Chapter 5

In a small village on the eastern border of the Theilum Holy Kingdom, a commotion occurred three years ago during the war with the Demon Kingdom, when the village, which had managed to avoid major damage, received an unexpected visitor.

The notorious criminal, Mathis Lutius, known as the "Hero Killer," was sent to the village.

Despite being of common birth, he had attained the rank of baron, which was not revoked. However, a magical device for surveillance was placed around his neck, and he was settled in a hut in the forest, a short distance from the village.

The villagers were perplexed.

After all, he was the "Hero Killer," a major criminal who should have been executed. It seemed he had cleverly managed to secure a reduced sentence. The hard-won peace was about to be disrupted.

At the same time, they were terrified.

Although his swordsmanship and magic were below average, he was a man who had risen through his intellect. No one knew what harm he might cause if he were angered.

For about half a year, the villagers lived in fear as he remained secluded in his hut—until one day, the barrier protecting the hut reacted.

Zig, who had been on high alert, smiled gently.

"Don't worry, no one with hostile intentions can enter. It seems someone from the village has come to visit."

Zig stood up, put the book back on the shelf, and stepped through a teleportation spell—

"Master Sage! Grandma has a fever! Please, can you examine her!"

A well-built young man was banging on the door of the hut. He had rushed over from his farm work, his face and clothes covered in dirt.

"Mr. Conny, please calm down first."

Zig opened the door and greeted him. Since moving into the hut, he had been practicing medicine alongside his magical research. Gradually, the villagers' suspicions had faded, and he had become an indispensable part of the village.

The young man, Conny, pulled Zig along and pointed to the back of the cart. An old woman was wrapped in a thin cloth, looking very uncomfortable.

"Have you given her any medicine to reduce the fever?"

"Y-Yes, but it's not working at all..."

"I see. Let's treat her right away. Felis, can you help carry the old lady?"

"Of course."

Felis, who had been standing behind Zig, responded. She effortlessly lifted the old woman and carried her into the hut.

"It's likely that she has been poisoned by something."

"Poison...? But my family and I ate the same thing, and we're fine?"

"Some people can react to minor poisons even if they are harmless to others. Especially in the elderly, the symptoms can be more severe."

Zig smiled reassuringly at the worried Conny.

"Don't worry. She'll be fine once she takes the medicine. Please wait inside."

Zig led Conny back into the hut.

The hut was divided into two rooms: one for Zig and Felis to live in, and a small room for examinations. He left Conny in the other room and entered the examination room, where the old woman was lying on a bed.

"Master, what herbs should I prepare?"

"No, it would be a waste of time to boil the medicine. I'll handle it here."

Even though it would take time for the medicine to take effect, he didn't want to let her suffer any longer.

Zig placed his hand on the old woman's forehead. A small ball of light appeared in his palm and was absorbed into her forehead. Her expression became peaceful, and she began to breathe steadily.

"Did you just use a detoxification, sleep, and health recovery spell...? Is that a... composite spell?"

"Yes, the one I mentioned earlier."

"I'm amazed. It was as smooth as casting a single spell."

"Once you get the hang of it, it's not that difficult. You can master the combination of low-level spells quickly."

Felis blinked in surprise.

(Recovery and mental interference spells are usually high-level when used individually...)

Zig left the room and told Conny, who was pacing nervously, with a smile.

"The treatment is complete. She'll be fine now."

Conny's face brightened, and he took Zig's hand, tears in his eyes.

"Thank you, Master. Thank you so much! I don't know what I would have done without you..."

In such a rural town, it was rare to have a doctor who could make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe medicine. Recovery magic, especially detoxification, was difficult to perform, and few could do it. Of course, "Mathis" couldn't use much magic, so he kept it a secret that he had healed her with magic.

"She should wake up soon. When you get home, give her light meals and let her rest."

While the old woman was waking up, Zig sat Conny down and served him tea, asking about the village while they chatted.

"Things are peaceful. Thanks to your medicine, everyone is energetic. I was really worried when Grandma's fever wouldn't go down."

Zig prepared medicine and took it to the village, giving it to the mayor to keep as a stock. He also made and repaired farming tools and hunting equipment, making himself useful in various ways.

Unbeknownst to the villagers, a barrier similar to the one around the hut was set up around the village, preventing hostile people and dangerous animals from entering and alerting Zig and Felis.

"Everyone misses you, Master. You haven't been seen around lately."

Conny continued earnestly, though in a casual tone.

"Why don't you move into the village? Not to use you, but everyone in the village has accepted you."

Zig shook his head.

"But I'm a criminal. I don't think it's a good idea to get too close."

"No way!"

Conny slammed his hand on the table.

"S-Sorry, I got carried away... At first, we all doubted you. We thought you were a troublemaker and looked at you with suspicion. But now, no one believes you betrayed the Hero. Everyone thinks you were framed by the nobles in the Holy Capital."

Zig's chest ached at the clear sincerity in Conny's eyes.

He felt that the villagers' trust was built on a lie.

(I just didn't want to tarnish my best friend's reputation...)

He had been acting as the kind and helpful "Mathis Lutius." It was just a series of actions he had taken.

If he had been sent to the village as "Zig Andreas," how would he have behaved?

He couldn't even imagine it.

"No, but you're too good for this rural place. I look forward to the day your name is cleared, and you can shine in the Holy Capital."

As they talked, the old woman woke up, and Conny took her back to the village. When the cart disappeared into the trees,

"Felis, please escort them back to the village."

The village wasn't far, and there were no dangerous creatures nearby, only wild boars. However, Zig's words carried weight.

"Understood."

Felis took off without asking for a reason, leaping gracefully from branch to branch.

Zig, instead of returning to the hut, walked into the forest in the opposite direction of the village. His steps were leisurely, as if he were going for a stroll, but—

"Well, I should entertain another guest."

He smiled slyly, his eyes gleaming like a predator who had spotted its prey.