I'm Not the Heroine-Chapter 79

It sounded almost like paint being splattered on paper, and the clouds above Serelin split in half.

Kwah-kwah-kwah!!

The edge of the split clouds met the peak of Zertolt’s Sword Mountain.

It was as if someone was signaling to Serelin.

"Is that a signal for me to go there?"

And that someone was likely the "Sword Saint."

Serelin, having steadied her mind, glanced at the peak once more and then began to run.

To avoid becoming a burden to the Hero’s Party. To achieve even greater growth and become more magnificent.

The knight Serelin began her training.

***

"Ugh."

As Aria tightly closed her eyes and took a step forward, the scenery changed in an instant.

The once grand mansion interior disappeared, and before her eyes stood a vast city filled entirely with pristine white buildings.

"This is... the Headquarters..."

The starting point of the church, the place where all doctrines and the goddess’s sanctity reside. The Saintess, Aria, had come to the Headquarters for the first time.

When she became the Saintess, the Pope had personally visited her in the Empire and taught her, which was why her reaction was not unlike that of other ordinary devotees.

"Wow..."

The divine power that filled the place made her heart feel peaceful and abundant.

The occasional glimpses of the worshippers around her had a power far exceeding that of the most respected clergymen in the Empire.

"Aria. You’ve arrived."

A voice called out to her as she stood in awe at the entrance of the Headquarters. Aria turned with a smile at the familiar voice.

"Your Holiness...!"

The Apostle of the Goddess, and the highest authority in the church.

Pope Carmeciano Rusto XIII.

His kind smile, reminiscent of a grandfather, radiated an immense halo behind him.

Light, as if descending from somewhere in the sky, completely surrounded him, and from somewhere, it almost seemed like a soft woman’s voice echoed.

"It’s been a while. I’ve heard the news. Shall we go?"

"Yes...!"

Looking at the hand Carmeciano extended, Aria steadied her heart and moved forward.

***

Swoosh...

A massive tree, stretching from the earth below to the sky above.

Before the World Tree, the god of the Elves and the guardian of the Great Forest, an Elf knelt.

"......"

Not long ago, Lafiré, who had crossed through Tania Astraea’s door, was the first to pray to the World Tree.

Rustle.

As she did, a leaf from the World Tree descended upon her clasped hands.

The World Tree welcomed Lafiré’s return.

"Lafiré. You’re here."

A woman approached her.

Her elf attire, made from loose cloth, made the woman with white hair appear even more noble.

"High Priestess."

The High Priestess, existing above even the royal family of the Elves, the Yggdrasil clan.

The High Elf, Ifar.

"I welcome your return. Of course, your family will be pleased as well."

"......I haven’t fully returned yet."

"That’s something we’ll have to wait and see."

"Ugh."

Though Ifar’s eyes were soft and gentle, the aura she radiated was incredibly oppressive.

She pressed down on Lafiré as though she might collapse at any moment.

Only those Elves who transcend a certain realm are capable of reaching evolution.

That is what makes a High Elf.

However, Ifar had gone beyond that—there was another title added to her.

"The World Tree also welcomes your return in such a way."

Rustle.

At Ifar’s words, several roots rose from the ground near her.

High Elf Ifar was also a ‘Apostle,’ a being who conveys and enacts the will of the World Tree.

"Well, in any case, we’ll have to accept her offer."

Thud.

"Hah... Hah..."

"Come. For the Hero’s Party, and for Yggdrasil, there’s much to learn."

"......Yes."

As Lafiré slowly stood up, looking at Ifar’s back, something else fell into her hand.

A single flower.

Swoosh...

At the same time, a gentle breeze brushed past her, and Lafiré reaffirmed her resolve.

***

[On our journey back to the System, we met a new connection... The beginning was not good. She was an assassin who had tried to attack Hero Aswell.]

This is the first mention of the assassin heroine in the original novel.

If I had to pick one defining characteristic of hers, it would undoubtedly be her race.

She’s a heroine from a large beastkin kingdom located in the southwest of the Empire, and her backstory is quite tragic.

