Chapter 1: Hero Zect’s Redo (Part 1)
I, Zect, bid farewell to Ceres, Maria, and the others, and came to the Garban Empire.
I have money, and if I felt like it, I could easily become a knight. And I could rise through the ranks and aim for Knight Commander.
The current me has no qualification to call myself a 'Hero' (Yūsha). But I haven't lost the 'Hero' job.
Promotion of that level would be easy for the current me.
But... what would that amount to?
My childhood friend and best friend, Ceres, is an 'Hero' .
And eventually, he will become a Prince Consort... no, perhaps he might become an 'Emperor' or a 'King.' At that time, I would have to serve Ceres.
I owe him a lot.
In my life from now on, I have to pay that back.
"Ceres, you're an amazing guy."
I truly believe that now... but inside me, there is a heart that accepts it and a heart that thinks 'I don't want to lose.'
Because we are best friends, I don't want to lose.
But... what should I do from now on?
The more I calm down and let time pass, the better I understand 'my own stupidity.'
I ran away, practically abandoning the childhood friends I was with.
Certainly, they 'chose Ceres over me.' I understand that.
But would the current Ceres accept that easily?
The answer is 'No.'
As long as he is married to their mothers, no matter how legally unproblematic it is, they probably cannot become his wives.
And yet... I left them behind and walked out.
Now I understand a little of why Mom got angry.
I... abandoned them.
That's why I was scolded.
Because my heart drifted away... because I was afraid of enemies and couldn't fight, she must have thought I hated them somewhere... that I thought of them as dead weight.
'I don't need such dead weight anymore. Even I have tried my best up to this point in my own way, I've looked after them properly, just forgive me already.'
Looked after them... well said.
Fighting without thinking, losing in the end, and my companions had their spirits broken.
I simply challenged a battle recklessly and broke my companions.
It's all my fault.
'If I hadn't banished Ceres...' Ceres, who was stronger than Mamon, would have been by our side.
If I had done that, the three of them wouldn't have had their hearts broken.
No... I could have prevented them from getting injured or feeling miserable.
Surely even now... we could have been together as five.
The tomboyish and cheeky Sword Saint Lida.
The Saintess Maria, who acts overly mature.
The quiet and reserved Sage Mel.
The one who broke their hearts was none other than me.
If apologizing honestly to restart with Ceres was impossible, what was the right thing to do?
I know the correct answer now... 'Take the three of them and leave.' That is the correct answer.
If the cause of the breaking was me, I should have had the obligation to help the three of them get back on their feet, even if it took time.
And yet, I 'abandoned the childhood friend I said I loved,' created a huge debt to Ceres... and ran away. I ran from the name of the Hero, ran from my childhood friends, and in the end, forced all that responsibility onto Ceres.
Even with my hometown. I could have sent money or supported it just like Ceres did. But regretting that I 'could have' done it now is pointless.
'I didn't do it.' That is the correct answer.
What am I...
This must be what Mom meant when she said, 'The time will come when you know the magnitude of what you let go. At that time, you will surely regret it.'
I lost many things because of myself.
The next time I meet Ceres, surely... let me be a slightly more decent man.
Otherwise, I won't have the face to meet him, my childhood friend who stayed my best friend.
◆◆◆
Working at the Adventurer's Guild in the Garban Empire. That is my daily routine lately.
"As expected of a former Hero... Wyverns again today?"
"Well, yeah."
In the end, this is all I have. Adventuring.
Even like this, I am an S-rank adventurer. When I fought the swarm of dragon species, I seemed to have grown a little there.
It means I can hunt Wyverns and Earth Dragons.
If I keep hunting dragons, I can get the title of 'Dragon Slayer.'
The title Ceres holds. For now, I'll work hard with that as my goal.
I decided that.
I returned to my room.
Even so... it's dirty. It's practically a trash room.
One week since I started operating in the Garban Empire... and my room is already getting dirty.
In the past, Ceres used to clean diligently.
My three childhood friends were bad at cleaning too.
Thinking about it now, Ceres was handling the 'wife' duties as well.
No wonder Mom became a woman.
'A kind man who does his job properly and helps with housework.'
That is the ideal man for the village women.
'A guy who's like a woman's ideal doesn't exist.'
I used to talk like that with Dad but... there was one exception, wasn't there?
Ceres.
Putting that aside... what should I do about this situation?
I need a human who will clean the house.
Should I ask the guild's child adventurers, or buy a slave?
Having strangers, even children, constantly coming in and out while I'm away at work is a bit...
Thinking that way, 'Slave' is the only choice.
◆◆◆
I came to a nearby slave merchant.
There are three slave merchants in the Garban Empire, and all of them are officially recognized by the Empire. If anyone tries to sell slaves under the table, they go straight to jail.
The place I came to is the Ordo Company.
Of the three companies, this is the place that handles the cheapest slaves.
Incidentally, of the remaining two, one is a high-class shop used by nobles and royalty.
The other is a shop used by relatively wealthy merchants.
However, that isn't a strict line, just a shop of 'that kind of price range.'
