episode_0002

“The heroes who defeated the demon king have arrived!”

With grand trumpet sounds, various instruments created a beautiful harmony.

Everyone was joyous and enjoying the grand festival.

However, the expressions of the heroes entering the hall, receiving all sorts of praise, were grim beyond measure.

“One person is missing.”

What happened to Allen?

The emperor had a hunch.

“It’s a shame.”

Since it was a good opportunity to write a suitable eulogy, he forcibly made the hero participate in the party, but it seemed he did not come out unscathed.

“We needed the pretext that one of the empire’s nobles defeated the demon king… It’s a shame.”

Although a nobleman, practically his confidant, had died, the emperor did not seem particularly saddened.

Rather, he felt regretful that if the nobleman had been alive, it would have been a greater pretext.

“Oh, heroes who have vanquished the demon king! All life in this world has received your grace! On behalf of the entire continent, I, Erkis von Burgan Arclion, the emperor of the empire, express my gratitude to you! Speak of your desires!”

Clap clap clap clap-

After the emperor finished speaking, the empire’s nobles filled the hall with thunderous applause.

The emperor, who praised the achievements of the heroes who defeated the demon king and organized such a hero’s party.

The nobles considered their presence here a lifelong pride and honor.

“Your Majesty, what your heart desires is not so grand. Simply being able to wander in a peaceful world is more than enough.”

“You truly have no greed like a hero! However, if we do not give any reward to you, who have achieved the feat of subduing the demon king, that too will become a laughingstock in history. It doesn’t have to be now, but feel free to speak up anytime!”

Still kneeling with her head bowed, Irene, who was tapped on the shoulder by the emperor, turned to the nobles and spoke again.

“Praise the achievement of the hero who defeated the demon king and open the grand festival!”

“Wow!”

“Long live Emperor!”

While celebrations were held across the entire continent upon realizing that the demon king had been subdued, it was not important to those gathered here.

…

Still bowing with her head down, Irene, motionless and kneeling, quietly bit her lip.

“Tying me up just for a mere festival?”

Irene was not foolish.

Many in society thought she was foolish simply because she was of common birth, but she had already learned the necessary knowledge for social life from Allen.

[Irene, in formal settings, you must understand not just the literal meaning but also the hidden intentions. Conversations among nobles can be tiresome. You need to grasp the true intentions of the speaker.]

“You’re right, Allen.”

In the recent conversation, Irene said “Let me go,” and the emperor replied with “No.”

“I won’t become the empire’s fool.”

If she couldn’t act on her own will and had to perform in front of the masses as ordered by the emperor… that would undeniably make her a fool.

At least Irene did not want such a life.

The years-long journey to defeat the demon king was tough and arduous.

She wanted to escape the empire somehow.

She couldn’t move right now, but there was still plenty of time left.

For now, it was best to wait for Allen to return and cater to the emperor’s whims appropriately.

“Hero, what happened to Allen?”

Without saying a word, the emperor approached Irene, who was bowing her head, and asked again.

“In the last battle with the Four Kings, I suffered a major injury and am being treated at the church.”

“Oh! To think that a colleague who defeated evil alongside a hero leading the empire is now seriously injured!”

“Hmm, seems like he didn’t go with him to subdue the Demon King.”

Externally showing a sorrowful expression, the emperor clicked his tongue upon realizing that Allen did not participate in the journey to defeat the Demon King.

“If only Allen had fought the Demon King and died, it would have made for a suitable narrative!”

“Send knights to check on Allen’s condition immediately. If his injuries have somewhat healed, he should come to the capital for a glorious welcome!”

“Your words are just.”

Seeing through the emperor’s true intentions, Irene inwardly chuckled while expressing gratitude to the emperor.

Regardless of the emperor’s hidden agenda, calling Allen to the capital was also beneficial for Irene.

“If I marry the hero to my son, the empire will become even greater.”

“When Allen arrives, I should flee immediately.”

