Raising A Hero – Chapter 57

Ch 57: C-class Hero

Elraim and Bella boarded the carriage after being treated to a lavish dinner until the evening. Bella seemed reluctant to leave. Her feelings for Ji-hyuk were completely conveyed.

Foolish girl.

The fairy didn’t like it very much. She had been trying to hold back her annoyance from the start.

It was good that she had a favorable opinion, but it had to be stopped from crossing over to affection. For her, who cared for Bella, those feelings were stronger.

The carriage lurched once, then started. It carefully drove along the dark night road.

“Bella.”

The human maiden, who had been looking out at the dark, gloomy window, moved her gaze towards the fairy. Her superior’s eyes looked somewhat sharp. She felt a chill in her chest.

“…Yes, Hero.”

“Do you like Hero Gang Ji-hyuk?”

Ahㅡ.

Bella was a bit embarrassed. She didn’t expect Elraim to ask so directly.

However, she didn’t want to deny it. Her feelings for him were genuine.

“…Yes.”

Hooㅡ.

A long sigh escaped the Hero’s mouth. Strangely, Bella’s head automatically lowered. It seemed she had somehow offended her superior.

“Bella, understand the situation.”

Elraim began to speak in earnest.

“I’ll be honest… he’s a man who’s too good for you.”

Her heart ached at those words, which hit the nail on the head.

“You said it, right? The first in history. Do you know how amazing that implies?”

The fairy kept shooting sharp arrows at the healer’s heart.

“Wherever he goes, women will flock to him. And those who boast of how great they are… you’ll be nothing there. You’ll just become a toy, played with a few times and then discarded.”

“Mr. Ji-hyuk is not that kind of person. I know.”

“Hey, I told you to be careful about the honorifics.”

“I’m, I’m sorry. …Hero Gang Ji-hyuk is not that kind of person.”

“I’m sorry, but humans change. All the humans I’ve seen so far have all changed. …Of course, I’ve changed too. That’s just how it is. If you’re afflicted by the world, you all become like that without exception. Does that human seem okay? Not at all.”

Bella wanted to deny it. She wanted to deny that Hero was wrong. She wanted to say that he was not that kind of person. Mr. Ji-hyuk was a much kinder and better person.

She knew parts that the fairy didn’t know. If he had been someone with truly bad intentions, he would have done something bad a long time ago. If he had really intended to play with her, there had been countless opportunities… But he had never done that even once. Not even once.

“Okay. …Okay, fine. Then let’s say that guy is a very good guy. Even though it’s unlikely, let’s say that’s the case.”

The fairy made an assumption.

“Then, do you think you can survive in the midst of those great women? It’s a complete mess there. You’ll definitely come out battered. …I can’t bear to see my subordinate in that state.”

“Surely, not that much….”

“Think about your own position right now. Are there one or two women who will follow him? Do you think you can find satisfaction there? Men or women, it’s all the same. They want to monopolize. You’ll probably be like that too.”

It wasn’t wrong. Bella of course also wanted to monopolize Ji-hyuk’s affection. …But the people around wouldn’t let that happen.

It was natural that many women would be around a great man. It was also natural that many men would be around a great woman. That’s how the world was. …There, Bella was likely to fall to being just one of the many women who approached Ji-hyuk. No, maybe she already was. Elraim was worried about being left behind there.

Bella understood the fairy’s concern. Even though the words were cold, it was worry stemming from a warm heart.

However, it was hard to accept her words. Affection couldn’t be rationally judged that way… What else could she do when it was good just to look at him?

“I’m saying this for you.”

“…Yes, I know.”

“Don’t take it too hard… Anyway, the advice ends here. From now on, I won’t interfere with your love game. So, handle yourself well. …Don’t show me an unsightly sight. Got it?”

“…Yes, Hero.”

Elraim turned her head sharply. Although she spoke roughly, her heart felt a bit heavy.

Kind Bella forced a smile, worried that Hero might be concerned.

