Chapter 6
I am Zanmaruk IV, King of the Zamaal Kingdom.
Right now, I’m receiving a report from my trusted aide, Ohta, about the hero Zect and his party.
"The hero Zect and his group are stalled in a town!? Has something gone wrong!?"
They’re still in the early stages of their journey to defeat the Demon King. For the hero’s party to be stuck in such a place is unusual. A natural disaster like a broken bridge wouldn’t be surprising, but I haven’t heard any such reports lately.
"Well, you see!"
"What’s the matter? Speak—what’s happening!? Your job is to report, and I won’t get angry."
"Yes, sir! According to the church and guild, it seems they expelled one of their party members. But that’s caused some issues."
Expelled? That party consists of the four core roles (Hero, Saintess, Sage, Swordmaster) plus one extra, making five.
The three key roles can’t be expelled, so it must be the remaining one.
"No need to ask, but it’s the magic warrior Ceres who was expelled, right?"
"Yes, that’s correct!"
"And has Sir Ceres been officially processed as ‘expelled’ by the church or guild?"
"Here’s the thing—it’s such an odd situation that Pope Romalis and the Adventurer’s Guild discussed it. They’ve treated it as a ‘separate unit’ due to paperwork discrepancies."
"Annoying. They should’ve just labeled it ‘expulsion’ and been done with it…"
"My king, that would be too pitiful for Sir Ceres. He’s someone who—"
"‘Served so faithfully,’ ‘a talent like no other’—is that what you want to say? I feel the same. What I mean is, if it were ‘expulsion,’ our kingdom could recruit him. You’ve never defied me in your life, Ohta. For someone like you—mocked as the ‘eternal yes-man’ in court—to say ‘Sir Ceres is too pitiful’ and defend him… Do you think I wouldn’t take notice of such a person?"
This guy, Ohta, never goes against me. He’s so loyal that courtiers whisper about him behind his back. Yet here he is, making a suggestion to me. I’m not so incompetent as to miss the value in that. Even Chancellor Dobell, who rarely praises anyone, said, "There’s hardly another with such talent." His worth is immeasurable.
"Then…"
"If it were expulsion, we could move to secure him—that’s what I mean. If I thought visiting him in person might sway his heart, I’d go myself."
"My apologies. I overstepped, despite Your Majesty’s foresight!"
"You’re forgiven. Everyone recognizes that man’s importance! The ‘Dragonslayer’ title—normally a lifetime honor granted once by a king or pope. A hero who’s earned that right multiple times. Since he was with the hero’s party, I couldn’t award it directly, so I granted it remotely. He’s special to me too. I understand why you, who’s so devoted to me, would push for him."
He’s not just strong. The documents he likely drafted for the party are refined, and his plans are so flawless that Chancellor Dobell would stamp them without a second glance. That’s saying something—Dobell nitpicks even the papers from ministers and scribes. I’ve seen a few myself; they’re on par with a seasoned scribe’s work. Lately, they’ve complained about sloppy handwriting—probably because Ceres was expelled.
"Sigh Isn’t there something we can do?"
"Indeed… For now, separating them from the hero’s group might be best."
"So, what’s Sir Ceres up to?"
"According to reports, he’s returned to his hometown."
"Then it’s simple. Send a royal decree to Hero Zect: ‘A hero must not stagnate or retreat—press forward.’"
"Understood."
Frankly, to the Zamaal Kingdom, a hero is "all harm, no gain."
They go on about the Demon King, but for his army to reach us, they’d have to cross the Garban Empire and the Holy Kingdom of Gandar.
If they had to destroy those two nations first… we’d be safe for centuries.
Plus, once the hero leaves on this Demon King-slaying quest, there’s no benefit to us after he exits our borders.
‘Fighting monsters and demons’ doesn’t profit this kingdom at all.
Even if the capital were in danger, we can’t usually recall him. And if we did, by the time he got back from far away, it’d be ‘over.’
Paying for such a pointless figure just for the hollow title of ‘hero-producing nation’—it’s absurd.
It’s not just money. If he defeats the Demon King, I’d have to push forward his engagement to my daughter, Second Princess Marin.
