Chapter 5: Hero Zect’s Redo (Part 3)
Knock, knock, knock.
It’s annoying this early in the morning.
Knock, knock, knock.
They are really knocking persistently. It can't be helped, I guess I'll answer.
"Why..."
When I opened the door, Princess Marine was standing there.
"Zect-sama, haa haa, I’ve come!"
Don't give me "I’ve come." What is a Princess of a country doing?
I definitely refused the marriage. Why is the Princess showing up at my place without an appointment? While I was pondering why Princess Marine was here, a knight beside her spoke up.
"I am Richard of the Royal Guard Knights! We have come to deliver the Princess!"
Delivering the Princess with five knights including the Knight Commander? Yeah, this must be some kind of mistake.
"Zect... did something happen?"
Luna, thinking my behavior was strange, looked over worriedly.
"No, Luna, no problem."
I answered to keep Luna from worrying.
"I see, then that's good..."
Luna retreated to the back.
"So that’s that! See ya!"
I don't want to get involved with Princess Marine. It’s some kind of mistake. Let's close the door.
"Don't 'See ya!' me, and please do not close the door! We brought Princess Marine all the way from the Kingdom of Zamark."
"Haa~ why did you bring her? The engagement promise should have been voided, right!?"
Pushing aside the Royal Guard Knights, Princess Marine stepped forward aggressively.
"It has not been voided, you know? Zect-sama said this: 『In that case, will you throw away that crown and become an adventurer with me? And when we grow old, will you plow the fields with me?』 That means if I throw away my crown and become an adventurer with you, you will accept me, and you will stay with me even when we grow old, right! That was not an annulment, but a condition for engagement! I have accepted the condition! Zect-sama should keep his promise too!"
Seriously!?
The Princess is throwing away her crown!?
"You, do you understand the meaning of what you're saying? It means you won't be a Princess anymore!"
Discarding the status of a Princess to become a mere commoner. Does she understand what that means!?
"Yes, I understand. I can use a dagger, after all, and I can use a little magic... I will do my best as an adventurer too!"
To think King Zamark IV would permit something as reckless as throwing away the status of a Princess.
No, surely not. There's no way he would allow it.
"You have the King's permission, right?"
The knight named Richard answered my question.
"Yes, regarding that, permission has undoubtedly been granted. We have received a royal decree to convey that he has permitted her to cast aside her status as a Princess and become Zect-sama's wife, so there are no problems. Please rest assured. Well then, Princess... do your best!"
Seriously, permission was granted?
"You all stay safe as well!"
While I was stunned and thinking, Princess Marine took it upon herself to say farewell to the Royal Guard Knights.
"""""Ha! Well then, please excuse us."""""
"Oi, are you really going to leave her here? She's a Princess, you know!?"
There was no reply from the departing Royal Guard Knights.
"I am no longer a Princess, I am just Marine! You wouldn't abandon me after I gave up my status as a Princess, would you? Zect-sama?"
Was Princess Marine always like this?
She should have been a type who was more slender, delicate, and impossible to leave alone.
But, I certainly did say it. Once again, my thoughtfulness was lacking.
It’s always like this... I always do something unnecessary and get stuck in a hole.
However, having come this far, I can't refuse.
She came to me even throwing away her status as a Princess.
I can't possibly tell her to 'Go home.'
"It can't be helped. But I hardly know anything about Marine. It should be the same for Marine, so let's start by living together. Of course, I won't lay a hand on you until we both fall in love, so rest assured."
"But, I already love Zect-sama."
"Anything beyond that waits until we live together and you truly fall in love!"
"Is that so?"
I have to introduce Marine to Luna.
"Ahh, Luna, we have another housemate."
"Housemate? What is a housemate?"
"A person who lives together with us. This girl, Marine, will also live with us starting today. As her senior, Luna, please teach her various things."
"Un, understood."
Next, I have to introduce Luna to Marine.
"Marine, this is Luna. Get along with her."
"Um, will that child be living with us too? Could she be what they call an adventurer companion?"
"No, Luna is Luna. She is a slave, but she is like family, and she is registered as a party member. I will register a party with Marine too, but you don't have to fight yet, so please get used to normal life."
Right now, I’m afraid of the Black Dragon, so I can't hunt dragons. I plan not to hunt for a while.
"Normal life?"
"Since you're a Princess, you probably can't do housework, right?"
"I'm sorry, I have never done it."
Thinking normally, there's no way a Princess can do housework.
However, for the Kingdom to send Marine to me while I live in the Empire, they sure do amazing things.
"Since Marine is here, I'm wide awake now. Since we're at it, I'll make hamburger steaks for lunch today!"
"Hamburg, hamburg, hamburg... Thank you, Zect."
Luna is doing a little dance with a blank expression. Luna loves hamburger steaks, after all.
"Since that's decided, Marine, you sit and wait too. Let's see, please keep Luna company until it's ready."
"Um, Zect-sama will be cooking the meal?"
"I have no choice, right? Neither Marine nor Luna can cook. Since I can do it, I have to, right? Or can you cook, Marine?"
"Luna can't cook..."
"I'm sorry, I have never made anything."
Princess Marine dropped her shoulders, looking dejected.
Asking a Princess who lived in a royal castle to cook is a cruel story.
