We Defeated The Demon King And Disbanded Without Any Conflict – Chapter 54

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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I had burned with determination, even clenching my fists as I declared, “This time, I will definitely succeed!!”

But so far, there hasn’t been any significant progress.

From the beginning of the semester, group activities weren’t that frequent, and a person’s true character could only be revealed in real-life situations.

So, despite my grand plans, I was currently…

“One loaf of bread, please.”

“Oh, you’re a celebrity these days! Take it!”

“Take it? I can just have it?”

“Not for free, haha!”

…bantering and munching on my usual bread at the snack bar.

As I sat on an empty chair, enjoying my snack, I felt blatant stares directed at me.

Unlike before, it was a mix of positive and negative gazes.

The negative ones probably belonged to Prion’s followers or those who had disliked me from the start.

I glanced around at the people watching me.

None of the Silver dorm residents were present.

After that incident, everyone from the Silver dorm, except Tolman, seemed to be deliberately avoiding me.

Rain and Sola must have done something.

I didn’t feel any particular sympathy for them.

Those guys weren’t worthy of the title “Hero,” even if they were adventurers.

They were the type to disregard their own opinions and get swept along by the tide, drifting aimlessly.

…I definitely wasn’t making that assessment out of personal resentment.

I’m a straightforward guy.

I took a bite of the savory, dairy-rich bread and habitually scanned the surrounding auras.

Perhaps thanks to what I’d learned at the academy, the upperclassmen seemed to have pretty decent auras.

Even I found it funny that I was making such judgments.

I was confident that if I faced an upperclassman in a direct confrontation, I wouldn’t last 10 seconds before collapsing.

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I heard a commotion in the distance.

Turning around, wondering what was happening, I saw soldiers pushing through the crowd, casually brandishing spears as if shooing away wild animals.

Among the ten or so soldiers, I glimpsed a small figure.

Anyone who caused such a stir could only be one person.

It had to be… no, it definitely was Mersen.

Now that I thought about it, Mersen was also working as an adventurer.

Had her skills improved since then?

She used to be incredibly clumsy, and radiated rookie energy.

So, what brought her here?

Was she here to see Sola?

I vaguely recalled her mentioning visiting the academy to meet Sola before.

Satisfied with the rich cheese flavor, I dismissed the commotion as irrelevant.

But the noise grew louder, as if a giant whirlpool was approaching me.

But what could I do?

Lacking the strength to escape, I could only be swept along by the current.

Several cadets bumped into my shoulders as they passed.

I could withstand the impact of the smaller ones.

But the collisions with the physically stronger cadets were much harder than I expected, jarring my bones.

A particularly strong impact made me lose my grip, and the half-eaten cheese bread tumbled to the floor.

I wondered if I could pick it up and eat it within three seconds, but the thought was rendered moot as a wave of feet descended, crushing the fallen bread beyond recognition.

I briefly considered the possibility that I was now a walking disaster and glanced up.

The cadets who had been bumping into me were gone, and I was at the center of the whirlpool.

Mersen stood before me, looking at the flattened bread.

“Ah, Your Highness.”

“Hero.”

“I’m not a Hero.”

Now that I thought about it, attracting attention wasn’t a good thing.

Even with memory-erasing magic, forgotten memories could resurface due to external stimuli or other reasons.

Moreover, erasing the memories of so many people would be incredibly difficult.

Mersen, seemingly aware of this, spoke cautiously, but there could be cadets with sharp hearing mixed in with the crowd.

Even a simple acknowledgment could be dangerous.

It was best to keep my distance.

Mersen’s very presence drew attention.

I wasn’t bold enough to converse normally in this situation, especially after the fight with Prion, which had already put me in the spotlight.

“You’re a Hero to me. You saved my life and taught me so much.”

“That’s a bit much. Hero, really… Anyway, take care of your business.”

Honestly, being called a Hero didn’t feel bad, but I had given up on that title long ago, so it didn’t make my heart race or fill me with pride.

Thankfully, the commotion seemed to have drowned out our conversation.

For now, it probably just looked like she was talking to some odd-looking guy.

Especially since Mersen was known for her friendly demeanor.

I stood up and quickly retreated.

It was a shame to lose half of my cheese bread, but this was a necessary sacrifice.

“Ah…”

I heard her sigh, laced with disappointment.

