episode_0256

One week before the hero Leon arrived in the Roman Kingdom.

This place is a small village in the Prun Kingdom.

Originally, it was a small village not even well-known by name, but now it has been holding a large festival for several days.

The reason was simple. This was the hero Leon’s hometown.

Originally, he was called a useless hero and disappointed everyone.

But at some point, he showed a steep rise and began to act as a perfect hero, subjugating the fragments of the Demon King one by one.

The news that he had finally subjugated the last remaining fragment of the Demon King spread throughout the central continent.

As a result, the central continent celebrated greatly, and large festivals praising the hero Leon’s heroic tales were held throughout the countries.

Naturally, the Prun Kingdom, the hero’s hometown, was also greatly pleased, and a festival so large that one would never have imagined it could happen in a small village was held in this small village, the hero Leon’s hometown, to the point where the king himself came to visit.

“Ahahaha~!”

“Hohohoho~!”

As the exciting atmosphere and delicious things filled the festival, smiles full of happiness bloomed on the children’s faces.

The adults were also happy that peace had come and enjoyed the festival, indulging in the festive atmosphere.

On such a happy day.

There was a woman watching this happy festival with an unhappy expression.

“….”

A woman with white silver hair and golden eyes.

The black nun’s habit she was wearing was dirty with dust, and a deep shadow of fatigue was cast on her face.

She was looking at the village, where the festival songs were heard, from the top of a hill overlooking the entire village with sad eyes.

“You finally did it….”

She muttered softly and trembled.

Then she turned and slowly moved her steps. The place she was heading to was an old hut a little away from the village.

This is the house where the hero Leon lived before he was chosen as a hero.

It was not a wealthy family….

No, rather, it is a house where the traces of the hero Leon’s childhood, who had lost his parents and lived alone since he was very young, remain.

Squeak

“I’m here, Piria.”

She opened the heavy wooden door and came inside.

Like the old hut that is exposed to the outside, the interior was also very old.

Most of the furniture has not been managed for a long time, but among them, there was something like a makeshift bed made of straw.

And on top of that, there was a woman lying down as if collapsing.

The woman with reddish-brown hair, Piria, did not react much to the silver-haired woman’s words and lay down with her back to her.

“Piria, I bought some food. Let’s eat together.”

“….”

“…Piria. You have to eat something.”

“…I’m okay.”

There is no energy in her voice.

Well, that makes sense. She’s been lying here almost without eating anything.

How many bites will she take even if I beg her?

Now I’m worried about her health.

To put it bluntly…. She is slowly dying.

The woman, who could not bear to watch the scene, put down the food she bought from the village on the old table and said.

“I’ll put it here, so please eat when you’re hungry.”

“….”

“…Hoo.”

She came out of the hut.

Then she walked for a while.

‘Is this…. the price for making the wrong choice? Goddess….’

Yes. I clearly betrayed his heart, and yet I shamelessly tried to go back to him.

I am well aware of my own faults.

I can understand.

But….

But even so, isn’t this too much?….

To this extent…. Is this something I have to suffer so much for?

“It hurts….”

Every time the festival songs are heard from the village below, my heart throbs at the same time.

“The courage, will, and strength to overcome this ordeal…. Please give them to me….”

“Well. Do you think the goddess will give you that kind of power?”

“!!”

Noren was startled by the voice she heard and turned around.

And there, a man she knew was standing.

“Hero…. Lord Ragna….”

“I knew you’d be here.”

“…What brings you…. here?”

Even Noren knows about the relationship between Ragna and Leon.

In particular, she knows that Ragna’s position has deteriorated rapidly as Leon has subjugated all the fragments of the Demon King.

Therefore, Noren could not understand why Ragna had come to this place.

“Is that archer here too?”

“….”

“Judging by that reaction, I guess she is.”

Noren just stared without saying anything, but Ragna accepted it as a positive meaning and said.

“Nun…. Wouldn’t you like to join me in taking revenge on the hero Leon?”

“Revenge?…. Revenge, what are you talking about?”

Noren, slightly frightened by Ragna’s incomprehensible words, stepped back.

But Ragna raised the corners of his mouth at Noren’s appearance and said.

“Aren’t you angry? Why you, why you all have to live like mice while being treated like this.”

