I'm Not the Heroine-Chapter 76

Although not as strong as the world’s most powerful, the Hero’s Party was made up of talented individuals in their own right. Yet, within a week of her sudden appearance, she obliterated the magical wellspring they had been struggling with for days, with a single spell.

It wasn’t a “handling”; it was an annihilation.

A few hours ago, due to the chaos at the magical wellspring, the Count of Wintergard requested our cooperation.

Since the offensive had ceased, they intended to investigate. As a result, it was confirmed that all three magical wellsprings had been destroyed.

However, finding the exact spot where Tania had erased it was extremely difficult.

Because, literally, the traces left by the magical wellspring and the monsters were burned away by the lightning.

Due to the immense gap in power, and Tania’s departure, the mood within the Hero’s Party was close to catastrophic.

Aria, Serelin, and Lafiré did not show up for breakfast, each for their own reasons. Even Niamma, usually cheerful, weakly refused breakfast.

And then, the remaining person.

Knock knock.

He was the one most shocked, and as a result, the one I was most worried about.

On the other hand, if I were to lift him up, he was the one who received such immense affection that the remaining party members couldn’t shake him off easily.

"...Aswell."

It was the hero.

"...Louis. Is something wrong?"

"No, it’s just... you didn’t come to breakfast."

Aswell was sitting on the bed, seemingly lost in thought.

Could he have caught a cold? I placed my hand on his forehead, but there was no sign of fever.

"I’m not really hungry today. You all go ahead."

"Everyone else didn’t come either."

"....."

"Is it because of Tania, sis?"

"....."

Aswell didn’t answer. But I understood the meaning.

He was the hero.

No matter what hardship came, he never lost his smile, reassuring his companions and people.

And now, he was downcast.

No, perhaps it was more than that.

Disappointment? I imagine he was disappointed in himself.

Someone he didn’t know came and, by sacrificing the Saintess and his own strength, wiped out what he had been struggling with. He must have been disappointed in his own power.

Helplessness.

He probably felt helpless, unable to do anything while she came and went.

Anger.

He might have felt angry at himself for this.

Despair.

Ultimately, he couldn’t say a word as he reflected on his past.

"Aswell."

"....."

He didn’t speak.

Perhaps he had once been proud of himself.

The hero.

That simple title came with immense responsibility and weight, but it also instilled in Aswell an equivalent honor.

A being who fought against powerful monsters and demons, comforting the weak.

That was the hero Aswell knew.

But the power that Tania displayed, and even the power of my master and Kundel before that, surpassed the hero.

Had it happened at different times, in different places, it might not have been so bad.

But from the northwest to the northeast.

In the long yet brief time, the huge incidents that had occurred were enough to make the hero feel helpless.

Perhaps that’s why he couldn’t say anything.

"Aswell."

Still, he didn’t respond.

Maybe in his mind, he was replaying what would happen next.

The party, torn apart by Tania. And instead of a journey of training and growth, it felt like endless days of training.

The duties the Hero and his party should have been carrying out had been taken over by powerful individuals, national armies, and guard forces.

Aswell was probably thinking that.

Looking at him, one thought came to my mind.

I wanted to comfort him.

"Aswell, just a moment."

I took his limp hands in mine.

Then, lifting my hands, I leaned into his chest.

I felt the warmth and firmness of his chest.

I forced his weak hand to wrap around my waist, pulling me into an embrace.

It was soft. And warm.

The kind of stability, weight, and warmth that a hero should have.

At the same time, it was a feeling that a man couldn’t easily possess.

"Aswell, don’t be too discouraged. Tania... she always had that tone and personality."

"....."

Thump. Thump.

I could hear his heartbeat.

Was it my heartbeat?

No.

It was duller and more powerful.

It was Aswell’s heartbeat.

The addictive sound made me bury my face in his chest, and soon I could hear the heartbeat more vividly.

