* * *
“What cool thing? There’s no point faking it. It’s better to just be honest. Hmm… if I had to say something, I think Zerbin should keep the title of Adventurer King for the next 50 years, at least.”
“Yeah, I agree with that.”
“Same here.”
Honestly, so do I.
The title ‘Adventurer King’ didn’t just appear out of nowhere.
It’s a nickname passed down to the strongest adventurer at the time.
But just because someone’s strong doesn’t mean they’re good.
Some abused their power—threatening others, bossing around fellow adventurers, or cozying up to nobles just to help them exploit the rest of us.
Compared to that, Bati is noble in the best way.
He holds the title of Adventurer King but doesn’t interfere with anyone else’s business, making him incredibly easy to be around.
That’s probably part of why so many adventurers like him.
“He’s cool… and doesn’t order us to do weird stuff.”
“Of course we like him.”
“Told you.”
While the rest of the group continued chattering away noisily, the one who asked the question—Bati—was silent.
It was just like him to not react even after asking something.
Everyone else seemed so used to his quiet nature that they didn’t even expect a response.
Still, he’s been much more talkative than before lately.
What’s he thinking? I was curious, but I didn’t want to interrupt, so I just admired his handsome face.
“…I see.”
At last, his well-shaped lips parted.
“Got it.”
Then, all of a sudden, Bati stood up.
“Huh? What is it?”
What do you mean, you “got it”?
I asked, flustered, but Bati didn’t answer.
He just walked briskly toward the front door.
What? Where’s he going?
Don’t tell me it’s one of those “You’ve worked hard enough, I’ll take care of it now” moments?
He’s not seriously heading to the city guards on his own, is he?
No way.
That can’t happen!
I immediately stood up too.
“I—I’m coming with you!”
“What? Where are you going?”
“I don’t know!”
If I at least knew where he was headed, I could decide whether to follow or not—but since I didn’t, I had no choice but to tag along.
If he did something reckless, I needed to be there to stop him.
Since both Bati—the center of the conversation—and I suddenly got up and left, our other friends followed us out in a daze.
They kept asking where we were going, but there was nothing I could tell them.
I was just following Bati, and they were just following me.
Before I knew it, we’d formed a line behind him.
It was kind of funny.
Bati, who usually didn’t even walk around with anyone, was now leading a mini parade.
I mean, when he first started hanging out with just me, even the other adventurers in Swindlin were scandalized.
Now?
Now it’s me, Aimone, Vasco, Naike, Carmen, Vicente… seven of us including Bati himself.
And he doesn’t even tell people to back off or leave him alone anymore because it’s annoying.
Honestly, I can’t even imagine Bati saying something like that to me now.
We’ve really grown close.
‘Maybe I don’t need to worry so much anymore?’
Bati’s changed a lot too.
Just earlier, he shared his snacks with us—and he’s starting to consider others now.
He wouldn’t suddenly do something reckless that’d put the people who helped him in a bad spot.
I believe in Bati.
But then… what he did next went beyond just “not worrying.”
It made me feel guilty for even having doubted him.
When we arrived at a place packed with adventurers, Bati drew his sword.
There was no killing intent behind it, so people were more curious than scared when the massive blade suddenly came into view.
Everyone turned to look at him with intrigued eyes.
An adventurer passing nearby blinked in surprise and wandered over.
Bati’s face darkened slightly under all the attention, but after taking a moment to collect himself, he spoke.
“If anyone knows anything about the Marquisate of Zeppelin, speak.”
…Just like that.
“Anyone who brings useful information will have the honor of crossing swords with me.”
This is the same Bati—someone who always kept his distance from people.
Who still struggled with interacting with others.
Who used to try to handle everything on his own.
And now he’s stepping up—for me.
To help me get the information I want, for the sake of the efforts I’ve made.
I’m… touched.
I’m so touched!
I instinctively covered my mouth the moment I heard it.
If I didn’t, I probably would’ve screamed.
‘Bati’s starting to believe in us!’
Honestly, even though he didn’t stop me from helping, his attitude early on was completely indifferent.
It was like, “Whatever. I’ll just be in custody for a bit and walk out. You’re making this more complicated than it needs to be.”
But after watching me and my friends running around doing everything we could—even if clumsily—he must’ve realized that working together was better than doing it all alone.
He’s finally learning how to share the burden with his companions! I could cry.
All my persistent rambling about how adventurers admire him, how they respect him and want to help him—it was worth it.
‘He won’t try to carry everything on his own anymore.’
Just that thought alone cuts my worries for the future in half.
Yes, the threat of a demon invasion is terrifying, but what scared me even more—as someone who loves Bati—was the idea that he might sacrifice himself for humanity all on his own.
If Bati, awakened with the Holy Sword, can learn to work and communicate with the other Hero Party members, then everything will be okay.
It has to be.
‘…But the Holy Sword. He can awaken it, right?’
What if he can’t?
What if I’m not the right person—if I don’t count as “true love”?
What if once again, everything turns pitch black with despair?
“I know! I’ve got info!”
“No way, it’s me! I’ve even shared drinks with a servant of a baron’s family that served the Zeppelin marquisate!”
“What?! That barely counts! I worked with a gardener who was employed by the Zeppelin family twenty years ago…”
“Twenty years? Are you kidding me?”
“Hey, who just kicked me?! Come out and fight!”
“Lord Zerbin! Pick me, pick me!”
…
No time to be emotional!
These idiots—do they not realize how much Bati hates loud, chaotic crowds?!
I quickly jumped in to separate Bati from the other adventurers.
“Back off! Keep your distance and speak from there!”
I used to think Bati just hated people, but through letters and some honest conversations, I’ve learned he doesn’t completely reject interaction.
My new conclusion?
He just gets overwhelmed around lots of people.
I don’t get it personally, but for him, being somewhere crowded—like a marketplace—feels like his mental energy gets chipped away in real time.
He’s fine on his own, or with just me at most.
That’s his sweet spot.
It’s not that he hates people, it’s just… exhausting for him.
And every time I lavish him with praise, he tells me to knock it off—so I think even compliments or too much attention stress him out.
“If you want to approach the Adventurer King, get in line and follow protocol!”
If a bunch of loud, hot-blooded adventurers suddenly swarm him?
Of course he’ll hate it.
He might even change his mind and give up on this completely.
Since our newly budding Hero has just begun to open up to others, I’ll stay by his side and personally make sure things go smoothly!
* * *
