Chapter 31
The monster that appeared was a Chimera. I don’t know if it’s called that here too, but considering the author’s old-school vibes, it’s probably right.
The Chimera glanced around once, then opened its maw toward the Imperial Guard standing right next to it.
“Kyaaak!!!”
A soldier guarding the border should have some level of skill, but the Chimera moved so fast that the soldier couldn’t even react.
…Honestly, I couldn’t even follow it with my eyes.
People started panicking and running away, while the Imperial Guards picked up their spears to fight the monster, leaving their fallen comrade behind.
This time, the Chimera raised its front paw. If it swung that paw, more guards would surely lose their lives.
…I have to save them.
My body moved a step faster than my rational judgment.
“Wait… Hero!”
By the time I realized it, I was already holding the Holy Sword, standing in front of the guards.
What now? I came here without even receiving a Blessing, driven by the thought of saving them. The Chimera had already started swinging its massive paw. Could I even block that huge paw with pure strength?
…It’s too late to think about it now. I’ve already done it. If I wanted to think, I should’ve stayed calm. Even if more people died, I should’ve chosen a surefire method.
All this worrying is pointless.
At this point, if I don’t pull it off, I’m dead.
The monster is powerful, and I have no Blessing. All I have is the Holy Sword, which always lands a critical hit on monsters, and this slightly grown body of mine.
I gripped the Holy Sword tightly with both hands and tried to follow the Chimera’s movement to block its paw.
Whoosh!
It’s fast. I can’t even see it. Can I time it right?
Then, a familiar voice shouted loudly from behind.
“Hero! Angle your sword to the lower left now!!”
“!”
I immediately followed the instruction. And then…
Boom!!!
“…Ugh!”
The blade of the Holy Sword vibrated with a *zing*. The shock traveled through the sword and into my entire body.
The Chimera’s paw was blocked by the Holy Sword. Thanks to the advice from behind, I managed to time it right.
But it wasn’t over yet. The Chimera seemed intent on pushing me away, as it didn’t let up and kept pushing me.
“Grrk!?”
I tried to hold my ground with all my strength, but the monster’s power was too much. I’m going to lose my balance and fall before I get sent flying. If that happens, I’m…
《 Sacred Sword 》
At that moment, the massive force pushing me disappeared. I glanced up and saw the Chimera vomiting blood.
Thud, the Chimera’s huge body collapsed. Strangely, its upper half fell to the left, and its lower half to the right. The middle was sliced cleanly. The only one who could do something like this…
“…Hero!”
…is that woman.
After slicing the Chimera in one clean strike, the Saint, showing no signs of exhaustion, ran over in a panic, grabbed my face, and shouted.
“Are you hurt!? Are you okay? You’re fine, right!?”
…My cheeks hurt more from you grabbing them.
The Saint examined my body, checking for any injuries. She looked genuinely shocked. I’ve never seen her this worried before. Her sparkling amber eyes were filled with concern for me.
…Wow.
“…I’m fine, Saint.”
“…What were you thinking, being so reckless!? A Chimera is a high-level monster! You should’ve at least received a Blessing before going…!”
“Then it would’ve been too late.”
I turned my gaze to the guard I had protected. He was looking at me with even more shock than the Saint. The Saint followed my gaze, looked at him, then back at me.
“There was no time to receive a Blessing.”
“…Sigh.”
A sigh of relief. She must’ve realized I was fine.
“…What were you planning to do? If I hadn’t been here….”
“I did it because I knew you’d be here.”
The Saint’s eyes widened slightly.
Honestly, I didn’t think much, but I made up an excuse because I thought I’d get scolded. And she did cleanly save me, didn’t she?
“……Even if you say that, I won’t forgive you. If you pull another reckless move next time, I’ll chain you up and lock you away.”
…That far?
“…You know how reckless you were, right?”
“Yes, I’ll reflect on it.”
The Saint let out a deep sigh. She must’ve been really worried. I wish she’d treat me this nicely all the time.
The Saint glared at me for a moment, but her eyes soon curved into crescent moons. She smiled at me with her usual playful grin.
“…But you were heroic~♥ You remembered that a hero is someone who saves people, and you kept that firmly in mind~♥”
“…You’re the one who told me to.”
“Yes, that’s right. You did well, Hero♥”
It’s been a while since I’ve been praised by the Saint. She took a slight step back and muttered something.
“…You were a little cool, Hero♥”
“What was that? Can you say it a little louder?”
I really didn’t hear it. I thought an ant was talking.
Hearing my words, the Saint giggled and pressed her index finger to her lips.
