The Hunter's Free Time.
The Hunter's Free Time.
When I opened my eyes in the morning, Claire was already almost fully armored.
Her expression was stiffer than usual,
And her ears were redder than usual.
"What is it. Couldn't sleep?"
"Shut up."
"You're in high spirits this morning."
"I said shut up."
Our female knight, having returned to her venomous self, slammed the door shut with a Kwang and left.
"....But what is this smell? On my arms and chest... Oh, shit. Is there still some liquid left?"
I went into the washroom, which had a faintly sweet, slightly funky scent, rinsed off with some water, and went downstairs.
Everyone was already up and gathered in the inn's dining room below.
I lightly ignored Claire, who glared at me for being the last one down, and sat next to Noel.
I chewed my food while listening to the kids chatter, and before I knew it, the meal was over, and Noel started talking.
"I'm not going."
When told to attend the Imperial Hero Investiture Ceremony, I answered without a moment's hesitation.
Noel's eyes went wide, and Seraphina clasped her hands together, looking troubled.
Claire sent me a cold glare, as if it were expected.
"You really are a stain on the Hero-nim's dignity until the very end."
"Like I said, I'm not going."
"......."
"Isn't that better for everyone?"
Blocked by her own words, Claire just turned her head away.
And then, our Saintess stepped up as the second batter.
"But Raul... As the Hero's party, we have a duty to attend the investiture ceremony together..."
"Sorry, but I have no intention of getting involved once all this is over."
"U-um... Okay..."
Seeing her look dejected, I honestly felt a bit sorry. But no matter what, I hate it.
I'm too rotten of a human being to go and kneel down and do some fairy-tale-like thing; it just feels wrong.
"Anyway, you guys go get it yourselves. I'll wait outside."
When I said that, Noel smiled as if troubled, smoothed over the situation, and left one final word.
"Raul. You have to come to the party after the investiture ceremony, okay?"
"Yeah, I'll go to eat."
I waved my hand dismissively, left the inn, and set off to find somewhere fun to play.
◆
I can't believe it.
At the very least, I thought that man would have some pride as the Hero-nim's friend and a member of the Hero's party...!
This stupid man is acting like a sulking little girl, saying he'll act on his own!
Even with the investiture ceremony from the Emperor of the Empire right in front of him!
I'm honestly ashamed of myself for having briefly thought of him as a real man and praised him last night.
I retract my statement.
That hunter bastard.
Huu... I need to hurry up and get ready for the investiture ceremony.
Thinking about that guy even a little makes my head heat up....
Raul skipped the investiture ceremony, so in the end, only the three of them—Noel, Seraphina, and Claire—entered the Imperial Palace to stand before the Emperor and receive the Hero's investiture.
The Emperor was a very stern person. Just by sitting on the throne and looking at Noel's party, he made them feel the crushing pressure; he was the very picture of someone fit to rule a vast empire.
And next to such an Emperor, a very pitiful and beautiful woman holding the certificate of appointment came down from beside the throne to hand it to the party, and the woman looked at Noel, clasped her hands elegantly, and introduced herself with a soft smile.
"Nice to meet you. Hero-nim, I am Adelheid Von Luminous."
"Y-yes! Your Highness! I, I am Noel...! I am Noel, who was chosen as the Hero from Netoru Village, though I am lacking!"
Noel stuttered, looking very nervous as he received the Princess's greeting.
The Princess just smiled elegantly, as if finding Noel cute.
Not knowing what on earth that perverted masochist Hero was nervous about, or why he was so happy...
"With this, Noel. You are a true Hero recognized by our Empire. I bless the path you will walk, and we shall hold a commemorative party today."
"Th-thank you, Your Majesty!"
At Noel's naive appearance, the Emperor also smiled softly and nodded.
With the investiture ceremony over, let's leave the Imperial Palace behind for a moment and move to the back alley where Raul is looking for a place to have fun.
There, another connection—no, a female—was waiting for Raul.
◆
This back alley I entered by following the scent was quite nice.
There were many things that looked fun, and the smells that had been assaulting my nose the day I arrived had faded as long as I didn't pay attention to them.