“Don’t worry. I won’t cause you any worry, Hero. I won’t cause any problems, ever. …Thank you for worrying about someone as insignificant as me.”

The Hero glanced at this kind-hearted maiden once and then turned her gaze away. Huuu.

…She’s truly a foolish girl.

Of course, the fairy knew that Bella wouldn’t be able to give him up. She was surprisingly stubborn in unusual places.

…The fairy hoped that the guy wouldn’t hurt this kind and innocent subordinate.

· · ·

Ji-hyuk left the capital early in the morning. Without anyone, just alone again.

Actually, he had been pondering whether to take only Mahushu, but he just gave up. Even if it was a disciple’s subordinate, if a stranger came, Master Aizel would definitely feel burdened.

When he comes back, many things will have changedㅡ.

Ji-hyuk thought that as he looked at the receding capital. It was a journey that would take at least two or three months. He hoped that Mahushu would have grown a lot during that time. Still, before leaving, he clearly presented the direction of training, and now all she had to do was diligently train according to it.

If he was lucky, perhaps Ya-el would succeed in double casting, but hoping for that was a bit greedy.

One middle-aged man who was riding the same carriage had already started gulping down alcohol and spoke in a subtle tone. His eyes showed that he was quite bored with going quietly.

“Hey, did you hear that rumor?”

“…What rumor, sir?”

When Ji-hyuk took the bait, the guy immediately pulled the fishing rod, as if he had caught a fish. He laughed slyly. He looked exactly like that guy, Gid.

“Heh heh, you still don’t know? Young man, you know, it’s not good if your view is so dark.”

“Tell me. What rumor is it?”

The man’s tone became subtle. The other people riding with them also listened to his words.

“Well, this time, a 100-point candidate appearedㅡ! Even a humanㅡ!”

The following words came out of another man’s mouth, not Ji-hyuk’s.

“Oh geez, I thought it was something else. Who doesn’t know that?”

The drunkard glared, reeking of alcohol.

“No, there are still guys who don’t knowㅡ! Look, this guy doesn’t know either.”

“The capital is in a frenzy, right? There’s no guy who doesn’t talk about it in the bar. Cee-bal, my ears are going to get calluses.”

“Cee-bural, then just assume that’s how it is, and stop picking fights.”

“If you’re going to talk about things everyone knows, you should quit.”

“Aish cee-bal, I won’t do it because it’s disgusting.”

Even so, he looked like he wanted Ji-hyuk to urge him to tell him more. He granted the guy’s wish.

“I don’t know. Go on.”

“Heh heh, so, that is…”

The story that started that way had even more nonsense. Among people, Ji-hyuk had already become a promiscuous guy who was playing around with several noble women. …Well, it was a not-so-bad imagination. But even if he somehow conceded and looked at the Orc, the story that he even enjoyed eating Troll p*ssy was something he couldn’t bear to hear.

“There’s no such nonsense.”

“It’s trueㅡ! I heard it clearly.”

The guy who was listening next to him also added a word, as he was so absurd.

“No, cee-bal, even so, can a human fck a Troll’s p*ssy?”

“There are those guys, right? Guys who only look for non-human women to fck. …He’s exactly that kind of guy.”

“Then, cee-bal, does his dck have to be as thick as an arm?”

Pu-ha-ha-haㅡ.

Everyone laughed happily.

Except Ji-hyuk, who became the guy who fcked a Troll’s p*ssy.

…This is why they say that rumors are not to be believed.

Ji-hyuk arrived in the city of Milanko a month later. There, he took another moving carriage to a village near Crescent Moon Lake. The villagers seemed to recognize him immediately.

━ Oh my, that man came again.

━ Isn’t he here to catch the lover he left behind?

━ The fairy must be good, right?

There were all sorts of murmurs. He ignored whatever they said and, after refilling his water at the inn, headed for Crescent Moon Lake again.

