The Man Who Remained — His Second Life Began with a Humble Bow of Apology. - Chapter 49: A New Home, A New Life, And New Days Ahead.

A New Home, A New Life, And New Days Ahead.

“Is it really okay for you not to go with him?”

In the government office, Aura spoke to Mercurius, the maid who was assisting her with her work.

“What do you mean?”

“With Cross, of course. You did promise, but… if you truly like him, you can go to him like Liber did, you know?”

Understanding what Aura was trying to say, Mercurius shook her head ever so slightly, her expression unchanged.

“I have no such intention. I will continue to fulfill my duties as Your Excellency’s maid, and by extension, as a maid of the Demon Lord’s Castle, until the very end.”

“Won’t you regret it? I only want to grant your wishes, Mercurius…”

“May I ask instead, Your Excellency—why are you so eager to send me to Cross?”

“Eh? Well… you just seemed to like him…”

“That’s true. I do find his fighting style, with its glimpses of greed and obsession for power, rather admirable.”

“Then you could go with him…”

“Your Excellency. Just because I am fond of him, do you think I would wag my tail and fawn over a weak man who does not even attempt to steal or claim me?”

“Hmm. But… Liber never wagged her tail for anyone either, and look at her now…”

“She is fine. She is not a dragon. But I… am a proud dragon.”

“…If you’re satisfied with your decision, then I won’t interfere. I was being unnecessarily meddlesome.”

“It’s no trouble. Besides, I have already told him that if he ever finds himself in trouble, he should come to me. And if it is truly serious, I have instructed him to consult Your Excellency as well, so there is no need for concern.”

“…So, in other words, it’s like saying, ‘I’m not interested in you, but if you are interested, you may pursue me,’ like some kind of tsundere move?”

“I apologize, but I am having difficulty understanding what you mean, Your Excellency.”

Mercurius spoke with her usual indifferent expression, making Aura give a strained smile.

In this world of monsters, there are various sayings that have been passed down.

Some are wisdom of the ancients, some are prophecies, while others are merely idle nonsense or wordplay.

Among them, there is one saying that goes:

“Never get involved with dragons, vampires, yuki-onna, or ‘Majin.’”

It’s a phrase known to all.

However, the phrase alone has taken on a life of its own, and very few understand its true meaning.

In truth, “never get involved” does not refer to violence—but, sadly, to romance.

These four races of women have been considered so troublesome since ancient times that the saying remains to this day.

From Mercurius’ overwhelmingly troublesome responses, Aura realised that the saying was indeed true.

Right now, it was merely a faint fondness akin to viewing him as an amusing toy, but if Mercurius were to truly fall in love, it would undoubtedly become horrifically troublesome.

Suppressing the sigh that threatened to escape at that thought, Aura continued speaking.

“Besides, I’ve already given him his final parting gift. Even if we never meet again, I will have no regrets.”

“Parting gift? Do you mean… that house?”

“Yes. That.”

“Hmm. It seemed a lot smaller than the ones I would have chosen… was that really okay?”

At Aura’s words, Mercurius made a slightly pained expression, as if at a loss for how to respond.

“…Please say whatever you wish. I don’t mind.”

“Then, pardon me. All of the residences Your Excellency prepared were… excessive. Giving him a mansion as a personal residence would only trouble him.”

“Eh? But I was planning to assign maids for cleaning and cooking too…”

“The moment you require maids to maintain a house… I’m sorry, but that is simply out of the question.”

“…Huh?”

“Besides, that man dislikes such assistance.”

“I see. Well, as long as Cross can live comfortably without trouble, it’s fine.”

“That is guaranteed. The dwelling I prepared is large enough for him to live comfortably with a partner or even raise a family there if he wishes.”

“I see, I see. …But, are you okay with him being alone with Liber?”

“What about it?”

“…Nothing. If you’re fine with it.”

“Yes. I have already informed Liber of Cross’ preferred tea brands and favorite confectionery shops, so there is nothing to worry about.”

At those words, Aura felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.

Wait, am I the weird one here!? I’m feeling this affectionate aura like she’s in love, but there’s no obsession either. What is this!?

Suppressing the urge to scream out loud, Aura continued.

“Mercurius, do you not have any demands of Cross?”

Seeing Mercurius’ dedicated preparations for Cross, Aura sensed love in them and asked.

“Demands? What do you mean?”

“Yes. You’ve served as his maid all this time. Isn’t there anything you wish of him? Anything you wanted him to do or become for you?”

For the first time, Mercurius’ expression shifted, transforming into something intensely sensual.

An alluring air radiated from her, carrying a chilling intensity down Aura’s spine.

Aura knew that deep crimson emotion well.

It was the dragon’s unique passion.

Dragons instinctively seek someone who can subjugate them.