If you have the money, you can purchase even from the most high-class slave merchant.
It's just that the prices are eye-poppingly high.
With my earnings, I could buy from the high-class shop.
But I don't want a 'pleasure slave.'
I just want a human to take care of my daily needs, so the cheap Ordo Company is sufficient.
However...an older woman is a no-go. Because it makes me remember Ceres and Mom, and I feel gross.
"Well, well, Hero Zect-sama. Our company does not have any slaves worthy of you, sir."
As I entered the shop, the owner of the slave dealership greeted me.
Even though he was from the Ordo Company, which handled cheap slaves, he was well-dressed. As expected of an establishment officially recognized by the Garban Empire.
This is a specialty shop for commoner slaves.
If it's men, they are mostly worthless slaves destined for the mines or criminal slavery, or just villagers who offer no combat power.
If it's women, they are so-called ordinary women, mostly those who become domestic slaves.
Well, they can be used for sexual relief, but they aren't beauties.
It's that kind of shop.
"You're a sarcastic guy. I'm just 'former' now. I don't particularly want a pleasure slave. Do you have a domestic slave? Someone who can cook and clean, and is young—that's all I need."
The owner put his hand to his chin, humming as he thought.
"I see, if that is the case, our shop is suitable. I assumed since you parted ways with those three... wait, I've said too much. The shop is divided into two; the door on the left leads to the female slave room. Please feel free to take a look."
"Thanks."
I entered the slave room as recommended.
As expected... being a specialty shop for cheap slaves, the environment wasn't great.
It smelled, and while they adhered to the minimum manners of 'not speaking to the customer,' they didn't even try to sell themselves.
Perhaps it couldn't be helped given the environment, but some were scratching their asses, others were lying down staring at me... I could tell they had no motivation whatsoever.
Moreover, there were many elderly women, most about the same age as Mom or older.
There were younger girls, but while I didn't need a beauty, average would be enough... but this was, admittedly... difficult.
As I was looking around for a while, the owner suddenly called out to me.
"How is it? Did anyone catch your fancy?"
I told him exactly what I thought.
"Well, that is to be expected. This is the Ordo Company. Unlike in other countries, in the Empire, the uses are divided and the companies manage them accordingly."
"True... that seems to be the case."
"Yes. If you want a slave with at least somewhat decent looks, I think it would be better to go to the Zess Company. If you want something even higher quality, I recommend the Ace Company."
It seems they communicate clearly with each other regarding these boundaries.
"I see."
I am a Hero, so I am much better at sensing presences than an ordinary person.
I could hear breathing from the back room.
"By the way, it seems there's someone in the back room too?"
"Ah, over there? There is a slave slated for disposal... Would you like to see? If you are curious, though she is quite disgusting."
Disgusting? Well, shall I take a look, just out of curiosity?
"I'll take a look, just in case."
What was in that room... to put it simply, was a pure white girl.
Unlike Ceres's platinum silver hair, she had true white hair and stark white skin. People call fair skin beautiful, but this wasn't that... it was white skin devoid of vitality, like paper or snow.
And her eyes were bright red.
"Is this... actually human?"
"Until recently, they were called half-demons (Hanma) and were rumored to be half-monster, half-human... but recently, according to the Academy, it's been understood that they are humans with low pigment called Albinos. However, in the village she comes from, the story of her being a half-demon persists strongly, and we were asked to dispose of her. I will say this first: for a slave merchant, 'disposal' equals sending them to the mines, not killing them. However, since her body is weak and she has low resistance to sunburn, she is an item that has no value."
Except for the white hair and body and the red eyes, she could almost be called a beautiful girl.
"Mind if I talk to her a bit?"
"I don't mind."
Since I got permission from the owner, I decided to talk to the white girl.
Until a slave is bought, they belong to the merchant. Speaking without permission is a breach of manners.
"Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you..."
She returned the greeting like a parrot, devoid of vitality.
"I'd like to talk to you, is that alright?"
"Talking is a waste... you won't buy me anyway."
"Why do you think that?"
"Because I'm a monster..."
"......"
I didn't know how to respond. If she was talking about her appearance, I couldn't definitively say she wasn't different from the others.
"See, you went silent. Everyone hates me. You're the same."
Maria was slender and thin, but this girl was even thinner.
She was a little taller than Mel.
Perhaps she hadn't been given proper meals; 'scrawny' was the closest description.
More than that, what bothered me was that she had the eyes of someone who had 'given up on everything.'
They overlapped with the eyes of those three when they were despairing over everything.
"Shall I buy you?"
"Liar. There's no way you'd buy me..."
So she's given up entirely? Her expression didn't change, and she didn't try to sell herself. Even though if I didn't buy her, she'd be sent to the mines.
I saw something unpleasant.
She can't hold a decent conversation. Without even asking, I know she probably can't do housework.
But, I can't leave someone who looks like they've given up on life like this.
Surely she can't be worse than Maria, who turns ingredients into charcoal even when taught.
"I'll buy this kid. How much is she?"
