I'm Not the Hero (2)
The training grounds scattered with straw and hay dummies.
This is where the imperial knights and soldiers sharpen their bodies.
The thing that stands out most to me is that almost everyone here is female.
...It’s hard to describe, but those ladies are radiating an overwhelming aura.
Every time I walk by, the knights’ expressions turn a little strange.
Their eyes seem to treat me like prey, and I can’t help but shrink back without realizing it.
But the one person I actually need to worry about is the girl who’s swinging her sword on the dusty ground.
She’s the hero, after all.
She’s already completely adapted to this weird place.
Haaap. Haaat!!
I rushed over and handed her a towel and water jug.
Yu Inna wiped the sweat from her forehead and turned her head as if she had been waiting.
...Here.
Whoa. As expected. Brother, thanks a lot!
Her sweat-damp black hair sparkled in the sunlight.
She really seems like she’s ready to become a hero.
The imperial palace has been actively supporting us just like promised.
Of course they provided supplies, and I heard they even brought a swordsmanship instructor.
If I don’t return to the original world, they said they would even grant me nobility and help me marry a prince.
At first it sounded too good to be true, but as the hero who defeated the Demon King, it felt like a fair reward.
A modern girl who gets summoned to another world and becomes a member of the imperial family.
It’s nothing like a romance fantasy novel I’ve read somewhere.
Of course, I have nothing.
Why am I even here? I’m going back to the original world.
According to the maid sent by the Empress herself, they admit their own mistake in summoning me here.
So Yu Inna is staying as a “guest” in the palace until she defeats the Demon King.
There’s really no other way.
As long as I’m a guest of the imperial family, the treatment isn’t bad.
I nodded with a dry expression.
You really plan to go defeat the Demon King.
Realistically speaking, are you sure you’re okay?
I watched her gulp down the water and asked worriedly.
Yu Inna grinned mischievously.
Of course I am.
The only hero who can save this world is me, right?
Still, don’t push yourself too hard.
No matter if it’s nobility or gold and jewels, your life comes first.
...Yeah. Thanks.
Yu Inna brushed her chin with her fingers and continued.
Her pupils kept darting around as if she was checking my reaction.
I’ve always wanted to be the main character in a novel once in a while.
I’ve also always wanted to go on a big adventure.
And if I succeed, I can become a noble and live in luxury.
If there’s a male lead, this world is basically a romance novel genre.
She really read a lot of novels.
Yu Inna laughed brightly, her pure and innocent smile lighting up the air.
So don’t worry.
I got dragged into this strange place because of me.
The girl whose head barely reached my shoulder muttered.
Her voice was clear and watery, and it stirred something in my heart.
I’ll definitely send you back to the original world.
...That’s not your fault.
And right now I’m living it up.
I’m having the time of my life.
If I were still in Korea, would I ever get to experience this?
I’m having a luxurious overseas trip for free thanks to you.
Actually, I should be the one thanking you.
Then it’s settled.
Brother, just trust me.
I nodded slightly.
The burden she was carrying looked incredibly heavy for someone so delicate.
Will she really be able to defeat those monsters with that slender body?
By the way, brother, you look a little different.
Really?
I slept really well.
Did the water here not agree with me?
I answered jokingly.
Yu Inna tilted her head slightly.
The reflection of my face in her large eyes was the same one I’d always seen.
No, you seem even more handsome somehow.
Is that so? I slept well, though.
She asked, head slightly tilted.
What’s wrong?
Did something change?
Yu Inna frowned.
Could the skin...?
Brother, you weren’t this handsome before, were you?
That’s some nonsense.
If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll go.
I turned and started walking away.
Voices called out from afar, but I could no longer interrupt her training.
◆◆◆
Probably, Yu Inna would keep training until the sun set.
Upon entering the bedroom, I heard that someone had come looking for me.
Seonghyun-ssi, Her Highness the Crown Princess is already waiting for you.
The serving page announced it in a hurried voice.
