* * *
Well, Bati has always believed in me.
But what was the basis of that belief in the first place?
It’s honestly kind of amazing that I’m taking everything he’s said at face value.
I mean, if it were me, I’d be suspicious!
He’s not even bombarding me with questions to verify anything—he just accepted it straight away.
Even if you trust someone, isn’t it normal to at least try to confirm things?
Not that I can really complain to the person who’s already chosen to believe me.
“…It’s an outrageous story, so… thanks for taking it seriously.”
If there’s anything I should say, it’s definitely thanks.
“You’d never tell me a lie that big.”
Bati replied calmly.
“You just don’t have the guts for that kind of thing.”
“…Wait. Is that your reason for trusting me?”
That’s it?
Really?
I mean… yeah, it’s true!
There’s no way I’d ever dare to lie to Bati, someone I admire and love that much!
I’m happy he recognizes my deep affection, but this feels… weird.
“Is that a problem?”
No, no problem!
Well, maybe a little!
“I mean, it’s nice to hear, sure. But I really was curious. Like, even back when you scouted me into the Hero’s party, I asked why, and you just said, ‘Because I trust you.’”
Wanting a more serious answer, I added:
“It’s not like we had any history of trust or anything… But still, you said you believed in me, right? So I’ve always wondered—what exactly did you see in me?”
“You’re a good person.”
Bati said it flatly.
Huh?
“Me?”
Do “good people” endanger humanity just to save themselves?!
Wait, saying it like that feels like I’m insulting Bati, who trusted me and let me go.
I don’t even know for sure if that was true, but suddenly I feel so confused.
It still doesn’t feel like the right thing to have done!
“Do you really not know why?”
“…I don’t.”
“You idiot.”
Bati clicked his tongue.
Not sure if that was a compliment or an insult…
But it is true that I’m not the sharpest, so I just curled up quietly in his arms.
“You probably didn’t tell anyone about my weakness, even in the future.”
Weakness?
You mean the part where he collapses if he doesn’t eat regularly?
Well, obviously I never told anyone.
Back when I first found out, I didn’t care what happened to him—I didn’t care for him.
And after the Demon King attacked, who would I have told that to anyway?
I was so careful not to leak anything, even to the other Hero party members.
There were plenty of humans who tried to cozy up to demons, hoping to survive by submitting.
The Demon King had no intention of letting any humans live, but we still ended up divided.
The continent was falling apart, but the powerful only cared about their own money and refused to support the “fake hero.”
And then you had the real trash—people selling information about the Hero party just to save their own skin. It’s no wonder humanity collapsed in just a few years.
And even in the middle of all that, Bati fought desperately to protect even those people!
Like hell I’d go around blabbing his secrets.
Of course I didn’t.
“You think that’s just common sense?”
“Uh? Uh… yeah. It’s not like I kept quiet because I’m some noble, kind soul. Honestly, it was scary thinking you’d come after me for revenge, and there wasn’t anything in it for me either.”
What good would it do to talk about someone I don’t even like?
Hanging out with friends and eating delicious food is way more fun.
“Really?”
Well… I guess if I wanted to, I probably could’ve profited.
There were people willing to pay huge sums for Bati’s weakness—people who’d cozy up to him, pretending to help while holding that knowledge over him.
Someone like Gaspar definitely would’ve.
But no matter how tempting the money, there’s just no reason to live that dirty…
Huh.
Maybe I am kind of a good person?
‘Maybe a little?’
I mean, adventurers love gossip.
Not just people I barely knew—Even sweet, friendly Naike would sprint into the middle of a scandal just to be in the loop.
Compared to that, me keeping my mouth shut might’ve stood out more than I thought.
So that’s it… To Bati, I was a “good person.”
I can’t help but feel happy, knowing that.
“I actually wondered if you just believed me because I’m stupid and bad at lying.”
“…Excuse me?”
Okay, yeah, that’s a bit much.
Who just lays down on the side of the road like that?
Sure, it was a forest path, but still—it was clearly a route meant for people to travel on.
“…But no, that couldn’t have been it. If it were, I wouldn’t have asked you to come with me.”
I’m so glad I kept my mouth shut! Kindness really does come back around!
“Thanks for telling me.”
Relieved, I threw myself into Bati’s arms.
Honestly, for someone who doesn’t like talking much, him answering every one of my questions like this is incredible.
He once decided to write me letters just because speaking was stressful.
And parchment isn’t exactly cheap, so frugal Bati must’ve splurged to do it.
Even now, he’s making the effort to respond!
He’s so kind! I love him so much!
He tightened his arms around me.
“I should be the one thanking you.”
His warm voice brushed against my ear.
“For trusting me. For telling me the truth.”
I was happy.
Just a short while ago, we were fighting because we couldn’t trust each other.
Now we were sharing secrets.
My heart felt full—like I could do anything in this moment.
‘…Ugh, I’m getting sleepy.’
After spending all that energy crying and panicking, now that I’m relaxed, drowsiness hits me like a wave.
I want to savor this feeling more, but my eyes shut before I can stop them.
I nuzzled deeper into Bati’s chest.
No good.
Too sleepy.
“Sleep well.”
I’m not even sure I heard him clearly. But I remembered the gentle way he stroked my hair.
And just like that, I fell asleep.
The next morning, I went back to my inn room, only to find Gaspar—who I’d tied up—had already escaped.
“…Well, yeah. Figures.”
It’s disappointing, but what can I do?
It’s not like I just popped out for a moment—we’d spent the whole night rolling around.
Gaspar may be scum, but he is an adventurer.
A little rope wouldn’t hold him forever.
He probably came to his senses as soon as he woke up and made a clean getaway.
I knew it was my fault, but still—after going to the trouble of catching him, it was a shame to find him gone.
I mean, I didn’t even get a punch in.
Bati hasn’t hit him yet either.
“He probably hasn’t gotten far. Should I go bring him back?”
Judging by the traces left in the room, that seemed likely.
If I searched the nearby area now, I’d probably still catch him.
“I could bury him somewhere no one would ever find.”
“…You think I can’t do that?”
N-no, sir…
His voice came back cold.
So chilling, it felt like he really would bury someone alive if he set his mind to it.
…Terrifying.
* * *
