Vol 1 Chapter 41 – The Guardian’s Triumphant Return【Vol 1 – Spoiled Princess Arc】

“Hero-dono, is riding the horse not too painful for you?”

“No, I’m alright.”

I was riding back to the royal capital on horseback alongside the knights who had crushed Biriel’s private army. Alfred-san seems to be very concerned about me.

…But being asked the same thing so many times is starting to get a little depressing. I’d be happier if he told me to run instead of worrying about me riding…

“Still, you served as the rearguard against an overwhelming force all on your own. Considering the state of your injuries…”

Looking at Alfred-san, I can tell he’s truly worried about me from the bottom of his heart. Yes, but that experience was simply wonderful.

A great mass of people, all rushing to kill me at once… It was a magnificent sight. Slashed by swords, stabbed by spears, pierced by arrows, blown away by magic…

The girl who shot magic at me was especially wonderful. For some reason, Biriel thought to kill such a splendid girl, so I had to stop him.

It turned out she was a domain resident who had been forcibly drafted into the private army, so thanks in part to my wishes, she was acquitted. She gave me a strangely sparkling look as she left, saying, “Let’s meet again!” Yes, please do hit me with your magic again next time.

…Oops, getting excited while lost in thought seems to have made Alfred-san look at me with concern. I need to dispel that…

“Thank you for your concern. But I’ve already been treated by this one here, so there’s no danger to my life. Please, rest assured.”

“Is that so…”

Alfred-san’s gaze moves behind me. There, clinging to my back, was Miriam.

Princess Debora, who had tried to ride with me again, was quite indignant, but Miriam is clinging to me and refuses to let go, so I must apologize to the princess and have her ride in the carriage. For some reason, ever since we were reunited, she won’t let me go.

There is a rather large, soft sensation… Normally I’m quite sensitive to these things, but it seems I’ve grown numb.

“If you say so, Hero-dono… Please, tell me anytime if it becomes too much.”

“I will.”

I feel like Alfred-san has gotten even kinder since I served as the rearguard. But truly, I’m not pushing myself at all.

Miriam’s recovery magic is magnificent; it healed my wounds completely. The pain at that moment was… heheh, it was splendid.

And the pendant Miriam gave me was also extremely useful. Without the healing from that pendant, I might have become immobilized from blood loss.

I don’t die, but my bodily functions are the same as a normal person’s.

“You were a real help, Miriam.”

“…”

When I thank her, she tightens her grip around me. I’d be grateful if she’d squeeze hard enough for my organs to pop out… but unfortunately, Miriam doesn’t have that kind of strength.

…Still, her chest is really pressing against me… Is this okay?

“…I was a wreck.”

Just as I was wondering if she was trying to be affectionate, Miriam muttered softly. …A wreck?

“Miriam, were you attacked by Biriel’s private army after?”

What… that’s a serious matter. If so, I really wish I could have experienced that myself… No, but the chance to serve as the rearguard was hard to pass up…

As I was thinking that, she pressed her head against my back. If she’s going to press something, I’d prefer it be a blade.

“No. You were a wreck, Erik.”

“Ah…”

It was wonderful, yes. I had so much fun that someone like me is tempted to let my guard down and recount the battle in vivid detail.

Injured by all sorts of attacks, the types of pain were so diverse! It’s great…

“Thanks to your pendant, Miriam, it was only that bad. Thank you.”

“…No, it wasn’t useful at all.”

That’s not true… I was truly grateful. Unfortunately, it seems to have exhausted its power, and the pendant broke.

Hmm… what a shame.

“Erik was so beat up that the pendant used up all its power.”

Yes, that’s right. Hehehe… It was a marvelous experience.

So much so that I’d love to ask for it again if the opportunity arises.

“You were a wreck, Erik, but my heart was a wreck, too. …Do you have any idea how I felt when I was separated from you?”

Miriam asks this, hugging me tightly. No, I can’t say that I do…

“I was in so much pain. I thought that maybe, just maybe, you were going to die, Erik.”

“Heh, you worry too much. I have my skill, so I won’t die.”

“But you haven’t properly tested that either, so you don’t really know, do you?”

…She does have a point. I doubt it’s true immortality.

It’s not something I was born with, so there’s a lot I don’t know about it myself.

“Besides, even if you don’t die, you still feel pain, Erik. …Being that beaten up, it must have hurt, right? It was agonizing, wasn’t it?”

I feel a dampness on my back. It wasn’t agonizing… In fact, I was delighted.

“…You’re so kind, Miriam. How many times has your kindness saved me?”

That said, it’s not like being worried about is unpleasant. I take Miriam’s hand, which is wrapped around my stomach.

“No. The one who’s always been saved is me. I wanted to be useful to you, but I can never seem to manage it. This time, too, I just ran away and left you behind.”

“That’s not true.”

I deny it at once.

“How much you help me, Miriam… you might not even realize it yourself. But please know that my gratitude for you is greater than you could ever imagine.”

That’s right. It is precisely because Miriam is here that I can push forward on the path of masochism.

My immortality skill may prevent death, but it doesn’t automatically heal me. Paired with Miriam’s recovery magic, it becomes perfect.

Since we’re on horseback, I can’t turn to see her face, but I squeeze her hand tightly instead.

“Please, stay with me from now on. With you by my side, Miriam, I can overcome any hardship.”

The pain I’ll savor in the process… just imagining it makes my heart pound…

Did my feelings get through to her? Miriam hugs my body even tighter.

“Okay…!”

As a calm atmosphere settled between Miriam and me, Prince Orace approached.

“Sorry to interrupt such a nice moment, Hero-dono. But could you spare a thought for my sister? It would be a disaster if she decided to set off an explosion here.”

As Prince Orace’s wry smile directed my gaze, I saw Princess Debora peering out of the carriage, her cheeks puffed out as she glared this way. I’d love for her to cause an explosion.

“Hero-dono.”

“Yes?”

He puts a strange force into his words, making me tilt my head.

“This time, we were truly saved thanks to you. If you hadn’t served as the rearguard back there, Debora and I would both be dead. The country would have been thrown into chaos. To willingly go to such a cruel place of certain death and return alive… I want to offer you my highest praise and thanks.”

…Is Prince Orace really a member of the Vilemse royal family? I’d be much happier if he were more… I don’t know, abusive, ordering me to defeat everyone or something…

“No, as Princess Debora’s Knight of Fealty, I merely did what was expected of me.”

Let’s just say that for now. That’s right. I’ll count on King Rei to satisfy my M-tendencies.

…No, wait. Maybe the people of the capital will blame me for using up tax money by mobilizing the knightly order again. Hehehe, hope is dawning.

“Hah… So humble. I can see why the people adore you as the Altruistic Charity Hero. You don’t even boast about the achievement of saving the lives of royalty.”

I get my fetish satisfied, and others get their lives saved. This is truly a symbiotic relationship…

“But rest assured. The full details have already been sent to the royal capital.”

“…Pardon?”

I tilt my head as Prince Orace gives me a smile that says “job well done.” Sent the details? What did he do?

At that moment, I had no idea what the prince was talking about, but I would find out upon our arrival in the capital.