I felt like the girl's face changed, ever so slightly.
"The price is five silver coins. In the Empire, the lower limit for slave prices is fixed, and there is a rule that we cannot go below five silver coins. Also, the fee for carving the slave crest is three silver coins, so the total is eight silver coins."
"Alright, bought."
"Thank you very much."
"You... are you really buying me?"
The girl stared at me with vacant eyes.
Unfortunately, until this kid learns to do housework, my life won't change much from before.
◆◆◆
"Well then, Zect-sama, could you please share a little blood?"
Saying that, the owner presented me with a knife and a small dish.
I cut my fingertip with the knife and let the blood drip into the dish.
Taking it, the owner mixed something like ink into the blood. He took it onto a brush and drew a pattern on the upper part of the slave's buttocks.
Come to think of it... I hadn't asked for her name.
After a while, the ink shone brightly and then gradually faded. It seemed the contract was complete.
"The contract has concluded safely."
I thanked the owner and paid the money.
"By the way, I didn't ask for your name. Can you tell me?"
"I don't have a name."
No name? Why?
"Zect-sama, as I told you, this slave was called a half-demon, so she was treated as less than livestock. Therefore, she has no name. Come to think of it, given her appearance, I think a collar is necessary if you are going to walk her around. I forgot to mention it, so I will provide the collar fee as a service this time."
Hmm. Anyway, having no name is inconvenient.
Because she's white... Mashiro? Because she's white like snow... Snow... I thought of various things, but they felt too simple. A name is something that sticks with you for a lifetime.
After thinking about it... I decided to name her 'Luna.'
If I recall, according to a story I heard from Ceres, it means 'Moon' in some country.
It seems to suit this somewhat ephemeral girl.
"Alright then, your name is 'Luna.' Apparently, it refers to the moon in a foreign land."
"Luna... that is my name... I see... Thank you."
At least she can say thank you properly.
"Well then, allow me to make a collar with that name. If she wears this collar, there will be no problems in town even with that appearance."
"Is that so... Understood."
I took Luna and left the slave merchant.
◆◆◆
"......"
Luna's face looked somewhat happy, if I wasn't imagining it.
"You seem quite in a good mood somehow."
"I... have never been given something by anyone before..."
Saying that, Luna pointed to her collar.
A collar that a normal human would hate. This girl really is pitiable.
She's not wearing shoes, and her clothes are worse than rags.
And she's skinny as a rail. Can't be helped.
For now, I entered a used clothing store that caught my eye.
"Hey, Luna... pick out three outfits you like and whatever else you need. I'll buy them for you."
Luna looked at me with a surprised face.
"But, I don't know what to choose."
"What do you mean you don't know? You can choose whatever you want."
"I've never had clothes bought for me... so I don't know."
I see... that makes sense.
It can't be helped. I'll leave it to the shop assistant.
"Then, Auntie, sorry but could you pick out three outfits that would suit this kid, and some shoes... also whatever else she needs."
"...Aye, understood."
The old hag of a clerk made a nasty face for a split second just now... but well, business is business, so she seems to be choosing properly.
The old woman put clothes, underwear, and other things deemed necessary into a bag.
Naturally, the underwear and shoes were new.
"Aye, that'll be one silver coin."
"Thanks. Here!"
I pushed the bag I got from the old woman right onto Luna.
"What?! This!"
"Your clothes... Put the shoes on right now... Your feet must hurt."
"Mine? Really? Can I really have them?"
Her expression is scarce as always. But I can tell from the slight relaxing of her mouth that she's happy.
"I wouldn't wear women's clothes, would I? Those are yours! Hurry up and hold them."
"Thank you..."
"I'll buy you as much of that stuff as you want... come on, let's go."
"Yeah."
Luna hugged the bag happily, as if she didn't want anyone to take her treasure.
"Whatever, but if you hold it like that you're going to trip."
"I don't mind if I trip."
What an idiot... she actually tripped.
"See, are you okay?"
"Ehh... but, I'm hungry."
"You... stop messing around... saying you want food when you haven't done anything yet."
That said, she's a slave that couldn't be sold properly. She probably wasn't allowed to eat anything decent...
"Can't be helped. You, what do you want to eat?"
"I don't know... When I was at the slave merchant's, I could only drink water-like soup, and before that, I ate leftovers with the pigs..."
That's a pretty terrible story.
Unthinkable in Jimna Village.
"I see. Then, is this okay?"
I bought three skewers at a nearby stall.
"Here."
I handed two skewers to Luna and started biting into one myself.
Luna looked back and forth between the skewers and me.
"Is it okay to eat this?"
"Yeah, hurry up and eat. In exchange, I'll have you work once we get to the inn."
"Understood... Nom, it's delicious!!"
It's a stall skewer... it's neither delicious nor bad.
"Once you eat that, we're going. I gave you food and clothes, so I'll have you work hard."
"Yeah, understood."
I feel like Luna smiled just a little bit just now.
Being with her kind of throws me off my rhythm.
◆◆◆
Once we arrived at the inn... Luna's filthiness became very apparent.
