Side: Pritia
Indeed, the Hero… Kakeru seems a bit strange.
The first to notice this possibility was the Demon King. I was advised to be cautious about Kakeru’s behavior.
It’s frustrating, but that was the truth.
While Kakeru is taking a bath, I need to discuss our future with Sanctina, who examined him earlier.
“Sanctina, how is Kakeru doing?”
“For now, it’s not serious. He seems to be keeping his guard up. However… the experiences over there have had a significant impact on Kakeru. There’s a possibility it could worsen in the future. We’ll need to keep an eye on him for a while…”
Thinking back, I hadn’t considered what would happen after the Hero returned to his original world. I regret that.
“Filia, Noctia. Do you know anything about what happens to Heroes afterward? Unfortunately, the records in the castle I saw made no mention of it. I promise I won’t speak of it to anyone after he returns. Please tell me.”
What is a Hero, anyway? A mediator sent by the gods, a protector of humanity; there are various legends about them…
“Many Heroes have returned to their homeland. However, there are also records of those who stayed behind. Most of those who remained live in peace. Your royal family must also have some Heroic blood. There are even Heroes who lived alongside demons and elves.”
Filia showed a troubled expression, but it was Noctia, the Demon King, who immediately responded.
“So, that means they didn’t resolve their issues with the Demon King at that time? No, should I say they couldn’t resolve it?”
“Yes, both are true. Some Heroes reconciled with the Demon King.”
So, it was as I thought. From Filia’s expression, she must have known. Elves have long lifespans, after all.
“What happened to the Heroes who returned to their homeland?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t know that either. Throughout history, there have been those of all races who attempted to travel back to the Hero’s world. Moreover, there must have been Heroes who wished to return home in their later years. However, aside from just after defeating the Demon King, there are no records of successful interdimensional travel for the demons.”
What did Kakeru gain as a Hero? He acquired magic, skills, and physical abilities, but in this peaceful country, will the power of a Hero, who is considered an anomaly, really be of any use? Rather…
“In any case, we have no choice but to live here for the time being. Let’s all keep an eye on Kakeru. Noctia, I’m sorry, but I’ll need your cooperation as well.”
“Sure, I don’t mind. The Hero and the Demon King are two sides of the same coin. I’ve had a certain interest in the Hero’s fate.”
I don’t understand. I may not fully grasp it, but perhaps I can see a little of what we must do here.
No matter how much he is praised in a world he can never return to, the Hero has come to realize that he has gained nothing upon his return.
Side: Shou Amanohashi
I’m the last one to take a bath. Honestly, I feel uneasy about going in after the women, and it’s also uncomfortable to go in partway.
If I think of it as a share house, it’s not entirely unreasonable.
Since I’m the last, I slowly soak in the slightly cooled warm water.
The magic item has been completed, so for now, the danger of being regarded as a foreigner is reduced. However, since I’m going outside, I should properly choose and buy my clothes.
Also, I should contract for a smartphone soon and learn how to use it. It’s almost unimaginable that today’s young women can’t use smartphones. I guess I’ll have to be the one to contract it.
That leaves me with the question of finances. A monthly allowance of ten thousand for each person won’t be enough for adult women. It should be around twenty to thirty thousand.
The inheritance from my grandparents was passed down to me in their will instead of my parents. It’s not out of the question to draw from that. I’m managing the money myself after discussing it with my parents.
Another option would be to sell the jewels that Noctia possesses, but I should probably avoid that. It would be too suspicious for a high school student to have gems of unknown origin.
Should I get a part-time job? No, a high school student won’t be able to earn enough money amidst their studies.
For now, I’ll just use the inheritance. It’s not a waste of money, and I’m sure my grandparents would understand.
Yeah, tomorrow I’ll withdraw some money and go look for a smartphone.
Once I decide what to do, I get out of the bath. That said, before I do, I drain the bathwater and clean it. Washing it every time I get out makes it less of a hassle.
“Kakeru, can I have a word?”
Having just finished bathing, I’m thinking about tomorrow’s meals in the kitchen when Filia calls out to me, but…
I might have gotten a bit flustered. By the way, Filia doesn’t use a bra or panties, does she? Her shirt slightly shows her large chest.
We never had casual meetings like this over there. I was off training alone at night.
Since coming back here, we’ve had to talk about various things, which has been quite a lot.
After all, being an elf, her sensibilities are different.
“What’s up?”
“I was thinking that we should help with cooking and cleaning as well…”
“You don’t have to push yourself. I’ll take care of things until you get used to living here. Ah, you can handle your own room, though. Let’s start with that.”
It’s really the case that, without the attendants around, we have to move and communicate on our own. While Filia might manage, Pritia and Sanctina probably find this environment quite rare.
They seem to be struggling with how to be considerate and how to fit in.
Regarding room assignments, there are three empty rooms. One is being used for making magic items, so Noctia will continue using that. Pritia will take one room, and Filia and Sanctina will share another.
I left those arrangements to the women. I offered to vacate my room, but they declined. Honestly, it’s only natural to be concerned if a man is sleeping around the living area.
“Are you sure you’re not forcing yourself?”
“I have a lot on my mind, but I’m not pushing myself too hard. Actually, before we went over there, things were already chaotic. I thought I’d settled down after my grandmother passed away. I wasn’t accustomed to life here either.”
So, they’re worried about me. Well, that’s only natural. There’s bound to be anxiety in a world where they don’t know left from right. The only reliable person for them is me.
“I think once you get used to it, life here isn’t too bad. I hope you can think of it as a different life from the one you had there and enjoy it a little. I plan to go out somewhere on the next holiday. We need to do some shopping, and there are places where women can have fun.”
In Japan, women can drink alcohol or travel alone. Unfortunately, that might be difficult in that world.
Everyone has endured their own struggles. I hope that this life here can serve as a moment of respite for them.
Over these past few days, that’s what I’ve come to feel.
