How to get Healed at Demon Farm

After leaving Kaldinium, the carriage slowly headed towards Elden Village. 

“……..” 

“……" 

There was a heavy silence inside the carriage. 

Lia didn't seem to have felt the need to talk, while Reville and Lagos closed their mouths and just stared at me. 

I couldn't stand the awkward atmosphere, so I turned and talked to Lia quietly. 

"Lia. It's so different from what I thought." 

"What do you mean?" 

"I thought Ester was an ordinary honorary position. The people in the city, and the two people in the front are completely froze when heard the word Ester and didn’t even breathe properly in front of me. Why?" 

I thought Ester was something similar to "honorary police officer" or "public relations ambassador" in Korea, 

However, Ester's influence doesn’t seem to be a small one. 

While we were leaving the city, rumors spread, and crowds flocked around the wagon. 

"Ester is definitely an ordinary honorary position. But the issue was who appointed you in that position." 

“Doesn't the Demon Lord appoint all the Esters?" 

"No. Each of the four major families of Demon realm can appoint a Ester. Formally, it's the same Ester, but the Demon Lord’s Ester always possessed a different meaning compared to others in the minds of people." 

I nodded as if I understood, while I was still processing the data I heard in my head. 

"I didn't know it was such a meaningful position since Boss and other people in the Demon Farm didn’t treat it like something special." 

"You might have felt that way because Mr.Kaneff, Mr.Andras, and Mr.Ryan were all Esters." 

"What?" 

"Oh, didn't I tell you? Mr.Andras and Mr.Ryan were appointed by their respective families, while Mr.Kaneff was appointed as a Ester by the previous Demon Lord." 

Oh my. 

Now I can understand why everyone reacted like that when they heard the name Ester.

By the way, why such big shots are in-charge of a farm.? 

Thanks to Lia's explanation, I was able to solve the questions I had so far. 

And it made me reconsider my ideas on the position called Ester.  

While talking, the carriage got closer to Elden Village.  

I turned towards the two people who were still conscious of me. 

"Excuse me, you two?" 

– Flinch! 

– Flinch! 

I sighed softly at the sight of the two people getting nervous, just by hearing my voice.  

"Haah. It's very uncomfortable.” 

“Can you guys act like before? I used the status of  Ester to help you, not to be treated like this."  

When I spoke my honest feelings, the two looked at each other with a very complicated expression. 

Then Lagos opened his mouth first. 

"Honestly, we still can't believe it. You said you had the status of a noble, but I didn't expect that you would be an Ester." 

"I thought it would be a noble family in namesake…"  

"I didn't hide it on purpose. Even I didn't know that it was such a huge position since I was just recently appointed as a Ester. I'm sorry."  

Lagos shook his head in surprise. 

"I didn't think that you fooled us. It's just that… I am extremely grateful to you that, now I am confused about how to act in front of you." 

Reville nodded his head at the words of Lagos. 

“You don’t have to feel burdened. I didn't do much.” 

“It might be a small thing for Sihyeon, but because of you many residents of Elden Village will be able to lead their peaceful life. Thank you so much."  

The two bowed their heads toward me at the same time. 

I was a little embarrassed, but I didn't stop them.

I accepted their gratitude.  

“It’s okay. We're supposed to help each other when in troublesome times. There will be a day when I might need help too. So if possible, help me during that time.” 

“Of course. We’ll do whatever Mr.Sihyeon wants."  

"Hmm, then for starter, how about stop using the honorifics. It actually feels like you are afraid of me." 

“That…….I did that to protect Sihyeon's face in a public place. It's not like I'm intimidated or anything!” 

“ Really….It didn’t felt like that.”

“Hahaha!” 

"Hahaha!" 

A warm laughter came out of the carriage for the first time after a long time.  

The awkward atmosphere of the carriage disappeared. 

Soon after, the entrance to the familiar Elden Village began to be seen. 

⏩⏩⏩⏩⏩⏩

As soon as Reville and Lagos arrived in the village, they prepared to gather people.  

They informed about the good news that the mercenaries will be coming along with the Merchant’s visit.

And for the time being, both of them decided to remain silent about my status.  

I also thought that it was not yet time to reveal it to the villagers.  

When the wagon reached Racoon grandpa’s store, Speranza came running towards me from the store. 

There were wreaths on her head and flower bracelets on her arms. 

“Speranza..! Did you had fun?" 

As soon as I got off the wagon, I took her in my arms. 

"Oh my! Did you miss me a lot? You didn't even care about me when I went out earlier." 

To be honest, I was a little disappointed when she only cared about the flower bracelet, while leaving the village, but seeing her welcoming me like this melted my disappointed feelings. 

“Bubuuuuu.”  

"Huh? What's wrong ?" 

Speranza suddenly pulled my arm and tried to put something in my wrist. 

It was a flower bracelet made a little sloppily.  

However, there was no way that the flower bracelet made based on Speranza's small hand would fit in my hand. 

Instead, I put the flower bracelet on my index finger and middle finger like a ring. 

"Did Speranza make this?" 

-Nod Nod. 

It was ragged as if it would tear off if I put a little force on it, but the corners of my mouth went up when I thought that Speranza, made this while thinking about me. 

"Thank you. You did a great job".  

At my compliment, Speranza’s pointed ears pricked up and she smiled brightly. 

It was a happier and more touching moment than when I received colorful ornaments. 

"Uncle! When did you come?" 

“Just now, and Miru, Thank you so much for playing with Speranza." 

"Hehehe. I taught her how to make a flower bracelet and I made a wreath for her."  

"Thank you so much. I owe Miru today?"  

She asked in a subtle tone, while twisting her body. 

