Chapter 180
Chapter 180
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 180
Chapter Title: Life Is a Series of Escapes (4)
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#4 Their Circumstances: The Circumstances of a Certain Hero
I realized something odd about a week after the fight with the dragon.
“Huh? Why isn’t anyone calling for me?”
Today, too, as I was rolling around on the fluffy bed, it hit me that no one had come looking for me since that one meeting with the king in the palace.
“That’s weird…”
It was the death of a dragon, no less—a high dragon that had lived for 20,000 years.
For the kingdom, this was an opportunity of a lifetime.
Normally, I’d be touring the kingdom during the day, waving to the people alongside the princess to win their hearts, and dragged to social events every evening to meet nobles.
Even when I took down twenty ogres in that western kingdom last time, that’s what happened. So not doing it after slaying a dragon…
“Is this country just bad at politics?”
My head tilted naturally to the side.
The fact that it tilted so far I face-planted into the bed? That’s a secret.
“Well, good things are good…”
Being a hero means you rarely get downtime.
You finish one job and think, “Maybe a little rest…” Then boom—oracle!
Finish that oracle, and another one comes!
Distances are insane too—go from the eastern edge to the west, get there and they say go back east, then west again!
Seriously, train more heroes or shorten the travel somehow!
Even with magic tower teleports, the towers aren’t everywhere on the continent.
Some are in remote wastelands where nobody lives, faster to walk!
That’s why heroes always end up camping. No hero can resist the temptation of a top-tier bed like this.
Want to treat a hero right? Prepare a soft bed!
Heroes secretly crave fluffy beds deep down!
That’s what I was doing, rolling this way and that on the bed.
“Hero, sir? Are you inside?”
“Yes. I am.”
I shot up at the princess’s voice from outside the door.
“May I come in?”
“Yes!”
My voice pitched high from slight nerves, but she probably didn’t notice.
“You seem to be doing well today as well.”
“Yes. I’m living comfortably thanks to the kingdom’s hospitality.”
Not empty words—I was genuinely living the high life.
Most of the day rolling in bed, a whole training ground cleared just for me.
Hungry? Call the servant outside, request food, and it’s delivered to the room!
Truly, every hero should slay a dragon once in life.
This is prime time to realize performance is everything in this world!
“Since you saved our kingdom, we have to do everything we can on the kingdom’s behalf.”
I felt a sudden chill at the princess’s beautiful smile as she looked at me.
“Thank you for the hospitality.”
“No need to thank us.”
But showing it on my face would be amateur hour.
My natural smile covered it up.
Still, what’s going on?
Is the instructor plotting another escape?
I need to tell Hill and Selena to ramp up surveillance on Ellis.
Unlike me, those two seem pretty close to her now.
“Anyway… What brings you here so suddenly? Is something wrong?”
Finally time for the kingdom victory tour?
Even a politically inept kingdom would get noble requests by now.
“No. How disappointing. I said I’d visit yesterday and today too.”
But her response was cute pouting.
She puffed her cheeks, frowning like she was mad, but anyone could tell it was an act.
“Ah, sorry.”
Even as I apologized, the weirdness gnawed at me.
Did this country take a bad breath hit during the dragon attack? Did all the politicians get wiped out?!
It was about time for summons, but the only one I saw was the princess.
“Tch. What are you thinking so hard about with me right here, Hero, sir?”
The princess said, glancing away at my apology.
I’d let my thoughts show, uncharacteristically.
“No, usually by now, nobles start requesting meetings.”
“Ah! That’s what it was. The palace is blocking them all to accommodate you. Our royal family prioritizes your safety above all.”
“Oh…”
I felt a twinge of guilt.
Turning down nobles repeatedly hurts the royals badly!
And here I was worrying they lacked political savvy while they did this for me!
“I can only express my gratitude for Nayden Kingdom’s kindness.”
“Are we strangers? It’s fine.”
We’re total strangers, but I didn’t point it out.
No words left—just smile through it.
Our chat lasted about an hour, as usual.
Starting with Nayden Kingdom tales, moving to personal stories.
Mostly nobles sending wedding invites causing headaches, and new snacks in the palace thanks to the instructor’s help.
“I didn’t know my mentor was skilled in cooking too.”
“Yes, the desserts made as Naruan suggested are top-notch. The maids and servants love them.”
“I see.”
“We’re receiving all sorts of help from Naruan.”
Makes sense—she worked in the imperial palace.
Chased even by the unofficial strongest imperial princess, so her skills must be elite.
“I see. Proud as her disciple that she’s helping.”
