It’s already been ten years since the Hero and I traveled around this world. After riding on the First Beast and inspecting every corner of the land, we were finally able to clean up most of the problematic Monsters.
Now that all the big Monsters have been wiped out, the new ones appearing aren’t particularly strong. They’ve weakened to a point where even human armies can deal with them somehow.
Hm… Is it time to wrap up the Hero’s duties? The Hero has been adventuring for quite some time now, and they’re nearing their 30s…
In this Age, people usually get married in their late teens! A 30-year-old man not having a family is practically scandalous—it’s a huge issue!
The Hero is becoming an awfully late bachelor!
It’s almost pitiful. Shouldn’t we relieve the Hero of their responsibilities and let them live freely?
Of course, it ultimately depends on their own intentions.
“Hero, shouldn’t you think about getting married soon?”
“N-NANI?! M-Me?! Get married?!”
“And who else would it be? Shall I marry this First Beast?”
I picked up the cat curled up on my lap—a long-stretched First Beast.
But how long does this First Beast plan to follow me around? Rumors about it are spreading, and faith is gathering. I’ve also heard rumors suggesting it’s gained some intelligence, but it still refuses to leave me.
Well, I suppose it’s nice having a ride while traveling with the Hero.
“But… I mean… I don’t know who…”
“Hmm. A marriage partner, you say.”
Indeed, one cannot get married alone. To form a family, there must be a suitable partner!
“Besides, we don’t know when the Hero’s duties will end! Wandering aimlessly through the world makes it hard to settle down unless it’s with someone willing to travel together…”
“Ah, what about that girl you met during your runaway days? How about her?”
That girl from back then seems like a good choice! But she must be older by now… Has she remained unmarried?
“Haa…”
Yet, upon hearing my suggestion, the Hero only sighed.
“Well, you can’t keep traveling forever as a Hero. It’s time to consider settling down and preparing for life after adventure.”
After all, the human body peaks in its twenties and starts declining in the thirties. Though Heroes remain exceptionally strong, they’re no match for young soldiers or hunters.
“Yeah… I kind of expected it, but hearing it directly still stings a bit.”
“Hmm?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
You little rascal, blushing like that!
Hmm… Perhaps I should find a proper companion for the Hero. The role of the Hero’s companion is far too important to decide lightly. We must carefully deliberate. Absolutely.
First, let’s look into that girl from the Hero’s runaway days—though she’s not a child anymore. Anyway, I’ll gather information and find someone suitable to become the Hero’s companion.
The Hero has dedicated decades to such a difficult path. If we don’t prepare for their future, it’d be like using them during their prime and abandoning them afterward.
That’s unacceptable! If we use someone during their peak, we must ensure their future as well!
While thinking about this, the First Beast stared intently at my face.
“What? Do I have something on my face?”
The First Beast just shook its head.
—
For now, the Hero’s companion search is another matter. Let’s continue our journey.
Thanks to the decrease in Monster appearances, the human territories are expanding rapidly. Truly rewarding efforts!
As more human villages are established…
“Hmm.”
There exists a region devoid of any human settlements.
A vast expanse of land. There are traces of old villages, but…
Not a single blade of grass grows here. A desolate wasteland, silent without a bird or beast in sight.
This place… Ah, yes. This was once the site of a nation I inadvertently destroyed.
Now completely barren, it feels endlessly lonely.
“Could some kind of Monster have swept through here?”
“Not a Monster. This is the aftermath of divine punishment.”
“Divine punishment?”
I nodded slightly.
“In ancient times, there existed a kingdom—or rather, an empire named Arcad.”
“An empire?”
“Yes. An empire. Arcad.”
Upon hearing this, the Hero seemed to recall something.
“That… Wasn’t it the country cursed by the Goddess of Life?”
Indeed. In a moment of rashness, I cursed this land. Seeing it firsthand now…
Humans don’t come here, nor do Monsters. We’re only passing through now.
“Truly barren. Not even a single sprout.”
Mountains stand bare, and the ground remains infertile.
Though I said it carelessly back then, the consequences are terrifying.
“What happened to the people who lived here?”
“They likely moved elsewhere.”
I did warn them and gave them plenty of time.
“Shouldn’t we lift the curse on this land soon?”
“But the one responsible hasn’t repented for their sins yet.”
The second prince continues to wander, enduring hardships. Starving, surrounded by dangerous situations, he’s constantly rejected by people who blame him for his curse.
Avoiding sunlight due to pain, he secretly moves at night, often mistaken for a thief and further ostracized.
Perhaps it’s time for him to return to the temple and seek forgiveness…
“Can words spoken in the name of a god simply be erased? A deity cannot speak inconsistently.”
“But… Isn’t it pitiful for the people who used to live here?”
Certainly. Due to the mistake of one royal family, the land they lived on became a wasteland…
Ugh. I feel guilty toward those who suffered because of my thoughtless actions.
“The curse on this land will remain until the responsible party seeks forgiveness.”
Mocking the gods and destroying temples cannot go unpunished. It’s a matter of divine dignity!
Honestly, I expected him to crawl back to the temple within a few years to beg for mercy… Hmm. Perhaps he’s too stubborn. Or maybe he’s forgotten how to remove the curse entirely?
No way. I clearly explained why he was cursed and how to lift it. He couldn’t have forgotten!
“Let’s hurry and move on.”
The lifeless wasteland feels unbearably desolate. From now on, I must avoid invoking divine punishments. I need to reflect.
Maybe being a god means not interfering directly with humans…
—
While crossing the wasteland…
“Stop! Stop! Stop!”
Heavily armed cavalry appeared before us.
Two humans on horseback and a Beastman with a horse-like lower body.
“You dare cross this cursed land! Identify yourselves!”
Ah, so humans call this place “cursed.”
“I am the Hero, traveling the world to defeat powerful Monsters.”
When I spoke for the Hero, the knights looked astonished.
“Oh! You are the Hero! Your reputation precedes you. You’ve defeated countless Monsters!”
“So this young lady must be the Hero’s companion, the Dragon Priestess!”
Hmm…? Companion…?
“What do you mean by ‘companion’?”
“Isn’t she?”
Wait, companion? Why would I be this child’s companion?
Confused, I looked at the knights and then at the Hero behind me.
Companion? Me as a human’s companion? That’s absurd! I’m merely wearing this mask to assist the Hero, so why are such rumors spreading?
Unfortunately, I received no clear answer.
The Hero just lowered their head, cheeks reddened.
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