"You... you're dirty, so go take a bath."
"Bath? What is that? I don't know."
She doesn't know what a bath is.
Could it be that Luna has never even taken a bath before?
"Then what did you do when your body got dirty?"
"Bathed in water... or was washed together with the pigs."
Can't be helped... Do I have no choice but to teach her how to take a bath?
"No choice then... I'll teach you."
"Yeah."
Well, I did wash the little ones back in the village a long time ago.
Why does a former Hero like me have to do something like this?
I boiled the water first, then we went to the changing room together.
However, she didn't take off her clothes no matter how much time passed.
"Luna, why aren't you taking off your clothes?"
"Do you take off clothes for a bath?"
Starting from there, huh.
"It's like bathing in water, so you take off your clothes."
"Is that so?"
Luna tossed her clothes off one by one. I'm a man, but does she not have the emotion of shame to begin with?
Well, with a body that is flat, thin, and poor, she's more like a child than a woman. This way I don't have to be conscious of anything.
Entering the bathroom, I made Luna sit down and poured hot water over her head.
I lathered up the soap and scrubbed her from head to body with a towel.
Since she had never taken a bath before, the dirt came off amusingly well.
I thought she was white, but as the grime and dirt fell away, I could see that her hair and skin were truly pure white.
I washed her thoroughly...
"How is it? Any itchy spots?"
"Not really... actually, it feels good."
"I see, that's good then."
I wondered how it would go at first, but she got clean somehow.
"Here, we're done. I'll dry you off, then put on your underwear and clothes by yourself."
"Understood... but how do I put on underwear?"
She doesn't know that either... I've taken underwear off, but I've never put it on someone. I never thought I'd end up putting underwear on a woman.
"This is fine... from next time, put it on yourself."
"Understood... um, thank you."
"Yeah. It's fine to take it little by little, just learn from now on. By the way, is there anything you can do, Luna?"
"I can take care of pigs and livestock."
"Anything else?"
"Nothing... because I never left the pigsty."
"Is that really the only thing you've done?"
Luna tilted her head, deep in thought.
I thought she grew up in a terrible environment, but I didn't think it was this bad.
"Other than that, I was abused, punched, and kicked."
"Seriously?"
"Yes, it's true. Taking that is about all I've ever done."
When I bought her, I was prepared to some extent that she couldn't do housework, but...
It seems the current Luna can't do anything, more than I expected.
It can't be helped...
"I'll teach you, so starting tomorrow, learn the chores one by one. Especially cleaning."
"Understood."
Buying Luna has actually made things more inconvenient.
But, those eyes that had despaired of everything, like us in the past.
I just couldn't leave her alone.
By the time I finished washing Luna and thinking about future plans, night was approaching.
"Now then, shall we go eat?"
"I see... understood."
Why is she making a sad face?
She was happy when I gave her the skewer earlier. It's food.
"Hey, you looked so happy earlier, why the sad face? We're going to go eat."
"I have only ever eaten once a day."
"...So that was it."
"It makes me sad to just watch when I can't eat myself."
I see. She thought she couldn't eat and would just be watching.
"Luna... listen. Do I look like the kind of guy who would eat alone? No, that's pointless. Listen well. We are going to 'eat together.' I will order a portion for you properly. Come on, let's go!"
"Does that mean... I can get a meal too... is that it?"
"That's it."
After explaining this much, Luna finally seemed to believe she could eat too.
"Is that so... thank you."
Her expression is scarce as always, but I felt like her mouth relaxed and she smiled again, just a tiny bit.
Someday, I want to see a face laughing with all its might.
◆◆◆
Thinking I'd let Luna eat something delicious today, I thought about various places... and chose a slightly luxurious dining hall.
It wasn't a place nobles would go to, obviously, but a shop where adventurers would go to eat when they earned a bit of money.
Luna would probably be happy even with a normal cafeteria, but well, coming here was a man's vanity.
"Welcome! Please sit at any open seat!"
What was with that clerk's eyes... well, whatever.
"Here, sit down."
I pulled out Luna's chair for her.
"I heard at the slave merchant that slaves sit on the floor."
Just because she's a slave doesn't mean she has to sit on the floor.
Only guys with strong vanity do that on their own.
"Just sit normally and eat normally... that's all."
"Understood."
She must be in a good mood because she can eat rice. Luna's mouth looks like it's relaxing.
I called the waiter to order.
"Hey, give us two Minotaur steaks. With bread and soup."
"Yes, thank you..."
Again, the waiter's nasty look.
Luna, not minding such things, was fidgeting in reaction to the smell of grilling meat.
Ah, she just drooled.
By the way, 'Mino Steak' is steak made from a 'Minotaur.'
What is commonly eaten is Orc steak. Minotaurs are harder to hunt than Orcs, so it's a luxury food.
"Here is the Minotaur steak set."
After a while, the Minotaur steak set came out.
After her eyes sparkled at the steak in front of her, Luna stared at my face intently.
'Can I eat it?' Those feelings were written all over her face so clearly she didn't need to say a word.
