Chapter 7 ◆ The Hero Party's Heartfelt Farewell

After Ceres left, the party stopped functioning properly. I, Zect, gathered everyone in my room at the inn and decided to share the conclusion I’d reached after much agonizing.

“I really don’t want to do this. I don’t even want to say it. But it’s the only thing I can think of anymore. I’m sorry in advance. I’m truly sorry.”

There’s nothing else I can come up with.

To say this to someone who was supposed to be my lifelong partner, even if only as a concubine—it hurts.

My heart aches.

“I get it. One of us has to become Ceres’ fiancée—no, maybe even his wife right away. That’s what you’re saying, right?”

Rida understood, didn’t she? Her serious gaze locks onto mine.

“To be precise, it’s either Rida or me. Meru hurt Ceres, so she’s out.”

Maria had steeled herself too. Gone is her usual languid air; her eyes meet mine directly.

“Wait. I was undoubtedly his lover back then. If I reflect, apologize sincerely, and Ceres forgives me, that’s the best outcome. If I show him true love, I’m sure he’ll forgive me.”

Meru looks at me with teary eyes.

But that won’t work anymore.

If I hadn’t touched Meru back then, none of this would’ve happened.

Ceres would still be here with us. But the responsibility isn’t Meru’s—it’s mine.

“Will that really be enough? The root of this mess is that I gave in to your charms and tried to keep you all to myself. So, if Ceres wants any of you, I’ll hand you over. If he wants all three, then I’ll give him all three. I’m really sorry… I’m so sorry.”

“Hahaha, it’s fine. It can’t be helped. Without Ceres, we’re powerless. Especially me—I’d be useless. Without Ceres maintaining my sword, I can’t fight properly… It can’t be helped. It can’t be helped, but… give me some time to think.”

Tears well in Rida’s eyes, but it can’t be helped.

It really can’t be helped…

Sigh. “It can’t be helped, can it? Since I was a kid, I always thought I’d marry you, Zect. Well, since you became the Hero, I figured I’d be a concubine. But looking at the situation now, that’s pretty unrealistic. Ceres is my childhood friend, and we go way back. He’s the second man I love. Changing my marriage partner from my first choice to my second… It can’t be helped. I’ll think about it.”

I can tell how much it pains Maria to force those words out.

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry. When you think about it, I’m the one at fault. So don’t apologize, Zect. If I hadn’t been so stupid back then, this wouldn’t have happened. I’m sorry.”

Meru, saying that now doesn’t change anything.

“I’m really sorry.”

That day, I resolved to offer my childhood friends to Ceres.

◆◆◆

Enough reflecting.

As the Hero, I, Zect, was thinking about something else entirely.

“This way, I can dump all three of them on Ceres.”

Everything will work out perfectly. Cluck, cluck, cock-a-doodle-doo.

I was under a curse until now.

A real curse, no other way to describe it. To think I loved women like these.

Their looks, their personalities—they’re not even that great.

Because of women like them, I lost my best friend, Ceres.

It pisses me off.

A long time ago, an adventurer told me, “Watch out for lust.”

The curse I fell under was exactly that.

That adventurer shared a story. He’d taken a long-term quest with a female adventurer and his childhood friend, far from any town. Two guys, one woman. The female adventurer was stunning, so naturally, they fought over her. He lost to his childhood friend and spent his days alone while they flirted. He said he even wanted to die.

But the story didn’t end there.

“Man, it’s scary. In a situation like that, a woman feels so beautiful. I was pent up, so I grabbed some cash and hit a brothel. Almost every woman there was prettier than that adventurer. After I got it out of my system, I saw her again in town—she was ugly. Plain ugly. My childhood friend was walking beside her, looking miserable, but I felt refreshed.”

He laughed about it with my dad.

That story fits me perfectly now.

“Saintess,” “Sage,” “Swordmaster”—call them what you want, they’re just village girls.

Not exactly stunning beauties.

The only reason they seemed cute was because I was stuck with just the three of them.

And there was someone making them look pretty, that’s all.

Back in the village, it was their mothers.

Until recently, it was Ceres—taking care of them, keeping them neat, grooming them.

That’s why they were “cute.”

Now that he’s gone, I see them for what they really are.

Not that cute.

Not that pretty.

Just ordinary women you’d find anywhere.

Even Maria, the most beautiful of them, who I genuinely loved—she’s the same.