Under normal circumstances, I would have patted her head and indulged her like the princess she was.

But for now, I had to retreat silently.

Knowing Mersen’s kind nature, she would understand.

We could catch up later, when things were quieter.

I blended into the crowd.

The bandages stood out, but I could avoid detection by hiding behind the larger cadets.

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Why?

Why can’t I spend more time with you?

Are you avoiding me?

Or is fate keeping us apart?

Or are you burdened by the constant presence of uninvited guests?

Are the memories of our labyrinth explorations just my own?

I remember all of your teachings, Hero.

I have no intention of forgetting, and they were such exhilarating memories that I couldn’t forget them even if I tried.

Thanks to you, I was able to change.

It was because of you that I could convince everyone and embark on the path of an adventurer, improve my magical aptitude, and even ascend to the rank of Silver adventurer.

My Hero, who taught and showed me everything.

Have you lost interest in me now that you’ve captured my heart?

I thought I could finally be with you after our reunion, but why are you avoiding me?

Please treat me like an ordinary adventurer, just like before, without regard for my status.

I have gained so much.

Magical skills, adventuring techniques, status, wealth…

But not much of it was earned through my own efforts.

My magical skills and adventuring techniques were taught by you, and my status and wealth were given to me at birth.

All I originally possessed was a curiosity that could lead people to their deaths.

The only thing I truly earned through my own efforts was my love for you.

I can swear that my feelings for you are second to none.

Hero.

My Hero.

Even now, I remember the moments we adventured together.

You devoted yourself to me…

You advised me…

You were considerate of me…

You made me a hero of the Empire.

Thanks to you, I can now operate outside as an adventurer.

Everyone who used to dismiss me as a spoiled brat now treats me as a proper adventurer.

But that’s not true.

Without you, I’m just the incompetent second princess of the Empire, reading books and dreaming impossible dreams.

I need you by my side.

No, I need to be by your side.

This life, which you saved, should be dedicated to you, shouldn’t it?

It’s only right that I serve and repay you until my debt is cleared.

That’s the proper conduct of a human being.

But I don’t know what you want.

If only I knew what you desired, I would shower you with wealth and power, regardless of the cost.

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I can understand most of your actions.

I can even understand your wandering across the continent without a word.

It hurts, but perhaps you don’t consider our relationship close enough to warrant contact.

I can understand your sudden decision to join the academy, if it’s an extension of your pursuit of freedom.

But no matter how much I ponder, there’s one thing I can’t understand.

Why do you spend so much time conversing with others while avoiding me?

I’m not that patient.

I want to be with those I want to be with, and I must have what I desire.

I want to be with you.

I want to possess you.

I want to give myself to you.

I want to share everything I have with you.

I want to whisper sweet nothings to you, gazing into your night-sky eyes.

I want to protect you.

I want to hold you close, so that no more scars appear on your face.

I want to lie in bed with you, talking about our day, stroking your weary head.

I want to hold your hand, hug you, kiss you, make love to you, and share those happy moments where just being together brings a smile to my face.

I’m sorry for wanting so much.

But ever since the day you saved me, the day that weak, impulsive, and childish version of me died, I’ve become greedy.

I’ve changed.

I honed my skills to meet you, solely to meet you.

To stand before you with pride.

I started searching for you after gaining some confidence in myself.

Even after scouring the continent with the help of others, I couldn’t find a single trace of rumors related to your unique appearance.

But I didn’t give up and continued my search, traveling on foot.

Then one day, I heard a rumor about the academy in Hidin.

A rumor about the Archmage, Al Sola, becoming a professor there.

‘If it’s Lady Al Sola, she might know a spell to find the Hero.’

With that thought and hope, I headed to the academy.

And I met you, Hero, even before meeting Lady Al Sola.

Do you know that fate often reunites us in unexpected ways?

And that’s what we call destiny.

Perhaps we are connected by a rather strong bond of fate.

But no bond is easily formed.

There are always obstacles.

I will overcome any obstacle, even if it’s the original Hero who saved the continent.

Because the incompetent Mersen Lumien Promius of the past is dead.

But if you continue to avoid me and distance yourself, I have no other choice.

I’ll have to use everything at my disposal to keep you by my side…

Please don’t ignore me like this, so that such wicked thoughts don’t arise.

My Hero.

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[Ron could honestly create a masterclass on how to master fumbling 10/10 baddies]