Episode 24
“Ugh…”
When I opened my eyes, I saw an unfamiliar ceiling. It was the ceiling of a log cabin crudely woven with wire and wood. It looked similar to the house in Daisy Village, but it was slightly different.
…Where am I?
“Ahh…”
I tried to sit up to look around, but a sudden headache forced me back down.
Ah, my head hurts…
I wondered why my head was throbbing so much, but then I remembered—I drank a lot yesterday. It had been a while since I had beer, so I went all out without restraint…
“Hero~♡ Who are you looking for, glancing around like that~?”
“…Saint?”
I didn’t notice when she arrived, but the Saint was standing in front of me, her eyes curving into crescents.
“Did the banquet end well yesterday?”
“Yes~♡ Though you passed out like a fool, Hero~♡”
“…Sorry, I drank too much since it had been a while.”
“You like beer, don’t you?”
“It’s not like I’m crazy about it or anything…”
It had just been so long since I last drank that I couldn’t help myself.
“Stop lying around and get up. We’re leaving soon.”
“Ah, really? Shouldn’t we say goodbye to the villagers?”
“Hmm~♡ The villagers were up late drinking, so no one’s awake yet. Let’s just go ahead.”
Really?
“But wouldn’t it be better to say goodbye?”
“Hero, it’s better not to get too attached to fleeting encounters.”
“…Why?”
Meeting people and expanding connections is a good thing, isn’t it?
“Not every encounter brings only good things for you, Hero~♥”
“…Hmm.”
Even though the Saint talks like a jerk, she genuinely cares about me. If she says so, I guess there’s no need to argue.
“We’ll leave as soon as Chloe wakes up.”
“Okay~♡”
“By the way, Saint, my head hurts a bit… Can Holy Power heal something like this?”
“…Does it hurt that much?”
“Yes.”
It’s been a while since I drank, and even now, while talking, I feel dizzy.
“Can’t have our already dumb Hero getting a headache~♡ You’d be dumber than a tick~♡”
“…Ugh, hearing that makes it hurt more.”
“Haha, alright~♡ Let Mama Estelle fix your head, Mama’s boy Hero♡”
…Damn her.
“Saint.”
“Yes~♡”
“My head really hurts. Stop teasing me and heal me already.”
“…You should’ve drank in moderation.”
“…Yeah.”
…Next time, I’ll drink in moderation.
The Saint, who had been smirking, changed her expression and looked at me. That look again. With eyes full of concern, she gently reached out and poured powerful Holy Power into me.
“…Ah.”
The headache that had been throbbing disappeared, and my mind cleared. The dizziness vanished as if it had never been there, and my vision became sharp.
“Thank you.”
“…I’m not a hangover cure, so please restrain yourself next time, you pathetic Hero♡”
“Okay.”
I really should.
#
“Where are all the villagers?”
When we stepped out onto the street to leave the village, Chloe asked in a puzzled tone. I repeated what the Saint had told me.
Hearing that, Chloe tilted her head.
“A hangover?”
“Yeah, that’s what the Saint said.”
“…Hmm, is that so?”
Chloe didn’t question it further after hearing it was the Saint’s words. She must trust the Saint too.
We hurriedly moved on. We had spent more time in this village than expected due to the Ogre subjugation.
After walking nonstop to the next village, we immediately found a seat in a restaurant.
The reason for going to the restaurant was obvious. We were hungry after the long walk.
Chloe flopped onto the table as soon as she sat down.
“Haah… I’m exhausted…”
“You worked hard.”
Chloe, being a mage unaccustomed to long walks, seemed really tired. Her face clearly showed her exhaustion.
“How may I help you~?”
A cheerful waitress approached us. She handed us the menu and said,
“Take your time and let me know when you’re ready!”
The Saint ordered vegetable stew, I ordered meat stew, and Chloe also ordered meat stew. The waitress took the menu and handed us a newspaper.
“Here’s today’s paper. Your food will be out soon~!”
Guess she’s giving us something to read while we wait. Nice touch.
The front page of the newspaper had something written in large letters. The headline took up the entire front page.
But I couldn’t understand what it said. It’s so inconvenient not being able to read. If I had been reincarnated as a noble, I’d be able to read fluently.
