Side: Ria
If something like fate truly exists, then perhaps this is what it feels like.
The meaning of why I, who was broken by war, am still alive... Perhaps I have finally found the answer.
The legendary Hero who guides the world toward peace—I have met such a person.
A man of rare character who is kind to someone like me—who can't even speak properly—who strives to save many, and who is now attempting to save even the Demon King.
Yet, he isn't merely a thoughtless dreamer; he is constantly calculating how to ensure the fewest people possible have to grieve.
For some reason, his wives call him the "Dungeon Master"... But I think they are wrong.
His true essence is surely that of a Hero. Someone who always wears different masks for the sake of others... Yes, he is different from those "Heroes" who suddenly appear out of nowhere.
He is the true Hero.
I wish the day would come when I can finally hear his name... Since the day I was broken... I have never regretted losing the ability to hear names as much as I do now.
"There!"
"Ah!"
A sharp sound rang out, and the sword fell from my hand.
"Ria, you were lost in thought again, weren't you?"
"I-I'm... sorry."
"Well, it's only been a few days. I understand the urge to overthink things through trial and error. But you mustn't let your thoughts dull your movements during combat. Especially when facing a superior opponent."
"Yes."
Right now, I am practicing swordsmanship with Seraria-sama.
Of course, even I had heard her name before—the War Goddess of Roshure, and now the Queen of Weed and... his legal wife.
I envy her... She possesses the beauty, strength, and will that make her a woman truly worthy of standing beside him.
"...I can see that you're working hard, Ria. However, I also think you're being too hasty. Perhaps I should remove you from the front lines, just as my husband suggested."
I froze at Seraria-sama's casual remark.
"...!? No!! I am... his attendant!!"
That's right... He is my light.
No—he is the hope of the people living in this land... He must not be allowed to get hurt, not even by the slightest chance... If he were to be killed, even by one in a billion odds, the world would surely collapse.
I picked up my fallen sword and took my stance again.
Seeing this, Seraria-sama's eyes widened in surprise; then, she smiled happily and raised her own sword.
"That spirit is good. But Ria, what exactly do you see in my husband? To be honest, the side he shows you is mostly pathetic, isn't it? He's just a theoretical intellectual who refuses to move his own body. Where is the reason for you to work this hard?"
As she spoke, she unleashed a flowing barrage of sharp strikes.
I desperately blocked each one.
"He... may be... an ordinary person...!! But!!"
That's exactly why it matters.
Because he is an ordinary person—just like the slave I once was—he understands better than anyone how precious the present moment is.
It's not that you, a noble, are bad.
But there is a clear difference between him and you.
"H-Have you ever..."
"What?"
"Seraria-sama... Have you ever looked at things from the same perspective as others—no, from a lower perspective than them!?"
"Ria... you just said my name!"
Seraria-sama looked shocked, but I had no room to pay attention to that. I poured all my focus into pushing back her sword.
I simply spoke what was in my heart.
"At school, he bends down so his eyes are at the same level as the students!! At work, he casually brings coffee to the staff and talks with them as equals!! Can you do that!?"
"!?"
Yes, no matter how you look at him, he is just a person... an ordinary person... That was the warmth I had felt from him since the day we met.
He is no different from me.
No... He is the version of me before I was broken.
And he maintains that while standing in such a high position. The hardship of that is beyond imagination.
"You must have said it too, haven't you!? That such behavior is unbefitting of nobility! That it isn't how a leader should act!!"
Seraria-sama's eyes trembled in shock.
"That way is fine!! Because no one else can imitate him—he reached that height without becoming special!! That is why he is a Hero!! No matter what anyone says, he's a hero who's just like everyone else—a hero who doesn't change... a hero who's an ordinary person!!"
With those words, I unleashed a strike that sent Seraria-sama's sword flying.
"Haa... hah..."
This is bad; I'm out of breath from talking so much.
In the meantime, Seraria-sama picked up her sword and turned toward me with a delighted expression.
"You're right. He certainly deserves to be called a Hero. But not because of a legendary sword, a skill, or raw strength. It's because there are so many people who adore him. Including myself."
Seraria-sama gazed at her own sword.
Though it was for training, the blade was polished like a mirror.
