Chapter 69
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: The Streets Shine Brightly
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Though its beginning was small, its end will be great.
Well, that's half true at least. I can't say for sure if the end will be grand, but everyone knows a humble beginning is just par for the course.
Unless you're born with a silver spoon, most folks start from the bottom—that's just life. Even the silver-spoon crowd probably had parents who clawed their way up from nothing.
In any case, our first day in Shyrn—what you'd call the real start of our efforts—was nothing but hardship. We split up to tackle the problems head-on, but no breakthroughs on day one.
"Ahaha... The citizens have their hearts locked up tight. Of course I'll keep healing them, but I wanted to work harder at really talking to them too!"
Seren couldn't hide her gloom. These people had zero faith in us, so all they reflected back at her smiles were negative vibes.
"Big brother, go comfort the Saintess. She seems pretty shaken up since the citizens are still being aggressive."
"N-no, it's fine...! Divine Archer, don't say weird things li...? No, Arsius, please comfort me!"
The twins shove Seren my way like it's no big deal, and she latches on with eyes gleaming like she hit the jackpot.
"There, there, you did great. I'll tag along tomorrow, so hang in there just a bit longer."
"Y-yes...! Sounds good, let's go together and power through! Ehehe~"
As I pat her back to console her, Lisroom chimes in about today's results.
"Well, I checked out the local mage tower branch first, but they didn't have any supplies on hand right now. Everything's allocated by quota for specific uses, so I placed bulk orders. Tomorrow, we can start on some repairs."
He strokes his chin with a hint of regret, but it's not a bad outcome. Supplies will come with time, and tomorrow he'll join us walking the streets to show our faces.
"Good news for now, at least. As for Sio... he was with me, so yeah. Good work today."
"Sigh, fuck. Guarding the walls at my age—what a pain in the ass. These damn monsters had to swarm on day one. Oh, you did good too, Hero."
By the time I got there, the fight was already raging.
Sio was buried under a horde at the front lines, slashing away with a scowl, while nearby soldiers teamed up just to handle one beast each.
If I hadn't shown up, Sio really would've been in deep shit.
Still, we held the walls without casualties, so the soldiers bowed to us. No deaths today—everyone expressed their gratitude, which left a bittersweet taste.
We never expected smooth sailing from the start, so we decided to see what the future brings.
Day 2.
- Hmm... At least no one threw dirt at me today, so that's kinda good, right...?
Seren managed a weirdly pleased smile, proud she dodged the mud.
Day 3.
- There are way more collapsed buildings than I thought. Good thing the Hero helped with repairs, or I'd never have had enough time alone. It's frustrating having to ask citizens for permission just to help.
Fixing ruined buildings and cleaning streets was taking longer than expected. Not a single intact structure in town. And with cracks in the count's mansion itself, that said it all.
Day 5.
- Hey, fuck, Hero. Can't you skip helping elsewhere and just guard the walls with me? I'm dying here. These crazy bastards attack every damn day without fail—how the hell have the soldiers held out this long?
Sio grabbed my wrist with eyes sunken from exhaustion, looking like a drowned ghost dragging me to hell.
Day 10.
- Arsius! Citizens are approaching us first to say thanks! You have no idea how happy it makes me that so many are asking for healing now...!
Hearts once sealed shut were cracking open bit by bit. Eyes that only spat rejection now held hints of apology and gratitude.
Day 15.
- Better late than never, but the supplies finally arrived. We settled on me helping with the mage tower's research after Shyrn in exchange, so no worries there. Basics like food, clothes, weapons, armor—you can distribute them.
Until now, we'd been sharing our emergency rations and preserved food. Thankfully, it arrived before things got dire. We'd been skimping to give more away, so maybe now we can eat our fill.
Time flowed on.
Nearly a month passed, and Shyrn filled with the scent of life, thicker than the reek of death.
Winter rain fell relentlessly, soaking the ground. Dirt paths turned to mud, and cracks deepened in unrepaired homes.
But to them, it was a blessing. Precious drinking water from the sky extended lives.
Everyone placed bowls—or whatever they had—beside them, mouths open to the heavens. Shivering in the cold, they wrung out soaked clothes into empty vessels, then caught more rain to drink.
Still woefully inadequate, utterly dire.
Supplies kept coming, regular shipments from the mage tower secured, but decades of hardship don't vanish in a month.