If I don't say anything, she looks like she'll eat the meat with her hands.
However, I can't let her pounce on it.
I have to teach her manners.
"Listen, Luna. When eating at a place like this, there are rules. Eat while imitating me."
"Understood... The meat looks incredibly delicious."
It seems she has eaten meat before.
"Ready? Hold the meat down with this fork, and cut with the knife like—"
"What the hell, a monster is eating food."
Unpleasant voices could be heard from the surrounding customers.
"She's a slave because she has a collar... but unless it's a high-class slave like an elf, that's just wrong."
The old me might have pounced on them.
But... this much I can endure.
Luna doesn't seem to think anything of it either.
"Understood... I just have to imitate you and eat."
More than that, the meat in front of her. Is that how it is?
"That's right."
Unexpectedly, she is using the knife and fork skillfully.
Although clumsy, she is managing to imitate me and eat.
Dropping the meat often is just part of her charm.
"A monster is eating monster meat."
Again, unpleasant voices can be heard from the surrounding customers.
"Really makes me feel sick. Ruins the meal."
Hearing the voices, Luna's face turned into a sad one. She looked like she was about to cry.
The movement of the fork carrying the meat she was happily eating stopped.
"Hey. Maybe I... really shouldn't eat here..."
"Don't say stupid things. I'm paying properly, you can eat freely."
"Is that so... that's right, isn't it."
With an apologetic face, Luna resumed her meal.
Even though she was eating so happily just a moment ago.
Well, but it can't be helped. Should we eat quickly and leave before there's trouble?
"Hey you guys, get out already... don't you understand everyone is feeling uncomfortable?"
"Kid, before I throw you out, get out yourself! Bringing a monster with you—Gahahahahaha!"
Men who looked like adventurers started picking a fight. Even though I was ignoring them because I didn't want trouble.
"I have the money for this place. I'm not the only one with a slave, am I? No problem, right?"
There was a waiter nearby, so I called out to him.
If a fight breaks out in the shop, it becomes the shop's responsibility.
I decided to involve the waiter.
"Hey waiter, we're saying it because you guys can't! You think so too, right?"
Before I could speak to the waiter, the adventurer-like man sought the waiter's agreement.
"Well? There are others with slaves, so why are you only complaining to me?"
I also pressed the waiter.
"We'll protect you, so say it!"
"N... If it were a normal slave, it would be fine, but bringing a monster is a nuisance..."
Clear malice toward Luna. Is this the true nature of the nasty looks from the waiter and customers?
There are quite a few guys who seem to be adventurers in this shop... roughly twenty of them.
It pisses me off. I was ignoring them to let her eat because I didn't want trouble.
Luna's face has turned pale, and her hand stopped eating.
I can't take this anymo—
"I see. I'm an adventurer, so I won't lay a hand on you, waiter, so relax..."
'Adventurers must not lay a hand on ordinary citizens.'
This is an obvious rule.
Because adventurers are stronger than ordinary people.
But if the opponent is an adventurer, that's different.
"Luna, keep eating... So, what rank are you guys? You must be incredibly strong!"
"Understood..."
How can she eat in this situation? That's how precious the opportunity to eat must be.
But it was good. Luna slowly resumed her meal while trembling.
Really, the meal is ruined.
"Uwahahahaha! I am the B-rank Zilda-sama! Everyone here is a veteran from B-rank to D-rank! If you understand, get out!"
One of the adventurers tells me to get out. But B-rank? What... small fry.
'Disputes between adventurers are their own responsibility.' 'That includes exchanges of life.'
There is a saying like that.
In other words, it means there is no problem whatever I do to these guys.
"What will you do if I say I won't get out?"
"I told you I'd throw you out, didn't I?"
"Is that the same for the rest of you, not just him?"
"""Yeah! You're an eyesore!"""
"Is that so... Then I’ve reached the limit of my patience too! I’m seriously pissed off. If you guys say you’re going to throw us out, then I’m drawing my sword."
"If you draw that, we'll beat you half to death!"
"I’ll give you a handicap. All of you draw your swords... I’ll take on every single one of you alone."
"Cocky bastard... beat him to a pulp along with that monster."
In the end, individual adventurers are picking a fight, huh?
What a bunch of idiots. Thinking they can defeat me with just these numbers.
"Is that right? Then here I go."
I drew my sword and dashed through the midst of the adventurers.
"What the... You... sure, you're fast, but you didn't do anything, did you?"
"Did he get scared and try to run away leaving the slave behind? You're fast at running away, rookie."
Well, I am young, so being called a rookie isn't too strange.
"All of you, you'd better hold your stomachs right now. Unless you want to die."
"My stomach? What about it? ...Ah, aaah! What is this blood...?! Oh crap, my stomach’s been slashed!?"
Originally, this wasn't my technique, but Lida's.
A clean slash across the stomach... that’s all it is.
However, if this is done to you, you have to hold your stomach or the wound will open up and you'll spill your innards all over the place.
Conversely, if you want to heal it, it can be easily fixed with a Heal or a potion.
