After parting ways with Aldi and returning to the inn, I had dinner prepared by Eve.
Well, it was more like a midnight snack. There was a note on the tray, and judging by its contents, Eve had already gone to bed early. Rafine’s room was also dark, indicating she had already retired for the night.
I descended the stairs to return the dishes to the sink on the first floor.
I glanced at Leti’s rented room for a moment, and noticed the light was still on.
There was no sound. Before dinner, I lightly knocked, but there was no response. I couldn’t hear any breathing either. Just to be sure, I checked, but she wasn’t in the room.
“…Where did she go?”
Considering the tray was already cleared, she must have returned once and then gone out again, but it was reckless to be out at this hour. What if she encountered a naked pervert?
After finishing my task, I returned to my room and threw myself onto the bed.
Absentmindedly, I looked up at the ceiling. A small stain in the corner caught my eye, and a turmoil erupted in my chest.
—The Magic Institute and the Hero Church have decided to ‘dispose’ of Letinoa-sama. Despite being under observation and kept under watch, the council reached a majority decision to dispose of her.
—So they’re going to kill her…? That’s ridiculous.
—Letinoa-sama’s [Aura] was implanted. The [Holy Seals] of Hero Noah were all powerful, and they couldn’t withstand an unsuitable body and mind. It’s bad enough if the body bursts and dies, but in the worst case, the mind could go mad and pose a threat to civilians.
—That’s ridiculous! That’s not a reason to kill her!
—I know! I only found out about it this time, and I protested, saying it was ridiculous! So finally, I managed to delay the disposal under certain conditions!
Aldi exclaimed with a bitter expression.
[…First of all, there shouldn’t be any compulsion to orders for a hero.]
[Oh, a hero can be anyone with the manifestation of the “Holy Mark.” No institution has the authority to give orders. This is a special case. Miss Letinoa is not officially a hero; she is owned by the church.]
[Owned…?]
[“A tool in the shape of a person.” A fake created to fit the Hero Factor, both physically and ideologically. Similar to humans, but not human. That’s the church’s view.]
[Wha…?]
[Four years ago, Miss Letinoa was supposed to be disposed of. But with the recommendation of the “Luck” hero, Norman, and her own will, she was allowed to act as a hero.]
[…She’s, well, she’s herself. Not a thing.]
[I think so too, which is why I’m blabbering about classified information like this. This condition is because only Jirei can do it.]
[…What condition are you talking about?]
I interrupted my thoughts there and turned my face to the window. Soon, I sensed the sound of footsteps and someone’s presence outside.
Then, the sound of creaking stairs. Eventually, it stopped in a room down the hall, and the sound of the door closing was heard.
I got up from the bed and stepped out into the hallway.
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“Who’s there?”
“It’s me. Can I come in?”
“Shisho? Sure.”
After knocking, I was allowed to enter the room.
Leti, a girl with peach-colored hair, was lying in bed, her face peeking out from the futon, looking at me with a curious expression. She tilted her head and asked, “What’s wrong?”
I tried to speak with my usual voice as much as possible.
“I just came because I was bored. Were you going to sleep?”
“I just woke up!”
“Don’t lie. You’re clearly in a position to go to sleep.”
As she tried to get up from the bed, I stopped her with my hand and said, “Stay like that.”
I sat on the edge of the bed, facing the wall.
What came to mind were Aldi’s words.
[The condition from the magic institution is “to never use the hero’s power again.” In other words, give up heroic activities and let her live peacefully as a civilian.]
[Then why only ask me?]
[I chose to be a hero because I admired Jirei. I’m much more qualified than you.]
–That’s… because forming a party with you is my goal.
She said so with straight eyes when we first met.
[So please! Please make Miss Letinoa give up being a hero!]
I looked away from the wall and looked at Leti.
“You are… why?”
Leti had a childish expression. When our eyes met, I asked.
“Why are you being a hero?”
Leti looked surprised. But soon she puffed up her chest and answered.
“Because I want to be like Shishou!”
“Why? I’m not doing anything you should admire.”
“I’m telling you, that’s not true! [Ants in a jar won’t fight each other. But the moment you break the jar, they’ll recognize each other as enemies and kill each other. …Without knowing who the real enemy is.]”
“Alright, that’s enough, that’s enough.”
I writhed under the blow from the past. Seriously, why did I have to remember such unnecessary things?
After calming my breath, I spoke.
“Have you ever thought about quitting being a hero? It seems pretty bleak to me.”
Leti pondered for a moment.
“Nope!”
She said it with a firm declaration and a smile.
“…………Why, though?”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“…I didn’t say anything.”
I instinctively turned my face away. I couldn’t bear to look at Leti’s smile directly.
…Hey, why?
Why can you still smile?
[Letinoa-sama’s [Aura] doesn’t fully match. Each time she uses the power of the [Holy Seals], her body and mind wear out. It’s been two years. Just two years of acting as a hero, and Letinoa-sama only has—]
A grinding sound came from my mouth. Aldi’s mechanical words echoed in my head.
[—She won’t live for more than five years.]
I turned my face back towards Leti. She still had that idiotic expression.
She should have heard it from the church. So why… can you still laugh so carefree?
I clenched my teeth, hesitated, and finally spoke.
“…Leti, do you want me to join your party?”
“I want you to join!”
“Alright then, I’ll join.”
Leti stared blankly for a moment, then her face lit up with understanding.
“Really!?”
“…Yeah.”
“Yeah!” Leti cheered, raising both hands in the air.
“So, you don’t have to do anything anymore. Quit being a hero.”
“…?”
“Don’t be a hero, be an adventurer in our party. I’ll defeat monsters and demons. You don’t have to fight. So—”
“No, I won’t!”
Leti shook her head.
“That won’t do.”
“…Why not? It’ll be easier for you.”
“I have to be a hero. I’ll fight as a hero too.”
“Huh? Then I won’t join. Are you okay with that?”
“I want you to join the party! Join us!”
“That’s why I’m not joining. It’s about you quitting being a hero–“
An argument began, reminiscent of one I had seen before.
Leti showed no signs of giving up, stubbornly insisting on her point. She didn’t budge an inch.
It was the same as before. She was persistent, stubborn, and foolish.
So in the end, the result was the same as before.
After a back-and-forth, I was the one who gave in first…
Early the next morning.
I informed Norman that I would participate in the request.
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