As I feared, the Hero—Kakeru—seems a little off.
The Demon Lord was the first to notice the possibility. She pointed out that we should keep an eye on him.
It's frustrating, but… she was right.
While Kakeru is in the bath, I need to speak with Sanctina—who examined him just now—and discuss what comes next.
"Sanctina, how is Kakeru?"
"It isn't serious at the moment. He's still keyed up. But… the impact of his experiences over there isn't small. There's a chance it could worsen. We'll have to watch him for a while before I can say more…"
I realize I never thought about what would happen to the Hero after he returned to his world. I regret that.
"Filia, Noctia—do you know anything about what becomes of a Hero afterward? Unfortunately, the books I saw in the castle contained nothing on that point. I won't tell anyone back home, even if we return. Please—tell me."
What is a Hero? A mediator sent by the gods, a protector of humankind—the legends say many things, but…
"Most Heroes do return to their homelands," Noctia, the Demon Lord, answered immediately, while Filia wore a conflicted look. "But there are records of some who stayed. Many of those who remained lived peacefully. Your royal line should also carry Heroic blood. There were Heroes who lived on with demons or with elves."
"With demons… meaning the showdown with the Demon Lord of that era either never happened? Or… was not pursued?"
"Both cases exist. There were Heroes who reconciled with the Demon Lord."
I thought as much. Judging by Filia's reaction, she knew—elves live long, after all.
"And the Heroes who did go home—what became of them?"
"Regrettably, I don't know. Across races, there have been people throughout history who tried to travel to the Heroes' world. And among the Heroes who remained with us, some hoped to return home in their later years. But in the demon tribe's records, there are no successful interworld crossings except immediately after the Demon Lord's defeat."
What did Kakeru gain from being a Hero? He gained magic, skills, and physical ability—but in this peaceful country, will the power of a Hero—so out of place—be of any use? Or rather…
"In any case, we'll have to live here for the time being. Let's all watch over Kakeru," I said. "Noctia, I'm sorry to ask, but we need your help as well."
"Of course. The Hero and the Demon Lord are two sides of a coin. I've always had more than a little interest in how Heroes end up."
I don't know. I don't know—but perhaps I can see a little of what we must do here.
Because we've come to understand that no matter how much a Hero is praised in a world he can never return to, there may be nothing for him to gain once he's back home.
Side: Amabashi Kakeru
I always take the last turn in the bath. I don't feel right going before the women, and slipping in between them doesn't put me at ease either.
If I think of it like a share house, it isn't that strange, I guess.
Being last, I soak slowly in water that's gone a bit lukewarm.
The magic items are finished, so at least the risk of an "otherworlders discovered!" uproar should be lower now. Still, if they're going out, they should choose and buy their own clothes.
Also, I should get smartphones set up for them soon and teach them how to use them. Young women these days without phones would be weird. The contracts will have to be under my name.
Which means… the money. A ten-thousand-yen allowance per person won't cut it for adults. Two or three might be necessary.
Grandpa and Grandma left their estate to me by will, not to my parents. I could draw from that. I've already arranged with my parents to manage the money myself.
We could also sell some of the gems Noctia has, but that's a bad idea. A high schooler with mysterious jewels is way too suspicious.
Get a part-time job? The amount a student can earn between classes won't be enough.
For now, I'll use the inheritance. It's not wasteful, and Grandpa and Grandma would understand.
Okay—tomorrow I'll withdraw some cash and check out phones.
Once I'd decided what to do, I got out of the bath. Before getting out, I drained the tub and cleaned it. If you wash it every time, it isn't such a chore.
"Kakeru, do you have a moment?"
I was in the kitchen thinking about tomorrow's meals when Filia called out to me…
And I might've been a little flustered. Right—Filia doesn't wear bras or panties. Her large chest was faintly visible through her shirt.
Back there, we never met casually after meals in relaxed clothes. I trained alone at night, too.
It's been hectic since coming back—lots to discuss and figure out.
She's an elf; her sensibilities are different. …I'll just look away.
"What is it?"
"We'd like to help with the cooking and cleaning…"
"You don't have to push yourselves. Until you get used to life here, I'll handle it. Ah—take care of your own rooms yourselves. Let's start with that."
With their attendants gone, we all have to move on our own and talk to each other. Filia aside, for Pricha and Sanctina this kind of environment is probably rare.
How much to be considerate, how much to adapt—they seem to be wrestling with that themselves.
As for the room assignments, there are three empty rooms. One has been for magic-item crafting, so Noctia will keep using it. Pricha takes one, and Filia and Sanctina will share the other.
I left the decisions to the women. I offered to give up my room, but they declined. Honestly, having the guy sleep in the living room would make them uneasy—naturally.
"Are you overdoing it?"
"There's a lot to think about, but I'm not overdoing it. Truth is, I was already scrambling before I went over there. Grandma had just passed away and I was finally settling down. I wasn't used to living here yet."
So they're worried about me. Of course they are—this is a world where they don't know left from right, and they're anxious. And I'm the only one they can rely on…
"Once you get used to it, life here isn't bad. Think of it as a different life from the one over there—and try to enjoy it a little. On our next day off, I'm thinking we should go out somewhere. We need to shop, and there are plenty of places where women can have fun."
In Japan, a woman can drink alone or travel on her own. I'm sorry, but over there that would be difficult.
We all fought hard. I want life here to be a moment of rest for them.
In these last few days, that's the one thing I've come to wish for.