Chapter 45: A Reluctant Parting and a Boastful Knight

“Please wait a moment, Mr. Mori.”

“?”

Helene called me back just as I was about to leave.

We had returned from the forest. The three of them needed to submit their quest at the Adventurers’ Guild, while I had to find a secluded spot to switch bodies back.

I had planned to slip away unnoticed, but Helene unexpectedly linked her arm through mine.

It felt as if, whether intentionally or not, she had been keeping a constant eye on me.

“You… you’re leaving, aren’t you?”

“…”

“Will we meet again?”

“…”

“I know it’s a strange question to ask, but… if possible, I’d like to… find a chance… to repay you.”

“…”

“Is that not possible?”

I remained silent, watching her. Since she couldn’t see my expression, she was unable to interpret my quietude, and by the end, she appeared as timid as she had when we first met.

I wasn’t trying to tease her; I simply didn’t know how to respond. Meeting again was certainly out of the question, unless by some incredible twist of fate. Yet, speaking such a blunt truth risked hurting her.

‘Perhaps it’s better to be direct.’

“Never trust a stranger.”

Leaving her with those words, I turned and walked away.

“…”

I heard no footsteps behind me, so I assumed she hadn’t followed. I didn’t look back either, heading straight for the place where I had switched bodies before our journey.

It was better this way. We had only met briefly; after parting, it was best to act as if we had never encountered each other.

***

After Mori left, Helene stood rooted to the spot, watching him depart.

“Stop staring! He clearly doesn’t want anything to do with you! Ow, that hurt!”

Karen punched Zale again.

“Would it kill you to say less?”

“But it’s true!”

“Ugh… I can’t be bothered arguing with you.” Karen pushed Zale aside and approached Helene. “Are you alright, Helene?”

“…Mm, I’m fine.”

Helene hesitated for a second before nodding. She lifted a hand to wipe away a tear from the corner of her eye, offering Karen a strained smile. It seemed she was forcing herself to appear strong.

‘Helene’s heart is still too fragile in these matters,’ Karen couldn’t help but think.

“You still can’t forget him, can you?”

“Mm…”

“But Mori can’t replace your brother.”

“I know, my brother can’t be replaced. It’s just… I can’t help but remember those times… I’m sorry for making you worry.”

“Why don’t you rely on us a little?” Karen patted Helene’s shoulder. “While we might not be as reliable as him, or Mori, we are companions, aren’t we? Don’t grieve alone like this.”

“…Mm!” Helene nodded, feeling a slight sense of relief after Karen’s words.

“Hey! Let’s go! We still need to take the herbs back!” Zale urged impatiently.

“You find the carriage first!” Karen shouted back at Zale. “Honestly, what’s the rush? Come on, let’s go back to the inn to rest. We’ll leave the rest to that guy.”

“Mm.”

***

“Leaving just like that?”

Just as I thought I had regained my ‘freedom,’ Angela and Vinya caught up to me.

They had donned their helmets and pulled down their visors, concealing their auras so no one could discern their identities.

From the looks of it, the Queen seemed unwilling to let me go. However, even though the adventure was over, I had no intention of showing her deference. With her identity concealed, doing so would only draw unwanted attention.

She had mentioned earlier to treat them as ordinary adventurers… Wait, I think Vinya was the one who said that. But Angela hadn’t denied it, so I wouldn’t lower my guard either.

Moreover, she didn’t seem displeased with my attitude. If she were angry, I would definitely recognize it, based on years of being tormented by her.

“Aren’t you companions?”

“No.”

“Then why did you help them?”

“No reason.”

“Can you tell me where you’re going next?”

“No.”

“How about joining my army?”

“No.”

“You won’t agree, no matter the conditions or threats?”

“That’s right.”

Our exchange went back and forth, far from friendly; an underlying tension, like gunpowder, simmered between us.

Vinya didn’t intervene. Her helmet obscured her face, so I couldn’t tell her mood. Since she hadn’t helped Angela persuade me, she was likely against the idea.

‘The ‘Rose of Holy War’ is trying to recruit a newly met adventurer into the army on the royal city streets, and he’s foolishly refusing. If anyone here found out, it would surely cause a commotion, wouldn’t it?’

But I simply wouldn’t agree. I was just an ordinary father. Why should I accept her invitation? My very attitude was probably enough to land me in a dungeon.

“Then, how about helping me train Vinya?”

“…!”

Angela’s next suggestion made me stop in my tracks.

This was… asking me to be Vinya’s instructor?

“It seems you have an interest.”

Seeing me halt, Angela assumed I had finally been swayed—and indeed, I had.

Even by adoption, I was Vinya’s elder brother. I was certain Vinya hadn’t abandoned me, her useless brother.