"You lived in a royal castle until now. It's natural you can't do it. So just wait a while, I'll make it right away."
A woman has been added, yet my workload has increased instead.
Isn't this just like Ceres?
Well, Luna eats deliciously, so it's worth making.
I wonder how Marine, who was a Princess, will eat my cooking... Is it okay to feed her? My hamburger steak.
◆◆◆
"This is! It is incredibly delicious!"
"Hamburg is justice... really delicious..."
"Since Marine was a Princess, didn't you eat more delicious things?"
"Certainly, I ate delicious things, but this is the first time I have eaten this."
Come to think of it, this dish was conceived by Kazuma and Ceres.
Thinking about it that way, is it an original dish?
But... the real thing is more delicious.
The hamburger steaks Kazuma and Ceres make use binders skillfully and are very juicy.
Mine is just minced meat compacted and fried with simple seasoning and butter.
Damn it... I should have learned how to cook properly if it was going to be like this.
Well, what I can't do can't be helped. I have to do what I can within my range.
"When you finish eating, Luna, put the laundry in the bag and place it in front of the door."
"Okay... understood."
Luna can do 'things that are decided' without problems.
But she can't apply herself at all.
She can't think for herself at all either... I don't know what to do about this.
Luna's personality... should I accept it as that? I have to think about it.
"Zect-sama, won't you give me some work too?"
"Let's see. It's fine for today, but since it will be necessary from now on, learn how to 'clean'."
"Cleaning? I understand."
That said, she is a former Princess; it will probably be difficult for her to learn housework so easily.
◆◆◆
After the meal was over, I had the two of them rest a little, and I finished washing the dishes.
And after the two had rested enough.
"Luna, Marine, let's go."
"Yes..."
"Where are we going?"
"We've eaten, so now it's time for the daily soup kitchen and medical treatment."
"Soup kitchen and treatment... work."
"Work? Is that it?"
"Yeah. We have a ceasefire with the demons, and there are no prey to hunt even if we act as adventurers. Thanks to that, we aren't troubled for money, so well, it's killing time."
Because of the Black Dragon, the subjugation work is over.
So, since I don't have trouble with living expenses, I do this soup kitchen and treatment half as a hobby.
"Is that so..."
Volunteer activities don't bring in income, but I think this is respectable work too.
◆◆◆
I came to the slums with the two of them.
I took out the pot of soup I had made beforehand, bread, a table, and bowls from my storage bag and set them up in the alley.
Preparations are complete.
"Alright, soup kitchen time! Line up, line up—"
"It is the soup kitchen..."
I raised my voice together with Luna to gather people.
Marine is just standing there blankly. Sorry, but starting today, I'll have you help.
"Hey, Marine, you help too."
"Eh, me?"
"You're not a Princess anymore, right?"
If she's not a Princess but my companion, I need her to help out at least this much.
"That is true..."
"Oh, isn't it the Hero-sama! Today you've added another beauty to the group."
A familiar old man approaches.
This old man doesn't waver either. Even though I say I'm not a Hero, he calls me Hero again.
"T-H-A-T-’S W-H-Y— I’m not a Hero. Jeez, I keep telling you I'm just Zect."
"Well, isn't it fine? Give me a bowl too."
I don't know how many times we've had this exchange.
"Here you go."
"Here is bread..."
While I served the soup and Luna distributed the bread, Marine, who wasn't used to this, just stood there not knowing what to do.
"Come on, Marine, you hand out the servings in those bowls to the people who don't have bowls."
Suddenly asking a former Princess to help with a soup kitchen is a high hurdle, isn't it?
"I understand."
When we first started the soup kitchen, we struggled quite a bit too. It's the same.
Now we are completely used to it, and the people of the slums line up properly. Since we distributed bowls every time to those who didn't have them, the number of people without bowls has decreased significantly.
Compared to the beginning, we finish distributing much faster.
After that, I took the two of them around and performed my daily treatments like crazy.
By the time everyone's treatment was finished, it was already evening.
Luna aside, Princess Marine has likely never worked before, so she must be very tired.
"We worked hard today, so let's eat something good and go home. Luna and Marine, you must be tired too, right?"
"...Un. Tired."
"Certainly, I am a little tired. Do you always do things like this, Zect-sama?"
Both of them were standing the whole time, so of course they'd be tired.
"Not always. I just do it when I feel like it. Can't be spoiling them, after all."
Besides, I want to show Luna a figure of working diligently.
"Un... two or three times a week."
"Luna-san, do you do it that often?"
"...Yes. Thanks to that, I and Zect are popular..."
Because we continued this, now there's no one in the slums who discriminates against Luna.
"Do you do anything else?"
"Nothing in particular. But if I hear someone is in trouble, I lend a hand. That's all."
"...The other day, killed slimes that appeared in the sewer... Not me, Zect did."
"That happened."
Marine has been acting strange for a while.
Since she admired Heroes, she must be disillusioned now.
If she wants to leave, I can just send her back to the Kingdom.
◆◆◆
I, Marine, was remembering the time before I came here.
My older sister, Marianne, has started sending me letters occasionally.
The contents are nothing but her gushing about her love life.
It starts with stories about flirting with Ceres-sama, and recently, it has even escalated to adult content...
