The Idiot Hero with a Memory like a Goldfish♡
“Lord Hero is an idiot who can’t remember even a goldfish♡”
“Chapter 4”
“That gentleman is Lady Elfride, the Hero of the Vesta Kingdom. Among the current Heroes, she has shown the most outstanding performance.”
“Oh, really?”
“You can’t have not heard of Lady Elfride’s name, right?”
The speaker’s tone suggested she was quite famous. But how long had I been transmigrated here? I was starting to think I had a lot to learn.
I nodded as if I didn’t know anything. The Saint tilted her head curiously and spoke again.
“Lord Hero truly knows nothing at all. Did you live cooped up in a single room every day, like some kind of loner~♡”
“...No, that’s not the case.”
Probably. The friend who helped me when I left... I don’t remember the name, but I know there was a friend who looked like a monkey. So I definitely wasn’t an asha.
“Shall we head inside then? The Heroes are all gathered, so it should start soon.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
...But the Saint wasn’t visible near Elfride. I felt a little odd about it when suddenly loud music rang out.
“Whoa, what’s that?”
“Lord Hero, you’re reacting to something this small? What a nervous wreck♡”
The Saint must have had a disease that made her ears prick up at the slightest surprise. If that was the case, I should understand. If she was acting like that without any such condition, I would be the one in trouble later.
The grand music thundered for a long while before someone appeared on the high dais at the far end of the hall. A man of large build and kind features, wearing a splendid outfit and a crown.
Even someone like me who knew nothing about the world could instantly tell who he was.
“That’s the Emperor... Your Majesty.”
I almost forgot the title. The Saint pinched my ear for the mistake.
“You must be careful with your words. A big mistake from a foolish error could ruin everything. Even if you’re a foolish Hero, you won’t make the same mistake again, right?”
“...Yes.”
That was true. I had nothing to say.
The Emperor of the Mars Empire surveyed the surroundings once more and spoke.
“Thank you for making this place ready for us.”
His voice was low and deep. Just listening made me feel the dignity of the Emperor.
“From now on, we begin the Hero’s periodic report. Before we start, I have some very happy news.”
The Emperor’s gaze slowly moved. The direction of his eyes was toward me.
“Our Mars Empire finally has a Hero. Please come up to the dais, Hero Abel.”
I was suddenly called. Surprised, I glanced back at the Saint, and she gave a slight nod.
“Hurry up, you useless Hero♡”
Should I lead the way? From the look in her eyes, it seemed like the answer.
“Haa.”
I followed the Emperor’s call and walked up to the dais. When I glanced behind me, the Saint was following with a gentle expression.
“It’s always like this. That’s fine.”
As I approached the dais, the Emperor wore a kind smile.
“Please come up, Hero Abel.”
“...Yes.”
I bowed my head, and behind me the Saint slapped my waist.
“......”
Bowing all the way down, the Emperor nodded and welcomed us.
“Well, it’s good to meet you. This is the first time the Emperor has seen you himself, isn’t it?”
“...Yes, that’s correct.”
“We’ll see each other often from now on. Then, let’s move on.”
I didn’t know the novel’s content, so I had no idea what would happen next. I hoped my face hadn’t been recognized and nothing troublesome occurred.
Following the Emperor to the front of the dais, he introduced me loudly.
“Here is our Hero of the Mars Empire, Abel. He was chosen by the Holy Sword of Order.”
Holy Sword of Order?
Did Holy Swords come in different types? The Saint whispered something from behind.
“The Holy Sword on Lord Hero’s back is the Holy Sword of Order. The other Heroes each have their own Holy Sword.”
“...Ah, I see.”
Had she read my thoughts? How did she know the answer... I was scared.
After that comment, people’s reactions were strange. Even those who hadn’t seen a Hero before were looking at me with amazement.
“Why are they reacting like that.”
The Emperor spoke up while I was puzzled by the crowd.
“I expect great achievements from you, just like the other Heroes.”
The Emperor patted my shoulder lightly as he said that.
“Yes, I’ll work hard.”
“Good, work hard.”
The Emperor gestured that we could descend. I glanced at the Saint, and she gave a slight nod.
As we descended the dais behind the Saint, she said with a smile.
“Lord Hero, you didn’t seem very nervous and did well.”
“...Really?”
She was giving me praise. But it was all a setup. The kind words were just building up her next line.
“Of course, bowing your head in front of His Majesty the Emperor made you look like an idiot~. How does a commoner greet their lord so simply? Ah, you couldn’t consider it because you have monkey-level intelligence♡”
“...I was nervous because I’m meeting a noble for the first time.”