Her flowing lavender hair, pale skin, slender figure—she was my ideal woman.

But without Ceres to tend to her, her hair’s a messy, filthy tangle. I can see blemishes and freckles on her face. Maybe it’s my imagination, but she even looks chubbier.

She’s not ordinary—she’s below average. If you ranked women high, middle, low, she’s barely above the bottom.

If I paid someone in town to do what Ceres did for them, it’d cost three silver coins per person—about 30,000 yen.

They can’t stay cute without money.

That’s the kind of women they are.

And it’s not just that—their personalities suck too.

My mom would never let a guy wash her underwear.

Probably no woman in the village would.

Normal women would be too embarrassed to let a man do that—they’d feel ashamed.

Same with food. Sure, they can’t match Ceres’ cooking, but there’s no woman in the village who’d serve something half-assed.

The three I thought were treasures? They’re all trash.

And since they’re three of the Four Jobsthink it’s a great idea.

Plus, because of their holy roles, I can’t sleep with them without risking pregnancy.

That makes them even less valuable as women.

But… would I even want to sleep with them now?

If I’m honest, no.

Once I defeat the Demon King, the next stage awaits me.

Marriage to a princess, concubines from noble families—a perfect life.

I don’t need these three for that.

But they’re necessary pawns to fight the Demon King.

So, I’ll just hand them all over to Ceres.

Giving them to him lets me say to the church and the king, “I gave them to my friend.”

I keep the trash women as combat assets until the Demon King’s defeated, and I get Ceres working for me again.

Isn’t that perfect?

Ceres, I’m giving them all to you!

This is good. No, this is the best solution.

Use up the women I don’t need, dispose of them, get my best friend back, and earn his gratitude.

Brilliant.

You’ll come back now, right, my friend?

◆◆◆

I’m Rida, the Swordmaster. With a sword in hand, no one can beat me.

Or at least, that’s who I was supposed to be.

But these past few days have made it painfully clear.

To remain the Swordmaster, I need Ceres.

I said what I did in front of everyone, but my mind’s already made up.

I’ll be Ceres’ lover—no, his wife. Just me alone is enough.

Even if he wants all three, I’d still choose Ceres.

My eyes were clouded.

Swinging my sword all the time messed with my head.

Since we were kids, I loved Zect.

He was always the center of attention, so it’s only natural, I guess.

Ceres was always working.

He barely joined us kids playing, always helping the adults instead.

My mom and dad were all over him too.

Mom made him call her “Nee-san.”

Dad told him to call him “Nii-san.”

And Ceres did—calling them “Nee-san” and “Kazuma-nii-san.”

He wasn’t even family, yet he wormed his way into our home.

All the talk at home was about Ceres.

Dad would always say, “Ceres is amazing. That guy really loves cooking.”

If I went into the shop’s kitchen instead of our home one, I’d get yelled at.

But Ceres could just waltz in.

Mom hit Ceres a lot. At first, I thought, Serves him right, but I was wrong.

She hit him out of trust, like family. Proof? Both she and Ceres were smiling when it happened.

What a jerk… I wish he’d just die. I can’t even describe how much I hated him.

My place kept getting taken by Ceres.

And yet my parents—

“Rida… who’ll you marry someday? I recommend Ceres.”

“Yeah… I’d be thrilled if that boy became your husband.”

They weren’t thinking of my happiness—they just wanted Ceres, so they pushed marriage on me.

I despised them.

I hated Ceres even more.

So, as a kid, I was pretty cruel to him.

I pushed him into the river once. I even hit him with a stick, making it look like an accident.

But he just grinned through it all.

“Don’t worry about it… It’s no big deal.”

Looking back, Ceres had no parents. When I pushed him into the river, he had to dry his own clothes, heat his own bathwater.

When he got hurt and bled from his head, most kids’ parents would treat it. Not Ceres—he had no one. He must’ve patched himself up and endured the pain alone at night.

I was ashamed of what I’d done and decided to stay away from him.

That’s what I, as a kid, resolved.

Now, as an adult, I understand.

For an orphan like Ceres, that was his only way to survive.

To get food and support, he had to help out.

He didn’t not play—he couldn’t play.

I didn’t see that as a kid.

It’s only human that my parents were kind to a pitiful kid like him.

Helping at the diner, even cooking—it’s natural they let him in the kitchen.

