Chapter 18: The Eyes Are The Window To The Soul

After finishing off those guys in the alleyway, I went back to the carriage and waited for Alice and Kari to get back from chasing that thief. I tried making small talk with the coachman but he just ignored me and continued tending to the horses.

That was fine, it’s not like I cared anyways. I needed a little rest since using [Gahenna’s Flame] took a lot of mana out of me. If I wasn’t proficient in controlling my mana, one use of [Gahenna’s Flame] would’ve made me lose consciousness due to emptying my mana reserves.

.

“That’s not fair! You used magic!”

“Well, Marcus didn’t say that we couldn’t. It’s not my fault you tried to tackle him instead of using your wind magic.” 

After waiting for about twenty minutes, Alice and Kari came back to the carriage. Alice had a triumphant expression while Kari had one filled with indignation.

Judging from the conversation, it seems that Alice won the bet.

“Congratulations, Alic-, I mean, Celia.”

Catching myself, I said with a smile as I stopped leaning on the carriage. 

“Thanks. It feels good to be a winner sometimes.”

“Marcus, listen, she cheated. She used ice magic to freeze his legs!”

Kari accused as she pointed at Alice, unable to take the loss graciously. Shrugging my shoulders nonchalantly, I chuckled and said to her.

“Haha, as Celia said, it’s not like I told you not to use magic. You could’ve used any means to take him down, as long as he is alive and you turned him into proper authorities.”

“B-but if I knew that we could use magic, I would’ve...!” 

“Kira, you lost fair and square. Just take the L with dignity.”

At Kari’s attempts of trying to find and an excuse for her losing the bet, I said as I patted her shoulder. At this, Kari turned sullen and looked at me with pleading eyes.

 ‘Please, let me off.’ 

Is what they seemed to say, so I responded with a wide smile with eyes that said.

‘Not gonna happen.’

“A master must act fair and impartial towards his students. He can’t show favor towards either one. Alice won the bet so will be exempted from tomorrow's training while you lost, it’s as simple as that.”

I said in a wizened voice, acting as if I was a grandmaster.

“Tch, master my ass... I’ll win next time for sure!”

Resigning to her fate of not being able to skip out on tomorrow's training, Kari with renewed vigor. I admire how she’s able to bounce back like that.

“Since we’ve been out here for a while now, how about we head back to the castle? I want to try on and use all the new stuff I bought.”

Alice said happily. While we were walking the streets, Alice visited a few high-end boutiques and bought some clothes and facial creams. Kari was the same. Despite being somewhat of a tomboy, she’s surprisingly feminine, buying a few clothes as well. 

“I’m ready to go back to the castle too. I’ve worked up quite the sweat earlier and I’m starting to stink a little.”

Showing us the slightly damp areas on her shirt, Kari said. Now that she mentions it, her face is a little flushed. She was trying her best to tackle the thief.

Taking her earnestness into account, I’ll take it easy on her in tomorrow night’s training. 

I won’t tell her this though because she’ll get full of herself.

“You guys can head back before me, I got something to do.”

Walking back towards the bustling streets, I said to the two. Surprised, Alice said.

“Where are you going?”

“There was something that caught my eye when we were browsing the stores. Don't worry, I'll be done in a jiffy” 

Ignoring the questioning stares of both Alice and Kari, I walked towards a certain destination.

***

“Uhm, excuse me? Have you seen the nun that was around here?”

“Have you seen a nun?”

“Do you know where the nun was staying?”

I asked a few passersby. I'm in the area where the robbery happened asking for the whereabouts of that old nun. So far, I haven't gotten any info on her. I hope I can find her soon, I have something to give her.

“Maybe, I should just giv-”

“Are you looking for me, young man?”

As soon as I was about to give up my search for the old nun and return to the castle, she appeared before me. Despite having a few wrinkles and crow’s feet, I could tell that she was a beauty in her younger years. 

“I'm here to apologize for what happened to you earlier. Here you go.”

Digging into my pocket, I took out a coin pouch I took from those assassins and handed it to her. On the way here, I put all the coins into one pouch and threw away the empty ones. It felt dumb carrying all those pouches when you only need one. 

“Apologize...? Oh, my! There are more than three pieces of silver in here!? I can't take this! Just you being kind is enough for me.”

She tries to give me back the coin pouch. Seeing this, I shook my head and refused.

“No, you take it. Due to unforeseen circumstances, It was my fault that you got robbed. So please allow me to give you this, otherwise, I'll feel guilty.”

Other than getting intel, this was one of the main reasons why I looted them. It was to pay back this nun who went through unnecessary trouble because of me.

“But…”

“No buts! I want you to take it. Consider it a donation. And besides, I can make it right back by doing a mission at the adventure guild.”

I said as I shrug my shoulders. The Adventure Guild is one of this world's main sources of income. By taking missions ranging from picking herbs to the subjugation of monsters, adventurers earn money….Well, that's according to the books I read, I never had a chance to become an adventurer due to the fact I was a full-time hero.

