The Hero Returned Home
"Father, I've heard much about you."
"I've received much aid from your predecessor."
The emperor and Isabela exchanged those words as they gazed at each other. The emperor respected Isabela, and she, in turn, maintained a courteous demeanor before him. That left Aaron—the crown prince who had challenged her status—in a tight spot. He couldn't hide his flustered expression at the sudden appearance of the elf queen.
"Well then. This is the elf queen, and who might that be?"
In that moment, it was the emperor who came to Aaron's rescue. Having finished his greeting with Isabela, the emperor's gaze shifted to Lucille. She knelt tensely and introduced herself.
"I am Lucille, disciple of the Light Sword Frank."
"Ah, that Light Sword's..."
It might not carry the same weight as Isabela, but the title of Light Sword's disciple was no small thing to dismiss.
"Yes. At my master's command, I have joined the hero to aid in defeating the Demon King."
"That's good news. I should send my thanks to the Light Sword as well."
The emperor replied to Lucille's words as if he were her own patron, though no one dared call him on it.
"Well done, hero. I've already received reports on the Dwarf Kingdom and the Great Forest incidents. I look forward to your continued exploits."
The emperor lightly praised me before rising from his seat. His gaze lingered briefly on Karen, but I pretended not to notice. I'd already anticipated the connection between her and the emperor, and contrary to his assumptions, Karen and I had grown quite close.
As the emperor withdrew from the throne room, I could see the nobles' eyes turning toward me and my companions. The audience itself was staged to announce to the continent that the emperor protected the hero, and the hero followed the emperor. Naturally, the nobles were busy gauging my mood, with only Aaron glaring at us in dissatisfaction.
I'm tired. Time to go home.
The nobles here, aside from Mary's faction, were all trash anyway. I had no intention of mingling with them, so the moment the emperor left, I slipped out of the throne room. I did have business with Princess Mary, but it wasn't urgent.
**
"My home really is the best."
I muttered to myself as I gazed at the tidy building before me. After leaving the throne room, my companions had split into two groups. Marian had headed to the Gaiana Church headquarters to report, and Jena—holding her position as Holy Knight Order captain—had gone with her. The elf queen, who had no residence in the capital, and Lucille had followed me.
As I mumbled at the familiar sight, Lucille asked me hesitantly.
"Will it be all right for me to stay here...?"
"It's fine. You don't have anywhere else to go anyway."
I answered Lucille casually, while Isabela took it as a matter of course. The problem was Lina inside that house.
I'd boasted to Lucille, but Lina's presence gnawed at me. Lucille and I barely had anything between us, but Isabela was different. Of course, given Isabela's nature, she probably wouldn't say anything too provocative—but thieves always flinch at their own shadows.
"Anyway, let's head in."
Steeling myself, I opened the front door and spotted Lina and old man Ghetto inside.
"Allen, welcome home!"
Lina spotted me entering and ran over with a joyful expression. She was the only one who called me by my real name instead of "hero," and her sight brought a natural smile to my face.
"Long time no see, Lina. You too, old man."
I greeted the old man, who remained seated unlike Lina. Fortunately, he looked as healthy as ever.
"And who might these companions be?"
"This is Isabela, and this is Lucille, disciple of the Light Sword."
I introduced my companions to the old man, then explained about him and Lina to them. An awkward air hung briefly, but my companions and family exchanged light greetings. Of course, I caught Lina shooting me a bratty glare amid it all, though she didn't make it too uncomfortable.
"Follow me. I'll show you to your rooms."
Instead, Lina naturally led Isabela and Lucille inside. The group, exhausted from the immediate audience with the emperor upon returning to the capital, followed her up to the second floor. The house I'd half-forcibly obtained by blackmailing Marian was spacious enough that rooms weren't an issue.
"You lunatic. What are you so smugly gawking at? Huh?"
Once Lina had taken Lucille and Isabela away, old man Ghetto scolded me.
"What? What's there to be ashamed of?"
"Don't play innocent. That elf queen couldn't take her eyes off you. And that Lucille girl? She seemed sweet on you too."
"Old man, what are you, a romance expert?"
I asked the old man, who had pierced the truth the moment he saw my companions.
"Back in my day, kid, I fooled around with plenty of women, you know?"
"How the hell would I know that."
"Anyway, you better not do Lina wrong."
The old man clicked his tongue at my curt reply. He'd grown fond of Lina during their time together, but I could sense he'd always have my back in the end.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll handle it."
I replied, eyeing the old man who fretted like an old worrywart.
**
"Isabela was stunning—must be the elf thing. And Lucille? That body of hers is killer."
I let out an awkward chuckle at Lina chattering beside me. Just moments ago, she'd been giving me the cold shoulder, but now she was gushing about my companions as if nothing had happened.
She wasn't stupid; she had to suspect my relationships with the other women. Still, Lina was trying to stay upbeat, not wanting to make me uncomfortable.
"...Lina. You okay?"
I finally called her name, and the expression she'd been forcing stiffened slightly.
"I'm fine. Even nobles have women around them. Expecting otherwise is just my greed. Besides, you're not some noble—you're the hero. Women like them suit you better than an ordinary girl like me."
"..."
"As long as I can stay by your side, that's enough for me."
Her trembling voice tugged at my heart. I had no intention of abandoning revenge for her sake, but I couldn't help feeling a twinge of guilt.
Not wanting to drag it out, I changed the subject to lighten the mood.
"Anyway, what happened while I was gone?"
"What do you mean?"
"The reactions in the capital felt different when I arrived."
"Oh, that? Of course. The capital's been buzzing about you lately."
I tilted my head at Lina's words, and she continued explaining.
"It started with the bards. Their songs spread word of what happened in Butler Territory, drawing people's interest. Then the dwarves visited recently, fanning the rumors further."
"The dwarves?"
I asked in surprise, and Lina nodded, recounting their visit.
"Those weird little guys were boasting in the taverns about your fights with the Demon King's army. The bards even made new songs from it. Fighting some lich named Bahamons? I was on the edge of my seat hearing that."
"Really?"
"Yeah. The hero from those epic tales is my man—it felt amazing. Oh, and there's a gift."
I smiled at Lina, who had switched moods in an instant. I knew it was her way of coping, but that effort only made her more endearing.
"A gift?"
"Yeah, wait a sec. I'll grab it quick."
Lina said that and dashed out of my room.