Reincarnated into a Game as the Hero’s Friend - Chapter 1

Cheers and congratulations filled the capital.

The focus of those cheers is the army that has just returned. With their success in reclaiming a fortress from the demon army, which could be called victory, this level of celebration is natural.

The first person to enter the capital’s gate is the commander, His Highness Crown Prince, surrounded by the Royal Guards. He rode his horse gallantly. As expected, unlike me, a Crown Prince must be used to this kind of event.

Right behind His Highness is a carriage pulled by a war horse. Standing on it is the Hero Party, led by [Hero] Mazell Hearthing. That guy must be surprised with the amount of crowd. Good thing he recovered fast and started to smile while waving toward the crowd.

The other members of the hero party who were in a daze also started to follow him.

As for me? No, I’m not in the parade.

“Everyone! It’s dangerous so please stay back. Augen, take care of that side too!”

“Yes, sir!”

Currently, I am in the middle of controlling the crowd.

All of this commotion happened because of the injured knights that returned earlier to the capital. They were told to convey two pieces of news to the Royal palace.

First, the successful reclaiming of Veritza Fortress.

Second, the defeat of Demon King Army Third General, Dreax.

But instead, they went ahead and announced that news loudly throughout the capital. I understand they did it because of how happy they are, but it created a huge fuss.

The next day, urgent messages are sent to nobles left in the capital to mobilize their private army and make preparations for the main army’s return including controlling the crowd. After all, it wouldn’t be funny if after defeating a demon king general, the army ended up squashing citizens.

Hah… I also just returned, you know.

Private armies of nobles, which consisted of knights, apprentice knights, and normal soldiers, created a human barricade around the parade. With that, they succeeded in preventing reckless people from charging into the parade.

But there’s one thing that I can’t prevent.

Noises.

The sharp squealing of women, loud cheers, and congratulatory words. Those noises hurt my ears.

“Well, I can’t blame them for reacting like this.”

In the game, no matter what event is unfolding, lines spoken by NPC citizens never change. Only when a special event flag is activated will they speak different lines.

But in reality, these citizens constantly live in fear. They never know when the demon king army is going to attack. There are also ferocious monsters outside the capital walls.

Because of that, both the news of a fortress retaken and the defeat of a demon king army’s general must have made them both happy and relieved.

I understand their feelings. But for me, a mob character that’s not even a supporting role, this kind of sudden event is more of a huge pain.

Just like now, I ended up with the job of controlling the crowd.

I need to think about what to do if there are any injured people in the crowd. There’s no concept of an ambulance in this world, but I can prepare a carriage at the side of the street that will act like one. Which street should I prepare it in?

As I was thinking, the crowd in front of me suddenly got livelier.

Ah, it’s because the hero party passed here. Mazell probably noticed me. He smiled then winked at me. I think I saw his teeth shining too, but that’s probably a trick of light.

I gave him a bitter smile. Handsome bastard, he makes me jealous. Our interaction only lasted a short while.

“Kya… Hero-sama is looking at me!”

“He even winked at me!”

“He winked at me, not you!”

“It’s dangerous so please stay back!”

The crowd is getting crazier. Damn you Mazell, I will resent you for this.

That evening.

In a corner of a tavern filled with the sound of toasts, I was enjoying my ale when he suddenly sat down in front of me.

By the way, in this world, there’s a silent consensus that children below 10 years old need to be accompanied by their parents to drink. Though there’s no formal drinking age rule in the kingdom, so technically even a baby can drink, not that I’m going to let a baby drink.

“May I sit here?”

“That’s something you should ask before sitting.”

While drinking the rest of my ale, I answered that hooded man with a sour smile.

“Won’t it cause problems if you’re here, Hero-sama?”

“Aren’t you here too, Viscount-dono?”

We both joked. We have a close enough relationship to do so.

“Wow, it’s lively here, isn’t it?”

Although his voice sounds tired, it’s obvious that he’s also happy.

“That’s how great today’s events are, or rather, why are YOU asking that?”

“You’re right,” he said while laughing. As expected, his face while laughing is also attractive.

I called the owner of the shop and ordered two jugs of ale with some food.

Meanwhile, after making sure that the wall covered his face so no one could see it, Mazell took off his hood.

“It’s late to ask this since I have already ordered the food, but aren’t you full?”

“Nah, I’m hungry. I had no time to eat earlier because the nobles kept talking to me.”

This time, he had a wry smile. Of course, a lot of people, especially noble ladies, must have wanted to hear this handsome hero’s accomplishment.

Mazell was given a medal, but in this world, that’s not necessarily a good thing. Especially since Mazell is a commoner. The medal itself is made of precious materials, I mean it is a medal for a hero. It’s just that the nobles in this kingdom love to spice things around.

For example, creating a celebratory banquet.

Well, since you are here you must have gotten through that banquet, good work, I thought as the food and ale came to our table. I should say that sausages in this world are delicious.

As expected, the bar owner is a considerate person. He didn’t ask anything after he saw Mazell’s face. I heard a rumor that in the past, even when the young crown prince sneaks into this bar he can enjoy a comfortable time.

“To safe return.”

“Cheers.”

We chugged our ale until it became empty. Then with a satisfied sigh, we both laughed.

“Ah… I prefer this over a banquet.”

“I have to agree.”

I, too, think that drinking in a town bar is better than going to a banquet.

After all, I’m a former office worker.