Chapter 173: 173-Chapter 172

Once we've defeated the giant enemy, we'll be on our way.

The Royal Army is scrambling to clean up the mess, but that's not our job.

James, the Commander of the Court Magicians, also left me to join in the cleanup.

On the other hand, Satsuki came running up to me, as if she had been waiting for this moment, as I dressed and made myself presentable.

'Will, I've missed you so much!

'Oh!

Satsuki jumped toward me and hugged me.

I lose the momentum and am pushed down.

'Will, Will, ......!

'Oh, hey, Satsuki.'

'Geez,......, that was scary. I thought I was going to die. ...... Hiccup.'

'......I see.'

Satsuki, who had pushed me down, was sobbing quietly on my chest.

She seemed to have exploded because the emotions she had been suppressing had come to a place where she didn't need to suppress them.

I became attached to Satsuki, and gently stroked her hair.

'You've been through a lot, haven't you?

'...... Yeah. It's been so hard without Will.'

'I don't think that's the point. But you've done well.'

'Yeah.

I don't know what happened in front of Satsuki while I wasn't looking, or what she felt.

But I pat Satsuki on the back as if I were nursing a child, and then I pull her into a light hug.

I thought that would calm her down and make her feel at ease.

From the outside, I thought it might look like a male-female relationship, but I decided to let it go.

Then Cyril walked up to us and looked at us from above.

'It's nice, Satsuki, that you can do something like that without hesitation. I envy you.

'Then why don't you do the same, Cyril? If you eat the poison, you'll end up with the dish.'

'I'll pass. I have my own shame and reputation.'

'I remember hearing that expression somewhere.

'I remember saying it somewhere too. We've known each other for a while now.'

Cyril chuckles.

I couldn't help but laugh too.

Then Cyril looks around and asks.

'By the way, what happened to Mee?

'Oh. I'm sorry to do this to her, but I left her in front of the ruins. I had no other choice.'

'I see. Well, if we don't go get her soon, she'll probably be sulking now.

'I guess so.'

While Cyril and I were talking about this, King Andrew and Irene came towards me, side by side.

I woke up Satsuki, who had calmed down by now, and stood up, and I made a small bow to King Andrew.

Andrew, in his armor, smiled and spoke to me.

I'm glad to see that you've become even more of a handsome man, William. But more importantly, should we now honor him as William, the hero of our country's salvation?

That's King Andrew's usual schtick.

I try to reply calmly.

'...... No. I'm an adventurer. I was just fulfilling a quest. And it was far more than just me that defeated the Demon Lord. You know that well, Your Majesty.

'Even if that's so. This country would probably have perished if it wasn't for you. You should be proud of your work. And people want heroes. I believe that William the adventurer and his party have done a great deal to deserve to be called that.

'...... That's a waste of words.'

'So there. Therefore, we have decided to hold a ceremony to honor our hero William and his fellow beautiful adventurers at a later date. The quest reward will also be given at the ceremony. The ceremony will be ruined without the guest of honor, so please join us.

'I understand. I'll accept the quest reward at the ceremony.

Wait.

I thought I just heard something ridiculous.

But King Andrew ignored my reaction and proceeded with his story as if it were flowing.

'The location is the royal castle in the royal capital of Greysburg. I'll tell you the date later using the contact spell. I'll see you at the next ceremony.

King Andrew said what he wanted to say, turned on his heel, and quickly walked away.

As for me, I could only be stunned.

The influence of being honored as a hero in a formal ceremony is immeasurable.

However, there was no reason to refuse the kindness offered to me by King Andrew when I went after him and talked to him.

How did this happen? .......

But then I realized something.

King Andrew had left, but Irene was still standing in front of me.

She smiled a fleeting smile and said to me.

'Hey, Will. There's something I want to tell you.

After a while...

After a while.

We were riding on the back of a dragon (Ildora) and traveling through the sky.

We were headed for the ruins where Mee was waiting.

We had fulfilled the quests we had received from our country, and all that was left was to meet up with Mee and return home.

That's why the only ones riding on Ildora's back besides me are Satsuki and Cyril...

That was the way it was supposed to be, but...

'Irene, are you sure you didn't want to join up with the kingdom army and head back?

'Yes. I've told your father everything.'

Eileen, who was right behind me, answered my question.

She said she wanted to talk to me, so she came with us.

The quest itself has been completed, so there's no reason for her to come along as a client anymore.

Incidentally, she insisted on sitting right behind me when she rode on Ildora's back.

Satsuki was offended by this, but when Irene said 'please' in a serious tone, Satsuki sensed something and easily withdrew her request.

That's why Irene is right behind me now.

