Home/The Seven-Year-Old Village Chief of Exile/ch 105

Chapter 105

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I stayed until the train carrying my grandfather had completely disappeared.

'My grandfather really is something.'

He jumped for joy the moment he saw my letter.

'It's a relief to see he's still spry.'

After putting the sketchbook back into my subspace pocket, I used my ability to move to the temple.

I wanted to hurry back to the village and rest, but there was something I had to do first.

The Deste Temple was very busy.

A few days ago, the Holy King had officially declared it a holy site.

Having been recognized as a sacred place where an angel had descended three times in a row, they were preparing for the influx of visitors.

'Once the mourning period ends, visitors will increase in earnest.'

The temple's atmosphere was still heavy with grief.

But the busy priests' faces were filled with pride.

They seemed to take honor in guarding the temple where the angel had descended and serving God's will there.

'I hope that pride doesn't turn into arrogance.'

Knock, knock.

I arrived at the room we'd agreed upon.

As I was about to open the door, someone inside opened it first.

"Sir Olive."

This was Olive's guest room.

Dressed in plain clothes instead of his holy knight uniform, Olive looked quite youthful—he finally looked like a sixteen-year-old.

"I'm a little late because I was seeing off the Holy King."

Olive placed three cushions on the chair where I was to sit, and I nimbly jumped up and sat down.

"Then shall we talk about the trip to the south?"

In return for Olive's help, I'd promised to accompany him to the south.

This meeting was a preliminary discussion to fulfill that promise.

Olive asked me.

"Do you remember the victims you rescued from the Antema Lab?"

"Yes."

The six victims who had nearly been subjected to human experimentation by the insane researchers.

"Three men and three women. Two of the women were young sisters."

"You remember them well."

Of course—I'd planned to bring them to the village and make them residents.

'Hmm, does that make me sound like a kidnapper?'

They probably had homes and families of their own.

Just as I was feeling a belated pang of guilt and clicking my tongue, Olive mentioned the young sisters among the victims.

"Those children are from an orphanage in the south."

"The south?"

"According to their testimony, they were on their way to the family that adopted them when they were taken to the Antema Lab."

"Don't tell me..."

"It's highly likely to be organized human trafficking."

And not just any organization.

'On their way to their adoptive family and taken to a lab...'

That suggests the imperial family's involvement.

In the worst case, the orphanage itself might be complicit.

If so, there could be more victims than just those two sisters.

'You crazy bastards...!'

Even if they're insane, how dare they commit crimes against their own people!

I was so outraged I was speechless. This was a situation where even cursing felt like a waste. The Emperor had clearly gone too far.

"However, there's no way for the temple to intervene this time."

The temple can only act on matters related to blasphemy.

So even if the kidnapped children were taken for undead experiments, if the kidnapping was separate from those experiments, the temple couldn't investigate it.

"So I've taken a leave of absence."

To investigate the kidnapping case at the southern orphanage, Olive had set aside his authority.

"Aha."

So that's why he needed me and the villagers' help.

"I know it's difficult for you and the villagers to move around freely. But you seem to manage just fine."

"Look at this guy talking?"

Makes me want to take back my offer to help.

But a promise is a promise.

'And I have business in the south too.'

To acquire factories, I needed to see them with my own eyes.

Of course, I have no experience or knowledge in this area, so my plan was to arrive in the south, use my ability to bring the adults over, and leave everything to them.

'Then I can help Olive.'

I nodded.

"When do we leave?"

"His Holiness the Holy King secured the train tickets."

Olive showed me the tickets.

'Let's see...'

T'mari Territory.

'T'mari Territory is right next to Int'mari Territory, where the factory candidates are located!'

The travel time was two nights and three days. The departure date was a week from now.

And first-class.

"...First-class!"

"Yes."

Olive's tone as he answered was reluctant.

"It's first-class. I don't know why His Holiness would indulge in such extravagance..."

"Whaaat! Grandfather had money after all!"

"...Grandfather?"

"Do I need to bow three times toward where His Holiness is?"

Which direction is west?

I bowed three times toward the direction the Holy King's train had departed.

---

And so.

"I'll prepare the village chief's inauguration ceremony!"

"It feels like just yesterday we were talking about treating the Grand Duchess according to the dogs' preferences, and now we're already preparing the third event..."

Back in the village after a long time, I immediately called a village assembly.

For reference, this third assembly was attended only by the original twelve who had been together since the exile camp.

Normally, all residents should attend, but as the population kept growing, it would inevitably become a problem.

So I decided to limit it from now on.