It’s a pretty good technique to use for interrogation.
"I had the pleasure of slashing all your stomachs. If you don't want to spill your guts and die, hold your bellies tight... In your current state, even a punch from a kid would kill you."
"Aaah, aaagh! My stomach, my stomach...!! Who the hell are you!?"
"Why would you do something like this!?"
It’s because you guys picked a fight even though I was being patient.
"My name? It's Zect! So, you still want to go?"
"Ze-Zect... that former Hero and S-rank adventurer...?!"
"My bad... no, I was wrong... I don't want trouble with you."
"The rest of you don't have any complaints either, right?"
Looking at me with frightened expressions, no one voiced any more complaints.
"Good. Then we're settled."
I took twenty potions out of my storage bag and placed them on the table.
"Here... you can use these."
As soon as they received the potions, everyone sprinkled them on their stomachs to recover. Then, they hurriedly left as if running away.
◆◆◆
Now we can finally eat without worrying about our surroundings.
"Luna, how is it? Was the Mino Steak delicious?"
"It was incredibly delicious."
She ate it all firmly while trembling, even licking the plate. It must have been good.
"In that case, you can have the rest of mine too."
"Really?"
"Yeah, eat it."
"Thank you..."
When I placed my half-eaten steak in front of Luna, she happily began to eat it.
Since we caused a commotion, the owner naturally came over.
He had a troubled expression, like he didn't know what to do.
More than that, I can't forgive that waiter from earlier. He called us a nuisance.
I stopped the waiter from earlier and deliberately placed an order.
"Give me an ale and deep-fried Guinea Fowl."
"Eep... Y-Yes, right away, I'll bring it immediately."
Upon hearing the order, he retreated into the kitchen with a pale face.
"Owner. I have something to say to you people. You are civilians, so I won't lay a hand on you. However, if it’s an 'Adventurer,' I can lay a hand on them. If you make us feel unpleasant again, I will pick a fight with every single adventurer trying to enter this shop. This is 'legal' and a right recognized for me as an adventurer, so suing me is useless. Remember that."
If it were Ceres, who cares about his companions, he would probably... say this.
"We were in the wrong regarding this incident... I will be careful to ensure this never happens again, so please forgive us."
The owner apologized to me with a pale face.
"Understood."
I’ve really mellowed out. If it were the old me, I wouldn't have forgiven him until he prostrated himself on the ground.
There is no sincerity in this apology. The owner was watching us from the moment the trouble started, but he didn't stop the commotion.
Most likely, if I had lost... he would have just watched silently as I was beaten to a pulp.
He just went with the winning side.
I shared the deep-fried Guinea Fowl meat that came out with Luna.
Luna carried it to her mouth with an awkward smile.
"This is delicious too."
"I'm glad."
Still, she really eats like it's delicious.
It's been a truly long time since I ate a meal with someone.
◆◆◆
We returned to the inn.
Time-wise, it was about time to sleep.
"Hey, don't sleep like that. Change into the nightwear over there properly."
"Nightwear?"
"There's something like a one-piece dress over there, right? Change into that."
"One-piece?"
It's no use; she doesn't know what nightwear or a one-piece is.
"This, this!"
I picked up the nightwear and handed it to her.
"I just have to change into this?"
"Yeah... hey, wait a sec..."
"What?"
Luna started tossing her clothes off and stripping down to her underwear.
I thought this during the bath too, but maybe I should teach her a bit more about female modesty.
"Listen, you're a girl, properly, you know..."
"Girl? What?"
Because she wasn't treated as a person, she doesn't understand that either?
"No, Luna is a girl, so please change where I can't see you."
"Then, where should I change?"
"Change in the dressing room next to the bath."
"Understood."
Luna returned from the dressing room changed into the nightwear.
"Changing is done. Is the toilet okay?"
"I'm okay..."
"Alright then, use that bed and blanket."
Even though the bed is right there... she's just standing there doing nothing.
Hmm? What's wrong?
"What is a bed?"
She didn't know what a bed was.
I patted the bed nearby.
"This, right here... it's a place to sleep. You know what a blanket is, right... come on, sleep."
"Yeah..."
Luna lay down on the bed with a confused expression.
"Listen, this is a pillow. If it's uncomfortable, do what you want... Here, I'll put the blanket over you, so just sleep however."
"It's warm... but where will Zect sleep?"
Luna asked while staring at me.
There is no sofa in this room.
"I'll sleep around there, so don't worry about it."
Saying that, I moved some trash aside and sprawled out on the floor.
"Sleeping on the floor is for slaves, so it should be me."
Is that what the slave merchant taught her?
"Shut up... I like the floor... Just shut up and sleep."
In the past, I used to sleep on the ground with just a mat during camping. If the floor is wooden, it's still better than that.
"Understood..."
What... am I doing? I went to buy a domestic slave to live comfortably, but the time and effort I'm spending has only increased.
◆◆◆
What? ...My back is warm.
When I turned around, Luna was sleeping while clinging to my back.
"Hey... why aren't you sleeping in the bed?"