I'm pretty sure there's something important to talk about. .......

'Hey, Will.'

Eileen speaks softly to me.

I give her the bare minimum.

'What?

'Me.'

'Yeah.

'I like you, Will.

'............ I see.'

After Irene's confession, I was calmer than I thought I would be.

I thought, 'Oh, so that's what it is.

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It's a possibility that I've always assumed, but I've half-consciously avoided recognizing it further.

But, as expected, there was no other way to interpret what she was saying in this situation.

Still, Irene, perhaps still uneasy, repeated her words.

'You mean in the sense of a woman and a man, romantically?

'I know.

'I know that.'

'Oh.'

'You've known all along?

'No. It's only now, with your confession, that I'm sure.'

'...... So you've always thought it might be possible?

'Well, it's a possibility.'

'Hey, what's that? I look like an idiot.'

'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to deceive you.'

'...... Yeah. I know he's not lying when he says it like that. I have access to Will's special detect-try magic.'

'That's scary. I can't lie to Irene, can I?

'Hmm, you're right. He's not allowed to lie to me. So, that's why. I'm really scared to ask this.'

'Yeah.

'I was really hoping I could just tell him how I feel, but I guess I'll listen.

'Oh.'

'...... How does Will feel about me?

Irene's voice was raspy and shaky.

It sounded like she was scared, scared to death.

I thought for a moment and answered only the part that was easy to answer.

'I'm sure you don't hate it.

'Yes, I know that.

'You know that?

'Yes, I know that much. You're making fun of me. But that's not what I'm asking. What I'm asking is, what's next?'

Irene suddenly hugged me from behind.

And then she whispers in my ear.

'...... will you like me as a girl ...... and as a romantic partner?

The last part was so weak and faint that I couldn't hear it.

I can feel the rapid beat of Irene's heartbeat in her chest as she clings to my back.

I can feel that Irene is trying her best to summon up what little courage she has left.

I can never reply insincerely.

I...

'...... Irene'.

'Yes.

'First of all, I want to apologize. I'm not really sure I can explain my feelings very well.'

'...... Yeah. I understand. I can't have my feelings either.'

'Yeah. I don't know how to say this, but ...... I probably like you.'

'Maybe.'

'Yeah. I think you're pretty, I think you're lovable, I think you're nice. I think you're beautiful in a dress, and I like you in real life. I think it would be great if you were my life partner.

'Ah ...... Ahhh ....... Oh, yeah. ....... Eh, hehe...... hahahaha......'

I could see that Irene was hugging her behind, and she was embarrassed to no end.

That makes me smile, and it makes me happy too.

But the problem was...

'But then, what's the 'maybe'?

'Well, that's the thing. ...... I want you to calm down and listen to me.

'Uh-huh.'

I can hear Irene gulping down her spit.

I make up my mind and release the words.

'It seems that I like not only Irene, but also Satsuki, Mee, and Cyril.

'............'

Irene's words stopped.

Now it was my turn to wait for the judge.

In short, I confessed that I felt like I was in love with several women at the same time.

This is what is called 'four-timing'.

The look of contempt on Irene's face came to my mind.

I wonder what Irene is thinking right now.

Is she thinking that an insolent person like me should die?

She might cut me in half from the back in a fit of rage with her awesome swordplay.

No, I don't think Irene is the only one who would do such a thing, but I was prepared to let that happen.

Waiting for the time of judgment.

The next words out of Irene's mouth were...

'...... That's it?

She sounded as if she had lost her nerve.

...... Hmm?

'Yeah. ...... Well, that's all.

'Ah, ...... I mean, I see. So you're saying that Will feels like he loves me, Satsuki, Mee, and Cyril, all of them, and you're not sure if that means he's loving each one of them correctly?'

'...... Well, to sum it up, I guess that's what I'm saying.'

'Hmm. I see. So that's it. That's right. Heh heh heh.'

Irene started to sound happy.

Why is that?

I'm starting to lose it.

'By the way, do Satsuki and the others know about this? Do you know that Will loves all of you, too?

'No, I haven't told them that, at least not from my mouth. ......'

'What? Wow, this is a weirder situation than I thought it would be. But I see, I'm the only one who knows about it. I see, I see.

Finally, Irene started to break down.

For now, she seems to have escaped being condemned to a single blow. .......

'Hey, Will.

'What is it, Irene?

'I love you, Will. I like you. It doesn't matter if you like Satsuki, Mee, or even Cyril. Regardless of whether your feelings are right or wrong, I like you like that.

'......So, I see.'

...... What the hell is this?

I don't know, is it all settled?

I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm sure it's all going to be fine.

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