Do Heroes Need Welfare Too? - Chapter 84

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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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Chapter 84

“Ha.”

A laugh so short it could be considered mocking burst from Adam’s mouth.

A small mutter of “still the same” followed after.

“Unfortunately, that won’t happen. I’m not bold enough to dare defy the orders given when that person was present.”

“You mean the God who gives divine oracles to the Hero?”

“…”

Instead of Adam, who suddenly clamped his mouth shut, I answered so she wouldn’t feel awkward.

“Yes!”

Iselda stroked my hair gently as if praising me and said.

“How curious. From what I know, God only chooses the Hero and doesn’t show compulsion in other matters.”

Really? But if I didn’t choose options, the game wouldn’t progress.

“But that doesn’t mean God abandons the Hero. Yet from what you’re saying, it seems like God is no longer by your side.”

I, who had been happily receiving her stroking, became noticeably flustered.

Iselda, who had risen to the position of Mercenary Queen, hadn’t gotten there through luck as she often said.

Both Adam and I, understanding the direct meaning of her words, froze for different reasons.

‘But, God is right here…’

I couldn’t bring myself to open my mouth and explain to Iselda.

“That’s enough.”

“Alright~”

Adam coldly countered Iselda’s near-accurate deduction.

While I inwardly calmed my surprised heart at her words, he looked more dejected than as if a secret had been discovered.

But according to Iselda, since God minimizes interference in human affairs, she would believe that God had left the Hero’s side after achieving the objective.

‘Even if that’s not the case, I can just act nonchalantly as if God is still here.’

If I claim to receive fake divine oracles, who would prove otherwise?

Iselda walked leisurely with quick steps, but the distance between me and Adam widened.

Adam’s steps were slow because he was matching his pace to mine.

Iselda went ahead first, then looked back, realized her mistake, and stood still waiting for us.

“Little one, does it hurt a lot? Should I carry you on my back?”

“…No. I’ll decline.”

Knowing who was causing the delay in movement, Iselda didn’t blame us and gave me a choice.

However, having memories of falling from a three-story building after unconsciously nodding to Iselda’s proposal before, I quickly refused.

It was survival instinct.

When I declined, Iselda nodded readily.

Her hair tied up high swayed and moved each time.

Her red hair, clearly visible even in the dark night, suited her well.

“Hmm, I’m a busy person. I understand.”

Iselda walked away again as if disappointed.

However, knowing my condition well, I sighed.

I confirmed that Iselda had gone that far and spoke to Adam in a small voice.

“Do you think Iselda still has prejudices from when she dealt with Potato, I mean, monsters?”

“It’s difficult for people to erase prejudices they’ve held their entire lives. Especially mercenaries receive many requests to kill monsters, and they’ve killed many and many have died… I can’t be certain they’d become our allies even if we trust them.”

I had planned to ride on Potato’s back as a backup plan, but after hearing Adam’s words, I sighed.

“Let’s do this instead.”

Adam looked me over, then put his arms between my knees and lifted me up.

“Ahhh!”

Hearing the sharp scream, Iselda also looked our way.

However, before I could say anything to Iselda, I wrapped my arms around Adam’s neck, afraid of falling.

“How can you suddenly pick me up!”

“If you can’t ride a monster, I’ll at least carry you.”

What kind of extreme choice is that!

However, perhaps thinking my tight embrace around his neck was silent agreement, Adam instantly leaped and ran to where Iselda was.

“Oh, you two get along well?”

Seeing her smile with eyes curved like a full moon, she seemed to be thoroughly misunderstanding.

Iselda, that’s not it.

Just before I opened my mouth to explain, both Iselda and Adam started moving simultaneously.

I squeezed my eyes shut, then marveled at their wind-like movement.

Even though Adam was carrying me, he was moving neck-and-neck with Iselda.

Iselda also laughed seeing him like that.

“So you’re not just a Hero in name only?”

Even while running fast, her breathing didn’t waver.

The remaining half of the distance to our destination was covered in less than half the time it took to get this far.

When the main gate of the Demon King’s Castle came into view, I protested to Adam to put me down, and he obediently set me down.

Upon entering the Demon King’s Castle, Iselda whistled at the unexpectedly spacious area.

“I thought the Demon King’s Castle would be dark and gloomy, but that was prejudice.”

“It used to be. I changed everything.”

I shrugged my shoulders proudly at Adam.

I had replaced all the curtains that made the Demon King’s Castle devoid of any light, and a few days ago, Ben and I had even changed the wallpaper inside the castle.

Though I couldn’t change all the walls of the Demon King’s Castle, at least Adam’s frequently used study had changed enough to suit fresh flowers.

I guided Iselda to the reception room.

The reception room, which I had Abracxas polish to a shine, had accumulated a thin layer of dust as no one had entered during the few days I was away.

I quickly wiped it away with my hand before Iselda could see and seated her in front.

Then I brought up the main topic.

“Will you really give the Demon King’s Castle to the mercenaries?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, it really is a good proposal, but…”

Iselda, who had been positive until now, showed a troubled expression.

This was a different reaction from just before when she had praised the size and location of the Demon King’s Castle, saying “the Demon King has good taste.”

“Wouldn’t it be suitable as a resting place for mercenaries traveling between the capital and other villages? Since they wouldn’t have to pay money to stay, it wouldn’t be a burden either…”

“…Wait, so it’s free?”

Iselda showed a flustered expression for the first time. She had apparently been worrying about the cost.

It was closer to the capital than expected and could accommodate many mercenaries.

“The Demon King’s Castle land is territory the Emperor abandoned anyway. Whoever takes it first owns it. So it doesn’t matter who I give it to. Ah, of course the Hero has also given permission.”

I grinned.

Iselda looked at me, her eyes shining sharply as if gauging something.

Then she shifted her gaze to Adam behind me.

Even under the sharply shooting gaze, Adam didn’t say anything particular.

However, for Iselda, that alone seemed to be sufficient answer.

She erased her smile and straightened her posture.

“Mercenary Queen Iselda accepts your goodwill.”

Then she suddenly knelt on one knee before me and spoke.

As she bowed her head, the red hair tied in a single bundle that I always had to look up to see swayed gently.

Flustered, I quickly told her to get up.

When Iselda finally raised her head, her expression wore the same mischievous smile as before. However, instead of standing up immediately, she untied her hair and bound the long red cord around my wrist.

“This is my goodwill.”

Kindness for kindness, hostility for hostility.

Iselda, seemingly reciting what appeared to be the mercenary motto, checked my wrist this way and that to see if it was properly tied before finally standing up.

I fiddled with the cord tied around my wrist.

It was tied so tightly that it wouldn’t come off easily.

“If you show this, mercenaries will help you at least once.”

Iselda said with a hearty laugh that if you just keep accepting kindness given unconditionally, it will cause problems.

Having come to Adam’s office and even written a contract, she read through the terms with satisfaction.

“I’ll be the one to tell the mercenaries. So don’t chase away any unfamiliar mercenaries who come.”

“Of course.”

Iselda extended her hand to me as if offering a handshake.

After shaking hands a couple of times, she then reached out her hand toward Adam.

Adam extended his right hand, and Iselda looked at the sword hanging on his left side, then said with a chuckle.

“Anyone can see you’re left-handed! I don’t believe in those strange superstitions, so let’s shake hands comfortably, yeah?”

Iselda patted Adam’s back firmly.

Adam was flustered but, overwhelmed by Iselda’s energy, extended his left hand and shook hands with her.

Iselda tilted her head while still holding his hand.

“Have we done this before?”

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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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