Chapter 12
–My head hurts.
After being force-fed and drunk at yesterday’s banquet, and then getting caught up in a mysterious struggle, my body felt heavy the moment I woke up.
“…Ah, I really want to set off. I want to quietly cultivate a field in a remote countryside.”
As I voiced this wish and washed my face, the innkeeper called out to me.
“Yuma-san, you’re up early again today. You’re the town’s treasure, after all. Please get plenty of rest.”
“I told you I’m not a hero!”
My denial, as usual, reached no one.
As I left the inn and walked through the plaza, a soldier, likely a messenger from the lord, called out to me.
“Yuma-dono, the lord wishes to see you. Please come to the manor immediately.”
“…Again.”
Reluctantly, I followed him. In the study, the lord and several aides were gathered.
Among them was the man who had been sizing me up at last night’s banquet.
The lord said with a gentle smile,
“Yuma-dono. Your achievements yesterday are the talk of the town. Your strength is greatly reassuring.”
“No, no! It was a coincidence! I didn’t do anything!”
As I desperately denied it, the aide in question spoke up.
“Your Excellency, this person is too humble. However—isn’t that precisely the mark of a ‘true hero’?”
“Please stop!”
This is now a standard turn of events. My resistance was futile again today, and the conversation proceeded as usual.
On my way back from the lord’s manor, I overheard people in the town talking in hushed voices.
“It seems a band of thieves has started operating in the northern forest recently.”
“No, it’s not just that. There are rumors that ‘people are manipulating things from behind the scenes’.”
I strained my ears and secretly muttered to myself.
(This is definitely going to be related to the main story… But I’m just a side character, so I don’t want to get involved!)
At the same time, a strange chill ran down my spine.
The gaze of the aide last night, and today’s conversation—they couldn’t be mere coincidence.
(…This is a bad sign. From a story perspective, this will definitely involve me.)
When I returned to the inn, the three of them were already there waiting for me.
“Yuma-san! Is it true you were summoned by the lord?” (Lisa)
“Surely you’ve been entrusted with a new mission.” (Serena)
“…If it’s a dangerous mission, I’ll go with you.” (Miria)
“No, no! I was just called over for a chat!”
The three of them looked at each other and nodded in unison.
“…As expected, you’re hiding something.” (Miria)
“Yuma-san, it’s precisely those kinds of things that make you trustworthy!” (Lisa)
“The more humble a person is, the greater their destiny.” (Serena)
“Stop glorifying me like that!”
That evening.
As I strolled through the town, I felt a strangely cold air.
In the corner of my eye, I thought I saw a man in a black cloak for a moment.
But by the time I turned around, he was gone.
(…Was that my imagination? No, these kinds of ‘imaginations’ are never just imaginations.)
An intuition, unbefitting of a side character, stirred deep within me.
That night, as I lay in bed in my room, I heard a low voice from outside the window.
“…It’s that young man. He seems to have obtained the hero’s mark.”
“Shall we eliminate him?”
“No, let him swim for a while. he might be useful.”
I pulled the futon over my head and desperately pretended not to hear.
(So I *am* being targeted!)
My heart pounded, and the night passed sleeplessly.
The next morning, seeing my pale face, Lisa called out to me with concern.
“Yuma-san, are you alright? You’re as white as a sheet.”
“C-Could you have been poisoned…?” (Serena)
“…Are you being targeted by someone?” (Miria)
It was too close to the truth, and I could only laugh.
“No, no, you’re thinking too much… haha…”
–And so, once again, I found myself stepping into the vortex of conspiracy when all I wanted was to remain a side character.
