Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Return to the Mortal World - 8
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It might just be his way of drawing a line in front of me, but he had spoken critically of the Emperor.
I had no precise idea of how strong his retainers truly were or what influence he could wield.
Still, if I could secure his cooperation, I might glean even a bit more information and put some pressure on the Emperor.
But.
"I've only gained the Hero's power. I didn't kill the Demon King."
"No Hero has ever defeated the Demon King alone. You're far too humble."
I bit my lip. Whether I was strong or weak, the real Hero or not—it was all secondary.
For starters, I had nothing to offer him.
The Emperor had certainly done enough to offend me, but in the end, he was the fastest and easiest way to gather the materials I needed to return home. Whether through cooperation or coercion.
Having the power to intimidate the Emperor would be enough. There was no guarantee that allying with that noble would pressure the Emperor exactly as much as I needed.
"In my humble opinion... you seem dissatisfied with how they've treated you."
"..."
Besides, I couldn't trust him.
I didn't want to think well of the Hero parties, but at least they were pure. Infuriatingly pure, dismissing a sacrifice like mine as "acceptable"—that was what grated on me.
But what could his ultimate goal possibly be? Even in this pre-modern society, the Emperor's popularity was immense.
If the Emperor's power weakened and he—or his faction—sought to reshape society, what direction would that take?
Honestly, it wasn't my problem. If I wanted to avoid harming the Empire, I'd have to abandon my return home first.
Gathering the magic materials would demand sacrifices from others too.
But that was already promised to me. The Emperor had pledged those sacrifices on behalf of the Empire, giving me every right to claim them.
That said, apart from that, I had no desire to cause people hardship with my own extra actions.
"Loyalty?"
"I never had any to begin with."
"A pity. I thought there might be an opening. But putting the proposal aside, it's sincere that I want to host the Hero in this house."
It was a feast of rare delicacies. Every touch in the preparation reeked of extravagance.
The palace food wasn't modest by any means, but it was merely the standard daily fare for visiting guests.
Considering the Princess's temperament, even the Emperor's banquets wouldn't feature dishes like these often.
"I figured your poor relations with the fake Hero meant no chance, but what an honor to serve such a distinguished guest."
He bent low consistently, without the slightest hint of reluctance.
Uttering such ingratiating words—without even pretending they weren't calculated—yet outwardly submissive in full.
"No need to do anything. Just relax and enjoy yourself here—that's more than enough."
"Tempting as that is... I can't. I have items to track down, so I'll need to get around a bit."
"I'll send my people."
"Phoenix remains."
A faint crack appeared on Creon's confident, leisurely face.
If it were that easy, I wouldn't have to handle it myself.
In the end, even this man couldn't deliver what I wanted.
"Didn't expect you'd balk so soon. My apologies—it does seem beyond me."
Surprisingly, he admitted his limits without protest.
Was I wrong about him? He might actually be more unpretentious and honest than he appeared.
Or perhaps he simply hadn't sized me up yet.
If I was a walking bomb capable of unleashing the "Hero's power" to spark violence in the palace, excessive caution would be the smart play.
"Still, will you stay the night?"
As Christina leaned in, her bare bosom brushed lightly against me.
She looked neither innocently naive nor brimming with conviction. Beautiful like a domineering, cruel flower, yet her face held a smile as she gazed at me now.
Like a villainous noble lady ready to exploit others, her allure planted the delusion that I might unlock her true heart.
A subtle smile suiting her black dress, her hidden depths stirring curiosity.
"Do you usually send your daughter for this sort of thing?"
"Refined tastes. Of course—when the Hero's blood is at stake, no woman who beds just any man deserves his favor."
I scanned Creon and Christina's expressions in turn.
He didn't strike me as the doting father type. Still, I'd expected some pushback—maybe invoking family honor.
But he didn't hesitate a moment, twisting my words to his convenience. As if I'd questioned her virginity, he treated her like mere merchandise.