In the past, I had received no small amount of care from Vinya, especially after Angela disciplined me. Besides Mother and Lily, she was the first to come and look after me.

Even if she didn’t know I was her brother, Zero, I wanted to seize the opportunity to become her instructor and properly repay Vinya—if I truly possessed that ability.

So…

“No.”

I glanced at Vinya and, as a matter of course, refused.

Again, I simply didn’t have the time.

“Why? You have such power, why are you hiding it?”

“…”

I continued walking, offering no reply. Angela hesitated for a few seconds, then caught up to me.

“Don’t tell me you only want to be an ordinary person?”

“That’s right.”

She had hit the mark, and I affirmed it without hesitation.

“Are you burdened by something?”

“…”

Of course I was, but I had no obligation to tell her.

“…Hmph.” Angela sighed, her tone suggesting resignation. “What a pity. With a little refinement, you could become an excellent general. Perhaps… you might even surpass me. Since you refuse, I won’t force you.”

“…”

She gave up! This Majesty Angela actually gave up! I thought she would cling to me, desperate for talent.

To think that she, who had always been so domineering, would be helpless against me. A sense of superiority welled up inside me, as if years of accumulated resentment had dissolved in an instant.

However, this also meant she acknowledged my strength. No wise leader would fail to cherish talent.

“But, if this country ever faces hardship, I hope you will lend your aid then.”

“…”

“Let’s go, Vinya.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I didn’t reply. Angela and Vinya departed. Judging by their appearance, they must have snuck out privately and needed to return quickly.

“The era of the Savior Saintess is over!”

However, just as we were parting ways, a voice simultaneously drew our attention.

Looking over, in the direction of the voice, in the center of a nearby square, a tall man was surrounded by a crowd.

He wore the ornate robes of a Holy Knight of the Farl Kingdom, possessed long, handsome golden hair, and a confident smile adorned his attractive face.

Undoubtedly, he was a handsome man—if only his manner of speaking would improve slightly.

“After all, no one even knows who this Saintess is. Did she truly vanquish the Demon King? It’s probably just a rumor fabricated by some organization!” he scoffed loudly with disdain, as if afraid no one would hear him.

“She’s merely a weak girl! She probably just took advantage of the Hero’s sacrifice to defeat the Demon King, then stole all the credit. Now, she dares not face the world, absolutely because her conscience is guilty!”

“…”

‘I feel a tiny flicker of anger inside, don’t I?’ While I wouldn’t boast about my achievements, I didn’t think someone spouting such nonsense had the right to criticize me. And who exactly was this kid?

He was wearing the robes of the Twelve Holy Knights, yet I had never seen him before. A newly appointed Holy Knight? Who had stepped down? Would the other eleven accept him?

“But she did help many people on her journey, didn’t she?”

“That’s right, it’s not like all those people would lie, is it?”

Several young women in the crowd raised questions.

“That was just a coincidence! After all, no one can prove they were the same person. Has anyone seen her enter the Demon King’s Castle? No one has ever said so!”

Seizing upon the perceived loophole in the rumors, the golden-haired youth continued to bluster: “If it were me, I wouldn’t waste so much time; I’d slay demons and monsters all the way, rushing straight to the Demon King’s Castle!

“I’ve eliminated thousands of monsters and saved countless people. And that one time, I single-handedly infiltrated a dragon’s lair, cut off its tail with a single sword stroke, and crafted armor from its scales!

It’s precisely because of such power that I became a Holy Knight, protecting this nation—far stronger than that Saintess, who no one even knows if she exists, and who is now God knows where!”

‘So, this guy has such accomplishments, huh? No wonder he had the ability to become a Holy Knight.’

‘However, as a Holy Knight, shouldn’t he perhaps temper his attitude a bit? This shameless demeanor is truly…’

“So amazing!”

“As expected of Lord Walter!”

“Did you really slay a dragon?!”

“Please tell us more!”

‘There are actually people who like this… No, perhaps it’s not his attitude they like. Perhaps he truly possesses some strength, which makes him so appealing? Or perhaps… it’s his looks?’

‘But is he really that powerful? What gives him such confidence to belittle me while simultaneously boasting about himself?’

‘Boasting about himself is understandable; after all, as a Holy Knight, displaying his strength can reassure the populace. But is it necessary to mock the hero in everyone’s hearts? Good thing he didn’t say this in front of Nina, or they’d surely get into a fight.’

“Of course! That one time, I…”

“It seems you are quite confident, Sir Holy Knight.”

Before he could finish speaking, someone pushed through the crowd and stood before the man named Walter… It was Vinya?!

“How about you demonstrate your strength for everyone, right here? What do you say?”