Do Heroes Need Welfare Too? - Chapter 23

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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 23

Near the shoulder of the gray armor, the same temple emblem that was embedded on the carriage was engraved.

He was truly a knight belonging to the temple.

It wasn’t a mark that a mere coachman would possess.

‘No, why is a holy knight driving the carriage himself? Where on earth did the coachman go?’

For now, thinking that as a maid she should greet him before the Hero, she approached the man.

“Nice to meet you. I’m currently the maid serving the Hero.”

“Oh! Hello there. I’m Aphene, a faithful knight of the Celestial Temple.”

He extended his hand as if pleased to meet her.

Was he asking for a handshake? I reflexively reached out my hand, but Adam’s arm blocked it.

“Ah, Hero! It’s an honor to meet you! I’ve only heard stories, but seeing you in person, you truly have an impressive appearance. That at your waist must be the holy sword, right?”

“Yes.”

“….”

Adam finished his response with a short answer.

The holy knight, who had been expressing his joy with his whole body like a large retriever wagging its tail, looked at me with a confused expression at his cold reaction.

‘Is the Hero in a bad mood today?’

‘I, I don’t know!’

We conversed with our eyes.

Though it could be because of this morning’s nightmare, he always showed displeasure whenever the temple was mentioned.

However, it wasn’t something to say directly to a holy knight from the temple, so I quickly changed the subject.

“Do holy knights usually drive carriages?”

Of course not.

Aphene shook his head vigorously, then raised his voice dramatically.

Gone was his dejected appearance from before, and his eyes sparkled brightly again.

“It’s because you’re the Hero! I’ve only heard rumors of the Hero’s achievements and never had the chance to see you with my own eyes. I couldn’t miss such a glorious opportunity!”

I nodded after hearing that explanation.

‘Come to think of it, in this playthrough I was playing hard to get with the temple. Even when visiting the temple, I’d just take items and leave again. I chose to ignore the High Priest’s request to stay just one more day and left.’

So it seemed the temple’s passionate courtship of the Hero had unfolded.

A Hero who hears the voice of god (=me) appeared after decades, but instead of coming to the temple, he only goes to solve problems.

Moreover, even after killing the Demon King, he doesn’t go to the temple or palace to receive praise for his achievements, but just settles down in the Demon King’s Castle….

‘Hmm, if I were them, I would have sent such a magnificent carriage just to see his face once.’

It was also a way to appeal ‘We think so highly of you!’

Once the holy knight’s mouth opened, it didn’t know how to close.

Like an excited child wanting to boast, he poured out words no one asked for like rapid fire.

“Hehe, and it was me! I won after a very fierce battle.”

“Did you kill someone?”

I slightly covered my mouth with my hand so the Hero couldn’t see and asked him quietly.

Then he opened his deer-like eyes wide and was startled.

“This little miss has such frightening thoughts! We competed very fairly with rock-paper-scissors. It was quite a spectacular match.”

He chattered on about how thrilling and masterful that rock-paper-scissors battle was, and I naturally let it go in one ear and out the other.

With so many people who like the Hero like this, why does he only stay in this barren Demon King’s Castle?

‘As expected, he must like my capital prime real estate redevelopment plan.’

After reaching that light conclusion, I scurried over to Adam. Then, just like I had done with Aphene, I covered my mouth with my hand and whispered.

“He doesn’t seem to be an enemy!”

“He wouldn’t be. What would happen if the temple pointed a sword at the Hero?”

“…Would the temple get destroyed?”

You are the protagonist, after all.

“Who knows. I’m now someone who can no longer hear the voice of god.”

A self-deprecating voice.

Though he said it casually, there was a barb in it.

I hoped Aphene hadn’t heard this and glanced over at him unconsciously.

‘Come to think of it, this treatment must be very suffocating for the Hero.’

Due to the aftermath of the player (=me) who gave divine oracles being sucked into the game, the third party who used to intervene with Adam had disappeared.

