Chapter 35

I feel the atmosphere around me has clearly changed.

"You must be, now you're a celebrity."

When I consulted with Rondaito-san, she said this with a look of exasperation. She serves as the Guild Master of the Adventurers' Guild in the capital, known for her extensive experience and wisdom. Moreover, she is a beautiful woman with a wild charm.

When I actually confided my troubles to her, she responded:

"The news of the demon race being destroyed within our country has spread throughout the land. Even children know about it now."

"Is it like 'bad news travels fast'?"

"It's not bad, is it? Rather, it's a great deed to kill demons, isn't it?"

What do you think?

I feel that even though it's killing, since it's against demons, it should be categorized as 'evil' in terms of good and evil.

Of course, this is just my personal opinion, and it should rather be considered a warning.

There's no change in the fact that demons are terrifying enemies of humanity. So, I can understand why the city is buzzing with excitement over their defeat, and it's not something to dampen.

However, why is it that the information about who killed the demons has leaked so much?

"Every time I pass by someone in the city, they say, 'You're the hero who saved the country by defeating the demon, right? Please shake my hand!'"

"Women probably say, 'Embrace me!'"

"Why would they say that!?"

"It's a setup, but there are actually perverts who say such things...!"

Somehow, the details of what happened on the front lines of the battlefield have spread to the city.

Originally, just repelling the demons would have been a great victory, but the fact that they were completely destroyed to the point of no revival, and that it was done by a single person, and that this person is a skill-less, powerless adventurer belonging to the Adventurers' Guild, and that his name is Ryuya—this is me.

"Moreover, why is even my physical appearance known in such detail? So that I'm recognized by passersby?"

"It's because the Reporting Guild has been distributing papers with illustrations. They are quite accurate!"

Such a social system!?

Damn it, if they're going to put someone's face in the papers, they should at least get permission!

"There was a gag order on the fact that the army was in a dire situation due to the demon attack, but when it comes to a victory, it's spread like wildfire. However, there are other reasons this time."

"What do you mean?"

"If the details of this victory are not thoroughly known, the church might claim it as their own and spread false information."

"Ah, I see."

Apparently, it is customary for the church to send support upon request in the fight against demons, such as dispatching heroes or healers.

However, in this battle against the demons, there was no such movement from the church.

It seems that the king was trying to get the church to agree to marry Reslaze by pressuring them.

But thanks to me quickly defeating the demons, their plan backfired completely, and the church is now a target of criticism. They are probably running around trying to put out fires now.

"The king himself is directing this countermeasure. He must be thoroughly angry with the church, so he will go all out. Ryuya, you can help with that, so try to endure a little."

"It's affecting my daily life...!"

"Generally, for adventurers, having their face and name known is a welcome thing. Look behind you."

When prompted by Rondaito-san, I turned around to see many adventurers lined up. Their expressions seemed to sparkle.

"Um... Mr. Ryuya, right?"

"Yes, but why?"

What is it?

Is it going to be another 'no skills, huh?' kind of thing?

"I saw it on the news! You defeated the demon!"

"As an adventurer, I'm proud of you! Can I have a handshake!?"

But it turned out to be different.

I was surrounded, and admiring gazes came from all directions.

"Adventurers aren't all bad people. Thanks to you defeating Dogizer, the proportion of decent people has increased."

"Who's Dogizer again?"

"Have you forgotten? The bald guy who challenged you and was instantly crushed by that ghost woman?"

Oh, right, there was someone like that.

"Anyway, defeating Dogizer is also a reason why other adventurers admire you. Your reputation is built day by day. Be careful to maintain it."

"Thank you for your advice."

"Come on, let's cut the small talk and get home. If you make your wife angry, it's scary afterward, you know?"

"We're still technically engaged..."

After the secret meeting following the battle with the hero Riber, my marriage to Reslaze was decided, along with Noem.

Since it's not fitting for someone with a household to live in a cheap boarding house introduced by the Adventurers' Guild, we moved to a mansion granted by the palace.

I heard that this mansion was recently occupied by a high-ranking official who worked in the castle...

Someone at the ministerial level...

I don't think it's someone I know, right?

"Hmm, so you haven't had your honeymoon night yet? If that's the case, I can give you a practice run? If you keep fooling around in the guild, you know?"

I fled from Rondaito-san, who was exuding dangerous charm, and left the Adventurers' Guild.

There's no choice. I'll head to the new place I call home.

◆

"It's not that I don't want to go home..."

Somehow, I feel nervous.

Even though it's my home, the place where I should feel the most relaxed.

Do other men who have just started living together with their partners feel the same kind of nervousness?

As soon as I passed through the gate, I received an extremely warm welcome.

"Welcome home, sir!"

Reslaze greeted me directly.

At home, she is not in her knight's armor but in a proper, feminine skirt.

Her cuteness is overwhelming.

I feel dizzy.

"What's wrong, sir? Is there something wrong with your health!?"

"No, I'm fine... I just felt overwhelmed by happiness..."

The power of happiness is terrifying.

Even if your level exceeds several million, it can kill you in one hit.

"Um... Is there anything I'm doing wrong? I haven't worn such clothes before...!"

Reslaze, who was in knight's armor when we first met, asks.

"I have only received knight training and have never done anything feminine...! I'm worried if I can be a proper wife for the great Ryuya-sama...!"

"Well, I'm not that great a person either...!"

"That's not true! Ryuya-sama is the strongest person on earth and a hero! My father... no, the king, said that I should serve Ryuya-sama as a representative of the country!"

King.

What did you tell your daughter?

"So, since I am now Ryuya-sama's partner, I will serve you with all my might! Shall we start with dinner? Or a bath? Or me!?"

"Who told you to do that!?"

As a former knight, her enthusiasm in serving her husband is overly strong.

"Um...! By the way, how is Noem...!?"

"She is in the laboratory. She says it's fun to do alchemy research seriously. Abinion-sama is also accompanying her."

Noem, who became my wife, naturally moved in here and turned one of the rooms in the new mansion into an alchemy laboratory.

She is busy trying out recipes that flash in her mind using the skill <Alchemic King>, and the alchemy items she creates are being bought by the Craft Guild, making her a fortune.

"Let her be if she's having fun..."

"Um, sir... I'm sorry to ask right after you got home, but I received a message from my father..."

Father... the king?

Now that we are in-laws, he's been casually sending messages.

"I was told to visit the palace tomorrow."

And he's been casually summoning me.

What could it be about? I'm still an adventurer, so being summoned too often is a problem...

"Um... sir. Please be careful when you visit the palace tomorrow. I have already received the matter from my father, and it seems to be a serious situation."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Reslaze, with a heavy voice, says:

"My brothers and sisters are coming back."