I quickly straightened my clothes and approached her.
Honestly, as someone who isn’t even a citizen of this empire, do I really need to bow my head?
But this is a society based on hierarchy, so I should use the right formalities.
Fortunately, I didn’t have to bring the accompanying knights, so the pressure is less.
The Crown Princess was already sitting in a chair, staring at me blankly.
...Ah. I greet the small sun.
I bent my left knee slightly and lowered my head.
It wasn’t quite accurate, but in ordinary fantasy novels, they did it this way.
Or not.
Actually, I didn’t know either.
You.
Even with just one word, there was a pressure and intensity in the voice.
I looked up slightly and met the gaze of the noble Crown Princess.
The gold hair, as if it had been dipped in morning sunlight, had lively curls from the perm.
The sky-blue eyes seemed to read my thoughts.
A somewhat cold impression, but the face of a beautiful beauty.
...Ah. You.
You don’t have to be so formal.
You’re not from here.
Then I can relax a bit? Though I couldn’t use casual speech.
Ah. Thank you.
My introduction was late.
My name is Elina Arita.
Elina waved her hand in a casual gesture to sit.
Then she sat in the chair and crossed her legs in a strange way.
I also sat on the opposite side with the small table between us.
In the awkward silence, I waited for her to tell me the reason she had come to this room.
The page had already placed two cups of tea on the mini table and left in a hurry.
I stared at the rising steam, lost in thought, when I heard her speak.
You used to look like that.
...Huh?
Never mind.
It must be my imagination.
The atmosphere is different from before.
After all, men wear wings.
I answered, puzzled.
Elina shook her head and spoke vaguely.
Embarrassed, she immediately changed the subject.
I already had someone say it, but I wanted to apologize myself.
We tried to summon the hero, but we didn’t know we’d bring a civilian man from another world.
Elina’s voice was quite calm.
Looking at her expressionless face, I wondered if she really felt sorry.
It’s unavoidable.
It wasn’t intentional.
You seem different from ordinary men.
From your face or fingers, you look like a high-ranking noble or something.
You didn’t cry or insist, either.
By the standards of this world, that could be a misunderstanding.
Starting with my fingers, they’re the hands of an ordinary university student who doesn’t work.
And this world has some unique values.
I’ll take it as a compliment.
To be honest, compared to me, the hero seems more like that.
She’s been swinging the sword like that from the start.
Isn’t that a quality for a woman to become a hero?
Elina, the Crown Princess, glanced at me.
Even in that moment, the eyes with the pretty sky-blue irises felt dense and heavy.
Protecting your ‘lord’ is the fate and honor of a knight.
I swallowed the words I wanted to say.
I could no longer just think.
Steadying my trembling heart, I spoke calmly.
Could you grant me one request?
It’s no trouble for you, Your Highness.
What is it?
First, hear me out.
Let me join the Demon King subjugation as well.
Elina’s mouth curved up in disbelief.
The instinctive expression was clearly mockery.
Courage is fake, but that’s out of the question.
How can a man do such a dangerous thing?
Until you return to the original world, I’ll protect you...
Can I speak frankly?
There’s no reason for the imperial palace to do that much for me.
I only eat the food.
Isn’t that the ‘monitoring’ behind the word ‘protection’?
Elina’s eyes widened in surprise.
The dense pupils had turned to interest and curiosity.
I’m sorry if I was heard wrong.
But since it’s the imperial palace’s fault, it makes sense that I’m responsible.
Then please pay me money.
Anyway, people in this world can understand speech.
I want to save up money and leave this stuffy place.
And secretly follow Yu Inna.
Living expenses will come every month, so don’t worry.
But leaving is impossible.
There’s no one in this world without traits.
That’s because I’m from another world.
I picked up the teacup on the mini table and took a sip.
The aroma was quite good.
No, even when summoning the previous hero, something similar happened.
But even then, the humans swept away like you had traits.
