I Became a Hero With a Lot of Experience

35 – 035: Sense of Unease (1)

Galleon, waking from sleep, had a sudden vague feeling today that luck would be on his side.

There were no obvious signs of good luck, like having a good dream or stumbling upon a four-leaf clover during a walk.

Though he didn’t particularly feel refreshed, the seasoned instincts of a skilled politician who had protected the prince for a long time were vaguely hinting at something auspicious.

Luck seemed to have found Galleon after all those long years wasted.

The younger brother of a Viscount from the southern lands had sent a letter that was almost a surrender.

“Quite groveling,” Galleon couldn’t help but smile when they finally got down to business, bypassing the lengthy and tedious flattery, resembling the great sun of the kingdom, the one and only ruler of the kingdom.

All the unsightly incidents in the royal capital were solely the Viscount’s doing, and the family had no involvement whatsoever.

The Viscount’s brother stated so, offering a whopping sum, one-fifth of this year’s defense budget, as compensation.

It made sense for him to present himself this way.

It was an issue involving high-ranking demons from the demon army.

Regardless of the actual involvement of the Viscount, the mere suspicion was enough to tarnish the reputation of all humanity.

If he were to seek revenge here, not only would the temple turn its back, but his family would become enemies of neighboring countries, thrown into a desperate situation.

The Viscount’s brother had no other choice.

He promptly surrendered and demonstrated skill in severing ties with his brother.

“Arthur, summon the scribe.”

“Will you comply with the Viscount’s demand?”

“Yes.”

In truth, Galleon wanted to push a little more, but he knew when to stop, being a wise king.

No matter how wealthy the southern lands were, it would be a significant burden to produce such an amount immediately.

Perhaps there could be more extracted from the Viscount, but there was a risk of pushing him into a corner, leading to unexpected actions.

Galleon judged that this was the time to bear a slight loss, to show favor to the new Viscount and exhibit generosity to other lords in this situation.

“With this, the affairs in the south have been settled for now.”

“Yes, but Your Majesty, the fact that a demon army officer approached the Marquis implies that the demon army has deeply infiltrated the south, doesn’t it?”

“Indeed. It’s a good development.”

“Uh…?”

“Finding the demon army might lead to internal conflicts. We could face a sudden attack and suffer significant losses.”

“Shouldn’t we prevent that, then?”

“…Arthur. Do you know what a king must protect?”

“What? Why are you suddenly talking about…?”

Taken aback by the abrupt question, Arthur tilted his head in confusion.

Galleon looked at Arthur with a face that asked, ‘What do you mean?’ but urged him to speak with a nod.

“The kingdom… perhaps?”

Unable to come up with a better answer, Arthur responded, and Galleon nodded approvingly.

“Then what is it?”

“The direct commands of the king and the royal family. Arthur, the Marquis’s demise is not the end. It’s just the beginning.”

The nobles are shaken by the Marquis’s death.

Galleon explained the reason for this unrest, pointing one finger at a time.

“First, the fact that the collaborator was part of the demon army. To enter the kingdom, an internal collaborator is essential. However, this incident has cast doubt on the existence of a collaborator.”

“…That’s true.”

“Second, the demon army’s influence has reached what was considered the safest place, the south.”

There might be spies or troops of the demon army hiding even in his own territory.

The immediate concern is not the throne.

The nobles will be preoccupied with cleaning up the mess at their feet for a while.

“So, if significant damage occurs in the south due to the demon army, how do you think the nobles will react?”

“…It might be their turn next, so they will be even more eager to collaborate. They’ll have no choice but to bow their heads to the royal family, who has warriors capable of facing the commander.”

“That’s right. The end of this war is not just defeating the demon army. We can afford to lose to them. If one of the warriors defeats the demon, those who disappear will be the losers.”

What’s more alarming are the enemies who won’t disappear even after the demon is gone.

Those who wear masks called ‘Guljong’ and hide knives behind their backs, waiting for the right moment.

“Sometimes, those who bend are more frightening than those who don’t. Losses can be recovered later. It’s about preserving the power of the kingdom and the direct commands. Do you understand?”

“Yes! I will keep it in mind!”

“May the knights also remember this, and I hope you guard the prince even more sincerely.”

Listening to the powerful voices of the nobles, Galleon nodded with a satisfied expression.

It felt like everything was going to work out just fine, a premonition carried by the wind.

However…

Bang!

At the violent sound announcing an imminent issue, Galleon closed his eyes.

And when he opened them again, a presumptuous face that now felt like a long-time friend was waiting for him.

“You all gathered here.”

For some reason, an enraged warrior with a very agitated expression aimed his lance at the king and the nobles.

