Chapter 377: Another Hero
Chapter 377: Another Hero
In any case, even after sending him off, I sat quietly in my room for a while to sort out my thoughts.
A demon god who presides over war. A demonic hero who follows him.
It was simple information, yet it wasn't something I could think about so simply.
How could I? This was about my Sara.
But… for this particular problem, it felt like no solution would come to me, no matter how hard I racked my brain.
In the first place, the idea of a demon god descending using Sara's body was nothing more than my own delusion.
It was impossible to predict what would happen, which made coming up with a countermeasure even more impossible.
Shouldn't I consult everyone about this, especially the experienced and brilliant Diana?
But to do that, I would inevitably have to reveal that Sara is a Hero.
Sara herself said she was only hiding it because she couldn't find the right time to tell everyone, so she'd quickly agree if I asked.
If we wanted, we could probably shout it from the rooftops that she's a Hero, not just tell our party, and it wouldn't be a huge problem. After all, we have the ultimate Archmage as a reliable shield.
Or so I would have simply thought back in the day.
But now that I know the circumstances surrounding Heroes, it doesn't seem like such a simple matter anymore.
The last remaining Hero in the world. And a royal family that desires that Hero's blood.
At a time like this, is it really okay for another Hero to appear?
Well, let's put that thought aside for later.
In any case, just revealing it to our group shouldn't be a problem.
I left the room to get Sara's consent.
“Guwon! Are you finished talking? I saw the Hero leaving a little while ago….”
“Ah, yeah.”
When I stepped out of the room, everyone was gathered right outside.
“So, were all your questions answered?”
“Well, for now. I was able to learn a lot more than I expected.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. But….”
I knew exactly what Leia's gaze was asking, but this wasn't the right time to talk about it.
My eyes met Sara's, who was looking at me with a slightly worried expression, before I turned back to Leia.
“First, can I speak with Sara alone? I'll tell you and Diana together later when she gets back. This involves some of Sara's personal matters.”
“I see…. Then please promise me. Promise you'll tell us, too. You can't just keep it all to yourself, okay?”
Perhaps guessing the tone of the conversation from my expression, Leia took my hand in both of hers, hugged it tightly to her chest, and spoke.
I really am no match for this angel.
“Alright. I promise.”
“Okay.”
I smiled back at Leia, whose own beautiful smile bloomed as if to reassure me, and then headed to the room with Sara.
“The talk… it didn't go as you'd hoped?”
Sara must have guessed as much, as she spoke with a somber expression as soon as we entered the room.
“No. It's the opposite. It went exactly as I'd feared.”
“That means….”
“Yeah. Sara. Before I tell you, I want you to know that I will never, ever abandon you, no matter what. So please, don't be anxious. Just listen.”
I knew saying something like this would only heighten her anxiety, but I had to say it first.
“…Okay. Tell me.”
At my words, Sara's expression hardened even more, but she nodded as if she had steeled herself.
I held both of Sara's hands tightly and told her what I had heard from Threon, along with the speculations I'd formed based on his story.
As the story unfolded, I could feel Sara's soft hands trembling more and more violently within my own.
“So, in the end, I'm….”
“No. Nothing's confirmed yet. It's possible your ancestor abandoned the War God after that. Nothing is set in stone.”
“But….”
“That's why, Sara… what do you think about revealing that you're a Hero? At least to Diana and Leia.”
“I don't mind that at all. That's fine, but….”
“Don't worry. If we all put our heads together, we'll definitely come up with something. Besides, we have Diana, the world's greatest Archmage. And more than anything, no matter what happens, I'll never leave your side. So you have nothing to worry about.”
“Okay….”
“What's with that face? You don't trust your big brother?”
When I said that with a deliberately angry expression, Sara managed a small smile.
“But… you're the one who's been looking so worried this whole time, Guwon.”
“What?! What part of this face looks worried! Look closely! At these burning eyes!”
“Oh my. You're right. They're burning with lust.”
“That's it!”
I immediately lunged at Sara and wrapped my arms tightly around her.
Of course, I had no intention of doing anything lewd at a time like this.
I just held her still.
