Chapter 87

The Hero was plunged into chaos!

“Wow! But your physique is really something else! Even Jack Uncle, who’s famous in our village for his strength, doesn’t have muscles like these! Honestly, Jack Uncle is half muscle, half fat, so he just got strong trying to support his own weight, but still, he’s the strongest in our village! Oh, this isn’t the time for such stories! Please come in! To Morning Valley Village! It’s not very big, and the population is small, and aside from being on the way to the Temple of Life, there’s nothing special about it. But since it’s a common route for pilgrims, it’s quite safe! There was only one monster sighting near this village years ago, and that was just one tiny monster! So it’s super safe!”

Whoa, my ears might bleed.

“No, it’s just that….”

“Since we’re a small village where wandering merchants pass by once a month and pilgrims bound for the Temple of Life rarely visit anymore, guests are pretty rare! And then there was that odd story about how the Sword of the Hero suddenly stopped attracting visitors years ago. They say someone pulled the sword, but if they did, wouldn’t they have wiped out all the monsters and brought peace to the world? Maybe whoever pulled it just disappeared… What do you think, mysterious guest?”

“That, that’s….”

Is this what it feels like to be verbally assaulted? The Hero seemed to be suffering some serious mental damage.

I need to intervene here. Hmm… In situations like this…

I snapped my fingers, designating an area above Morning Valley, summoning a small raincloud.

And one by one, droplets began to fall.

“Oh no, it’s raining….”

“My goodness, sudden rain? It was sunny just moments ago! Hurry, guest! Let’s move before you get soaked! This village is too small to have an inn, but the Village Chief has a few spare rooms where travelers usually stay! Come on! This way!!”

Oh dear… I thought the rain would make them part ways naturally…

But maybe this is for the best. This socially awkward kid could use some training in interacting with others instead of always being alone with me.

Just one thing though…

“Hurry! If we stay out here, we’ll be drenched! We’re not that stingy a village to let a visitor get soaked!”

“Eh, ehh….”

I wonder if the Hero’s spirit can hold up much longer.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

The girl led the Hero by the hand into what appeared to be the Village Chief’s house, rummaging around as if it were her own home, and quickly prepared a modest meal.

Hmm, is this actually her house? She seems far too skilled at finding things around here.

The Hero must’ve been thinking the same thing because he cautiously opened his mouth while watching her.

“You seem familiar with this place.”

“Ah? Yeah, well, it *is* my house, so of course I’m familiar! Plus, as the daughter of the Village Chief, it’s my duty to welcome outsiders. That’s why I was hanging out by the entrance earlier. Though honestly, it’s kinda annoying! No real benefits or anything! My dad is proud to be the chief, but to me, it just looks like an inconvenient hat. If only I could pass this responsibility onto someone else, but Dad’s stubbornness is off the charts. Truly troublesome.”

A mountain of words from a simple question. Hard to ask anything freely now.

She is the Village Chief’s daughter, huh? That makes sense given how she spoke earlier about arranging stays at the chief’s house. Sounds like firsthand experience.

“Anyway, truly strange things happen, don’t they? Just moments ago, it was clear skies, but now there’s a downpour. Rain itself isn’t bad, but this sudden storm feels suspicious. Lately, there are rumors of strange monsters appearing in other villages. Could this be related? Or is the sky playing tricks on us by raining on our guest? Either way, I’m not sure. Anyway, I apologize for the sparse meal. As you can see, it’s a small village, so we aren’t exactly wealthy, but we manage. Still, it’s impolite not to treat a guest properly! Simple soup, slightly hard bread, and a bit of salad. On good hunting days, we might get some meat, but hunting hasn’t been great these past few days, so this is all I can offer.”

“Ah, thank you. It looks fine.”

“Yes! Enjoy your meal!”

Oh wow. The Hero has grown. He actually responded!

To withstand that torrent of words and still reply—this feels like real progress.

“So, where are you from, traveler? You were heading toward the Temple of Life, but you don’t look like a pilgrim.”

“Ah… I spent a few years at the temple.”

“At the temple? Hmm… Were you training to become a pilgrim?”

At the girl’s question, the Hero hesitated briefly before answering.

“Kinda… After training for a few years… Something happened, and I ran away.”

Huh? Sharing personal details with a stranger?

“Ran away? Was there some big problem?”

“The problem… lies with me. I didn’t live up to the expectations of the person who raised me. If only I had been stronger… maybe I wouldn’t have disappointed them.”

Huh? My expectations?

No, wait. All I did was stop the training because I thought the Hero looked tired. Didn’t expect him to take it this way.

Ugh… Should I have explained more clearly? Looks like he misinterpreted my intentions and left.

“Not living up to expectations… Well, I don’t know the full story, but how about staying here in the village for a while to sort things out?”

“Stay here?”

“Yes! Besides, this village needs every able-bodied person. You’d be a huge help! And with that greatsword, you could probably fight monsters too! Of course, it’s been years since any monsters appeared here, but it’s always good to be prepared, right?”

After pondering for a moment, the Hero slowly nodded.

Perhaps he decided that staying in a village close to the Temple of Life, where he could return anytime, was better than wandering aimlessly.

“Of course, I can’t decide this alone, so I’ll have to discuss it with my father and the elders later! But I’m sure they’ll agree!”

The girl smiled brightly as she spoke.

The Hero simply nodded, caught up in her energetic demeanor.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

The Hero gradually blended into the small village of Morning Valley.

Well, I only taught him combat-related skills, so it’s understandable that he struggles with rural life.

Using the Hero’s sword to till fields was definitely amusing, though.

Still, the Hero managed to bumble through daily life in the countryside.

Watching him, I couldn’t help but wonder: If he hadn’t pulled that sword, if he’d met proper parents, what kind of life would he have lived? It sparked a little curiosity.

Could I go back in time and save his parents? Would that give me a glimpse of another future? But then I’d lose the Hero I worked so hard to create.

It sounds selfish, but I don’t want to let him go. Rewinding time means repeating everything I’ve already done.

How tiresome and unpleasant.

Let’s set those thoughts aside for now.

While observing the Hero adjust to country life, a faint worry crept in.

Is he… forgetting his duties as a Hero?

No, that can’t be right. I drilled it into him for years: Humanity needs strong Heroes to face dangerous monsters. I reminded him countless times that he must step up when the situation calls for it.

Hmm… Let me trust the Hero. He isn’t irresponsible enough to abandon his responsibilities.

So… let me trust him. Trust the Hero I’ve trained.

This unexpected detour for the Hero didn’t last long.