To cut to the chase, they didn’t last long.
That means they died.
So what about me, who has no traits at all?
Am I not a person?
That’s not possible.
Unlike those with weak traits, you can’t do anything at all.
Just staying put helps with the Demon King subjugation?
Of course, when returning, I’ll give you appropriate compensation.
Appropriate compensation.
I could gather all the jewels and gold and come back to sell them in the modern world.
Your Highness, I understand.
But I’m not sure if this is the attitude of someone admitting fault.
I spoke sarcastically.
Elina turned her neck this way and that, checking the room.
Soon, her brows furrowed slightly.
Oh dear, the cleaning isn’t done properly.
I’ve been too negligent.
Let’s change the room first.
I’ll hire more servants.
Is this enough to satisfy you?
Her crossed legs returned to normal.
Soon, as if the matter was settled, she stood and walked toward the door.
She’s finally leaving.
Sigh. It was hard.
You...
...?!
I stop without opening the door handle.
Only her back was visible, so her expression couldn’t be seen.
But right now, this situation is better.
The blonde hair swayed.
A strange emotion arose, but I was a little scared of what she might say next.
The breathing sound coming from her seemed slightly trembling.
Is it a romantic relationship with the hero?
That’s why she wants to follow this dangerous path.
She also followed the hero to the training ground today...
It’s too serious to dismiss as nonsense.
So I stood up abruptly from the chair and shouted.
No, what kind of words are those?
It’s not like that at all.
It’s only natural to worry about someone from the same world.
And the Demon King needs to be subjugated so I can go home, right?
No, how does she even know I went to the training ground?
Is she really monitoring me?
There is no place in the empire more splendid and good than the imperial palace.
This room is still insufficient, even for me to see.
I will order it moved immediately.
Recently popular interior style among noble ladies.
I understand your mind is in turmoil after coming to a foreign world.
Elina’s brows furrowed slightly before relaxing.
At first, what did she think my words were?
No.
The room is fine.
Thank you for worrying.
Since it’s already the room I’m staying in, moving would be more inconvenient.
I gave up.
This room isn’t bad.
Actually, it’s troublesome.
The one problem is that there’s no computer or electronic device in my room.
Actually, that’s the biggest issue.
For some reason, even the smartphone in my pocket disappeared when I came to this world.
It was the same for Yu Inna too.
...Yeah.
Then rest well.
Elina closed the door and left.
Only then did I truly relax.
Soon, fatigue rushed in all at once.
Uaaah.
I lay flat on my back on the large bed.
It wasn’t too fluffy, but I buried my face in the high-quality blanket.
Knock knock!!
Is it Elina again?!
Unlike the worry, the person who came in was the rude serving page.
He was acting with an even brighter expression.
Wow. Look at how Her Highness the Crown Princess is taking care of Seonghyun-ssi.
The changed attitude was too obvious.
Last time, she got angry because I spoke the hero’s name too casually.
She even implicitly ignored me for having no traits.
She didn’t do any work and just played outside, then suddenly came to visit.
Still, she kept bringing food, so she wasn’t bad at heart.
Of course, she wasn’t kind either.
I didn’t respond to his words and closed my eyes.
But the constant chattering voice was in my ear, and I was quite annoyed.
But Her Highness the Crown Princess already has a fiancé.
Really? That’s the first time I’m hearing that.
It might be useful, though.
Actually, it didn’t matter.
I answered once.
Now he was even more excited, spitting out gossip here and there.
I wish he would say something useful.
Yes.
That’s none other than the young master of the Ortini Duchy.
Hmm.
So it’s a noble engagement.
These people in this world are complicated.
Even in the world I lived in, it was probably like that in the past.
I picked up the drink on the table beside the bed.
After gulping it down, my dry throat became moist and the thirst was quenched.
Still, Seonghyun-ssi could go to the government, right?
Then no need to pretend not to know... ah!
I accidentally spat out the drink.
What kind of misunderstanding is this?