Enough already. That was my excuse for thinking that. But the Saint’s eyes widened slightly.
Why is she surprised?
“Saint-nim?”
“...Oh, I see. Right, since Lord Hero has only lived in the countryside, that makes sense.”
“...Yes.”
Yes, I’m a country bumpkin. Not from this world, but from a city in Seoul, South Korea.
“From now on, the periodic reports of the other Heroes will begin. You should watch and remember them with your useless eyes. Today we won’t, but from now on Lord Hero will have to do it too. Ah, if you can’t remember, you should let us know in advance?”
“...I’ll remember.”
“I worry that with a memory worse than a goldfish you’ll manage to remember it all~♡”
Just what kind of image was the Saint building of me?
After the Emperor descended from the dais, a well-dressed man with brown hair and glasses climbed up. He looked like a bureaucrat from the way he was dressed.
“We begin the Hero’s periodic report. First, please speak, Hero Levius of the Minerva Kingdom.”
A short man with a buzz cut climbed the dais. Then the Saint from the Rutheria Church followed, and two more women came up.
“Who are those people?”
“The ones behind seem to be companions of Hero Levius. You’re asking something obvious even after thinking about it... It seems you really are a monkey Hero~?”
“So we can recruit more companions?”
“Of course. Lord Hero will need companions when the time comes. Of course, if you show your useless skills, no one will come~♡”
I’ll be strong enough to decide later.
“Hero Levius, report your actions from the past two months.”
“Yes, I defeated two Behemoth-class monsters and protected two cities in the Minerva Kingdom from monster attacks.”
“Oh, impressive.”
The people in the hall all gasped in admiration. Impressive, Heroes are amazing, excellent. The majority reacted that way.
...Where exactly should I applaud? They just defeated two monsters and protected two cities.
“A Hero?”
Didn’t a Hero need to do something more grand and epic to be considered one?
“Saint-nim.”
“Yes?”
“What are Behemoth-class monsters?”
I asked out of curiosity, thinking they must be incredibly strong monsters. The Saint answered with her usual arrogant smile.
“Monsters that even Lord Hero’s weak strength couldn’t pierce the skin. Let me explain it simply for you, you foolish Hero. There are probably about a thousand Kobolds that would match.”
“...Really?”
They were impressive. Of course, the people here weren’t idiots or nobodies to react like that.
“Of course, that doesn’t mean Behemoth-class monsters are extremely strong. It’s relative because Lord Hero is too weak.”
“I see?”
“Yes, I can easily defeat Behemoth-class monsters too.”
Then they really aren’t special. If even the Saint can take them down alone, they must not be that powerful.
But why are people reacting so amazed?
“But everyone is saying they’re amazing, right?”
“Um~♡ It’s because they’re strong monsters to commoners, of course. It’s amazing how you’re learning even after being explained everything~.”
“Then, considering the Hero’s achievements?”
“You didn’t do badly, and you didn’t do excellently either.”
I see. I would have to work harder from now on. That way I wouldn’t have to hear complaints from the Saint.
After Levius’s report, the bespectacled bureaucrat spoke.
“In recognition of Hero Levius’s achievements, by imperial decree we bestow a reward. One million gold, three horses, and Holy Armor provided by the temple.”
“Thank you.”
Holy Armor? What was that? I asked the Saint, and she answered.
“Holy Armor is protective gear blessed with divine power created by the Church. It’s the best armor to protect you from monster attacks.”
“Like the Holy Sword?”
“No, Holy Swords are not created by the Church, Lord Hero.”
“Ah, I see?”
The Saint tilted her head.
“Lord Hero, haven’t you heard of the legend of the Holy Sword?”
“...I’m not very interested in that.”
“Really, you know too little~. Even a five-year-old child passing by knows something you don’t, you idiot Hero~♡”
“So what’s that legend?”
Since I asked innocently, the Saint smiled and answered.
“You asked so innocently, you’re adorable♡ You really are like a child♡”
“...Then what exactly is it?”
“In short, the Holy Sword is a legendary weapon created by our humanity for distant stars. Of course, it’s not literally true, but no one knows where the Holy Sword came from.”
“I see?”
“Yes, of course each Church manages its own Holy Sword. But not all Holy Swords are under Church management. There are Holy Swords whose location is unknown.”
“I see.”
