The Hero's Welcome and the Closet Surprise
The king opened the door himself, and when it swung open, the audience chamber revealed itself.
“This way.”
“Since we have matters to discuss, please step aside.”
“Allow me to say it properly once more. I welcome you to Laplonia, Hero. I am Magnius, the King of Laplonia.”
“It is an honor to meet you.”
“I will explain the current situation of our country… no, this world.”
Guess I probably know it all? Boring, but what can I do? Shut up and listen.
Years ago, a witch was born in the north.
Now she is known as the Frost Witch or the Demon King.
With the Demon King's appearance, the surrounding regions began to be affected.
For a year, the climate remained damp and oppressive, even with snowstorms in midsummer.
No one could farm in such a place, and people fled from the desolate countries.
Our country, being in the southernmost part, fared better, but the problem wasn't farming.
Our country… is oddly concentrated in the cities.
It wasn't like this when my grandfather was alive. Back then, there were many rural populations. But decades ago, when potion processing technology was developed, everything changed.
It was the alchemists from various countries who were persecuted in their homelands and fled here, causing the change.
Anyway, the potion processing industry became our country's central industry, and people flocked to the cities seeking work.
But as the northern countries collapsed, we couldn't obtain the raw materials for the potion industry, and it collapsed.
People returned from cities to rural areas, and the city economy stagnated.
City concentration and the phenomenon of people moving to the countryside. It happened in Korea too.
The problem is… my father poured money into solving it.
At first, it seemed fine, but now...
Oh no, inflation too. He chose the path to ruin the country steadily.
Other countries are the same. So we gathered to ask the god for answers.
That's why the oracle came down, and the oracle said that the Hero and his companions would defeat the Demon King.
Probably, other countries have already selected their companions too.
I know. The elves chose the best archer, Maisha. The Magic Tower chose the mage Clotine. And the Holy Empire chose Saint Floris...No. I don't want to recall that woman's name.
That was all. Only that your first journey is in two months, on the fifteenth.
My first journey. The most important journey.
The Holy Sword.
This is a quest to find the Holy Sword.
The Holy Sword has all kinds of scam options attached, and because it's my exclusive weapon, I must find it.
...Wait, but look at this? It said before regression that it should be solved with 'the Hero's alone power'?
Testing me again, huh?
Two months...
Until then, stay here. A room has already been prepared for you.
Thank you. But...
“Why?”
“Money.”
“I... it seems I need some living expenses?”
The king's pouch, generously filled with gold coins, shook softly.
Very satisfying.Is this my room?
The door was grand. Glistening! Even if it's a prince's residence, it looks believable.
When the door opened, a spacious and comfortable room, a soft-looking bed, and a luxurious table appeared.
Ah, this is home. Before I returned, the place I lived for nearly 20 years was a garbage dump!
Bless the king's generosity! Hmm, how can the smell be this good!
Wait? What is in that fancy closet? Are there fancy clothes for me?
Creak.
“Uwaaaah!”
“Why is there a person in the closet!”
“Hello, Hero. I am Lily, your maid who will serve you. Nice to meet you.”
“What? You were supposed to be quietly outside the room before regression, why did you pop out of the closet! Scaring people!”
“Huh? Do you know me?”
“Ah, no. I mistook you for someone else.”
Phew, almost spilled it. Almost revealed that I came from the future.
By the way, why is her behavior different? Did I already change something?
“What do you want, Hero? Is there anything I can help with?”
Um... first, eat.
“I'm hungry, can you prepare a meal?”
“I will prepare it immediately.”
Watching Lily's back as she leaves briskly.
I did serve before, but I knew almost nothing about Lily.
When I gathered the companions and left the kingdom, Lily said she would follow.
But at that time, I was serious, so I remember leaving her, saying she would be dangerous.
“Sigh... sigh...”
Startled by the strange sound, I see Lily holding the cart in the doorway.
“Wait, I'll help.”
Standing behind Lily, I grab the cart and pull with strength.
Why is this so heavy? How did she bring this all the way here?
Clunk. As the cart passes through the doorway, we fall back while pulling.
With a thud, my whole body is shocked, but don't show pain. It's embarrassing.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“Yes, thanks to the Hero... are you okay, Hero?”
Feels painful to breathe each time, but I manage the expression with all my strength.
“I'm fine.”
“Heh. Haha.”
“Hey, why are you laughing?” “Haha, sorry. No, your face is funny.”
