S-Rank Adventurer Betrayed by His Fiancée in the Hero’s Party Sets Off on a Journey to Heal His Broken Heart ~The Strongest Betrayed Adventurer Ends Up Forming a Harem Party~ - Chapter 28: Since Then, Moving Forward

Chapter 28: Since Then, Moving Forward

Two days have passed since then.

The stampede disaster that struck Cahel ended with a miraculous result: zero civilian casualties and complete resolution within a single day.

Of course, there were some losses among the combatants, but for a stampede of this size and scale, the casualties were unbelievably low.

And after I joined the fight? There weren’t any losses on the front lines either.

Alvia tried to stop me at first because she was worried I might harm the frontliners in the crossfire, but come on—I was careful.

I adjusted the direction and length of 《Lake Cleaver》 so it wouldn’t hit the town.

I even provoked the Demonkin to draw the monsters toward me, making sure the damage didn’t spread any further.

I’m one of the more reasonable S-Ranks, you know.

I don’t go dropping meteors everywhere, releasing killer plants, or blasting magic that turns the area into a wasteland.

…Well, if someone had gotten too close, they might’ve gotten caught up in my attacks.

But hey, that’s on them for being within my combat range during an emergency. Right? Yeah, definitely their fault.

Speaking of which, there’s the guild master, Alvia Nate.

The moment I returned to the town, she dropped to the ground, bowing in complete submission.

Apparently, she thought I was furious with her. She even tried to lick my shoes, begged me with things like, “Please, take me until you’re satisfied!” or “Just make me your slave!”

It took quite some effort to stop her. That was… exhausting.

Honestly, I wasn’t that mad at Alvia.

The incident with that delinquent B-Rank adventurer, Gera or whatever, wasn’t a big deal.

Half of all adventurers are rough types, and scuffles are pretty common.

You beat them up, and that’s the end of it. If they still don’t get it, you make a spectacle out of it—it’s an industry built on fistfights, after all.

The guild usually doesn’t interfere. Adventurers are free to act, for better or worse.

Even Kamul, the old man, only steps in when it involves well-known adventurers.

If someone’s behavior is really out of line, they’ll step in with corrective measures. But most of the time, it’s just warnings, penalties, or scoldings.

As for her trying to stop me from fighting? She could see and hear what was happening with Elmie and the others using magic to enhance her senses, so she made it just in time.

If things had gotten really bad, I could’ve wiped everything out from that spot anyway.

Sure, I was annoyed that Elmie and the others had to go through some pain, but it’s not like she abandoned them.

She stopped me because she was absolutely certain I could save them.

It was a calm and rational judgment based on the idea that I was the one most likely to cause collateral damage.

Rude, but… I can’t get mad at her for it. That’s the kind of reputation S-Ranks have. Sad, really.

That said, having a beautiful blue-haired woman clinging to me with a dazed, blissful expression? That was terrifying.

It felt less like admiration and more like worship.

Honestly, it felt like I’d broken open some forbidden box that should’ve stayed locked forever.

She was shouting things like, “Your heroic form! Your power! I’ve documented it all perfectly!”

Thankfully, Elmie and the others dragged her off to have a “talk,” and I was spared further awkwardness.

“Sigh… Just when I thought I’d cleared my head, it feels like another headache is sprouting up.”

“When that happens, maybe you should just close your eyes… and let it go?”

Suddenly, my vision went dark.

At the same time, a sticky-sweet voice whispered into my ear.

“Nfufu, guess who…?”

“Something new and troublesome is pressing against me… Frey, right?”

I already knew someone had snuck up on me, and she’s the only one who can pull off a voice like that.

I gently moved her hands away and stepped back, turning to face her.

“A happy kind of trouble, wasn’t it?”

Standing there was Frey, flashing me a seductive smile.

Behind her, Elmie and Maria were watching, both fully recovered.

“Honestly, the moment Frey finds Abel, she starts playing tricks on him…”

“It’s not a trick; it’s called skinship. Skinship.”

“Good morning, Abel. Did you sleep while we were away? You’re not still pulling all-nighters, are you? Otherwise, we might have to personally put you to bed again.”

“Maria!”

Maria wrapped her arms around me suggestively, making Elmie’s face turn bright red as she shouted.

“Haha… Well, I’m glad to see you’re all back to full health. It looks like your injuries have completely healed.”

“Thanks, Abel. I thought I might end up with a few scars, but the healers here are amazing. Hehe.”

With a slightly flushed face, Elmie smiled as she rolled her shoulder in circles.

Although their wounds had been closed by the Highest Grade Healing Potion, the three of them still looked pretty battered two days ago. They had been staying at Cahel’s healing clinic to recover.

Their unusually quick recovery brought relief, and since I had some errands to run, I came to pick them up.

…Still, while Elmie spoke like it was no big deal, she must’ve been worried about whether scars would remain.