“And do you know that the Hero is chosen by the Holy Sword? You were chosen by the Holy Sword of Order, weren’t you?”
“...Yes, I know that. I just didn’t know it was called the Holy Sword of Order.”
I really didn’t know. The Hero was chosen by the Holy Sword. So the other Heroes each have their own.
“Pfft, you don’t even know what your own Holy Sword is? What an idiot Hero♡”
Yes, I am an idiot. I’d love to travel with an idiot, you little brat.
“Next, please come up, Hero Elfride.”
A beautiful blonde woman climbed onto the dais. I had seen her earlier, but she had a heroine-like appearance...
Why did she come alone? Did she have no companions? The Saint didn’t follow either. Looking at the dais with a puzzled expression, she listened.
“Hero Elfride, report your actions from the past two months.”
“...I defeated one Barbatos-class monster and one Leviathan-class monster.”
The hall became much more lively than before.
“As expected, it’s Lady Elfride.”
“The influence of the Vesta Kingdom has grown even stronger.”
Why was she reacting that way? Compared to Levius, she didn’t seem to have done much, but she was being praised a lot. This time she only caught two monsters?
“Saint-nim, what are Barbatos-class and Leviathan-class?”
Eh? The Saint looked a little surprised. I waved my hand in front of her, and she looked at me.
“As expected, you are evaluated as the strongest Hero. Quite right.”
“Eh?”
“You asked about Barbatos-class and Leviathan-class, right? Leviathan-class is much more dangerous than the Behemoth-class monster I mentioned earlier.”
“Um, I see. What about Barbatos-class?”
“That is an even more dangerous monster than Leviathan-class.”
“Oh... Then it’s really impressive?”
When I said that, the Saint narrowed her eyes and looked at me. What, did I say something wrong?
“Not impressive?”
“It is impressive, but the praise from Lord Hero doesn’t please me.”
That was some nonsense.
“I can also defeat monsters of that level.”
“Ah, really?”
Then it really wasn’t that impressive. It seemed the Heroes here were still growing. They all looked young, after all. Maybe they hadn’t been Heroes for long.
“Will I be able to defeat them too?”
“With your skill that’s worse than a bug? I wonder, won’t you have to try much harder? About five hundred years♡”
“...Ah, yes.”
“...Oh, yes.”
Damn it. Like the Saint, shouldn’t she say ‘You’ll be able to do it if you work hard’?
“Of course, it depends on how hard you try.”
“I think I’m already working hard.”
“That little? It’s far, you useless Hero♡”
“...Yes.”
...Please send me home.
Elfride seemed to have received a much better reward than Levius. I didn’t hear the conversation with the Saint properly, but probably. According to the Saint, she caught monsters much more dangerous than Levius.
After the reports ended, the Emperor returned to the dais.
“The report is over, but since everyone is gathered, I hope you enjoy the prepared banquet. Enjoy yourselves.”
The Emperor stepped down from the dais, and the gazes of the people suddenly turned toward me.
Eh, why are they looking at me?
“Um, Lord Hero...”
A soft voice came from behind. When I turned, a small girl was there. She was much smaller than the Saint, who wasn’t tall.
“Yes?”
“Do you have a family that receives donations? You don’t, right?”
“...Eh? Donations?”
What was that? While I was confused, the Saint blocked between me and the girl.
“Lord Hero is busy now, so talk next time~.”
“Eh? Saint-nim, what does that mean...”
“Lord Hero, come this way and greet them quickly.”
“???”
The Saint grabbed my hand and pulled me along. Eh, her hand is soft... No, where are we going?
“I told you not to talk to nobles, Lord Hero. Seeing you already forgot, you really are a goldfish.”
“That person earlier was a noble?”
“Most of the people here are nobles, except for the Heroes and their companions. If they talk to you, be careful not to fall for their empty promises about donations.”
“Yes...”
She was really worried. From this, I could see the Saint was taking care of me a lot. That’s why even if she rambled, I couldn’t say no.
“So where are we going?”
“First, you should talk to the other Heroes. Sometimes Heroes collaborate, right?”
“I see.”
But this hand, how long is she going to hold it?
“Saint-nim, you can let go of my hand, right?”
“...Ah.”
The Saint suddenly released my hand. She coughed a couple of times as if embarrassed.
“Uh, Lord Hero is in heat like a monkey. It’s adorable♡”
“Eh???”
What was that?
“Calm down your excitement and quickly greet Hero Levius.”
“...I wasn’t excited at all.”
“...Anyway, come on.”
Why was she like that?