The emperor and Irene smiled at each other, concealing their true intentions.

***

Allen moved without rest.

With his body significantly recovered, Allen, using an alias, promptly registered as a mercenary so he could display some skill in combat.

He swiftly handled requests and received rewards.

With those rewards, he sought out and helped those in need.

That was Allen’s daily routine and life.

“Thank you! Thank you!”

“It’s okay, no need for thanks.”

“Still… Only a saint like you helps people like us.”

“…A saint?”

Taken aback by the unexpected praise, Allen hesitated before asking.

“Do you not know? Among the poor in this region, there is no one who has not received help from you. How could we not call you a saint?”

“I see.”

Despite the man’s praise calling him a saint, Allen’s expression was filled with embarrassment.

While the man thought to himself, “How humble the saint is,” Allen felt conflicted.

To Allen, his actions felt hypocritical. At least that’s how he saw it.

Calling himself a saint—what a comedy that was.

“I will take my leave for today.”

“Please stay! Saint!”

Due to the man continuously referring to him as a saint without realizing, Allen felt as if multiple daggers were piercing his heart, causing him immense discomfort.

Nevertheless, he did not show any signs of distress and continued on his way.

There were still others in need of help.

If they could become self-sufficient soon, he could move on to the next area.

He had no intention of settling in one place.

He only wandered around, performing the hypocrisy of helping those in need.

That was all that remained for Allen.

***

The festival, steeped in luxury and pleasure, continued endlessly.

Even though two months had passed since the hero returned after defeating the Demon King, there was no sign of the festival ending.

All the people of the empire praised the hero’s achievements while seeking alcohol and companionship.

The streets were overflowing with empty bottles, and citizens who had not yet sobered up were sleeping in various places.

Looking at them, Irene smiled bitterly.

Despite being a festival celebrating her own achievements… No, because the festival celebrating her achievements looked like this.

“It’s probably just an excuse for the festival.”

People praised the hero’s accomplishments while drinking, but no one spoke about the hardships the hero had endured.

She only saw the achievement she had accomplished at the very end, and had no interest in the hardships hidden behind the hero party.

The demon king disappeared, and they were safe.

This fact led people to drink under disguise and made young men and women play recklessly.

If the god of light who created the world sees this, they will probably bring down divine punishment.

Thump-thump-

“Hero! You’re here!”

“What’s the matter? I said I was going for a quiet walk.”

A knight who had suddenly ridden up on a horse urgently dismounted.

“News has arrived for Sir Allen.”

“…! Is it true?”

“Yes. I saw the knight who went to meet Sir Allen returning.”

“Thank you for letting me know.”

Upon hearing that news of Allen had arrived, Irene’s heart began to swell with joy.

Having heard news about a precious comrade she had spent the past few years with, she couldn’t help but feel happy.

Coincidentally wandering not far from the palace, Irene borrowed the horse and rode towards the palace upon the knight’s words.

Thump-thump-

Irene crossed the unnecessarily large palace.

The knights she met along the way hurriedly saluted her, but Irene’s attention was solely on news about Allen.

Bang-

Irene forcefully opened the massive doors of the imperial chamber.

Rushing so hastily that she didn’t even realize her own rudeness, she approached the kneeling knight before the emperor with a rarely seen expression.

“Hero…?”

The emperor called Irene with a puzzled expression.

However, Irene did not respond.

“Where is Allen?”

“…”

“…”

Both the emperor and the knight fell silent simultaneously.

Sometimes actions speak louder than words.

Suppressing her rising anxiety, Irene asked again.

“Where is Allen…?”

“…”

The emperor turned his head without saying a word.

The knight, who had maintained silence, cautiously began to speak.

“I went to the church where Sir Allen was supposed to be… but Sir Allen had already left.”

“…?”

Seeing the knight utter words she didn’t want to hear, words she couldn’t even comprehend, Irene blankly stared.