Home/The Seven-Year-Old Village Chief of Exile/ch 56

Chapter 56

But I didn't really care about having revealed my secret.

'I've never treated it as a secret anyway.'

I've always openly revealed my secret. Because it's more efficient to let people know in advance than to be treated strangely later when they find out.

'That way, I can say, "See? I told you!"'

But no matter how much I told them, not a single person believed it.

'Well, who would believe that?'

Even I wouldn't believe it if I were them.

"......"

I stood at the gate for a while, staring blankly down the road Aunt Nema had taken.

Now that the neighborhood facilities were installed, Exilium had buildings of varying heights, looking like a fairly prosperous city.

"Can this place become like old Exilium too?"

Can it prosper greatly?

At my question, Poppy and Chuchu barked in unison, as if answering.

"Yeah, let's make it happen."

Strangely enough.

At that moment, I didn't have a single worry in my heart.

---

Three days later.

Preparations for the trip to Antema were quickly completed.

"It's already tomorrow..."

Libby, who was helping me pack, rested her chin on my head and whined cutely.

"Come back soon, okay?"

"I'll bring you something tasty."

"I heard there's a dining car on the train. Buy me some snacks from there."

"Okay!"

Actually, I didn't have much to pack this time.

Thanks to my requests to the adults, I just had to gratefully accept what they gave me and stuff it all into Verity's subspace pocket.

"This is what a subspace pocket is for, but..."

Verity grumbled, feeling like he'd become a porter.

"Don't complain, servant."

"My Lady, did you just call me a servant?"

"No? I said butler?"

"I'm so hurt I could cry..."

I'd been strict lately to keep the increasingly cheeky demon butler in line, but it didn't seem to be working.

If anything, the formality had only decreased.

It wasn't what I intended, but we'd grown closer, so I decided to focus on that.

"Make sure to pack your own food and emergency money separately. We need to be prepared. You too, my Lady."

Following Verity's instructions, Ian and I each packed a small bag with food, emergency money, and a small first-aid kit.

"This is nice."

Libby looked over the first-aid kit.

It contained medicine, bandages, and antiseptic made by Aunt Elva to quickly treat serious wounds.

"I'd like to have one of these at home too."

"Then we'd need to change the contents."

I recalled the household first-aid kits sold in Korea.

"Cold medicine, stomach medicine, antibiotic ointments. And something for minor burns."

"How does our village chief know all these things, hmm?"

"Because I'm the village chief."

"Ugh, so clever and cute!"

Libby kissed my cheek and hugged me tightly.

I awkwardly laughed with embarrassment.

"But it really is a brilliant product."

Ian also seemed to like the first-aid kit.

"It would have been great if we had something like this in the knight order."

"You didn't?"

"Usually, if someone got hurt, they'd be taken to the resident medic."

I was a little surprised.

'With such advanced civilization and technology, there are unexpected shortcomings.'

To me, it was more shocking that there were no first-aid kits.

Libby and Ian said to me.

"There are similar things. They gather prescribed medicines in one place? But they don't sell them as ready-made first-aid kits."

"Because going to the hospital or calling a doctor is the norm when you're hurt."

That suggested a great possibility.

'I don't really want to say this, but...'

Right now, the Empire is more alert to health issues than ever due to the herb supply problem.

'Could first-aid kits be profitable?'

After my plan to revive the village by selling Dulcevia failed.

I'd been wandering like a hyena looking for prey, searching for a source of income for the village, and the first-aid kit looked like quite a tasty meal.

I wanted to hurry back and discuss this matter.

"By the way..."

After packing, Ian hesitated and spoke.

He looked out the darkening window.

"Is Aunt Nema really not coming?"

"We can't force it. Nothing good comes from coercion."

Verity answered, unable to hide his disappointment.

"If Verity hadn't pushed so hard in the first place..."

"Sir Ian, you also agreed because you wanted to spar. Why do humans love to blame others so much..."

Even on the day before departure, Aunt Nema hadn't come to see us.

When I asked the other villagers, they said they hadn't seen her either.

"It's okay!"

I wasn't too worried.

"I don't care what choice Auntie makes. And she's much stronger than we think."

"Hebenia, do you think she'll come tomorrow?"

Libby asked.

Verity and Ian were also looking at me intently.

Instead of answering, I just smiled.

And.

'As expected.'

On the day of departure.

I greeted Aunt Nema, who had come to our house early in the morning.

"You really came..."

Behind me, Ian, Libby, and Verity had gathered. They looked at Aunt Nema with surprise and delight.

