บท 40: Ch 40: If only she were here

Kerin ran toward his mother, but the look on the villagers' faces did not lighten up.

If anything, they looked even more worried than before. 

There was pity mixed in their expressions as they looked at the rotting house Kerin and his mother lived in.

Soma's job had been done, but he still wanted to ask the villagers what was happening with this family.

So that's what Soma did.

"What's wrong? You still looked worried about Kerin and his mother. If this is anything I can help with, I will gladly help you out."

Soma promised the villagers, and they looked taken aback.

It looked as if they wanted to tell him, but they could not bring themselves to trust in Soma.

"W-We do not know how to say this, but Kerin and his family are in danger. While Kerin was not here, those Phantom Troupe bastards came out to check out which place they could use for their base. And they selected Kerin's house."