"I heard there are a lot of fun and cool things in the city. Did you buy any gifts for me?" 

"Hahaha! For Miru who worked hard today, shall we find is there any gift from what's inside the carriage?" 

"Can I see it, too?" 

"Of course." 

"Hehehehe!!" 

The excited Miru jumped onto the wagon like a bullet.  

I burst into laughter and followed her into the carriage with Speranza.  

I chose an appropriate gift for Mirum from the gifts given by Mr.Ergin.

I gave Miru, a pocket full of rare fruits and a pretty headdress, and for Racoon grandpa, I gave a fruit liquor in a luxurious bottle. 

Both of them seemed to like the gifts, so their ends of mouth almost reached up to their ears.   

They begged me to tell me more stories about what happened in the city, but since I had to go back before it was too late, I promised them that I would say it the next time. 

⏩⏩⏩⏩⏩⏩

On the way back to the farm. 

In the slow-moving carriage, I peeled the fruit he received as a gift and feed it in Speranza's mouth. 

– Munch munch munch munch munch munch munch munch munch. 

The little fox girl slightly pulled my collar as if saying she liked the fruit.  

I peeled the fruit again and took it to her cute little mouth. 

But then Speranza took the fruit in her hand and stretched it towards me. 

"Huh? Are you giving it to me?" 

– Nod. 

When I received the fruit and ate it, Speranza smiled brightly. 

Once again, she received the fruit from me by hand, and this time she gave it to Lia. 

"Thank you, Speranza." 

Speranza continued to take the fruit and gave it to me and Lia alternately, as if it was fun. 

The little fox girl, who had been busy for a while, got tired and fell asleep in my arms. 

Lia whispered in my ears, being careful of not waking Speranza. 

"She fell asleep right away." 

"Yes. I guess she had fun with Miru while we were in the city." 

“Ah! By the way Lia… Take this." 

“What?"

I handed over a box of jewelry to Lia. 

She came out of the surprise after a while, and changed her eyes towards the box. 

"It's a gift from Ergin, but I don't think there would be any chance for me using this. I want Lia to have it." 

"But… I… I…" 

"Hurry up. My arm hurts…… it's heavier than I thought." 

Lia half forced accepted the box. 

After hesitating several times, she opened the box. 

Inside, necklaces decorated with red jewels were neatly placed. 

"I took a quick look at it while we were in Elden village. I thought it might look good on you." 

"Can I really receive something like this?"

"Of course. You helped me the most since Day 1 at Demon farm." 

"… Thank you. I'll cherish it." 

She carefully hugged the box tightly in her arms. 

I nodded my head with joy. 

“Sihyeon……..do you know…?” 

"…?" 

“You are the first person to give me a gift. I will treasure this gift.” 

"…Hmmm." 

Lia smiled with a bright face.  

The smile, which seemed to be teasing me but sincere, was more beautiful than the red jewel inside the jewelry box. 

So I couldn't look at her face properly until we get to the farm. 

Speranza’s calm breathing and Lia's cheerful humming flowed throughout the carriage.  

I got mesmerized in it while looking at the sunset, which colored the sky red far away. 

While keeping my eyes haIf-open and looking at the sky, a thought flashed in my head. 

If it really helps to keep the people around me happy . 

Being a Ester… 

Is not bad. 

⏩⏩⏩⏩⏩⏩

It was the day of my mother's regular checkup. 

Last time, I couldn't be with her since I was busy, but this time, I took a day off in advance and forcibly followed her.  

I heard some criticism from my mother, for taking the day off, but this time, I wanted to meet the doctor in person and hear more details about mother’s condition. 

"Lim Sihyeon. Come inside." 

“Mom, let's go in." 

I entered the clinic according to the guidance. 

After briefly greeting a doctor, who was in his 50s sitting in a chair, I sat down with a nervous mind. 

"Hmm…" 

The doctor looked at the test results he received today for a long time.  

I became a little nervous seeing him taking long time. 

"Patient Lee Saya. You got tested 3 months ago, right?" 

"Yes." 

"Haha. This is…" 

“Am I in a bad condition?" 

"No. It's the opposite." 

After briefly bursting into laughter, he explained by displaying the video on the monitor screen.  

"This is right after the surgery, that is, three months ago, and the one over there is the one we got today. This is the area where the surgery was performed, and the condition has improved significantly compared to three months ago. Blood tests also show very good levels.”

"Really, Doctor?" 

When I asked back in excitement, the doctor nodded.  

“Honestly, even I'm confused because the results are that good. I thought your face has improved a lot since you came in last time, but it seems we don't have to worry about anything for the time being." 

"Thank you, Thank you so much Doctor!" 

"Thank you. Doctor" 

"Just make an appointment for a regular checkup just in case." 

⏩⏩⏩⏩⏩⏩

On the way back home. 

I was so happy that I almost screamed. 

My mother didn't express it much, but she seemed to have regained her composure. 

Feeling like she had put down something heavy, that she has been carrying for a while. 

It felt light when we walked out of the hospital. 

"You've had a hard time, mom." 

“No, it’s not me. My son did all the hard work.”

While saying that mother rubbed my back.  

I felt really glad that I took the day off. 

If I hadn't heard this from the doctor in person, I probably wouldn't have believed it easily. 

"Mom, is there anything you want to do? Or is there anything you want to eat." 

"What suddenly?" 

"You've been fighting for a long time with the disease and the surgery. So how about take this chance to have fun once in a while. How about a short trip?"   

After thinking for a while mother opened her mouth. 

"There's a place I want to visit." 

"Where do you want to go mom.?” 

"The farm where my son works." 

"…….?" 

"I want to see the place where my son works in person. Can you take me there?"