I had no choice but to show the newspaper to the Saint and ask,
“Saint, what does this say?”
“‘Villagers involved in human trafficking all arrested!’ it says~♡ Can’t even read this, what a dummy♡”
Damn it, what can I do about being illiterate?
“…Then teach me.”
“Should I~?”
“Oh, really?”
“Hero~”
“If you have the will to learn, I’ll teach you~♡ Though I doubt a clumsy hero like you would have such willpower♡”
It seemed like a good idea to learn how to read. I couldn’t keep asking the Saint to read for me forever.
…Speaking of which, human trafficking? I guess it’s because this is an era before moral concepts and human rights were fully established, but it’s horrifying to think there are people who commit such atrocities.
Ugh, just imagining it is terrifying.
I poked Chloe, who was lying down. She lifted her head slightly, looking exhausted.
“Chloe, look at this. There was a village involved in human trafficking.”
“…Huh?”
“It’s written here in big letters.”
Chloe took the newspaper from me and read the article. But as she read, her expression started to change.
“What’s wrong?”
“Uh, nothing… I’m just tired.”
“Ah.”
I thought something was up since her expression didn’t look good.
Chloe glanced at the Saint after reading the article. The Saint smiled back at her, and Chloe quickly looked away.
…What’s going on?
After the food arrived and we finished a quick meal, we went over our plans.
“We only have two more villages to pass through before we reach Lancaster City.”
“Hmm, so not many days left to travel with Chloe.”
Once we reach Lancaster City, we’ll have to entrust Chloe to the Church and send her back to where she belongs. It’s a bit disappointing, but it can’t be helped.
“I’m going to miss you.”
It seems I’m not the only one feeling that way. Chloe’s voice was tinged with regret.
“Traveling with you was fun, Hero. But I have to go back to school…”
“We can meet again later.”
“Eh~♡ Are you going to come see me separately, Hero~? You lolicon♡”
Haha… what the hell are you talking about!? How do you even know the word “lolicon”!?
“That’s not what I meant!”
“Aah~♡ I didn’t know I’d end up with a lolicon Hero~.”
“Listen to me!”
…Crazy girl.
#
Chloe, who had been quietly watching the two bicker, asked Estelle a question.
“…By the way, Saint.”
“Yes?”
“I’ve been watching you two and I’m curious. Why do you deliberately say harsh things to the Hero?”
“Huh?”
Abel tilted his head at Chloe’s words.
He wondered what she meant by “deliberately harsh words” and looked at Chloe curiously. But Estelle, who was next to him, suddenly started fidgeting.
“W-w-what are you talking about!?”
‘…What’s going on?’
Abel looked at the flustered Estelle with a puzzled expression, and Chloe added another comment.
“Am I wrong? You always say harsh things to the Hero, but deep down, you actually…”
“Chloe!!”
Estelle hurriedly covered Chloe’s mouth.
“Mmph!”
“Ahaha, Chloe must be really tired. Saying such strange things~♡”
Abel looked at Estelle suspiciously, but she avoided his gaze and gestured for Chloe to stay quiet. Chloe narrowed her eyes.
[You like the Hero, don’t you?]
It wasn’t a message sent through her eyes. Chloe had used magic to directly speak into Estelle’s mind.
At Chloe’s question, Estelle’s face turned red without her realizing it. It was an unconscious reaction. Though she was used to hiding her feelings from others, she couldn’t do so in this moment.
Seeing her reaction, Chloe was convinced. Estelle definitely likes Abel. But then why does she deliberately say harsh things to him? It’s not like she means it.
Chloe decided to set the question aside for now and made a gesture. She wouldn’t say anything more. Understanding the gesture, Estelle removed her hand from Chloe’s mouth.
Chloe quietly observed Estelle.
Even as a woman, she could see that Estelle was beautiful and lovable, with a well-proportioned figure that wasn’t over the top. Just standing still, she could attract men effortlessly. If a woman like her showed interest, what man could refuse?
But she doesn’t do that with Abel. Even though she likes him, for some reason, she keeps stacking up reasons for him to dislike her. So then…
“…Hero.”
“Yes?”
“Instead of the Saint, who only says harsh things, how about me?”
At Chloe’s bombshell declaration, both Abel and Estelle were shocked, though for different reasons.
