Unexpected Reunion (2)
The royal capital is a place where countless people gather.
Most trade goods pass through the royal capital, and nearly all products produced in the kingdom enter it.
Merchants and adventurers who come to the royal capital to find work attract people from every region, so it’s only natural that there are many people here.
From the rugged north, the vast western wilderness, and the marshy east, the kingdom’s territory is broad, and its natural environment is equally diverse.
Of course, countless people exist here, and a variety of people are present.
These people are now gathering in the royal capital.
I don’t know where they heard the news, but the number of people who entered the royal capital today is definitely not small.
“Excuse me, let me pass. Just a moment.”
Even though it’s not yet the main road, the streets are packed with people.
Whether in the commercial district or residential area, the crowds are far more intense than usual.
It’s unfortunate that I can’t easily make my way through the crowd.
My height is not very large. A little shorter than an average woman.
Because my build is proportionally small, it’s even harder to push through the throng.
I can’t use force properly either, so I somehow managed to push through the crowd and pass.
“...Wow, there are so many people.”
Where did all these people come from?
On the main road, people are packed so densely that there isn’t even space to step.
It’s the weight of the name “Hero.”
As the savior of humanity and someone who carries everyone’s lives on their back, it’s only natural that he’s so popular.
There hasn’t been a road this wide packed like this before.
Well, it’s not even half as crowded as this, it seems.
“I didn’t feel like this when I returned to the capital with the news of victory.”
People gathered to watch from a reasonable distance, but back then it was just the atmosphere of people with nothing better to do.
It wasn’t like the feeling of a festival where everyone is expecting something now.
Back then, that’s just how it had to be.
“I brought back the recovered corpses too, and the soldiers and knights were all torn apart.”
Even if they said it was a victory, there was no glory in soldiers and knights rolling around on the battlefield.
Only a stench of blood and dirt.
Moreover, inside the carts I brought, there were recovered corpses, and because the parents or relatives were holding onto the carts and sobbing, the atmosphere was even worse.
“I’m a little jealous. I never received such flashy treatment.”
The knight who reversed the tide. The light that cuts through the darkness.
I was given a grand epithet like a hero.
But that’s just a title that only applies to those related to the battlefield, and the public’s recognition is overwhelmingly with the Hero.
It’s enviable.
I’d be happy if the palace gave me a luxurious meal or a comfortable bed instead of this.
My heart is a bit downcast, and I’m feeling jealous.
I think I should be able to receive enough cheers from the citizens and see their expectant faces to some extent.
The face at the front of the line was only one of disappointment or darkness.
But what can I do?
It’s only natural for the Hero to receive the glamorous treatment.
Knights are always there quietly supporting the Hero’s back.
“That’s why I couldn’t endure it and left the knight order.”
Maybe I would have endured if someone had even given me a little recognition.
The Hero is someone who needs support, and the mages... well, let’s not talk about that.
At least the adventurers-turned-mages understand each other’s hardships.
Moreover, I was the vice knight commander and commander-designate.
After Bylant Grandfather disappeared, I was taking on some of his duties anyway.
As someone who practically commanded the knights, I couldn’t show any wavering to them.
Alone. I had to stand alone without relying on anyone.
Thinking about it now, I think I quit the knight order because I didn’t like that feeling.
“Here it comes, here it comes!!”
“They’re coming, they’re coming!!”
While my thoughts were sinking deeper into gloom, fortunately, the people’s cheers pulled my consciousness back.
The ground rumbles.
Whether it’s the cheers of the people or the rumbling of the carriages, I can’t tell.
A grand cheer comes from far outside the castle walls.
Soon, the heads of horses appear, and a slowly marching carriage comes into view.
“Wow, this is so fancy.”
The carriage with white paint and elaborate gilding and decorations is on another level compared to what I’ve seen before.
It’s clearly different from the carriage driven by the Langland family.
It feels like a carriage of the royal family.
A woman with thick, dark night-colored hair opens the window of the large carriage.
The Holy Maiden, wearing the kingdom’s robe, smiles at the people and waves her hand.
The people’s reaction is explosive.
Even at first glance, the pretty Holy Maiden is waving her hand while looking into their eyes, and some people are shedding tears.
“...Wow, she even knows how to smile so brightly.”
Her eyes with long, prominent eyelashes.
With that expression, smiling brightly and waving her hand, gazes from all ages and genders focus on her.
Just as I was walking past and waving at those citizens, I suddenly froze.