She pays no mind to the fact that there has been absolutely no progress on my end.
Since her partner is the "Hero Ceres," I understand her desire to talk about it, but I wish she would consider my feelings a little.
I am currently standing at the crossroads of my life.
Can I throw away this crown?
If I just discard this, I can go to Zect-sama’s side.
I suspect that if the old Zect-sama had broken off the engagement, I wouldn't have felt anything at all.
But... what on earth happened?
The Zect-sama who came to discuss the engagement was like a completely different person.
How should I put it? I can’t explain it well, but he seemed to possess a "conviction"...
Dignified. That is how I felt he was.
Born into the royal family, I cannot fall in "love."
However, I couldn't take my eyes off Zect-sama, and even though he refused the engagement, my heart was being stolen away.
That person would be fine.
That feeling shifted into:
It has to be that person.
I really don't know what I should do anymore.
I don't know how many times I've tried to throw away the crown.
But... I worry deeply about whether it is right to discard it.
The reason I have been able to live in luxury until now is because I am a "Princess."
Commoners could work their entire lives and never get their hands on this crown or these dresses.
There is no way a human who has lived receiving such benefits until now should be allowed to just throw it all away.
As a woman, throwing away a crown is simple.
But my "duty as a Princess" rejects that notion.
I am truly troubled.
◆◆◆
I was summoned by Father.
Moreover, it was to the audience chamber.
This meant it wasn't a conversation between parent and child, but likely a discussion between a King and a Princess.
"You have come, Marine. This is a request from me to you. The content is quite terrible, so if you say you dislike it, I will never speak of it again."
For him to go out of his way to say "You have come" means this is a serious matter.
If it weren't a big deal, he could have just come to my room, talked, and been done with it.
"If it is a request as the King, there is no reason for me, as a Princess, to refuse. Please say anything!"
"This is strictly a request, not an order... I am sorry, but could you remove that crown and go to Zect-dono to become his bride?"
"To Zect-sama's place... you say?"
To think that after I worried so much, the request would come from Father himself...
"Does that mean I may quit being a Princess and marry into Zect-sama's household? Is that what you are saying?"
"That is correct... We cannot leave a strong individual capable of half-destroying the Imperial Castle by himself unchecked. Currently, no country has been able to send a wife to Zect-dono. Originally, I wanted you to marry him as a Princess, but Zect-dono refused that. Neither I nor Dobel could think of any other way."
This is a request from Father.
I threw away the crown because I listened to his "request."
With this, there is no problem even as a Princess.
It feels as if the Goddess has suddenly taken my side; it’s almost scary.
There is no way I won't take this opportunity.
"I understand! Father, I also yearn for Zect-sama. I will gladly go to be his bride!"
And thus, I received permission from my father, the King, and set off on my journey to Zect-sama.
◆◆◆
"Alright, here goes! Uryaaaaaaa—"
"Uryaaa..."
"Um, Zect-sama, what are we doing today?"
"What, you ask? Potato digging, obviously. Come on, Marine, you try it too! Uryaaaa—like that."
Today, we have come to dig potatoes.
I was raised in a village, after all, so I can handle farm work to some extent.
I accepted this request because I thought even Luna and Marine could enjoy digging potatoes.
Of course, since the two of them probably can't work properly, I arranged beforehand for the "workload to count as one person."
Well, there shouldn't be any complaints with that.
"Urya..."
"Urayaaaaa—, is it like this?"
Marine pulled out a potato with a serious face.
She didn't really need to copy the shout, but well, she's about as good as I was when I was a kid.
There's no supervisor, and the job pays seven copper coins (about 7,000 yen) for twelve baskets.
If I work hard, there’s no problem, and it’s fine if those two just get used to working and have fun.
"You two have pretty good instincts, don't you?"
"Potato digging... is fun."
As usual, it doesn't show on Luna's face, but I can tell from her atmosphere that she's enjoying it.
"This is my first time experiencing something like this. But why do you do menial chores, Zect-sama?"
Wiping sweat with her hand, Marine asked me, looking puzzled.
"Even if they call me a Hero, I was originally a farmer's son. Not a noble or anything. So I don't really hate moving my body! Thanks to my best friend, Heroes aren't needed anymore. If the world is at peace and doesn't need a Hero, I want to do other things I can do. That's all!"
"In that case, becoming a noble, a lord, or a knight... did you not consider such things?"
Me, a noble or a knight? Impossible. It's not my style.
"I can easily bring down a castle by myself, you know. If a guy like that was around, the King, the Prime Minister, and the nobles would all be walking on eggshells. It’s like having a single wolf among mice. No matter how much I promise not to do anything, deep down they’d definitely be terrified."
Just as I feared Mammon, from the perspective of ordinary people, I am the same.
"That might certainly be true."
I felt Marine's face cloud over slightly.
"Luna isn't... scared of Zect..."
Luna is the same as always.
I don't know if these two are amazing or what, but they treat me like I'm a normal human.
This sense of distance feels good.
"Thanks, Luna! But since Marine, who is royalty, thinks so, it must not be wrong. The current me isn't a Hero anymore. If there's no need to live in battle, then 'living normally' feels pretty good too. How about it?"
"Is that so?"