Plus, I'm currently not in the need of money because the castle is taking care of my every want and need.

… Now that I think about it, me being a leecher is right on the money.

After some time, she finally agreed to accept the money albeit reluctantly.

“...Then bless your heart young man. What is your name?”

The old nun asks with a gentle smile.

“Marcus. Marcus Townley.”

“Thank the Goddess that there are kind people such as yourself in the world.”

“Haha, I wouldn't call myself much of a kind person. I’ve done more bad than good.”’

I say with a self-deprecating smile. The things I'd done can't be forgotten. I've destroyed families, ruined futures, and made mother's cry.

Hell, I don't even know why I was even summoned as a hero in the first place. My entire situation is ironic if you ask me.

“Nonsense child. Despite your rough exterior, I can tell that you’re very kind and good. I'm sure you wouldn't have done those things without a good reason to.”

Shaking her head from side to side, the nun told me. Feeling a little uncomfortable at her words, I couldn’t help but say to her.

“How do you know that the stuff I did was done with noble intentions? I could’ve just done them because I felt like it.”

“That could be true but I highly doubt it.”

“Why’s that?”

Having my interest piqued, I asked. Why is she so confident that I’m a good person? 

Then, I got my answer.

“It’s because of your eyes.”

“My eyes?”

Staring straight into my eyes, she continued.

“Yes. It’s said that the eyes are the window to the soul. Compared to our mouths which tell lies, the eyes are considered the most sincere part of a person. They always show the truth. One look into them and you're easily able to judge a person’s character. And your character, my child, is that of a kind and earnest boy. For the ones you love, you’ll do anything. There’s also...”

“Also?”

  “...Tiredness. Although it's well hidden, I can see that your eyes contain hints of weariness and sadness. It’s like you're a person who’s been through the vicissitudes of life, resulting in you to experience things beyond your years.” 

“...”

I...can’t deny what she said. She was right, no, more than right, she was spot on.

Ever since I turned twelve, the once tough but peaceful life I had at the orphanage disappeared. To help out the orphanage, I started associating with gangs, hung around the wrong people, committed crimes, and started skipping school.

It wasn’t that it was necessary to do all the things I did, it was just that it was all I knew at the time. Donations didn’t get far because they were put towards sustaining the church, and Father Jefferson’s salary as a priest can only do so much when there are usually ten plus kids to take care of. 

What other way was there to keep the church afloat if it wasn’t by getting money through illegal means?

This, in turn, caused me to experience things a kid my age shouldn’t experience. Being dragged over here to fight as a hero, added on even more baggage. 

The lady is right. Despite trying to hide it, I am tired. 

You are reading story The Return of an Unlikely Hero at novel35.com

“Hello? Mr. Marcus? Are you okay?”

The elderly lady called out to me. I must’ve been in deep thought. Showing her a small smile, I said to her.

“I never thought I’d be seen through like this. Are you an oracle?"

At my words, the elderly lady looked at me for a moment before bursting into laughter.

“An oracle? Haha, you give me too much respect. Rather than being a child chosen by the gods, I’m just a nun who’s lived a long life. I traveled all over Lunaria so I’ve seen many people who were in similar situations like you.”

“I see…”

I nodded convinced. If she was an oracle, I doubt she’d be standing out here looking for handouts. Instead, she’d have all her needs catered to by the servants of her religion. Oracles are almost akin to royalty after all.

“You said I was a good person right?”

Still a little skeptical at her judging me as having good character, I asked again.

“Yes. Like I said earlier, I think you're a kind and noble person.”

The lady said without hesitation. Her voice was sincere and sounded as if she was completely confident in her judgment. Where does she get her faith from?

“I hope you're right...Well, if you excuse me, I have some companions waiting on me. Until next time, miss…”

“Moya.”

“Well then, I'll see you around Miss Moya.”

“See you around as well Mr. Marcus. May Goddess Soele guide you.”

After ending the conversation between me and Miss Moya, I turn around and start walking.

“Goddess Soele, huh? No wonder you said all that.”

After walking a ways away, I mumble these words out as I take out a cigarette to smoke. Six major gods rule the religious aspect of Lunaria:

The god of war and wisdom, Sera.

The goddess of life and good health, Vivian.

The goddess of love and lust, Lilith.

The god of harvest, Avarius.

The goddess of death and destruction, Mavis.

The goddess of forgiveness and redemption, Soele. 

There are numerous other gods and goddesses as well but they’re mostly regional gods, they’re not as well known as these six. 

Of all six, the biggest and most powerful religion is that of Goddess Vivian. She’s the goddess that the humans of Lunaria mostly worship, being the main religion of Caligula, who spreads their church’s influence under her name. 

“I never liked them.”

Blowing smoke through my nose, I said to nobody in particular. I had many run-ins with Caligula’s holy knights during my time as a hero. To me, they’re nothing but crazy fanatics who’d do anything in the name of Goddess Vivian. Not to mention, they are part of the pro-human faction. In the country of Caligula, if you’re not human, then your life is going to be hell. 