Wandering here and there, drinking, smoking a bit, and eating some snacks at a nearby restaurant... it was a stimulating and good place for a country bumpkin in many ways.
After playing and eating for a while, I was thinking about heading to that after-party the guy mentioned...
-No~ It's dangerous for a young lady to walk around like this alone, you know?
-Haa... Piss off. You guys look like your parents stopped halfway through giving birth to you, yet you still have eyes to see...
-The fuck did you say?!
-I'm not done yet. Your dick is the size of a pinky finger, looks like it's buried in your fat and can't even be seen?
Hearing a commotion from somewhere, I followed the sound and moved my steps to a darker alley.
"You guys look so funny that I'll let you off, so get lost. Don't cling to me."
A beautiful woman whose beauty couldn't be hidden even with a hood pulled over her head was surrounded by what looked like thugs, provoking them without fear.
"That's it. Fuck, hey, grab that bitch's arms and legs. I was trying to do this nicely because she's pretty..."
"Hey."
Thinking it was about time to move, I put my arm on the shoulder of the guy closest to me and called out.
"Huh? Who the hell are you, you bas... Aaaaaaaargh!!!!!!"
Crunch, crackle
I grabbed his collarbone and applied force. The guy screamed along with a bone-chilling sound.
And the rest of the men, startled by that scream, turned their heads toward me.
"Y-you, who are you..."
"Do you know me? Why are you talking down to me?"
At my confident demeanor, the guy started groveling as if he realized he'd messed with the wrong person.
"U-um... May I ask where you are from...?"
"Pfft... Can't you tell after seeing me break someone's bone?"
At those words, the sleazy-looking guy immediately slammed his knees and head onto the dirty ground.
Perhaps he was the one leading them, as the other guys immediately took the hint and slammed their heads onto the ground too.
"I-I'm sorry! That's right... I was stupid..."
"Ah, well..."
Feeling a bit sorry, I tossed a pouch of gold coins.
Thud!
"Ugh... ugh..."
"Use it for his medical bills and as pocket money for you guys. It'll be plenty."
"Th-thank you! What are you doing, you bastards, say thank you?!"
""Thank you, Hyung-nim!!!""
Seeing middle-aged men who looked much older than me bowing their heads like that, I couldn't hide my bitter expression and gestured to the woman behind me.
Then, the woman smiled, walked past the prostrate men, and came to my side.
"Sorry about today, let's see each other with a smile next time~"
"Get lost!"
Receiving their greeting, I took the woman out of the alley to a somewhat brighter place. Only then could I see her appearance properly.
"Hehe~♪ What is it~ Are you some kind of knight or something?"
"Do I look like a knight to you?"
"No~ You look totally like a delinquent who lives here?"
"....Go."
Despite helping her, her attitude seemed really delinquent, so I sighed, waved my hand, and sent her off.
Even though I had walked quite a bit, I kept feeling a gaze from behind, so I turned around.
"You finally turned around! Wait up~ I'll buy you a drink!"
She pointed boldly at the pub right next to us and gestured.
"....Seeing you earlier, you were about to get into trouble with those thugs, so why are you doing this to me?"
"Hm? No, well... I thought you were going to make a move there. Seeing as you just brought me out, aren't you impotent?"
"....What?"
She smiled cheekily, pressed her body against me, and...
"I asked if you're im.potent♥"
"Ha.... Hahahaha.... Follow me to the pub, I've got an inn booked."
Dumbfounded, I immediately wrapped my arm around her waist, pulled her in, and dragged her to the pub.
"Kyaa~ I'm getting eaten~♥"
If I had really hated it, I would have just shaken her off and left.
Thinking, 'With a reaction like this, maybe she likes it?', I drank heavily at the pub and went to the inn I had booked with the kids.
They said they're doing the investiture ceremony and party at the Imperial Palace anyway.
They probably won't come, right?
◆
Meanwhile, at the Imperial Palace, the party venue.
"Hehe~ How do I look? Noel!"
"You're so beautiful, Seraphina-nim!"
