I’m Not a Hero Like You

120 – 39. The Shadow of Dawn. Or shade.(3)

“Admit it soon, Rueld. Now, even if Kariel returns, she will no longer have a foothold in the Empire. You would know that better than anyone.”

The two sat facing each other with a fire lit in a cave in the forest between them.

A small girl with long ears, with bright silver hair and green eyes unique to fairies and elves.

However, unlike her outward appearance, the substance has endured for several centuries, and at the same time she was also an existence called a great mage.

Geornia dei Adelweiss.

The teacher of Empress Mado and the great sage who spared no assistance and advice to the nine heroes.

The fact that there were no elves among the braves who saved the world was something that they, naturally arrogant, would not be able to stand face to face.

The reason she was able to save face was because Melineos, who was called Empress of Sorcery, was Geornia’s favorite disciple.

Until that happened, she was called an eccentric with human disciples, and Melineos had been completely ignored, but, of course, she became a great sorceress who could not be matched even if she counted the entire continent, and at the same time as a great mage, became the empress of the empire.

… The elves then brazenly praised Geornia for her eccentricity, praising her foresight.

… As Geornia herself, it was absurd and disgusting, but it had been a year or two since her people were shameless.

If I had to pick two races on the continent with the most thorough mental victory and self-justification, it would be the short-haired ones and the elves.

There is a distinct difference between a dwarf and a shorty.

Similarly, when I say elf here, that elf doesn’t refer to the entire race of elves.

“… ….”

And the man who stared at Geornia with an expressionless face was a brave man among heroes, the seat of the nine heroes, and a being called a knight of brilliance to be praised.

Pure white hair and those bright eyes that look like melted gold poured into them.

Even though she is slowly approaching her 40s, her appearance is not strange at all even if she is treated as someone in her 20s.

No, their physical ability doesn’t allow them to be compared with quite a few young people, so rather, this side belongs to the more heinous side.

It was made of iron and had no metal added to it to combine maneuver and night travel, but there was nothing out of the ordinary that looked like leather or fur.

A black garment formed by melting the black scales of a giant snake beast, melting it again, and pulling it out with thread, weaving and weaving it finely yet meticulously.

Because it was made for practical purposes, it felt frighteningly sophisticated even though there was little embellishment.

I took it off now, but even the windshield that covers the whole body when moving had the same color, but the material was different again.

Well, there is no limit to the discussion.

That could be considered a treasure trove that walks around like that.

However, even if all of them are combined, can it be compared to that?

The one that was held in his hand with the scabbard intact.

That holy sword is proof that he is a hero, and at the same time, it is a devastating holy object that stabbed even the heart of the demon king and neutralized it.

Befitting a holy spirit that hides its owner, if someone else holds it, it quickly turns into sand and flows down to the ground.

Then, as if to show off, it returns to its original form.

“That is not a reason to give up.”

At Rueld’s calm reply, Geornia stuck out her tongue.

“I have told you many times. Who told you to give up? It’s just that going back to the Empire is out of the question.”

“Who decides what is impossible?”

“Then what are you going to do? Even now, if I go back and get engaged to El Hermi and get married, well, do you think everything will end neatly?”

“She will be ready.”

Because this was the part that was firmly promised.

Rueld knew well what Elhermina thought of Kariel.

… Rather, it was difficult for her to conclude what Kariel would think or what she would think now.

“If he returns to the Empire on his own feet, it will be for revenge or some other purpose. It will never be to be recognized by you or to reunite with your family. I bet you.”

“That….”

His gaze blurs.

“He didn’t leave suddenly. You would have known if you had seen the letter he left behind, right? He was just peeking at the time of Ermina’s birth. What if Ermina wasn’t pregnant? Maybe she ran away sooner than that.”

The point is not that I ran away because I was tempted by the demon king’s instigation.

As for Kariel, she had the will to do so from the beginning and she even had a plan.

… The one who noticed and was alert, as far as Ruel de knew, was only El Hermina, and she was the only child.

So, it must have been possible to get ahead of him by accurately identifying the day he was leaving.

“As you know, didn’t the royal family of the country next to us collapse?”