Repairs continued, yet collapsed buildings lingered, old folks nursed festering wounds, and invasions beyond the walls kept wounding more.
But the emotions in eyes sipping cold rain weren't dark. Lights long buried rose to illuminate them.
It was hope. Joy at survival, gratitude toward us who helped—it blanketed the area.
Elders and youths bowed in thanks as we passed, sweeping our paths.
Kids shyly offered candy.
Candy we'd given them, handed back with mumbled encouragements to keep going.
Once scrambling just to live—not really living—they regained a touch of peace.
Seeing our sleepless, tireless efforts pay off was truly rewarding.
And amid their repeating daily lives...
A warm hue of emotion fluttered about.
Another month and a half slipped by, perhaps.
Now deep in winter, not early anymore.
Crops won't grow, biting winds howl— the season everyone hunkers down.
Cold gusts topped the walls, white snowflakes blanketed the ground. A chill that pierced the soul had arrived.
Yet the scene was warmth without a trace of cold. Streets aglow from dusk into night. No ruins in sight. Tattered citizens sprawled no more.
Kids rolled snow into snowmen, shrieking with laughter. Youths built greenhouses for hardy winter crops. Elders and women busied with their roles.
Watching the sight—no, the scenery—from the count's mansion made my chest tighten. I wiped my eyes before anyone noticed, but footsteps approached.
"Arsius, are you crying?"
Busted.
Seren sneaks up, peers at my face, and grins mischievously.
"Nah, just yawned."
"You were crying though?"
"No, I'm tired. Haven't slept properly, so I'm drowsy."
I deny it and turn away casually.
"Over here! Arsius is crying! Ahaha~ Arsius is crying~"
Seren laughs brightly, gleefully drawing everyone's eyes.
"What the hell, Hero. Even the Saintess isn't crying, the twin brats aren't—why are you bawling? Not embarrassed?"
"I didn't cry."
I deny it verbally, but can't hide my flushed ears.
"Big brother, it's okay. Your ears are red, but... we'll pretend you didn't."
"Hm, well, it's a touching scene, so no shame in it. But too much emotion isn't good. For magic, stay rational and calm—suppress feelings."
The group averts eyes, offering consolation like it's understandable.
Ah, I'm dying of embarrassment.
Unable to hide my flush, I press on.
"Anyway... looks like our role here is done, right?"
The teasing group straightens and nods.
Our work in Shyrn ends here.
Buildings repaired, even walls reinforced. Ample supplies in the big warehouse, basic needs met.
Handed them hardy seedlings for barren soil—food woes will ease through winter and beyond.
No foolproof defense against invasions, but weapons, armor, meds, bandages, walls all bolstered. Up to them now. Soldiers approved.
"Shall we hit the road then? Lingering just builds attachment, nothing good."
I wrap up, pack, and head out to resume the journey.
Waiting by our carriage: Count Studea, with his butler, greeting us.
"Hero, you're leaving."
"Yeah, you figured and waited, right, Count?"
"Heh... Lately, it's always been like this."
A smile bloomed on his face now.
"Lots to do elsewhere too."
He closes his eyes regretfully but nods.
"Can't be helped... Ah, at least say goodbye to the citizens? They're all praising your group. I can gather them in the square if you want."
"No thanks. Partings should be clean, no fanfare. Meeting again would just make it harder."
I shake my head and board. The group follows suit, and I give final words.
"Well~ We'll be off then. Thanks for everything."
The count smiles warmly—the first since we met.
"Shyrn is always on your side. If you call, we'll draw swords for you, no matter the foe. Truly grateful for your short stay."
Man, that's corny.
The carriage rolls out into full night. Kids at play, working youths, elders, women—all vanished in the deep hour as we race the streets.
"Wow~ Time flew. Nearly two months here? We worked hard though! Right, Arsius!"
Seren beams proudly yet wistfully. I start to agree.
"Saintess, Hero. Enough chit-chat—look outside."
Sio cuts in.
And the view outside.
The streets we pass light up with lamps, illuminating the way. Adults and kids alike line the roads, bowing to our carriage.
"Whoa..."
All we can do is gape in awe. We stare blankly, they stare back.
Tears I thought spent well up again, trickling down cheeks.
It lasted as our carriage sped on, over the walls.
Still deep night, yet the streets shine bright.