"Normal... don't understand."
Both of them looked blank, appearing to ponder it.
Marine, who has lived as a Princess, is just starting to learn "normal" from now on, and Luna has lived below normal until now, so she will also be feeling out "normal" from here.
"Anyway, right now I'm free. But I think freedom and just playing around are different. Luna, of course, and Marine too since you aren't a Princess right now, I want you to 'live normally, freely, and happily.'"
"Freely, is it?"
"Yeah. If you want to, you can become a baker or a seamstress. Well, there's no need to become one, but 'you can become one.' Having options is a pretty good thing."
"Um, I am your wife."
"Luna is... fine just being with Zect..."
"Since Marine and Luna are living with me, that is, of course, an option too. But neither Marine nor Luna has been with me for long. When the feeling of 'love' truly solidifies, it would be good if you became 'family' in the true sense. Luna, don't misunderstand either! I don't think of you as a slave. Little sister, daughter... well, I don't really know, but you are certainly precious to me. I will 'protect' both of you. That feeling won't change from now on."
"Zect-sama..."
"Luna is Zect's sister? Daughter? Happy."
This should be fine.
I am probably dense when it comes to love and romance.
But I know those relationships aren't built in a short time.
The bond with Ceres was built over time since childhood.
Even though I did terrible things, Ceres was my ally until the end.
It will still take time to form a proper bond with these two.
"Anyway, let's keep our hands moving."
"Yes, let's."
"...Un."
Right now, I am happy just being able to spend this comfortable time together.
◆◆◆
We finished the potato digging request, reported to the Adventurer's Guild, and were walking through the streets of the Imperial City.
"Hero-sama, if you'd like, please take these Appols!"
An auntie whose leg I treated before held out three Appol fruits.
"Thanks! Auntie, how's the leg?"
"Thanks to you, just look!"
She tapped her leg with her right hand. It seems the treatment went well.
"I keep telling you, I'm not a Hero. Learn it already, call me Zect."
"You are a Hero. No matter what anyone says, I will keep calling you that."
"T-h-a-t-'s w-h-y~"
"Hahaha, see you later then! Hero-sama."
It's good that they've gotten used to me.
It's not bad that they speak to me frankly.
And yet, the people of the Imperial Capital still call me "Hero."
"Hero-sama, you really work hard with the soup kitchen and treatments."
A young sister from the church called out to me.
"Sister, surely it's bad for someone related to the church to call me that?"
"As a person of the church, it might be problematic in a formal setting, but there is no issue calling you that as an individual. You, who work hard for the people, are truly a Hero!"
"It feels kinda embarrassing, so if possible, stop it. Those words are suitable for my best friend... they don't suit me."
"One never realizes these things about oneself. No matter how much you deny it, surely everyone will continue to call you 'Hero.' Well then, excuse me."
I am a human who officially quit being a Hero.
Moreover, I was only able to quit being a Hero because Ceres pulled some strings so I wouldn't be troubled.
The word Hero doesn't suit a human like that.
A Hero is someone who has more courage than anyone else.
I had confidence in only that.
But I lost to Mammon. I lost to the Black Dragon.
Who would feel hope in me, who lost to a Demon Executive?
That is exactly why I am not a Hero.
My job is Hero, but I am not a Hero.
The real Hero is Ceres.
◆◆◆
The Imperial Capital is easy to live in right now.
There are no longer any issues with Luna living here.
Marine's identity became known immediately, but perhaps because she is living as a companion, she has already been accepted by the people of the Imperial Capital, including the slums.
With this, I probably don't need to choose to 'return to Jimna Village.'
However, I made a huge mistake.
There was one more thing I had to be careful about regarding Luna.
"Sorry, Luna."
"Zect isn't bad... Besides, it's not a big deal... I'll be fine if I sleep."
Beside her, Marine is wringing out a towel and placing it on Luna's forehead.
For a Princess, she is very attentive.
I had completely forgotten.
That Luna is an "Albino."
The slave trader had explained it properly.
She has a weak body and low resistance to sunburn, so she is a product with no price.
Despite that, I made her go potato digging under the scorching sun.
If I make someone weak to sunburn do something like that, of course she’ll destroy her health.
"No, it's completely my mistake. Luna, rest well today! Sorry, Marine, but please look after Luna."
"Yes, leave it to me."
"Zect is..."
"I'm going out for a bit."
Saying that, I left the room.
◆◆◆
I rushed out of the room and came to a tool shop.
"Welcome, are you looking for something?"
"Do you sell straw hats?"
In the village, we wore straw hats to protect against the sun. Putting me aside, those two need them.
"We have them."
Smiling, the shopkeeper brought straw hats from the back.
"In that case, give me three of them."
"Thank you for your business."
Because I'm sturdy, I completely forgot.
When I was a child, Mom often told me to wear a hat so I wouldn't get heatstroke.
Everyone in the village always wore one when working outside, didn't they...?
Well, Ceres, Lida, and I said it looked uncool and didn't wear them, but Maria and Mel always wore them in the summer.
"Thanks."
I said that and left the tool shop.
Next, I came to the pharmacy.
"Ain't it the Hero-sama? The usual magic recovery potions?"
"Today is different. I want sunscreen, do you have any?"
