Chapter 359 – In the Village We Reached

We arrived at the village where Claudia-san’s parents once lived, following clues about her whereabouts. The village had a very pastoral feel to it, reminiscent of Eva Village, which we had visited before.

As we walked around, I noticed the villagers’ eyes on us. Well, it was no surprise, considering the unusual group of people that had suddenly appeared.

「We’re really attracting attention, aren’t we?」 

「Do you think we’ve done something to offend them…?」 

「I don’t think that’s the case. —Look, here comes someone to talk to us.」

I reassured Martina, who looked anxious, just as a well-built elderly man approached us.

「I am Gien, the village chief. You don’t appear to be adventurers, so what brings you to our village?」 

「I’ll explain.」

The oldest member of our group—well, actually, Simone the dragonkin was probably older, but that didn’t really matter right now—Lawrence-san, who appeared the oldest based on his appearance, stepped forward to explain our situation.

But then, an unexpected issue arose.

「What a sinister-looking man.」 

「Huh?」 

「H-Hey, hold on!」

Lawrence-san, about to take offense at the village chief’s harsh words, was quickly calmed by me. However, I couldn’t blame Village Chief Gien for his reaction; Lawrence’s face truly did look like that of a villain. It was understandable, though it wasn’t very kind of Village Chief Gien to say that out loud.

We quickly switched roles and asked Village Chief Gien if he had seen a young woman named Claudia around the village. At the mention of her name, his expression changed.

「Why do you know about Claudia…?」 

「You know her, Gien-san!?」 

「Know her? I’m her uncle.」 

「「「「「Whaaaaaaaaaaaat!?」」」」」

This was an entirely unexpected revelation. Lawrence-san, in particular, was visibly pale, his face frozen in shock.

…Was he really that shocked?

「I’m her mother’s brother. We became estranged for a long time due to various reasons, but for some reason, she came to this village wanting to get married—wait, that’s not the point! Why do you know about Claudia!?」 

「She’s my personal maid. Of course, I know her.」

Charlotte stepped forward and declared this proudly.

—But then, the villagers’ reactions seemed strange.

Could it be… did I just stir up unnecessary trouble?