* * *

But as the silent walk dragged on, my mind couldn’t help but wander into strange territory.

Still, I couldn’t hold back anymore.

“So, where are we going?”

I wasn’t good with tense silences like this.

I needed noise.

Srrrrng.

The Hero drew his sword.

“You don’t have to tell me!”

But pulling out a sword—really?

The sharp blade gleamed as it sliced through the air, and I froze in genuine fear.

However, what thudded to the ground was a flapping winged beast, not me.

These monsters normally don’t venture near the guild, given the sheer number of adventurers in the area…

Ah, now that I think about it, they did show up around this time last year too.

It must be because the power of the demons beyond the dimension is growing stronger, influencing monsters with the same origin.

The increasing activity of these creatures around this season was a clear warning of the danger humanity would soon face.

Of course, no one could grasp that grim reality just yet.

The Hero, as if he had no intention of explaining anything from the start, stomped on the monster’s corpse and moved forward.

Anxiety bubbled in my chest.

The signs were all too clear: the demons would reduce the human realm to ashes. And all I could do was follow the Hero in silence.

Could we even get close?

And even if we did, would it take too long?

There are only six months left. In that time, could I get close enough to introduce him to a woman, make him fall in love?

Ah.

There’s no time to mope.

No time to get lost in thought.

Damn it, I’m the scumbag who stole the Hero’s chance to return.

I quickened my pace and stuck close behind him.

“Don’t you get bored wandering around alone all the time? It’s so eerily quiet here. No bird sounds or anything.”

It was probably because the monster had made its nest, scaring off regular birds. I knew that, but I just wanted to chat.

Even when I tried, the Hero stayed silent.

Still, I wasn’t about to give up.

Even if he found me annoying, I’d stick with him until the end.

It’s incredibly overwhelming, but I’ve ended up carrying the fate of humanity on my shoulders!

“So, are you seriously not going to tell me where we’re going?”

Not until he answers, at least once!

“We keep going deeper and deeper, and it’s getting kind of creepy. The forest’s so dark, even during the day.”

Rustle.

“Don’t tell me there are ghosts here?”

I was determined to keep talking!

But when the Hero suddenly turned around, I couldn’t help but flinch.

He’s objectively handsome, but his piercing expression keeps catching me off guard.

And his intense aura didn’t help.

“There aren’t.”

“Oh, right? Ghost-type monsters are rare, after all…”

“Look.”

At the tip of the Hero’s finger was an old temple.

Right.

There wouldn’t be corrupted spirits lingering around a temple.

But… why a temple?

Oh, was he devout even back then?

In the end, it was his desperate prayers that brought the gods to descend.

His name, “Batista,” even means “Messenger of God’s Will.”

Judging by his name, he must’ve come from a deeply religious family.

“Wow, we came so deep into the forest, but there’s a temple on the outskirts? Is this some sort of shortcut?”

Honestly, I didn’t even know there was a temple around here.

Swindlin is where the adventurer guild’s headquarters are, so the influence of the gods is weaker. It’s packed with people chasing wealth and fame, after all.

Usually, the large temples in city centers get taken over by guild expansions, so I assumed there weren’t any temples left.

Turns out there’s one on the outskirts.

Makes sense; some adventurers probably want to pray before a mission.

“You must come here often, judging by how confidently you walked this way.”

I followed the Hero, buttering him up as best I could.

“Oh, Batista! Welcome.”

When we arrived, an elderly priest greeted him warmly, a bright smile on his face.

Wait, is this guy actually devout?

Is this why he’s polite to priests, the hands and feet of the gods?

“The thing we discussed last time.”

The Hero’s tone wasn’t fundamentally different, though.

Usually, his responses were curt and arrogant, but this time, he added handing over a pouch of coins to the priest.

“Thank you so much. With this, the temple’s situation will improve greatly… We can even make new clothes for the children.”

The priest clutched the heavy pouch, showering the Hero with gratitude.

There was no need to guess further.

With donations that generous, who would mind a few curt words?

Still, an adventurer who earns money and donates to temples?

That’s unusual.

No wonder the gods favor him.

The priest invited us in for a meal, but the Hero refused without hesitation.

What a cold guy.

The priest looked so earnest in his offer!

If it were me, I’d at least stay for dinner.

“Wow, you’re really something. Dropping that much money in one go! That’s the kind of bold, noble move an adventurer of your caliber would make.”

Of course, I didn’t say anything that direct—I just threw in some flattery.

“I’m sure the gods are watching over you. Is that why you’re so strong? Maybe I should start donating too.”

“With such shallow intentions, you won’t gain anything.”

The first thing he says after ignoring me for hours, and it’s that?

I mean, he’s not wrong, but still.

It’s not like I want to get stronger just for selfish reasons.

If I could do something more useful to save humanity, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

If I could fight the Demon King alongside him, instead of cleaning up stragglers from the rear, I wouldn’t hesitate.

But that’s impossible, isn’t it?

Six months isn’t enough time for anything but tailing him.

“I see.”

That dry response snapped me out of my thoughts.

The Hero doesn’t remember anything yet.

Not about being with me, not about the past.

“S-sorry. Just got caught up in some old memories.”

I let my emotions slip, thinking about the future only I knew.

How embarrassing.

What if he thinks I’m just an annoying, overly emotional idiot?

I really need to keep myself in check.

“Seems like you’ve got a story.”

At least he noticed the sincerity in my voice. Maybe he’s willing to let it slide?

I felt a wave of relief.

“Stop bothering me. If there’s something you want me to do, tell me. Revenge? Personal grudges? I’ll take care of it.”

Wow.

Hearing that, the Hero seemed incredibly reliable, to the point my heart raced.

“But after that, stop following me.”

Of course, nothing will get solved just by talking.

What do I even say to that?

* * *