"Ahh. We handle cosmetics for women too, so we have it."
"Then give me two bottles of that. Also, two stamina recovery drinks."
"Even though you can use Heal? You need stamina recovery drinks?"
"Yeah. A family member has heat exhaustion."
Heal-type spells cure injuries and work on diseases.
But for some reason, they don't work on symptoms of debilitation.
I'm not Maria or Ceres, so I don't know the logic behind it.
"I see. Then it is necessary. I'll bring out some good quality ones!"
"That helps."
I paid the money and left the pharmacy.
After that... maybe I should buy some ice sweets and go home.
◆◆◆
I returned to the inn room.
"I'm back."
"...Welcome back."
"Welcome back, Zect-sama."
I feel like Luna's complexion has improved a little. Still, she looked quite pained.
"Seems you've gotten a little better."
"That's why... I said... I'd be cured if I slept."
"For someone saying that, after Zect-sama left, you were delirious saying 'Zect, Zect,' weren't you?"
"...Marine, shut up... I'm fine."
Luna turned red and hid half her face with the blanket.
Apart from that, I felt like Luna was pushing herself.
"You don't have to hold back. Anyway, I bought hats, so wear this when you go outside from now on! You too, Marine. Also, I bought sunscreen, so make sure to apply it when you go out."
I handed the straw hats and sunscreen to the two of them.
"...Thanks."
"Me too?"
"Marine, you're a former Princess. You aren't used to being under the sun, so it's necessary. Luna, I bought a drink too, so drink it right away."
Saying that, I handed the bottle of the drink to Luna.
Luna downed the drink in one go and grimaced.
"...Bitter."
Well, Luna is like a child, so she probably dislikes bitter things.
"You drank it well! Here, I bought ice sweets too. Let's eat together."
Anticipating this, I handed the sweet ice sweets I had prepared to the two of them.
"Cold and sweet and delicious..."
"This is my first time eating this too, but it's cold and delicious, isn't it?"
Seems it's quite well-received.
"Marine, have you never eaten ice sweets?"
Luna aside, it's surprising that Marine hasn't eaten them. I feel like a Princess would eat anything delicious.
"Yes, I had heard of them, but I wasn't allowed to eat them because they said it would make me unwell."
Even though they were inside the room, the two of them happily wore their straw hats and stuffed their cheeks with ice sweets.
Looking at her like this, Marine suits a straw hat as well as a crown.
The curtains are closed now, but this room gets pretty good sunlight.
Also, it was fine with two people, but with three, it's starting to feel a little cramped.
Should we move? There are many decent inns on the main street, but they are all in sunny locations. Inns with poor sunlight are all cheap places with bad facilities.
If it's a detached house, there should be rooms with poor sunlight normally.
It might be an option to buy a house, especially for Luna's sake.
◆◆◆
I came to the Adventurer's Guild alone.
The guild also mediates rooms and houses, so I can consult at the reception.
"Hero-sama, looking for odd jobs again today?"
"Today is different. I want a slightly large house or mansion. Can you show me a few?"
"A mansion? Certainly, it is about time you settled on a residence. So, what kind of house are you looking for?"
"Let's see, a place with poor sunlight and dampness would be good! Ideally, that's right, a Demon King's castle!"
Of course, I don't want a real Demon King's castle.
Dark, damp, and cool.
It just popped into my head when thinking of that.
"You're joking, right? Are you teasing me?"
"No, that's not it. I just said it as an example. I don't want a Demon King's castle, I want a house that is dim and gets absolutely no sun! Oh right, if possible, brick or stone construction with few windows would be ideal."
If it has poor sunlight and is made of wood, it seems like it would rot.
"Um, Hero-sama, generally people look for houses with good sunlight, you know? Are you being serious? Poor sunlight and dimness are defects."
Now that she mentions it, is that so?
I explained our circumstances.
"I see... so it's Luna-san's circumstances. I understand, I will look. So, will you be buying? Or renting?"
"The Empire is easy to live in, so I think I'll buy a nice house if there is one."
The receptionist girl is staring seriously at the documents.
Come to think of it, the conditions I gave are negative points.
They might not be listed in the documents.
"I have selected a few likely ones, but since they aren't in the documents, I'm relying on my memory. Sorry if I'm wrong."
"No, I'm the one making unreasonable requests. Don't worry about it."
"It helps that you say that. What would you like to do about viewing?"
"Let's see, since it's a house we'll all live in, I want to see it with everyone. Can you guide us tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow, then. Understood. I will assign someone to guide you."
"I'm counting on you."
I thanked her and left the guild.
◆◆◆
The next day, I visited the guild with Luna, who had completely recovered, and Marine.
"Counting on you today."
When we went to the guild counter, a young man different from yesterday's receptionist came over to us.
"Leave it to me, I will take responsibility and guide you. Hero-sama."
In the end, even at the Adventurer's Guild, it's "Hero," huh.
I'm used to it by now, though.
"House... buying?"
"I'm looking forward to it."
As usual, Luna's emotional expression is thin.
Marine looks somewhat happy.
[First House]
"This is it."
A sturdy-looking house made of brick. Indeed, it is dim, gets no sun, and has few windows.
It fits the conditions.
