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「I'm Having a Baby」So My Husband Told Me

No One Wants This Kind of Serious Development

Translated by: S3

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

「This is...」

「It’s terrible, isn’t it?」

I gasped at her words. I thought 'terrible' wasn't strong enough.

The village was filled with a foul stench. The unmaintained state of the village meant there were only simple structures, like hastily erected tents with roofs placed on the desolate ground.

As I walked along what could barely be called a path, I caught sight of a person collapsed at the edge of my vision.

「We need to treat them...」

「Useless. That one is already dead.」

Death.

For the first time, I felt terror at how easily Nonnalie spoke that word.

「Forget that. The church is next. The only and most proper building in this village is the church. Wounded people are constantly being brought there.」

「Constantly?」

「Of course. Did you think a village bordering the Demonic Realm like this could live a peaceful, safe life?」

I didn't think so.

I have never encountered a demon or monster, but I've heard they suddenly appear in various places and torment people. However, if that were the case, I would expect the country to dispatch soldiers or for people to take defensive measures on their own.

「Doesn't the country... send guards?」

The face of my brother-in-law, Lord Rauldo, came to mind. The northernmost land of our motherland where he is stationed, Mushurudi. That area isn't threatened by demons, but by neighboring countries. Yet, it's so lively that it's a tourist destination, thanks entirely to the many people gifted in swordsmanship, like Lord Rauldo, who have been dispatched there.

But Nonnalie scoffed at my question.

「The king of this country is a piece of trash who won't spare any troops for this kind of thing.」

「...」

「Your country is nice, ruled by a competent king. But, little lady, the world is vast and there are countless countries. There are both competent kings and incompetent ones.」

Nonnalie smiled as she said that, but it was a cold, bitter smile.

「Still, for them, this is their birthplace. Moving away and abandoning it... well, those who can manage it do, but most people don't have that luxury and remain here.」

In other words, they would move if possible, even from their birthplace. But the fact that they can't is likely because of their livelihood.

「Even in a village like this, there is still a basic foundation for life.」

Glancing around, I saw something like a small market. Supplies are not completely non-existent, but they are sparse.

「Precisely because they are born in a village like this, sometimes strong warriors are raised.」

Saying that, Nonnalie stroked the sheath of her sword.

「Ms. Nonnalie, are you from this village...?」

「I'm the daughter of a heartless family that abandoned the village. My father was ruthless but had a talent for business, enough talent to move to a distant foreign country... your country. But I have never forgotten this village, where I lived until I was six.」

And so, the grown-up Nonnalie returned to this village, witnessed its devastating state... and then kidnapped me.

「What do you want from me?」

「I told you there are a lot of wounded people in the church, right? You should guess from that.」

「I see...」

So, I was brought here for healing.

Indeed, for me, a lack of medicine or medical knowledge is not a problem. I can heal far more perfectly than any quack doctor around.

However, my magic power has limits.

「The presence of wounded people means that demons and monsters are attacking?」

「The truth is a little different. You saw the big fissure over there, didn't you see the forest?」

「There was a dense forest.」

「Rare medicinal herbs grow there in large quantities.」

「Oh. Is there a way to get across?」

「A single, rickety suspension bridge. It frequently breaks, too, so repairing it is a pain.」

「So they cross over, putting themselves in danger of being attacked by monsters at any time, just to gather them.」

「For their livelihood, to sell for money... the people of this village risk their lives to live.」

Risking their lives to live.

It seems contradictory, yet I understand that this is the lifeline of the villagers.

「I understand. I will treat the wounded.」

「Hehe, how obedient. Are you sure you can handle a lot of people?」

「It depends on the number, but my magic power has limits. I can't do it all at once, but if I take a few days, I can manage...」

「Hah. But you seem to misunderstand something.」

「Yes?」

「Even if you heal everyone, I have no intention of sending you back to your country.」

「What?」

What does she mean?

To my tilted head, Nonnalie laughed as if it were obvious.

「As long as this village exists... as long as wounded people keep appearing, this village needs you. You're going to treat people here for the rest of your life, Light Magic User.」

「Wha—!? No, that's a bit too much...」

「What is it? You're not going to tell me you're abandoning the village, are you?」

Staring intently at me, I found myself unable to refute her.

Ah, I'm checkmated.