"There’s little we can do now. But since Sir Ceres is breaking away, I want to take every possible step. Ohta, take charge and make it happen."
"Yes, sir! I’ll act immediately."
I don’t need a hero… I want Sir Ceres, who’d step up in a crisis and even take down dragons.
◆◆◆
The day after talking with the four of them,
I was at the mansion of Count Gamelda, the lord overseeing the region around Jimna Village.
"It’s been a while, Sir Ceres… Slaying dragons left and right—impressive! Truly worthy of the ‘Dragonslayer’ title."
Being part of the hero’s party is super convenient.
Even as an S-rank adventurer, a mere commoner like me wouldn’t normally meet a high-ranking noble without an appointment.
To an average peasant, he’s untouchable—villagers usually have to go through the village chief.
Of course, I didn’t want to embarrass Chief Najim, so I paid him to write a letter of introduction.
You’ve got to keep their pride intact, or they’ll hold a grudge.
Skipping these small steps can come back to bite you big time later.
Village jealousy is, in a way, scarier than any Demon King.
"Thank you. I came today to deliver this."
I pulled a few water dragon scales from my storage pouch.
When I hunt dragons, I always take a few scales.
Removing a handful doesn’t lower their buyback value much.
But pristine dragon scales fetch a high price—nobles covet them as decor.
"Those… water dragon scales, aren’t they? Five of them… How about a hundred gold coins?"
"These are a gift—a tribute. I don’t need payment. These are from the neck base of the first dragon I ever killed. I’ve always wanted to offer them to you, Lord Gamelda, for your great kindness."
Emphasizing "first kill" boosts their value even more.
By the way, I’ve already given one each to the village chief and the elders.
"I can’t accept something so precious for free. Besides, I don’t recall doing anything for you, Sir Ceres."
"You have, Lord Gamelda. In Jimna Village. I was an orphan, living alone there since I was small. The villagers raised me kindly, helping me become who I am. It’s thanks to your wise rule that the chief passed that kindness down, making everyone so gentle. If I’d been born under another lord, I’d probably have ended up a slave. Chief Najim said it himself: ‘It’s because Lord Gamelda is kind that I can be kind too.’”
The chief never said that.
But if Lord Gamelda mentions it to him, he’ll be thrilled.
This kind of groundwork pays off big for life later.
"Najim said that, huh? So, what’s your business today? Surely not just to chat."
"There’s a villager, Sector, who couldn’t pay his taxes… I’d like to cover his tax debt and have him released from the mines, if possible."
"Sector, huh. That guy’s got a bad rep in the village—no one stepped up for him. I hear he’s the hero’s father, yet he squandered his money on booze and gambling. Even sold his wife into slavery. You’d help a man like that, Sir Ceres?"
I know he’s scum.
For Shizuko-san’s sake, it’d be better to abandon him.
But Sector doted on me as a kid.
I want to repay that kindness, just this once.
I don’t really hate Zect and the others, but I need to do something to satisfy Shizuko-san and the rest.
If I say he’s a “pawn for revenge,” they’ll probably buy it.
"As I mentioned, thanks to your rule, I lived happily in Jimna Village. Sector’s not a good person, but I remember him playing with me as a kid. He treated me like a father would… For that one fact, I want to lend him a hand, just this once."
"You’ve got a big heart. In exchange for the water dragon scales, I’ll forgive Sector’s tax debt. How’s that?"
"Sorry for the trouble."
"I’ll have my men bring him… Say, why not tell me some travel tales while we wait?"
"Sure."
◆◆◆
I couldn’t talk for hours, and he’s a lord with work to do.
At a good stopping point, I was moved to a guest room to relax.
Without the hero’s party status, a commoner like me wouldn’t set foot in a place like this.
Dozing off, I was woken by a knock.
"Sir Ceres, we’ve brought Sector. Lord Gamelda says, ‘I’ve got duties, so I can’t greet him, but you may take him.’”
"Ceres… Sorry…"
The Sector who appeared had none of his old self left. He looked like a homeless man or a slum dweller, plain and simple.
"Sorry doesn’t cut it… I can’t forgive what you did, but let’s head back to the village for now."
"If you can’t forgive me… why’d you help me?"