The blanket was firmly covering me as well.
"The bed is soft and feels good, but I can't fall asleep... The floor is better... Besides, this way Zect can use the blanket too..."
"Can't be helped then."
I turned my back to Luna and went to sleep.
I can't let a girl sleep on the floor while I use the bed alone.
However... this is nostalgic.
In the past, we often camped... I used to sleep like this with Ceres, Maria, Lida, and Mel.
It's surprisingly more comfortable than sleeping in a bed...
"Is something wrong?"
"It's nothing."
Feeling Luna's warmth on my back, I fell asleep again.
◆◆◆
Bang bang bang...
The sound of knocking was loud and jarring.
What the hell. It's so noisy this early in the morning.
"Mmm... Zect."
"Luna, keep sleeping. I'll go check it out."
If I were still a Hero, it would be one thing... but there's no one who would visit the current me.
Who on earth is it?
"Shut up, it's the crack of dawn! What do you want!?"
When I opened the door, a well-built man wearing magnificent metal armor and carrying a sword was standing there.
An Imperial Knight? What business does he have with me?
"I am Silbert, Commander of the Third Knight Order of the Garban Empire. I have questions regarding the incident at the dining hall yesterday... I request you accompany me."
Normally, knights don't stick their noses into adventurer disputes.
Something is strange.
But if I cause a scene here, Luna might get dragged into it, and it would be a disaster if she were taken hostage. I have no choice; I guess I have to go.
"Luna, I'm going out for a bit, so don't leave this room."
"Understood..."
Just in case, I activated a recording crystal and followed Silbert.
Politely enough, there were four other knights and even a carriage prepared.
"Hey, 'disputes between adventurers are their own responsibility,' right? Why is the Knight Order coming out?"
"You went too far no matter how you look at it. There's no way you can slash the stomachs of twenty people and get away with it for free!"
Basically, as long as I didn't kill them, there shouldn't be any complaints.
Even if I had killed them, if the other side started it, I would be innocent.
"No, getting away with it is normal, right? It's explained properly at the Adventurer's Guild."
I'm glad I read the books and regulations like Ceres told me to.
If it were the old me, I would have just done as I was told without understanding anything.
"Don't give me that quibbling... You aren't a Hero anymore. Come with me."
Looking closely, near the other knights were the adventurers from yesterday.
They were smirking, and it was disgusting.
"Hey, are you acquaintances with those adventurers?"
"We are familiar faces..."
I see. This is retaliation for yesterday, or something like that.
"You're the Knight Commander, right?"
"I am, but what of it?"
"Above you is the Grand Master of the Knight Order, then the Marshal, and the supreme commander of the military at the very top is Emperor Sizer, right?"
I have to make sure this never happens again.
"Why are you stating the obvious?"
"In that case, the responsibility for what you have done lies with the Emperor. I'll have the Emperor take responsibility for this."
"What are you saying... Gwaaaahhh—!!"
I punched Silbert in the side of the face.
If he's a knight, he won't die from just this.
"You bastard!? What are you doing to the Commander!! Unforgivable!!"
"You..."
"Urgh!"
The faces of the four knights changed, and they reached for the swords at their waists.
"Hey, listen well, knights! The Knight Commander was the one who picked a quarrel with me. This is going to be a problem between the Empire and me."
I drew my sword and dashed past the four of them while swinging it.
"""Wh-Guh!"""
Well, I used the back of the sword and held back tremendously, so even though blood is flowing from their mouths, they should be fine.
I got a good excuse to demonstrate my power.
"A knight of this country fabricated a crime and tried to frame me. I believe the responsibility for this lies with the Emperor who hired this knight. Therefore, I am going to storm the Royal Castle right now!"
The knights crouching on the ground and the adventurers from yesterday all had faces that had turned pale.
I ignored whatever they were trying to say and headed for the Royal Castle.
◆◆◆
The guard manning the gate of the Royal Castle stopped me.
"Halt! What have you come here to do?"
I ran up with my sword bared, so naturally, this happened.
"The Third Knight Commander Silbert tried to frame me in a trap. Since he used the name of a knight, the responsibility lies entirely with the Emperor. So, I came to make him take responsibility. Bring out the Emperor!"
"What nonsense... Close the gate immediately—!!"
Even I know my logic is weird.
But considering Luna's future, it's better to go this far.
'If you lay a hand on me or my companions, something terrible will happen.'
To make them understand that, I'm sorry, but I'll use them as an example.
A gate like this has no meaning to me.
"I'll show you... This is the secret technique only a Hero can use... Wings of Light-ahhh—!!"
A giant bird made of light manifested from my sword. The bird slammed straight into the gate!
Gagaga—BANG!
With a loud noise, the gate crumbled along with part of the castle.
"What is happening—!"
Many knights and soldiers appeared from inside.
With this number of people, they can't stop me when I'm serious.
"A knight of this country tried to frame me! So I came here to make the Emperor take responsibility!! Anyone who gets in my way is an enemy!"
"Ridiculous! You blame the Emperor-sama for something a mere knight did?! You bastard!!"
