Do Heroes Need Welfare Too? - Chapter 168

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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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Part 2, Chapter 35

 

“…!”

 

I was at a loss for words.

 

“Do you think it worked?”

 

“Considering my mercenaries disappeared and that bastard Aphene vanished without a trace, probably so.”

 

Iselda’s eyes turned fierce at the thought that someone had dared to touch her people.

 

Since they had touched mercenaries she considered family, Iselda would never forgive him.

 

If Aphene really did resurrect, this time she would lend a hand.

 

No, she was the type to rush out before Adam even asked.

 

“Hm? Aphene?”

 

Ben, who had been out buying food ingredients and was carrying an armful, seemed to have heard his name belatedly.

 

I made an ‘oh no’ face.

 

Ben had met Aphene before.

 

But then Ben’s face turned pale.

 

“Don’t tell me the one I hit with a frying pan last time…! He’s dead?!”

 

Huh?

 

…Oh, that did happen.

 

I realized when Ben had heard Aphene’s name. And that day, thinking he was an intruder entering the Demon King’s Castle, he had beaten up Aphene.

 

Strictly speaking, we were the intruders and he was the owner…

 

“What? The Demon King, no, Aphene… Puhaha!”

 

Hearing this for the first time, Iselda burst into loud laughter.

 

Ben, who had been standing tensely, asked stupidly.

 

“…Isn’t it?”

 

Of course it wasn’t.

 

Apparently Ben had no idea that the person he had hit with a frying pan that day was actually the Demon King.

 

When I slowly nodded, Ben clutched his chest and let out a deep sigh.

 

“Phew, that’s a relief. Actually, I don’t really remember that day, but I do remember hitting someone.”

 

That must have been Aphene’s doing too.

 

Ben’s condition had been strangely off. But since he wasn’t someone who moved quickly even normally, it was even more confusing.

 

If it hadn’t been for that, Adam wouldn’t have had to suffer from nightmares either.

 

“My cook was more amazing than I thought, wasn’t he?”

 

Iselda said with a snicker.

 

After bursting into laughter, she seemed to feel much better.

 

“If he ever comes back again…”

 

“I’ll join forces anytime.”

 

As if knowing what I was thinking, Iselda grinned and patted my shoulder lightly.

 

Adam walking alone into danger.

 

He was lucky to defeat the Demon King single-handedly this time, but the Demon King had resurrected again.

 

Since we don’t know how things might change next time, Adam needs someone to help him at least.

 

“So what brings our little one all the way here?”

 

“Ah.”

 

At Iselda’s mention, I finally remembered the real purpose of coming to the capital.

 

Adam’s tastes might have changed over three years, so would it be better to ask Iselda, who seems to know Adam well?

 

“I was choosing a birthday gift for Adam.”

 

The Adam I had seen so far lived a life of non-possession.

 

He only used one sword from Nermia, and I had never seen him spend money on himself.

 

He disliked wearing accessories, yet I don’t know how many of my jewels he bought.

 

I felt sorry for always just receiving, so I wanted to give him something good.

 

However, Iselda spoke about my serious concern as if it were trivial.

 

“Do you really need to choose something like that? Obviously there’s only one thing that kid would like.”

 

…But why are you looking at me.

 

“The best gift would be you as the present. Should I tie a ribbon on you again?”

 

“What kind of nonsense is that.”

 

I glared at her with disgust.

 

But Iselda shrugged as if she had given truly excellent information.

 

“I’m right, aren’t I?”

 

“…Even if you’re really right, how could I get away with something like that.”

 

“He looked like he’d fall for it completely.”

 

To misunderstand Adam as that kind of person.

 

I was about to firmly correct the misunderstanding, but a large hand approaching me was faster.

 

“Still, it’s good to see you after so long. Little one. I don’t want the person I saved to die meaninglessly.”

 

Iselda ruffled my hair.