Demi-humans practically have no rights whatsoever.

So it’s understandable that I, who came from a world where equal rights were advocated, hate them.

There was one time where I secretly killed a few holy knights. I don't know if the status has changed but those guys should still be considered missing. 

“Aren’t you a little too young to be smoking?”

As I was walking by an apothecary, a middle-aged man carrying a box full of herbs asked in surprise. 

“Haha, I get that a lot..”

Taking a puff from the cigarette, I walked over and said with a shrug. 

“It’s bad for you, y’know?"

“Yeah, I know. My sister is trying to get me to quit.”

Which I won’t. Call it an addiction but this is a vice I’m not willing to give up.

“Pardon me for asking but, have you ever tried smoking Heloka leaves?”

Sitting the box down on the ground, the middle-aged man asked. With question marks above my head, I looked at him puzzled.

“Heloka leaves?”

“Yes, Heloka leaves. It’s leaves from a Heloka plant that’s grown in the far southwest. Rather than it damaging your health in the long run like tobacco, it’s used alongside healing magic to help treat and heal damage to the lungs. Give me one moment...”

The man then goes into the apothecary for a few minutes before coming out with a few dried leaves and what I think is a cigarette.

...I think I know what this guy is trying to do. Talk about an opportunist. 

“These are the leaves. They are first dried and then grounded to be used in either a pipe or rolled up and smoked like what you’re doing now. They can also be chewed on but because of their bitterness, many people don’t do it. Would you like to try it?”

The man then hands me the cigarette, his eyes showing that he’s eager to make a sale. 

“Sure.” 

Putting out my old cigarette and taking the new one from him, I said with a shrug. While doing so, I circulate the little bit of mana and gather it around my major organs just in case this might be poison. You can never be too safe.

I lit the cigarette and took a deep draw before blowing the smoke out. 

“Wow! This is amazing. I love the flavor of it!”

I said greatly surprised. When I took in the smoke, I immediately felt a cool sensation spread throughout my mouth and lungs. It felt as if my breathing was getting crisper. Then, the taste of the smoke settled. I tasted something similar to mint with a hint of vanilla.

The overall feeling I got from the cigarette was amazing! 

“Before you ask me to buy them,  I’m going to let you know right now that I’m broke as a joke.”

Before the man could try to give me the price on them, I immediately told him I was broke. He wasn’t going to get a sale today.

“...That’s fine. Here take these leaves, consider them as a sample. It should be enough to make at least three cigarettes.”

Seeing as I told him that I was broke, the guy showed slight disappointment before giving me the other leaves with a business-like smile.

“Thanks.” 

Not standing on ceremony, I took the leaves and gently placed them in my pocket, these things are gold to a smoker like me. I don’t have to worry about rolling papers since I could just hit up attendant Willis for some. He’s a fellow smoker as well.

 

“How much were these anyways.”

Since I was broke and he gave them to me for free, I asked curiously. 

“The market value for three leaves around here usually goes for around 1 big copper.”

Feeling a little bit deflated, the man said. 

1 big copper, huh? That’s around… $20.

“That’s expensive.”

“You bet it is. The transportation costs are one of the main reasons as to why it’s expensive. The farther north you go, the higher the price is. Because of this, Heloka leaves are unpopular with the general public and only nobles smoke them. I would sell it at a lower price to appeal to the customers but I’ll lose profit that way.”

“Then why are you trying to sell it to me? I’m not a noble.”

“You say that but the clothes you’re wearing are of high quality. If you were a commoner, your clothes would be a lot more coarse and ragged.”

Giving me a look that said ‘do you think I’m stupid’ the man explained. Looking down at my clothes, I could see that he wasn’t lying. Compared to the clothes I see other people wearing in the streets mine is of a higher grade. 

I didn’t notice since I’m not that big on fashion. As long as it keeps me warm, I’ll wear it.

“I see. Then if that’s the case, are you sure you’re okay giving this to me? It feels like you're taking a loss.”

“No, don’t worry about it. Consider it me giving them to you as a future investment to gain a loyal customer.”

“Although I don’t like the way you said that, I can’t refute it. I’m quite fond of these Heloka leaves. If I have time, I’ll come by and buy some more.”

Saying this, I take a puff of the cigarette stuffed with Heloka leaves and once again resume walking.

“See ya.”

“Have a nice day, future customer.”

Hearing the voice of the middle-aged man who was happy about getting himself a new customer, I raised my hand and did a peace sign. 

It seems like I can smoke and not have Alice on my back now. Talk about killing two birds with one stone. 

Heloka plant, I love you!

You can find story with these keywords: The Return of an Unlikely Hero, Read The Return of an Unlikely Hero, The Return of an Unlikely Hero novel, The Return of an Unlikely Hero book, The Return of an Unlikely Hero story, The Return of an Unlikely Hero full, The Return of an Unlikely Hero Latest Chapter