"The strong people in this world are so fickle. How dare they treat the hero and his party so carelessly, right?"

I wanted to feel his heartbeat a bit more, but I reluctantly pulled away my face.

Then, slowly, I lifted my body and met his gaze.

There was light in his eyes, but it was still faint.

But the moment our eyes met, his blue eyes started to regain their natural color.

"...Louis."

"Yes, I’m right here."

I dug into his arms again and held him tightly.

"I... I’m afraid."

"What are you afraid of?"

"That I might create a future where I can’t protect anyone. Merkadié, Stormblast, Astraea... there are too many powerful domains I don’t even know about."

The Four Dukes of the Demon Realm.

The Guardian Dragon family of the Empire’s northern region.

And the Imperial Mage Tower.

The ones he spoke of were all considered powerful figures.

The hero, Aswell, was not yet strong enough to face them.

"I see."

"Thinking about that, I start wondering, what was the point of our journey? If Tania Astraea had been there, maybe what happened in Alpares or Lacre would never have happened. I keep imagining that."

"I felt the same way. When I faced Merkadié, I wished my master was there instead of me. But I concluded that such thoughts were fleeting."

"...Why?"

I met his gaze again.

"Because that’s the fate we were given."

"..."

"There are many strong people in the world. I’m sure there are those out there who surpass us."

"If that’s the case, shouldn’t they be the ones to handle it? After all, I was just a boy from a remote village. Maybe it wasn’t my place to step in."

"No. It’s not that. Only you can do it."

"...It’s strange. It feels so strange."

"Yes, the world is strange. And things won’t go as we expect in the future either. But Aswell."

"Hmm...?"

"That’s why you’re needed."

"...!"

The hero is not just a title. And not just a soldier or a warrior.

"In the future, the world will become even more chaotic. Beings like Merkadié will appear more often, and more people will get hurt and die."

The hero is a torch.

"At that time, we will light the way. In this chaotic world, we will be the torch that brings stability and hope to everyone."

A torch is not strong.

The darkness that a torch cannot illuminate will be lit by a stronger flame.

"There are many powerful people. But even they ultimately rely on the Hero’s Party."

Neither the Mage Tower, nor the dragons, nor the Sword Saint, nor the Pope can directly face the Demon Lord. And they cannot enter the Demon Realm.

Only the hero.

Only he, with his Hero’s Party, can reverse this chaotic world.

"Aria, Serelin, Lafiré, Niabella, all of us rely on you. And at the same time, I hope you rely on us."

"Louis..."

I slowly buried my face in his shoulder.

"I hope you don’t take Tania’s words too badly. She always spoke that way."

"Yeah..."

"I’m sure they’ll explain it to us once we get to the East. But it might not be anything much."

"Yeah..."

"But I’m sure of one thing. No matter what happens in the East, no matter how things unfold."

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"..."

"The Hero’s Party will grow stronger and more solid."

Therefore, the hero should not wallow in helplessness anymore.

I slowly pulled away from his embrace.

Though I felt a pang of regret as the warmth vanished, it was time to get him out of bed.

"Aswell."

And, with a feeling I didn’t even know I had deep inside me...

I kissed him.

"...Louis?"

"How’s that?"

I placed a brief, gentle kiss on his cheek, a small area, just for a moment, then pulled away.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

"Th-That’s a punishment. A punishment for the hero, who was mumbling and refusing to get up from bed. I-I mean... ahhh."

"...Thank you, Louis. I really feel better."

Before I could stop him, Aswell jumped up and hugged me. But I guess it worked. Somehow, I had given him a boost.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

"I’ll do my best, just like you said. And... no matter what hardships and trials come, I’ll overcome them. With all of you."

"Yes, yes."

"And one day, when I’m ready..."

"Ready for what?"

In response to my question, Aswell answered.

"I’ll tell you when the time comes."

He said this with a kind, gentle smile, his hero’s warmth shining through.