“You’re amazing, Abel. To take on the Elysion Octa without breaking a sweat.”
The captain of the Second Squad rushed over, a dapper, middle-aged man with a mustache.
“There was no need for us to be shields at all, hahahaha.”
He laughed.
Then, not only the Slayer, but also the surviving mages of the Phantom Ark rushed over.
“My, my, I am impressed. I’d heard Aisha had an incredibly powerful mage, but I never imagined it would be to this extent—”
“The enemies who tormented us so much were defeated with such ease—”
“When it comes to you, Abel, even the Elysion Octa seem like children. You’re as skilled as the rumors say… no, even more so.”
They praised me one after another.
The mages of Rungaria were said to possess the greatest power among the Six Great Nations.
The Phantom Ark, considered the elite among them, were the best of the best.
It was said that they had as many talented individuals as, or even more than, the captains of the Slayer.
Such powerful individuals were now gazing at me with admiration.
It felt ticklish, or perhaps embarrassing.
“We must invite you to our country someday, Abel, and ask you to guide and train our mages.”
“Such a multitude of magic I’ve never seen before… we implore you to teach us.”
“Being praised this much makes it hard to know how to act…”
I muttered with a wry smile.
“Just act with confidence.”
Claire leaned against me.
Her soft, supple touch seemed to soothe and heal my heated emotions from the battle.
“You’re no longer just an ordinary boy from a farming village. You’re the hero who saved the world.”
“Don’t call me a hero too, Claire.”
“Oh, but it’s the truth, isn’t it?”
Claire smiled mischievously.
“Hold your head high, Abel. You’ve done something worthy of everyone’s praise,”
Ashe smiled.
“But, it feels like I’m being praised too much…”
“What are you talking about? Gimul was destroyed, Rungaria was at a disadvantage, Aisha attacked, and it seemed like the whole world was about to be conquered by the Empire— didn’t you break through that tide with your power?”
Ashe said with a smile.
“While it’s not good to be arrogant, there’s no need to be overly humble, is there?”
“Claire is right. You should just act with confidence.”
“…I suppose so.”
Hearing Claire and Ashe say that gave me confidence.
Not arrogant, nor self-deprecating.
I should accept the current situation naturally.
In any case, I should remain calm as a ‘hero’—
My defeat of Kagetora from the Elysion Octa had completely turned the tide.
Although the remaining enemies were all elites, Rungaria also had many powerful mages who countered them well.
Of course, I, Ashe, and the Second Squad also fought bravely.
The war situation changed dramatically in just one week.
Rungaria, from a disadvantage, turned to offense, and the Empire is now cornered to the brink of retreat.
With the remaining forces, Rungaria’s mages, centered around the Phantom Ark, were capable of fighting on their own, and we were given permission to return home.
Upon our return, the reception was even more enthusiastic than usual.
The commoners chanted my name ecstatically.
Some were so overcome with emotion that they cried just by looking at me.
“You’re incredibly popular.”
Claire murmured, looking dumbfounded rather than surprised.
“It feels like the cheers get louder after every battle. You’re truly a hero, both in name and in deed.”
Racine looked at me with a dreamy expression.
I waved lightly to the crowd.
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!
The surroundings erupted immediately.
Wow, what a reaction.
A fervor of heat, vitality, gratitude, and joy enveloped the area, overflowing with an unusual sense of exhilaration.
We proceeded amidst the immense cheers and eventually arrived at the Knight Order headquarters.
It should have taken only fifteen minutes on foot, but it took over an hour as we responded to the crowd.
“Welcome back, Abel.”
A slightly plump, middle-aged woman approached as if she had been waiting.
Her disproportionately ample chest and her somewhat fleshy lower abdomen jiggled.
“Without further ado, please come to the temple tonight as well.”
Eliza, the Minister, whispered in my ear.
So, it’s time for me to enjoy the company of the beauties waiting for me.
“You will be more tempted from now on.”
Eliza continued.
“Your fame is about to spread not just through Aisha, but across the continent. Many will want to take such a rare hero under their wing. For example, like that annoying Lord Arvin. No, and others— all sorts of temptations, such as money and women, will come your way.”
Eliza had a friendly, matronly smile on her face.
But her gaze fixed on me was sharp enough to send a shiver down my spine.
“However, as your Queen, I can offer you the best of everything. This country’s center is, and always will be, Your Majesty the Queen. This country’s mainstream is, and always will be, Your Majesty the Queen. Aligning yourself with us is the wise choice.”
“…I don’t understand complicated power struggles.”
“Oh, it’s just basic survival tactics.”
Eliza smiled.
“Anyway, the most beautiful women await you today. Of course, rest assured that none of them are being forced. Now, please enjoy yourself, Lord Abel.”
“Uh, um…”
“Director Dorothea, a Court Magician who usually stays in Aisha, is also away on urgent business. As the key magician of Aisha— make sure you never neglect to replenish your magic power.”
Ah, Dorothea is away.
Then Aisha’s magical defenses must be thin.
As Eliza said, replenishing magic power is important.
Even though the battles were easy, I used many powerful spells during the expedition to Rungaria.
In fact, I felt quite drained of my internal magic.
…And honestly, I’ve been abstaining from sex during the march, so a week’s worth of desire has accumulated.
Just thinking about the harem makes blood rush to my lower abdomen.
This is no longer about reason.
It’s a man’s primal urge.
“Heh, you seem to be in the mood. Oh, if you’d like, I wouldn’t mind accompanying you? My specialty, Divine Exceed Rider, is rumored to send any man to the heavens within a minute—”
“No, I’ll just take your kind offer…”
Eliza is always trying to tempt me whenever she gets the chance.
I politely declined.
…Although, the Divine Exceed Rider thing does pique my interest a little.
“Sigh.”
After Eliza left, Claire let out a deep sigh.
“Yes, this is a ritual… just a ritual. There’s no need to worry about it…”
She seemed to be reassuring herself.
“Oh, come on, I can’t help but be bothered… ugh.”
“Claire, you’re such a jealous person~”
“Even you, Racine, have a stiff expression on your face.”
Claire glared at the consoling Racine.
“I-I’m not… well, uh…”
Racine stammered, her face flushed red.
“B-by interacting with various women and getting stimulated, it’s good for magic activation… I support it… you know?”
She said, her eyes darting back and forth.
“Ah, I could always be your partner, you know.”
Lil grumbled.
“I don’t really care… whether you’re sleeping with anyone or not, I don’t care at all, not even a tiny bit.”
Veronica was staring at me with an unusually expressionless face.
…When you look at me like that, it’s seven times scarier than being scolded.
“Now, now, everyone. Abel is just doing what he needs to do. Don’t blame him too much.”
Ashe calmed the agitated group.
“…But, does it mean we’re not enough? Well, it does make me a little jealous.”
Ashe muttered discontentedly in a low voice.
In the end, everyone in the Third Squad was a little displeased.
…Wait, Dita is the only one not reacting.
Then I realized she wasn’t even here.
Where did she go?