The house is large enough to be called a manor. However, it's pretty dilapidated. But that can be fixed.
"What do you think? I feel like it's pretty good."
"I'm fine with this place too..."
"Um, Zect-sama... let's not do this one."
Luna doesn't seem to have much interest in houses, so she seems fine here.
Conversely, I could see that Marine disliked it from the moment we arrived.
"What's wrong? Marine, we haven't even seen the inside yet."
"No, Zect-sama, it's not a matter of what's wrong! This is next to a graveyard, you know?"
Next to a graveyard? Is there a problem with that?
"Luna, do you dislike it here?"
"Luna has no problem..."
"Um, being next to a graveyard is creepy, so let's stop."
Is being next to a graveyard something to dislike that much? Luna seems fine, but Marine really seems to hate it.
"If Marine says so, it can't be helped. Sorry, could you introduce the next one?"
"Certainly, ordinary people do dislike it."
"Is that how it is?"
"Indeed, Hero-sama wouldn't understand."
Maria and I use holy magic, so basically, it's hard for us to feel uncomfortable in such places.
From an ordinary person's perspective, I guess it's unpleasant.
Come to think of it, I was bad with ghosts and such when I was a child too.
"Common sense." Both Luna and I need to learn that.
"Then guide us to the next one."
In the end, we headed to the next property without even viewing the inside of the first one.
[Second House]
"Haa haa, it's quite a good property, isn't it?"
Certainly, the building is good, just as said. But getting here was practically a hike.
"The building is good... but no."
"...Luna is fine here too."
"It is certainly inconvenient."
The building is good, but this is inside a forest.
It's too far from the Imperial Capital.
I don't mind, but it takes too much time for the two of them to go to the Imperial Capital.
This is rejected without even looking inside.
"Sorry, could you introduce the next one?"
"Haa haa zehh zehh... Understood."
I can tell the guide is tired.
We walked quite a bit, after all.
By the way, Marine and Luna don't look that tired, perhaps because I carried them on my back occasionally.
To think someone built a house deep in a forest like this.
After this, we were shown several houses, but we couldn't find "the one."
"However, good houses are hard to come by, aren't they?"
"Hahaha, that is true."
The staff member guiding us is smiling bitterly.
"Luna is fine anywhere... if Zect is there."
"I would prefer somewhere a little closer to town. The houses we've seen are too inconvenient for Luna-san and me."
Since Luna came from bad circumstances, she might be fine anywhere, but Marine is a former Princess, so I have to consider where we live for her sake.
"That's certainly true... Are there none inside the Imperial Capital?"
Thinking about it, why are they only introducing properties far from the city?
"I see! It seems the receptionist and I had a misunderstanding... Next, I will introduce a good property."
Did this happen because I said a dim place...?
"Counting on you."
◆◆◆
We returned to the Imperial Capital together.
Walking a few minutes from there, we came to a very familiar place.
"How about here?"
It’s darkest under the lampstand. To think there was a property in a place like this.
The introduced house is right next to the inn I am currently renting.
The manor is large, but it is surrounded by even larger buildings, so the sun doesn't hit it.
In this location, we can live a life no different from now.
Unlike before, both Luna and Marine have sparkles in their eyes.
"Isn't the location the best?"
"Here, really good..."
"There are no problems here."
If the interior is good, it's ideal.
"Then can you show us the inside?"
"Yes... right now."
It can't be called brand new, but it's not that old either.
It's much newer than my parents' home.
"The rooms are huge..."
"Doesn't it look nice?"
It seems both of them like it.
There are six rooms.
There's a kitchen and a large hall, and the bath and toilet are solid.
And above all, it doesn't get sun and has few windows.
Truly the best.
However, although this house has poor sunlight, the location within the Imperial Capital is extremely good.
Isn't it a considerable amount of money?
"Everyone seems to like it, so I think we'll decide on this one, but how much is it?"
"Hero-sama, it is free."
"What kind of joke is that!? There's no way a manor in such a good location is free, right?"
"Actually, the Emperor asked us that if Hero-sama came looking for a house, he would pay the bill, so we were to hand it over for free."
The Emperor made such arrangements?
If that's the case, I'll gratefully accept it.
"In that case, I will gladly accept it. Please give my thanks to the Emperor."
"Understood."
There is nothing scarier than free.
Probably, this debt... I'll have to repay it someday.
◆◆◆
We obtained the manor easily.
Since the Emperor paid for the purchase cost of the manor, I can use that money for renovations.
Thinking that, when I tried to request a carpenter through the Adventurer's Guild...
"In that case, we have received contact that the Emperor will cover the cost. The guild will accept it for now, so let's arrange a carpenter immediately!"
The Guild Master told me that.
He said a carpenter would come tomorrow, so I should tell them my requests.
The treatment is quite good. Is this part also a debt?
I don't really want to owe the Empire too much.
Well, establishing a foundation for life is a good thing.
From now on, I should make the area around the Empire my sphere of activity and do activities rooted in the region.
Since the biggest problem, the house, was settled, I was thinking about the future.
Currently, perhaps because of the ceasefire with the demons, the demons and monsters aren't aggressive.
Most demons and monsters returned to the Demon Country, but I heard that conversely, among the highly intelligent demons, those interested in humans want to talk to humans.