She was staring at me.
While passing right next to her, her amber eyes met mine.
I thought it was just a simple illusion, but as the carriage moved forward, she slightly tilted her head back and continued looking at me.
I was stunned.
While thinking maybe my self-awareness is too much, I felt that she was precisely looking at me in the crowd.
“...Why?”
Her face is one I’ve seen dozens or hundreds of times.
But to her, it’s not.
It’s my first meeting with the person named Rir Ostrin.
To her, I’m just a simple citizen.
“No, maybe she just noticed me.”
Just a coincidence.
Just a coincidence.
I brushed it off and watched the men next to me crying because the Holy Maiden saw them.
***
“You came back with only gloomy thoughts.”
Tsk. I thought I went for nothing.
If I had gone with Dalek or Serpin, or even with Altor or Flavio, I could have enjoyed the festival atmosphere a little more fun.
Because I was watching it alone in a pathetic way, bad memories came to mind.
I should have just gone home or to the training ground instead.
I spent money for nothing.
My steps home are heavy.
Because of the Holy Maiden Clotila staring at me, my mind was stunned for a moment.
Recalling the difference between the reactions of people welcoming the Hero and those welcoming the knight, I sank into unnecessary gloom again.
Not mourning. I have to accept it.
Unable to hold it back, I entered a fairly fancy restaurant to take my mind off it and spent money on a great dinner.
“It seems you’ve become a bit down in spirits.”
Thinking about it, the Holy Maiden showed her face, but Ivan didn’t even show his.
Even though his ability is lacking, since he became a Hero only a short time ago, he was still maintaining his innocence.
At least until I left the battlefield.
He’s not the type who won’t show his face when cheers are ringing.
What happened?
It doesn’t seem like any political issue either.
The most likely cause is injury.
If the Holy Maiden is focusing on him, any ordinary injury would heal, but if it’s something more serious or he’s not conscious.
“I’ll have to find out later.”
We ate together and swung swords, so there’s no reason to worry.
After thinking for a while, I suddenly found myself in front of my house.
The exam is over, I need to prepare ingredients for the Elixir.
“Hey, come here.”
A familiar slender voice came with the wind.
The voice is coming from beside my house.
The small space between the large building and my house.
When I looked over there, the owner of the voice smiled satisfiedly.
“It’s good that you understood the hint.”
The person calling me from the dark shadow brightened her yellow eyes.
She is the kingdom’s, and humanity’s, only Holy Maiden. Clotila.
I was instantly terrified.
I set aside the reason why she is here and recalled everything I know about her.
People in the world have various abilities.
Some may be exceptionally talented in magic, while others may be great at commerce.
In that regard, I proudly say I have great ability in martial arts.
Of course, not as much as the Hero.
Considering all that, if I were to pick who has the greatest ability in the world, I would choose Clotila without hesitation.
There are two Heroes, but there is only one Saintess.
She shows tremendous healing power through the divine power given by the god.
Even curses used by demons are healed just by being near Clotila.
If the Four Calamities are the demon generals, I would say there is only the Holy Maiden against them.
Clotila’s ability is that impressive, and I always feel awe toward her.
“Put it out.”
The Holy Maiden, half-closing her eyes, places a cigarette between her index and middle fingers and puts it in her mouth.
And commands me while looking at me.
“Huh?”
This personality is a problem.
She is a Saintess. Her ability is undeniable.
But this personality shown in private is saying she isn’t a Saintess.
...Well, even so, as a Saintess, she is fully aware of her role, and in battle, she clearly acts.
“Put it out. You’re not a knight trainee? You don’t know how to use smoke? You’re fucked up.”
“...Is it okay if a person who worships the god smokes a cigarette?”
I gave the expected response.
And the response was even more interesting.
“Does our Lord look like a fool? What would my closest subordinate say if I smoke one cigarette? And there is no law in the creed that says you can’t smoke.”
“Ah, um, yes.”
I don’t have the confidence to win an argument.
I snapped my fingers and lit the cigarette she put in her mouth.
And finally thought.
“Crazy bitch.”
“You thought I was a crazy bitch? Hah... tsk, what the hell are you?”
“Huh?”
When I read my thoughts, I had no choice but to cough dryly.
When I showed my flustered appearance, the Holy Maiden took a deep drag of the cigarette, exhaled with a satisfied grin, and smiled.
“Well, you are something, aren’t you? Rigel Belheim?”