Just a Little Cool, My Hero♥
A chimera had appeared. I wasn't sure if the name was used here, but given the author's typical naming conventions, it was probably accurate.
The chimera scanned its surroundings once, then opened its jaws wide toward the guard standing right beside it.
“Kwaaaah!!!”
Anyone guarding the border should have had decent skill, yet the movement was so fast the soldier hadn't even had time to react.
...Honestly, I couldn't track it with my eyes either.
The people panicked and started running, while the guards dropped their dead comrade and raised their spears to fight the monster.
This time they raised their front paws. If those paws slammed down, the guards would lose their lives again.
...I have to save them.
Instead of thinking rationally, my body moved a step faster.
“Hold on... Hero-sama!”
By the time I realized what I was doing, I was already holding the Sword of Order and blocking the guard in front of me.
Now what? I hadn't received a blessing before coming here, and the chimera was already swinging its front paw. Could I really block that massive paw with pure strength?
...It was already too late to think about it. I'd already done it. If I had been calm, I would have thought better. Even if people died, I should have chosen a surefire method.
All that worrying was pointless.
Since things had come to this, if I couldn't do it, I would die.
The monster was powerful, and I had no blessing. All I had was the Sword of Order, which always dealt critical hits to monsters, and this slightly grown body of mine.
Gripping the Sword of Order with both hands, I followed its movement to block the chimera's front paw.
Whoosh!
It was fast. I couldn't track it with my eyes. Could I time it right?
At that moment, a familiar voice shouted from behind.
“Hero-sama! Now the blade is coming from the bottom left!!”
“!”
I immediately followed the instruction. And then...
Kbang!!!
...Ouch!
The Sword of Order let out a resounding ring. The shock traveled straight through the blade and into my entire body.
The chimera's front paw had been blocked by the Sword of Order. Thanks to the advice from behind, I had timed it perfectly.
But it wasn't over yet. The chimera seemed intent on throwing me away, pushing me back without holding back.
“Kkuk?!”
I tried to endure it by pouring every bit of strength into my body, but the monster's power was overwhelming. I would fall before flying away. If that happened, I...
《Sacred Sword》
At that moment, the massive force pushing me disappeared. Looking up, I saw the chimera vomiting blood.
With a heavy thud, the giant chimera collapsed. Unusually, its upper body fell to the left and its lower body to the right, cleanly severed right in the middle. Such a thing was possible only because...
...Hero-sama!
...Only that woman.
She had sliced the chimera in a single clean stroke and, without a trace of exhaustion, the Saint hurried over and grabbed my face, shouting.
“Are you hurt anywhere!? Nowhere, right? You're okay, right!?”
...The cheeks I'm holding are more painful.
The Saint examined my body thoroughly, checking for injuries. Her expression was genuinely shocked. This was the first time I'd seen her look so panicked. In her sparkling amber eyes, I could see a wealth of worry for me.
...Sigh.
...I'm fine, Saint-nim.
...You really did something reckless! The chimera is an upper-class monster! You should have at least received a blessing before coming...!
“Then it would have been too late.”
I shifted my gaze to the guard who had been keeping an eye on me. He was looking at me with even more shock than the Saint. The Saint followed my gaze to him, then looked back at me.
“I didn't have time to receive a blessing.”
...Haah.
Still, it was a sigh of relief. She must have realized I was fine.
...What were you thinking? If I hadn't been here....
“I was doing it because the Saint was here.”
The Saint's pupils widened slightly.
In truth, I hadn't thought much about it, but honestly, I was making an excuse because I was worried about getting scolded. And she had really saved me cleanly?
......Even if you say that, I won't forgive you. If you do something reckless again, I will tie you up with chains and lock you away.
...That serious?
...You were too reckless, you know?
“Yes, I'll reflect on it.”
The Saint let out a deep sigh. She must have been really worried. It would be nice if she treated me like this more often.
The Saint shot me a sharp look, but her eyes soon curved into a crescent moon. She gave me her usual eye smile and smile.
...Even so, you were cool~♥ It's clear you haven't forgotten that heroes exist to save people~♥
...The Saint said so.
“Yes, that's right. Good job, Hero-sama♥”
It's been a while since I heard praise from the Saint. She took a small step back and muttered something.
...It was a bit cool, Hero-sama♥
“What did you say? Please speak a little louder.”
I really didn't hear it. It sounded like an ant was talking.
The Saint, having heard my words, giggled and placed her index finger on her lips.
“It's a secret~♡”
#
...Hero-sama...
