Reincarnated into a Game as the Hero’s Friend - Chapter 18
Third POV
“So, how was he?”
“I do not know about his actual feelings, but at least in front, he said they were friends and have no intention of changing their relationship.”
During the intermission between his busy schedule, the King, Maximilian Reinisch Weiss Weinzierl, listened to his son’s report in his private room while placing his hand on his chin.
“Is there any chance that the Count is the one who told him to say so?”
“No, I do not think that was the case. I did not feel any trace of lies in his words of wanting to be friends.”
“Hmm. In that case, it is safe to believe him.”
Although they had yet to make a significant move concerning the oracle of the revival of the demon king, the royal family had been paying attention to the bearer of rare skill [Hero] for a long time.
As the royal family had recognized the worth of that rare skill, they had once again launched an investigation for the bearer of the skill and discovered that the heir of Count Zeavert was among his close friends.
Needless to say, they had also investigated other noble houses and had already taken the measure toward houses that were found to be engaged in any shady schemes.
Then, the oracle of the demon king’s revival reached their ears.
With that, the value of the [Hero] increased tremendously. But because of the political situation, the royal family could not make any large movements in public. Thus, Welner became an important connection to the hero.
“As the bridge that will connect the hero to us, the fact that he had no intention to take the hero under his wing benefits us.”
“I agree. Though, it is not a wise decision to make as a noble.”
“Despite saying so, you seem to be in a good mood.”
To his royal father who showed a rare puzzled expression, the Crown Prince answered with a smile.
“I was thinking he might be a good fit to be an aide of my son, Louwen. He has a decent peerage, does not seem to be greedy, and has military prowess.”
“Hmm…”
The king rested his hand on his chin and contemplated. With a 38-year-old Crown Prince as his son, the King was also of advanced age. If possible, he wanted to put outstanding aides on his grandson’s side.
The hero is one of the aides’ candidates. But if there are any outstanding nobles, it will also be a good choice to consider them. It is also a shame for an excellent person like Welner to only be used as a messenger. (King)
“I see. Let’s see how things progress in the future, then.”
“Yes.”
“Also, about the demon king’s revival…”
“We are still in the process of gathering the evidence. If we announce it now, I am afraid that it will lead to panic.”
“We concur. For now, focus on the investigation. Just in case, proceed to reconstruct the Veritza Fortress.”
“By your will.”
Although the Veritza Fortress was half-abandoned as it did not have any contact with the border, it was originally built as a base of reinforcement in case the capital suffered any attack and as a place to evacuate from the capital.
The Fortress’s reconstruction was the least that should be done after the kingdom suffered the bizarre demon outbreak.
“Also, proceed with the reorganization of the knights. Ascertain our total casualty. Then, determine the current strength left of our army.”
“Understood.”
The King and the Crown Prince finally finished all their discussion. Still, the sense of crisis they both felt didn’t disperse. After all, they had yet to truly trust the hero’s capability in defeating the demon king.
?
Welner’s POV
“I apologize for my brother’s rudeness.”
“There is no need for you to apologize, Princess. I truly did not mind.”
After the Crown Prince left, I got flustered because Laura bowed her head to me. I mean, I didn’t think the Crown Prince was rude at all.
But she’s the same as the game, a humble princess. I hope that she stopped bowing her head like this while radiating that regal aura, though.
“Um…?”
Mazell shows a confused expression. Well, that’s to be expected. I don’t think he needs to know that Laura is apologizing because the Crown Prince just tested me if I want to monopolize the hero.
Wait a minute. Isn’t this a chance?
“Excuse me. I need to go to the restroom. Mazell, take care of the rest.”
“Huh!?”
Ahh, Mazell’s panicked voice, what a music to my ears. I ignored it, bowed to Laura, then immediately commenced a strategic retreat.
From the perspective of the knights and maids around us, it would seem like I was fleeing from the princess’s bow.
