Divine Protection: The Pride System
Episode 08: The Madness of the Villagers
It was a remote village, with an insignificant area of its territory.
However, the people living there had happy faces, enjoying their lives with admirable effort.
A man works in the fields, scratching the ground with their hoe. The women prepare lunch for their families.
Their lives were peaceful, this was also proof that the ruler in the village loved them.
A cold wind approached him, accompanied by waves of fluttering hair.
The girl looked towards the distance, enjoying her happy life in this village.
As she looked at her acquaintance, in a carefree tone she tried to call out to him.
“Hey, Eras-chan, what are you doing?”
The girl asked, she had short plum-colored hair with a bob hairstyle, her brown irises sparkling cheerfully as she approached her busy friend.
The girl was named Meily, an 8-year-old country girl.
Surprised by Meily's unexpected arrival, her friend– Eras, frowned and grumbled in annoyance.
He gave her a suitable warning for the appropriate child.
“Meily-chan, I'm at work. If you interrupt, I won't be friends with you anymore.”
Eras had a calm characteristic, she had long and beautiful golden hair, which was very contrasting to the size of a village girl.
Her charming appearance and mature look, made her look striking when she was dirty with her usual clothes.
Her red-eye iris showed a strong desire for her determination.
However, even so, she was the type of girl who could not honestly show her emotions.
Meily paid no heed to him at all, and still put on her carefree smile as usual.
“Eras-chan, instead of doing that, let's go to the forest and look for a big insect, after that we can show off the same stupid boy!”
There was no intention of retreating within his eyes.
“Meily-chan, I'm working.”
“Come to play!”
“I'm at work.”
“Come to play!”
“You see, I'm very busy, don't have time to play.”
“But, you can work on it later, for now, let's play!”
Eras troubled over the carefree response of her friend, she sighed in despair.
“Yeey! We're going to play!”
“Wait, Meily-chan! I haven't said anything! Please let me permission first with my brother!”
“I understand! Come quickly request permission!”
Meily pulled Eras hand unilaterally, and made her almost fall down in surprise.
They ran on the edge of a field of crabs that were about to be harvested, or rather, it was ready to be harvested.
Eras helped her older brother to harvest it, so it would be problematic if she left without permission first.
Fortunately, they had obtained permission, his elder brother was kind to him, and Eras also liked the kindness. But, since they were only the two of them, she did not want to continue to be spoiled by her brother.
He also wanted to try, their parents died when Eras was a child. She barely has any memory of her father and mother, so she spends most of her time with her older brother.
“Hey, Meily-chan, are you sure you want to go into the forest? Isn't that dangerous?”
“Just relax, we won't go far!”
“I hope so.”
Eras had a gloomy face, her eyes could not help but be alert as she heard the movements of something around her, and always screamed whenever anyone made a sound.
It was funny behavior, and Meily was also happy because at times like this, only she could be relied upon.
“Eras-chan is really a coward.”
Meily said that while laughing, which made Eras a little upset.
This made him want revenge, even though it was a little strange to see a child his age was already smart to think of revenge.
As he had the idea to prick her, Eras smiled broadly strangely, approached Meily and said.
“Treasure?!”
Seeing the bait was provoked, Eras' smile widened.
They paused for a while, Meily's eyes were filled with a sparkle of hope stars as she heard the word “Harta Karun”. He liked adventure, so he couldn't help but be interested when he heard the word treasure.
“Yeah, a treasure. You like something like this?”
Meily nodded so quickly, listening to Eras' words enthusiastically.
“Where?! Where can I find the treasure?! Hey, Eras-chan, let's go there together!”
“No, no, no, I'm not coming. You have to go get it yourself, if I come, you won't just get a little of the treasure.”
“Hm? What's problem? Isn't it natural for us to share it.”
For some reason for a moment, Eras felt a little guilty as she looked at Meily's innocent face saying that.
Do I have to stop it?— no, I have to. Having come this far, it is impossible for me to retreat!
Although her feelings were a little shaky for a moment, she managed to keep it up, and made a gentle smile to Meily.
“Unfortunately, I can't. I'm sorry.”
“Ke-Why?!”
Eras hurriedly tried to find the reason, and she remembered something.
“Ka-You know, the cave is very dark, and I can't see if it's in the dark, I'll just be a burden. I'm different from Meily-chan who has >Bless: Night Vision<, who can see clearly in the dark. If I leave, I'll be scared. But, if it was Meily-chan the results would be different, right?”
It's true, Meily has >Bless: Night Vision<, which she can see clearly in the darkness like looking at daylight.
[Bless] is an ability given by a god to certain people only, not everyone can have it.
Meily is a rare case.
After thinking about the risk it was too great to invite Eras. Meily's face lowered and could only resign.
“Indeed, if the timid Eras-chan came along, she would cry in fear. I see, I will go alone while bringing Eras-chan's wish with me.”
Although Eras slightly twitched upon hearing her approval sentence, she still maintained her smile.
After which, he said with a stiff smile.
“Y-Well, if it's Meily-chan, I'm sure Meily-chan can! Because Meily-chan is strong and brave! I actually also want to come, but what can I do, I will only be a burden..”.
“Don't worry, Eras-chan! I'll come back and bring you a present, wait for me in the village! I'll be back once I conquer my great adventure!”
Meily held onto Eras' shoulder, and said that with a tough face. Then, he turned his body and walked towards the mentioned cave while turning his back to Eras.
“Alright! I will definitely become a legend in the village as 'Meily the cave conqueror'!”
With a burning spirit he went towards his glory, and left Eras alone in that place.
“Wait, how do I get home?”
Now Eras also has another problem after Meily leaves him.
But, in the end he managed to go home while shouting and crying as he galloped towards the village.
Inwardly, she apologized to Meily for lying to her. However, on the other hand he also cursed Meily for leaving him.
...\=\=\=[★★★★★★]\=\=\=...
Right now, Eras was almost at the front gate of the village. He looked lethargic and messy, with breathless breathing finished running fast.
“Syu-Thank God, I finally arrived.”
As soon as he heaved a sigh of relief, Eras walked towards the gate, and as he got closer, inadvertently, he heard the gatekeeper talk.
“Oi, do you know? I heard the Captain had seen a pile of dead beasts in the forest, and it wasn't just 10 or 20. There were 100 more, and all of them died with horribly crushed bodies.”
“Hah? Isn't that just a rumor.”
“I don't know either, but, we are told to be more careful again. Lately, I feel something is wrong with this forest.”
”Yeah, you're right.”
Heard the conversation of the two guards.
Eras's reeds goosebumps, her spine shivers in the cold, and her feelings feel bad.
As she recalled what she had just done, she said in a low voice while imagining the face of a little girl who was her friend.
“Meily-chan.
