Jotaro was left speechless by Ronin's words.
—W-what did you say...?
—What you heard —Ronin repeated calmly—. You are going to destroy the kingdom of Xylonia.
—That can't be true! —Jotaro exclaimed, shaking his head—. I would never destroy the kingdom! And why would I?
Ronin shrugged indifferently.
—I don't know.
Jotaro looked at him in disbelief.
—What do you mean, you don't know?
—But I know you're planning something —said Ronin firmly.
Jotaro sighed, placing a hand on his face. Did he hit his head or something? he thought. Then he asked aloud:
—And why are you so sure of that?
—I had a vision.
—A vision?
—Yes. A few days ago, while I was sleeping, I saw a very clear image... I was with several people whose faces I couldn't see. The kingdom was in ruins, covered in flames, and in the midst of all the chaos... you were there.
Jotaro's eyes widened in shock.
—And that's why you want to kill me? To stop it from happening?
—Exactly —Ronin replied, raising his sword.
—Wait, do you seriously think I, a demigod, would destroy an entire kingdom? Doesn't that sound illogical to you?
Ronin hesitated for a moment and slightly lowered his weapon.
—Now that you mention it... yes, it is strange.
—See? Then it's not me. Destroying a kingdom goes against my principles.
Ronin sheathed his sword.
—You're right. Normally, demigods wouldn't attack humans.
Finally, he's coming to his senses... Jotaro thought with relief.
At that moment, Kira, who was lying unconscious on Jotaro's lap, began to stir.
—Huh? Where am I...? —she asked, dazed.
—You're awake, Kira? —Jotaro said gently—. It's me, Jotaro. Are you okay?
—I'm fine... but I'd be better with a piece of meat.
Jotaro smiled with resignation.
—You're hopeless...
Ronin turned around, getting ready to leave. As he walked away, he said without looking back:
—Well, goodbye.
—Hey, wait! —Jotaro called out.
Ronin stopped and turned with curiosity.
Kira looked up, still groggy, and upon seeing Ronin, she jumped.
—Ah! It's Ronin! —she shouted, still shaken from the beating she had taken.
—Just now you realize he's here? —Jotaro commented ironically.
Ronin asked:
—Why did you want me to stop?
—I want to ask you about that vision you had.
—Why do you care?
—Because I'm curious... You said the kingdom will be destroyed, right?
—Yes, that's what I saw in my dream —Ronin answered seriously.
Kira heard and was alarmed.
—What do you mean the kingdom will be destroyed, Jotaro?!
—Well... yes —Jotaro admitted.
—And who will destroy it?
—Him —Ronin replied, pointing directly at Jotaro.
—Jotaro? Are you crazy? He would never do that! —Kira protested.
—You might be right. But let me tell you this —even those we think we know everything about can still surprise us... —Ronin said before finally walking away.
Jotaro watched him leave in silence, then looked at Kira.
—I think we should go too. Don't you think?
—Yeah —she nodded, standing up with some difficulty.
They walked together toward the temple. As they approached, a group of villagers ran toward them, concerned.
—Demigod Jotaro! Are you alright?
—Did anything happen to you?
Jotaro raised a hand calmly.
—I'm fine, don't worry.
—But he kicked you really hard —an old lady commented.
—It was nothing —Jotaro replied, trying to reassure them.
As they talked, Jotaro noticed several people gathered around a table.
—What's going on over there?
—That's the girl who came with you —a man replied—. The one you called Aiko.
—Let's go, Kira —Jotaro said, moving forward.
They both approached. The villagers stepped aside upon seeing them.
—Oh, Demigod Jotaro —an elder exclaimed in surprise.
Aiko was lying unconscious on the table. But just then, she slowly opened her eyes.
—Aiko? Are you okay? —Jotaro asked.
—Jotaro...? Kira...? Where's Ronin...? —she whispered.
Before Jotaro could answer, Kira spoke up:
—He ran away like a coward before Jotaro's incredible strength!
—Huh?
—Is that true, Jotaro? —Aiko asked, doubtful.
—No, it's not... He just left. Though... I guess you could say he spared me.
—I see —Aiko said.
She tried to get off the table, but her legs were weak. Jotaro quickly held her.
—Are you alright?
—Yes... thanks, Jotaro —she replied with a faint smile.
—You need to be more careful —Kira added.
—I will.
A villager approached Jotaro.
—Excuse me, Demigod Jotaro.
Jotaro looked at the man.