The Hero is a being revered for hearing the voice of god.

Then currently, Adam who cannot hear god’s voice is just a Hero in name only.

If discovered, in the worst case scenario, he could even be burned at the stake for blasphemy….

‘Ah, no way. Surely not. No matter what, he’s the Hero who killed the Demon King?’

However, if all things in the world were decided by merit alone, why would the phrase “discarding after use” exist?

Hunting dogs are boiled when their usefulness ends.

A Hero without substantial backing or power is truly in a dangerous situation.

The temple that sends grand carriages to show off its power would surely change its attitude if they knew he could no longer hear god’s voice.

‘I need to see how the temple reacts….’

The goal for this temple visit was set.

I clenched both fists tightly.

* * *

Contrary to her resolution, Iberis fell asleep in the carriage heading to the temple and woke up to a voice calling her.

“Eve.”

“…!”

To see Adam’s face as soon as she woke up, this was a bit dangerous.

Iberis rubbed her eyes in a half-awake state. Only his face appeared clearly, which was strange.

Was this the effect of a beautiful person?

“Did I fall asleep?”

Ah, my throat is a bit hoarse.

Watching Iberis clear her throat with small coughs, Adam made a slightly mischievous expression.

“Yes. You slept very well. Without even knowing we arrived at the temple.”

“We’re already here?!”

Indeed, unlike when she first boarded the carriage, there was no feeling of movement.

Murmuring sounds could be heard from outside.

Due to temple regulations not allowing windows in carriages, she had gotten bored and eventually fell asleep.

“Shall we get up now, sleeping princess?”

“Is the plan to embarrass me and drive me away still in progress?”

Adam, who got off the carriage first, extended his hand to her without answering.

Iberis was about to obediently place her hand in his.

Just then, with a clattering sound, the voice of the holy knight who had been driving the carriage was heard.

“Hero! Please allow me to do that.”

“No need. I can handle something like this myself.”

As if it wasn’t troublesome at all, he took Iberis’s hand that was still suspended in mid-air and helped her down from the carriage.

“Wow….”

Escaping the cramped carriage and taking in the sight of the temple, Iberis was genuinely amazed.

The unique architectural style of the pure white temple was just as she had known it.

‘To think I’d see this again.’

The feeling was refreshing.

It was as overwhelming as when she first went inside the Demon King’s Castle. Possession aside, things like this were truly fascinating.

A building caught her eye in one corner of her vision.

“That place over there is….”

The place that the Hero must visit when visiting the temple.

It was the sanctuary with the massive stone statue depicting the form of god.

However, this wasn’t information that Iberis, who lived in a small village, should know.

Iberis withdrew the finger she had unconsciously pointed in her excitement.

‘Nobody saw that, right?’

Acting like I know things might cause unnecessary misunderstandings.

For now, let me pretend I don’t know anything.

But that was only for a moment.

Adam narrowed his eyes at how she moved skillfully through the entirely familiar structure.

“Have you ever been to the Temple before?”

“…No? How could that be? How could someone like me who lived in a small village have ever been to the Temple?”

Iberis felt her spine grow cold as she took Adam’s hand.

‘I need to be careful. Seeing what I’d only seen in the game in real life was so fascinating…’

It would be better to stick close to his side and just go wherever he leads. While it’s normal for the Hero to move freely in the Temple, it wouldn’t be for an ordinary maid.

“Eve?”

Just as Iberis, who had been excitedly exploring the building with quick steps, suddenly changed her attitude to stay quietly by his side, Adam called out to her in confusion.

“Hero. We have been waiting for you.”

The High Priests who had lined up waiting for his arrival all had their heads bowed except for one Elderly High Priest at the front.

Wearing white priestly robes with golden embroidery that signified their status as High Priests, they gave off an somehow sacred feeling.

Iberis slowly shifted her gaze to the High Priest at the front who appeared to be the eldest.

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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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