I Became a Hero With a Lot of Experience

29 – 029: Formation of the Holy City (1)

The outskirts of the Royal Road.

A remote alley considered dangerous even in the slums formed by the invasion of the Demon Army.

A man standing in front of a wall that seemed no different from the other walls in the vicinity unfolded a map with an uncertain expression.

Although the streetlights had long ceased to function, there was no worry about not being able to see the map.

He was a wizard. Seeing a map buried in darkness posed no problem for him.

“This should be it…”

Muttering to himself, the man tapped the wall as many times as he had heard.

With a small vibration, the wall lowered, revealing stairs leading underground.

“Hmm…”

The man who descended the stairs with a short sigh was Count Makini de Trion.

His territory in the south had not yet been invaded by the Demon Army, so he had accumulated considerable strength.

In other words, it meant that, with the pretext of being a hero, he was currently the closest to the throne.

“It’s almost too lucky, it’s making me uneasy.”

He had a lot of luck to come this far.

His domain, as mentioned earlier, could store many forces that had deviated from the invasion route of the Demon King’s army.

Originally, the warrior who was supposed to be connected to the princess inexplicably faced adversity and strained relations with the royal family.

And being a local noble, he had no ties to the capital, which prevented him from forming a connection with the warrior. However, he was able to establish a connection with the capital.

“I apologize for being a bit late. It’s my first time on this route, so I got lost.”

“I understand. It’s not difficult to wander around here, especially since there are no streetlights.”

“…Thanks for understanding.”

When the world became chaotic, grievances tended to be directed towards the king, and the woman in front of the marquis was a representative figure of such disgruntled nobles.

Introducing herself as Maro, the woman had strong ties to the capital from the beginning, being a fallen noblewoman due to the Demon King’s army. She held resentment towards the royal family for not sending timely reinforcements, and the marquis needed support from within the capital upon entering.

Although their motives differed, it didn’t take long for these two individuals with common understanding to join forces.

“How are the nobles in the capital holding up?”

“They are quite demoralized. After Sir Las, the former commander of the knights, was severely punished by his own actions, others are worried it might be their turn next.”

Unlike local nobles with territories, the title held significant meaning for aristocrats in the capital.

As a king, punishing Las was unavoidable for the sake of setting an example, but it ultimately led to the demoralization of the nobles and resentment towards the king.

“And there was the incident with the tax as well…”

“Hmph, even though we changed it to a new system like the Jingjo Tax, they still complain. These people are unreasonable.”

He said so, but if the king had ordered a severe tax like Jingjo, the marquis would have found it unbearable.

Certainly, even if it meant opposing royal orders, he would have resisted, even if it meant going against the king as he is now.

“And regarding the warrior, there is good news on our end. It might become easier to capture the warrior.”

“What do you mean by ‘easier’?”

“Recently, there have been rumors that the warrior is leaving the capital to volunteer at an orphanage.”

“What?”

He understood the meaning, but it was unimaginable based on the stories he had heard about the warrior so far. According to the marquis, the warrior was insane enough to endure being treated badly.

Because he was such a madman, the marquis had planned to utilize him in any way possible, but he never thought the warrior would go to volunteer at an orphanage.

“He seems to be volunteering there, interacting with children in a normal way. It seems he even shares a sweet candy called Caramel with them.”

“Well… why is that good news?”

“Because… initially, the warrior used to move with a large escort, but recently, he has been moving alone.”

Meeting the warrior was always the most difficult part of their encounters.

His sphere of activity was vigorously restricted, and opportunities to meet were scarce due to rare ventures outside.

Even if one were to visit the vigorous place with the hope of somehow meeting, it was a location where the eyes of palace nobles and knights were everywhere.

In such a place, it was impossible to persuade a warrior without anyone noticing.

“…It seems the heavens are assisting us. The gods are guiding me to the throne.”

“hehehe, it truly seems that way.”

Maro chuckled, agreeing with those words.

“But the important daughter…”

When Maro cautiously inquired with a smile, the viscount nodded firmly in response.

“No problem.”

The weapon to persuade the warrior was none other than the viscount’s daughter, not a treasure comparable to gold or power akin to the throne, as if it would reach the heavens.