Not merely someone strong, but a hero matching their personal ideal.

Just as people’s tastes vary, each dragon seeks a different kind of hero.

However, many dragons are drawn not to other mighty beings, but to the small and weak—those with a golden spirit, who never give up despite their frailty, and who ultimately overcome the dragon through sheer will.

Such qualities are deeply favored by dragons.

And it seemed, whether fortunate or not, that Cross fulfilled Mercurius’ ideal hero not through strength, but through his unyielding thirst for power and his resolve to remain by the Hero’s side.

“Old sayings really shouldn’t be underestimated.”

Aura murmured, letting out a small sigh.

“Ah, that reminds me. Your Excellency, may I request the weekend off?”

“Hmm? Of course, I don’t mind. But is something the matter? It’s rather early for you to visit your home village.”

“No. Cross mentioned wanting to ride the motorcycle again, so I thought I might take him somewhere with me on the back seat—”

“Wait, isn’t that basically a date!? Aren’t you two closer than I thought!?”

“Merely as friends and fellow bike enthusiasts, Your Excellency… Honestly, I think it’s problematic how you link everything to romance.”

“Huh? Am I the weird one here? Has Father corrupted my thinking…?”

Mercurius gently chided Aura, who was lost in a cycle of self-questioning with an unconvinced expression, before Aura returned her focus to her duties as the Demon Lord.

It was a twenty-minute walk from the Demon Lord’s Castle, and thirty minutes to the capital’s main street.

Standing there was a large building with no other structures nearby. Surrounding it was a garden with vast farmland, and beyond it rose a small wooded mountain.

Despite its natural, tranquil scenery, the location was extremely convenient.

Seeing it, Cross felt a pang of guilt.

“This isn’t something you buy with money… this is the kind of place normal people could never own.”

A spacious detached home with a garden that included farmland, close to the lively capital yet quiet and elegant.

Clearly, it was a villa prepared for royalty or nobility.

“You don’t have to worry about it. Apparently, this is the ‘modest’ option she chose.”

Hearing Liber’s words from behind, Cross grimaced.

“This is modest!? What kind of VIP treatment is this? Isn’t it insane?”

“You’re a rare titled Demon Lord Slayer, a victim and survivor of the previous Demon Lord. Whether in a good way or bad way, it’s only natural you receive VIP treatment.”

“…I guess that’s true. But what does ‘modest’ even mean in this context?”

“You should be grateful to Lady Mercurius. That’s all.”

Liber smiled wryly.

Had Mercurius not prepared this place, Cross would have ended up living in a noble’s mansion or a fortress-like castle—something he could never have imagined.

Even Liber, who knew Aura well, was surprised at her excessive doting.

It was like a grandfather spoiling his grandchild.

“…So this is Mercurius’ doing.”

“Yes. She thought, whether you became an adventurer with live-in companions or chose any other profession, this house would accommodate you well.”

“…It’s kind of… embarrassing. I know it’s not love, but… being thought of like this makes me happy, though it’s also awkward.”

“Oh my, how rare to see you blushing.”

Liber looked at him with a teasing smile.

“Shut up. Anyway, let’s go in.”

Cross tried to cut the conversation short, turning his gaze to the house before him.

It was a two-story cottage with a broad frontage.

There appeared to be a small third floor window, but it was likely too small to be a room—probably an attic.

The walls were painted a subdued white, with a chic gray roof, giving it an elegant, unpretentious design that exuded craftsmanship.

It was clearly built by a master artisan, with details that confirmed its high value.

“Oh, there’s a chimney. That means there must be a fireplace too.”

Liber spoke with excitement.

“Hmm… Hey, Liber, does it get cold here in winter?”

“Yes, it snows too. You’ll definitely want heating.”

“I see. Then the fireplace will be nice. Anyway, as fun as it is to stand here admiring it, we’ve got things to do. Let’s get inside.”

“Yes, Cross.”

Liber nodded, following him as he approached the grand wooden entrance.

Cross reached out and grabbed the handle—

Clack clack.

The sound echoed as the door refused to open.

“Ah. I have the key here.”

Liber handed him a metal key.

“…Good. Otherwise, I’d have had to embarrassingly return to the Demon Lord’s Castle.”

“Lady Mercurius would never make such a careless mistake.”

“That’s true.”

Cross nodded, inserting the key into the lock.

With a crisp metallic click, he gently pushed open the door.

“…I guess this is where I say, ‘I’m home.’”

Stepping inside, Cross spoke softly.

“Then I’ll say it too—‘I’m home.’”

Seeing Liber enter after him, Cross gave a small smile.

“Welcome back. Now, let’s decide on our bedrooms and unpack. Then we can explore and see what’s here.”

“Understood.”

With that, the two began exploring their new home.