Chapter 118
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Hospitalization - 2
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Somehow hearing the rumors, Peredil, the captain of the 1st Paladin Order, came to see me in person.
"We will investigate the matter of the divine relic ourselves. Hero, please return to your hometown and rest."
"I appreciate the consideration, but since it's something I need, I'll search for it myself."
Peredil turned his head away at my response and urged me earnestly.
"Your current condition is extremely poor, Hero. Your well-being is of utmost importance to our Holy Kingdom. We'll handle these personal matters, so please, just this once, yield on this."
"If you put it that way... very well, I'll do as you say."
"We are deeply grateful."
Unable to refuse Peredil's courteous plea, I decided to head straight home.
"Personally, I'm not pleased."
"About what?"
Camilla tossed the words out casually as I packed my things.
"You speak casually to me and Her Highness from the start, yet you show formality to Sir Peredil."
"Are you upset I used informal speech? If it bothered you, I'm sorry. I'll use formal speech from now on."
"That's not it. It's just... seeing you watch your step around someone stronger than you doesn't sit well with me. I prefer a Hero who's bold in any situation."
"Is that so? Then let me correct one thing. I didn't show formality to Peredil because he's strong."
"Really?"
"Yeah. If I don't like someone, I charge right in, no matter how strong they are."
My temper had softened a bit since getting married, but still.
As a kid, I'd stood up to the Black Tiger, master of the Titan Mountains, and in my previous life, I'd defied a general as a mere foot soldier.
Looking back, it was crazy, but what could I do? That's just how I am.
"What a barbaric personality."
"You said you liked it."
"There's a difference between being bold and being a beast that can't discern right from wrong."
"Sneakily taking shots, huh?"
"So, what's your standard?"
"You get curious about the weirdest things."
"I just want to know more about you, Hero."
"Alright, then. Basically, I return courtesy to those who show it to me first."
There's a saying: kind words going out bring kind words back.
No reason to show consideration to those who don't show it to me.
"Then why did you use informal speech with us right from the start?"
"You barge into someone's home uninvited and talk big."
"That was unavoidable due to duty."
"And now you're not complaining about it."
It was a pointless, trivial conversation, but chatting with Camilla like old friends was enjoyable.
"Next time we meet, I'll help you out, Hero."
"Good, do that. How long do I have to suffer alone?"
I playfully pinched Camilla's cheek.
She'd hated it at first, but now she tugged at my cheek in return.
"Take care of yourself."
"You too. Your injuries from fighting those moles haven't fully healed yet."
"I'm fine. Someone sacrificed themselves to protect me, after all."
"Oh? Sounds like a great guy."
"Yeah. I almost fell for him."
"Then confess. Who knows? It might work out."
Camilla smiled in response, then quickened her pace to put some distance between us.
She looked back and shouted.
"Expect something when we meet next time."
"Sounds good. I'll look forward to it."
I waved back.
After bidding farewell to Camilla and climbing into the carriage,
Helen arrived.
"Sian, are you leaving now?"
"Yeah. Take good care of yourself too, Helen."
"I'm fine. I'm just worried about your condition. If possible, we'll find the divine relic... or at least some divine legacy soon."
"Thanks to Miss Devoted Caretaker's tender loving care, I'm better than expected. Don't worry too much."
"Okay..."
"Hero, it's time to depart."
At the paladin's call, I boarded the carriage right away. Through the window, I finished my farewell to Helen.
"You don't have to find the relic. Just come to my coronation."
"Understood. I'll see you then."
I gazed endlessly at Helen waving goodbye, then settled into the carriage.
Upon arriving in Hippo Baron's territory, I stopped the carriage immediately.
"Let me off here."
"Hero, this isn't your territory yet."
"Your accommodations aren't ready in our territory yet. We'll walk from here."
"If you insist, then at least take a horse."
"Sure, we'd appreciate that."
The knights handed over a horse, then departed the way they'd come.
I headed straight for Hippo Baron's mansion.
To meet my knight who was here.
"Gregor, have you been carrying out my orders properly?"
"Loyalty. No issues."
"Oh! Count, have you been well?"
Hippo Baron stood beside Gregor.
Judging by his enthusiastic welcome, he'd heard about me from Gregor.
"I'm in good health. And you, Hippo Baron?"
"Haha, doing fine. The west is chaotic, but our territory has no involvement. Times like these call for boldness."
His fake friendliness grated, but since he's a neighbor, I let it slide pleasantly.
"Count, have you eaten?"
"Not yet."
"Perfect. Allow me to show off my wife's cooking."
"Sure. First, let me speak with Gregor briefly."
"Of course. I'll wait at the mansion."
Hippo Baron entered his mansion, and I shared recent events with Gregor.
"None of the concerns you worried about came to pass, my lord."
"Good to hear."
"The Holy Kingdom responded faster than anticipated."
Gregor had been handling things as I'd instructed.
With Hippo Baron's help, he'd prepared troops and even scouted and trained talented individuals as knights.
In the process, he'd become Hippo Baron's son-in-law.
What was her name again? The woman who came to my bedroom that night.
"Anyway, things went as you wanted."
"Kuhum, yes."
Gregor's desire to become my knight wasn't for some grand reason he'd spouted.
It was for survival—to escape his origins as a knight of Anitul Earl.
His choice proved wise. All the other knights were dragged to the guillotine.
In the process, he'd become a noble's son-in-law, albeit a baron's, and gained the Holy Kingdom's protection through me.
With his survival secured, he'd gotten everything he could from me.
Despite appearances, he was politically astute.
"I won't nitpick you using me. Life's all about mutual exploitation anyway."
"Thank you for your mercy."
"That said, just as you used me, I need to use you too. Fair's fair."
"What do you desire?"
"Become the gatekeeper of Lugeron Village from here."
I'd roughly guessed Gregor's intentions when he first approached me.
But I'd accepted him anyway because of his skills.
'Top-tier even among 4th Circle.'
Not a threat like 3rd Circle, but Gregor wouldn't get beaten anywhere.
Plus his mercenary tactics for leading troops as a knight—he could turn this place into a fortress city.
"The west will plunge into chaos soon."
"Yes."
"Lands seized from traitors are ownerless, and Hadron still stands strong. War is inevitable."
In that turmoil, I wanted Lugeron Village safe.
"Guard this place, and I'll formally take you under my command."
"Your will be done. I shall obey."
Gregor knelt immediately at my words.
With the resolve to give his life for me.
Neigh~
"There, there, we made it."
Dragging my aching body, I arrived in Lugeron Village.
It'd only been about two weeks away, but it felt like forever.
'Shorter than the expedition.'
Maybe because so many events crammed into that short time.
At the village entrance, militia captain Carlson stood guard as always.
"Sian, you're back?"
"Carlson, always holding down the entrance."
"Not worth praising. Just doing my job as captain."
"That's what makes it impressive. But what's with the bruise on your face?"
"Haha, well..."
Carlson trailed off, hesitated, then shot me a slightly resentful look.
"My master hit me."
"Master? Oh! Colin!"
I'd completely forgotten.
Colin, the village chief's daughter and his disciple.
A woman so scatterbrained adventurers called her "madwoman."
I'd clearly told her to protect the village, so why'd she beat up the innocent captain?