228 — Hero (4)

“…What?”

Cho Seol-hwa muttered.
She looked at the unfolding scene as if she couldn’t believe it.

What she saw with her eyes.
The group of the <Order> rejoicing at having survived, embracing each other in joy.

This was none of her business.
It’s fine if they are happy among themselves.

But what caught her attention was the sight of them taking care of civilians who hadn’t evacuated in time and some hunters who helped with the purge.

All of them lacked any divinity.
To the Order, they were less than beasts.

Cho Seol-hwa felt even deeper confusion at the sight of paladins helping Yu Seha and Peng Jin-ah here.

‘…Why?’

Cho Seol-hwa’s pupils trembled.
What she noticed was the fact that they were helping <Overlord Sword> Peng Jin-ah.

“…I understand Yu Seha has strong divinity, but the <Overlord Sword> has none at all, so why…?”

Cho Seol-hwa muttered.
The woman in the robe answered.

“Regardless of possessing the divinity or not…”

“They are also human.”

“They are not so lacking in humanity as to ignore those who risked their lives fighting for them.”
“……”
“To them, the <Overlord Sword> is a hero and a comrade who fought alongside them.”

The woman in the robe fell silent for a moment.

About a month ago.
She thought of the white-haired woman who came alone.

Su Ok-bin, the vice president of the association.
Not particularly disliked, but not close either, the words she spoke when she came were quite unexpected.

“…You want to join hands? Even with other forces?”
“Yes, Clan Master.”
“…Not bad. But only if the <Order> is gone.”

Words that clearly expressed hatred.
Su Ok-bin said while sipping her tea.

“…I can’t say I understand the anger.”
“……”
“But Master, I also have similar wounds to them, though not as much as you.”
“I suppose so. After all, your blood flows in your body.”
“Yes, but… not everyone is like that.”

Su Ok-bin told her story.
About the priests she recently met.
Those who question whether lacking [Divinity] is truly inferior and prepare opposition activities.

They were just unable to speak properly against the overwhelming pressure of the powerful bishop and the rotten ideology.
She explained that even they were beginning to sprout doubts.

“Among them, the head nun Divine Light Garam whom I first met a few years ago… greatly overturned their prejudices about them.”

“Divine Light Garam. I’ve heard of her. My daughter’s senior at the academy. I heard she was an orphan raised by the Order from the start. Wouldn’t she have such ideology?”

“She is trustworthy. A young saint who ascended a few years ago. Both are arrogant, but at least they do not discriminate people by divinity.”

“…Isn’t that just because they are young? They will naturally change like the bishops over time.”

“…Maybe. But I believe the <Order> can change. And the era of that change is not far off.”

“…Hmm?”

Su Ok-bin explained.
A great cataclysmic era is coming soon.
A huge disaster that will kill most of the lazy and arrogant bishops will come to this world.

“A chaotic era of turmoil.”

This will be the same for the association, clans, the Order, and the academy.

“Therefore, a symbolic existence is needed. Someone to unite everyone. And we found such a talent.”

---

“……”

The woman in the robe looked at Yu Seha.
She chuckled.

She had only come to see how great the man her daughter first openly defied was.

“…He seems to be an even greater talent than I thought. Beyond expectations.”
“…Yes, I also agree with the evaluation of Yu Seha, at least.”

Yu Seha is a man suitable for the young lady.

“Oh my, is that something you say in front of your mother?”
“Though not related by blood, I am like the eldest sister to the second young lady. From my perspective, he is the number one groom candidate.”
“…Haha, this is funny. The parties themselves know nothing while the adults fuss like this.”
“Isn’t that the fun of raising children?”

The woman in the robe smiled softly.
She turned her body.

“Let’s go back first. Things will get noisy from now on.”

A person who rose from D-rank straight to B-rank at lightning speed.
A male hunter just turned 19.
He defeated an S-rank monster and saved hundreds of lives.
He stopped the arrogant <Order>’s downfall with his own hands.

Just listing the facts, many people were thrilled by the story.

The woman took off her robe.

Revealed was flowing red hair.
A beautiful appearance similar to Ju Na-young.

<Clan Master> Ju Ye-young.
She smiled softly watching the groaning Yu Seha.

She was certain.
This was definitely the biography of a hero, and she was at the center of that hero’s footsteps.

‘But…’

A separate story.
A completely different concept.

She once wanted to have a private interview with Yu Seha.

She wanted to ask.