I started to think, 'I want to talk to demons' taking this opportunity.
I'll try asking at the Adventurer's Guild how to do it. The Adventurer's Guild is there for when you're in trouble.
"You want to talk to demons? You, Hero-sama?"
Well, for a Hero to want to talk to demons, their natural enemy, of course the guild receptionist would be surprised.
The Adventurer's Guild also serves as a place for information exchange.
So, they might know something.
"Yeah, do you have any information?"
"In that case, I hear demons have set up a trading post a few kilometers out from the Imperial Capital's gate. How about going there?"
"I see, thanks!"
I placed one copper coin on the counter as an information fee and left the Adventurer's Guild.
When I arrived at the location I was told about, many tents were set up, and shops were opened, divided into the human side and the demon side.
Certainly, if we aren't enemies anymore, it might be fine for a place like this to exist.
"Welcome! Humans! Geh, the Hero!"
Amazing, demons are pitching tents and doing business.
"Former Hero! Besides, I lost to Mammon and saw hell, so I'm a victim, aren't I!"
"Now that you mention it, that's true... The end was quite tragic. Yeah, that was terrible."
A scary-faced demon with horns. Talking to him, yeah, he's like a middle-aged guy.
If I keep quiet about Ceres being my best friend, 'I am a victim' might pass. I'm receiving sympathy too.
"So, Hero, for what purpose did you come here?"
"Please call me Zect. Calling me Hero is the same as humans calling Lucifad-sama the Demon King!"
The middle-aged demon thought, "Hmm."
"That's true... my bad. Since there is a ceasefire now, if you buy something, you're a customer! So, what do you want?"
"Do you have anything that blocks light, like the 'Mantle of Darkness' that Lucifad-sama has?"
In the current ceasefire state, the Demon King is the King of the Demon Country. I need to show proper respect.
I thought that if I could get something like the light-blocking "Mantle of Darkness," Luna could move around freely under the sun.
I don't want to give up on a life where Luna can live freely under the sun.
"You Hero... ah, sorry. For Zect to attach '-sama' to the Demon King, things have certainly become peaceful. The 'Mantle of Darkness' is equivalent to a holy weapon on the human side. Impossible! But why would a holy attribute Her... Zect want that?"
Demons are no longer enemies.
I explained the circumstances in detail.
"I'm surprised. To think the Hero is protecting a girl with an appearance like a half-demon. In that case, you don't need the 'Mantle of Darkness.' The 'Raiment of Darkness' is sufficient."
Mantle of Darkness and Raiment of Darkness?
It's kind of confusing; how are they different?
"Is there a difference between the two?"
"The 'Mantle of Darkness' is the ultimate armor of the demon race that cannot be cut by light magic, holy magic, or even holy swords. In comparison, the 'Raiment of Darkness' is something worn by races weak to the sun, like undead and vampires, to block the sun, and it has no resistance to magic. The names are similar, but they are different things."
"I see. The 'Raiment of Darkness' is sufficient. Do you happen to have any?"
"If you want new ones, you have to go to the Demon Country, but if second-hand is fine, I can ask around."
"Then, please."
"Yeah. Leave it to me."
The middle-aged demon went to the back and brought a pale woman over to me.
Silver hair, well-featured face, and protruding canine teeth visible when looking closely.
Considering her appearance, this woman is probably a vampire.
"Are you the one who says he wants the 'Raiment of Darkness'? Wait, aren't you the Hero?"
"Former!"
"Is that so? Well, I'm returning to the Demon Country soon, so I don't mind parting with up to four of them."
Four is enough, even as spares.
"In that case, I want four. So, how much is it?"
"You, this is a place for barter, you know? Did you not know?"
"Barter? I can't buy with money?"
"That's expected, right? Even if we have a ceasefire, we can't enter human towns, and human money can't be used in the Demon Country, so it has no value."
Now that she mentions it, that's true.
"Then tell me what you want. If it's something I can procure, I'll get it."
"You're in luck! I am a vampire, well, speaking of what a vampire wants, it's blood... A Hero's blood must be delicious, right? How about it? If you let me suck your blood for ten minutes, I'll give you the 'Raiment of Darkness'."
Normally, I'd be too scared to do it, but fortunately, my job is "Hero." A Hero won't become a vampire's kin even if their blood is sucked.
"Understood, you're on!"
When I answered, the female vampire suddenly circled behind me and bit into the nape of my neck.
Heroes have resistance to pain too, so it doesn't hurt.
If I had to say, it's like being kissed on the nape of the neck by a beautiful woman; it feels somewhat erotic.
I hear many vampires are beautiful men and women, and this female vampire is no exception—she is a beauty.
Silver hair and red eyes just like Luna.
And skin as white as snow.
The reason Luna is thought to be a comrade of demons might be because she resembles a vampire.
"Puhah! Delicious. This blood is incredibly delicious... Could it be Platinum Blood?"
The female vampire was surprised and released her mouth for a moment, but immediately bit down again.
What is it, this Platinum Blood?
Even if it's a vampire, being hugged from behind by a beauty and having my neck sucked is a reward in itself.
It should be about time.
"Hey, ten minutes have passed. Let go already."
"Just a little more... please."