“It’s a secret~♡”
#
“…Hero…”
Chloe couldn’t react in time. Abel had rushed out in an instant, and Estelle had followed immediately after realizing what was happening. But Chloe could only stare blankly at them.
Even when Abel stood in front of the guards and blocked the Chimera’s paw. It wasn’t until the Chimera’s paw swung down that Chloe finally moved.
I could move.
But it was too late. Estelle, who had already moved in advance, assisted Abel and immediately sliced the Chimera with the Sacred Artifact.
A Sacred Artifact that could cut down a high-level monster in one go—Estelle, who wielded such power effortlessly, saved Abel.
Abel, who didn’t hesitate to save people, and Estelle, who was able to assist him right away. And then there was Chloe, who couldn’t do anything.
She could have helped if she wanted to. But the fear of the monster consumed her first, and when Abel and Estelle acted, she couldn’t do anything.
“…I hate this.”
Chloe felt an indescribable emotion as she watched Abel and Estelle chatting happily with a relieved mood.
#
“Pfft, puhuhu♡ Hero, you’re such an idiot♡ Dummy♡”
“…Stop being so loud. Don’t laugh.”
“What can I do? It’s just so funny~♡ What kind of hero strains their back~♡”
…Damn it.
It was good that I stopped the Chimera, but the problem was that I took the full impact, and it seems my body couldn’t handle it. While helping the Imperial Guards clean up, my back gave out.
Thanks to that, I was lying face down on the ground, and the Saint was fixing my back while spouting this annoying nonsense.
Haha, damn her.
“…Are you okay, Hero?”
“Ah… I’m fine. With the Saint here, I’ll recover quickly.”
You don’t need to worry, Chloe. The Saint here might talk like a jerk, but she’s the most reliable healer.
“Hero who strains his back lifting a wooden plank♡ Can’t even use his strength properly♡”
“…Be quiet.”
“Useless male who can’t even use his back properly♡”
“What are you even saying!?”
The Saint giggled. Damn it, just you wait.
“Hero.”
Then the Imperial Guards approached us.
“What’s the matter?”
“May we have a moment?”
“Sure… What’s up?”
“…Attention.”
At the command of the oldest-looking one, the guards all stood at attention.
“Salute to the Hero.”
““Thank you so much, Hero!””
…Why are you making me blush like this?
“Ah… Did you come to thank me?”
“Yes. You saved the people of this guard post and the citizens.”
You’re mistaken. I only saved one person. The rest wasn’t me.
I pointed to the Saint who was healing my back.
“That was the Saint….”
“The Hero did it~♡”
…What are you talking about?
I whispered to the Saint.
“Saint, what are you saying?”
“We should credit the Hero so we can get more rewards later♡ Are you an idiot~?”
“…Ah.”
At the Regular Reporting Meeting? That makes sense.
…But it feels a bit off to claim credit for something I didn’t do.
“Anyway, the Saint and the Hero are a pair, so it doesn’t matter. You don’t have to feel guilty.”
“…Hmm.”
“And I don’t plan to reveal that I’m different from other Saints. So building the Hero’s reputation and achievements is good for both of us. Two birds with one stone~♡”
…If you put it that way.
“The Saint?”
“…It was possible because the Saint helped. It wasn’t just my power.”
“No, how can you be so humble….”
The captain of the guard, who seemed to be the leader, was moved to tears.
…You’re making me feel guilty, old man.
“It’s an honor to have someone like you as our Empire’s Hero. I will definitely report this to the higher-ups so that His Majesty the Emperor is informed.”
“Haha….”
The captain and the guards were chatting happily, their faces filled with joy and relief at being alive.
Among them was the guard I had directly saved. He stepped forward and bowed deeply to me.
“Thank you so much, Hero!”
“Hey, Charlie. Didn’t we already thank him?”
“Captain, let him be. He’s especially grateful because the Hero personally saved him.”
“Ah, is that so? You’ll have to thank the Hero for the rest of your life.”
So his name is Charlie.
“If it weren’t for the Hero, your kids would’ve been orphans! Be more careful, Charlie.”
“…You have children?”
He looks quite young.
“That guy messed up! He already has two kids, haha!”
At his comrade’s words, Charlie nodded.
“You saved not just me, but my children’s future as well. I’ll never forget this kindness for the rest of my life.”
Charlie held out his hand. I looked at it for a moment, then grasped it firmly and smiled warmly.
Feeling the warmth of the person I saved—it’s such a rewarding feeling.
“As a Hero, it’s just what I should do.”
…Being a Hero isn’t so bad after all.
