The Rozes finally became peaceful. Despite the nightmares and countless death of civilians and soldiers. Cause by the monsters who berserk inside the city.
The Rozes manage to overcome it and they remain vigilance and become more careful because of this incident.
The culpit was discovered, thanks to the help of Fuji-yan with his appraisal skills and mind reading skills. Finding the culpit is an easy peasy for him.
The identified culpit was a devilkin.
I don't really know much about them but... their kin is the one who allied to the demon king thousand years ago.
Anyway...
Currently I'm in a dilemma...
I'm now offer by princess Sofia to become a Hero of the water country rozes.
It was really unexpected.
Me?
As a hero?
I can't even defeat a monster with my own strength.
I didn't expect I will offered as one of the hero in this world. When the only thing I can think back then is to survive and worship Noah-sama.
Now... Speaking of Noah-sama.
She did definitely give me a greatest reward that I ever received.
I can't help but touch my cheek.
When I was in a dream...
As usual I will greet Noah-sama great fully and talk about what happen back then.
She also give me an advice like. The voice I heard when we fighting the giant taboo. Apparently it is the great demon lord voice. I don't really know why I heard it though.
She also give me an advice to communicate better with spirit. To communicate with them easily I must remove the skill of clear mind.
"Well, just try it. You are still a beginner when it comes to Spirit Magic, Makoto." (Noah)
"Got it. I will try out a variety of things." (Makoto)
"Yup yup, do your best." (Noah)
She pets my head.
Every time we met she always like this... She apparently becoming more and more bolder when trying to seduce me.
Although...
I have gotten used to it lately.
Noah-sama look at me and puffed her cheeks.
Oops, she read my mind.
"Now then, it is about time." (Makoto)
Let's give my thanks and leave.
"Makoto." (Noah)
Noah-sama called me in her sweetest voice.
"Yes, what is it?" (Makoto)
Confuse what she trying to do right now...
—She suddenly kissed my cheek without prior notice.
My body suddenly become stiff like a stone.
"Today's reward." (Noah)
Noah-sama waved her hand with a bright smile.
"..."
I forgot to breath.
That was a complete surprise attack.
Even when I had Clear Mind on, my heart was banging hard.
This is bad, from all the seductions until now, that was the one that shook my heart the most.
Even when I woke up, my heartbeat keep beating widely that I feel like I will have a heart attack.
That was bad...
I was snap back on my trance when princess sofia call me.
Takatsuki Makoto?"
I returned to my senses.
My mind had flown elsewhere for a bit.
"M-Me, a Hero? But…" (Makoto)
To think I would be told this.
I thought that I would be getting money or a peerage at most.
A Hero is the symbol of peace for the country.
Because of that, they are not allowed to lose.
The responsibility is way too big…
"This is not forced." (Sofia)
Oh? Is that so?
I thought for sure she would be ordering me.
Then, it should be okay to refuse—.
"If you become the Hero, the lodging expenses, food expenses, equipment expenses, will all be shouldered by the Water Country of Rozes." (Sofia)
Seriously?!
Wow! It is like a japanese politician!
"Also, you will be getting 10,000,000G every year as a prearranged payment." (Sofia)
Even a salary.
I am getting a bit scared now.
What are they gonna make me do as a country designated hero?
"The Hero in principle will have to participate in the subjugation of the Great Demon Lord. Currently, it would be the Northern Expedition Plan. The plan will be taking place from next year on, so this year will simply be preparations. There's no other plans for any big job." (Sofia)
Eh? Really?
Isn't that a bit too lenient?
I am interested in what this Northern Expedition Plan is though.
"Also, regarding your residence, I would like it if you were to live in the capital of Horun, but it seems you like Makkaren, so it is okay to continue staying in Makkaren. We do have a lodging for the Hero in the capital if you so please." (Sofia)
Truly given everything.
To think they would go this far.
Just that…I am the Apostle of the Goddess Noah.
That would mean I would have to convert into the Water Goddess's religion in order to become the Water Country's Hero, right?