‘She said her attempt to assassinate the hero was due to coercive orders from the faction she was part of.’

As a result, she failed to assassinate the hero, and in the process, decided to end her life, but Aswell forgave her and saved her.

At this point, other details are not that important.

As for the faction, I heard that it self-destructed shortly after she left. And as for the salvation, I’m sure Aswell will handle it. The main issue lies in the assassination itself.

‘Aswell was hurt, right?’

I heard that he suffered more damage than the burn he got when saving Niabella.

[At that moment, Aswell stopped the attack and looked at her. The eyes behind his mask... they looked so sad.]

However, the heroine didn’t put down her sword and ended up dealing significant damage to his left arm.

‘He’ll recover later, but... it would be better to eliminate the source from the start.’

"Louis... aren’t you frustrated? Are you really okay?"

"Yes."

So, for now, we chose to travel directly to the System, but I’ll make sure to keep close guard and be ready for that moment.

"Hmm... but can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Why did you insist on riding with me, rather than on Nightlux...?"

As Aswell had said, I was now riding on Tempest. It was just like before, when I hadn’t brought Nightlux along, and I was traveling with my back to Aswell.

"......I... have a reason."

"Really? Can I ask what that reason is?"

At Aswell’s question, I turned my gaze away and gently stroked Tempest’s mane as I spoke.

"......No."

"Heh, alright."

"Why are you laughing?"

"It’s nothing... Hmm. Heh."

"Aswell."

I turned around in confusion, but as I faced Aswell, whose face was shaded by the sunlight, I quickly turned back.

"Why did you stop calling my name?"

"......It’s nothing. Really."

"Heh."

"Stop laughing."

Pffft.

Just as I was about to get angry at the sound of laughter, I realized it wasn’t Aswell laughing.

It was Turezil from Nightlux, who was walking slightly ahead of Tempest.

Turezil looked at me with a bewildered expression.

Was it because of his look that I felt embarrassed?

‘I just wanted to keep close guard while traveling.’

The assassin could strike at any moment, so we couldn’t afford to let our guard down. Sure, it was the middle of the day, but this was a veteran who had assassinated nobles even in the bright party halls of mansions.

Even though the vast grasslands were empty, we couldn’t afford to relax.

That’s why Aswell and I were riding together, using the robe’s shield to block any potential gaps we might miss.

There was absolutely no other intention behind it.

......Right.

Clip-clop. Clip-clop.

"What are you doing?"

"I’m preparing the fruit. You must be tired."

"Ahh..."

"Here, open up."

"Ah... mm, it’s delicious."

"Right? It’s a Wintergard specialty. I’m thinking of adding it to carrot soup later."

"This...?"

"Why? Don’t you trust my cooking skills?"

"No, no, it’s just that... I was genuinely curious."

"......I’ll forgive you."

"Thank you."

"Oh, you got some on you."

"I can wipe it off."

"Aswell, just focus on handling Tempest."

Thus, Aswell and I began our journey, just the two of us.

The journey would last for about two weeks.

When the assassin heroine would join us, I didn’t know.

Maybe she’d join tonight, and the remaining days would be spent together, the three of us.

‘That... doesn’t sound too great.’

I had this wish to have more time alone with just the two of us.

......Of course, for the sake of the convenience of the guard and the comfort of the journey!

So, the two of us alternated between riding Tempest and Nightlux, moving swiftly, and by night, we reached a village.

‘The workshop... I shouldn’t use it.’

I could secure safety through the rooms and workshop I provided to everyone, but that would mean crossing paths with the assassin heroine.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

So, we had to rent a guest room.

"Two single rooms, please."

"......No, give us one double room."

Thump.

"Louis?"

"Th-there’s a reason. We need to save on costs."

It was all for the sake of the guard. To ensure close protection.

The assassin could approach at night too, after all.

"Second floor, please."

Avoiding Aswell’s bewildered gaze, I went up and entered the room.

To my surprise, there was a double bed instead of the expected two single beds.