the Mask of the Elder. Ever since I broke it on a whim five years ago, I can take it on and off freely. It only covers my mouth, but apparently, the effect still works.
Swoosh.
This time, I can pass through.
“Hey! Nice one, Navi! You were right. You deserve a reward.”
“Hehe, that was too easy, Player. Oh, if you’re offering a reward, how about that curry for dinner? Ever since we started sharing taste sensations, I can’t forget that flavor.”
“Curry, huh? I’ll ask White and the others to get the ingredients ready. I’ll mention it when I look for them later.”
“Yay! Oh, ahem, an excellent decision, Player. I applaud you.”
Lately, this one has become quite the gourmet. Well, I don’t really understand it, but enjoying good food is a good thing, right?
“By the way, Player, was the place you told White and the others was the ‘beginning of everything’… referring to the field?”
“…They’re a bit too tense. Sure, the disappearance of the Reincarnated Hero is a sign of some sort of disturbance, but in times like these, it’s important to stop, take a deep breath. I figured getting them to touch the soil and feel the sun would help them refresh.”
The beginning of everything—it’s the soil.
Waking up with the sun, touching the soil, inviting water, planting seeds.
Yeah, that’s what it means to be alive. I should’ve taken up gardening back in the day.
“I see… A logical decision… As a king, you’re paying attention to your subordinates’ state of mind to that extent…”
“Hmph, human emotions are simple. When you’re as experienced as me, you can easily grasp what others are thinking.”
“…Does that apply to my thoughts as well?”
“Heh, who knows?”
“Hehe…”
“Hehehehehehe…”
What’s this one talking about? Whatever.
With a little intellectual villain act for Navi, I continue towards the farm.
Now then, what should I do today? Since that old hag gave me my own farming space about four years ago, I’ve gotten completely hooked on farming.
I think that tomato-like thing should be ripe by now. Sometimes harvesting it boosts my stats, so it’s all good.
“Alright, let’s get started…!”
I can almost see the field when—
“Player!! Warning! A massive surge of magic power is coming from underground… This is… A magical barrier phase shift, the field’s underground is being connected to somewhere else, Player?”
“…Hey, what is this?”
The field.
The crops, growing healthily under the blessing of the sun, and the soil that I’ve carefully tilled with sweat and blood.
This place, my sanctuary, which holds all the important things that modern people have forgotten…
It’s—
“There’s a hole in the ground…”
Rumble rumble rumble.
A huge purple vortex is forming in the field. It looks like some sort of portal.
“This is… Some kind of summoning circle. It seems a ritual is being conducted through the vortex. No, this is an entrance.”
“…Navi, does this mean that whoever created this vortex is going to come through here eventually?”
“Ah, yes, um, the magic power is… Ah, I see. Player, no matter the form, you won’t allow someone to trespass on your territory. Is that what this is about?”
My… tomatoes… are crushed…
The shiny, plump flesh that I’d carefully kept pest-free using delicate magic…
And the soil… it’s been trampled…
I’d worked so hard to keep the air flowing through it…
“Such strong cursed energy… Player, you’re angry, aren’t you? Someone has intruded into your domain. Such regal pride, fitting for the Cursed King…”
“Who…?”
Who is the one who messed up my field?
“W-wait… Limited use… This is… The response to the Insect Cult’s sacrificial ritual… This magic power, Grellod Majarm…!? Could it be, Player, that the real reason you headed to the field so calmly was because…”
“Grellod… Heh.”
What a shame, old hag.
These past five years haven’t been so bad, but you crossed a line.
It’s time to fulfill my ‘must kill someday’ list.
“Player, your subordinates have already begun fighting on the other side of the vortex. From the start, you had this in mind, didn’t you?”
“This is the only exit, right?”
“Yes, Player.”
“Then let’s wait. My hunting dogs will get the job done.”
“…You are a terrifying person, Player…”
I feel like I’m forgetting something, but whatever.
“It’s time for reckoning.”
“Yes… Player, it will surely come. For the three knights who were sacrificed, and for the Reincarnated Hero… for all of them…”
Tomatoes, furrows, my field.
I will avenge you all.
“Rest in peace…”
“Let us believe, Player… In the safety of your knights and the return of your friends…”
