Extra 07 Dekan's Soft Heart
The lush, towering trees in the forest stand tall with their dense canopies, intertwining to form a natural barrier for the forest.
Even so, the leaves shimmered with a vibrant green light under the midday sun, swaying gently in the breeze and rustling softly, like a beautiful symphony of nature.
"Nothing's wrong."
Dekan gazed at the midday sky, answering Zestera's question absentmindedly.
He felt like he had wasted some time.
It's time to go home.
"She probably came to ask for directions, so I pointed out a shortcut to her, and she felt reassured and continued on her way."
Dekan turned to look at Zestera, who was clutching his clothes tightly, and smiled.
After all, how could an ordinary doctor possess high-level spatial magic items?
It doesn't make sense when you think about it.
To prevent Zestera overthinking, Dekan decided to slightly change his story to one that was both truthful and reasonable.
Although it sounds like blatant lying, and there's even a possibility that it's meant to fool people.
But it's definitely not because he's always being looked down upon by Zestera that he holds a grudge and decides to fool Zestera like a fool. Absolutely not.
"... Asking for directions?"
Hearing Dekan's matter-of-fact answer, Zestera stared at Dekan with wide eyes.
What nonsense are you spouting?
Do you really think I can't sense the killing intent emanating from that guy!?
Zestera had never felt such terrible malice from the cloaked woman.
It was as if they had already mistaken her and the doctor for two corpses the moment they met! How could they possibly be asking for directions?
She knew the doctor was a smart person.
But now he's saying this nonsense with a straight face.
Was he pretending to be stupid, genuinely stupid, or did he think she was stupid?
Oh no, my brain is a bit overloaded.
Zestera's small body began to sway slightly.
Suddenly, she jolted awake as if startled.
Regardless of what just happened.
It must have been this doctor who dealt with the enemy with swift and decisive skill!
Scared the enemy away in an instant? Annihilated them? Or even... eaten them?
If he's so terrifyingly strong, why does he usually pretend to be so innocent and ordinary? What are his true intentions?
"You, you're not a monster, are you?!"
Zestera grew increasingly frightened, wanting to back away but daring not to loosen her grip on Dekan's clothes.
"Well..."
Dekan stared at her comical appearance, speechless for a moment.
After all, the more this kid usually disliked him, the more dependent he seemed on him now.
It's truly heartbreaking.
"Don't worry, that cloaked woman isn't dead. I won't kill anyone indiscriminately!"
Dekan grinned.
"You should be able to tell that I have never had any ill intentions towards you, so don't worry."
Over the years, only heinous criminals like Evans and Fahim would have their lives ended by Dekan's own hand.
There was a time when he even doubted himself because of this.
Could it be that I'm actually the kind of person who's quite saintly?
After all, he was always reluctant and unwilling to kill the enemy.
Perhaps this is what true love is.
Only someone as kind-hearted as him would have this kind of trouble.
"..."
Dekan's innocent smile made Zestera even more frightened.
The doctor was still as cheerful as ever.
Yet, even in this situation, he could still laugh as if nothing was wrong, just like always.
That's a bit creepy...
"Then, where did she go?"
Zestera couldn't calm down until she knew the answer.
She was worried that the cloaked woman would suddenly show up at her door again tonight!
"Anyway, it's a very safe place, cozy and wonderful. I swear to my Goddess."
Dekan spoke frankly, his tone kind and devout.
Hearing Dekan swear an oath to the Goddess Tike, Zestera finally felt a little relieved.
She believed the doctor was telling the truth.
Zestera had always noticed the doctor's piety towards the statue of the Goddess whenever he came to church, no matter what.
"!!!"
Etc!
The cloaked woman is safe!
Wouldn't that Zestera in danger?!
"You, you, you tell me quickly, where is she...?"
Zestera's voice trembled again upon noticing the slight delay in the key point.
"... Uh, it's better if you don't know."
Dekan paused for a moment, seemingly understanding Zestera's thought process.
This little guy seems to have developed a psychological trauma from that cloaked woman.
That's correct.
After all, I've gotten used to the strength of ninth-tier enemies, so I don't feel anything when I see a seventh-tier baby.
But for a four-year-old child, the pressure of level seven might still be too terrifying.
Looking at Zestera, Dekan felt a pang of reluctance to tell her the truth.
If you found out she was in town, you probably wouldn't dare go back there for the rest of your life...
"Just trust me, you won't see her again. She won't dare show her face in front of you again."
He patted Zestera's head, assuring her firmly, and then started walking back towards the town.
"Really?"
Zestera still didn't dare let go, clutching Dekan's clothes and following closely behind him.
"Real."
Dekan answered without turning his head.
"Really?"
Zestera.
"Real."
Dekan nodded.
That's all.
Zestera two steps and asked a question each time.
Dekan patiently answered her, with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
The two engaged in a question-and-answer session.
I don't know how many times I repeated this along the way.
Until finally returning to the church in the town.