Do Heroes Need Welfare Too? - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 15

* * *

The place Iberis headed to was none other than Dainil Village.

“I’m back!”

“Huh? Eve! You came back really early?”

Ben, who examined her complexion, placed his hand on his chest and let out a sigh of relief. It felt like a hundred years of worry had completely lifted.

Seeing her come with that expression, there must be no problem with the Hero’s well-being.

For the past few days, Ben had been so worried that the Hero’s condition might be critical that he couldn’t eat properly or live properly.

“Thank goodness!”

Ben spread his arms wide and approached to embrace her who had brought precious news, but Iberis quickly ducked her head to avoid him.

Tommy ran over to Iberis, who was shaking her head.

“Sister!!”

“Tommy, why is Ben acting like that?”

She casually asked him, but Tommy’s complexion was also strange. His usually plump cheeks had become gaunt.

Just as she was about to feel touched, thinking he might be worried that she was being tormented by the Hero, Tommy spoke.

“Ben finally became normal again.”

“What do you mean?”

She tried to kiss Tommy’s small cheek, but he skillfully blocked and pushed her away with his hand while continuing to speak.

“He’s been acting weird for days!”

“Huh? Ben? Why?”

“I don’t know. He suddenly stuck his nose in dishwater saying he’d atone for his sins with his life… He even voluntarily worked, saying he’d offer this foolish being’s labor to the country!”

Tommy wrapped his shoulders and shivered as if he had witnessed something terrifying.

Hmm, that was indeed a bit problematic.

“So is he still working?”

“Mom kicked him out telling him not to act like an old man before dying.”

That’s a relief. We almost lost our cook who we were going to semi-forcibly kidnap to Violet.

Iberis hurriedly checked the condition of the sacrifice—no, Ben.

Ben, who had returned to his original state, was back to his usual arrogant self. Still, his chin had stubble growing pointedly, showing how much mental anguish he had suffered.

As expected, he’s the same unemployed loafer today too.

After confirming Ben’s unchanged appearance, Iberis crossed her arms and proudly puffed out her chest.

“Hehe. I brought a job for you!”

“A job?”

“Yeah!”

Ben’s eyes narrowed at her words.

“What kind of job? It’s not somewhere weird, is it?”

Seeing his suspicious gaze, Iberis snorted and whispered in his ear.

“You’ll be the Hero’s personal head chef!”

“!!”

Ben’s eyes widened in surprise. The people of Dainil Village couldn’t possibly dislike the Hero.

Even villagers who hadn’t received direct help from the Hero naturally revered him for killing the Demon King for their sake, so it was obvious how the people of Dainil Village felt, since the Hero had personally protected their village from attacks.

However, the heat that had appeared in Ben’s eyes cooled down again.

‘Huh, this is unexpected.’

She had expected a positive reaction like ‘Wow! How dare lowly me become the Hero’s cook!’ or ‘Is that really true?!’

But Ben’s thoughts were different.

“But… thinking about it, I think I’m fine here too.”

Then he tried to sneak away to where his bedding was. Iberis didn’t miss the opportunity and stepped in between, spreading her arms to block him.

“What did you say before, Ben?”

Where do you think you’re going?

Now there was no room for mercy.

I can’t stand watching my baby eat completely hardened and dried bread!

Even if it means sacrificing the work-hating Ben, I’ll perfectly solve his food, clothing, and shelter.

Startled Ben looked at the ceiling and played dumb.

“What, what? I don’t remember…”

“You said you’d work if I brought you a proper job, right? Stop making excuses and follow me!”

I’ve decided on you as the cook! Ben!

* * *

Watching the figure moving slowly to reduce footsteps, I smiled bitterly.

Even if I somehow lost him, I had insurance so he couldn’t escape.

His effort was admirable.

I placed my arm on Ben’s shoulder as he was sneaking back to the village, unaware that I had noticed.

“Ben.”

“Kyaaah!”

I knew this would happen. I caught Ben who was trying to escape by reducing his footsteps.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

I had already finished talking this morning. Violet was happy that the freeloader was finally working at a proper place.

‘Though I didn’t mention it was the Demon King’s Castle.’

At least I didn’t lie.

Yeah, I just didn’t say anything.

Even Ben, who had been resisting, wiped his tears at Tommy’s encouragement and agreed to follow obediently.

However, since we were walking through a secluded forest without telling him the destination, Ben kept trying to escape.

Wasn’t he secretly heading back to the village again while I was distracted?

“No. I just feel like I left something behind…”

“No, no. It’s fine. If you left something, you can buy it again.”

“I think I didn’t turn off the kitchen fire.”

“It’s fine. Violet will turn it off.”

“I also haven’t hidden the alcohol under my bed yet…”

“Tommy threw that away ages ago. Didn’t you know?”

“No way! My precious liquor! I mean, ahem. Anyway…”

Ben rolled his eyes as if he had no more excuses. Frustrated by his appearance, I smacked his back.

“What do you mean anyway! Let’s hurry up. At this rate, we won’t arrive until tomorrow evening.”

However, Ben’s steps through the dark forest remained slow.

Constantly checking behind him, Ben looked anxious. He seemed to still harbor suspicions.

“What’s wrong?”

Finally, I asked with irritation and confusion. You already said you’d do it, so why are you acting so restless?

“Is the Hero really staying in a place like this? It’s too eerie… You’re not trying to harvest organs, are you? Come to think of it, suddenly being the Hero’s maid was strange!”

“I told you no! Where are you going… Potato!”

“Uwaaaah!”

At my call, Potato, who had been secretly following from the bushes, instantly caught the collar of the fleeing Ben.

Ben confirmed who was biting his clothes and froze like a rabbit before a predator.

Seeing him like that, I recited a line I had always wanted to say.

“Hehe. If you follow obediently, there won’t be any bloodshed.”

“Wh-wh-why are you casually saying such villain-like lines?”

“But it’s true though. Let’s go, Potato!”

I should have done this from the start.

I climbed onto Potato, who was biting Ben’s collar.

I petted Potato’s brown fur and said.

“It’s okay. Potato doesn’t bite people.”

“Th-then what’s he biting right now?!”

“…”

I made eye contact with Potato. Hmm, he is indeed biting something.

“To be precise, it’s clothing, so it’s not really a problem. Haha.”

Our Potato could do that.

I brushed it off with laughter and patted Potato’s back. Then Potato began running like lightning.

“Ahhhhh!”

Ben’s screaming gradually faded away.

When we arrived at the Demon King’s Castle, he had a dazed expression as if he didn’t even have the energy to scream.

Potato obediently spat Ben out in front of the Demon King’s Castle gates. Ben rolled once as he got up and looked around. He seemed half-unconscious, but recovered immediately as soon as his feet touched the ground.

Indeed, even if you enter a monster’s den, you can survive as long as you keep your wits about you.

Ben looked around nervously. However, he tilted his head as if this wasn’t the place he had expected.

“Just like Elderly Former Hunter said, you’re really fine? But Eve, isn’t this the Demon King’s Castle?”

Since Dainil Village was close enough to see the top of the Demon King’s Castle, he knew it well too.

The castle that emitted an entirely black light as if embedded with obsidian was beautiful, excluding its notorious reputation as the ‘Demon King’s Castle.’

“Yes. But currently the Hero is staying here after killing the Demon King.”

Then Ben nodded as if he understood why I hadn’t told him the destination.

Still, even if it was the Demon King’s Castle, it was a castle.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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