Chapter 27

Defeating the demon race, the battlefield was no longer a battlefield, so we returned.

It turned out to be just a short trip and a short return.

However, the enthusiasm with which we were welcomed upon our return was overwhelming.

"Long live the heroes!!"

"They are the heroes who saved the nation!!"

"The strength of the kingdom's army is here! Praise the valiant soldiers!!"

What is this festival-like atmosphere?

From the moment we entered the city until we reached the castle, we were cheered on like this the whole time.

I feel like there's a specific term for this kind of situation.

A triumphal return.

Yes, we were having a triumphal return!

"I didn't do anything special, everyone is overreacting, you know?"

"What are you saying! You scattered the demon race with a single touch of your armor! It's only natural to be celebrated!"

Ressara, who was leading the army at the head of the formation, said this with excitement.

Since I was walking alongside her, it meant I was also at the head of the army.

Why?

"The people may not have known how serious the situation was, but victory is still a joy. They are celebrating our victory. As a knight, you must respond. Lord Ryuya, you should at least wave your hand!"

"But I'm not a knight...!?"

Noem, who was naturally by my side, was also waving his hand, seemingly pushed by the atmosphere.

Even after entering the castle, it was the same feeling. We proceeded inside the building, separated from the main army, with only a few of the top brass.

It was quite mysterious that I was included in this group.

Finally, we arrived at the throne room where the king was waiting.

"Welcome back safely! Ressara! The generals! And Ryuya and Noem!"

The king's face was flushed with excitement.

"I have already received the report. However, my ears... my ears might be deceiving me. I want to hear the report again from the person who was actually there...!"

"H...!"

Ressara, receiving the king's peculiar request, said respectfully.

"When our reinforcement unit arrived at the front line, the main unit was already more than half injured and in a state of near destruction. At that moment, Alchemist Noem provided the healing potions, and even those who were thought to be beyond help were restored."

"Oh!"

"Furthermore, when the battle officially began, the demon race appeared with thirty thousand monsters. Thanks to Ryuya's quick thinking and Noem's potions, we were able to eliminate them in an instant. Our casualties were virtually zero."

"Ohh!!"

The king's excitement increased with each report, which was both eerie and frightening.

"Ressara... I heard that you used that command scroll to unleash a skill with the full power of the entire army. Is everything alright?"

"Yes, Ryuya took the backlash of the skill in my place, and the damage from the slight shock that leaked out was healed by Noem's potions. The fact that the monsters were eliminated and that I am unharmed is all thanks to the two of them."

...But I made Ressara experience hell.

Her distant gaze at times since then is scary.

"Most importantly, the one who directly confronted and eliminated the demon race was Ryuya. This victory was brought about by Ryuya. I would like to request that he be given the greatest reward of all."

"Indeed, indeed! I understand...!!"

The king's gaze turned to me.

"Ryuya, you might be a savior sent by the gods."

"That's a bit much..."

"I thought I believed in you, but you surpassed even my expectations. I never imagined that in just a few days, you would scatter the enemy completely and ensure that our allies suffered no damage. What else could this be but the deeds of a hero!"

"Your words are kind, but it wasn't just me. Noem worked hard to concoct the potions, and Abinion, despite being of a different race, helped a lot."

And most importantly, Ressara used her skill with determination, and each soldier on the battlefield cooperated with her.

"It was a victory we all achieved together."

"You're making me cry... Because of you, I must give you a reward that matches your glorious achievement, or my name as a king will be tarnished!"

"I have already received sufficient rewards through the guild."

"That's not enough at all! To reward your achievement, I will elevate you to the nobility!"

"Nobility!?"

At these words, the surrounding people began to murmur more than I did.

The audience hall was filled with many people, not just me and Ressara who had come to report the victory.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Are you sure about this!?"

The bald minister, who had a thinning top, rushed forward in a panic.

"He is a commoner! Elevating a commoner to the nobility is already problematic, and to make matters worse, he is a 'Skillless'! Making a 'Skillless' a noble will make us a laughingstock to other countries!"

"Tch, shut up."

The king, who had started to click his tongue.

"Then what reward do you suggest for Ryuya, who saved the nation? I think this is not enough. Elevating him to the nobility is just one of many gifts I will give."

"Your Majesty, a direct compliment from you is more than enough for a commoner like him! He should be honored to hear your voice and work for you for the rest of his life!"

"You're being too presumptuous."

The king's expression was becoming increasingly displeased.

"I don't think I'm that great. A king's value lies in governing the country and supporting the people. A king who can't do that is worse than trash."

"Your Majesty!?"

"I believe Ryuya has saved the nation from a crisis and has also saved my value as a king. It is only right to show the greatest gratitude to a benefactor. Minister, step down; I don't want to hear your nonsense anymore."

Receiving a complete rejection, the bald minister had no choice but to remain silent.

"So, Ryuya, let's start by acknowledging you as a noble of our country. We can decide on a family name and territory later."

"Um, well...?"

"I like you. I want you to work close to me in the future. Please, I'm asking you."

Of course, for a commoner like me, becoming a noble would be a suffocating situation.

However, with not only the king but also the expectant gazes of those around me, it was impossible to say "I refuse."

As I was sweating profusely, wondering what to do...

"Wait! Please wait!"

The bold objection of the bald minister.

He's not giving up, this guy.

"Just now... I received a report that an important guest has arrived!"

"An important guest?"

"Can't we decide everything after properly welcoming this guest?"

The bald minister, no doubt, wants to prevent a situation that is not interesting to him.

Still, his determination to do whatever it takes is impressive.

Who is this guest?

"The hero has arrived!"

"The hero?"

At that moment.

The door was slammed open, and a man entered the room.

His presence was so dignified, I almost swooned.

He had a handsome face, a straight back, and a confident posture, truly befitting a hero.

So, this is the hero...

"What is a hero, anyway?"

"Don't you know, Lord Ryuya!?"

Ressara, standing next to me, was surprised.

"The hero is a hero that the church can call its own."

"A hero that the church can call its own...?"

"The church selects and trains individuals with powerful skills, and after rigorous selection, the few who remain are considered the church's elite. They are the heroes."

The church trains rare skill users through rigorous training and molds them into the world's best warriors.

These heroes, under the church's command, are scattered across various countries to save people from the attacks of demons and monsters and receive praise.

"The church, as the representative of the gods, has the role of granting skills to people. It is in the best position to find young people with rare skills and high potential. The church makes full use of this position to maintain many of the strongest skill users...!"

These skill users are the heroes.

"Why is a hero here?"

"Probably because he heard that our country is under attack by the demon race. ...Vulture."

For some reason, Ressara's attitude towards the hero is very cold.

Is it disdain?

Ignoring our conversation, the hero faced only the king.

"King Centaurian, how are you? This hero, Riber, has come to save your country from its crisis!"

"A crisis? What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb. Your country is on the brink of destruction due to the demon race's invasion. But now that I'm here, you can rest assured. I will destroy the demon race with my power for you to see!"

The hero, bowing respectfully.

His every movement is theatrical.

Wait.

What did he just call himself?

Riber?

It's been five years, and his appearance has changed, but...

"Is that Riber?"

"The hero's power is the power of justice! I will show you its greatness, Your Majesty! And when I have successfully defeated the demon race, I would like to discuss the marriage with the princess...!"

"Hey, Riber?"

"...What's so noisy? Who dares to address this hero, Riber, so rudely?"

"It's me, me."

"You... Could it be Ryuya!?"

One of the companions who received a powerful skill at the blessing ceremony when we were fourteen and then parted ways with me.

I never thought I would meet Riber here.