The same went for Frey and Maria. Honestly—

“I’m so glad… If scars had stayed on any of you, I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself.”

“It’s okay. You came to save us, Abel, so… eh, huh!?”

“…Oh.”

The words I was thinking slipped out, and suddenly… that night’s events flashed through my mind.

“I’m so happy you still remember your big sisters~! Ah, Abel~♪”

“Hearing that makes me so glad~! Maybe we should let you take a look tonight, hmm?”

“Frey, Maria… what!?”

Taking full advantage of the moment, the alluring twins pounced on me!

With their identical stunning beauty, they wrapped their arms around me tightly, pressing their soft bodies against mine.

It felt different from before—this time, the sensation of their touch, the faint scent they carried… stirred feelings in me I hadn’t experienced much before.

“H-Hey, wait, you two…!”

“Nfufu~… Elmie, come join us!”

“Wha—?!”

Elmie, who was about to complain about the situation, stopped as one of the culprits—Frey—released her grip and pulled away, her soft presence leaving my arm.

As Frey stepped back, I couldn’t help but feel a fleeting sense of loss but let it slide.

She then grabbed my hand, pulling me aside and leaving enough space for one person. Frey gestured toward Elmie, as if saying, “This spot’s open for you.”

“U-Uh…! H-here I go…!”

“What!?”

I didn’t think she’d actually do it, but… Elmie hugged my arm tightly!

Elmie was a little shorter than me, but tall enough for a woman. And as she pressed against my arm, her chest was right at the perfect height…

Since she’d just been discharged from the healing clinic, she obviously wasn’t wearing armor.

Though not as overwhelming as her sisters, the soft sensation of her body was very noticeable…!

“E-Elmie…?”

“J-just stop talking and let’s go already! You came here to pick us up, didn’t you?”

Her face flushed red as she clung to my sleeve, practically dragging me along.

“Well then~! Big Sis will take this side! Don’t mind me, just keep walking forward, Abel~!”

As Elmie reluctantly let go, Frey immediately took her place—hugging me from behind this time.

She nudged my head forward, turning it to face the building next to the clinic.

It was a structure that symbolized the organization running the clinic…

And for me, it brought back memories of both determination and despair.

The Southern Sky Faith’s church.

・　・　・　・　・

“Welcome, and thank you for visiting. We’ve already heard about you from the Estumué sisters and another notable individual.”

Upon entering the church, we were greeted by the priest who seemed to be the leader here.

She guided us toward a secluded area deep within the church, a place reserved for insiders.

“Thank you for saving the town. On behalf of the Souther Sky Faith’s Cahel church, we are deeply grateful.”

“Ah, don’t worry about it. I just cut down someone who pissed me off, that’s all.”

“Haha, to a hero, even a major disaster is just ‘that sort of thing,’ isn’t it?”

The elderly priest chuckled warmly, and for a brief moment, glanced back at the three women still clinging to me.

“Your deeds are well-known among us in the Souther Sky Faith. In fact, perhaps even more so than among adventurers. To see the devoted Estumué sisters interact with you in such a way, and for you to accept it… it tells us much.”

There was a faint sadness in her words.

She must have some inkling about what happened between me and Millia.

“Uh… sorry about the way we look right now…”

“It’s no trouble. Seeing young people close to one another like this is heartwarming for us.”

Even inside the church, the three of them were still clinging to me.

Frey, in particular, was puzzling. Despite staying wrapped around me, she somehow managed to move without disrupting my steps. It was surprisingly coordinated—and baffling.

“The world rarely goes as we wish… Ah, pardon me. At my age, I can’t help but meddle unnecessarily. You likely don’t want me touching on certain matters, so I will simply offer my prayers. Now, this way, please.”

Eventually, the priest stopped in front of a certain door.

“Inside, the one you’ve been summoned to meet is waiting. Please enter. May the blessings of the Sky Goddess be with you.”

“…Thank you.”

A prayer to the Souther Sky Faith’s chief deity.

After receiving her blessing, I stepped into the room. It was empty—at least, of people.

There was, however, some furniture: a sofa large enough to seat several people and, on the table, a magical device I had seen recently—the Far-Seeing Crystal.

The crystal was already active.

“—A pleasure to meet you, S-Rank adventurer, ‘Four Swords’ Abel Sixam.”

From the crystal, not only a voice but also the image of a woman appeared.

She had silver hair and wore pure white ceremonial robes.

“I am Ciel Alfanum, the Saintess.”

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[Author’s Notes]

Merry Christmas! This is Sora Akatsuki.

As a Christmas gift to all my wonderful readers, here’s an update. Feel free to recommend it to whoever you’re spending the holiday with.
As for me? No chicken, no cake this year.
Wishing all of you a joyful and blessed holiday season!

☆, ♡, and most importantly, comments are always welcome!