“Hey, come out.”

The warrior spoke with a firm voice.

The tip of the lance was pointing towards the king.

Caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the warrior who broke the door, one of the nobles stood up and said, momentarily flustered.

“Sir Warrior!! No matter how great a warrior you are, this is such an impolite act towards His Majesty…!!”

Thud!

The noble was brave, but in the face of a bullet imbued with sanctity, his courage was like a candle in the wind.

The bullet narrowly grazed his cheek, leaving a clear mark of violence on the wall.

While Galleon emitted a hot aura, the warrior spoke once again.

“Hey, come out.”

“Guards, we might not know what’s going on, but we shouldn’t provoke that lunatic.”

Galleon quietly raised his hand and stood up.

Following suit, the other nobles and guards also raised their hands, slowly getting up.

This time, for whatever reason, Galleon, who knew better than anyone not to provoke the warrior due to the previous incidents, was unsure of what was happening.

“Look here… I don’t know what’s going on, but let’s talk it out.”

“Stand straight, Your Majesty.”

“…Yes, Sir Warrior.”

Although they tried to block the bullets with words, in the face of that anger, any words were useless.

The king and the nobles stood up in a military-style formation, as if facing a military inspection.

The warrior, looking at them, spoke with a pained expression as if he were spitting out blood.

“From now on, answer my proposal with either a yes or a yes.”

“…Proposal?”

“…It’s a good story for you guys.”

*****

The street, where thick darkness seeped into every tile crevice, harbored a sticky darkness rejected even by the moonlight, lurking in patches all around.

After leaving the palace, I couldn’t quite fathom why I ended up strolling through this slum.

I hadn’t consciously intended to come this way.

When this sordid street tainted by the blood of virgins grabbed my hand and led me, it was then that I awakened, wandering within this infinite darkness.

If I pondered what I had done at the palace, today I would be no different from a prostitute selling herself on these streets.

I am a scoundrel.

Repeatedly reminding myself in my mind, I silently pushed through the darkness and moved forward.

Then, as if a goddess pitied me and took my hand to guide me, a familiar voice resonated from the depths of the darkness.

“Hey, warrior…!! (Experience points: 6)”

Shortly after, along with the faint light of a lantern, the owner of the voice poked their head out from the darkness.

Melina shone the lantern on me, then recoiled in shock at the bloodstains on my body.

However, evidently deciding that backing away wouldn’t resolve matters, she resolutely stepped forward back into the darkness, her expression determined.

“What… happened in the palace? And why the blood on your body…!! (Experience points: 6)”

“…You won’t have to worry about money from now on.”

“Huh? (Experience points: 6)”

This story isn’t just about this orphanage but pertains to all orphanages in the slums.

From now on, the orphanages managed by the temple will receive support from the royal family, just like before.

Furthermore, though it’s currently abolished, there are plans to revive the stipends and employment policies for children just leaving the orphanages.

Upon sharing this fact, Melina asked, her voice trembling as if in disbelief.

“T-That can’t be true. No matter how much the warrior pleaded, such dream-like things…!! D-Does, by any chance, the blood on the warrior have anything to do with it? (Experience points: 6)”

“This? This is from some lunatic who tried to rob me over there, and I got dirty dealing with it.”

“Then why… (Experience points: 6)”

“I made a deal.”

Yes.

I’ve done something I shouldn’t have.

If the goddess were to know about this, she would strip me of my title as a warrior.

…A deal, you say? (Experience points: 6)”

“…I made a deal with the king. In exchange for providing aid, I promised to eliminate two demon army commanders who would establish themselves in the kingdom within a year. If I fail to keep this promise…”

“If you can’t do it? (Experience Points: 6)”

“I… will be marrying Princess Penny.”

“…Excuse me? (Experience Points: 6)”

“…I am a mercenary.”

He had staked empathy in exchange for money.

If this isn’t called being a mercenary, then what on earth should it be called?!

“When I brought up this matter in front of the king, I felt like tearing my throat apart. Every word I uttered made me feel so disgusted with myself.”

“Um… (Experience Points: 6)”

“You’ve been experiencing this feeling too, right? It’s really remarkable… I struggled so much even with just once. You’re truly a strong person.”

“Oh, no, it’s just that… (Experience Points: 6)”

“Now, coming back and facing the children with this dirty body, I can’t show my face. Please give my regards. Well then, I’ll be going now.”

“Hero!! (Experience Points: 6)”

“Huh? Why?”

“…Um, why would marrying the princess mean selling your body? Even if others want to, they can’t… (Experience Points: 6)”

“…?”

What is this guy talking about now?