Chapter 192

Celebration feasts are good.

Especially feasts after saving people.

People who lived every day on thin ice, risking their lives, genuinely enjoy a joy they can’t even remember experiencing.

Smiles bloom on faces that were always etched with worry and anxiety.

Meat and alcohol are placed before those who were barely scraping by.

People devour the food with such gusto that the word “inhale” wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

It might be considered impolite under normal circumstances, but everyone understood their feelings and actions.

Because they had experienced it.

As someone who had gone through it firsthand, they understood better than anyone.

Many even shed tears, overwhelmed by this unbelievable peace and happiness.

It was a heartwarming sight.

I watched them for a while, then quietly got up and went outside.

In the past, it would have been a suicidal act, but it was fine now.

Because I had wiped out all the swarming large monsters.

Me.

And the people I gathered.

I leaned against the large ballista that Ran and the residents had proudly set up outside.

They were the ones who had made the greatest contribution.

Of course, Ran’s role as the mother of its creation was also significant.

I had requested its creation and provided the materials, so maybe I was like a father.

I chuckled to myself when,

“You seem to be in a good mood, Senior.”

Annette spoke to me.

“Of course I am. I did a good deed.”

“As expected, Senior is a good person.”

I smiled faintly at her words and replied without turning my head,

“Do you think so too, Camian?”

Wherever Annette went, Camian was sure to follow.

They were like two peas in a pod.

“Well…”

And as expected, Camian was also there.

He had a slightly strange expression on his face as he continued,

“I don’t know if you’re good or not, but you’re definitely amazing and scary, Senior.”

“Amazing is a given, but scary too?”

I asked playfully, but Camian’s face was serious.

“Just what are you seeing, Senior? How far ahead are you looking?”

Camian suddenly revealed his inner thoughts.

He must have been doing a lot of thinking.

About me, his unpredictable senior.

“Far.”

“I wish you wouldn’t dodge the question with a joke.”

“K-Camian, that’s rude.”

Annette tried to stop him, but Camian didn’t seem willing to back down this time.

I chuckled.

“It’s not a joke, it’s the truth. Far. I always look far ahead when I make plans and decisions.”

A moment of silence.

They seemed to be judging the true meaning of my words by looking at my expression.

Then Camian said,

“Always looking far ahead… Can I become like you if I do that?”

“You can’t. You’re not as smart as me.”

I answered bluntly, as if it was obvious.

“Cough, cough… S-Senior, Camian is very smart too. He was famous as a child prodigy…”

“P-Please stop, Annette. It’s embarrassing.”

Camian hurriedly stopped Annette, as if it was a dark past.

They’re such a cute couple.

No, that’s not right.

Only Annette is cute.

Camian isn’t cute at all, no matter how you look at him.

The not-so-cute guy spoke again,

“I admit it. That’s how it must look to you, Senior. No, that’s the reality. But.”

Camian’s eyes were filled with determination.

“I know how to work hard. I’m putting everything into it, every single day. To somehow catch up to you, Senior.”

“Yes, that’s a good attitude.”

I chuckled.

“So I’m asking. You said you had expectations for me, Senior. Do you think I’m living up to those expectations?”

“No.”

Camian’s expression fell at my immediate answer.

Annette’s eyes also wavered.

But I wasn’t finished.

“But I acknowledge your efforts. You’re doing your best.”

I continued with a serious expression.

“I can fill in the gaps. Annette can fill them in.”

“What do you mean…?”

Camian looked at me with a confused expression.

Annette, who was suddenly mentioned, also blinked in confusion.

“Cherish the people around you. You’re not alone.”

“Why are you suddenly saying that…?”

“No one can be perfect alone. Not even me. You guys, Ran, Gwen, and many others… I wouldn’t have been able to come this far without their help. I wouldn’t be enjoying this victory feast either.”

“…”

Camian’s expression turned serious, as if he finally understood the meaning behind my words.

Annette was the same.

“Oh, I like that you mentioned my name.”

Ran’s voice suddenly chimed in.

She must have come outside too.

Geez, I was trying to be a proper senior and set the mood for once.

I chuckled.

“How are they? My masterpieces, weren’t they amazing? Everyone thinks so, right?”

Ran hovered around us, her expression clearly asking for praise.

This girl is also cute.

“Yes, they’re amazing, amazing. They were truly outstanding.”

I played along.

“What about Camian?”

“Of course, I respect you. I’ve always respected you.”

What’s wrong with this guy?

…Then I remembered that Camian was desperately yearning for Ran’s masterpiece sword.

He’s good at sucking up.

This is a real gourmet spot.

“What about Annette?”

“They were absolutely amazing. I’ve never seen such incredible weapons before.”

Only after receiving the three-piece praise set did Ran smile with satisfaction.

“Hehe, good, good.”

Ran continued,

“And everyone was amazing. Actually, the truly amazing ones are those who risk their lives fighting on the front lines, right?”

“Oh, you’re humble too?”

“Tsk, why are you like this? Where else can you find someone as humble as me?”

Tap.

Ran nudged me with a playful glare.

Hey, that hurts.

You’re a craftsman, you’re strong…

“It’s truly an honor to be seen that way, Ran.”

…Annette, please do something about this guy.

Look at him sucking up so blatantly.

“S-Servile… Mmmph!”

Camian covered Annette’s mouth with a lightning-fast move.

Even Empress Oscar would be impressed by that speed.

I even had a chilling thought that he might be hiding his true strength on purpose.

S-Scary guy.

…With that level of tenacity, I have no choice but to acknowledge him.

“Haha, Annette, let’s go inside. You look pale, are you feeling unwell?”

“Mmmph!”

