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Chapter 5 : Aiko Gone Mad

Three days had passed since Haji problems; such as how to dispose of the corpses of the deround, the townspeople were unhurt A result that could only be considered nothing but a ood neas immediately spread to the people who took shelter, peripheral towns, and even the I townspeopletheir close friends, and the joy of their safeties wrapped Ul in a festival-like clamor

The protective wall Hajime left behind was surrounded the town as is, and the people ere talking about the details of the fight were gesturing how it exceed the common sense similar to how storytellers talked about a round outside of the protective wall

The people who took shelter, especially the children, had sparkling eyes when they heard the story Without losing this opportunity, theon how toHajime’s protective wall into the town’s new specialty

Thus, the townspeople who didn’t know anything about Hajime and Aiko believed Hajime and his party were dispatched by the "Goddess of Good Harvest," and Hajime’s as named "Goddess’s Shield" to honor it Furthermore, the white-haired, eye-patched boy; Hajiht" in respect However, it was a different story when David and the other Knights, or rather the real bodyguard Knights, recalled as said about Aiko and Haji, "As expected, I hate that guy!!!" In the future, Hajiony whenever he hears his name, but that’s another story

It was so hiht, Aiko’s fah the roof When she walked into town, all the people would turn around and focus their gazes on her Aan to worship her while saying things such as "Bless us~" In this town Aiko, who saved the people, was certainly seen as nothing less than a "Goddess" The ru towns At the very least, it ht than the Church of Saints’ bishop, in the town of Ul

The ru the town leaders in the town’s reconstruction, but although she acted cheerful around people close to her, her mind wasn’t there The cause was the various i truths Hajiht But above all, it was how Hajime killed Shinawed at her heart

Even today, after they finished their day duty and it was ti at "Water Fairy Inn," Aiko just mechanically carried the food into herthe conversation of the others in herwith the sa after all! Even those roughened ground recovered quickly… Looks like it’ll return to norood"

Sonobe Yuka, who noticed Aiko’s mind was somewhere else, intentionally talked to her cheerfully She tried to soe Aiko, since she knew the source of her abnormal state However, even Sonobe’s cheerful words only received an indifferent answer in return, like pre-typed-like words Sonobe drooped her shoulders as she said "Still won’t do, huh~"

"Aiko… did thetoday? If you’re really troubled by it, I won’t forgive the Aiko, even if it’s the bishop I aht after all No ood"

It was unknohether David said those words to encourage Aiko or to seduce her The reainst the bishop was considerably dangerous as a Teht not be important to David; the warrior of love The "I" part was eainst anyone… it was also considered by the surrounding Knights, as they agreed with hilares at their commander who casually made his advance

However David’s casual appeal was easily tossed aside like the words co daytime It was doubtful as to whether or not she heard hi "Serves you right~" to David who drooped his shoulders The sahts’ faces

Without taking any notice of the students and the Knights, Aiko indifferently continued to eat without responding

(…If, if only I had talked to Shis earlier… If I did, then so like that wouldn’t have happened… If, if he relied on his classe… If only… I died… then he wouldn’t have found it necessary to kill Shih they were class someone be so simple because of such a reason? Was it so simple to kill a person?… How could it be done so naturally?…

That’s strange… Humans aren’t demonic beasts To be able to kill without any hesitation… He,… was he someone who could easily kill a huer to the other children?… Will the other children be safe since he’s gone?… As long as he’s not… Kh?!? What did I just think of!?… Stop It’s not good to think about this any further!)

Presently, regret and self-condeht of it unconsciously, the buds of fear and grudges towards Hajime would appear, she would deny theain return to her first thoughts, repeating the process There was too much she wanted to think about, and there were also a lot things she didn’t want to think of Aiko’s mind was similar to a library where the bookshelves had cruanized information were scattered around in a chaotic manner

Suddenly, a calm and warmth voice reached Aiko "Aiko-sama About today’s dish, is it not up to your taste?"

"Eh?"

It was Foss Selo, the owner of "Water Fairy Inn" His voice was far from loud, it was actually said in a rather small voice However, there was no one inside the inn who missed Foss’s words His calm and deep voice would reach anyone without fail Even now, Aiko whose ht easily heard his words, and it made her senses return to reality

When she noticed she had cried out in a rather strange and loud voice, Aiko’s cheeks flushed slightly as she turned towards the s Foss

"U-U for a ht the dish was not to your taste because you didn’t raise your face If so, I thought of sending out another dish…"

"N-No need! The food is really delicious I was just thinking about soh Aiko said the food was very delicious, she herself couldn’t res, her students and the Knights were looking at her with a somewhat anxious expression She noticed as on their ht sheas she pulled herself together and continued on with her hed in a panic when food entered her lungs

Because Aiko was coughing with teary eyes, the students and the Knights were panicked Seeing the situation, Foss casually prepared napkin and water

"I-I am sorry To trouble yo-…" "It is not a trouble at all"

Although Foss saw Aiko’s blunder, he kept a cal Aiko’s current state, Foss narrowed his eyes and thought of so He spoke with a sht be presu?"

"Eh? Ah, yes What is it?"

"Why can’t Aiko-sama believe what you want to believe?"

"Heh?"

Unable to understand Foss’s words, Aiko tilted her head as a question mark floated above her head Because of that, Foss continued with a wry s"

"Apparently, Aiko-sama’s mind is currently in serious confusion There are too s you don’t want to think of, and you don’t knohat should you do What’s best is to do what you want, even if you’re not sure of what you want yet There are s you don’t understand, which only increases your impatience, and become the i?"

"H-How…"