Night fell.
Bonfires were lit throughout the village, casting a warm glow.
Tables and chairs were set up outdoors, forming a grand banquet space.
Dishes and drinks were prepared in abundance, spread across the tables.
I sat down and began eating.
As I ate, villagers kept approaching one after another.
「Hey! Drinking yet?」
「You’re the hero of our village. Eat up!」
「Take this salad—it’s made from vegetables we grew in our fields.」
「This is fruit juice we gathered ourselves. Please, enjoy it!」
「Seriously, thank you for saving our village!」
One after another, they spoke their gratitude and left food behind.
Good grief.
With this constant flow of people, I could hardly eat in peace.
Seeing this, the village chief spoke up to the villagers on my behalf.
「Hey now, if you keep crowding him like this, Henry-dono won’t be able to enjoy his meal.」
But the villagers simply shrugged.
「Can’t help it.」
「We just want to say thanks.」
「After all, he’s our village’s hero.」
At their words, the village chief let out a sigh.
「Forgive them, Henry-dono. Don’t take it the wrong way. They’re all truly grateful to you.」
「Yeah, I get it.」
It was true that I couldn’t eat at my own pace…
But being appreciated didn’t feel bad.
If this were the game’s version of Henry, he might have snapped or threatened them.
But with my past life’s personality mixed in, I could understand their feelings.
They were just overjoyed to be free from the demons.
No need to spoil the moment.
As the “village hero”, I decided to accept both their gratitude and their food.
-0-
Eventually—
The villagers’ excitement settled down.
By then, my table was piled high with dishes they had left behind.
There was no way I could finish it all alone.
I smiled wryly at the sight.
And then—
Someone approached.
It was Flemia.
「Henry-san.」
She stopped beside me.
「Flemia.」
「Yes. May I sit next to you?」
「Yeah. Go ahead.」
Flemia took a seat beside me.
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