Chapter 23

I followed Angelica using invisibility magic.

That said, I kept a significant distance. They are a group of adventurers, after all; if I got too close, there was a risk they’d sense my presence. Besides, I have excellent eyesight. Even from a distance, I can grasp the situation perfectly.

Angelica is a fast walker. I’ve heard that brisk walking is good for one’s health, but even so, she’s really picking up speed. Is this how fast adventurers usually travel along the highways?

However, as the houses thinned out, Angelica suddenly began glancing around at her surroundings.

What on earth is it? Is there something she needs to hide from public view?

“Hero, Hero, a Hero is a Hero, hum-hum~♪ Hum-hum~♪”

She started humming a strange song!

“Hero, Hero, fight on Hero~, hee-hee-hum~♪”

And the lyrics are incredibly lazy. This is definitely an original track! Written and composed by Angelica!

“Hero Kick! Hero Punch! Evil shall never be for-gi-ven~♪”

Ugh, learning this gains me nothing, and I’ve stumbled upon a secret that would be quite embarrassing for her if it got out.

But then, these are the risks of tailing someone. I shall accept it with grace…

Before long, Angelica entered the town and met up with Selene, the Mage.

I temporarily deactivated my invisibility to buy a few loaves of bread in town. They were for me to eat during the stakeout. Note that the bread also becomes invisible once I cast the magic on myself.

After all, if only my body vanished, I’d have no choice but to go stark naked to remain hidden, which isn’t very practical.

As Angelica joined up with another person, conversation naturally began to flow more easily.

“So, Angelica, have things been going well with the Demon King since then?” Selene the Mage asked.

Oho, my name came up right away!

“It’s a mystery what you’d define as ‘well,’ but we’ve made it this far without any major incidents. I was planning to kick him out if he started talking about remodeling the house into a Demon King’s castle, though.”

As if I’d do something so lacking in common sense!

I care about things like zoning and curb appeal. If a grim fortress suddenly appeared in a peaceful farming village, it would obviously stand out, and its defensive functionality would be half-baked anyway.

“It seems the Demon King is a man of common sense after all, isn’t he?”

“Selene, your starting point is all wrong. A Demon King remarrying a Hero’s mother is the height of insanity to begin with.”

Yeah, I think Angelica is right on that point. Even I don’t consider myself the standard for Demon Kings.

“It’s only natural to be awkward at first, but I’m sure he’ll eventually settle in as a father figure. When that happens, perhaps it wouldn’t hurt for you to lean on him a little, Angelica.”

“Give me a break. Besides, the Demon King fell in love with Mama; he doesn’t really care about me. It’s best if we just live our lives without interfering with each other too much.”

I can see where she’s coming from, but now that I’ve remarried, you are my daughter. I shall raise you to be magnificent! Yes, a magnificent successor to the Demon King!

Wait… is there something strange about making a Hero the successor to the Demon King…?

“Ugh… I just got a terrible chill…”

“Oh? Did you perhaps upset your stomach?”

“No, it felt like someone was thinking something very sinister regarding me…”

“The Demon King is gone now; there couldn’t possibly be such a person.”

Angelica is correct on this point.

I shall give the matter of the next Demon King candidate some thought in due time. Angelica does not carry the blood of a Demon King, so I can settle things gradually from here on out.

It seems the entirety of Angelica’s party is set to rendezvous at the guild in a large town further down the highway.

The Priestess, Naharin, was already there.

She is a petite woman. At first glance, she doesn’t look old enough to even be out on an adventure.

“Worship… the Gods…”

Since she keeps her mouth covered with a cloth, I cannot make out her specific expressions. Does this woman know that by hiding her mouth, the brain’s compensatory effect makes her look even more beautiful than she actually is?

“Yeah, yeah, we’re worshiping. So, Naharin, let’s do our best together again today.”

“I look forward to working with you, Naharin.”

“Very well.”

Naharin nodded repeatedly. She’s quite a strange character. Nevertheless, the fact that she’s a member of Angelica’s party means she must possess considerable skill.

It appears the other members have arrived as well. I heard a voice say, “Sorry to keep you waiting!”

The remaining two members are both men. I must stay alert!

However, to be honest, one of them didn’t look very manly at all.

In fact, he looked more like a female martial artist with a short haircut.

Wait? Wasn’t Zenkei the Martial Artist a man? Did I mishear…?

“Sorry, sorry! I got a little late because I was picking out some snacks.”

“It’s fine, Zenkei. Just like always, Jaunis is even later than you are.”

It seems “Zenkei” is correct. Zenkei pressed his hands together in a gesture of apology.

“Should we eat some snacks while we wait? This place is famous for its macarons.”

Even his choice of snacks is girly!

“Macarons are delicious, but they’re a bit pricey. I’d prefer something more filling.”

“Then there’s a place famous for pancakes, so shall we go there?”

“Zenkei, you really are well-versed in sweets.”

“I shall partake in one as well. My thanks.”

Hmm… He really does look like nothing but a girl to me.

But if that’s the case, I suppose I don’t need to worry much about this Zenkei fellow. He likely has no designs on Angelica. If anything, his “girl power” is higher than hers. Well, as long as he grows up healthy, I don’t care if he’s a bit rowdy or a tomboy.

However, the bright, feminine(?) atmosphere suddenly shifted.

“Sup, everyone. Hope I’m not too late. My bad, my bad!”

A man with short, spiky hair called out to Angelica’s party.

“Jaunis has arrived! Let’s make this a good one—nice to meetcha again!”

So this is Jaunis the Thief. Someone even more frivolous than I imagined has appeared. I mean, does anyone actually talk like that these days? Even “playboys” don’t say stuff like that anymore, do they?

“Frivolous and shallow…”

Naharin the Priestess looked visibly annoyed. Their personalities definitely don’t seem to mesh.

“Forgive me, Loli-Senpai Naharin! Forgive me! I’ll pull my weight, I promise~”

I must be careful with this one.

There is a real danger that Angelica will be preyed upon!