“Guwon… I'm a little scared…. What if I really do fall under that demon god's control without even realizing it? What if me being with you right now is also part of the demon god's plan….”
Held quietly in my arms, Sara murmured in a weak voice I rarely ever heard.
I hugged her trembling body even tighter and spoke with a voice full of conviction.
“Then we should be grateful to the demon god. He's the one who let me meet you. So don't worry. If you ever lose yourself to him, I'll spank your butt until I bring you back.”
“You promise… you really promise?”
“Yeah.”
“Guwon….”
For a long moment, I met Sara's gaze as she looked up at me with teary eyes.
Then, as if by unspoken agreement, our lips met and our tongues explored each other's.
“Well, making sure that doesn't happen is the best plan, of course. Diana said she'd be back today anyway, so let's have a meeting as soon as she returns.”
After a deep kiss, I pulled away and looked at Sara, speaking seriously.
“Idiot. This isn't the time to bring up another woman's name.”
Sara said, then kissed me again.
For a while after that, I continued to hold Sara tightly, comforting her. I held her until her body, which had been trembling finely despite her attempts to act strong, finally calmed down completely.
“Thank you, Guwon. I'm okay now.”
“Really? If you want, we could have some Healing Sex….”
“Idiot. You think I don't know that Healing Sex has no mentally stabilizing effects? You just want to do it.”
Sara chuckled at my joke and lightly slapped my chest.
“If you can react to a joke like that, you must really be feeling a bit better.”
“A joke? Really?”
“What? If I say it wasn't a joke, will you let me?”
“…What do you think?”
“It wasn't a joke!”
“Idiot. I'm not going to.”
“Aw, why!”
“It's your punishment for bringing up Diana's name earlier. Who knows? Maybe next time the mood is right, if you don't bring up another woman's name….”
“Damn it. This mouth of mine is the problem.”
“Hehe. Now, let's go out.”
“Yeah. Leia's probably waiting and worrying. Let's at least put her at ease until Diana gets here.”
After Sara and I confirmed that our expressions looked untroubled, we left the room.
“You have to tell me everything when Diana-ssi gets here.”
Of course, our angel wasn't fooled in the slightest.
She looked at us with a determined expression, as if she would hear the full story no matter what, and said as much.
Even when she deliberately put on a stern face, she just looked even prettier, showing off a different charm than usual, but I figured it was best not to mention that.
More importantly, how did she know? Both Sara and I had perfectly cheerful expressions on.
And that wasn't all.
“G-Guwon-nim….”
“Hm?”
“E-Eek! Ah, auuuu….”
In a truly rare occurrence, even Silvia approached me first and suddenly hugged me.
What's this? Is she trying to comfort me?
I mean, it's incredibly comforting.
Or rather than comforting, it feels more like my mind is being put at ease.
What is this adorable creature? I think I finally understand how pet owners feel.
Animal therapy. No, Silvia therapy. The effect is amazing.
“You shouldn't be making a face that doesn't suit you. You should just be smiling thoughtlessly like you always do….”
“Matilda!”
“W-What is it?”
“What do you think of me?”
“I love you….”
When I asked the question with the coolest expression I could muster, Matilda took the bait again.
Who's the thoughtless one now?
But well… I'm grateful that she was trying to encourage me.
And at some point, Vanessa had also quietly approached and placed a teacup on the table. After pouring some freshly brewed, steaming tea into it, she silently retreated again.
I wasn't knowledgeable enough to remember the names of different teas, but just from the aroma, I could roughly tell what effect this one had.
It was a good tea that calmed the mind.
“Thanks, Vanessa.”
“…I was only doing my duty.”
So blunt, as always.
Being surrounded by everyone like this, my mindset truly started to become more positive.
Right. What can't I overcome with these girls by my side? Whether it's a demon god or something else, we'll figure something out.
Trying my best to think positively, I decided to wait calmly for Diana.
And no matter how much time passed, Diana did not return.
“…Vanessa. Diana definitely said she'd be back sometime today, right?”
“…Yes.”
“And it's past midnight now, right?”
“…Yes.”
“Night, not noon?”
“…Yes.”
