Volume 2 Chapter 32 My Hero
I was taken aback by Ms. Nemophila's sudden visit.
I wondered if I was seeing a convenient illusion, so I asked to confirm.
"Nemophila? Why are you here all of a sudden...?"
"I came to say thank you. For what happened back then."
"...?"
Thank you? Her straightforward response made my head tilt in confusion.
"Um, Milady, I think you might need to explain a bit more."
"Hm?"
Right after that, I heard a familiar voice coming from behind Ms. Nemophila. Then, a small figure peeked out from behind her.
"Long time no see, Sir Roezé. I'm glad to see you're doing well."
"Ms. Kikrys..."
Ms. Kikrys, with her white hair tied back and wearing an apron, brought me a sense of comfort just by being there. At the same time, I felt a strong sense of déjà vu. Come to think of it, when I first came here, they had seemed to have a similar exchange...
"I deeply appreciate all the help you provided during the royal succession war. I haven't had the chance to properly thank you for that, so I came today to do just that... as the young lady requested."
"I-I see..."
So, they had come to properly thank me for what happened back then. Understanding the situation, I quickly invited them inside. I prepared tea and snacks on the recently tidied table. They tried to stop me, saying they were the ones here to thank me, but I felt most comfortable with this style of hospitality, so I went ahead with the preparations.
Then, Ms. Nemophila handed me two fancy-looking tote bags as gifts. Inside were a variety of expensive-looking sweets, tea leaves, and dishes packed in abundance. Having visited this Nurturer so many times, it seemed they perfectly understood my tastes. By the way, there were also items addressed to Rose included in the bags.
"Honestly, I wanted to give you something more expensive or money, but Kikrys stopped me. She said that Roezé might not accept it."
"Well, it's true that directly receiving money is a bit... As a reward, I've already received enough as a Nurturer."
Ms. Kikrys really understood.
"I'm just really happy that you came to see me like this. Ms. Nemophila is already so busy. Isn't preparing for the abdication tough?"
I thought that even the time she's spending talking to me might be precious to her. When I asked, Ms. Nemophila showed a slight tiredness on her otherwise expressionless face.
"Yeah, it's a bit tough. I have to learn a lot of difficult things. After the abdication, I want to focus on Kikrys's hometown first."
The main reason Ms. Nemophila aimed to become a queen was to help the slums, which is Kikrys's hometown. She would need to come up with specific policies for that, so it seemed like there was still a mountain of work ahead.
"I've been getting a lot of help from Elder Sister Clematis, so I have to become a good queen. Right now, I'm leaving everything about Bro Crocus to her."
"I believe Lady Clematis is currently leading the investigation into the First Prince Crocus's misdeeds, right?"
"Yeah. She said she wants to make that her 'last job'..."
"I see..."
Lady Clematis's time was running out. So, if she wanted to fulfill her final duty, she probably thought this matter was the best choice. That way, she could pass on the right to inherit to Ms. Nemophila in a completely clean state. That's so like Lady Clematis.
"So, after helping Kikrys's hometown, I want to do something about the Spirit King's Army next."
"Spirit King's Army?"
"To catch the monster that cursed Elder Sister Clematis and to prevent any more damage like that."
...I see.
It seemed like an even tougher problem than helping the slums, but Ms. Nemophila had set a new goal. She wanted to deal with the Spirit King's Army to prevent the same kind of damage that Lady Clematis had faced. Right now, even with just Ms. Nemophila, we had a huge fighting force, so it shouldn't be a problem if we ended up clashing with the Spirit King's Army. With her around, we could never lose.
Just as I was thinking this, Ms. Nemophila said jokingly, "Maybe we should ask Roezé for help again, like when he helped Kikrys. My sister also said she wants Roezé to join the kingdom's army if possible."
"Well, if it turns into a war with the Demon Lord's army, I really don't think I can do anything. It was Rose who helped Ms. Kikrys in the end, not me."
Even if they let me join the army, I didn't think I could do much. Rose would be much more suitable for that. With someone as capable as her on our side, the army's strength would be solid.
I was so weak that I could even lose to a mere group of criminals. Remembering that time made my expression darken without me realizing it.
"...Roezé?"
"Oh, um, sorry. I just remembered the time we helped Ms. Kikrys."
Even though I boldly declared, "I'm going to help Ms. Kikrys," in the end, I had to rely on Rose. It was pretty pathetic.
I really wanted to handle it on my own, but it didn't go as smoothly as it did for Rose. I guess part of it was that Rose was just too strong. Thinking back, I felt something similar many times when I was with the hero party. The amazing ones were never me; it was always everyone else.
"This situation has made it clear to me again. I can't be a cool hero like the main character in an adventure story. Well, it's not like I really want to be one anyway."
But when I see all these amazing people around me, it naturally makes me reflect on myself.
I wondered if I really didn't have any talent like that. A talent that could scatter a crowd of villains in an instant. A talent that could make you feel like everything could turn around just because this person was there, even in a clearly disadvantageous situation.
Of course, I didn't have even a hint of such talent.
"To help someone, you need strength. And my strength is only meant to help others grow, so I can't shine myself. I'm destined to be a side character for life."
Rather than feeling sorry for myself, I felt an extreme embarrassment as I continued.
"After acting all cool and declaring I'd go help Ms. Kikrys, in the end, I ended up being saved by Rose. I've come to realize my own weakness once again."
"Sir Roezé..."
I couldn't help but smile wryly at how pathetic I felt.
Just then, Ms. Nemophila stood up and, like Cosmos earlier, came around behind me. Right after, she placed her hand on my head and spoke in a gentle voice.
"Still, Roezé is my hero."
"..."
As she ran her fingers through my slightly messy hair, Ms. Nemophila continued.
"You made me stronger. You made me a king. You helped someone important to me. I might not be able to be a hero to many, but Roezé has already become my hero."
"..."
Hearing those kind words, I finally understood the meaning of this act. It seemed she was trying to cheer me up.
Even if I couldn't be a hero who could save many, I had already saved one person. I had become Ms. Nemophila's hero.
"So I'll definitely rely on you again. And you can rely on me too. If you have any troubles, just say anything. I'll definitely help."
"...Yes, thank you."
Her reassuring words made me feel somewhat saved.
Just one hero, huh? That might not be so bad after all.
When she said to let her know if I had any troubles, I reflexively replied with these words.
"Well, if that's the case, I'm sorry to ask so suddenly..."
"...What?"
"If you have time again, please come visit this Nurturer. I don't think the next king has that kind of free time, though..."
When I made that request, hoping for the best, Ms. Nemophila surprisingly gave an eager response.
"Yeah, I'll definitely come to play again. So, Roezé, you should come visit us too. You can come over anytime, just like a friend's house."
"...Yes, if it's not a bother."
Ms. Kikrys in front of me smiled as she looked at Ms. Nemophila behind me. When I turned to see what was going on, I noticed a warm smile on her face, which was usually expressionless.
End of Volume Two.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)