kscans

Chapter 62 - Secrets and an Apology

A hero from another world.

He was the one who brought an end to the war with monsters in the Kingdom one hundred and thirty years ago, a being whose deeds have been passed down as legend.

He is known especially as the great savior who fought the monster king for three days and three nights without rest.

If what she said about it being passed down for generations was true, I had to ask.

"...Could it be that you're his descendant, Captain?"

To this question, Altorine replied.

"Yes, that's correct."

She answered so readily. I thought her honesty was a bit reckless, but I held my tongue and listened to her story.

"...I don't know all the details myself. After saving the Kingdom from crisis, the otherworldly hero vanished, only to reappear here... At the time, there was no country in this forest. It was overrun with monsters, a place where people couldn't live."

"But the hero led a group of children to this land and subjugated only the monsters that were harmful to people. Afterward, he built houses and constructed an orphanage where the children could live in peace. Word of this spread, and orphans and adults who revered the hero gathered from all nations. A town formed, and it grew to a scale that could be called a country. Then, the people began to worship the god Hermes, whom the hero was said to have revered, and the nation of the Saint's Church was born. That's the story."

Altorine finished her explanation and took a breath.

Her story so far matched what I had heard on the road. The only thing left was what became of the hero, something no one in history knew. I decided to ask about that.

"...As for that, not even the Saint's Church knows for certain. There are theories that he lived out his natural lifespan, that he became a god and ascended to the heavens, or that he's still alive and living in seclusion. There are many stories. However, there is a legend passed down only within my family. ...The hero fell ill, and saying that he wished to spend his final moments in his homeland, he returned to the other world."

Hearing that, I asked.

"...? Then why didn't you tell anyone about that? ...Is there a family rule that forbids you from spreading it?"

To this question, Altorine replied.

"At the end, the hero said he didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble, so he asked us to keep it quiet. That's why no one outside of my family knows."

Unnecessary trouble? I didn't understand his intent, but I could tell he was at least someone who disliked conflict. If he had been a warmonger, he would have continued fighting on other battlefields after the Kingdom, and legends would have remained. But the only legends of the hero are in the Kingdom and the Saint's Church.

...There are no stories of the hero's deeds in other countries, like the Republic or the Empire, nor are there any records of him having stayed there. I got the strong impression that he really didn't want to stand out.

As I was thinking that, Tina spoke.

"...Shinsuke, there's a lot about the hero that's a mystery. We don't even know where he came from in the first place."

To this, I replied.

"Oh, I know that. He came from Earth."

I answered absentmindedly. Before Tina could react, Altorine did.

"!! What do you mean?! What is Earth?! Is that the name of the other world?!"

She asked, her voice filled with excitement.

Her reaction made me think, Oops. I had been so lost in thought that I answered normally. ...What should I do? It was too late to play dumb now.

If that was the case, I decided.

"...Captain. You lost the duel, so you will listen to what I have to say. That is absolute, and it has not changed, correct?"

Altorine nodded at my words.

I continued.

"...Then, what I am about to tell you is my secret."

From there, I told her everything: about Earth, about how I got a book and came to this world, about the incident in the Kingdom, and about what I had experienced these past two years. However, I didn't mention the monster I encountered in the rocky mountains, Sidoor.

...The existence of a monster that powerful would only cause chaos.

After I had finished speaking, Altorine asked.

"...So, the reason you gave for leaving the Kingdom, your journey, was that...?"

To this, I replied.

"Oh, that's true. I came to another world. I want to see all sorts of places. But I didn't want people to think I was just fooling around, so I gave a plausible reason for my journey. I figured people would be more likely to accept that."

At my words, Altorine was at a loss for words.

She had been forced to accept a 'plausible' reason herself. It was only fair that I return the favor.

Just then, Tina, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

"Shinsuke, I hate to say this, but are you sure it was okay to tell her all that? We still don't know anything about her."

She asked with a suspicious gaze.

It was true, had I said too much, even if she was a descendant? As I was thinking that, Altorine spoke.

"...I understand why you would think that. ...But, as I said before, I lost. As long as you don't tell me to become a slave, I will do as you say."

Altorine bowed her head as she said this.