“… ….”

“One of our eggplant clans is of the blood of the royal family, so I am thinking of getting married to that child and handing over the prince.”

“To whom? Are you talking about Kariel?”

“Qualifications are not enough. It is a fact that no one can deny that that child saved the World Tree.”

“… Aren’t you trying to keep us in check or make us anxious by getting Kariel in that way?”

“… Ha.”

Geornia touched her forehead.

“I’m not going to say that our old guys didn’t mean it, but as long as I keep my eyes open, it won’t happen. Rather… If they got her back eaten by Kariel after that, they would have been taken away, and they would never be taken advantage of.”

“… ….”

“And, there is not just one thing we want to hand over.”

And just in time.

“I am back.”

Contrary to Geornia’s youthful appearance and stature, a blonde elf with full maturity stood out, carrying her wild boar on her shoulder and entering the cave.

“There is him too.”

“… Why am I suddenly?”

Hamern Ruslev Eiha.

A being brought as an attendant when Geornia decided to go to the Empire.

It would serve as an escort, but Hamern was also a proper disciple of Geornia.

“Even if the Ruslev region was annexed to the empire, don’t you feel awkward? So, it’s okay for Kariel to be crowned King of the Eastern Kingdoms and Ruslev region, making her a dual nationality, a royal aristocrat, empowering her empire, and supporting Kariel herself with her authority and discretion. Don’t you think?”

“… However, Kariel will not be able to live inside the Empire. Furthermore….”

Then what about the relationship with Elhermina, or something like engagement?

In the first place, that meant abandoning the name Kariel and granting her a new name and identity.

In other words, while being Kariel, she was in a position where she could not be called Kariel.

Ruel de himself and even Ermina, her son becomes a position that can not be called a pure son.

Of course, it’s obvious that they are family only unofficially, but….

In history, he will be regarded as a stranger.

Unless someone carefully digs up the secret.

“Alternatively, you could make the Ruslev region a separate duchy or kingdom under the Empire and make it a dual king, of course, but… If this is done wrong, it can lead to a territorial or interest dispute later on, so I wouldn’t recommend going that far.”

“That’s not the end, right?”

Rueld threw a sharp gaze.

“My senses have improved a lot.”

Has he also become a political person after all?

It is extremely difficult to pursue justice and goodness while being political.

“Elfs, to be exact, they are thinking of overhauling the closed nature of the forest clans.”

“… You mean you need Kariel for that?”

“It was impossible even for the elves to be recognized by the World Tree and saved. If there are humans among the elves who bend their heads or kneel… It is only the child.”

“You sound like you’re going to be treated like a king if you just listen.”

“To be precise, the child between Kariel and her queen is intended to succeed in the future. Oh, this is a secret, so don’t be fooled. It is a fact that only a few people know in Korea.”

… I heard an absurd sound.

Above all, why did he bother to tell Rueld, who was politically savvy, pretending to be friendly?

… It must be an ulterior motive to create pressure and create conflict.

In a way, this would be a huge event beyond being engaged to Elhermina and becoming her consort.

“At this rate, even if his name is hidden in history… Can you understand it as well? But that doesn’t mean your child is gone. Rather, it will become an unprecedented existence.”

“…… You are admitting that I made a mistake.”

Rueld sighed quietly.

“Do you really think Kariel will accept that?”

“After setting the conditions as high as possible, either persuading or negotiating… Anyway, to repay the favor, we want to say that even this is possible and that we are willing to do so. If you don’t like this condition in the first place, we can, of course, prefer something else. As long as the child is not burdened.”

“You are aware that it can be a burden.”

“Sounds natural.”

Hamern threw a whole wild boar on top of it when he filled the firewood and the flames were intensifying.

I didn’t pay too much attention until the firewood was raised, but when the whole wild boar was thrown into the roaring flames, I couldn’t help but be more conscious.

Hamern, who drew attention once, looked at the two in turn and said.

“Conditions aren’t that important. Did Kariel run out on her own because she felt sorry for her poor situation and the rights she was given? That’s not it.”

“… ….”

“… ….”

