I'm a Goddess to Be Devoured by the Protagonist - Chapter 53

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 53
Shortly after, servants brought a portrait and showed it to him. It depicted a blonde woman with green eyes, wearing a faint smile.
This was the daughter the Duke sought.
“If you succeed, I’ll give you whatever reward I can offer.”
It was an extraordinarily generous condition.
“Then, could you give me the Family Heirloom?”
“What did you just say?!”
The retainer beside him cried out in astonishment.
“That heirloom — it’s not something you can give to an outsider like you!”
“Wait.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Duke quieted his retainer with a gesture.
“You’re asking for the Family Heirloom?”
“That’s correct.”
“I’ll give it to you. If you can bring my daughter back.”
“Your Grace! Surely you don’t mean that!”
The retainer raised his voice once more.
It was understandable to ask for such a thing when someone was demanding the heirloom.
I had told Sirius to ask for the Family Heirloom, yet I understood that reaction all the same.
“My family’s heirloom was usable even in my grandfather’s time. Why waste it, keeping it locked away in the manor when it can’t even be used anymore?”
“But still……”
“I understand your concern. However, surely our daughter matters more than a heirloom we cannot even use.”
“You’re right……”
In the end, the Duke’s persuasion carried the day, and they agreed to give up the heirloom.
“Be careful. No one who’s gone there has ever returned.”
The Duke muttered his parting words without hope.
But such dark rumors were useless before a protagonist who had grown stronger.
* * *
The place Sirius reached was, surprisingly, not far from the Capital.
This nameless village, like the village where Sirius first appeared, lay in ruins.
“The monsters here are quite formidable.”
Sirius murmured quietly, informing me of the strength of the creatures.
“It would be best to avoid combat as much as possible rather than face them directly.”
[ ( ᐛ) (　 ᐕ)₎₎ ]
[‘The Listener Who Draws Lines of Destiny’ is rooting for you.]
“Thank you.”
Sirius pressed himself against the wall and moved, evading the monsters’ line of sight.
Where could the Lady of the Ranunculus Family be?
That was when I thought it.
A woman appeared from the opposite direction. Her dress, which must once have been beautiful, was torn in several places.
We recognized at once that she was the Lady of the Ranunculus Family.
“Quiet.”
The Lady held a finger to her lips and whispered with a resolute expression.
“Father sent you, didn’t he? Come with me.”
The Lady beckoned him toward her.
Seeing Sirius in the Ranunculus Family uniform, that was evidently her conclusion.
The place the Lady led him to was the Survivor Camp.
There were a few adults and several children scattered among them. Counting the Lady, there were fewer than ten people in total.
“This place is……”
“All the villagers who are still alive. I’ve gathered them here.”
The Lady answered Sirius’s question with evident pride.
“You came to take me back, didn’t you? But I’ve decided to leave with these people. If you want to take me, you have to take all of them too.”
As a note, in the original work it was stated that because there were so many people, the Teleportation Stone could only move one or two people at a time, making it impossible to take everyone at once.
But it also couldn’t be done in multiple trips. Considering the fear of those who would be left behind.
This had been communicated to Sirius beforehand as part of the Mission.
“The monsters outside are quite strong. Rather than exterminating them all, we should consider abandoning this village and leaving.”
At Sirius’s words, several startled children approached.
“What about our homes……?”
“We’ve lived in this village all this time……”
“This village is beyond saving.”
At Sirius’s words, the children’s faces fell.
Good grief. The taciturn protagonist strikes again.
Fortunately, Sirius seemed to catch his own mistake and continued.
“You’ll be able to settle and live elsewhere.”
“Really……?”
“Since the world changed, many facilities have been established for children like you.”
It was true enough. Though I had no idea what those facilities actually looked like.
So many children had lost their homes—I wondered if they’d burst at the seams.
But there was nothing for it. All I could do was donate whatever money I had left.
“Is there anyone among you capable of combat?”
“Just me. Everyone who could fight died battling the monsters.”
Lady responded and held up a spear that was clearly hastily made. I examined her by pressing down on my power.
[Spear Mastery]
[A natural gift with the spear.]
This ability must have helped the people here survive this long.