“She's laaaaaate!”
“C-Calm down, Guwon.”
“Is this a situation to be calm about?! What do I do? What if something happened to our Diana?”
“Come on. Everyone from the Association went with her, so surely….”
“In the world I came from, there's a saying that 'surely' is what gets people killed! Ahhh, this is no good. The Guild… right! I might be able to find something out at the Guild! Guys, I'm heading to the Guild for a bit!”
“Guwon-nim. Please wait.”
“What?! It's no use trying to stop me!”
“No, that is not it. I will go with you.”
“…What?”
I stared intently at Vanessa's face. Her expression was blank as ever, making it hard to read her thoughts, but for some reason, I could tell she was worried about Diana.
“Alright. Let's go.”
“Yes.”
“Th-Then we'll also….”
“No. You all stay here. If Diana comes back while we're out, explain the situation to her.”
I stopped Sara from following. If it were just Sara, with her quick movements, it would be fine, but if she came, everyone else would end up coming too. That would take too long. I'm sorry, but I wanted to get to the Guild as fast as possible.
So, I decided to head to the Guild with just Vanessa. With only the two of us, running at full speed would be faster than taking a carriage.
She might be able to use magic, but Vanessa is ultimately a physical type.
No. Considering her brute strength, it'd be a problem if she wasn't.
Therefore, we left the mansion and sprinted towards the Guild at full speed.
“Rachel-nooooonim!”
“Y-Yes?! G-Guwon?! What are you doing here at this hour?!”
Rachel seemed to have been just about to leave work; she was wearing casual clothes with a small bag at her side, about to step out from behind the reception desk.
Thoughts like ‘Rachel looks beautiful all dressed up in her casual clothes’ and ‘Receptionists must have it tough, leaving work this late’ crossed my mind, but now was not the time for that.
“Please check Diana's guild card!”
“Y-Yes?! What's this all of a sudden….”
“Diana was supposed to be back by today, but we haven't heard from her! So please, check her guild card!”
“P-Please calm down a little. I'm sure Diana-nim is fine. And regardless, personal information, especially Diana-nim's….”
“As the clan master of the Saviors, I demand confirmation of clan member Diana's survival status!”
“I'm telling you, please calm down. It's true that we have an obligation to confirm it under those circumstances, but I'm sure Diana-nim is fine. In the first place, if Diana-nim's card were to disappear, the entire Guild would be in an uproar that very instant.”
“Ugh!”
She had a point.
The Guild would surely have a list of people to keep a close eye on.
And they'd be watching Diana's guild card more closely than anyone's.
And right now, the Guild staff were just as busy as usual, not looking particularly flustered. If anything, my own commotion was drawing attention, to the point that some people had even stopped their work to look at me.
“Isn't that the rumored Saint?”
“Black hair, black eyes. Incredibly handsome. That's him.”
“Oh my gosh. I've never seen him in person before.”
“With the rumors about him being the 'Milk Road Maker' and all the other things the Saint discovered, I wondered what kind of pervert he was. But if he looks like that, even if his tastes are a little weird….”
Whispers started to spread among the other adventurers nearby.
Normally I might have cared, but right now, I didn't have the slightest bit of energy to spare for it.
“Then can you at least tell me the last place Diana went?”
“Yes. Please wait a moment. I'll check now. Access to Diana-nim's information is restricted to everyone but the Guild Master, so it might take a little time.”
Teleportation also uses the guild card, so I asked on the off chance, but Rachel just smiled reassuringly as she spoke.
“Yes, Guild Master. Yes. So, about Diana-nim's….”
While she contacted someone with some kind of magical device, I fidgeted restlessly, tapping my foot and watching her.
Come to think of it, her casual clothes… she was definitely about to go home. I feel bad.
But this time, it can't be helped. I have to be selfish.
I'll make sure to properly apologize for this later.
After waiting for some time, she finally seemed to get confirmation. She lowered the magical device from her ear, looked at me, and said with a smile.
“Yes, it's confirmed. It seems Diana-nim's last known location was the teleportation circle on the 4th Floor. And of course, there are no issues with her vital signs.”