"In that case, add another three minutes and throw in one more robe, making it five. How about that?"
"Haa haa, understood."
Being a vampire, she might be weak to the temptation of blood.
◆◆◆
"Hey, it's already been fifteen minutes. Let go already."
"Haa haa, okay. But is it because you're a Hero? To think it was Platinum Blood. Simply the best!"
"Um, what is Platinum Blood?"
"It refers to the finest blood for a vampire! A single drop of that blood is worth more than gold or jewels! If you like, won't you make a blood contract with me? My name is Yukine. Just by giving me that blood, I'll become your familiar right now!"
She's incredibly beautiful, and if it were the old me, I definitely would have said something stupid like, "Maybe I should ask her."
But now, I understand well that a harem is extremely difficult. My childhood friends who got along well seemed to have a hard time too.
The reason the three of us are living together well right now is because Luna and Marine are types who don't assert themselves much.
I probably don't understand "love" or "romance" very well.
A harem is impossible for the current me.
"That's an incredibly attractive story, but I'll pass."
"I can't let that slide! Do you have a complaint with me? Even among the vampire race, who are said to be beautiful, I am considered an exceptional beauty, you know."
Indeed, she has the looks to back it up.
She is certainly more beautiful than Marine, who is famous as a beautiful princess.
"I admit that! I have never seen a woman more beautiful than you."
"Then isn't it fine? Just by giving me that blood a few times a day, I will become yours, you know?"
"I think the old me would have jumped at it. But the current me has been through a lot, so I'm avoiding those kinds of things."
"Hmm, is that so? Well, fine. I understand that you acknowledge me as an exceptional beauty. Vampires are ageless and immortal. I shall wait ten or even twenty years until you change your mind."
"Waiting is useless."
I received the five promised "Raiments of Darkness" and left the place.
◆◆◆
I returned home from the trading post. It was already evening.
"Here Luna, I bought you clothes! Wear this when you go outside from now on."
"Yaaay, thanks Zect..."
Despite saying "yaaay," her face doesn't look like she's rejoicing.
It’s usual for her not to show much expression, but this time she looked somewhat dissatisfied. I've started to understand her vaguely while living together.
"Heeeh~ So Zect-sama's taste runs to those kinds of clothes? Is there none for me?"
"That is clothes exclusively for Luna. It's called a 'Raiment of Darkness,' and it can block sunlight. Sorry about your clothes, Marine; I forgot. Shall we go buy them tomorrow?"
"If that's the case, I don't mind. Please treat me well tomorrow. But, is Luna-san going to wear that? I think it's a little sexy? Luna-san seems a bit put off by it too."
So that's the reason for that "yaaay."
Certainly, the chest area is quite open, and the skirt part is short, so it can't be helped if it's seen that way.
"Luna, sorry. Tomorrow, while we go buy Marine's clothes, I'll have that fixed too, so give it back for a moment."
"...It's okay, it's clothes Zect bought for me, so this is fine..."
"Really? Can you try wearing it?"
"Understood..."
I understood the meaning of what Marine was saying.
When Luna, who has a small chest, wears it, the chest area is wide open to peeping, and looking at the skirt part, her underwear is flickering in and out of view.
"Luna, as expected, the dimensions don't match, so let's have it adjusted tomorrow."
"Un... certainly the size doesn't match."
It would be good to go out with the three of us tomorrow while shopping.
"Then, let's go out to town tomorrow while going to buy Marine's clothes."
"Thank you very much, Zect-sama."
"Zect... looking forward to it."
Well, playing around for a day once in a while should be fine.
◆◆◆
The next day.
"Alright, let's head out. First we'll buy Marine's clothes, then go fix Luna's clothes. Do Marine or Luna have any other places you want to go?"
"Luna has... none."
"I will leave it to Zect-sama. Please escort us."
I've never done an escort before, you know?
Lida, Maria, and Mel were types to go out on their own, and I just followed along.
Come to think of it, I haven't really thought about wanting to do anything myself either.
"Sorry... My life has been nothing but fighting until now, so I've never done an escort."
"You don't have to worry about it so much, you know? Just take us to places Zect-sama wants to go or places you like!"
Places I want to go?
Places I like?
This is a problem.
I... have neither.
"Marine. I'm sorry, my life until now didn't have 'those kinds of enjoyments'... The only thing I've bought for a woman was a necklace at a street stall; other than that, the most I did was go out to eat. Sorry."
When I was a Hero, I thought "I want to be free," but now that I've actually become free, I don't know what I should enjoy.
"Now that you mention it, that is true. Zect-sama went from journey to journey as a Hero, so you couldn't take that kind of time. It's only natural. I was shallow. In that case, please take us to a delicious restaurant, Zect-sama. I will escort us for the shopping. Although, since I rarely got out of the castle, I'm not that good at it either."
"Luna also... can't do it."
"If no one can do it, maybe there's no need to strain ourselves? How about we just finish buying Marine's clothes and fixing Luna's clothes, and then just wander around aimlessly?"
"That sounds good."
"Un... that is fine."
In the end, the three of us went out, bought Marine's clothes, asked a shop to adjust the dimensions of Luna's clothes, and spent the day wandering around aimlessly.
I felt like someone was following us, but... it's probably just my imagination.
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