Aftermath (2)
Think about it!! This is a huge burden!!
I'm not some rural social butterfly from Agnes Village! If I step out on the street right now, it's not just people tipping their hats in greeting— the shadowkin are in a mood to swear fealty on the spot!
Even acknowledging every single greeting is exhausting enough. Who'd want to wander the streets feeling that kind of pressure?
Influence is the same deal.
The bigger my influence gets, the more it threatens or encroaches on someone else's. For every person who likes me, another starts hating my guts.
Just like in some stories where the hero who slays the Demon King becomes the king's greatest rival!
Sigh, today's just reconfirmed what I already knew deep down—I'm an introvert at heart.
Should I just bail back to Agnes Village?
"Overdoing the humility can actually breed suspicion."
"It's not about humility."
"E-even Liard knows that side of you well.
Sir Kirgil, even if you run now, the moment will chase you down like a hunter—when you have to make some critical decision.
And when that time comes, you might have to suppress or hide your true nature."
"Suppress or hide my true nature? Sounds like a massive stressor just hearing it."
"On the flip side, there are folks who let it all explode without restraint. Then everyone around them gets caught in the fallout."
"Tricky. So tricky… Urgh…."
"Hahaha! Here's a tip, though.
Times like that? Nothing beats knocking back a drink. Even better if you can tangle up with your beloved!
Clear your head out once in a while!
Damn, we should've called a lady over for this spot."
"Then this wouldn't be a place for an old-timer like you anymore.
Ah, but saying it out loud… yeah, I kinda want to now."
"Hahaha! Then put up with this geezer's whining!"
Riding the vibe, we toasted and slammed our shots.
Before getting too sloshed, though, there was one thing I had to ask.
"Why hide Katona's death?"
"Hmmm…."
Liard looked like he'd seen this coming.
Probably ruins the booze, huh.
"First off, let me say upfront—I'm here today thanks to Lady Feriana's patronage and grace.
She's like a second mother and sister to me. I've sworn to protect her no matter what.
Look at that girl Ssu, and you'll get it. Even someone like me, infamous as a brutal executioner to shadowkin like Lady Feriana…
There was that time I surrounded the Kalderan Cathedral Knights in one go, trying to force their cooperation. I was dead serious about razing the cathedral.
Luckily, Lady Feriana stopped me. But riding that momentum, shadowkin started targeting priests and causing chaos near the cathedral every damn day.
That's when I showed no mercy—executing the guilty shadowkin or handing down harsh punishments.
Do you get why I did that?"
Now I finally understood why Hidiyana and Ssu feared Liard—who serves a shadowkin lady—like the grim reaper.
This is why he thinks I'll need to make choices too.
"To stem the fallout from your own actions. You struck a balance, in a way."
"Balance. Funny metaphor—and spot on.
I had to take responsibility for what I'd stirred up.
I'd massively threatened the Kalderan Cathedral's authority and safety, so I had to restore it decisively.
And luckily, I had the chops to handle it.
That girl, Ssu-kara… looking at her now, I think I overdid it. But back then, no choice."
Liard washed down the bitterness with a sip and wrapped it up.
"Sir Kirgil, I've come to accept and understand now.
You did kill Katona with your own hands, no doubt.
But you're not the type who can shoulder the massive heroic fallout from that.
And that's a real shame."
Yeah, facts aside, I know it's hard for others to acknowledge my feats.
Heard it too many times.
"Anyway, that massive event happened. So the aftermath's gonna be huge.
But if you can't handle it, someone else will have to—or exploit it."
"So someone's exploiting Katona's death in my place. No need to beat around the bush—I know who."
The schemer's using it, right?"
"Ahem… I serve Lady Feriana, but I hold Lady Ferio dear too."
"Wow, even here you've got that sense of balance."
"Khm, it just… works out that way."
Whoa, first time seeing Liard flustered. Not mocking, but he's got some fun sides.
Savoring a little victory, I toasted with Liard and took a sip.
This one's especially tasty.
"Lady Orio plans to snag a fine son-in-law with Katona's head.
Especially in the capital, Darania Castle—plenty of highborn knights eyeing it."
"Wait… no way?"
"Katona becomes Lady Ferio's kill. Conveniently, her knights were the first to arrive at Agnes Village."
Ferio'd never stand for it, personality-wise. So they could preemptively claim it and just inform her after.
This is a class society where superiors can cut backroom deals regardless of underlings' protests.
The schemer's slimy enough for that.
I've seen it already.
That lady accused me of colluding with Agnes to steal the honor of killing Katona.
Someone who thinks like that? They can—and have—pulled that crap.
"Sir Kirgil, Lady Orio knows about the miracle you pulled off. But human nature doesn't change easy."
Figures. That schemer'll keep looking down on me no matter what I do.
"That's why Lady Orio seemed tense this morning. Probably rushing to wrap things up."
Instead of fixing her disdain or acknowledging me, she wants to offload Katona's head to the elite before I get more famous—make it a done deal?
Confirmation bias turns petty grudges scary.
Damn… thinking about it pisses me off. A lot.
This won't just irk me—others too.
Does that scheming auntie have some special counterplan?
"Sir Kirgil, position-wise, I can't block Lady Orio's moves.
Like it or not, she's vital to this castle."
"Wish we could beat some manners into her."
"Khm, pretend I didn't hear that."
Liard silently refilled our glasses.
"But if some brave soul sets things right, I'd cooperate fully—for the lord's sake."
This guy's got beef with the schemer too.
Liard and I toasted one last time, in high spirits.
Personally, I don't care much what happens to Katona's head. Wasn't after fame, and the Hero badge—my all-access pass—is plenty for now.
But I'm steeling myself to block the schemer anyway.
Partly for Ferio, but more because Agnes's wrath scares me more.
If she splits from Count Prosek and drops a single tear around here… disaster.
Another reason I'm game? Countering the schemer's simpler than I thought.
Just boost my presence in the castle.
Have Liard or other bigwigs relay it to the lord: 'Yeah, Kirgil's the type who'd nab Katona.'
I've got a few ideas lined up. Nothing grand—just crash some eye-catching gatherings.
But first. Loose ends to tie.
The day after drinks with Liard,
I took Ssu to the Adventurers' Guild.
Still festival vibes, so I threw on a hood I never wear.
Hearing "Long live Hero Kirgil!" nearby? Face burns.
How'd my name spread so fast?
Hey! Ssu! What dad cheers?!
Don't wave at them all friendly! Play dumb!
Don't join the cheers!!
Eventually spotted, I nursed a couple drinks, claimed urgent business, and slipped out.
"Phew, who knew the guild's picky membership process would be such a blessing."
"Right? Feels like escaping scorching sun for cool shade."
Ashushikara was there too, another refugee like me. Miracle backlog had her fuming—smiling with veins bulging on one cheek.
Not happy giggles. Irritated grit.
Said she came "to find her vanished man."
"That sun god priestess metaphor isn't borderline blasphemy?"
"We don't force the desert sun on everyone—we're flexible. But Kirgil, you need a night of sunlight tonight."
This woman's gonna lounge here maxing out till closing, then drag me to the cathedral.
Annoying, but I'll go. Got reasons now.
Ssu, glued to my side, was tense as hell.
Not just awkward around Ashushikara opposite us—but she knew why I was here.
Yeah. Figured they'd show.
Kerry's crew just arrived.