episode_0073

“Magic level 3?”

According to his explanation, Ariel’s magical talent was extraordinary, enough to leave a continent-wide presence.

It was an undeniably excellent talent, considering she could control some of the magic power from Killua’s pendant fragment, albeit limitedly, and created her own unique fire magic.

However, we couldn’t help but tilt our heads slightly at the Hero’s overly excited reaction to having met someone with such talent.

“Ahahahat… I apologize. The quest I received from the Goddess… Ugh!”

The moment the Hero was about to utter another strange word.

Ermel, who was beside him, suddenly jabbed him in the side, as if she couldn’t stand his words anymore, cutting him off.

The Hero gave a wry smile, clicked his tongue for a moment, then began to speak again.

“I received an oracle from the Goddess-nim. It was an oracle to recruit an excellent mage as a companion from the southern region of the continent.”

At the mention of the Goddess’s oracle, Ariel and I looked at each other.

So, according to the Hero’s explanation, he had finally met someone with magical talent in this village, one of the villages in the southern region of the continent, by the Goddess’s command.

“So… you want to take me as a companion?”

And his goal was to recruit a mage with magical talent as a companion.

“If Ariel-ssi wishes, that is.”

He continued speaking, maintaining a gentle smile, as if to imply there was no compulsion.

“I am the Hero who must slay the Demon King, who is plunging the continent into danger, by the Goddess-nim’s oracle. It will undoubtedly be a difficult and life-threatening task. One cannot participate in such a task against their own will.”

If an ordinary person had said they would overthrow the Demon King, who ruled half the continent, I would have laughed heartily.

But when the Hero spoke of overthrowing the Demon King, I couldn’t help but feel admiration for his noble resolve and valiant courage in taking the lead in such a terrifyingly dangerous endeavor.

“What if… I refuse?”

Ariel, who had been looking back and forth between the Hero, who had revealed his noble purpose of overthrowing the Demon King, and me, standing beside her, cautiously posed the question.

“I would have to continue an endless journey to find another mage. The ques… no, the oracle’s reward is immense.”

“……”

At the Hero’s words, Ariel began to ponder with a serious expression.

The Hero was the only possibility for humanity to overthrow the Demon King, as he was the sword embodying the Goddess’s will.

The slower his steps, following the Goddess’s oracle that led him toward overthrowing the Demon King, the more his fellow humans would suffer.

In fact, in the northern battlefields of the continent, dozens of humans were dying futilely every day in the war against the demon race.

“Ah, then how about accompanying me as a companion for just a short while?”

As Ariel was pondering with a serious expression over a matter that couldn’t be easily decided, the Hero made a suggestion.

“The Goddess-nim’s oracle included a command to subjugate the slimes in Lime Forest. How about accompanying me for a short while, and helping guide me through the forest?”

The Hero confidently puffed out his chest and shrugged, as if to demonstrate his strength and abilities.

“Alright. If your abilities don’t match the name of a Hero… then let’s consider the matter of companionship null and void!”

Perhaps judging that the Hero’s proposal wasn’t bad, Ariel accepted his offer to accompany him for a short while with a bright face.

——————-

“What do you think, Jazel?”

After the Hero left the plaza to prepare for the slime subjugation, Ariel cautiously asked for my opinion.

“He’s certainly a cool person. He seems capable… and it doesn’t seem like a lie that he received an oracle from the Goddess.”

To be honest, it seemed right for Ariel to embark on an adventure as his companion to overthrow the Demon King.

It wouldn’t have felt strange at all even if it were her destiny.

“A mage who overthrows the Demon King alongside the Hero… I’d also get titles like ‘Mage of Crimson Flame’ or ‘Mage of Red,’ wouldn’t I?”

Ariel, hearing my assessment of the Hero, also nodded as if in agreement, and smiled excitedly as if imagining her cool self overthrowing the Demon King alongside the Hero.

However, as I looked at her smile, a bitter feeling began to emerge on my face at the fact that I couldn’t hold onto her, given her immense talent and potential.