"Just come on—back to the village. It’s better than the mines, right?"
"Yeah…"
"Then please give my regards to Lord Gamelda."
"Understood."
I took Sector and headed for the village.
◆◆◆
Sector followed silently, head down.
Guess I’ll have to start talking, or this’ll go nowhere.
"You sold Shizuko-san, huh… You still had money back then. Why? Even if you had to sell her, I had first dibs."
"True, when you were a kid, we made that promise… You liked Shizuko. I thought you were just a precocious brat. Still into her, huh? Selling her… Looking back, it was like I lost my mind. Sorry."
Gambling and booze ruin people.
"A guy who grabbed unearned wealth and wrecked himself"—that’s all there is to it.
I knew a jerk in my past life who lost everything and sold his family into the sex trade.
"Fate turned around, and I bought Shizuko-san as my wife."
"That so…"
"You must hate me enough to kill me. But it seems I’m not just a mama’s boy and old-lady lover—I’m a geezer and daddy fan too…"
"No way, you’re into me…?"
"No!! Are you stupid!? What you did was scum, but the old you was different. You treated me the same as your real son, Zect."
"Did I…"
"You got me and Zect drunk, and Shizuko-san yelled at us, remember?"
"Oh… Yeah, that happened."
"That’s why I’m helping you this time, Uncle Sector."
"You’re still calling me that?"
"Yeah… But there’s no second chance."
"I won’t screw up again… I swear!"
He might be scum, but there’s gratitude and memories too.
Thinking of him dying in the mines… it made me kinda sad.
How do I explain this to Shizuko-san?
◆◆◆
Back in the village.
Normally, I’d take him to Chief Najim first, but I brought him to Shizuko-san instead.
Of course, I got permission from Chief Najim beforehand.
"Ceres… Please, stay with me?"
"Uncle Sector, no can do. I’m scared too. When I was a kid, I pissed her off once and cried—same as Zect."
For the record, I only got it once, but Zect got it a lot.
Looking back, Zect was pretty thick-skinned.
Taking that over and over and not stopping?
"Come on, don’t say that—I treated you like a son—"
"Sorry, give up."
No way I’m facing Shizuko-san’s wrathful demon face, my absolute favorite.
I grabbed Sector’s arm and opened the house door.
"Ceres-kun, welcome back—Sector!? You’ve got some nerve showing your face…"
"Ceres, why’s this guy here!? He was sent to the mines!"
"Ceres-san… Why’d you bring him back…? This trash…"
"Ceres-chan… Being kind is nice, but you can’t keep scum. This guy’s too rotten."
I knew this’d happen.
The four of them are usually gentle like goddesses, but when they’re mad, they’re terrifying.
They’re my lovers, sisters, wives—and my mother figures from childhood. I know their scary side all too well.
"Sure, but I brought him back as part of the revenge on Zect and them. Can’t sleep easy if he dies. As long as you don’t kill him, do whatever. Alright, Uncle Sector, good luck!"
"Hey, Ceres, you’re kidding, right? Come on, help me out, please!"
"Uncle."
I smiled at Sector.
"You’ll help me? Than—"
"You’d die in the mines, but here it’s just half-dead. Lucky you."
Sector’s face went pale, and he collapsed to his knees.
"Ceres-ku—n? Oh, as long as we don’t kill him, right? Got it."
"Ceres… Losing a hand’s fine, then?"
"Right… We’ll make it worse than the mines, Ceres-san."
"I see… Yeah, better if we handle it ourselves. That’s the plan, Ceres-chan."
"Ceres, you’re joking, right? Come on, help me!"
"I’ll be outside—call me when you’re done."
"""Got it."""
"No—Noooo!"
I opened the door and stepped out.
Sector’s loud screams echoed from inside.
◆◆◆
This village is really great. Lush greenery, beautiful sky.
I lay down beside the house and gazed up.
Life’s a mystery, huh?
The people I’ve loved since childhood were all my childhood friends’ moms.
Normally, you’d give up on a crush like that, but I kept clinging to it—and somehow, that love came true.
And in a dreamlike way—with all four of them.
I used to think as a kid, “If even one of these four would be my lover, my wife, I could die happy.”