That’s not exactly wrong, but my main purpose is to give the Hero Mazell and Princess Laura time together. The game and the reality might have deviated, but it’s the truth that they looked like a perfect match.
I ask a nearby maid to guide me to the restroom. I attempt to look like ‘I don’t want to wander alone in an unfamiliar place’. It’s a hassle since I need to consider my image like this.
Incidentally, it is a relatively common misconception that medieval Europeans did not bathe regularly, if at all. However, baths and bathing were, in fact, quite common during medieval Europe.
However, for most people, having a private bath was not an option – it was simply too costly and too time-consuming to have their own baths. So public baths were very common throughout Europe at that time.
Given that many bathhouses were not gender divided and featured naked, these establishments were also frequently places to find or engage the services of exceptionally good-smelling prostitutes.
As you might have guessed from all this, many church groups looked down on bathhouses for that reason. However, they couldn’t prevent usage of public baths in and of itself.
This world had both a toilet and a bath. A complete set. When I heard that for the first time, I was glad. After all, the game had no depiction of a toilet. I don’t know if they had a proper water and sewage system, though.
I guess it would be odd if this world that had magic had no water system. Water is essential for living. Plus, magic can create water out of nothing, so of course, scholars of this world would try to research water.
Now that I observed my surroundings more carefully, this place deserves to be called the royal palace. It’s a Catholic-style palace – The outside is simple, while the inside is extravagant, showing the owner’s magnanimity.
The palace walls are pure white. It’s decorated with chandeliers, elegant ornaments made of gold and glass… Ah, right. Glass is expensive in this world. I remember Mazell being surprised that there is a glass window in the academy.
It’s a shame that this place will soon be destroyed. It’s not like I can do anything, though.
When I admired the palace’s interior, the maid who was walking in front of me abruptly turned around and said, “Viscount Zeavert. I apologize for being abrupt, but there is something that I truly need to convey to you.”
“Y…Yes?”
I was surprised because the maid that I thought ‘she is beautiful, as expected of a royal maid’ just a second ago suddenly talked to me.
But her next action left me confused. She bowed her head.
“Please accept my deepest gratitude, Viscount.”
“Huh? No, um, I do not believe that I have done something that deserves your gratitude?”
What did I do?
To the confused me, the maid raised her head and explained, “My father and elder brother are both members of the Knights. I have heard of your accomplishment in realizing the demon’s trap. If you are not there, both of them might have died in that battle.”
“Ah…”
I’m lost for words. That’s right. Of course, people who are saved by my actions exist.
I can’t think of any response. There’s no way I can say, ‘Ah, don’t worry. I did it for myself because I didn’t want to die’, right?
I don’t know if it was because of my silence, but the maid bowed her head again.
“I know that it is impolite to be standing and talking in the hallway like this. But I truly wanted to express my gratitude.”
“Ah, no, you are welcome?”
Why did it become a question… Ah no, I guess I should be proud of myself to be able to even give a reply. Even if I have time until tomorrow to think, I won’t be able to give any better response… I feel pathetic for that.
“I apologize for impoliteness. Then, please come this way.”
She said and she continued to show me the way to the restroom. As for me, I was still bewildered, not because I was thanked by a beautiful woman.
This world is just a game world for me, but there are people that live here and each of them has their own relationship.
I thought I already understood that. But now that I’ve received gratitude for saving someone who I don’t even intend to save, not from the person themselves but from others… I don’t know anymore.
Just because it’s a game, can I really abandon them? In the first place, is this really the game world that I know?
I will never match the hero, Mazell, in combat. I also don’t have any cheat ability.
However, I have knowledge of the game. I also have the position and the privilege of a noble. It’s not like I can’t do anything.
It’s fine if I add another goal other than ‘I will survive’…right…?
…
T/N: This is one of my favorite chapters. Welner had finally realized this world and the people in it is not just a game, an exact opposite of his thinking in chapter 4, when he said (though not directly) he will let others die ‘because his hands are full of trying to protect himself’.