Verity said.

"If you're going to have an inauguration ceremony, you should have done it months ago when you became village chief."

"You're a cheeky butler. You prepare five flower wreaths."

"Five?"

While Verity was wondering how to prepare them.

I told the residents why I suddenly needed to prepare an inauguration ceremony.

"There was a heartbreaking tragedy in the Deste Territory recently."

"It's not your territory."

Ian corrected me, but I pretended not to hear.

"Sharing grief and consoling each other is a good thing."

Our village also decorated our doors with black and white ribbons and placed white flowers.

But dwelling in grief isn't good.

"I'm not suggesting we hold the ceremony right away. I'm thinking we observe a period of mourning like the Deste Territory, and then hold the event."

Since our village is small, cooperative activities within the community are very important.

"Besides, the first-aid kits are selling well."

I wanted to repay that by preparing a celebration.

"I'll do my best to make sure everyone has fun!"

"Paying us with money would be better."

Libby's suggestion made the adults nod.

"Hmph."

I snorted.

"How naive, dear residents."

Standing up on the chair with three cushions, I announced.

"Do you think I, Hebenia Clavis, would treat your labor lightly by just handing out a paltry five million liv per person as a bonus?"

"Whoa, she's the best boss ever."

"Everyone must attend the inauguration ceremony and perform for me."

"Whoa, she's the worst boss ever..."

Boo—.

Libby led the chorus of jeers.

'We've gotten close enough to openly criticize each other now.'

I stood firm and explained the purpose of the ceremony.

"It was a beautiful sight when the Holy King appeared and everyone rushed to kneel reverently. I, too, am the master and ruler of a village—shouldn't I be able to enjoy that a little?"

"Why did you have to learn that..."

Ian, who claimed to be my educator, buried his face in his hands.

"You should have emulated the Holy King's character and virtue."

"I thought you were a dictator, but now it turns out your dream is to be a cult leader."

Verity, on the other hand, responded half-heartedly, like a neglectful parent who had long given up on their child's education.

"Well, half of it is a joke."

I calmed the restless crowd.

"Dear residents. Have I ever done anything carelessly?"

"Well, no..."

"You haven't."

The residents quickly agreed.

'My hard work as village chief has paid off!'

Moved, I dropped all playfulness and spoke seriously about the ceremony.

"At this inauguration ceremony, all you have to do is perform for my amusement and enjoyment."

"That's even worse than before."

"And attendance is mandatory. No exceptions."

The adults' faces showed shock.

Just then.

I shouted.

"Everyone who participates will receive a house as a gift!"

One per household?

No.

"One per person!"

"Long live the village chief!"

"Your loyal Modi already knew of your wisdom, of course."

"Uncle, you're lying! Habi, I saw him—he was the loudest jeerer!"

"Who's the village chief! Hebenia-nim is the Emperor! She's our sovereign!"

"Kyaa! Village chief, take me!"

"Huff! My vocabulary can only express your brilliance as huff, huff! Her beauty has stolen my intelligence!"

Amidst the thunderous cheers, I wiggled my hips.

Verity, observing like it was someone else's business, muttered dryly.

"Sigh, you're all having so much fun."

"Verity, I'll make sure to praise you to the Lords later."

"My Lady, I am now your devoted servant. Ride me wherever you go."

---

[The First Hebenia Village Chief Inauguration Ceremony Commemorative Performance Festival]

The elderly herbalist, reading the flyer posted on the bulletin board, said.

"Is this village a cult?"

"Look below, sir."

Elva, whose aptitude was 'Apothecary Who Whispers Death,' pointed to the prize listed on the flyer.

[All villagers are required to attend.

All attendees will receive one house as a gift.

Prize details will be announced later.]

The elderly herbalist let out a dry laugh.

"At this rate, I might actually want to join the cult."

"Come to think of it, I think Hebenia is doing this just to give us houses."

"That's a masterful stratagem."

"A stratagem?"

Elva's eyes widened.

The herbalist nodded slowly.

"All the current residents of this village are connected to the exile camp."

And future residents will be completely unrelated to it.

"You are the original residents who survived alongside the village chief. So it's only right that you get a little more."

"But still..."

"Would you give gifts to every new resident who moves in? Would they meticulously record every bit of help they receive from a seven-year-old like you did in your notebooks?"

Of course not.

The herbalist answered his own question with a sneer.

"Humans are the ones who kill the goose that lays golden eggs just to get a little extra money."

Instead of thanking someone for their help, humans are also the ones who draw a knife and demand more.

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