The sun was slowly setting. The sky gradually turned reddish. Underneath, the shepherds were herding their sheep back to their nests. It was a peaceful and beautiful scenery. In this world where it was difficult to even take care of his own body, it felt like his tainted heart was being purified.

He walked and walked. After passing a few low hills, the Crescent Moon Lake finally came into his view. Since it was the time of sunset, there were no people.

He walked along the lakeside. The sky was burning red as if it was burning its last soul. The sun slowly disappeared beyond the horizon.

The reddish lake held a beauty that was difficult to describe… It was as if the fairy Aizel had chosen this place because she was fascinated by this scene.

He walked along the familiar path. The forest was quiet. Kkokki-oㅡ. The sound of a chicken crowing was heard.

The training ground had not been used for a long time, so the grass was overgrown. He briefly approached it and lightly brushed the wooden chair where the fairy often sat. Dust was on his hand.

He shook his hand and went deeper. The forest quickly became dark. However, there was no ominous energy like the Demon Realm at all. Rather, it felt comfortable.

A faint light flickering far away was visible. Ahㅡ. Ji-hyuk’s heart strangely beat. He slowly walked to the cabin.

The front yard was still the same. The vegetables were growing lushly, and the chickens were flapping their wings. The scarecrow he had made stood lonely, worn out.

Then someone opened the door and came out. It was the fairy Aizel. She stood there for a moment, staring blankly at Ji-hyuk, who had returned. He also stood still without saying a word.

The two men and women looked at each other warmly. For a long time.

The first words were the fairy master’s.

“…You’re back.”

“Yes.”

The fairy slowly approached him. Ji-hyuk also approached her. The two hugged each other tightly as if they had made a promise.

“…Did you eat?”

“No. …Give me some food, Master.”

“Yes, come in quickly.”

The two entered the cabin. The inside was cozy. She had been in the middle of a meal too, the plates of food were placed on the table.

“Are you hungry? Wait a little. I’ll give it to you right away.”

He put down the luggage bag he was carrying. Then, he slowly looked around the house.

Nothing had changed. It was the same as then. The house, and her too.

“Come and eat. While it’s warm. It will get cold.”

Ji-hyuk sat down at the table again. Right across from him, the fairy Aizel sat and stared intently at him. A satisfied smile, as if looking at her grown son, was on her lips. Honey was dripping from her eyes.

“Thank you for the meal, Master.”

“Yes.”

He quickly shoved food into his mouth to fill his empty stomach. She just stared at it.

The two didn’t bring up the subject of the Hero… They both knew that it wasn’t important now.

The meal was over soon. The two cleared the plates. She brought two cups containing warm tea and put them down.

Only then could Ji-hyuk carefully look at her. The fairy was still beautiful. Elraim was also beautiful, but there was no such profound taste as Aizel.

It had been almost nine months. Although they had a mountain of things to say to each other, strangely, the words didn’t come out. Ji-hyuk thought that this must be what it means to understand without speaking.

This time, Aizel opened her mouth first.

“Did the thing you were trying to do go well?”

“Yes.”

“…Good for you. My disciple.”

The master smiled kindly.

She looked at him like that for a while and then looked out the window. It was already as dark as pitch everywhere. Only two small candles faintly lit up their view.

“It’s already late today, so let’s talk tomorrow. Go in and sleep now.”

“Yes, Master, have a peaceful night too.”

“Yes.”

The two each picked up a candlestick and stood up. Then, at the front of the narrow hallway, they parted for their respective rooms. Before entering their rooms, they looked back. Their eyes happened to meet. They shared a good night’s greeting with a smile and went into their respective rooms.

Ji-hyuk knew that his room was very clean. …The fairy must have cleaned it every day without fail. Waiting with bated breath for his return.

He put the candlestick on the small drawer next to the bed and lay down. Quiet silence settled.

He blew his breath towards the candle. The moonlight seeping through the slightly open window was the only light.

It was a cozy space. It felt like coming home.

The Hero fell into a deep sleep after a long time.