What Is a Hero to You?
The atmosphere in the hall, long since ripe and vibrant, had gradually grown quieter. Guests were beginning to drift away one by one. Through the large windows, the moon and stars already shone brightly, illuminating the night sky.
I turned to Elfride and asked, “Elfride, shall we go soon?”
“Mmm, I suppose so.”
Elfride rose first and left the hall. I turned to Celine. “Celine, don’t wait for me—go back to the room ahead. I’ll have one last drink and catch up.”
“Her Highness Saint Estelle worries about you, so please don’t drink too much.”
“Yes, I will.”
I said it, but in truth I had every intention of drinking to my heart’s content. How long had it been since I’d had a proper drink!?
“Abel, where did you go?”
“Ah, coming!”
I followed the waiting Elfride out of the hall. The moment I stepped through the doors, she turned and said, “I know a good pub. It’s quiet and the atmosphere is excellent.”
“Wonderful. Let’s go quickly!”
Wine—alcoholic drink!
#
Abel and Elfride headed to a tavern tucked away in Poculum’s merchant district. The place was situated in a rather secluded corner and resembled a typical bar. As Elfride had promised, the patrons were few, keeping the tavern calm, and the interior felt pleasant.
“Were there even taverns like this in the Middle Ages… Does the author have historical inaccuracy?”
To the idle thought drifting through Abel’s mind, Elfride gave a small gesture. “Over there—sit.”
“Ah, yes.”
Elfride seemed perfectly at home; she led him straight to the long central table and sat down naturally.
“You’ve visited here often, haven’t you?”
“Not often, but sometimes. I quite like the atmosphere here. I even come alone.”
“Ah…”
“What kind of drink shall I get for you?”
Abel’s eyes sparkled at Elfride’s question. “Beer! Something refreshing!”
Her reaction drew a light laugh from Elfride. “Ale? Or lager?”
“Huh? Other options?”
Abel had drunk beer plenty of times, yet he knew nothing about the different kinds. He answered honestly. Elfride replied, “Then how about we try both?”
“Oh, that sounds great.”
Elfride turned to the bartender. “Two ales and two lagers, please.”
“As you wish.”
The bartender left to fetch the drinks. Abel asked Elfride, “You drink beer too, Elfride?”
“I do. Beer has a refreshing quality that wine simply cannot match.”
Elfride’s words made Abel nod. “So you’re quite knowledgeable.”
“Hehe, am I?”
A moment later the bartender returned with four glasses—two of each. With a clever eye for presentation, he placed one of each in front of Abel and Elfride.
The two glasses of beer, lightly foamy, looked appealing no matter which one was chosen. The sight alone felt invigorating. Abel swallowed hard.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had a drink.”
“Yes… Honestly, I didn’t have the time. I was focused on building my body, after all…”
“Then drink as much as you want tonight. There should be days when we just let loose like this.”
“That’s right.”
Abel and Elfride lifted their glasses in unison. “Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
They clinked lightly and drank deeply.
“Kyah!”
“It’s delicious.”
Both of them emptied exactly half their glasses.
Abel was rather surprised. Elfride had been a high-born noble before becoming a hero. Nobles tended to favor wine, yet she seemed thoroughly accustomed to beer.
“You drink well!”
“You drink quite well yourself. You could almost keep up with me.”
“Oh? Then shall we wager on who falls first?”
“A wager?”
Elfride blinked. Abel explained, “The one who falls first gets one favor from the other—provided the other doesn’t mind, of course.”
“…How interesting. Fine, I accept.”
Abel picked up the other glass. He had no idea which was ale and which was lager, but the beer he had just drunk had been light and highly carbonated. What about this one? He took a deep swallow.
“Whoa! There’s something unique about this beer. It’s fruity.”
“That’s the signature of Vesta Kingdom’s ale. We make it to bring out the fruit flavors.”
“Ah, so this is ale.”
Ale had less carbonation than the lager he had just drunk, but far richer aroma and deeper color.
“Which one do you like better?”
“Both are delicious, so…”
“…I sound like a drunkard, don’t I? Haha.”
“Not at all. You can enjoy drinking. As long as you don’t cause trouble, it’s fine.”
Abel nodded in agreement with Elfride’s words. Exactly—that was all that mattered.
They chatted happily, sharing simple snacks and more drinks. As the alcohol began to color their faces, Elfride turned to Abel and asked, “Abel.”
“Yes?”
“There’s something I’d like to ask you.”
Abel noticed the slight seriousness in her voice and met her eyes.
“What is it?”
“What is a hero to you?”
The sudden, abstract question caught Abel off guard. It felt far too philosophical.
“…Um.”
“You don’t need to answer quickly. I know this calls for thought.”
Abel fell silent. Elfride watched him ponder the question seriously, a faint smile touching her lips.