“…That’s….”

“Is that because of your own fault? Then let me ask you one thing. What did you do so wrong? Leon was incompetent. At least he was back then. He couldn’t even master the proper swordsmanship perfectly, so he couldn’t even properly subdue a mediocre monster. So you made the best choice you could…. To defeat the fragments of the Demon King.”

Ragna’s words were no different from a temptation.

A devil’s temptation that is sweet beyond compare.

A fatal temptation that touches the dark emotions that lie deep within one’s heart.

I thought I shouldn’t listen, but I couldn’t easily dismiss it.

“But what has come back? You are being pointed fingers at for betraying you and living like a criminal stuck in a place like this. Is that really…. the life you want?”

I swallow without realizing it.

I look at Ragna with very shaking eyes.

“If they want you, who have betrayed them…. How about working with me to make it ‘certain’?”

Ragna says, reaching out his hand.

Noren looked at the hand.

If I grab this hand…. I can never go back.

I had a strong feeling that.

So I shouldn’t grab it.

I shouldn’t grab it.

‘…Really?’

…Really, shouldn’t I grab it?

I was kicked out of the Holy Kingdom and settled in the Prun Kingdom.

Naturally, life here was not very abundant.

Because my existence as a nun who had been deprived of her divine power was alien in many ways….

Living day by day was very difficult.

How long will I have to live this life?

The Goddess….

Will you forgive me?

These thoughts rush in at once.

And eventually….

“I thought about it carefully.”

“….”

I ended up grabbing that hand.

* * *

After relieving the fatigue accumulated during the day, we finally entered the Roman Kingdom.

There were several dignitaries gathered from various countries to see me.

And among them….

“It’s been a while.”

“It’s been a while. Your Holiness the Pope.”

Of course, there was also the Pope.

“Are you on your way to meet the King of the Roman Kingdom?”

“Yes. I just entered.”

“I understand. There’s something I want to talk to you about. I would appreciate it if you could come and see me when you have time later.”

“I will.”

After a brief conversation, we separated from the Pope’s party and headed to the audience chamber with the guidance of the knights.

“The hero Leon’s party has arrived.”

“Let them in.”

The door to the audience chamber opened.

In the very center of the audience chamber, the dignified king and the princess standing demurely next to him catch my eye.

‘That princess is what Circe was talking about….’

Is that the princess who got tired of the ugly royal life and went to the brothel?

…I don’t know what kind of mentality you have to have to go to a brothel because you hate royal life….

‘I heard she’s like a daughter, so she asked me to help her…. What am I supposed to help her with….’

“Nice to meet you. Hero Leon.”

“It is an honor to meet you as well.”

“Haha, raise your head. You are a hero who brought light to the world.”

Perhaps because he felt good that I bowed my head first, he smiled and said with a slightly relaxed expression.

“This is our first time meeting. Originally, we should have met before….”

“Ah….”

That’s probably…. You’re talking about the ‘exchange meeting’, right?

Originally, we should have met at that exchange meeting, but I didn’t participate in the exchange meeting and left right away….

“At that time….”

“It’s okay. You must have had your own thoughts.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Yes. To celebrate your achievement of subjugating all the fragments of the Demon King, we have planned a simple festival, so I hope you enjoy it.”

Why are you doing that, not Leon’s hometown kingdom?

I wanted to say that, but I have some sense, so I just bowed my head without saying anything.

“Oh, this is my daughter, Emula Roman.”

“Hello, Hero Leon. My name is Emula Roman.”

“Nice to meet you. Princess Emula.”

“Haha, I heard that Emula and you are not that far apart in age. I hope you get along well with my daughter.”

…Aha?

Is that the feeling?

I think I know roughly what you’re aiming for….

“But Ragna…. I don’t see the prince.”

“…That child is in training.”

At my question, the king briefly hardened his face, then slightly avoided my gaze and said.

Why training all of a sudden?

Is he just telling him to refrain from acting recklessly and embarrassing himself?

“Anyway, you can go now. Later in the evening, a large party will be held at the royal castle, inviting all the dignitaries, so until then, feel free to…. That’s right. Emula, why don’t you guide the hero?”

“I understand, Father.”

…No, I don’t need it.