Vol 1: Chapter 5: Because The Hero Deserves Everything

Little Warning: This chapter might triggering some emotion, so try to not destroy your device/gadget while reading. Enjoy the ride!

The Path to the Saint Legend

Because The Hero Deserves Everything

One person woke up with a start, although it was still too dark to be called morning.

She woke up when most people around her would be asleep to go about her daily routine.

"…………"

Staring at herself in front of the mirror with a melancholy expression was Christina, Aria's younger sister who possessed the skills of a Sword Saint, and a girl who had also been bestowed the skills of a Saint.

She occasionally sighed and looks as if she was worried about something, but this is a daily routine that she even got up early for.

She has a fragile appearance, as if she is offering devout prayer at any time, but does she start each day by looking at herself in the mirror and giving herself a moral compulsion?

"... (No matter how many times I see you, I'm always entranced by your peerless beauty.)"

"... (Even if you say that you were meant to be born a goddess but accidentally became a human, that's 100% convincing.)"

"... (When she takes a praying pose... Wow! What a beautiful saint! Is she a work of art?)"

Today, too, she was at her most narcissistic.

She also said that it's a habit she has had since she was six years old that she looks at her own face for two hours every day.

By the time she left the room it was already morning.

Having fully replenished her energy, Chris was in high spirits as she picked up her luggage and left the room. At this inn, the women were on the second floor and the men on the first, so as she walked down the stairs she just happened to see Aleph coming out of his room.

"Good morning Aleph-san! (I wanted you to be grateful for all the consideration I gave you yesterday.)"

"Good morning, Chris! Seeing you in the morning, it's sure to be a great day... just kidding."

"Hehe, what's up so suddenly in the morning? Did something good happen? (Are you a pickup artist from the Showa era? I got goosebumps.)"

"Is it a good thing?... Yes, something really good happened yesterday, which is why I'm feeling so energetic today."

"I'm sure something good will happen today. I guarantee it (I'm sure there will be some fun events in the cave, though I don't know if they will be fun for you)."

"That's reassuring, with Chris's assurance, it's got to be a good day!"

"Yeah, let's have a great day together (seriously, I'm so excited)."

Aside from Chris, whose excitement was rising as she looked at herself in the mirror, Aleph, who is usually a bit gloomy, was also unusually excited that morning.

I woke up a little late because I had done it three times yesterday. Today we were going to explore the cave, so maybe I was careless. Aria was still sleeping naked on the bed, and there was a sweet smell in the room.

"Maybe we should change our departure time to around noon, let's let Aria sleep a little longer."

After covering her with a thin blanket for her hard work yesterday, I quietly open the door to leave the room so as not to wake Aria. Then, I found Aleph and Christina, who are already awake, talking near the stairs a short distance away.

"I have to make sure I don't hold anyone back in the cave... haha, what am I even saying when I can only carry the luggage."

"That's not true! Aleph-san always helps me out. And I don't think I could ever carry such heavy luggage! Well, I mean, Aleph-san is amazing!"

"Pfft! Isn't that a bit of a stretch to cheer me up? But, as long as Chris is alive, I'm satisfied."

"That's not true, I really think it's amazing! A Saint doesn't lie!"

"Oh? I'm grateful for that, I'm honored to receive a praise from the Saint."

"What is that?! I don't think you're being respectful enough."

"Haha, I got a little carried away, so please forgive me, Chris."

"Ehehe, then I forgive you, Aleph-san ♪"

I gently closed the door.

Huh? What's that? Why is he flirting with my Saint, Chris, who is my party member... one of my personal possessions? What on earth is he doing, leaving me alone and having fun in the morning, despite being just a baggage carrier?

I thought I had been treating him kindly up until now. I guess it's because he didn't have the proper upbringing that he was able to do something as lowly as a thief and steal someone else's stuff. It's so sad. I guess he didn't understand my sincerity at all.

But that scumbag is also sly. He kept going on about Aria being his darling, but before the words had even left his mouth, he was already switching sides to her sister. I guess it doesn't matter who the girl is, but as a man, I think that's the worst.

I wonder if Christina's guard is a little low after being deceived by such an easy man? I've been gentle with her because she's a saint, but maybe I should give her a proper education so she doesn't become a promiscuous saint who gives in to other males.

Ah, it's so frustrating. I can't trust this scumbag who so casually tries to take what's mine anymore.

I'd kept hiring him because he'd made me laugh with his luggage and his ugly loser attitude when I was doing it with Aria, but...

If it makes me feel annoyed, then I don't want it anymore.

That's right! Today is the day to go to the cave, so let's get it done. I'll wake up Aria and we'll talk and make a plan. If it goes well, I'm sure our lovey-dovey life will be safe and sound!

Also, I think I'll punish Christina a little after I get rid of him. I felt that she was too ignorant of my gentle side. I'm sure if I discipline her for a few days, she'll go back to being the quiet, modest, cute girl she used to be.

I will definitely take back what was stolen from me! Because I am the hero.

After having a lot of casual conversation with Chris, I waited at the entrance of the inn, keeping a distance so that he wouldn't notice that we were getting close, when the hero Hayato came walking towards me. Aria and the others weren't there, so I guess they were still asleep.

"Good morning, you two. We were planning to go to the Fire Dragon's Cave today, but it seems Aria is still tired. We've decided to leave around noon. Is that okay?"

"Good morning, hero. That's right, your skills will be important if a monster appears during the cave exploration, so I also think that if you're tired, you should get some rest."

"Well, I'm just carrying the luggage, so nothing special."

"Thanks, Christina! Ah, then, while Aria is still asleep, I'd like to check out any dangerous spots in today's cave exploration, so could you come with me for a bit? I'm sorry, Aleph, but it would be much appreciated if you could sit down and relax in the dining room."

"Ah, yeah. I get it. Hayato and the others are the ones fighting, so...go ahead and talk it out."

Since I had no right to say anything because I had no fighting power, Hayato took Chris and walked to the back room. As he did so, I felt like screaming when I saw Hayato's hand on Chris' shoulder, but there were quite a few people at the inn from the morning, so I was able to hold my feelings back.

I wonder why, it's absolutely impossible for Chris to betray me...

The feeling of anxiety grows more and more.

Even Aria and the others couldn't have imagined that they would do something like that until just before the current situation arose, so perhaps that is what is causing my anxiety?

Even though I knew that Hayato and Chris couldn't possibly be doing something like that in the room, whenever I lost sight of them I was overcome with an immense sense of urgency and couldn't calm down at all.

Chris... please come out of that room quickly.

Please, please, don't let your guard down with Hayato.

If, if you betray me and end up like the other three... I wouldn't be able to take another step, I wouldn't be able to walk.

Without you here, I wouldn't be..

Author's Note: Aleph's death flag has recently been raised.