The Hero's Partner (2)
For now, let's put off talking to the Hero. Scolding him while he can't even lift his head properly can wait too. I feel like we need a calm, one-on-one chat, but this isn't the place.
"I'm sorry. Among the recent rumors, the ones about you, Sir Hero, and the Dragon Priestess are the hottest topic."
"Rumors about me and the Hero...? Hmm...."
Well, yeah. A Hero pushing past thirty traveling with a little girl— it'd be weirder if rumors didn't spread. But still, me as the Hero's partner? His kid-like companion I've been raising as my own? Sure, rumors get blown out of proportion, but this is a bit much!
And my mind is still a guy's personality, for starters! Sure, tons of kids call me Mom, and I've lived in this female body for tens of thousands of years, but I haven't lost my original male ego yet! I'm not gonna go full female or anything!!!!
Hm. Wait a sec. Something feels off. I've been in this body for tens of thousands of years... so why is my modern human personality still intact? Was my original self that strong, holding on through millennia? Nah, no way. I was just your average modern guy—nothing special, plain human ego....
It's weird that it's still holding up. Or maybe some external force is preserving my personality? Ugh.... No clue!
Eh, whatever. As long as I am still me, it's a good thing. No need to overthink it. Good is good, and there's no issue right now. If problems pop up later, I'll deal then.
Anyway, moving on from my ego.
"I'd love to stamp out those baseless rumors, but let's let it slide for now. What are you all doing out here?"
"Oh, us? We're patrolling this cursed land."
"Patrolling?"
"Yes. It's barren now with no one living here, but it was our homeland once. We patrol to make sure nothing goes wrong."
Homeland, huh.
"People of Akad?"
"Akad... It feels a bit nostalgic. A name lost decades ago...."
The cavalrymen gazed at the barren land with wistful expressions.
"Even cursed by the gods like this, it's still our home."
"A wasteland too dry even for bandits, but we patrol believing we'll return someday."
Dry smiles lingered on their faces.
"Because this land is our home."
Oof. My conscience is stinging a little. They had to leave their homeland because of me, in a way. Hmm.... The curse.... Should I lift it...? No, no. That guy hasn't come crawling back begging forgiveness yet. Can't take back what I said.
Instead.... I could make life better for these exiles, help them thrive if they ever return home.... Ah, but that'd be favoritism, right? Ugh.... Well, they're victims of my screw-up! Helping them isn't favoritism!
And while I'm at it, torment that second prince some more—he's still wandering without a hint of apology! If he'd shown up at the temple right away like I expected, admitting his mistake, none of this would've happened! It's a bit of a stretch, but whatever.
"Ahem. So, Sir Hero and Dragon Priestess. Might you tell us where you're headed?"
"No particular destination. We're just wandering, smashing monsters that harm people."
We used to chase rumors of monsters back in the day, but now strong ones are scarce—no big rumors anymore. Low-level pests are handled by soldiers or village militias, it seems.
"Thanks to that, the last few months have been a leisurely trip."
Monsters pop up rarely, only to get bisected by the Hero's sword.
"Hm.... No clear goal, then? How about traveling with us?"
"With you?"
The cavalrymen nodded.
"A famed Hero and Dragon Priestess would be welcome everywhere. Our king would be thrilled too."
Hm. No set path, so tagging along is fine. I glanced at the Hero, still unable to look up properly.
"What do you think?"
"Y-Yes?"
"No destination, so maybe join them? Your thoughts?"
"Oh, uh, I-I'm fine with it."
He didn't seem to mind. Fair enough—my trip had no real aim either.
I nodded and turned to the cavalrymen. "We'll travel with you. No set goal anyway."
Wandering aimlessly beats having a direction. Following them shouldn't be bad.
"Understood. We'll guide you to our nation, Arcadia."
And so, we left the barren Akad Wasteland with the cavalrymen.
"So, can you explain why you're being called my partner?"
I stood before the Hero, arms crossed, voice stern.
"I-I don't know anything...."
"If you don't, who does?!"
The cavalrymen had set up tents as a temporary base and stepped out to scout. Perfect time to grill—er, get the truth from the Hero!
"I have no idea who started those rumors...."
"If you deny it outright, wouldn't they die down?"
"I tried! More than once! But people keep asking, and even when I say no, they claim I'm embarrassed, ask how far we've gone, when we're having kids! They won't listen!"
Ah, kids. Kids! What the hell is this guy saying?!
I flicked his forehead hard enough to make a thwack.
"Kids! That's centuries away!!"
"Ow.... I'm in my thirties now! Normal people are married with kids by this age! If I'd wed early, my kid would be grown and marrying off!!! And humans don't live centuries!!!"
Oh, right. Yeah.
"A-anyway. We gotta kill those rumors ASAP. Deny them more forcefully."
"What...? Brag to the world I'm a thirty-something bachelor...?"
Uh. Hm.
"S-sorry."
In an era where mid-teens marry on a whim, a thirty-year-old Hero advertising his single status is brutal.
"R-right! You should find a mate! Like recruiting 'Hero's Partner Applicants'!! Spread it worldwide, gather candidates...."
"So you want to broadcast I'm an old bachelor globally?"
"Th-that's...."
Ugh.... Damned if I do, damned if I don't. Fine. Just snag him a partner. Starting with that village girl near the Life Temple....
"Couldn't you just... be my partner, sis?"
"What...?"
My mind blanked. The Hero just said what?
"I mean, if the rumors become true, problem solved, right? They're everywhere already—can't take back scattered words...."
He hesitated but pressed on.
"Honestly, I couldn't fully deny them because.... Well.... Ugh, embarrassing to say outright...."
He rubbed his dry face, then steeled himself.
"I like you, sis."
Uh, um, well, you see.
"From the moment we met."
No, wait, really, that's, what the.
"You changed my life as a street orphan. Made me a Hero, earned everyone's praise. I like you."
Ah, shit— no, that's not, uh, wha— buh-buh-buh.
"Honestly, I planned to bury it forever. You have your own life. Hiding behind the Dragon Priestess mask, working for the world.... I tried to hide these feelings for your sake."
Eh...?
"So I love you. You, sis. The Life Goddess striving for life within you."
Wha— wha.... Wh-wh-what?!?!?!