It was all just what Ceres needed to live.

That’s it.

I hated him for something so ordinary.

Now I see Ceres was unbelievably kind.

He never told anyone I pushed him into the river or hit him with a stick.

“How could I serve as a woman like that?”

Me, Zect, Maria, probably even Meru—we all looked down on Ceres.

We used him, worked him to the bone.

Just because he wasn’t one of the Four Jobs.

He never complained, even after we used him up and cast him out.

Why doesn’t he get angry?

No—he’s not unangry. He’s just big-hearted.

Like an ideal father and mother rolled into one. That’s who he is.

It all makes sense now.

If my dad and mom were his “Nee-san” and “Nii-san,” it’s no stretch that he saw me like a niece.

I was wrapped in this is huge love. I was such an idiot.

Even if I married Zect, I’d be fourth or lower.

The princess would be his main wife, a noble’s daughter as first concubine, then Maria. I’d be below her.

Even now, Zect treats me like this—fourth or worse. That’s worthless.

I’d be happier with Ceres, who’d cherish me.

After defeating the Demon King, we could live as adventurers together.

I’d eat Ceres’ cooking, wear the clean clothes he washed, drink with him… maybe that’s as far as it goes. At night…

Wait, isn’t that way happier?

My parents weren’t wrong.

They recommended Ceres for my happiness.

If I tire of adventuring, I could return to the countryside, take over the diner.

Dad would be there, with Ceres at his side, working the frying pan.

Me, who can’t do much… maybe I’d wait tables.

Ceres, I’ll be your wife. I won’t let anyone scorn you—or me—anymore.

Even if you choose all three, it’d just be like old times.

But it’d still be happier than now.

◆◆◆

My name’s Maria.

I’m the Saintess of the Hero’s party, “The Light of Hope.”

People often call me a gentle, healing beauty.

Hearing Zect’s plan… honestly, I’m disappointed.

I’m completely fed up.

For starters, he came on to me.

I didn’t confess to him.

And when I agreed to date him, he practically caged me, keeping other guys away.

Sure, we were the only ones our age, but I’m fine with older or younger guys. It’s not just you and Ceres, Zect.

Plus, I planned to leave the village someday, so I didn’t need to pick a guy from there.

You kept saying, “I love you,” “I adore you.” So even after becoming the Hero, you should’ve said, “I have someone I love,” and refused the princess or noble marriages from the start!

We’ve known each other forever, so I reluctantly agreed to be a concubine.

The princess, a noble’s daughter, then Rida above me—I swallowed my feelings and said yes because it was for the party.

And because you wanted to keep the team together, I was pissed but agreed to Meru joining too.

But there’s a saying: even a goddess’s patience runs out after three strikes.

This is the fourth. Even a calm, gentle woman like me—though I don’t show it—is furious.

Look at the party now. It’s obvious we need Ceres back.

But… is that okay?

That’s what I wanted to ask you.

At first, I didn’t like you that much. But you were persistent, and though I started dating you reluctantly, I ended up falling for you!

A woman you took so long to win over—can you just hand her off so easily?

If so, why bother chasing me in the first place? That’s what I want to say.

For the record, my first love wasn’t you—it was Ceres.

Obviously. He’s kind, mature. Any girl would pick him over a childish guy like you.

Even my kid-hating dad said, “That boy’s a good one.” That’s how charming Ceres is.

But I ran away.

Standing next to Ceres, I felt like I’d fade into the background. So I gave up on him and chose you.

And now you’re telling me to go back to him.

(Sigh… I don’t know what to do.)

I gave up my first love, Ceres, to be with you.

Even now, I probably still love him.

But that love’s different from what I feel for you.

My love for Ceres now isn’t like it was back then—it’s like love for a father.

My dad, Shuto, only read books and ignored me.

If I talked to him while he was reading, he’d snap at me.

Oddly, he taught Ceres to read and write and spoke to him normally. Looking back, that’s because Ceres acted mature, helping at the shop.

Back to my point—I might as well not have had a dad.

I couldn’t talk or consult with him properly, so he wasn’t a real father.

Zect, you’re too dumb to be useful for advice.

So when I was in trouble, the only one I could turn to was Ceres.

Talking to him felt like talking to someone older—so reassuring.

That’s why Ceres is like a dad to me. That’s who he is.

