𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟓: 𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬

Two days after the attack.

We, [Hope], were to receive a letter of thanks and the title of honorary guards from the city of Mikasa Lakeside.

We were supposed to just clean the villa, but it turned into quite a commotion.

By the way, the cleaning was taken care of by General Kytes, who hired someone else to do it. The request was considered completed.

The general said that it wouldn’t be right to have the town’s heroes do the cleaning.

“A medal. . . It’s a bit complicated, isn’t it?”

“There was quite a bit of damage to the town, after all.”

This is a conversation between Asuka and Miliaria after hearing the decision.

Because it was a surprise attack, a considerable number of people were sacrificed before a counterattack could be launched, and there were indeed casualties in the battle.

Specifically, there were thirty-eight dead and fifty-one seriously injured.

However, considering that we were ambushed by a group of sahagin numbering in the fifties, it can be said that we got off lightly.

If a fully armed army had been stationed there, it would have been one thing, but only sixteen guards had received any kind of training. The rest were just a youth vigilante group of about forty, barely more than amateurs.

It was a miracle that we won.

Those who died were those who could not benefit from the miracle.

They were not soldiers dedicated to fighting, but ordinary citizens.

Considering them, one cannot be completely happy about receiving a medal.

“But we did save the lives and livelihoods of over a thousand people, Asuka, Miliaria.”

These were the words Meisha said to the two of them.

Rather than regretting the people we couldn’t save, we should celebrate the people we did save.

With a straightforwardness befitting a cleric, Asuka and Miliaria were able to look forward.

Indeed, Meisha is the emotional pillar of the three girls.

She’s very much like an eldest sister.

Even though they’re the same age.

“There’s going to be a banquet too. We can eat a feast. We can eat meat.”

“Stop it. We’re not that hungry. We.”

Ending with a joke is very much like an older sister.

Well, in her case, she really is a glutton.

Anyway, our efforts kept the damage to the town to a minimum. This is a reward for that achievement.

Accepting it without shame is for the sake of all people.

“You really are a remarkable person. To repel the sahagins with just this small force, even our army’s officers couldn’t do that.”

I was praised by General Kytes as we moved from the award ceremony to the banquet.

By the way, this is about the third time he’s said this.

He’s a bit repetitive, probably because he’s been drinking.

The three girls, dressed up in dresses provided by the town, have left me to deal with the older men like the mayor, the shopkeepers, and the general, while they chat with young girls of their own generation.

It can’t be helped.

Talking with older people is just tiring. I’ll do it.

“The fact that it was a defensive battle was probably the biggest factor. The residents loved their town, so they were able to fight without giving up until the end. My contribution is minimal.”

With a glass filled with alcohol in one hand, I smile politely.

I’m not lying.

It’s their own town. They have their loved ones behind them. Of course, they’ll fight desperately.

Even people who hate fights.

That’s what a fight for self-defense is. You can exert more power than you actually have.

All I did was efficiently direct that power at the enemy. Any competent commander or staff officer in General Kytes’ army could probably have done the same.

Even if it wasn’t me.

Well, I don’t know how many people in the field have a natural talent for strategy, so I won’t say that anyone could have done it.

“Lionel-kun is very modest!”

Laughing, the mayor pats my shoulder.

“Because of this personality, the young heroes can grow freely.”

General Kytes glanced at the three girls.

Noticing, Asuka waves back.

Yes.

She’s very energetic and well.

But please stop waving your hand so vigorously in a dress with such a deep neckline.

It looks like you’re about to have a wardrobe malfunction, and it’s making me nervous.

Eventually, the banquet draws to a close, and the drunken guests begin to leave one by one.

I hadn’t been able to eat much because of all the greetings, so I started rummaging through the feast on the table as soon as I got the chance.

I wonder if I can take home anything that looks like it will keep?

And this roast beef is seriously delicious. Also, the chicken that was served is top-notch.

The world is all about meat, after all.

Ah, I shouldn’t. Meisha might get infected.

“As soon as you calm down, it would be best to return to Gaillia as soon as possible. Young one.”

General Kytes, who had somehow come back to my side, said in a voice that only I could barely hear.

The tone of his voice means I should keep eating without reacting.

I sent a glance at the general for a moment, then continued eating, pretending not to care.

“Someone broke into the adventurer’s guild infirmary and apparently killed a hospitalized patient. The one who was killed was a female adventurer named Fīna.”

My hand stops for a moment.

Fīna, that Fīna?

The woman who triggered the collapse of the Gold-lined Butterflies and then lost her right arm in an attack by Luke.

Honestly, she was as good as finished as an adventurer.

There’s only so much you can do with one arm.

Once her treatment was over, she would have had to think of some way to make a living.

It’s unknown what methods there might be, but it’s hard to imagine a happy future waiting for her.

“. . .You couldn’t even forgive a woman like that, Luke. . .”

Staring at the food on the table, I muttered quietly.

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