My face got too much force, making the expression weird.
“Hey, your face is red too.”
“M-me?” Lily's face turns even redder, she lowers her head. Why is she like this?
“Well, anyway, I should eat first.”
Lily stands up and starts moving quickly. In an instant, stew, steak, salad, and dessert are set.
A feast.
“Huhu...” My appetite awakens at the full course meal I've seen for a long time.
“Please sit down.” “Thanks for preparing, I'll eat deliciously.”
“Oh, I didn't serve utensils, sorry.” “It's okay, eat slowly.”
I didn't know there were no utensils. Almost ate with hands.
“Everything is really ready. Enjoy.”
I scoop the beef stew into my mouth. Yeah, amazing. Deeply simmered, rich flavor, caramelized onions, soft sweet potato... the meat doesn't need saying. It was probably boiled for a long time, but still juicy.
Ah, eating a warm soup with care after eating only potatoes... my stomach melts...
Gurgle.
What? From my stomach? Even though poking, what's the issue?
Did my digestive system become such a greedy being?
Ah. Lily, waiting in front of me, has an awkward expression. Cute.
“Did you eat dinner?”
“I did.”
“Really?”
“I did.”
“Hey, no lie. Really ate?”
“I couldn't eat... .”
Look at my spirit. While there's a starving person in front, eating.
“Hey, sit and eat. Too much for me.”
“No.”
“If too much, you'll get hurt.”
“No, not that, I can't take the Hero's food...”
“A little teasing is necessary too. I'm really fine.”
“Ugh, teasing...”
Lily reluctantly pulls the chair and sits at the table.
“Hey, should eat facing each other, what?”
Scooping stew into the bowl while saying. Lily sits opposite with red face,
Only looks at the stew I gave.
“What? Eat.”
“Thanks.”
Lily hesitates at first, then gulps down because hungry. The sight I can't help but watch happily.
“Hey, don't look at me like that, Hero...”
“Can't not look. And since we'll be together, call me Kyle oppa comfortably.”
Wait, call this kid 'oppa'... might be dangerous?
“Be together? That...” What is she saying.
“But what is on your head? Fur?”
“W-wait!”
Too late. My hand touches Lily's hair. And this is not fur... ear?
“Hee, heu, if you touch like that...”
“Ah, sorry.”
This guy, was a beastman. Originally, what kind of guy didn't know?
“Hey, this is secret. Usually hide with hair.”
“Y-yes.”
“Actually... because of the Demon King, fled from north and work here.
So... it means a lot to me, Kyle.”
“Got it.”
Somehow heart flutters. Hope this kid is happy.
“Hey, don't just drink broth, eat this too. Need strength to eat meat.”
“Thanks...”
“And, don't hide in front of me. I want to see you as you are.”
Smiles brightly.
“Yes, oppa.”
---
“The bath water has been warmed.”
“Ah, thanks, Lily.”
My whole body is stiff. Warm bath is perfect here.
Huh?
“Hey, I'm taking off my clothes, don't look.”
“Shouldn't I come in too?”
Wait. What is this saying. Dangerous words. This kid.
“What nonsense, don't say weird things.”
“I want to take a bath too...”
“But bath is not allowed!”
All ends up being Hero or whatever!
“Then hug me.”
What?
“Hey, I'm outside sweating. Didn't bathe.”
“Then hug me.”
“Did you not understand any part of my words? I'm sweating!”
Why am I saying this in front of a girl.
“Also good, so hug me.”
“Haa... come.”
Can't help. This is because Lily wants it. Repeat. Because Lily wants it.
Wait, what is this smell?
“Hey, did you drink alcohol?”
“No, where did alcohol come from? Ah, when eating dinner earlier.
I didn't drink, didn't know, but was grape juice? No, wine.
“Hmm... hug me tightly...”
Hug.
“Sniff. Haa.”
Why smelling the smell?
“Hey, I'm really going to bathe, so get out...”
“Yes. Unfortunately, but okay. Will you call when you sleep later?”
“What is this talk?”
“The king ordered me to serve the Hero...”
“No, not that kind of service!”
“If it's Kyle oppa, even that service is fine.”
Are kids these days too mature?
“Hey, we met today.”
“But I have been waiting for oppa all along?”
“Hey, no. Get out, get out.”
Pushes Lily out the door with force.
“Oppa, I really won't give up!”
What is this kid saying.