The bishop, who recovered after stiffening for a short while, cleared his throat lightly and brought up the topic.
"--- It's regarding the Yuusha."
Yuusha?
.............
.............
"It's about Relix!"
When I was thinking deeply with my arms folded, the agitated village chief came near me and whispered with a voice filled with impatient.
I hit my palm with a 'pon'.
"Aah, is it about that guy who become the Yuusha?"
To be frank, I wasn't interested at all, so I almost forgot about it the next morning. Furthermore, that next day, I was busy on the extermination of the monsters that appeared near the farm and it completely slipped out of my head at that point.
I see. If I remember it correctly, this person, Relix, is the 'Chosen Yuusha', and the church came to this village in order to confirm it.
While managing to remember about that matter, I asked the bishop.
"So, what's the matter with that 'Yuusha-sama'?"
"Since Relix-sama is destined to eventually fight the Demon King, he must embark on a journey to gain the power to oppose the Demon King. However, as he is now, it is clear that he will be exhausted in the middle of the journey before he obtain that power."
"Well, even though he can take pride in his ability, it's still limited in this village."
The men of this village --- especially the young ones, are also in charge of exterminating the monsters besides farmwork. Of course, both me and Relix are one of them.
The monsters which infesting in this area are not very strong. Even a man with some training can subjugate without any problems by himself. Rather, it is a valuable ingredient for meat dishes, so almost everyone is actively hunting.
Relix is the most skillful in the village. His swordplay is so good that none of the men is his match. I've also tried to challenge Relix to test my skill, but I couldn't be his opponent at all.
However, it is, in the end, only determined within a remote village. It is absolutely impossible to subjugate the Demon King if he remain with a villager's skill.
"Therefore, we will have Relix-sama go to the Royal Capital with us."
"And why is that?"
"In the Royal Capital, the strong knights, which the country takes pride in, are training everyday. If he train together with them, he will get the minimum ability."
The Royal Capital, huh... I somewhat yearn after it. After all, I was both born and raised in this remote village. I have more or less accepted that I would be in this village for the rest of my life, but I would like to go to the center of this country at least once in my life. Mostly, I do farm work, so it's impossible at least for a while.
While I was thinking of the dazzling capital, the bishop continued.
"But, even if he is the 'Yuusha-sama', he have lived as a mere villager for who knows until now. He should have no acquaintance in the Royal Capital."
Well, I'm sure that guy should also be the same as me, since he have hardly left this village.
"It would be lonely even for Yuusha-sama to go to the Royal Capital without any acquaintances. With that in mind, we suggested to Yuusha-sama."
--- 'Why don't you take someone, a person who you can trust?'
"--- In other words, a babysitter?"
"... That wording of yours is a bit..."
"Please excuse me, okay? This is just the way I am."
Towards the bishop's reprimanding tone, I answered without even flinching. I have always been associated with this personality since birth. There's no way I can change it now.
Leaving that aside, judging from the context and the reason why I was called here, the answer will come out naturally.
"Ah, I remembered that I have to continue my farm work, so I'm going back--- "
"Yuusha-sama's answer to our suggestion was you!!"
Ooh!? The bishop started talking super fast over me who was about to leave hurriedly!!
The bishop was staring very intensely at me. If I dare to explain it into words, it's like, "I will not let you escape!!". That's how amazing my perception is.
I had no choice but to sit back in the chair and face the bishop. Maybe knowing that I won't run away, the bishop's expression eases. However, the strong intent to never let me get away have been emanating from his eyes.
"It's a small village and Relix is also not stranger to me. But, we are not close to be called 'friends' either. I think there are other people who are closer to him than me."
"It's the request of Yuusha-sama. If he wants to go together with you, I will accomplish it without fail"
What a headache...
"... I'm a farmer, you know? I need to work hard in the farm to be able to buy a food to eat and pay the taxes."
"We, the church, will settle this matter. We will exert our influence on things like exempting your tax payments."
The bishop replied as if it's not a big problem.
"... Even if my tax payment is exempted, what about my meal?"
"Your living expenses for the period that you are staying in the Royal Capital, all of it will be borne by us."
"... You see, human beings don't just eat. They would be mentally exhausted if they don't also take a break"
"As the attendant of Yuusha-sama, we will also pay you salary besides your living expenses."
"...... Etto."
I can't think of another excuses.
Then, I suddenly realized here.
If I put all the dots together during our conversation until now, in other words...
"Are you also in charge for the entire expenses while we go to the Royal Capital?"
"Of course we will. When Yuusha-sama departs from the Royal Capital, the church will take care of all the arrangements as well for your return to this village if you want."
--- If I think about it carefully, doesn't this mean that I can go to the Royal Capital for free?
There is a distance of nearly two weeks from this village to the Royal Capital even if you use a horse-drawn carriage, and the travel expenses during that time will be quite high. Moreover, there is also the danger of being attacked by monsters along the way.
In this village, life is basically self-sufficient and even the currency is not money but bartering with agricultural products and so on. The tax payment is also payed in similar way. The opportunity to earn cash is practically impossible.
Occasionally, peddlers come to this village and exchanges of cash are also being practiced, but it's a tiny amount. I've also earned enough for some pocket money, but most of it would disappear on the travel expenses to go to the Royal Capital. Even if I hold tightly what little money I had, I won't be able to do anything because of the cost of living in the Royal Capital.
--- I can be able to go to the Royal Capital, leaving behind all my savings. Moreover, it includes a pocket money.
I have no reason to decline at all. Rather, it's a matter that I should take the initiative and accept.
If I put it finely, the reason to decline is not non-existent, but it's a minor issue compared to this extraordinary employment condition. Compared to the advantage of being able to go to the Royal Capital for free, it's something that can be ignore.
Above anything else, there's something that I can't do if I don't go to the Royal Capital! Yes, it's to fulfill 'that' ambition that I've dreamed of one day!
"Understood. I shall take on the role of Relix's babysitter!!"
While I stood up from my seat, I put my hand on my chest and made a big declaration.
The bishop who saw that talked slowly.
"... I'm extremely glad that you accepted it, but you're a little lacking in respect for Yuusha-sama."
"You see, until four days ago, that guy was the 'Villager No. 2', you know? It's impossible to change my attitude so suddenly."
The Villager No. 2 --- I feel like he has too much presence to call him that, but for me he is an 'Acquaintance A' and even if I show respect for him, the aspect that I can respect at the moment is almost none.
--- Ah, wasn't that guy the current 'Yuusha'?