* * *

No matter how I thought about it, there didn’t seem to be any other plausible reason.

It was a bit bewildering, but it felt like the hero was being considerate of me.

This time, he didn’t even tell me to stop following him once the job was done.

Was it because he knew I’d refuse anyway?

Either way, he was unbelievably kind.

It made my chest tighten.

“Not coming?”

“No, sorry! I’m coming now!”

See?

The hero really is a good person.

I quickly followed after him. I tried not to, but I couldn’t help the smile spreading across my face.

Judging by how he didn’t even bat an eye after showing me such kindness, it seemed like he didn’t want me to make a fuss over it.

Still, I couldn’t help feeling happy.

Who wouldn’t be, when someone they admire shows them attention?

It felt like I wasn’t walking on solid ground but floating on clouds.

So soft.

“Thanks. I promise I won’t bother you about anything else after this.”

“……”

The hero’s lips moved slightly as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

It was enough to make me curious.

But I didn’t ask.

If I annoyed him unnecessarily, it would only be my loss.

“We’re leaving tomorrow, right? Are you preparing for the quest today?”

This time, he gave me a nod.

It felt like he was responding a little more than yesterday.

That was a relief.

No matter how sociable a place this was, talking to someone all day who doesn’t reply was no easy feat.

“Where are we going first?”

“The blacksmith.”

“Whoa.”

Yesterday, he had just ignored me when I tried to talk, pointing out our destination only after we arrived.

But now, in just a day, he’d made tremendous progress. I felt like tearing up.

There was no longer any doubt about it.

The hero was a good person.

Until now, he’d always traveled alone and wasn’t used to being around people.

But now that he understood I approached him with genuine intentions, he was treating me like a proper companion.

It must’ve been the hero’s lack of sociability that caused misunderstandings among people.

His intense presence probably fueled those misconceptions.

If he had been just a little less intimidating, people might have approached him more easily.

But with nicknames like “Grim Reaper of the Battlefield” and “Monster” stuck to him, it was hard to imagine anyone wanting to get close.

Especially if everyone who tried was mercilessly pushed away.

If someone had approached him with the patience I had, he would’ve had a lot more friends by now!

“……”

Startled by the sound I made earlier, the hero gave me a sharp look.

It was as if he was asking, ‘Is there a problem?’

I needed to stop letting my mind wander.

“No, I just thought it’s impressive how thorough you are, even going to the blacksmith. You’re always so meticulous.”

I glossed over it with an excuse, and the hero quickly turned away.

He probably thought it wasn’t worth responding to.

It made sense.

Casual remarks from an ordinary adventurer like me probably didn’t mean much to him.

Now that I think about it, I heard that the hero’s weapon had been damaged during the last manticore hunt.

I wasn’t in the best state of mind at the time, so my memory was a little fuzzy.

“Are you repairing the weapon you damaged last time? Or are you getting a new one?”

“Repairing.”

The hero’s short answer sent a small thrill through me.

It was silly, but I couldn’t help being pleased that he responded when I spoke.

Before I returned, I wouldn’t even dare to talk to the hero when he was resting, worried I’d interrupt him.

I just kept everything bottled up inside and followed his instructions because his judgment was far more valuable than mine.

But now, I could talk to him without disturbing him—and he even replied.

It felt like a massive leap in status.

“Thank you.”

Of course, it wasn’t because I had done anything remarkable.

It was simply because the hero was kind.

I was glad to know that he wasn’t someone who hated people—just someone who struggled to interact with them.

If he had despised humans, it would’ve been much more troublesome for me.

“What are you thanking me for?”

“For answering me?”

“Pointless.”

His curt reply cut through the air.

Under normal circumstances, that would’ve been the obvious response.

“But I’m genuinely grateful. You said I didn’t owe you anything for that jerky, but you still went out of your way to travel with me and even put up with me. You’re really considerate.”

“Hah.”

The hero let out a dry laugh.

His expression didn’t look amused, but since it sounded like a laugh, I decided to think of it as one.

Given how rarely his expression changed, a sound was plenty for me.

In just two days, I’d seen so much of the hero’s human side.

It felt like an achievement.

Even though he didn’t say much and walked ahead again, I still felt good.

“By the way, thanks again. It’d be nice if we could keep traveling together, even if it’s not just for a week.”

If that were the case, wouldn’t there be no need to introduce anyone to the hero?

If his solitude came not from hating people but from being unable to connect with them, then all he needed was to have people around him.

Surely, love would find its way naturally.

Of course, I wasn’t going to let just anyone meet the hero.

It had to be someone kind, patient, and strong enough to handle his aura.

Love might make even the hero temper his intensity, so they’d just need to endure the early stages.

Magic items could help ease the burden too.

I had a few people in mind already—people who’d jump at the chance to work with the hero if I told them.

Most adventurers admired him, after all.

The problem was that, because of my return, I didn’t know where any of them were right now.

I’d have to look for them after parting ways with the hero.

“Zerbin.”

The hero glanced at me with just his eyes.

“There’s a bakery nearby that sells cream bread you like. Want to stop by? I didn’t have time to prepare today.”

The hero didn’t answer verbally, but his actions spoke volumes.

His stride, which had been firmly directed toward the blacksmith, wavered as he began scanning the area for the bakery.

I coaxed him into buying a chocolate chip cookie and a cream-filled pastry.

Once he had his favorite treat in his mouth, his sharp aura softened noticeably.

Originally, I had planned to save it for later, but he devoured it immediately.

The hero seemed to have little restraint when it came to food.

Or maybe he was so reserved in general that he didn’t bother holding back when it came to things he liked.

“I have a favor to ask.”

The hero looked at me after finishing his giant cookie in just two bites.

“About the quest. Would it be okay to bring one more person along?”

As the hero continued munching on his second cookie, he stayed silent.

Whether it was because he disliked my request or because he was just too absorbed in his snack, I couldn’t tell.

Moments like this made me wish he was the type of person whose expressions were easier to read.

No matter how skilled I was at reading people, the hero was a whole other challenge!

If I messed up, his mood would turn sharp and prickly, like stepping on a bed of thorns.

“Look, it’s someone I’m close with. They’re a skilled adventurer, so you’ve probably at least heard their name. I’ll make sure they don’t bother you. I promise.”

The hero’s chewing slowed, and he gave me a look that clearly screamed displeasure.

Was it too much trouble because he didn’t like meeting new people?

Maybe I should’ve handled this like Vasco, sneaking the person in without asking.

But what’s done is done.

If I brought someone in now, it’d be the same as outright ignoring his opinion.

I’d have to try a bit harder to convince him.

After all, the hero was surprisingly considerate and kind beneath that prickly exterior.

If I persuaded him well, it might just work.

* * *