When Uncle Sector said, “I’ll let you have an old Shizuko for one gold coin,” a cool guy would’ve jumped him.
But me? I just thought, “Would he really hand her over?”
Shizuko-san and the others can’t forgive Zect, it seems… but by pure chance, he’s like a “Cupid of love” from my past life.
If Zect hadn’t become a hero and invited me to his party, I’d still be a regular guy.
I’d only be allowed one spouse.
Because Zect brought me in… because I joined the party, I got the perks of the “Hero Protection Law” and the right to multiple marriages.
Sure, they worked me hard, but I think the reward’s more than enough.
Still, no matter how I explain it, it’s no use.
To outsiders, it just looks like Zect and the others treated me horribly.
I need to flip the perspective.
“Something that’s no big deal to Zect and them… but looks awful to everyone else.”
I’ve gotta find something like that.
Man, those screams have been wild for a while now.
But this much is unavoidable, right?
◆◆◆
After a bit, the screams died down.
Is it over?
I opened the door and peeked inside—Uncle Sector was sprawled out on the floor.
“Uncle Sector!”
No response, even after slapping his face.
His hair’s gone pure white.
“Uncle Sector! Uncle Sector! Uncle Sectoooor!”
“Hehe, it’s fine, Ceres-kun. I’ve already healed him with recovery magic…”
“Ceres, yeah, he’s okay. He was half-dead for a sec, but Shizuko’s a master at healing magic, so no problem.”
“Ceres-san, we might’ve gone a bit far, but… he’ll be fine like this.”
“Ceres-chan… In the mines, he’d be fully dead. Half-dead or near-dead’s a bargain, right?”
I’m too scared to ask what happened!!
Something terrified him enough to turn his hair white… That’s no small thing.
But… yeah, I’ll forget about it.
There’s no way these four gentle, goddess-like women would do anything that bad, right?
“Then, can I take him to the village chief?”
““““Sure.””””
I hoisted Uncle Sector over my shoulder and hauled him to the chief’s place.
◆◆◆
In the village, unless nobles or lords are involved, the chief’s authority is near-kingly.
He’s the final judge in disputes.
He makes the village rules outside of formal laws.
In short, the chief holds the highest judicial and legislative power here.
“You really pulled a dumb stunt. In this village, selling family into slavery when you’re poor is one thing, but when you’re rich? The rules don’t forgive that.”
In a bad harvest, when taxes can’t be paid and life’s impossible, selling family is reluctantly accepted as a villager’s reality. But selling family into slavery when you’re well-off? That’s strictly forbidden here.
“I’m ready to face punishment.”
“But if this got out to other villages, it’d be trouble for us too. Luckily, it’s stayed within the village, and hardly anyone outside knows. So, no penalty this time. Still, we’re taking your fields for this mess. We’ll give your house back after Ceres and the others leave. Clear some wasteland yourself and earn it back.”
The village is prosperous, and there’s still unclaimed land.
But starting from scratch is tough work.
Even so, this village is “kind to the struggling.” If Uncle Sector gets serious about starting over, someone’ll lend a hand.
“Yes… I’ll do that.”
“Change your ways and work hard. And thank Ceres for smoothing things over with the lord. That’s all from me.”
“Looks like it worked out, huh?”
“Yeah… Thanks, Ceres.”
The chief’s keeping a straight face, but he’s gotta be shocked.
Uncle Sector’s hair is pure white—better not dwell on it.
◆◆◆
In the end, until we leave, Uncle Sector’s staying at Chief Najim’s house.
To reflect, he’ll handle chores there for a while.
Probably the chief’s way of keeping him and Shizuko-san from crossing paths.
As for the “revenge on Zect and them,” which I don’t really care about anymore, I’ve got a vague idea forming, but I’m still mulling it over.
Even without me doing anything, Zect’s group must be struggling—they can’t handle chores properly, and there’s all that tedious paperwork. Since I was expelled and left without a handover, they’re on their own.
In past-life terms, it’s like “kids who never did chores kicking out their parents” or “a company firing a key employee without a transition.”
No way they’re not screwed.
For me, it’s just about finding a way to calm Shizuko-san and the others. That’s it.
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