Seraphina appeared in a pure white dress, fitting for a Saintess. As Noel was admiring her, feeling a stiffness down below along with other fantasies...
Claire's voice was also heard from behind.
"Ahem... Hero-nim?"
"Wow.... Claire. You're so pretty!"
Claire shyly brushed her hair back at the Hero's enraptured expression.
Claire's appearance fully revealed her feminine side, which was usually hidden by armor.
Her hair, which she had neglected a bit, was neatly styled, and adorned with jewelry, she looked extremely beautiful.
Although the direction of beauty Claire herself thought of and the beauty the Hero thought of were different...
"Hero-nim. The others have also dressed up beautifully."
"Ah... Princess Adelheid!"
"Fufu... I would like it if you called me Adel, Hero-nim."
"Haha... A-Adel Princess..."
"Yes. Hero-nim."
Surrounded by handsome men and beautiful women—no, beautiful flowers—the Hero happily chatted more with his party and waited for Raul.
"Hmm... I'm sorry. It seems one of our members is busy... Ugh, I'm sorry!"
"Fufu, it's fine. Since they are the Hero-nim's companion, they must be busy, of course. More than that, it's strange... I don't see my younger sibling at all either..."
The party felt something was strange, but since the party venue was anxiously waiting for the protagonists, they hurried into the party hall.
And at the party, the group received tremendous attention here and there, especially the Hero, due to his beautiful appearance.
He was dragged around, receiving the undivided attention of various young noble ladies.
The Saintess also discussed future plans and support with officials from the Eria Church.
Claire, who was the daughter of a Margrave, also received some attention and chatted for a while, but soon, as things quieted down, she stepped away and stood alone, leaning her back against a pillar.
Huu... I'd rather hit a scarecrow until I'm exhausted...
As she said, such a party was a huge ordeal for her.
It was only because she was a member of the Hero's party that she had to attend. Unlike some deadbeat, she had to approach everything with pride.
Just as she was resting for a moment and about to step out to answer more questions, a man approached her.
"Ahem... Sir Rosenhart?"
"Hmm?"
When Claire turned around at the sound of someone calling her, a neat noble man wearing a dark navy formal suit was standing there.
He was about her age, and he smiled and greeted her politely and lightly.
"I am Leopold Von Breitner. I have been waiting for an opportunity to greet the Knight Commander of the Eastern Green Eye Knights."
"Ah... I see..."
Claire was flustered and answered as the man who had suddenly approached her showed goodwill.
The man smiled craftily and didn't miss the opening.
"It would be rude to bring up swords in a place like this today."
Leopold smiled softly and held out his hand.
"If it is alright with you, would you grant me the honor of enjoying a dance with you, my Lady?"
Unaccustomed to such parties, Claire couldn't find a way to politely refuse and was about to take his hand against her will.
"Claire-nim."
At that moment, a familiar voice was heard.
When Claire turned around, Noel was standing there.
The Hero, wearing a white formal suit, was smiling beautifully as if he had embraced all the light in the party hall.
He immediately shifted his gaze to Leopold and spoke. Leopold also showed respect to the Hero.
"Hero-nim."
"It is a pleasant night, Sir Breitner."
Seeing the Hero who knew his name, Leopold assessed the atmosphere for a moment, then quickly caught on, bowed politely, and retreated.
After the man retreated, Noel held out his hand toward Claire.
"If it's alright, may I ask for the first dance with my knight?"
"H-Hero-nim. Rather than me, to the Saintess..."
"I want to dance with Claire right now, though?"
Noel smiled playfully and called only her name.
Claire looked at that hand for a moment.
As she looked at that hand, strangely, her fingertips trembled a little.
"....It is an honor, Hero-nim."
Claire took Noel's hand with her trembling hand and was led by him toward the dance floor.
The two who came out to the stage captivated everyone with their fresh yet beautiful dance.
Regardless of age, regardless of gender. It was a beautiful dance that captivated everyone without prejudice.
"Oh my, oh my!"
Seeing that, Seraphina also clasped her hands together at the party and blessed the two.
If Raul had been there, he probably would have said one clean line.
"What a load of bullshit. Seriously."