"Sister!"

"Oh my, my second disciple...!"

"I just told you not to pressure her with talk like that!"

Libby disciplined the two foolish martial artists on my behalf.

Aunt Nema fidgeted, her fingers covered in bandages clasped in front of her.

"Am I, am I late...?"

"Not at all. You came right on time."

"Actually, I wanted to come earlier, but..."

Aunt Nema slowly unpacked the bundle she'd brought.

"I was making these."

The bundle contained combat uniforms she'd made herself.

The neat, dignified black uniforms were impressive enough to rival the imperial knights.

The fabric was sturdy and resilient, making it easy to move in. And it was much lighter than it looked.

Most of all, it was beautiful.

I picked up the smallest uniform.

'It looks like a magical girl battle suit...!'

Unlike the others, it was a pair of skirted pants adorned with intricate lace, making it look like a noble lady's fine attire.

"Y-you made these yourself, Sister? In just three days?"

Ian kept fidgeting with the uniform even as he asked.

His butt was already twitching, eager to take it to his room and try it on.

"Lucky! I want one too!"

Even the usually composed Libby rarely whined, asking if she could have one too.

"Appearance matters more than you'd think."

Aunt Nema, blushing with shyness, explained why she'd made them.

"Wearing clothes that give a sense of belonging often prevents suspicion of one's identity. Especially uniforms, which convey professionalism..."

"Perfect for disguising our identities, since we need to hide who we are."

Verity stared at his own uniform, then put it in his subspace pocket.

Moments later, Verity's clothes had changed into the black uniform.

The athletic, wrinkle-free chuunibyou boy had instantly transformed into a boy who looked like he had the most heartbreaking backstory, forcing a bright smile while secretly harboring dark thoughts.

"Wow! Ah!"

"Oh my, Lord Verity!"

Libby and I both lost it.

"I misjudged you! I didn't know you were such a delicious existence!"

"Lord Verity! You were capable all along!"

"I see how you've been treating me all this time."

With a betrayed expression, Verity glanced at us and then bowed politely to Aunt Nema.

"Thank you for coming. And for the uniforms."

"I should be the one thanking you for waiting."

Aunt Nema, who had lifted her bowed head, was still tense, but her determined face looked very cool.

---

"Squeak, sqeak..."

"......"

Poppy and Chuchu scratched at my legs, begging to be taken along.

"No."

I wanted to take them, but I steeled my heart and separated them.

'Poppy and Chuchu are Clavis dogs who have inherited the title for generations.'

Meaning the imperial family knows of their existence.

If I took them and they were discovered, it would be a big problem, so I had to leave them behind.

'Damn, I was so happy thinking they'd be a great asset...'

Nothing seems to go my way.

Besides, having these small long-haired Chihuahuas fight for us wouldn't look good either.

Still, I decided to protect their pride.

"If we're late or something happens, you two are the only ones who can protect the villagers. We need to be prepared."

Whether they understood me or not, Poppy and Chuchu's drooping tails started wagging again.

I hugged them tightly and gave them kisses.

"Don't bite the villagers too much. Don't force anyone who doesn't want to train. And listen to Libby unnie."

At that, their tails drooped again.

'My dogs, honestly...'

They had bad tempers.

"Well, we're off!"

I waved to the villagers who had come to see us off.

"Come back safely!"

"Don't get hurt!"

"Unnie, bring back something tasty!"

"We'll study hard!"

"Come back soon!"

Click—.

And so I, Ian, Verity, and Aunt Nema crossed the village hall door and arrived directly at the Deste mansion.

"Good heavens..."

Aunt Nema, overwhelmed by the sudden change in scenery, kept looking around.

"Hebenia, you're really amazing."

"Oh, I suppose so."

I humbly agreed.

Before leaving the mansion, Verity handed each of us a ring.

It was a ring set with a small, unnamed tawny gemstone.

"It's a magical tool that changes hair color. Keep it on you."

When I put it on my finger as instructed, the loose ring shrank to fit perfectly.

Then the gemstone began to glow faintly.

Soon, my chestnut hair turned tawny.

Ian and Aunt Nema's hair turned black.

Verity quickly came up with a cover story.

"Sir Ian and I are children of a wealthy merchant family, and you two are our bodyguards and attendants."

"Oppa, call me 'young lady'."

"Young lady, you've been sneaking snacks again, haven't you? Your belly's getting round."

"How insolent. You're fired."

I said solemnly, rubbing my round belly.

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