"That's right... It was because he is who he is that I fell for him. He has absolutely no kingly dignity, yet he walks far above us. The root of that, as Ria says, is likely because he is an ordinary person. Ah, I see... he said it before. Nobles are just ordinary people if you trace them back. That's why it's a place we—who don't know what it's like to be 'just a person'—could never reach."
Seraria-sama spoke of her memories of him as if reminiscing.
...How annoying.
"I have to thank you, Ria. Now I can love my husband even more. But you know..."
Suddenly, Seraria-sama appeared right in front of me.
I reflexively raised my sword, but I was blown back instantly.
"It's a bit irritating to have a young girl teach me about my husband's good points."
What!? I was blown away for that reason?!
"Come to think of it, haven't you two been sharing baths lately!?"
With a loud clang, my body was sent flying again.
"Of course!! I am his attendant!! We are together all the time!! Besides, what about you!? Even though I'm hiding under the blanket and desperately covering my ears to ignore it, every single night, you're all far too energetic!!"
I regained my footing and vented all my recent frustrations at Seraria-sama.
"Ara? We're a married couple. Isn't that natural?"
"This is infuriating!! Do you have any idea how much I'm suffering in silence!?"
We entered a contest of strength, our blades locked.
In terms of level, Seraria-sama is completely superior, but for some reason, my physical strength is rising faster, and I managed to hold my ground.
However, while our strength is equal, everything else is overwhelmingly inferior. Because I was out of breath, I was gradually being pushed back.
"Therefore, I'll give you a reward."
"W-What do you mean...?"
"Become my husband's concubine. While remaining his personal guard and attendant."
"Eh!?"
At that moment, my sword was twisted away and flung into the air.
"Well, if my husband doesn't like it, that's another story. Oh, or perhaps you have someone else you like?"
"I don't!! There's only him!!"
"Then it's settled, isn't it? You won't have to endure the nights anymore. You can join in. Today... it's Milly's turn, so I'll put in a word for you."
"E-Eh, is that really okay?"
"Of course. Besides, you've noticed it too, haven't you? My husband, Yuki, wanders around far too much. We need a dedicated guard."
"Ah, yes. That's why you were looking for a dedicated person, right?"
"Precisely. With the training you've had up to today, you won't be caught off guard unless it's a truly formidable opponent. If you're a concubine and a guard, there's no need for you to be apart from him. We'd like to act as his guards too, but we're too busy."
That's true... His wives all hold important positions and are constantly busy.
Which is why... their nights are so intense.
"Then... I can really become Yuki-san's concubine!!"
"Yes. Wait, Ria. I thought so just now, but you seem to be able to say names now."
"Eh? Ah, it's true!! B-But who is Milly-san? I couldn't hear the names until now. Which one is Milly-san? I need to talk to her about today's matter right away!!"
"Alright, alright. Let's go and introduce you properly to Milly... no, to everyone again. You didn't know their names, did you?"
"...Yes."
* * *
As we walked toward the inn where the wives gathered, following Seraria-sama's lead.
"Because I saw him write 'Yuki' when signing documents for work."
"I see. Ah, and one more thing—when we get there, remember this: You will be the very last one to get pregnant, Ria. If his exclusive escort becomes pregnant, my husband will absolutely refuse to let you work."
"Eh?"
"Let's see... until we finish our duties and can take over guarding him. So at least two years. You'll have to wait until then."
"Eeeehhhhhh!?"
That was, without a doubt, the cruelest declaration I received today.
* * *
Side: Yuki
『You have obtained a special title.』
A rare special announcement played.
"Huh? A special title? That's unusual."
Is this another one of Luna's pranks again?
I thought as I opened my status screen...
Title: Hero of Heroes
An anomalous being called a Hero by a Hero.
(What the hell are you even doing? This is way too funny.)
"Huh!?"
For now, I decided to call Luna out and file a complaint.
I mean, I could understand "Hero's Master," "Hero's Father," or even "Hero's Lover," but what the hell is a "Hero's Hero"? That makes no sense.
And well, a Hero, huh... What should I do about Ria? I have to figure something out in about five days, don't I?
She's probably tired from training with Seraria today, so I'll start tomorrow... Yeah, I'll do my best starting tomorrow!