I asked Tina if slavery existed in this world. 'It does. Unofficially,' she said with a look of distaste. So, the country doesn't officially recognize it, but some underground organization is involved.

This world is like the medieval period. And with so many monsters, it's incredibly easy to make someone go 'missing.'

With that in mind, I said.

"I won't do that. It makes me feel sick. If you promise not to tell anyone, that's good enough for me."

Altorine nodded at my words.

I continued.

"...So, what will you do now?"

To this question, Altorine replied.

"Now that the monster subjugation is complete, I will return to the city. After reporting to the guild, I will return to my duties as a knight. ...Also, to apologize for suspecting you, I would like to invite you to a dinner party at my home. Would that be acceptable?"

Tina and I looked at each other and nodded.

If the other party wanted to make amends, it would be against my principles to refuse. That's what I thought.

Altorine's face lit up with joy.

"Understood. I will give you my sincerest hospitality."

She said with a smile.

I thought she had a rather charming face, but I didn't let it show, let alone say it out loud. Why? Because the person next to me would punch me. The three of us walked back to the city.

Before returning to the city, I went to the place where I had hidden my luggage and retrieved something.

Why? Because on the way, Altorine had asked me about things from the other world.

Seeing is believing, so I told her I would bring the real thing and went to get it. I promised to show it to her when we went to her mansion. Afterward, we entered the city, went to the guild, and reported the completion of the subjugation. We received a reward of twenty silver coins from the guild.

Then, we decided to help with the city's reconstruction by taking on simple jobs at the guild.

Princess's Side.

After the riot ended, the princess's party was in a city tavern.

Normally, they would want to keep an eye on Shinsuke and the others, but the city was crawling with knights.

The princess said.

"...This is boring. Glad, can't you do something?"

To this, Glad replied.

"...Please be patient. There is a captain in the knights who knows your face, Princess. If we run into him, our treatment will improve, but it will be difficult to move around afterward. ...I, for one, would be fine with that."

To this, the princess said.

"That's not an option. To observe their journey, we must act without standing out. ...Besides, if we're found out, I'll be sent back to the Kingdom. I have to prevent that at all costs."

The princess pumped her fist as she said this. For some reason, it looked like the air behind her was on fire.

Amidst this, Sakura spoke.

"...However, Lady Olivia. If we continue this journey, His Majesty the King may send out a search party. I believe it will cause trouble for Glad-san as well, so perhaps you should at least send a letter?"

Olivia thought about this proposal for a moment.

"...You're right. Sakura is one thing, but I did trick Glad into coming with us. I'll write a letter so Father doesn't get the wrong idea. ...Well then, Glad. Please buy some paper and a pen at the general store. We'll wait here."

Glad nodded at the instruction and left the store.

After the two were alone, Olivia said.

"...Sakura. Are you worried about Glad?"

She asked with a smirk. Sakura replied.

"If you ask if I'm worried, then yes. It's not often you meet someone with that much skill, and I do find his strict and reliable personality to be dependable."

Sakura gave a model answer.

Olivia's face fell slightly upon hearing this. It seemed Sakura didn't see him as a potential partner. Olivia decided there was no point in continuing this conversation.

However, she realized that deep down, she was relieved. Sakura was her childhood friend and like a precious little sister to her. Olivia didn't want to give her up to anyone.

Night, Shinsuke's Side.

We were invited to Altorine's mansion, thanks to her kindness.

The mansion had an appearance befitting a noble's residence. The front door opened, and a blonde maid came out.

"Welcome. You must be Shinsuke-sama and Tina-sama. My lady is waiting for you in the dining room."

She said and led us inside. The interior had a rather simple image rather than being gorgeously decorated.

There were flowers decorating the end of the hallway, and pots and other things were placed around, but there was not much flashiness. It was as if she wanted to show off, but disliked being too conspicuous.

We arrived at the dining room and went inside. It was spacious, with a long rectangular table that could easily seat ten people. Altorine was sitting at the far end of the table. Two maids stood behind her. They were also blonde.

Altorine said.

"Welcome to my home. Please, don't hesitate to take a seat. The food will be brought out shortly."

As she said that, we sat in the seats near Altorine. ...However, 'Welcome to my home,' huh? ...I was a little moved to hear that line in person for the first time.