Chapter 4: The World’s Foundation
I just heard something with grave implications… Aki walked with heavy feet and slumped shoulders through the second-story hallway. What Johann told her earlier repeated in her head.
“…And that is all I can tell you right now,” Johann concluded his story on the Hero and Dark Lord. According to him, the continued existence of the world was staked on the nexus battle between the Hero and the Dark Lord
It might not be an exaggeration to say the fate of the world rests on our shoulders. I definitely didn’t come to this world with half-baked resolve, but the Hero’s Right-hand carries a heavier responsibility than I thought, Aki absently pondered as she approached the second-story corridor. She heard elated voices from the first-story courtyard beyond the arch. Curious as to what all the noise was about, she stopped and peered over the wrought-iron railing.
“Hello, Lord Hero!”
“How are you today, Lord Elias?”
Elias’ golden hair lightly reflected the bright sunlight as people in the robes of scholars and maids crowded around him in the courtyard. Aki rested her elbows on the railing looking over the courtyard and watched them with a smile.
Elias is popular wherever he goes. As the Hero who protects the people from the evil hands of the Dark Lord, Elias’ popularity is probably on par with celebrities in my world. But that’s only because normal citizens have no idea about the hidden truth behind the battle between the Hero and Dark Lord that Johann spoke of.
What does Elias think of that gap in reality and the image the people harbor while he addresses them with a friendly smile? Has he ever thought it was painful or unfair that he was created by the Goddess for this purpose? He has only ever smiled since the moment we met, so I never got a tragic hero feeling from him, but maybe he’s purposely not revealing his real self.
Aki continued to observe the courtyard. Elias said something to the people surrounding him and abruptly looked up. A soft breeze caused Aki to push her bangs away from her eyes, only to instantly meet Elias’ warm gaze. She froze awkwardly as if she were guilty of spying on him.
“Aki! Did you finish talking to Johann?” Elias, on the other hand, didn’t notice her awkward reaction and smiled happily upon spotting her. Relieved and overjoyed by his smile.
This is a good opportunity. I should try talking to Elias about what Johann told me before we go on a journey together. I might catch a glimpse of what he actually thinks. I don’t know if I’ll be of any use to him, but as the Hero’s Right-hand, I want to know what motivates him to go to war.
Determined to hear from him directly, Aki placed her hands on the railing and leaned forward. “Yes, I learned a lot from Johann… Um, I want to discuss some things with you, Elias. Can I have a moment of your time?”
Catching wind of her thoughts, Elias paused before nodding. “All right. It might be for the best if we talk. Wait there for me, Aki.” Elias bid the people around him farewell and nimbly ran to the spot beneath the corridor. Her eyes followed him as she wondered how he planned to get to her. He kicked off the ground without dropping his speed and leapt to the second-story corridor.
You gotta be kidding me! This is the second-story!
Without a sound, he landed beside the gaping Aki, his golden hair and white cloak dancing with the wind. They told her the Hero was blessed with exceptional physical ability, but he seemed to have the supernatural strength of Superman.
“You’re amazing, Elias! I can’t believe you can go from the first floor to the second floor without using stairs,” Aki jested. Elias stood in front of her and laughed as he lightly pushed up his bangs.
“Well, the Hero can’t fight the Dark Lord without this level of extraordinary physical prowess. Is it okay for me to assume what you want to talk about is related to the story Johann told you about the Hero and Dark Lord?” Elias quickly switched to the main topic.
Aki nodded, taking on a more serious expression. “Yes. I wanted to discuss it with you at least once before we travel together.”
“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea too. There is a lot I want to tell you about before we take off. Before we get started we should decide where to talk, but…” Elias paused, shyly averting his eyes from Aki as if what he had to say was difficult. She tilted her head, curious about his sudden change. He scratched the back of his head and looked up at her with puppy-dog eyes.
“Um, this isn’t a conversation we can have other people listening in on, so if it is all right with you…how about we chat in my room? I realize it is rude for a man to invite a lady to his room, but we won’t have to worry about eavesdropping there,” Elias spluttered, his ears turning red. His contagious blush spread to Aki’s face.
She fully believed the sincere Elias of all people wouldn’t try anything with her, but she was still conscious of him as a man.
She frantically waved her hands in front of her face as she tried to come up with a decent answer. “Um, uh, I’m okay with that! How do I put it? You are very trustworthy, Elias. I mean, is it even okay for the likes of me to enter the great Hero’s bedroom?!” she sputtered, not even sure of what she was trying say anymore.
Elias placed his hand on his chest in relief, picking up on the fact she was okay with his suggestion.
“I see. I’m glad to hear it. Thank you. I don’t have any close female friends, so I don’t really know how to interact with women without being rude…”
Before Aki could ask him why he didn’t have any close female friends, he turned around to call out to the maid walking by them.
She mulled over what he said as she watched him talk to the maid. For a man as popular and handsome as Elias to not have any close female friends must mean he really is putting distance between himself and others. Is he hung up on the fact he was created by the Goddess and is different from normal people? Maybe it really would be best for me to frankly ask him about it. Her thoughts were interrupted when Elias returned with the maid.
“Aki, I asked her to bring us two cups of tea and some sweets. Let’s take our time to chat over tea. Do you mind doing that for us?” Elias turned to ask the maid. Elated by him speaking to her, the maid’s cheeks flushed crimson and she vigorously nodded like a bobblehead doll.
“Y-Yes, sir! Anything you desire, Lord Elias! I shall prepare it for you as fast as I can!” She quickly bowed her head and trotted off with such excitement Aki was surprised she didn’t skip her way to the kitchen.
She watched the maid beside Elias and let out an impressed sigh.
Elias is as popular as I thought, which is why it feels so unnatural for him to not be close to any women.
Elias looked over his shoulder at Aki and pointed down the corridor. “Shall we get going, Aki? My room is at the end of this corridor.”
She followed him to his room.