Chapter 221: The Heroes of Crocus

The heroes of Crocus, the flower country, are Oda, Fuchi, and Mani. It’s unclear how they became heroes because Oda stubbornly refused to explain, but there’s a letter from the queen of the dwarves that acknowledges them as the heroes, so that’s the truth.

「I never thought that we would become the heroes of Crocus after leaving Adelheit….」

「It was surprising, right? But well, the beginning of love between Oda and the queen was amusing.」

「The beginning of love? That’s….」

「It’s not love or anything! Fuchi, don’t say it in a way that will make others misunderstand!」

「「「「………?」」」」

Anyway, it seems that they won’t tell the details.

「It’s amazing that the representatives of the two countries met by chance! You three have been getting stronger, right?」

「W-Well, yeah. We are not as strong as Touko, but we’ve had some tough adventures during this time.」

The talk about the beginning of love may have eased the tension, so Oda is more or less able to participate in the conversation.

「The other day, we all leveled up. We are now level 5! Now we’ve caught up with Katsuragi and Rokusai!」

「Ah, I-I see….」

Chinatsu shows an ambiguous smile. If you reach level 5, it means that you have reached the level of a master. And if it’s at the age of a high schooler, it’s without a doubt a great achievement. However, the targets of the comparison are――

「Wow, what a coincidence! We also leveled up a long time ago, and now we are level 6!」

They’ve already stepped up to the next level. The honest Haruna didn’t say it out of malice, but her words pierced Oda’s heart. It mercilessly pierced his heart and sewed it back.

「Haha, I see. That’s right…. There’s no way Katsuragi and Rokusai just playing around since then….」

「Oda, even I feel sorry for you. The opponents this time are on a whole different level. Don’t worry, you have been recognized as a hero. For the general public, you are reliable enough.」

「F-Fuchi! You are a good guy after all!」

「Ah, by the way, what is your level, Weerel-chan?」

「6…」

「Ugh!」

「Ah, Oda-kun!? Oda-kun coughed up blood!」

Mani hurriedly took care of Oda. The comparison target is bad. No, it’s too bad.

「Ohohoho! Oda-san, don’t worry! I’m also level 5, so we are the same desuwa!」

「I-It’s complicated…. I feel really complicated…!」

「Hmm, still, your party is strong. I think we can rely on you when we are together in the alliance.」

「No problem, you can count on us!」

Since they are inside the shop, Therese laughed at a volume lower than usual. But even so, her presence is so strong that she stands out.

「By the way, is it okay for the heroes of Crocus to be in such a place? I heard that Crocus is the first country to be attacked by the Demon King’s army…」

「Ahaha. Even though we became heroes, it was only recently that we were recognized as ones. In the current situation where the front line is handled by the Crocus army, they wanted to employ the heroes who will attack the enemy’s headquarters from outside the army. Since there was a talk about Oda and the queen having a close relationship, he and us, his friends, were appointed as the heroes.」

「I see…. You received the official summoning and are now on your way….」

「Yes, that’s correct. Weerel-chan sure is someone reasonable. It’s really helpful when the one I’m dealing with is a rational person.」

Regarding the current situation in Crocus, the battle has been equal since the beginning and it seems that the territory hasn’t been seized like Tazarnia. It is said that the queen herself is standing on the front lines, inspiring her soldiers and fighting equally against the enemy general.

(The enemy general, so it means that she’s on par with the Four Heavenly Kings of the Sea Demons. Then, she’s as strong as Haruna, I guess? That’s pretty strong.)

Chinatsu secretly analyzes her strength. However, she can’t imagine the appearance of the queen, so for the time being, she applied the queen-like Nell as an image.

「We met the queen when we were recognized as the heroes. She’s really a wonderful person. How should I put it, she’s brimming with kindness and fairness. She has such a beautiful heart and her physical strength is stronger than us. Oda, I think she’s a good candidate. You can gain money and social status, you know?」

「Are you seriously saying that? Are you seriously saying that as a friend?」

「I think it’s okay depending on how you think about it. Marrying a high-quality royalty with such a beautiful country, isn’t that your favorite development as a hero? I would like to refrain, though.」n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

「You…!」

Chinatsu guessed something and replaced her image from her master into the shopkeeper who’s wearing female clothing. Correction finished. It certainly is a tough choice.

「Now, now. Well, you three are going to the same place as us, right? How about we go together? There’s still a lot of space in the dragon carriage after all.」

「Eh?」

Oda, who was shaking Fuchi violently, reacts with a twitch.

「Ara, that’s a good idea desuwa. We met here must be some kind of fate, so let’s talk about our journeys. I’m sure it’ll be fun desuwa!」

「Yes…. I think they are not bad people, so I’m fine with it….」

「Eh? Eh?」

Oda’s heartbeat increased.

「It might be more efficient that way. We also won’t get lost if we are together with the heroes of Crocus. Ah, we shouldn’t decide it on our own, right? What about you three?」

「YES PLEASEEEEEE!」

「Oda-kun, calm down…」

Oda attracted more attention than Therese because of the loudness of his voice. The shopkeeper, who was setting the table, was startled.

「I-I didn’t think we would get that enthusiastic response, haha…」

「Being energetic is good desuwa!」

「Right, being energetic is good!」

「Excuse me… Please give me that sauce….」

The two hero parties decided to go together to the meeting place of the alliance. But before that, they have to properly fill their stomachs. If not, they will end up like the hungry old man who’s fighting against exhaustion. Everyone is enjoying the rest time while enjoying the shopkeeper’s signature dishes that lined up on the table.

「H-Hey, Rokusai. I want to ask something. Err…. Is Deris-san’s relationship (with you) going well? Um, he’s in that kind of relationship (with you), right?」

「Deris-san’s relationship?」

Oda resolved himself and asked Chinatsu such a question. The question is a little vague, so Chinatsu thinks about what that means.

(In that kind of relationship with Deris-san? Is he talking about Nell-shishō?)

Well, it’s inevitable that it became like that. Chinatsu mistook the question for herself as a question for Nell.

「Yes, there are a lot of hardships, but I think it’s going well. The marriage (with Nell-shishō) will be held soon.」

「Gah!」

「Ah, Oda-kun!? Oda-kun is bleeding all over his body and collapsed!」

「Chinatsu-san…. This person is scary after all….」

「Err, ah, um….」

Chinatsu, who couldn’t find any words to support Oda, treated him with light magic for the time being.