Chapter 9
Wolf Encounter in the Forest—A series of coincidences somehow allowed us to survive, and we finally returned to the mansion gates at dusk.
My body was unharmed. Well, to be honest, I mostly just fell down and screamed, but thanks to the three girls protecting me, I was safe.
—Or so I thought.
“Oh! You’ve returned safely!”
“Well done fending off the wolf pack!”
“As expected of the youth from a foreign land!”
The moment we passed through the gates, the soldiers and servants who had been waiting there greeted us all at once.
Wait, why is the atmosphere like a triumphant return of a hero?
“Huh? No, no, no! Hold on! I didn’t really—”
I tried to deny it, but Lisa bravely puffed out her chest and shouted.
“Yuma protected us!”
“Whaaaaat!?”
Ignoring me, who had let out a startled cry, the soldiers nodded to each other, saying, “As expected, he was brave.”
Serena then added solemnly.
“It was not a coincidence. It was all destiny… Yuma was guided.”
“I wasn’t guided! I just fell!”
My futile retorts were ignored as even Miria calmly stated.
“Without him, we wouldn’t have survived. That is a fact.”
—Oh, come on.
Stop making a hero out of me with all three of you!
When I was shown into the mansion’s hall, the head butler, who served as the lord’s proxy, congratulated me.
“Glad you returned safely. …To think you repelled a wolf pack. Your rumored origin from a foreign land is no longer in doubt.”
“No, no, no, it’s a misunderstanding! I really didn’t do anything…”
“To possess such humility, I am truly awed.”
“I-It’s not like that!”
All my desperate denials were interpreted as “humility” and “soldierly reserve,” leading to applause and praise.
…Seriously, just give me a break.
A few days later.
I was having lunch in the dining hall when—
“Onii-chan, you defeated the wolves, right!”
“So cool!”
Children from the neighborhood approached me with sparkling eyes.
Wait, the rumors have already spread throughout the town this quickly!?
“No, I didn’t really…”
“He’s getting embarrassed again! He really is a hero!”
…They completely refused to listen.
Furthermore, adults would say things like “Feel free to stop by the shop anytime” or “I’d like to introduce you to my daughter,” treating me with unusual favor.
As a result, I felt extremely uncomfortable.
All I want is a quiet, inconspicuous life as a supporting character…!
One evening, a celebration was held in the mansion’s grand hall for our safe return from the forest.
The table was laden with luxurious food, the air filled with the aroma of wine, and the lighting was dazzling.
I intended to sneak into a corner and nibble on some bread, but—
“Yuma, please have some of this meat too!” (Lisa)
“How about some wine?” (Serena)
“You should eat some vegetables too.” (Miria)
The heroines surrounded me from three directions, offering me dishes one after another.
The area around my seat was quickly filled with a sumptuous spread of food.
“Whoa, wait, wait! I can’t possibly eat this much by myself!”
Invisible sparks flew between the three of them.
Lisa exuded an aura of “I want to serve him the most,” Serena created an atmosphere of “chosen by destiny,” and Miria projected a “calm yet possessive” vibe.
—This is bad. I’ve completely become the center of a harem.
As the feast grew livelier, I desperately lamented inwardly.
(…Why? I just want to be a supporting character…
I only fell in the forest…
How did that turn into a heroic legend…!)
The smiles of the people. The gazes of the heroines.
Everything was pushing me toward being the “center of the story.”
That influence was akin to the force of destiny itself.
When the feast ended, I collapsed in my room.
From outside the window, the laughter and singing from the hall could still be heard.
“…I just want to be an observer.”
However, my wish would not be granted.
The wheels of fate continued to turn, as if mocking my desire to remain a supporting character.
And then—outside the mansion, soldiers were whispering.
“A new hero has appeared.”
“Yes, that young man will surely change the times to come.”
…Without my knowledge, I had once again been dragged one step closer to the center of the story.