At that moment…

“But I prefer being the proprietress of a grand merchant guild~”

As if she had read my bitterness, Ariel, who had been imagining her future as an active mage, smiled brightly, came closer to me, and affectionately hugged my arm.

“Honestly, I absolutely detest being at the forefront or active and receiving attention~ I think it would be perfect to just ride on Jazel’s back, enjoy delicacies from land and sea, and swim in the gold and silver coins you earn!”

“Are you serious?”

Unable to believe her words about giving up all her talent and potential to stay by my side, I looked at her, still hugging my arm, and asked.

“If you succeed in overthrowing the Demon King, you could gain immense wealth, fame, and honor incomparable to a mere merchant guild. You could have almost everything in the world, and yet?”

Overthrowing the Demon King would not be easy.

But it wasn’t impossible if one stayed by the Hero’s side, following the Goddess’s choice and the oracles she bestowed.

I don’t know how long it would take… but the Hero, supported by the Goddess’s power and aid, would surely overthrow the Demon King.

“But at the end of that amazing journey, Jazel isn’t there, is he?”

As if my question was a foolish one, Ariel gave a lovely eye-smile and gently stroked my cheek.

“Jazel, you’re the benefactor who saved me after I was bound by slimes for five long years. And I’ve already taken all the loyalty, faith, trust, and affection you showed towards the White Mage-nim. What more could I possibly need?”

“Am I that valuable?”

“Yes! To me, you are a precious person of immense value!”

Ariel answered resolutely without a moment’s hesitation, as if proving her unwavering heart towards me.

In her strong reply, I could feel her firm belief and clear trust in me without any filter.

“Then…”

At her strong reply, which seemed like it wouldn’t be sullied or shaken by any hardship or crisis, I cautiously brought up a possibility swirling in my mind, one unfitting for my station.

“How about I go with you too?”

“…Huh?”

At my words, Ariel let out a silly exclamation, as if she had never imagined such a possibility.

“As… as a Hero’s companion, I mean.”

My voice trembled involuntarily at such an undeserved position, one I could barely utter myself.

“As the Hero said, I have talent as a merchant… so couldn’t I adequately manage daily necessities or consumables?”

“Jazel…”

Ariel mumbled my name in a disbelieving voice at my suggestion.

Had I desired a position too grand, unfitting for me…?

The moment such worries began to creep uncomfortably within my chest.

“You’re a genius!? It’s a perfect, undeniable idea!!”

Ariel raised her voice in joy, suddenly grasping my cheeks gently with both hands.

“Kheu~ Yes! A man should have that much boldness and courage! Jazel, you’ve grown a lot too!”

Perhaps finding my courage to propose becoming a Hero’s companion commendable and joyful, Ariel, who had gently held my cheeks, brazenly kissed me on the lips in front of the villagers.

With the soft sound of a kiss, all the villagers’ gazes focused on us, but…

…upon seeing us kiss, they merely turned their heads with a small smile, as if to indicate they wouldn’t disturb us.

“Always have that much confidence. I’m special, and Jazel is special too. If we just believe in ourselves, we can all become special!”

Ariel confidently encouraged me, as if it were an undeniable truth.

Outwardly, I smiled at her encouragement… but inwardly, I couldn’t agree with her words.

The uniqueness that each person possesses due to their inherent talent and ability was bound to vary wildly from birth.

Ariel, born with magical talent that stood out even among ordinary people, would never understand.

How easily those with meager talents disappear or are forgotten…

Like how the Hero, mage, warrior, and cleric who overthrew the Demon King would be remembered forever, but the merchants, families, and mercenaries who helped them would vanish without a trace and be forgotten…

“Come on~ Let’s go, Jazel! We should test this ‘Hero’ person who’s going to lead us, shouldn’t we?”

Ariel held my hand tightly as if she wouldn’t let go, and led me toward the village entrance that led to Lime Forest, where the Hero, who had planned the slime subjugation, was waiting.

It was clear that the best way for Ariel’s talent and abilities to shine most brilliantly was to become the Hero’s companion.

For me to become the Hero’s companion alongside her was unfitting for my station, possessing only the talent of a merchant…

But to spend time with her while allowing her talent to shine as much as possible, this seemed to be the only way.