After walking for a while, Rudeus turned to glance back at his family home. He clapped his hands together and bowed solemnly.
"Paul, Zenith, enjoy yourselves. You've both had it rough these past few days."
Allen glanced sideways at him.
"Do you usually play with the village kids? Or have you seen any arguments or bullying going on?"
Rudeus blinked.
"Not really. As for bullying... I don't recall seeing any. Usually, I only greet people I meet. I've seen groups of kids playing together, but I never intended to join them, so I just stayed away."
'Is this guy trying to play the hero or something?'
"Do the kids ever go play far from the village?"
"Uhh... I haven't seen that. They're usually near the fields."
"Fields... any identifiable plants there?"
"Huh?"
Rudeus looked at Allen, puzzled.
'What a weird question... doesn't he know anything about daily life?'
"I guess... not really."
"Good. Then let's head to the fields."
Rudeus eyed Allen, noting that he had ignored his previous answers. It seemed Allen had planned to go to the fields from the beginning.
'What is this guy up to?'
Then Allen added:
"To the fields near where kids play."
Rudeus understood.
'Ah, I see. He's trying to make friends. Must be one of those needy types. Stable on the outside, but wants lots of friends. Got it.'
"What's this plant?"
"That's a weed."
"And this one?"
"Wheat."
"Oh~ What about this one?"
"...Weed."
Rudeus twitched as Allen absentmindedly pointed out weeds.
'Hey hey, he's not even trying! Take this seriously, damn it!'
Allen was keeping an eye on a group of playing kids in the distance. Among them, a tall chubby boy was ordering the others around.
Seeing Rudeus getting more exasperated, Allen smirked and suddenly pointed at a flower that looked like lavender.
"What about this one?"
Rudeus' eyes lit up.
'Finally! Something that's not a weed! He's finally getting into it!'
"That's a Batylsis flower."
"A Baty-what flower?"
"Batylsis flower."
"What-sis flower?"
"...Batylsis."
"Oh~ Bartylsis flower."
"..."
Rudeus stared at Allen, realizing he was messing with him. Just as he was about to get mad, Allen's face grew serious.
"Hey. Listen."
"To what?"
Distant shouting reached them. Allen straightened, hand on his sword hilt, eyes like a hunting beast.
Rudeus followed his gaze.
A gust of wind swept the young wheat low, revealing a group of children by a rice paddy, pushing around a smaller figure.
"The demon kid's back!"
"Haha! Get outta our village again today!"
"He's not fighting back—let's throw mud at him!"
"Good idea!"
The kids dove into the paddy, scooping up mud.
Allen watched calmly, but his hand on the sword hilt said otherwise.
He waited, then turned toward Rudeus.
Rudeus met his gaze.
"You see that? A kid's getting bullied. Or do you like being bullied too?"
Rudeus frowned, inhaled, and spoke quickly.
"I saw it. But you're here, so I thought—if I discipline them, their parents will complain. With Father's temper, he might blame me. But if you do it, he'll back you no matter what. That's why I thought you should handle it."
Allen looked at him like he was a glowing trash bag.
"You go. Even if you hurt someone, just say I did it. I'll take the blame."
Rudeus was stunned.
Meanwhile, the kids raised their muddy projectiles.
Allen suddenly pulled his blade.
"Wait! Hold on!"
The sword flashed.
The spinning blade flew like a butterfly, crossing over the bullied child's head. A flash of light reflected, striking something unseen in the air.
With a buzz, the blade stabbed into the ground right in front of the victim.
The kids screamed.
The child collapsed.
Rudeus dashed over. The sword had landed cleanly—no harm done. Mud clumps scattered nearby.
The child stared, dazed. When Rudeus met their eyes, wind blew through their medium-length green hair.
Rudeus froze.
"A... Supard?"
"Where do you see a Supard?"
Allen was behind him, coldly watching the now-hostile kids.
"Are the knight's brats defending a demon?! And that tall guy's using a sword to scare us! We're not scared of you!"
Allen swiped a hand.
BOOM.
A trench exploded beside the paddy. Mud flew everywhere—Rudeus got splattered.
The kids bolted.
Another splash—Allen's sword landed before them.
Allen retrieved it and said:
"Line up. Now. Anyone who runs, I'll cut their head off."
"Three."
Rudeus wiped his face.
"Teacher Allen, maybe let this go? They're just kids. If their families get involved—"
Allen ignored him.
"Two."
The kids scrambled into a line.
"Who's the oldest?"
Silence.
Allen reached for his sword.
"N-nine!"
Allen grinned, looked at Rudeus.
"Same age as me. I'm just a kid too. So don't hold it against me, yeah?"
Rudeus opened his mouth, but no words came.
(End of Chapter)
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