What It Means to Be a Hero
Ian emerged safely from the gate with Iana in tow. Up ahead, everyone else was waiting anxiously for them.
The first to come running were Luna and Jenice.
"Iana, you idiot! What were you thinking, pulling a stunt like that? You could've died!"
Luna grabbed Iana's cheeks and yanked them side to side.
"L-Luna... it h-hurts..."
"You deserve to hurt! It doesn't satisfy me unless you have to solve everything and we have to help with whatever!"
Tears welled up in Luna's eyes. Worry, anger, and above all, overwhelming relief. She looked ready to burst into sobs any second.
"We were really worried... but we couldn't do anything..."
"...Sorry."
Luna and Iana hugged it out, with Jenice joining in. At least Jenice was the cool-headed type... or so you'd think.
"Sniff! Sniff!"
She wasn't saying anything, but the tears were pouring out. She was crying so hard she couldn't even speak. Still, unable to hold back her frustration, she pounded Iana lightly with her small fists.
"Sorry, sorry. I won't do it again... though I can't promise that."
"You dummy Iana! Tonight, we're settling this once and for all!"
I stared blankly at the scene.
"..."
A bittersweet, nostalgic wind swept through my chest.
'Sunbae! What are you doing here?'
'Dude, you come to the convenience store alone like this, and now there's an article saying we're excluding you.'
'I've come up with an awesome sword technique. Today, I'm finally gonna land one on that thick skull of yours.'
...Yeah, that's the sticky camaraderie you need from fellow hunters.
"My lord?"
Tavi's voice calling me snapped me back to reality.
"Ah, sorry. Just reminiscing about the old days for a sec."
"The old days?"
"Yeah, something like that. Anyway, what's up?"
"Oh, I was just checking if you're uninjured. You went into a dangerous gate and came back out."
"I'm fine, obviously. If anything, Iana saved the day."
"...I see."
Tavi nodded quietly.
"Without her, the gate would've gone berserk and caused massive damage. Especially with golems in there—that would've been a total disaster."
"Oh? Didn't expect you'd acknowledge her like that."
"She's a knight who risked her life to protect the territory. I'm not petty enough to envy someone like that."
I chuckled at Tavi's words. Iana's achievement this time was truly remarkable. Charging into a gate where death was all but certain, without hesitation? That was the kind of act that made "hero" feel like an understatement.
'As expected of a ropan heroine.'
Ever since I possessed this body and the gates started appearing, so much had changed. But Iana's personality and values hadn't budged an inch. She drew her sword without a second thought for the justice and convictions she believed in—even if it meant she might fall in the process.
...To a jaded adult and reader like me back then, that shine must've reflected my past self, or something like that.
"Iana."
"Ah, my lord, perfect timing. Tell them I'm fine..."
"Thank you."
I approached Iana, knelt on one knee, and bowed properly. Not just Iana, but the sniffling Luna and Jenice—and even the watching knights—went wide-eyed. A lord kneeling was rare, but I didn't care.
It wasn't shameful for a leader to show proper respect to a hero.
"Your noble sacrifice and courage have saved countless lives and livelihoods. That bravery deserves the highest praise."
"Wh-what? You're being all serious, which isn't like you..."
"I, Ian Armeina, lord of this territory and one man to another, offer you my deepest respect and gratitude. What you did today will be remembered in Armeina Territory forever."
Iana stared at me blankly before chuckling. Then, in her own knightly fashion, she returned the bow.
"I owe you my life too. Thanks for saving me."
We looked at each other and chuckled. It had veered far from my original intentions, but building a good relationship with Iana had definitely been the right call.
"Alright then. Gate's cleared, so time to get back to work."
We've been fighting non-stop for over ten chapters straight, and I just got back from a trip—shouldn't I rest? Unfortunately, no rest for me. First up was handling the gate aftermath.
The gates cleared by Iana's group and the golem gate. The byproducts and mana stones from those two alone were no small haul. Golems were notoriously tough, but their rewards were famously generous.
