When I said, "You can be a hero," to a child with no talent, he really started to become a hero, so I acted like I knew what I was doing, like I was a wise master. - Chap 32: The Hero's Home

Walking alongside Dan, I continued along the path.

“Ah, do you want me to carry you on my back? It’d be faster that way.”

“Thanks, but I’ll pass.”

Being carried on his back would mean we’d move too quickly, and I wouldn’t recognize the way. I need to keep up with his speed to remember how to get to his home… especially now that I’m finally learning where it is…

Alright, I’ll erect a pillar of unmelting ice around here as a landmark… I need to have some way of recognizing the place next time I visit.

“What are you doing?”

“Hm? I’m creating an ice marker using magic.”

“It reminds me of Hansel and Gretel.”

“What’s that?”

“Oh, nothing. It’s a bit of an obscure reference, so don’t worry about it.”

“Don’t just keep it to yourself, tell me.”

He’s always been like this, referring to unfamiliar fairy tales and legends he won’t explain. His bad habit is ending conversations by understanding something all by himself. When I glared at him, puffing out my cheeks in annoyance, Dan began to explain. It was a story about siblings who dropped bread crumbs as markers to avoid losing their way. I had never heard such a tale before… Where does he get all this information? Perhaps I’ll find out at his house.

“Ah, here we are.”

“… So, this is the place.”

The house was far more ordinary than I had expected. I had assumed that while it might not be a mansion, it would be a reasonably impressive dwelling. But Dan’s house was just like any other typical house one could find anywhere.

It was so bland.

With this, it’s no wonder nobody would find it. Who had said Dan’s home was in a sky castle or atop the world’s tallest mountain? It’s clearly in the countryside.

“I’m home~.”

“Welcome back, Da–“

Inside the house were two people resembling Dan – presumably his parents. They had probably been about to say “Dan.” But upon seeing me, they corrected themselves.

“Welcome back, Ban.”

Such quick thinking. Given my presence, they switched to his alias in a flash to maintain his secret identity. They were undoubtedly sharp – it was clear these were Dan’s parents.

“Oh, Ban, who’s this young lady?”

“Ah, this is Lin. She used to be the sage in that legendary hero party. She had some free time and wanted to come over.”

“Oh my, the great sage Lin from that legendary hero party came to our humble home? What an honor!”

“That’s right, Ban. Make sure you treat her well.”

They’re fishing for information. Especially his mother, who looks at me as if she’s trying to gauge whether I’ve caught on to the reason for my visit. On the other hand, his father seems to operate on the assumption that I’m still in the dark about Dan’s true identity. As for Dan… he might be blissfully unaware.

“For now, I’m all wet, so I’m going to change in my room.”

Saying this, Dan retreated to his room. The thought of being left alone with his parents was intimidating, so I followed him.

“Excuse me for a moment; I’ll be right back.”

I followed Dan. As he started removing his soaked clothes, I peeked into his room and was left dumbfounded. His face was as I remembered it, but his body was another story. It wasn’t that it looked strange per se, but the muscular definition was off the charts!

He possessed a body from another dimension. His abs were sculpted, and his arms seemed as though they were condensed with the power of the universe itself. He was lean, but his presence was intimidating.

His innocent face was in stark contrast to his physique…

“Ban.”

“Please don’t peek while I’m changing, Lin-san.”

“Sorry! But isn’t your body a bit… unusual!?”

“Oh, everyone in the countryside is built like this.”

“What!? Are you kidding!?”

“Hahaha. Lin-san, you’re royalty, after all. You probably don’t know what common folks look like. It’s understandable.”

No way I’m falling for that!!! I’m sure even among commoners, no one has a physique like that! Just because I’m a sheltered royal doesn’t mean I lack common sense!

“Anyway, let’s have dinner. I’m done changing.”

“Okay… but can I touch your arm for a second?”

“Go ahead.”

“…so firm.”

Hard. Very hard. If Dan were to hug someone with this physique, there’s no escaping his grasp…

“Thanks. Let’s eat then.”

“Sure.”

I desperately tried to impress Dan’s parents at the dinner table. I emphasized that I’m currently single, that I’ve been told it’s about time I get married, how I had a fateful encounter at an adventurers’ networking event, and how Dan recently saved my life from the Four Heavenly Kings.

It’s best to secure some support from his parents while I have the chance. Moreover, recently, I gained a disciple named Menmen, and there’s been talk of marriage. Another reason is that, at this point, it feels like it’s too late to back out.