“…”

Are you guys filming a sitcom?

“Then, Ran, have a peaceful night. See you tomorrow.”

You’re not even saying goodbye to me?

You said you wanted to follow me no matter what…

“Yes, yes, Camian.”

“Mmmph!”

“…”

Camian took (?) Annette and went inside.

Hey, even if she’s already a 99% favorable heroine, she’s definitely going to be upset by that.

You wanted Ran’s sword that badly…?

I should have never taken him to the forge.

He must have gone crazy after seeing the insane level of the sword I received as a gift.

I shook my head and clicked my tongue when Ran asked,

“By tomorrow, you mean you’ll sleep here tonight and go back tomorrow?”

“That’s right.”

I intentionally scheduled it for the weekend, when there were no classes, and even got permission from the academy to leave.

It was in preparation for the possibility that the conquest of the 12th underground floor might take longer than expected.

But there was no need for that.

Ran’s new weapons were this powerful.

We wiped them out in a single day.

“This is the first time you guys are spending the night here.”

“Now that you mention it, it is.”

“I like it. It’s boring to always be with the same people.”

“Why? There are plenty of new faces today.”

“Eh, those are the residents here.”

“What’s the difference?”

“There’s a difference. A huge difference. Even the vitality in their faces is different. The residents have no vitality. They’re like the undead. Well, it’s gotten a lot better since you guys came. They said the guys on the 10th floor were like that too, right?”

“Heh, well, that’s true.”

Ran’s eyes sparkled.

“They say good energy is contagious, right? That’s probably why. I feel it when I see you guys. The happiness of living a life I had forgotten. The fulfillment of living each day with hope. It’s thanks to you guys that light has returned to this gray life where it was just a matter of dying or surviving.”

Ran honestly expressed her gratitude.

She’s so good with words.

I smiled.

“Ah, this is a bit embarrassing.”

Ran chuckled and stood up.

“I’ll go set up the forge.”

She had brought down the furnace, bellows, hammer, and other tools.

So it wouldn’t be difficult to rebuild the forge.

“Let me know if you need anything.”

Don’t say that, you’re making me want to exploit you.

But I didn’t want to bother her if there wasn’t anything I needed right now.

“Well, not at the moment.”

“Oh, really?”

Ran tilted her head.

Then she said,

“Then how about this?”

“How about what?”

“Making a flag. A really cool flag.”

“A flag?”

I looked at her in confusion, caught off guard by her unexpected suggestion.

“Yes. A flag is a symbol, right? As a noble, you know that, right? Every noble family has its own flag.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“Just like that, we’ll make a flag as our symbol. We’re all different in age, gender, and origin, but we’re all in the same boat, right? Residents moving forward with the hope of somehow surviving in this hellish place. Well, you guys are a bit different. But we all want the same thing, right? So we’ll create a cool flag that embodies that hope. It’ll boost morale, create a sense of belonging, and have all sorts of positive effects…”

“Wait.”

One word struck me.

Sense of belonging.

I had a plan to unite these people and make them a valuable force even in the outside world.

That’s why I was trying to be a savior-like hero.

The important thing was that.

Uniting them as one.

‘A flag, huh. Indeed…’

Resident.

It was certainly a source of shared identity, but it was an abstract concept.

It meant there were limitations.

What if we added one more thing?

A flag, a concrete symbol of a group.

It would definitely be effective in enhancing their sense of belonging.

There was a reason why every noble family had a flag with their family crest.

“Yes? What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s a great idea. I’ll definitely ask you to do it.”

I said with sparkling eyes.

The heroes who survived the underground.

And a majestic flag with their emblem.

If we went out into the world, they would surely become a force to be feared.

Alongside me.

It was a sight that filled me with pride just imagining it.

“Then, the important emblem to be put on the flag…”

“Of course, it’s a turtle. A cute turtle.”

“What? W-Wait…”

My pupils dilated at Ran’s words.

“It’s decided, it’s a turtle. It’ll match perfectly with our savior’s Turtle Sword, right? Ah, and the special battering ram is also a turtle, so it’ll be a great match. Hehehe.”

“D-Don’t we need to discuss this…”

“Only I can make a special flag that will boost morale and a sense of belonging.”

“Ugh…”

“How about mithril? It’s the perfect material for making a dazzlingly shiny flag that will never break or bend. Wow, just thinking about it makes my heart flutter.”

She had already finished designing it.

“…Alright, alright. I’ll leave it all to you.”

“That’s the best.”

Clap.

We shook hands.

It wasn’t me who initiated it.

…Why the sudden handshake?

I just kept quiet so as not to ruin the mood.

* * *

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

Once again, Gwen was in charge of training.

But there was a change.

Milia volunteered to assist with the training as his deputy.

It was unexpected.

Although Gwen was more experienced, Milia was actually superior in terms of reputation and skill as a knight.

It was a decision that wouldn’t be easy for a knight’s pride.

And yet, she had humbled herself and stepped forward.

It was something that hadn’t happened before.

Which meant.

“Yes, Savior.”

Milia addressed me with sparkling eyes and utmost respect.

It was the look of someone seeing a true savior.

She seemed to already know.

That this group existed and was thriving because of me.

Even so.

“…It’s a bit burdensome to be called that.”

“You are the Savior. I believe it’s the right title.”

“…”

Being called that made me feel like some cult leader.

She was looking at me with an expression that suggested she would gladly spread the word if I just told her to.

‘Well, it’s not bad…’

Gaining the heart of a female knight like Milia was definitely an unexpected achievement.

“Then I’ll leave it to you all. I’ll be back soon with supplies.”

We left the residents, burning with hope and determination, and returned to the surface.