‘What is his relationship with my daughter…?’

What exactly, she thought…

If she knew her daughter’s feelings…

Not as a <Clan Master>.
But as the mother of her daughter, she wanted to hear a possible answer.

---

Two days later.

Currently, I was lying on a hospital bed as if it was very natural.

‘…There aren’t many injuries though.’

It was just dizziness from magic exhaustion.
Limbs were intact and no fatal damage.

Even if there were injuries, with [Rapid Healing] and [Wave of Light that Steals], I had enough recovery power to regenerate even if limbs were cut off.

The doctor who examined me said I didn’t need to be hospitalized.

Then why on earth was I wasting time here?

Complaining, Peng Jin-ah, who was sitting beside me peeling an apple beautifully, scolded me.

“Hey! Cadet Yu Seha. Don’t pout your lips like that.”
“…This is clearly a waste of time. Master. You should be exercising in the training ground instead of this.”

-Click!

“Ah!”
“Don’t talk nonsense! No matter how fine you look outside, you never know. After such a fierce battle, you shouldn’t think about running more without resting your body.”
“… B-But the doctor said it’s okay…”
“Don’t argue! At least rest for one more day!”

Peng Jin-ah gave me a fierce look as if saying absolutely no.
Yes.
The reason I couldn’t go out and was here was because she was watching me with sharp eyes under the guise of nursing.

‘…I have no choice but to obey her now.’

She was my master.
I also felt personally sorry towards her.

To be frank, Peng Jin-ah didn’t have to participate in this ‘Kirin’ purge at all.

The only reason she joined was because of me.
She stayed with me until the end and went through all hardships.
Physically and mentally.

This time, it seemed right not to be stubborn and to follow her words obediently.

Tap.

At that moment.
A beautifully carved rabbit-shaped apple piece touched my lips.
Peng Jin-ah, holding it with a fork, opened her mouth as if to say ‘Ah~’.

“Cadet Yu Seha. Ah~”
“I-I’ll eat it myself.”
“Hey, ah~”
“……”

I swallowed my embarrassment and opened my mouth.
Peng Jin-ah beautifully fed me.
I tasted the sweet and sour flesh in my mouth.
Seeing me like that, she blushed slightly.

“Ah, you look cute like a baby bird.”
“……”

Not only feeding me but also trying to wipe my mouth with a napkin.

Shame and embarrassment welled up naturally.

“I can do this much myself.”
“Hey! Stay still, I’ll do everything!”
“M-Master!”
“No!”

Peng Jin-ah enthusiastically performed nursing(?) as if she would do every move.

I silently accepted her affection and sighed inwardly.

---

-Next news. This S-rank monster was revealed to be a Kirin, not a Yellow Dragon, shocking many…

Various reports about this purge came out on the hospital TV.
Among them were clear criticisms of the Order.
This implied a lot.

‘Looks like the situation is so bad they can’t even control public opinion.’

It had to be.
The Order had made two consecutive blunders.

The Jin tribe incident was just a few weeks ago.
Then this time, self-destruction due to wrong information.

And though most truths were hidden, the death of the cult leaders due to scandals.
It would be stranger if it were quiet.

‘…With this, the balance among the four major powers is definitely broken.’

The Order was still important.
So it wouldn’t be attacked excessively.
But it would never reign as the omnipotent number one like before.
I mention this because Su Ok-bin told me in advance.

‘Well, honestly, I don’t care.’

Who takes more of the pie is none of my business.
Just one important fact.

As long as villains and demons don’t run rampant.
I can trust Su Ok-bin.
She will handle the chaotic situation well.

“…! Cadet Yu Seha. Look, look over there.”
“…?!”

I looked at the TV again and coughed in surprise.
Though pixelated, my photo was definitely displayed huge.

The reporter excitedly exclaimed “The hero has appeared!” which was embarrassing.

Also, when did they even film the interview?
They were reporting with almost praise from the surviving paladins.

‘Ah, no, crazy…’

I clearly asked Su Ok-bin to handle it quietly.

On the other hand, Peng Jin-ah nodded calmly.

“Even she can’t stop everything from happening. Accept it now, Cadet Yu Seha. You showed excellent strategy and unbelievable martial arts against an S-rank monster.”

It meant I could no longer avoid the world’s attention.

“Ugh, b-but…”
“The academy’s fence just hid the rumors so far. Outstanding beings always attract attention and reach.”

Don’t worry.
Jealousy and envy are something everyone, including me, can fend off.