…I can't do that. I can't just betray Noah-sama who believe in me.
Let's refuse.
(Makoto, you can accept if you want. I will speak to the Water Goddess about it.) (Noah)
Eh? You can do that?
Aren't the Holy Gods is our enemy?
(Leave it to me. The Water Goddess Eir is a girl that you can reason with. It is okay to not be converted.) (Noah)
Do Gods have their associations between each other? I don't understand that well.
I have been given the okay from the Goddess.
Uhm…
I look at my back.
I look at Lucy and Sa-san.
Lucy seemed to be moved, her eyes were going all damp.
Sa-san is making a face of 'isn't that great'.
Nina-san and Chris-san were making faces of surprise and positive smiles.
Fuji-yan being the only one who has his mouth wide open in shock is bothering me a bit though…
"Takatsuki Makoto… I won't tell you to answer at once. You can take your time and think about it." (Sofia).
Princess Sofia is way too kind!
I look at her. I can see the worry and nervous in her crystal blue eyes.
"I will think about it... Right now. " (Makoto)
If I am going to refuse, I have to do it now.
In other words, if I am going to answer, now's the time.
RPG Player Skill activates.
[Will you become the Water Country's Hero?]
Yes
No ←
Looking at that choice, a fuzzy feeling and memory resurfaced in me.
The game I liked when I was young.
The remake of a famous RPG.
The main character was a hero.
He received just a little amount of gold and a torch from the King.
He didn't have comrades.
He defeated the monsters all alone, raised his level, faced a dragon, saved the princess, defeated the Demon Lord, and saved the world.
It was cool.
The me at that time wanted to become a hero.
Of course, with me being a highschooler now, I don't think about becoming a hero though.
…No, that's not it.
At the time when I arrived in this parallel world, I was jealous of my classmates and Sakurai-kun.
I was burning with envy towards their powerful Status and Skills.
Being scouted by the important people of the countries, I watched as they went off one after the other, and was unable to sleep at night from the jealousy.
There were even times when I would pull all-nighters training my magic proficiency.
(Even though it wasn't that long ago, it feels nostalgic.) (Makoto)
In front of me, there's the beautiful Princess.
The person that didn't give me Divine Protection at that time.
That Princess is telling me to become a Hero.
The support being given is thorough.
Gold, equipment, everything was being given by the country.
I also have reliable comrades.
Even a Goddess that would give me hints when in trouble.
I am way more blessed than the hero of that game.
…This is weird.
Wasn't an isekai a trash game?
No, wait.
I myself am not strong though?
Don't misunderstand.
I am an Apprentice Mage.
The main character of that game had inherited the blood of the hero.
That's why he was strong enough to defeat the Demon Lord on his own.
I am different.
And what of it?
You can become a hero, you know?
Aren't you going to regret it if you were to refuse it?
No good.
My thoughts are not collected.
…At such a time, I…
"Princess Sofia…" (Makoto)
"Y-Yes? What is it?" (Sofia)
Princess Sofia is making a nervous expression.
The first time I met her, I wasn't good at dealing with her.
But my impression of her has changed a lot.
[Will you become the Water Country's Hero?]
Yes ←
No
"I will gratefully accept the title of Hero." (Makoto)
"…! Is that so. Then, from today on, you are the Hero of Rozes." (Sofia)
—When you don't know which choice to make, choose the one that is the most fun.
I have always followed that gameplay rule when deciding.
Those people who surrounding me clap their hands and congratulate me.
Princess Sofia breath a sigh of relief and her gaze at me become more soften.
Looking around...
I can't help but have a worry in my heart.
Will I be alright?
Carrying the burden of responsibility as a hero?
(You will be fine Makoto, I'm right here beside you after all) (Noah)
Hearing those reassuring words of my beloved Noah-sama.
I can't help but smile.
Right...
As long as Noah-sama is by my side.
I will walk and win through any hardship and obstacle in my way.
With those burden lift in my heart.
Alright
Let's do this...
Let's become a Hero.