I hadn't reacted in time for Cloe. In an instant, Abel had rushed forward, and the moment Estelle realized what was happening, she followed right after. But for Cloe, she could only stare blankly at them.
Even after Abel had rushed forward to block the chimera's front paw in front of the guard. Only after the chimera's paw swung did Cloe finally manage to move.
But the timing was already too late. Estelle had already moved ahead, assisted Abel, and instantly sliced the chimera with the Holy Sword.
The Holy Sword that severed an upper-class monster in one blow. Estelle, who had casually used the power the Pope would normally require, had saved Abel.
Abel, who had rushed out without hesitation to save people, and Estelle, who had been able to help him right away. And Cloe, who had done nothing.
She could have done something herself. But the fear of the monster had consumed her first, and while Abel and Estelle were acting, she had done nothing.
...Annoying.
Cloe watched Abel and Estelle, who were chatting as if nothing had happened with a satisfied expression, and felt an indescribable emotion.
#
“Heh, fufufu♡ Stupid Hero-sama♡ Idiot♡”
...Shut up. Don't laugh.
How is that funny~♡ What kind of hero sprains his waist~♡
...Damn it.
It was good that he had blocked the chimera, but the problem was that he had taken the shock head-on and hurt his body. After helping the guards clean up, his waist had given out.
Thanks to that, I was lying on the floor, and the Saint was fixing my waist and saying something like this.
“Heh heh, damn kid.”
...Are you okay, Hero-sama?
“Ah... I'm fine. Since the Saint is here, it should heal quickly.”
You don't have to worry, Cloe. The Saint here may talk like crap, but above all, she's the most reliable healer.
“A stupid hero who gets his waist sprained after picking up wood planks♡ Can't even use his strength properly♡”
...Be quiet.
“A useless male who can't even use his waist properly♡”
“What are you saying!?”
The Saint giggled. Really, damn it, we'll see about you later.
“Hero-sama.”
At that moment, the guards approached us.
“What is it?”
“May I take a moment of your time?”
“Yes?... It's fine.”
...Everyone, attention.
The oldest-looking one among them gave the command, and the guards snapped to attention in unison.
“Salute to Hero-sama.”
““We are truly grateful, Hero-sama!””
...Why is it embarrassing?
“Ah... Did you come to give thanks?”
“Yes. You saved the people and citizens of this border post.”
You must be mistaken. I only saved one person. The rest weren't done by me.
I pointed at the Saint who was treating my waist.
“That's the Saint's....”
“Hero-sama did it~♡”
...What?
I whispered to the Saint.
“Saint-nim, what are you saying?”
“The reward should go to Hero-sama, so we can receive more later♡ Is Hero-sama an idiot~?”
...Ah.
At the regular report meeting? That makes sense.
...But saying I did something I didn't do is a bit off.
Anyway, since the Saint and Hero are a pair, it doesn't matter. You don't have to feel guilty.
...Hmm.
“And I don't really want to reveal that I'm different from the other Saints. So Hero-sama's fame and achievements will pile up, and I'll do good things too. It's a win-win~♡”
...If you say it that way.
“Saint-nim?”
...It was possible because the Saint helped. It wasn't just my own strength.
No, how can you be this humble....
The man who looked like the captain of the guard shed tears in gratitude.
...If you say it like that, I feel guilty, sir.
“It is a source of pride that we have a hero like you for our empire. I will definitely report this to the upper ranks and have His Majesty the Emperor informed.”
“Haha....”
The guards and soldiers were chatting happily among themselves. Their expressions were filled with joy at being alive and relief.
Among them was the guard I had personally saved. He stepped forward slightly and bowed deeply to me.
“Truly grateful, Hero-sama!”
“Hey, Charlie. Didn't I already give thanks?”
“Captain, leave it. This guy was protected by Hero-sama, so the gratitude will be different.”
“Ah, really? Then you should thank Hero-sama for life.”
Charlie, huh.
“If it weren't for Hero-sama, your kids would all be orphans! Be careful, Charlie.”
...You have kids?
He looked quite young.
“This idiot caused an accident! We only have two kids already, haha!”
Following his colleague's words, Charlie nodded.
“Hero-sama saved not only me but also the future of my children. I will live this lifetime remembering this grace.”
Charlie extended his hand. As I quietly looked at his hand, I took it and smiled comfortably.
Feeling the warmth of the person I saved is such a fulfilling thing.
“I only did what any hero would do.”
...Still, it seems being a hero isn't bad.