“You just enjoy the good things.”
“Ugh…”

---

A few hours later.
A knock sounded on the door.
Definitely a visitor.

I naturally activated [Unprecedented Sense].
Two little kids barely reaching my waist appeared beyond the door.

I chuckled, and Peng Jin-ah stood up to open the door.

Then came the signature sound.

Knock knock knock knock knock knock knock knock knock knock knock knock knock knock knock knock.

A whopping 16 consecutive knocks.

Flustered, Peng Jin-ah hurriedly opened the door.
Then the kids shouted “Waaah!” and rushed in.

As expected, they were Natsu and Yuri.

The two who were safely rescued had finished treatment and various reports and contacted me first.

Looking at them, thankfully, they didn’t seem injured anywhere.

I naturally imagined the scene to come.
The two causing a ruckus around me shouting ‘Special! Dingdong Dash!’, I smiled bitterly.

But.

“……”
“……”
“…Huh?”

Unlike my prediction, they stood still.
Sniffling.
Soon, without waiting for who first, tears started to flow.

“Ah, no, Saints?”
“U-uh…”
“Waaah!!!”

The two ran to me.
Clinging to me, they started crying bitterly.
Like a confession, they poured everything out.

“Waaah… I’m sorry… sorry!”
“Sorry!”
“Huh, what?”
“We were fools… we knew…”

Ryuko…
She was planning to use us…
But we couldn’t escape.

“Because we were scared… afraid…”
“Because she was the mother who raised us. We couldn’t do anything.”

Sorry!
Sorry!

I was momentarily dumbfounded.
Actually, I had no particular thoughts.
I knew well that these two were deeply used.
So I only thought of teasing them…

‘…Were they thinking like this?’

No, it’s natural.
They are GAL’s characters.
Considering their kind and gentle hearts, their guilt wouldn’t go away.

I smiled and patted their backs.
It meant it was okay.
A little later, the true Saint Gaki shouted, “With apologies, we will show our dance!”

Tsk, that was a bit…

“Ah, no need for that…”
“Lame!”
“Lame!”
“……”

Holding hands, they spun around in a playful show.
While watching blankly.
A familiar voice was heard.

“Junior, are you feeling better?”
“Ah, Senior.”

Divine Light Garam.
She attended as the protector of the two saints and placed a fruit basket on the table.

I shared a brief chat with her and soon heard about the situation regarding the <Order>.

“I see. Internal surveillance…”
“Yes, it seems… it’s no ordinary matter.”

Shibasaki Ryuko’s position was a bishop.
Such a bishop was a spy planted by <Tartarus> and an internal traitor.

This truth turned the Order upside down the association and others started thorough internal investigations under surveillance.

“It seems chaotic situations will continue for a while.”
“…Then, what about the saints?”
“Don’t worry. Although they fell into the hands of a traitor, they are still legitimate saints. And both are victims, right?”

They were to be punished simply and finish with community service.

This was a blessing in disguise.
I didn’t want to see them kicked out either.

“…I will probably have to respond to the Order’s call and go on pilgrimages here and there for a while.”

After finishing her words, Divine Light Garam stood up.
She hesitated, blushing as she looked at me.

“Senior?”
“…I wish I could give you something greater, but I don’t have the means now. This is… my small blessing to the benefactor who saved the Order.”
“What?”

Divine Light Garam slowly closed the distance.
She lifted my forehead and left a small kiss.

Smooch~

“S-Senior?”
“N-Nooo! N-Nooo!”

Divine Light Garam was so embarrassed she didn’t know what to do.
Flapping her arms wildly. N-nooo, n-nooo!
This time, there was no place to hide like before.
Eventually, she chose to turn and run away.
The Saint kids watched this with ‘Oh, oh!’.

“……”

Finally, Peng Jin-ah crossed her arms and showed a very uncomfortable expression.

The noisy hospital room epilogue ended like this.

‘…Ah, right.’

I almost forgot.

“Um, Miss Saints?”
“Do-king?”
“Ka-king?”
“Can I ask a favor?”

The two tilted their heads at my words.
Soon, surprised by my request, they looked at each other and answered, ‘We can do that!’

---

That night.

Late in the hospital room with everyone gone except me.

A quiet time with no one.

I felt the time had come.

“Let’s see…”

The <Information Window> slowly refreshed.
Messages asking to check rewards here and there rang brightly.

I rubbed my hands with a mouth-watering expression.