When I was a kid crying, he comforted me. When I was hungry, he gave me a roasted sweet potato.

He didn’t act like other kids our age.

For an orphan like Ceres, even a potato was precious.

When Mom or Dad scolded me, he’d step in to help.

When I got lost in the forest, he—still a kid himself—came to save me.

That’s why Ceres is my dad. That’s what he means to me.

Becoming his lover or wife? I don’t know how to handle that.

But being your concubine means third place, Zect!

Maybe Ceres is the better choice.

A future with him would surely be happy. After defeating the Demon King, I could open a clinic. Ceres would rub my tired shoulders, make me tea… I can see it. It’s way better than being third with you.

I still have some lingering feelings for you.

But a future with you doesn’t look fun.

All I see is pain.

In that future, I’m not smiling.

Choosing Ceres feels like making my dad my lover—super embarrassing.

But it’s probably way better than a future with you… That’s how I feel.

◆◆◆

Sigh. I’m Meru.

I’m the Sage of the Hero’s party.

A Sage stays calm, thinks clearly, and leads allies to victory.

And yet—

Why did I do something so stupid?

I got carried away when my crush, Zect, said he liked me.

I’m such an idiot.

I know I’m not a real concubine to Zect.

With the princess, a noble, Maria, and Rida ahead, I’m fifth at best. Would Zect even come to me? It’s obvious he wouldn’t.

I’d probably just be a concubine in name, and he’d never visit.

Normally, three of the Four Jobs become the Hero’s concubines.

But I’m short and baby-faced—not Zect’s type.

So I was quickly sidelined.

In the village, I was close with Maria and Rida.

Not with Zect.

Outside missions, he barely spoke to me.

When he wanted me, I lost my mind.

I’m a Sage—I’m supposed to stay calm.

But I went crazy over love.

“Hero’s concubine”—that status blinded me.

And because of it, I pushed away someone truly important.

“Idiot.”

Now I get it.

I didn’t see Ceres as a guy.

He’s probably like a brother and a dad combined. That’s closest.

My dad never hit us, but he’d yell, berating me and Mom.

When he saw me crying, Ceres would smile and give me something—

A potato, a grilled fish, a pretty stone.

“What’s wrong? All I can do is listen, but… wanna talk? It’ll help.”

What kind of kid says that at five?

And not just to me—to Mom too.

He was always doing stuff like that, so it slipped my mind.

He’s kinder and more wonderful than anyone, but I forgot about romance with him.

I’m the idiot.

In the party now, I’m isolated.

I can’t join non-mission chats easily.

When that happens, I read or pretend to sleep.

Ceres was the one who’d notice and talk to me.

He never spoke about himself—just listened, nodding along.

He’s an amazing person.

Too kind… that’s Ceres.

I was always so lonely.

Zect wouldn’t even make me a concubine. When I cried, Ceres bought me a necklace.

“You’re cute, Meru. Even if Zect doesn’t work out, you’ll find someone great. But if you’re worried, I’ll take you myself if you’re left on the shelf.”

That’s what he said.

And it looked expensive, no doubt about it.

He’s an idiot—too kind.

I’m still hung up on Zect, but he gave it to me because he was worried about my future.

Such an idiot.

Who gives an expensive necklace to a girl he’s not even dating?

“If you’re left on the shelf.” If I’m not, he’s just out of luck.

So I blurted it out—

“Then… why don’t you take me?”

I said take me.

He could’ve kissed me or pushed me down right there!

But Ceres—

“If you really love me, I’d be happy. But I don’t want to take advantage of a vulnerable girl, so I won’t answer.”

That’s what he said. I didn’t know what to do.

He cared about me that much.

And yet, I got cocky and hurt him.

I’m an idiot.

Even if I chose Zect, that was wrong.

You don’t treat someone who’s kind to you like that.

So I’ve decided.

If Ceres wants me, I’ll be his, properly, as a man and woman.

If he wants all three… that’s fine too.

But if he doesn’t want me around, I won’t hold him back. Even if it means making an enemy of Zect, I’ll let him go free.

That’s my way of repaying what you gave me when I was sad and lonely.

Ceres… this time, you choose freely.

◆◆◆

Three days after that discussion, the Hero’s party, “The Light of Hope,” met again to decide what to do about Ceres.

“So, everyone’s okay with that?”

“Yeah, I’m fine with it.”

“I’m good too, Zect. That’s what you want, right?”