After dinner, we went to a public bathhouse in the nearby town. I joined Dan’s mother in the women’s section.

Afterward, we returned home. Dan’s parents told me I could stay in his room for the night, so I did just that.

“Dan’s room is quite ordinary, isn’t it?”

“Well, I am an ordinary person.”

I almost laughed at how terrible he was at lying, but I let it slide. His room was filled with various books and notebooks. I couldn’t decipher their contents, but I guessed they were likely his daily logs from our travels.

“I’ll sleep sitting in the chair, so please use the bed.”

“That’s fine. Come on, why don’t we sleep together?”

“…Eh? Uh-“

“What? Are you a virgin or something?”

“…No, I’m not nervous because I’m a virgin or anything. And for the record, I’m not one.”

Ah, it seems he still gets surprisingly defensive about certain things. His choice of words also changed from ‘Boku’ (a softer form of “I”) to ‘ore’ (a more assertive form). I only teased him about being a virgin to provoke him a bit… it seems to have struck a nerve. Is he really that self-conscious about it? But then again, I don’t have any experience in that department either… Highlighting such inexperience does sting a bit for me, too…

“Well, I’m going to sleep.”

“…Alright then.”

Suddenly, the atmosphere became tense. Dan lay beside me, staring blankly at the ceiling.

We chatted aimlessly for a while. Time passed, and before I realized it, Dan had fallen asleep.

“I can’t sleep…”

My eyes were wide open. Moonlight streamed into the room. I sat in the chair where he had been sitting and looked outside.

To think that legends started from such a countryside is both astonishing and, in some ways, quite fitting.

Suddenly, while gazing at the moon, memories of the past flooded back to me. I wonder what Dan honestly thought of me. I was always too afraid to ask him for a straightforward answer during our journey. Perhaps he found me annoying or bothersome. Maybe he thought of me as a burden he constantly had to protect.

As these thoughts made me sad, I turned away from the bright moon and looked at his desk. It was an ordinary desk, but what caught my eye was an old, worn-out friendship bracelet. It was dirty and not well-made. But it was the bracelet I had bravely given him as a gift. I had said, “Some fan of the Hero handed this to me to give to you. It’s not very pretty, so you can throw it away.” But the truth was that I secretly made it myself. I gave it to him to express my gratitude and feelings. I wonder if he realized it was from me.

The mere fact that he kept it made me feel a bit happy.

◆◆

Morning came!!!

Wow, last night was something. With Lin staying over, I couldn’t sleep at all. I was nervous. After all, Lin looks so cute that having her sleep next to me made me tense. In the end, I am still a virgin… I can’t help it, I guess. Lin seemed like she couldn’t sleep either; she kept looking at the moon. I pretended to be asleep once, so I couldn’t talk to her anymore!!

I squinted and tried to get a glimpse of Lin, but the moment I saw her, my eyes shot wide open. Bathed in moonlight, she looked beautiful. Even though I’ve traveled to various places, if someone were to ask me about the most beautiful scene I’ve ever witnessed, I might say it was Lin illuminated by last night’s moonlight.

Though she looked beautiful, dark circles had formed under her eyes from not sleeping. Well, it’s hard to sleep when you change pillows. As for me, I have some infinite recovery ability, so I remain lively even when I can’t sleep.

“I think I should head home soon…”

“Are you sure? You look tired.”

“I’m fine…”

“Do you want me to carry you on my back?”

“…Would you? To the Fairy Kingdom, Frontier?”

“Of course.”

With that, I carried her on my back and began running.

“Speaking of which, there was a dirty friendship bracelet on your desk. What’s with that?”

“That’s a handmade bracelet. A fairy acquaintance gave it to me.”

“I see. Did that fairy acquaintance make it?”

“Yes, though the person who handed it to me said they were asked to do so by someone else.”

“Huh…I see.”

Back then, Lin hated showing her vulnerabilities and imperfections. She probably couldn’t admit she made the bracelet because it wasn’t well-crafted. Besides, I’ve caught her making them several times. She even bought a book on how to make them. It was apparent, but I didn’t pry too much since she seemed to want to keep it a secret. Anyway, that’s all in the past. I bet Lin has forgotten that shoddy bracelet she gave me long ago.

“By the way… I—”

“We’re here.”

“That was quick! I was about to say something important! Didn’t even give me time to speak!”

She seems excited. Maybe something good happened? She’s always been the lonely type. Perhaps she’s just happy to be home.