 

Her rough hand ruffled it affectionately.

 

“But what’s that thing you brought behind you? Can I catch it? I’m not friendly with the temple, so I can beat it up freely.”

 

“Um… No.”

 

I smiled awkwardly and glanced behind where Iselda had mentioned.

 

No matter how much Adam gave me freedom of movement, was overprotection unavoidable?

 

I didn’t turn my head and only moved my eyes to glance behind.

 

Despite my efforts, Iselda was openly watching.

 

Iselda seemed displeased with the behavior of the man following behind.

 

Iselda raised one eyebrow and asked.

 

“Should I get rid of him for you?”

 

“That won’t do either.”

 

If Iselda nodded jokingly, she really seemed like she would do it.

 

I firmly refused.

 

Iselda shrugged regretfully. Instead, putting her arm around Ben’s shoulders, she grinned and said.

 

“Then let’s go, chef. It’s already late to take responsibility for feeding 100 mercenaries!”

 

“See you later, Eve!”

 

Thanks to that, Ben couldn’t ask any more questions even though he felt something was strange.

 

Iselda turned around so Ben couldn’t see and winked at me.

 

As expected, it was consideration to keep Ben from getting involved.

 

Ben, who knew nothing, waved his hand as he went with Iselda.

 

I also waved back as if nothing was wrong.

 

When we first left the village, Ben was semi-forced, but now he was going to find work on his own, which made me proud.

 

‘Is this how mother Violet felt…’

 

But I still had something to do.

 

I approached the man who had been following me ever since we accidentally met at the mansion.

 

Even as I approached, he didn’t seem to have any intention of running away.

 

He just stood upright as if he had expected this when he saw me approaching.

 

I faced him and spoke.

 

If you’re going to secretly follow, you should at least take off that glittering silver armor.

 

“Go back.”

 

“But that goes against chivalry! How can I leave when a lady is alone in the capital.”

 

It was the Holy Knight I had seen a few times before.

 

In the past, he was the one who voluntarily came all the way to the Demon King’s Castle to see Adam.

 

When he came to the mansion, I thought he came to see Adam, but was his purpose me?

 

He volunteered to escort me, saying it was dangerous for a lady to go out alone.

 

But the more he did so, the colder my expression became.

 

“Then you should have said so from the beginning. Why did you secretly follow behind?”

 

“Actually, I was going to say something, but the Hero threatened me, saying I should never speak unless Lord Iberis spoke to me first…”

 

“…”

 

When did Adam even say something like that?

 

I uncrossed my arms that I had folded to act coldly.

 

No wonder he’d been following me with a face that looked like he wanted to talk since earlier.

 

“As you know, I don’t need an escort. So it’s fine.”

 

“But still, alone without even the Hero…!”

 

“I can use divine power, you know.”

 

If you had holy power, the person threatening me would actually be in more danger.

 

Especially since it’s been a long time since I received special training from Meriel, I might accidentally hurt them even more.

 

When I smiled confidently as if telling him not to worry, the Holy Knight’s eyes lit up even more as if he knew it.

 

Ah, somehow that gaze reminds me of the Priest Duo.

 

It was incredibly burdensome.

 

“You really are the Saint!”

 

“That can’t be.”

 

“But like Meriel, I heard you possess tremendous divine power.”

 

Isn’t that probably a system buff?

 

Without realizing it, my gaze turned upward.

 

It was where the Quest window was sparkling and showing off its majesty.

 

Since they’re displaying something like that, shouldn’t they give some kind of merit?

 

So it’s possible they gave Village Girl 1, who had no setting, divine power comparable to Meriel, who’s revered as the next Elderly High Priest.

 

No, if my guess is correct, even the Sacred Relic choosing me could be seen as intentional.

 

“That’s true, but…”

 

“Then you must definitely be the Saint! According to old texts, the First Saintess also appeared suddenly one day and helped the 1st Hero.”

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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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