“Is it really without any problems? I don’t doubt you, Viscount, but if we make a mistake, the warrior could become our enemy as well, not just the royal family.”

“I checked it myself. There was definitely a barrier, so there’s no need to worry about any unforeseen circumstances.”

“…I’ve been quite impolite. In that case, our plan will succeed, right?”

“Hmm…”

The two nodded together, already anticipating the success of their plan.

The viscount’s daughter was a virgin confirmed by her producer father.

*****

“Are you going again today? (Experience points: 2 people)”

“If someone hears, they might think I go every day.”

“Three days, when it’s short, it’s almost like going every other day or every day. (Experience points: 2 people)”

As the time spent together extended for several weeks, the knights’ cautious attitude towards me going to the orphanage began to diminish to some extent, just as he said.

As he said, I now visit the orphanage every three days, sometimes every two days.

Now, the routine that was almost like work or daily life was quite pleasing to me.

I wished, in my heart, to even set up a household in the orphanage, but it was a task I couldn’t burden an already troubled orphanage with.

“…By any chance, if I ask, would you provide support to that orphanage?”

“If it’s support, it seems that after the priest at the orphanage accepted the warrior’s request, they periodically receive small assistance. (Experience points: 2 people)”

“More than that would be difficult, right?”

“Yes, if the situation improves, it seems the warrior will live in the orphanage. (Experience points: 2 people)”

This guy probably knows even the most royal path. He definitely won’t provide more support than this.

“Do you need the carriage today as well? (Experience points: 2 people)”

“Sure, since I’m familiar with the path, I can go alone. No need for an escort. This is enough.”

He sighed when he spoke, showing a shield and lance on his back, but he didn’t elaborate any further.

“Then, I’ll be on my way.”

With those words, the tightly closed castle gate opened. As he received the knights’ farewell, he left through the gate, not the road, but heading towards the orphanage via the rooftops.

As I entered the slums, I couldn’t help but sigh while gazing blankly at the dying people, as usual.

These slums were spreading like cancer throughout the capital due to the invasion of the demon army. Although the capital took in the refugees, they couldn’t care for all of them.

There were limits to both money and manpower, making it impossible to reintegrate them all into society. Additionally, due to discrimination from the capital’s natives, they couldn’t find decent jobs, leading many to turn to crime, intensifying the discrimination.

It was a vicious cycle commonly seen on Earth. Perhaps the only solution would be money.

The residents of the capital commonly referred to the refugees as “gangsters and prostitutes,” meaning men as thugs and women as prostitutes.

Among the refugees unable to seek money due to discrimination, women who couldn’t turn to crime sold their bodies to survive.

Yes, selling their most precious possession to others for the sake of living or for their families.

Every time I thought about the virgins disappearing against their will in such a oppressive manner, I couldn’t hold back tears.

Actually, a single tear was streaming down my cheek even now as I observed the desolate scenery of the slums.

Unable to bear it any longer, I moved to the rooftops. It was a feeble attempt, but if I didn’t do something like this, I couldn’t endure it.

After moving through the rooftops and arriving at the orphanage, I wiped away the tears with my sleeve and landed on the ground.

“…Hero.”

Frowning at the inevitable dust kicked up by the landing, Yuna greeted me.

“I told you not to jump off the roof.”

“Sorry. I just couldn’t come here by walking.”

The pink-haired girl, Yuna, who was the eldest among the children, replaced the busy Melina in taking care of the household chores, including sweeping the yard.

“Where’s Melina?”

“She’s doing laundry in the back right now. If you want to help, would you mind assisting her?”

“Since I went there after hearing that, let me finish here first. Or is she already preparing dinner?”

“That sounds good. Hero’s food is incredibly delicious, after all.”

While there were no soy sauce-like seasonings in this world’s capital, I could still make high-quality dishes with its unique seasonings.

“Today, I’ll treat you to something even more delicious, so look forward to it….”

“Excuse me. (Experience Acquisition: 13 people)”

I turned my head to the sudden interruption that cut through the conversation.

There stood a middle-aged man with his face covered.

As if expressing suspicion in written form, I instinctively reached out towards Lance when the man spoke.

“I, humble as I am, greet the esteemed hero. If it’s not too much trouble, could you spare me a moment? (Experience Acquisition: 13 people)”