Volume 4 Chapter 33 The Power To Make Someone A Protagonist
Suddenly, Jostum, who came to visit the Nurturer, said that he wanted to talk to me.
So I decide to leave Rose and Cosmos at home and talk to Jostum outside.
"Should I follow you? Just in case that guy does something weird to you, Mr. Roezé."
"N-no, it's fine. I'm not going to pick a fight or anything."
Previously, after a bit of a scuffle here with Dahlia and Jostum, Rose said that out of concern as she watched.
I appreciate the thought, but I don't think there's any need for worry from Jostum's weary tone.
In fact, if Rose were here, I think there would be an overwhelming tension between us that wouldn't allow for any decent conversation.
So, I leave the two of them behind and step outside to talk to Jostum a bit away from the entrance.
"So, what do you want at my place?"
"It's not that I had business with your house. I came here to give something to that red-haired girl who inherited the title of Eastern Hero."
"For Rose...?"
What on earth does he want to give her?
If that's the case, maybe I should have brought Rose with me, I wonder, as Jostum pulls out a bundle of papers from his pocket.
"It's a request and cooperation plea that was addressed to Dahlia. Hand it over to that red-haired girl later."
"Ah, so it's related to the Hero."
It seems that he came to deliver this in place of Dahlia to the next Hero, Rose.
This is apparently part of the rules when inheriting the title of Hero.
But there really wasn't any need for him to come directly here, was there?
I'm sure if he asks someone at the guild they'll give it to her, and besides, there's no guarantee that Rose will be here today.
Well, we've met here before, so I guess he thought it would be safer to leave it to me.
And after Jostum entrusted me with the hero-related things, he turned around and left.
"What? That's it?"
"You thought I had something else to do? I don't want to see your face either."
And with that, I almost left.
Well, I suppose neither of us wants to see each other's faces.
I was expecting some nasty remark from him, so I was a little disappointed.
However, Jostum suddenly came to a stop after taking 2 or 3 steps.
"......Even now, I still believe that kicking you out wasn't a mistake."
"Huh?"
"That's what Dahlia said."
Jostum said this while looking back at us.
Surprisingly, while I was frozen in place, Jostum spoke with a confident tone as if declaring something.
"I'm not thinking of trying to bring you back now, and I'm not telling you to return to the party either. We're going to reclaim the title of hero solely on our own strength and revive as the Hero Party."
It sounds a bit like a sour-grapes statement, but it could also be interpreted as a declaration of resolve.
Maybe he came all this way to personally hand over the request form, bypassing the guild, to convey that again?
After losing the Hero title and being targeted by both the Forest King's Army and the Spirit King's Army, it would be frustrating to just give up without fighting back.
If that's the case, then it's just right.
I also had something I wanted to convey to the Hero Party once more.
"I'm the one who's grateful for being kicked out from Peace Sign; now I can enjoy being a Nurturer like this."
"Huh?"
"Because right now, I can do this and have fun as a Nurturer."
There isn't any special meaning behind this response.
No, maybe I just wanted to let out the feelings of regret that I've been holding in ever since I was kicked out of the Hero Party.
Feelings like the frustration I've felt since I was expelled from the Hero Party.
"In this world, in this town, there are many talented people who could become the main character. And I realized that I can help them awaken their talents. I would never have realized this if I had stayed in that party."
So now I'm actually grateful that they kicked out the hero's party.
When I told him what I had always wanted to tell him, Jostum looked displeased, just as I expected.
"Your power is too good to be limited to the Peace Sign, you say?"
"I don't intend to be that full of myself, but if I achieve my goal, I just thought that being kicked out was the right decision in the end."
Originally, the reason I was in the hero party was to defeat the Dragon King's Army, which is my parents' enemy.
However, that tragic wish might be more likely to come true if I strengthen many adventurers as a Nurturer in the long run.
So, just as they weren't wrong to kick me out, I also think it was the right choice to be kicked out.
More than anything, I was able to reaffirm that I like 'raising people,' and as a result, those I helped grow in this town, like Rose, defeated the Forest King's Army and the Spirit King's Army.
Feeling anxious that it might have sounded sarcastic, Jostum didn't seem angry and gave an unexpected response.
"This time, it was you guys who defeated the Forest King's Army and the Spirit King's Army. I don't intend to complain about that, and I'll admit that you should hold the title of Eastern Hero for now."
"..."
I never expected Jostum would admit defeat himself.
However, he quickly returned to his usual tone and continued.
"But, you know, it's not like Dahlia has completely lost yet. She's still going to get much stronger from here on out, even without borrowing the power of a Trainer. So, I still think kicking you out wasn't a mistake, and I won't apologize for it."
"...It's fine either way."
Jostum, who believes in Dahlia's talent unconditionally, is stubborn, and suddenly lowers his voice to say.
"Just..."
He turned around and showed me a complicated expression.
"As his comrade, I'm grateful that you stopped Dahlia's rampage this time. I couldn't do that."
"..."
Dahlia had come all alone to the invasion zone of the Forest King's Army.
To get back at them for what they did to her.
Jostum seems to deeply regret not being able to stop the rampage as a friend.
It seems that the other 2 companions are still bedridden due to the battle, and I was the only one who could stop it.
As I was unexpectedly frozen in place after being thanked for stopping the rampage, Jostum turned on his heel this time.
He left behind the words "I'll repay this debt someday" and quickly disappeared into the depths of the alley.
Maybe he came to Nurturer today because he truly wanted to convey this directly.
"...No way, right?"
While thinking that there's no way Jostum would do such a thing, I found myself feeling strangely refreshed as I looked up at the blue sky.
At last, it feels like the grudge with the hero party has been resolved.
Of course, it would be a lie to say that I no longer hold any resentment about being kicked out of the hero party.
Just seeing Dahlia and Jostum's faces brings back the painful feelings from that time.
So it doesn't mean I've completely forgiven them, but it's okay if they don't apologize anymore.
This time, I was able to defeat the Forest King's Army and the Spirit King's Army on behalf of Dahlia and the others, and Rose has received the title of hero, so that's enough to clear my mind.
And besides...
"Ah, welcome back, Mr. Roezé. What did you talk about?"
"You weren't on the receiving end of some hateful remarks again, were you? If you need, I can help teach them a lesson."
I already have a solid emotional support.
My beloved town of beginnings, my precious Nurturer, and my trustworthy companions.
Even after being kicked out of the hero party, I now have plenty of support.
So there's no way I'd want to return to the hero party now, and I'm truly relieved that they're not saying that either.
After all, I'm a Trainer who enjoys nurturing people, and from now on...
A great battle had ended, and the peace of the town had been protected, and peaceful days had returned to Nurturer.
End of Volume 4
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)