“I’m a bit different. It’s only if Ceres agrees after you talk to him.”

“That’ll be fine! He won’t refuse!”

No way Ceres would turn this down.

Unlike me, he loved the village.

He treated these girls like treasures, doting on them.

There’s no chance he’d pass up the opportunity to have them.

Sure, since he’s the fourth Job, he can flirt, but nothing more.

Anything beyond that comes after the Demon King’s defeated. By then, I’ll have the princess as my main wife and noble suitors lining up.

No problem… In fact, I’ll just ask Ceres for money to hit the brothels during the journey.

Get him his own room, and it’s a win-win.

My face relaxes. No, I can’t let a grin slip.

I put on a sad expression and apologize to the three girls staring at me, like they want to say something.

“Sorry for being so pathetic.”

◆◆◆

Our Hero’s party, “The Light of Hope,” arrived at a nearby church.

I’m ready to get chewed out. We’re a Hero’s party heading to the Demon King’s castle—turning back is a big deal.

“Is the bishop in charge of this church here? I’ve come with important news.”

Reporting directly to the church is faster than going through the guild, which takes time.

The adventurer’s guild wouldn’t spill details, citing confidentiality, but it seems Ceres bought a house slave and really headed to the countryside.

“Go back to the village quietly, live a relaxed rural life, keep adventuring, or find a weaker party.”

I shouldn’t have said that. Who’d think he’d take it seriously and actually go back?

I need to get to Jimna Village ASAP.

An elderly man, likely the bishop, emerged from the back of the church.

“Well, well, Hero Zect-sama, welcome! To have Saintess Maria-sama, Swordmaster Rida-sama, and Sage Meru-sama all here—what an important matter!”

“Yeah, it’s critical. I want to go bring Ceres back.”

I explained the situation, saying I needed to chase after Ceres.

The bishop’s smiling face twitched, turning grim.

His gentle demeanor vanished.

“No.”

A flat denial.

But I can’t back down here.

“But Ceres is essential to me.”

“No.”

“Even if I, Maria, ask?”

“Even Saintess Maria-sama’s request cannot sway this.”

“Fine, I’m the Hero. I’ll do what I want.”

“By order of His Majesty Zanmaruk IV of the Zamaal Kingdom, ‘A Hero must not stagnate or retreat—press forward!’”

A royal decree? No way!

“But to me…”

“Hero-sama!”

What the—why’s he suddenly groveling?

“Hero-sama, please, I beg you, move forward! Please, I’m begging you!”

“Me too…”

“And me!”

Almost every church member there dropped to their knees, glaring and pleading.

Why’s it come to this?

I just want to get Ceres back.

I’ll do things right after that!

“Hold on, why’s this getting so intense? Explain so I can understand.”

“Meru-sama… look around!”

Besides church folk, there were others—probably regular people.

Meru’s face paled as she scanned the room.

It’s just some scruffy kids and women, isn’t it?

“What’s wrong with them?”

“They’re refugees from a nearby village…”

“Refugees?”

“You’re the Hero, so we swore not to complain. But if you hadn’t lingered in this city, that village might’ve been fine. If you hadn’t dawdled here, you’d have stopped by, heard about the orc nest, and wiped it out. No one would’ve died…”

“No… we…”

“Rida-sama, you alone could crush an orc nest easily, right? If just you had gone, these kids wouldn’t be orphans, that woman wouldn’t be a widow. Countless suffering people await you ahead… You’re everyone’s hope… Please!”

“But we’re doing our best…”

“No one laughs at a bloodied, filthy Hero or Saintess! No one mocks those who get dirty protecting us! If anyone does, the church will punish them… If it bothers you, come to the church anytime. We’ll have hot baths, food, clean clothes, and beds ready!”

“Zect, let’s stop. We were wrong.”

“But, Maria…”

“No, look around. I’m sorry.”

“Rida…”

“I’m sorry. We were wrong. We couldn’t save them. All I can say is we’ll take vengeance…”

“Thank you, Sage Meru-sama…”

“The orcs are probably gone by now. I’ll make every beast and demon feel your regret with this sword—I swear it.”

“Rida-sama!”

“Come on, Zect, let’s go.”

“Yeah, I was wrong. Bishop, I’m sorry—please stand.”

“So you understand?”

“Yeah, I messed up. We’ll leave tomorrow.”