Christina's reaction was equally startling. Being labeled the sort of woman who cuddles up to anyone should have shocked her, but her face remained unchanged.
Why?
I wondered if they said it to manipulate me, but even if rehearsed, their hospitality felt over the top.
"My daughter is, naturally, a virgin. She's of marriageable age, but no suitable match presented itself. With His Majesty's few children, finding one proved difficult."
"Why offer such a daughter?"
"We can't skimp on hospitality for the Hero. Normally, I'd send a hired courtesan or maid to make the night enjoyable, but for our finest guest, only the finest woman will do."
Something was off. No matter how I turned it over, he wasn't the type for pure motives. As I stared him down intently, he shook his head in concession.
For the briefest instant, a kindly smile flickered across his face.
"I won't deny our family's desire to mingle with the Hero's blood, of course. But even without conception, it would surely be an honor."
"Why go to such lengths?"
He paused in thought, then thrust forward a value I'd never dreamed would come from his lips.
"Those who sacrifice themselves deserve respect. His Majesty the Emperor... forgive my impertinence, but he fails to grasp that."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Among common folk, adventurers had a reputation for being quite handsome.
But that was a somewhat skewed perception. Those who could hold mana in their bodies maintained ideal figures and looks, but novice adventurers were no different from ordinary people.
It was a far cry from elves—beings who could be beautiful by nature.
Adventurers, dancing on the edge of life and death daily, boiled with endless lust.
Those with coin for brothels sated it moderately, but the half-hearted types sometimes trailed after inns rumored to house beauties.
An inn sheltering an elf? Perfect.
"One more day. Same price, right?"
"Yes, of course!"
A few coins clinked onto the counter. Nerwen wrinkled her nose.
A repulsive stench hung in the air. Human lust, turned to smell, tormented her nostrils even now.
Gazes multiplied. People too. Nothing like the pristine, flawless scent of the forest or fellow elves.
"Whoa, that's the elf?"
"Check out that ass. Rumors weren't kidding..."
They thought they whispered softly, but elven ears caught every word. Still, Nerwen clenched her jaw, acknowledging their "restraint."
If she hadn't held back from shooting arrows at adventurers who'd spewed lewdness at other inns, they'd be openly baiting reactions and harassing her outright.
"C-coming tomorrow too?"
"Keep the room empty for now. No one enters. If even one sneaks in, that room's worthless forever. Got it?"
"Y-yes, understood!"
With that, Nerwen climbed the stairs to the second floor. Her eyes met a passing prostitute's, but it was beneath her notice.
Elves preferred slumbering in forests—and if forced to use human structures, they'd sooner bed down on bare earth. She had good reason to enter this human inn.
She opened the door to the room she'd taken yesterday. Despite her worries, it was well-kept. No lechers had broken in to slake their urges, and per her orders, no cleaning had been done.
And with that, she flung herself onto the bed like a collapsing wave.
"Sniff, huff, hnngh..."
She could stand tall and speak coherently, regain her reason—but it was merely a fleeting reprieve.
She still couldn't exist without inhaling his scent.
He'd lingered at the palace, but now an adventurer, he sought sleep in modest inns. And inns welcomed any with coin.
"Hnngh..."
Like a human surfacing after minutes without air, she drew in deep breaths. Her fraying sanity lambasted her unsightly desperation, but even that couldn't deny this method's cruel efficiency.
"So faint..."
Yet it left her unsatisfied. Yesterday, he'd accepted a noble's invitation—a place she couldn't easily infiltrate.
She could have snuck in, but deceiving him now armed with the Hero's power was too risky.
"I'll reverse it somehow..."
She who'd already forsaken everything. Prepared to offer it all for him. The moment she'd nocked an arrow at the Emperor proved her reason long gone.
Fortune had granted her one usable card. If luck held, she might become a slave of value to him.
The elf ended her brief reverie and kept inhaling. The men in other rooms plunged into fantasies from her heavy breaths alone, but Nerwen no longer had the strength to mind her surroundings.