Around the time we finished eating, the head priest, Trabant, came for us.
Oops, I guess I must have kept him waiting. Sorry!
“Good morning to you both. Did you have a restful night?”
Trabant probably heard from the maid what we’d been up to during breakfast, as he greeted us with a barely suppressed grin.
“Yeah, I’ve never stayed at an inn this nice. If we get the chance, I’ll probably come and stay again.”
Trabant and I sat facing each other, but Olivia remained standing behind me. I would have asked her to sit beside me, but apparently it was considered rude in the Magne Kingdom for a young lady to intrude on men’s talk.
Well, I guess that’s the upper echelon of society for you. If I want to make a name for myself, I’ll have to study stuff like this. Don’t want to embarrass my wife, after all.
“Now. Yesterday was so busy that we had no time to ask you, but what do you plan to do from this point on, O great hero?”
As head priest, Trabant no doubt hoped my actions would benefit his temple.
“The whole reason we came to this city was to find work with the second prince’s development plan, so that’s what I’m intending. I just want a good life for my wife.”
“I’m sure we could find a position for you with Tria’s Temple.”
Trabant began to propose tentatively, but I cut him off with a shake of my head.
“I know you want me to help you out, since your goddess blessed me as a hero. That sounds like a nice, cushy job for me, but I wouldn’t be doing right by my future children.”
Olivia and I could probably live extravagantly, if I worked for the temple and let them use my name and reputation as a hero however they liked. But what about after I died? I wouldn’t have much in the way of assets to leave behind for my family.
I didn’t want to just be a page in the history books or a line in the temple’s records. I wanted to leave a legacy behind in this world, in the form of my descendants. Therefore, I needed to make the most of my talents and set them up the best I could.
“Well, I guess that’s kind of a rationalization. The truth is, living at a temple just sounds so stifling, you know? I’d be much more comfortable out hunting monsters, or even farming.”
“O great hero, if that is what you wish, then far be it from me to deny you. We will support you in any endeavor, even if your choice is to aid the development plan.”
Of course, the temple was involved with the development plan anyway.
Due to its influence over the locals, who were generally followers of the goddess, the temple was involved in most anything happening in the area.
“The Margrave is hosting a gathering at his mansion both to register new participants and to provide them with information about the plan. I would be glad to accompany you. Nearly everyone in the city knows about you, so the trip will be much safer if we take one of the temple’s carriages.”
I’d only been in the city for a day, and apparently I was already a big enough deal that I couldn’t walk around the city without people coming out to stare. While I wouldn’t really be bothered by the attention myself, I knew it would be hard on Olivia.
“Should Olivia stay at the inn? She doesn’t do well with crowds.”
The fact that she’d survived her cursed childhood, enduring the constant hatred of men, with only mild androphobia was nothing short of a miracle. I suspected most of the people gathered at the Margrave’s mansion would be men, so I was worried about putting too much stress on the poor girl.
“Lady Olivia’s face and name are widely known as well, due to her receiving a direct bridal blessing from the goddess. I believe you would be best off staying together.”
Trabant’s explanation gave me a bad feeling, which was confirmed the moment I looked outside: a veritable horde awaited us, hiding in the shadows of anything they could find or even just standing right at the door, waiting to catch a glimpse of Olivia.
Biased though I am, I’ve never been prone to exaggeration: my blessed bride truly was the most beautiful woman in the world, and with the removal of her curse, that became immediately apparent for all to see. Small wonder that the chance to catch a glimpse of her would spur many men into action. I wasn’t in a position to complain, but nonetheless, I couldn’t suppress my annoyance.
I could have altered her appearance using my magic, but hiding her lovely face felt like admitting defeat. On the other hand, not being able to take her out for dates in the city would have been a shame. Ah, well, I suppose there’s nothing wrong with hiding her face, for her sake.
“A carriage would be lovely, and worry not, for I will be able to handle it if they try anything funny with us. Shall we head off to the Margrave’s mansion? Olivia, if you would, please stay close to me.”
“Y-Yes, my lord!”
She seemed less than enthusiastic as she looked out the window, her hand trembling in mine.