But at the time, I had no idea.
What kind of “help” the princess was getting from the instructor.
That it was all the instructor’s scheme to buy time for escape!
About two weeks later.
Right up until I met someone outside the princess and palace staff.
I spent the time oblivious, like a bird in a gilded cage.
***
“Thank you, Saint!”
“No problem.”
Our shuttle squad smiled warmly at the tearful woman’s gratitude.
“Next!”
A palace soldier called the next as she left with thanks.
This time, an elderly man in his seventies entered, received healing magic, teared up with gratitude like the woman, and departed!
Then the soldier called the next…
- This is rough.
- Shuttle life…
We—me and Iron Bat—grew weary watching the endless cycle.
“Brief pause!”
“The Saint needs rest!”
Even our shuttle squad has limits.
His warm smile held, but fatigue showed, so the palace soldiers blocked the line and announced a break.
They’d prioritized emergencies, so no complaints from the people.
- If there were, they’d lack conscience.
- People turn favors into rights. Cut off mid-line after watching others, and they forget it’s free service.
In that sense, this kingdom’s people had solid trust in the royals.
From intel gathered while doing this, the prince who annoyed us and the Ice Cream Princess kidnapped by the dragon were wildly popular.
Unlike typical royals, she showed her face often, gave charity regularly.
When the dragon kidnapped her, some people trembled in fear but stepped up to fight!
My plan progressed smoothly thanks to that!
“You’ve worked hard.”
“No trouble. Thanks to Swin and Naruan, our kingdom overcame the crisis safely.”
“And Saint Hill Shuttle personally healing the people…”
“As expected of the Church of Nature, overflowing with compassion!”
To me, that’s an insult…
Nature Church compassionate? One or two say it, nonsense—but everywhere? Gods, heroes, saints must be the weird ones.
“Mind if I chat with the people briefly?”
“Of course!”
The hero assigned us shuttle and elf for surveillance on me and the daughter, but escape isn’t my goal now.
No point stirring suspicion with needless schemes when they’d catch us anyway!
What I need is shackles to bind the hero!
“So, where’d we leave off yesterday?”
“The evil dragon kidnapping the princess!”
“Right, thank you.”
Thanks alone are weak, so palace maids made cookies as gifts.
Leaked a few imperial recipes—taste guaranteed.
“Thank you!”
The kid bowed politely, surprisingly well-mannered, and shared with friends.
“Good. Now, the story. The hero, learning the princess was kidnapped…”
Even an unpopular princess story gains traction here.
But hers? Top of the charts!
Kids dove in with a dash of spice.
Rough plot: Hero rescues kidnapped princess, his lover.
Not originally lovers, but fairy tales need flavor.
Kids watched the start with rapt attention!
Seeing them reminded me of my daughter—less time together lately.
Just wait a bit… Once I shackle that evil hero, Dad’ll whisk you out of this kingdom!
“And so the wicked evil dragon was slain, and the princess and hero returned to the kingdom for a happy life.”
“Waaah!”
Perfect age for this, and they knew it was based on true events.
How could they not?
A massive dragon flew over their heads!
How terrifying?
Mythic horror become real overhead!
But the hero slaying it turned fear to awe and respect.
A human facing that giant alone!
And (in the tale) to save his beloved princess!
“The hero’s so cool!”
“Totally the princess’s lover!”
Some sensitive kids even cried.
Major success.
Listeners weren’t just kids.
Adults, knowing my identity, took my words as truth.
They were—minus the lover bit and mutual love, it was what I saw and did!
Kids and adults left, spreading rumors.
Some over drinks, some as bedtimes tales, some sold to bards for cash!
Soon, around the palace, my story morphed into tear-jerking romances.
Source: Bards from everywhere!
Storytellers knew the hottest trend!
Thus, bards across the kingdom spread the epic, tragic saga of Light Hero Swin.
“Thank you for helping today.”
Oblivious to my external plans unfolding, our hard-working ant-like shuttle squad smiled and thanked me.
“No, I didn’t do much.”
“Heard you entertained the waiting crowd during treatments. That’s huge help.”
His genuine gratitude pricked my conscience a bit, but if this made me quit, I wouldn’t be ex-Evil Organization!
“Just light entertainment.”
I smiled back at the shuttle squad.
Point: Don’t forget to ask nicely for tomorrow!
Day by day, the hero’s popularity soared sky-high, his absence boosting the mystique.
When hero hype peaked…
“How much longer?”
“Nobles should start falling in line soon.”
The princess and I began recruiting nobles one by one.