This was one of the many ways Abel differed from Revius. When she had asked the same question of Revius, the man had answered without a moment’s hesitation.
Of course, if his reply had been honest, the story would have been different. But Elfride, the Hero of Trust whose holy sword could read true intentions, had seen through Revius’s words as nothing but hollow pretense.
By contrast, Abel took his time, thoughtful and careful.
“May I offer an example?”
“An example?”
Elfride was intrigued by the unexpected reply. Abel nodded. “Imagine a narrow road with sheer cliffs on either side. A carriage races down it at high speed. Suddenly, someone collapses in the middle of the path because of an emergency.”
Abel told the story as if recounting an old tale. Elfride laughed softly. “And then?”
“The problem is, the carriage is carrying not only the driver but four people. If the driver swerves to avoid the fallen person, everyone on the carriage will fall off the cliff.”
“That’s true.”
“In that case, if a normal third party discovers the situation, who should they save? In my opinion, they would try to save as many people as possible.”
“That makes sense.”
It was the ordinary choice. Human life had no hierarchy; all were equal in value. Still, one would naturally strive to save the greater number.
“That’s what a commoner would do. But then who saves the person lying on the ground?”
“Is saving a hero?”
Elfride’s question made Abel shake his head. “No.”
“Then?”
“…Even when forced to choose between two, a hero saves both if at all possible.”
Elfride’s eyes widened. Abel scratched his head at her reaction.
“Ah… Well, it’s a bit idealistic. A hero is still a person; you can’t save everyone, right? But you should still try.”
Abel had assumed Elfride would be surprised by the impracticality of his words. She was not.
She too had once dreamed of becoming a hero who saved everyone, as he had said. She had believed that a hero must save everyone in any situation. There had been a time when her passion burned that brightly.
Yet over the years, she had learned to compromise with reality. At some point, Elfride Bathory had begun choosing the sacrifice of the many for the sake of the few.
“…Yes, you’re right.”
Elfride’s heart stirred deeply. Abel’s answer, born of genuine conviction, stirred memories she had long forgotten.
Grateful, she told him, “You truly are a hero, Abel. One day you will surpass even someone like me.”
“Hey, no need to praise me so much. I’m nowhere near as good as you…”
“I’m not flattering you.”
The corner of Elfride’s mouth curved upward, a warm smile blooming across her face.
Abel was startled by the expression. He had seen her smile many times, but never this gentle one. Was it the wine? Or had answering her question stirred something deep within her?
“You will undoubtedly become a magnificent hero.”
The smile that shone beneath the lights was breathtakingly beautiful.
#
Afterward, Elfride’s mood lifted even further. She declared that Abel should order whatever he wanted to eat. In response, Abel ordered a feast for her as well, and the table was soon covered with empty glasses.
Both their faces were now bright red. The wager remained undecided, yet the two sat in a pleasant buzz. Elfride said, “…Revius would be better if he were even half as good as you.”
“…In my eyes he’s worthless. He certainly received help from Celine, so why treat her that way? Even animals know the value of kindness. That bastard doesn’t, so maybe he’s worse than an animal.”
Elfride let out a soft laugh. “I never imagined you could speak so frankly.”
“Ah… Was I too harsh?”
“No, it’s true. I expected something from Revius too, but he only ever disappointed me.”
A bitter smile touched Elfride’s lips. Abel offered gentle comfort. “It must have hurt.”
“It did, at first. But now it’s fine. Abel, you’re here.”
“What?”
“You are the true hero of the next generation. I’ll stand by you in every way. If you ever face trouble, come to me anytime!”
Elfride straightened her chest with those words. Abel turned his head sharply.
“Why are you doing that, Abel?”
“Ah… No. I’ll remember your words.”
“Good! Feel free to talk to me anytime!”
Elfride did not realize it, but when she straightened her chest, her figure was presented before Abel’s eyes. That was why he had turned away.
Though Abel’s reaction was strange, Elfride continued laughing.
“I want to get closer to you from now on.”
“…What?”
Abel looked slightly startled. Elfride paused, then realized her meaning and exclaimed in surprise, “Ah, no! I didn’t mean anything else—it was just… as friends…”
“Ah, I know. You surprised me for a moment.”
Elfride relaxed at Abel’s words. He had accepted her pure intent. Yet as he downed the last of his drink, Abel thought, ‘…I almost misunderstood.’
Abel emptied his remaining glass and said, “If Elfride sees me that way, then I’m happy with it.”
“…Really? I’m glad to hear that.”
“Then, Elfride, shall we be friends starting today?”
Abel extended his hand. Elfride stared at it a moment, then smiled and took it.
“…Yes. Let’s be good to each other from now on.”
“I’ll look forward to that too.”