—My friends and I just wanted to know if you're okay after that blow to the head.
—I'm fine, really —Jotaro assured him.
—We're very glad to hear that —the men said, relieved.
—Thanks for your concern.
A woman called to them from afar.
—Looks like we're being called. If you'll excuse us, Demigod Jotaro —the man said.
—Of course, go ahead —Jotaro replied.
Once they left, Aiko turned to him.
—Hey, Jotaro... don't you think we should take the ogre's corpse to the guild?
—You're right, I almost forgot. But... are you sure you can walk?
—Yes, my legs are just a bit weak from Ronin's blows.
—He hit you in the legs?
—No, in the abdomen. But they were very strong...
—I think he overdid it a little —Jotaro muttered.
—A little?! He way overdid it —Kira added.
—Well, what's done is done. We'd better head to the guild.
—And where's the ogre's body? —Aiko asked.
—Good question... —said Kira—. I haven't seen it since yesterday.
—Don't worry, I hid it inside the temple —Jotaro revealed.
—Really? —Aiko asked.
—Yeah, so no one took it.
—Good, then we just need to take it to the guild and finish the task —Aiko said.
—Yeah —Jotaro agreed.
Jotaro looked at Kira.
—Kira, could you bring the ogre's corpse, please?
—Why me?
—Because if you do, I'll buy you a big piece of meat just for you.
—...You're a good negotiator, Jotaro. Be right back —Kira said, heading to the temple.
—By the way, the corpse is in your room —Jotaro added.
—In my room? —Kira shouted.
—Uh... yeah.
—What do you mean it's in my room?!
—Well... I couldn't find another place to hide it —Jotaro said, scratching his neck.
—Didn't you think that would make my room reek?!
—Sorry about that —Jotaro replied.
—It's going to stink horribly!! You owe me two huge pieces of meat!
—Deal.
Kira left grumbling.
—I probably shouldn't have put the ogre in Kira's room... but there was no other place —Jotaro said.
—Well, at least you know how to make it up to her, right? —Aiko said.
—Yeah, I have to buy two big pieces of meat. Oh well... that's what I get for using Kira's room without permission.
Meanwhile, Aiko laughed softly. Carefully, she got off the table.
—We should help her. That way she won't be so mad.
—Are you sure? Your legs aren't weak anymore?
—Don't worry, I feel much better now.
They went to the temple together and just as they opened the door, they saw Kira with the corpse at the entrance. Hearing footsteps, Jotaro slammed the door shut.
They waited for the villagers to pass. Once they were gone, he opened it again.
—For slamming the door in my face, now I want three pieces of meat —Kira demanded.
—Alright...
—No one around? —Kira asked.
—No, you can come out.
Kira stepped out and threw the corpse on the ground.
—Why are you tossing it like that? —Jotaro asked.
—Because it stinks!
Jotaro approached but immediately coughed.
—Okay, you're right... This does stink. I'll put up a barrier to neutralize the smell.
He cast a spell over the body.
—There, done.
—It doesn't smell anymore —Kira confirmed, lifting it with ease.
—Then let's go to the guild —Aiko said.
—There's still one problem —Jotaro interrupted—. I don't know how to leave without the villagers noticing.
—Then are you staying? —Aiko asked.
—For now, yeah. I want to make sure they're okay before I leave.
—Then Aiko and I will go to the guild —Kira said.
But a voice interrupted.
—Don't worry, that won't be necessary.
The three turned. An old woman was approaching, accompanied by two men and a woman.
—T-t-this isn't what it looks like! —Jotaro stammered.
The old woman smiled calmly.
—Relax, Demigod Jotaro. We won't say anything.
—Really?
—Yes, so don't be scared.
—Okay... may I ask how much of the conversation you heard?
—We heard the whole thing —they all said.
—I figured...
The old woman placed a hand on his shoulder.
—You can go if you want. We'll make sure no one finds out.
—Really?
—We know you want to explore the world, but you've stayed because you care about this village, haven't you?
Her words struck something in Jotaro's heart.
—Go on, explore the world —the old woman said with a smile.
Jotaro nodded firmly.
—Yes!
He looked at Kira and Aiko.
—Shall we go?
—Yes —Kira and Aiko replied.
Jotaro looked at the old woman and said goodbye. Then, Jotaro and Kira began walking toward the kingdom.
—Do you really think she won't tell anyone? —Kira asked.
—I don't know, but I'm sure that old lady is very kind —Jotaro replied with a smile.