It was a shame the sponsorship shop had no spears in stock. I thought the old equipment set might be better than her current one.
[Sponsorship message from your contracted deity, ‘Listener Who Draws Lines of Destiny’]
[ (ง •̀ᴗ•́)ง ]
[Sponsored item: Old Shield×10]
Instead, I could provide shields.
Old shields of rectangular shape rained down from empty air. Lady and the survivors watched in astonishment.
“W-what is this……?”
“It would be difficult to explain.”
Sirius chose to move past it rather than reveal my existence. Fortunately, the people didn’t ask where the shields had suddenly come from.
“My plan is to block all sides with the shields and move forward. What do you think?”
“As long as I can get out with everyone else, I don’t mind.”
Lady and the villagers prepared to depart.
“Will we really be able to leave this time?”
“We have to…….”
The people looked at Sirius with the distrust that had accumulated over time.
“I’ll take the lead and block as many attacks as possible.”
“Then I’ll help with the movement from behind.”
“Wait. Take this with you.”
[Guardian’s Necklace]
[Absorbs a certain amount of impact directed at the wearer.]
“Oh, is it an item? Thank you.”
Kind Sirius handed the item to Lady.
It was painful to give away such an item, but thinking of obtaining a Family Heirloom made it worthwhile.
And so the people left the Survivor Camp, moving very slowly and silently.
“If anything goes wrong, we’re turning back immediately. Keep that in mind.”
“Understood.”
Not long after, the heavy thuds of a monster’s footsteps echoed—Thump, thump.
“Let’s pass while the monster isn’t looking at us.”
When the monster wasn’t watching, they hurried past.
“Growl?”
When the monster turned to look behind, there was no one.
One of the survivors covered the mouth of a young child who was about to cry out in fear at the monster’s appearance.
The people moved quietly again.
How many monsters did they pass this way?
“Cackle cackle!”
They’d been spotted. This was bad.
The monster fired a projectile. Fortunately, Sirius deflected the attack with his shield.
His sword, infused with Aura, moved swiftly, slashing through the monster.
The monster’s corpse didn’t fall straight to the ground. Sirius caught it carefully to prevent noise, lowering it slowly.
“Oh, you’ve got some skill. At this rate you’ll really have to take me with you,” Lady whispered in admiration.
Lady murmured in wonder.
Sirius didn’t seem to have time to hear her praise—he merely looked quietly around.
“Once we pass that point, there will be no more monsters.”
“Phew.”
“Thank goodness.”
The people exhaled in relief.
They were about to cross the village’s boundary when it happened.
Crack!
Someone had stepped on a dry branch, and the sound rang out sharply.
Sirius’s eyes snapped open.
Run! All of you!
At his cry, the crowd scattered in blind panic.
Only Sirius and Lady remained behind.
Yet Lady seemed oddly out of place, glancing about the surroundings.
Ah. It should be here somewhere. Hmm, where is it…
What are you looking for?
My weapon. I dropped it somewhere nearby. Oh, there it is.
The spear Lady held was as beautiful as her dress.
Now then, shall we begin?
The true battle had commenced.
* * *
Knight of the Ranunculus Family, I offer my gratitude. Thanks to you, I can see my daughter’s face again.
Sirius’s current position was that of a knight in the Ranunculus Family—and through no effort of his own, the Ranunculus Family received the praise.
Then I shall give you the Family Heirloom.
Father, wasn’t that supposed to be mine?
I promised it to this knight as the condition for bringing you back.
Tch. What a shame.
Lady merely clicked her tongue, but she did not ask Sirius to return the heirloom.
Thanks to you, everyone made it safely. Our household even provided funds to help them find a new place to live. Of course, the money you gave us was delivered properly as well.
Lady praised Sirius’s accomplishments.
Guardian’s Necklace
Absorbs a certain amount of impact directed at the wearer.
And please take this back with you. This is a fine item, isn’t it? It seems like the kind of thing our family couldn’t easily purchase even with all our wealth.
Sirius accepted the item as though it were nothing of note.
But why did you venture to such a place?
He asked why she had gone there—a place that seemed to have no business with a lady of the household.
I heard they sold beautiful spears there, so I went. But suddenly monsters attacked, and that’s how it all happened.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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