The Birth Of A Hero

“Well then… Jonah, do you have anything to say for yourself?”

“No… I don’t.”

Upon returning to the castle after defeating the sea-serpent monster, Jonah found himself shrinking under Carlo’s stern glare, and the openly pouty, displeased stares of Aurora and Priscilla.

“It’s true—we couldn’t have beaten that monster without you, and we’d probably have been eaten. But still…”

Carlo paused, then shot Jonah a sharp look.

“Your body’s already falling apart—one wrong move and you could’ve died instead. So stop treating your life so lightly. For the sake of these two who care for you.”

“…………………………”

Jonah couldn’t argue back—he simply lowered his head.

What he accomplished saved Carlo… the Kingdom of Benedia, and the Central Sea. It was a miracle—something worthy of praise.

Yet Carlo hardened his heart and scolded him—for Jonah’s sake.

And because Jonah understood that sentiment, he accepted it silently.

However—

“Haah… Are you even listening?”

“Y-yes! …Ehehe.”

“Good grief…”

Jonah couldn’t help smiling—Carlo’s concern warmed him.

Seeing a legend come to life had been incredible—but meeting this Crown Prince had brought him even greater joy.

“Seems he hasn’t reflected enough… Aurora, Priscilla—do whatever you want with him today.”

“…! We thank you for the first time ever, Your Highness Carlo!”

“It’s the first time!?”

Ignoring Carlo’s shouting, the two maids quickly positioned themselves at Jonah’s sides.

“So, with that said, Lord Jonah…”

“My sister and I will be taking full care of you today.”

“Please prepare yourself.”

“A-ahaha…”

Aurora and Priscilla wore ferocious smiles like starving predators eyeing their prey.

The overwhelming pressure made Jonah’s smile twitch.

“Phew…”

The next morning, utterly exhausted, Jonah exhaled and headed toward King Maximiliano’s chamber.

Yesterday’s “care” from Aurora and Priscilla had been overwhelming—they force-fed him sweets with stomach-breaking enthusiasm, scrubbed every inch of him in the bath in rather unashamed states of undress, and for some reason slept on both sides of him, sandwiching him with… soft things…

The memory alone was enough to make Jonah cover his face, blushing furiously.

And yet—

“…Jonah really is adorable.”

“Yes. I want to take him home immediately.”

“…………………………”

Apparently yesterday hadn’t satisfied them—the two maids chatted freely behind him.

Jonah felt even more out of place.

“Lord Jonah, we’ve been expecting you.”

When Jonah finally reached the King’s chamber, Federico the steward bowed respectfully at the door.

“His Highness Carlo is already inside. Please, come in.”

“Y-yes.”

The doors opened, and Jonah stepped inside as the twins saw him off.

“Yo, Jonah. Have fun yesterday?”

Carlo raised his hand casually, smirking as he teased.

From Jonah’s perspective, this man was the reason he’d been tormented by the maids—so he glared at Carlo in protest.

“Carlo, enough. Jonah is here so we may honor the hero who slew the ‘demon.’ Do not tease him excessively.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Carlo waved dismissively at the King’s reprimand.

“Honestly… but no matter. Jonah, you brought peace to the Central Sea and avenged our nation. As King, I thank you.”

“N-no! I’m not worthy of that…”

Jonah panicked—he never expected the king to bow to him.

“There is no need to humble yourself. We used an Imperial magitech weapon as our sure-win strategy, and even that failed—we were moments from losing my foolish son to a monster’s stomach. As King… no, as a father, I can never thank you enough.”

“Dad…”

Hearing how his father truly felt, Carlo choked up.

“Tonight, to celebrate the monster’s defeat and the birth of a hero, the entire Kingdom will hold a grand banquet. Jonah, I wish for you to attend.”

“O-oh… yes…”

Jonah responded timidly to the King’s request.

Carlo watched Jonah with an expression tinged with loneliness.