“In the first place, as Master guessed, if the body was stolen by the golden beast, then the discussion itself, which we are discussing here, would be useless. Escaping from reality like that doesn’t change anything.”

“You….”

Geornia was about to throw out her last words, but then she shut her mouth.

“… ….”

If there is such a sign.

Because Mellineos had a precognitive dream, Rueld was hardening his heart to some extent.

Of course, I didn’t mean to kill him.

Perhaps, in that situation, it suddenly came to my mind that it might be better over there than the Empire.

If you return to the Empire, be guided to the Vatican or not….

And if things turn out really well, even if Kariel is really fine.

It’s going to take a long time before you throw off your clothes.

… What Geornia said was that even after things worked out well, it was still difficult in the end, so it was also about how it would be better to let go of the identity of Kariel and live as a new identity.

And I promise to treat you thoroughly so that there is no regret there….

‘Isn’t that strange as it is?’

To be so lenient?

In the end, Rueld himself and the empire are at stake here as well.

Doesn’t it mean that they have a sense of themselves and the empire, and on the contrary, they highly valued the value that comes from being bound by blood ties beyond alliances?

As for the value of Kariel, if you look at it coldly, it’s still not clear how much it’s worth.

However, when I heard that it was enough to let me see the child between the Queen and Kariel, I felt that this was an aspect that should never be overlooked.

‘Is this because I simply saved the World Tree?’

No. Okay. That might be enough….

“Lord Rueld. You don’t have to think hard.”

At this time, Hamern awakened Rueld from confusion with his clear eyes.

“There are options like that, just treat it as a level. Unlike his appearance, Master’s tone is very overbearing, so I sometimes misunderstand him, but that’s what comforts me in its own way.”

“You bastard? Can you see what I’m talking about?”

“Lord Rueld was delayed a lot because he couldn’t devote time every time, but… Should I at least waste the time I can concentrate on searching like now, worrying about nothing?”

“…… That’s right.”

Rueld quickly changes his thinking direction.

And seeing Rueld and Hamern like that, Geornia kept clicking her tongue as if she wasn’t satisfied with her heart.

“That requested girl. You already acted like a fox to get some points from your father-in-law.”

Hamern immediately protested.

“… Why are you interpreting it so skewed? Did I say something wrong?”

“No, who said what? It’s just outrageous.”

“So if your side gets cold, you’re looking for a partner or partner. If you look so good, why do you keep talking about being single?”

“Hey man! Why does the story go that way? You said you don’t like me, did you add anything?”

“If it’s not the same elf, it won’t matter, right? Since it came out at all, I’m going to sift through a few candidates and stab them, and if I like it, when I go back….”

“The old people will take a good look at it and move on. If I want to raise my voice there, I have to keep my innocence no matter what.”

“Pure blood and chastity… It’s really ugly there.”

“Because I am one of those nerds? I’m going to throw it down because it annoys me… That bastard is not cooperating.”

Suddenly, the arrow headed towards Rueld.

“No, is that my fault?”

“… Ha. Done. Let’s not talk.”

What’s so annoying?

“… ….”

Still.

Certainly seeing how he manages to maintain his financial confidence even in such a situation, it seems that Rueld is a hero is a hero.

My teacher, Geornia, used to evaluate the nine heroes like this.

[If it wasn’t for that bastard in Rueld, all these proud bastards would have played alone or not been able to do anything and searched all over. The reason my student joined was because that bastard was far away. Where could it have been?]

At the time everyone was in despair, he said that only that person was not in despair.

When everyone is a failure and afraid of defeat.

He only focused on defeating the Demon King.

The mindset is different.

The way you treat the world is different.

So, at first glance, it seemed like I was being called stupid.

[Because I was stupid, I didn’t look around. So there is no reason to be afraid of obstacles. In his eyes, he always saw only one target.]

And.

The people around you are also influenced by that courage or recklessness, and somehow they follow you even though they know it.

I didn’t listen to the voices of the warriors for nothing.

“… ….”

But.

Because of that, patience is not infinite.

But he must know better than anyone else that he must not collapse.

So right now Ermina, Kariel’s mother, is just her….