Motoyasu Kitamura—a fake hero?
Kiriko and Naofumi Iwatani froze momentarily.
Seeing their confusion, Itsuki Kawasumi began explaining.
"From the very beginning, I always felt something was off. How could that guy be so popular with women? It's exactly as I suspected: the better a man is at charming women, the worse scum he turns out to be."
Naofumi still looked utterly lost.
"Itsuki, what exactly are you talking about?"
Itsuki spoke confidently, as if he'd seen it firsthand.
"After yesterday's banquet, Princess Myne went to comfort him after his defeat. By chance, she discovered he was never one of the Four Cardinal Heroes in the first place. Luckily, I was nearby at the time—otherwise, who knows what tragedy might have occurred."
As Itsuki spoke, Myne revealed a sorrowful, traumatized expression.
Hah?
Why did this scenario feel so familiar?
Wasn't this woman just upset that her chosen Motoyasu was far weaker than she'd expected—so weak he couldn't even beat another Hero's subordinate? Now she was fabricating another excuse to get rid of him, just like she'd done with herself and Naofumi earlier.
How pitiful.
But this time, Kiriko had no intention of speaking up for Motoyasu like she had for Naofumi.
"In recognition of your outstanding performance, and with hopes you'll continue to excel, Kawasumi-sama's reward is 4000 silver coins," said the King, as a servant handed Itsuki a hefty pouch of money.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, and Princess Myne, for your generosity. I won't disappoint your expectations."
Itsuki handed the weighty pouch to one of his teammates clad in full plate armor.
For Itsuki, the satisfaction of justice served, along with the gratitude of others, clearly outweighed any monetary reward.
Ren Amaki, seemingly holding similar sentiments, snorted coldly.
"Next is Amaki-sama. For your contributions during the Wave, as well as successfully completing our kingdom's request, your reward is 3800 silver coins."
Ren accepted the reward stoically, unlike Itsuki, keeping it for himself instead of handing it off.
"Two hundred less than Itsuki? I suppose I understand the difference."
"Finally, the Zero Hero and the Shield Hero."
The King looked distinctly reluctant.
"I heard neither of you contributed significantly during the Wave, nor completed any adventurer guild requests in the past month. To be frank, your performance greatly disappoints me..."
"Our kingdom values fairness, justice, and transparency above all else. I cannot make exceptions, even for Heroes. Thus, you two will receive only the minimal monthly assistance funds—no additional rewards."
Kiriko smiled gently after hearing the King's words.
"Oh, is that so?"
Ren slightly frowned.
"Regardless, Kiriko-san and Naofumi did protect villages, didn't they? I've heard casualties this Wave were miraculously lower compared to the last one. Isn't that entirely thanks to their efforts?"
Though Itsuki looked youngest among the summoned Heroes, Ren was actually the youngest. Back in Ren's world, highly sophisticated VRMMOs had long become the norm, and he'd always been a solo player.
The ruthless, silent type.
That he now spoke this much—even defending Kiriko and Naofumi, whom he hardly knew—was genuinely unusual.
The King hadn't expected Ren to speak up for them.
He exchanged a quick glance with his minister.
"Since even Amaki-sama has spoken, it can't be helped. We'll add the minimal reward for you both."
Kiriko raised an eyebrow.
"Minimal? Your Majesty, perhaps your age has caused you to forget something important?"
The King suddenly had an ominous feeling.
"What?"
"If memory serves, you still owe me nine duels. How about we practice right now?"
The last time the King got beaten up, the audience hall had been basically the same crowd—minus Motoyasu.
Speaking of which, Kiriko vaguely recalled overhearing news about a mass food poisoning incident in the palace, killing many guards. She wasn't sure if it was true or not, but now that she took a closer look, the guards currently maintaining order in the hall were indeed all unfamiliar faces.
The King instantly jumped up from his throne.
"You—Zero Hero, don't push your luck! I am the King of this country!"
Kiriko yawned.
"Oh, and?"
The King glared fiercely at her.
"A king's fury leaves ten thousand dead, blood staining a hundred miles."
Kiriko gracefully picked at her ear.
"Oh, and then?"
The King raised his hand high like an enraged lion—and then slapped the minister next to him, hard.
The minister stared back, utterly dumbfounded.
"You incompetent fool! Have you forgotten what I always taught you? Melromarc stands for fairness, justice, and transparency! These four Heroes are our saviors, rescuing our people and world from peril! How dare you neglect your duties!"
The King spoke so righteously, justice practically spewed from his ass.
"I clearly ordered you to treat all four Heroes equally! Why were the rewards for the Shield Hero and Zero Hero so pathetic? Did you embezzle funds, you brat?!"
The minister stood stunned. The reward issue had been entirely decided by the King and Princess Bitch in secret. He hadn't even been consulted.
Why was this suddenly his fault?
Still, anyone who could reach the position of minister wasn't an idiot—at least, he could read the situation better than some dense idiot who'd miss blatant hints from their superior.
"I'm guilty! It's entirely my fault—I deserve death!"
As expected of a minister: from confusion to willingly taking the blame in one breath, a true legend among bureaucrats.
At the King's "stern insistence," a sweaty servant hurried off to amend the amount.
It matched Ren's: 3800 silver coins.
Naofumi accepted his money, but Kiriko didn't reach out for hers.
"That's not right. Since it's 'equal treatment,' everyone should receive 4000 silver coins. You're still short 200."
Naofumi and Ren had no objections, but Itsuki immediately protested.
"Kiriko-san, aren't you being too greedy? Rewards are based on completed requests. Taking so much reward without fulfilling any requests, don't you feel any guilt?"
Kiriko placed her hand over her heart and spoke in an exaggerated, duck-like voice.
"You're absolutely right... Hmm~ My heart does ache a bit—because I'm still missing 200 silver coins."
Itsuki nearly choked from anger.
"You—!"
The King seethed silently, unable to openly vent.
But humans are strange creatures: once you yield once, yielding a second time becomes much easier, and then comes the third and fourth—such is the nature of resignation.
---
T/N: LMAOOOO also Itsuki is just a brat, ren is salvafgaabelle
4 chaps meeting this weeks quota, i was too focused on something elseeeeeeeeeeeee ive been playing 7daystodieeeeeeeeeee
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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