"If you have complaints, I, a fellow knight, will hear them!"
Even if they say that, I can't back down now.
If we settled it here, I'd be a criminal.
I can't stop anymore.
"I have no business with underlings like you! This is a declaration of war!"
"You insist on making the Emperor-sama take responsibility no matter what! In that case, you are a criminal from this moment on! An intruder has entered! I don't care if you kill him, everyone draw swords and engage!"
Even if the opponents come with the intent to kill, as a former Hero, I feel reluctant to kill knights.
"I'll go easy on you, but if you die anyway... don't blame me."
They are merely strong humans. If I, possessing the power of a Hero, use a sword, holding back becomes quite difficult. If I mess up, they might really die.
So, I sheathed my sword and decided to fight with my fists.
"Eeey—! Even if the opponent is a former Hero, he is just one man! If we push with numbers, we can defeat him—"
"""Ooooooh!"""
The knights are raising a war cry, but are they idiots?
When I faced a horde of dragons, I was 'scared.' I hid that and slashed into them.
When I fought Mamon... it was 'despair,' and it was 'hell.'
But. I don't feel those things now.
I'm not afraid of the many knights in the castle, nor do I feel despair.
What is in my heart is 'pity.' If I don't hold back, they will die. That is all.
"Ugyaaaaah!"
"Uwaaaaaah, guh!"
For knights, they are fragile. They go down just from being punched.
Seriously, they underestimate me too much.
They ask the 'Hero' to defeat the Demon Race because they can't win themselves.
We are the ones who stormed the Demon King's castle with just four people to slay the Demon King.
There is no way mere knights can win against one of those people, me.
They can't stop me.
As if it were nothing, I walked forward while swinging my fists.
The knights finally began to retreat as if fleeing in fear of me.
"Monster... It's a monsteeeer—!"
"Eep... I'll be killed."
However, this is underwhelming.
Before I knew it, I had reached the throne room.
"You... what is your objective?"
Emperor Sizer stood up from the throne and glared at me as he spoke.
"I just came to protest because I was framed."
"You are the former Hero Zect... Why do such a thing? Did you perhaps defect to the Demon Race?"
What a misplaced assumption.
"We are under a ceasefire with the Demon Race, so there's no way that's true. I was framed, so I just came to have you take responsibility for it."
"Who tried to frame you? A minister? Or a noble?"
This is bad; the Knight Commander seems to be small fry.
"It was the Knight Commander."
"""Hah? The Knight Commander, you say?"""
Not only the Emperor but those around him were surprised.
Well fine, since I've come this far, I have to do it.
I showed them the recording crystal.
"It is true that the knight is harassing Zect-dono... but surely there was no need to go this far..."
The castle is half-destroyed, and many knights are in a half-dead state.
But even so, I won't back down this time.
"My current companion, Luna, is indeed a slave, and there are issues with her appearance. But Luna is a precious comrade to me. It is the same as how my best friend Ceres cherishes his companions. If you lay a hand on her, I won't let you off easy."
I see, Luna has become an important existence to me.
Luna might be hurt in the future. Thinking that, I stormed the Royal Castle.
If Emperor Sizer doesn't back down, it could become a war between me and the Empire.
"I apologize. I will make sure the Knight Order understands this well."
That was good. Thanks to Emperor Sizer backing down, the matter was settled.
"Then, that is fine."
I turned my back to the Emperor and left the place.
Come to think of it, this is one of the family homes of Ceres's wives; I had completely forgotten.
◆◆◆
"I'm home..."
"Zect... I'm hungry."
"Is that so... Then let's go eat lunch. What do you want?"
"I don't know..."
That figures.
"Yesterday was meat, so shall we go eat fish today?"
"What is fish?"
She doesn't know fish either.
"Fish is... it's faster to go eat it than to explain. Anyway, let's go!"
"Yeah... I hope fish is delicious."
Living with Luna takes effort.
It's full of more hardships than living with the three back in the day.
But why do I think it's 'fun' despite that?
I feel like this relationship... isn't a relationship between master and slave.
"Well then, shall we go?"
I took Luna's small hand and held it.
"Yeah..."
Memories of holding hands with my mother projected in my mind.
Is Luna a high-maintenance little sister? A daughter who is hard to take care of? I still don't know what kind of relationship this will become.
But Luna will become something important. I feel that way.
As always, the room isn't tidied up, and the inconvenient life hasn't changed.
But this kind of life isn't bad either.
I am fully enjoying a life that has tension and fun for the first time in a while. That’s what I felt.
◆◆◆
What is this?
When I showed my face at the Imperial Adventurer's Guild, there was a large notice on the bulletin board:
'Those who disparage the S-rank Adventurer Zect and his slave shall be sentenced to one year in prison.'
Such a proclamation was posted.
Since the Royal Seal was firmly stamped on it, it was official. As details of the incident, ten knights were fired and twenty adventurers were expelled regarding this matter.
There probably won't be anyone in the Empire who picks a fight with us anymore.
This is a relief.
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