Under the villagers' watchful eyes, three figures stepped out of the Gate together. A calm, magnetic voice echoed across the square.
"Saving you was just incidental. If you want to thank someone, thank Enri."
Naohara walked out of the portal and glanced at the villagers bowing in gratitude before speaking softly.
He meant it. If he hadn't seen Enri shielding her little sister like that, he, Momonga, and Herohero would never have intervened.
Their original plan had only been to observe from the shadows, capture a few people for information, and then return to Nazarick.
When the villagers finally saw their saviors clearly, they froze.
A Dragonoid with horns and black scales, holding a massive blade.
A skeletal Undead in an ornate magic robe, gripping a staff carved with a dragon's head.
And a faceless, featureless purple humanoid whose very presence was unsettling.
The sheer visual impact left them at a loss. Some instinctively took a step back, fear and unease flickering across their faces.
"I-I'm sorry, three God-samas. Everyone just… just…"
Enri hurriedly looked at Naohara, trying to explain.
But even she didn't know how to phrase it. The villagers' fear was natural. If she hadn't been saved by them herself, she probably would have reacted the same way.
"It's fine. We understand."
Naohara exchanged a glance with Momonga and Herohero, then nodded at Enri to reassure her. They had expected this.
For ordinary people, not turning and running at the sight of them was already impressive enough.
After all, the three of them hardly looked trustworthy.
"Honored sirs, I apologize for the disrespect of the others."
After the brief shock passed, the village chief stepped forward and addressed them cautiously.
"No wonder you're the village chief. You're much better than the rest."
Herohero looked at the old man, then at the other villagers, his tone carrying a hint of approval.
In a world where magic existed, someone who could become village chief clearly had some capability.
"You flatter me. I only know that you saved us. Why would this old man fear his own saviors?"
The village chief bowed his head respectfully. His words were not only directed at them, but also meant for the villagers behind him.
The villagers were reminded of something important.
These people had saved them.
Why should they fear their benefactors? Just because of their appearance?
They had the courage to fight back against soldiers who slaughtered them. Yet they were afraid of the ones who saved them?
Realizing this, the fear in their eyes faded. In its place came guilt. One after another, they lowered their heads in apology.
"Don't worry. We'll protect this village."
"As long as Enri is here, I swear in the name of Nazarick that no one will harm you."
Naohara smiled at Enri as he spoke, and her face flushed instantly.
Momonga and Herohero nodded in agreement.
From the memories Herohero had absorbed, they already had a general understanding of this world's situation. Based on that assessment, protecting a single village would be no problem at all.
The only concern was whether there were hidden powerhouses somewhere out there. A mere soldier wouldn't know anything important.
That was why they planned to capture someone with real status next and see what they could learn.
"This old man is deeply grateful."
The village chief dropped to his knees, overcome with emotion, and kowtowed repeatedly to the three of them.
Even though they said it was because of Enri, he was still moved. As long as Enri was alive, their village would no longer face any threat.
Anyone capable of effortlessly subduing all those soldiers was someone he trusted without question.
The other villagers hurriedly knelt as well. They knew they were safe now. At the same time, they all stole glances at Enri, their eyes filled with gratitude.
They were alive because of her.
"Very well. Then go rebuild your village."
"We'll take care of the last bit of trouble."
"Enri, I hope you've grown stronger the next time we meet."
After giving a few instructions, Naohara looked at Enri once more before saying goodbye.
He handed her a bracelet. Its effect was simple: double experience gain to speed up leveling, capped at level 30, roughly the strength of a Warrior-Captain.
Momonga gave her a book—a class book. Once she reached level 20, she could use it to change her class and become a Beast Tamer.
It was an experiment. Momonga wanted to see whether someone from this world could change into a game class.
Seeing the other two give gifts, Herohero felt awkward giving nothing. He took out a ring—an old piece of equipment he had replaced long ago. It could generate a protective barrier once per day, capable of blocking a single fourth-tier spell.
"I'll work hard, Naohara-sama, Momonga-sama, Herohero-sama. Thank you."
Wearing Naohara's bracelet and Herohero's ring, and clutching Momonga's book to her chest, Enri spoke with tears in her eyes.
Momonga and Herohero nodded kindly in response.
Then the three of them activated teleportation magic once more and disappeared. They had only stopped by to see Enri safely back.
Now, they needed to check on their target. After being trapped for so long, those people were probably getting anxious.
...
Not long after they left, another Gate opened in the same spot.
The villagers and Enri, who had been about to disperse, stopped in confusion.
Hadn't they just left?
How could they be back so soon?
But what truly frightened them was that the ones stepping out were not the three from before.
Three figures emerged from the pitch-black portal—one man and two women.
The man wore light blue armor and held a long spear crackling faintly with electricity at its tip. Beneath his helmet, dark golden dragon eyes scanned the surroundings.
Beside him stood Albedo in black armor and Shalltear in crimson armor, both observing the area as well.
They held their weapons—a massive black battle-axe and a pipette-shaped lance.
An overwhelming pressure descended upon the villagers.
They were slammed to the ground instantly, unable to move, just like the soldiers earlier—reduced to lambs awaiting slaughter.
"Father-sama's aura is still here. He must have left not long ago."
Sephis sensed the faint lingering dragon aura and spoke to Albedo and Shalltear.
"Then we should hurry and catch up. Sephis, can you tell which direction?"
Albedo asked urgently. Right now, she only wanted to return to Momonga's side.
"No problem. South. There's spatial disturbance in that direction—likely left behind by Father-sama and the others."
After focusing for a moment, Sephis pointed south.
"Since we've found the trail, what about these humans?"
Shalltear's crimson eyes shifted to the villagers she had ignored before. There was a playful edge in her voice.
"Filthy humans. Kill them."
"Hurry, Shalltear. Don't waste time."
Albedo said expressionlessly. She had no fondness for humans. In her eyes, they were nothing but insects.
The moment she saw Shalltear's eyes and sharp fangs, she understood her state. That was why she urged her to act quickly.
"All right. Then I won't hold back."
Shalltear laughed and vanished in a blur, moving too fast for the eye to follow.
Her Spuit Lance thrust straight toward a blonde girl.
Enri watched helplessly. She wanted to resist—but she couldn't move.
Just like the soldiers before her, she was completely immobilized. All she could do was shut her eyes and wait in terror for death.
"Naohara-sama… Momonga-sama… Herohero-sama… It seems I won't be able to keep my promise."