'The Delos Merchant Group is handling byproducts from three gates. Add in the nobles' smuggled goods...'
That alone would eat up a ton of time. Finding buyers, transporting, profiting, reinvesting—it was a full-time job. Idle capital bled money in real time. The sooner I turned it over, the better.
Tavi and Delos were already hustling with work talk as we spoke.
'They're competent and trustworthy anyway. Leave it to them, and it'll be fine.'
Tavi was my most trusted aide and capable right-hand. Delos had pledged cooperation after I saved his daughter, and he had a real merchant's instincts. Together, they'd rake in serious profits—no doubt. Better to let the experts handle it than meddle myself.
"So, I need to focus on what I can do."
"Um... my lord?"
"Yes. What's up, Manila."
"I get that, but why spend your busy time on me?"
I was giving Manila a tour of the territory and the lord's mansion.
"You're gonna live here from now on. Gotta know the place to work comfortably."
"But lords don't usually give personal tours, do they?"
"You're too valuable a talent for me not to."
"I-I'm not that great..."
Manila blushed and fidgeted shyly. She downplayed it, but she was an absolute genius. Developing a gate detector in that short time, with barely any support? "Genius of the century" didn't even cover it.
'Considering all the gear and weapons in the original story... I have to keep this woman in our territory no matter what.'
VIP treatment like this was only natural. Especially with the astronomical profits she'd generate.
"Stick with the quarters we've provided for now, and stay in the mansion."
"Huh? I-Is that okay?"
"Plenty of empty rooms. Some people are already doing it."
Iana and her friends were sharing a big room for training purposes, but having Manila live here full-time seemed fine too.
"If it's inconvenient, we can get you separate lodgings."
"N-No! I'm good!"
"Glad to hear it."
Truth be told, I preferred her in the mansion. Easier to meet for consultations or gear issues.
"Maids can fetch anything you need. Shall we check out the workshop?"
"Oh, you have one?"
"...Don't expect much."
Honestly, I hadn't set foot in it since possessing this body. Gear development wasn't my wheelhouse anyway. No one in the mansion had that role either...
Pretty sure it was built and then half-abandoned. And my hunch was spot on.
"This... haha. Yeah, hasn't been used in ages."
The workshop had tools haphazardly covered in cloth and left to gather dust. The floor was relatively clean, so basic maintenance happened. But barely. It didn't scream "ready to roll."
"Sorry your new workplace is such a mess."
"No! This is great—I get a fresh start!"
Manila shook her head with a bright smile. She seemed genuinely thrilled.
"Starting from the bottom and building up is the fun part. I love that."
"Glad you see it that way."
"Hehe! A new desk here, a board there. Hammers might be noisy, so soundproofing gear would be nice."
Maybe because she was a pure researcher. Innocent in a good way, dead serious about invention. Her eyes sparkled just imagining the setup.
"As I said, I'm giving your research full support. Funding, equipment, personnel—whatever you need, just say the word."
"Really? Most places skimp on research budgets."
"I believe in your potential. That's why I scouted you."
In this gate-ravaged, chaotic world, inventors like Manila were key. Their breakthroughs would shine brightest now.
"No need to report to me directly—Tavi'll handle it."
"Sh-She's kinda scary, though... ehehe."
"She's nicer than she looks. Don't worry—I told her to approve most things."
Manila glanced slyly and asked,
"Are you two... dating?"
"Not officially."
We were close, and we'd seen plenty of each other, but we kept some distance romantically. Too risky for either of us to commit fully yet.
"I-I see. You seemed so affectionate."
"Relationships come in all forms. Anyway, treat Tavi like a work colleague."
"O-Okay! I will!"
I planned to form a dedicated R&D and weapons team with Manila at the helm soon. More interactions meant better to get along.
"Speaking of which, there's something I'd like right away."
"Oh, should I make you a sword?"
"Not yet."
I did want to use the sword she'd made, but this took priority.
"The gate detector you developed. I want to make it fully practical. Mass production if possible."