The First Hero: End of the Adventure (3)
Hmm. I called it a youth project, but... come to think of it, I had no real idea what I was doing myself.
Have I ever dated? Gotten married? I have zero experience in that department, so what did I know? In the end, all I could do was nudge them a little closer and watch from the sidelines.
If the Hero needed a hand with something strenuous, I'd drop a subtle hint and lend my strength. If he brought back decent game from the forest, I'd share it around. Little things like that to push their backs together.
The girl in particular... she seemed wary of me watching, so she hesitated to approach him outright. But once I vaguely explained my situation, her eyes lit up in this weird way.
I wasn't sure why a Hero's unrequited crush would spark such interest, but anyway.
Eventually, I convinced her to take the initiative. The result?
"I can't replace the Dragon Priestess, but I think I can still be of help to you, Hero. So please—date me, with marriage in mind!"
It was the seventh day of the Hero staying in the village. The girl finally made her move.
But why bring me up?! You don't drop someone else's name in a confession!!! And "replace"?! It's great she's mustered the courage, but that's not how you do it!
I could give her points for condensing her usual chatter into a concise confession, but... ugh.
On a scale of 100, maybe 50? If that. No clue if it'd win him over!
And the Hero, hearing it?
"Sorry."
She bombed! I mean, it wasn't a stellar confession, but to shut it down so bluntly?! Hero! That's too much! She worked up all her courage for this! Is this how I raised you?! Your mom didn't raise you like this, you fool!!
I was already plotting to smack the back of his head later when...
"I've got a lot on my mind, so I must've made you anxious."
He gave an awkward smile.
"I should be the one confessing, after all."
Wait, his vibe... it's good? No, saying that after rejecting her... it builds weird expectations!
"So let me say it. Date me, with marriage in mind. And not as a stand-in for sis... the Dragon Priestess. Just because I want you by my side."
Oh? Ooh?Oooh!OOOH!!OOOOOHHH!!!!
He did it! This guy!!! He went and confessed!!!
Faking a rejection just so he could do it himself, huh?! Yeah, makes sense—a girl confessing first looks kinda off. Guys should take the lead; it looks better!!!
At his words, the girl's face flushed bright red.
"Y-Yes...!"
She could only nod shyly.
And just like that, a new couple was born in this little village. Age-wise, a spinster-and-bachelor pair, but whatever.
From first meeting to dating: 15 days.
To engagement: 9 days.
To marriage: 6 days.
Total: 30 days. About a month.
Humans, aren't you rushing it? I mean, I'd felt how short human lives are—like flowers blooming and wilting—but this is too fast!
They hit it off like it was planned from the start, started dating, got serious, promised marriage... Way too quick!
Okay, fine. They had some prior connection, she was a fan of his, he liked her back! I figured a little nudge would seal it, but still!!!
"Oh my, mermaids in that distant sea?"
"Yeah. Upper body human, lower half fish. They served the god of the sea."
And the biggest reason their bond formed so fast? The Hero's adventure tales, straight from the source!
For a girl who'd always been his fan, hearing them firsthand must've been lethal. Traveling the world, meeting people, slaying monsters—his stories had charm in spades.
She fell right into the swamp of his tales.
Plus, for some reason, the usually chatty girl went quiet as a mouse while listening. Love?! The power of love?! Suppressing her word-vomit with sheer affection?!
"The sea, huh. Sounds intriguing."
"Mm. Like a vast lake stretching forever. Nothing but ocean in every direction."
"I've never even seen a lake."
The Hero chuckled softly at her words.
"Someday, I'd like to show you."
Hmm. The sea, eh? Nice. Maybe this body should lend a hand!
They're engaged now, so time to prep wedding stuff! No proper ceremonies in this era, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime event—gotta make it fun!
Rings, venue, odds and ends... Lots to do!
The Hero worked hard for me all this time. I want his remaining days to be happy!
Time flew by like an arrow, and the wedding day approached fast.
Not that it was anything grand.
Confirmed guests: just the villagers, probably.
I'd love a big bash with everyone, but that's no easy feat. With the wedding just 12 days after they met, no time for rumors to spread. No post office for invites. Email or messenger? Gods only.
So, a bit of cheating it was.
From his adventures, folks worth inviting: the Beast God, his old travel buddy. Arcadia's king and queen, its guardians. Contact Yggdrasil and Sagarmatha too.
Tell the dwarf and elf reps. Oh, and Thetis and Ifrit. Shamash too... yeah, invite her.
Can't leave out Sylphid— she'd sulk if I invited the others and not her. She's practically my kid, and they'd see her as a little sis anyway.
Yeah. Procyon too—should be settled by now.
Human kingdoms? Nah, they'd drag him into politics. Pass.
Arcadia's recent, a bit awkward, but Beast God's there, so no choice.
That was the guest list. Sent invites announcing the wedding, with portal tickets to the venue. No gifts needed—just come celebrate the new family.
And time zipped by.
Mithril and diamond rings. Check.
Beachside venue, lavishly decorated. All set. Check.
Seats for however many guests show. Check.
Groom and bride outfits—Earth-style wedding dress and tux. Check. They looked hilariously flustered in the unfamiliar getups.
Post-ceremony feast prep. Check.
Perfect! No clue if that's everything, but... this world's never had a proper wedding that I've seen. Man and woman lock eyes, shack up—boom, married.
Only kings do it fancy. Hero ain't one.
This should suffice.
And the big day arrived.
"I-Is this really okay?"
"It's fine, I told you."
I eyed the girl fidgeting in her wedding dress.
Hmm. Clothes make the woman. Slapped on some amateur makeup too.
In an era without proper cosmetics, this covered blemishes flawlessly. Nice, right? Face-painting's been around forever anyway.
"Still, someone like me marrying the Hero? It feels wrong!"
"That again."
I lightly bonked her head as she whined.
"But..."
"No weak talk. You're a perfect match for him right now. Have some confidence."
I gave her back one last shove.
You'd better make him happy, or I'm in trouble.