I Became the Hero Who Banished the Protagonist chapter 79

79. In the Shadow of the Banquet (1)

“You have beautiful skin, Marianne.”

Daphne put her hand on Marianne’s shoulder. Over the past few months, the two have become quite close after going through a lot together. Marianne shuddered and turned her head away, as if someone’s hand touching her bare skin was unfamiliar. Daphne was helping Marianne get dressed. A completely different, light and soft fabric from the nun’s uniform wrapped Marianne’s body.

“I don’t know if it would be okay to wear clothes like this.”

Read at noblemtl.com

Marianne muttered as she grabbed the hem of her dress. Light blue, close to white. Sleeveless shirt that covers the entire length from the shoulders to the arms. Marianne had never worn anything like this. First of all, I am a religious person. I don’t know if it’s right to participate in such an event. Marianne could not comprehend the impulse that arose at the time.

“It’s a social church that you don’t know how many times there will be in the future. You can wear something like this for once.”

Daphne happily tied Marianne’s hair.

“Since you said you were going to participate, why don’t you give your strength and go?”

Read at noblemtl.com

Marianne looked in the mirror. Standing there was someone different from the Marianne Prim she knew. Marianne awkwardly put her hands together in front of her. Daphne behind the mirror was smiling. She, too, was wearing the pink social dress she had purchased this time.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to have a necklace too?”

Read at noblemtl.com

Marianne shook her head. The more things she wore on her body, the stronger the sense of incongruity Marianne felt. Daphne’s hand lifted from Marianne’s shoulder.

“Then what about a smile?”

Read at noblemtl.com

Marianne’s cheek went softly into Daphne’s poking hand. Daphne’s index finger slightly raised Marianne’s mouth, but there was only an awkward distortion. The eyes aren’t smiling at all, but if only the corners of the mouth go up, can it be called a smile? Daphne pursed her lips as if steam had leaked and removed her hand. Marianne’s expression was restored.

“Can I not laugh?”

“… Laughing, I don’t know.”

Read at noblemtl.com

Marianne said and rubbed her lips. Smile. cries angry Marianne had never experienced such a change of heart. Even when he was taken away from the church as a child, and when he was active as a Heretic Questioner. For Marianne, the feelings were very pale.

“They say people change when they smile first.”

Daphne said that and smiled. Her smile was very natural and beautiful. Daphne stared at Marianne’s smile through the mirror.

“I don’t know. If you smile first, maybe you’ll understand how to laugh?”

At Daphne’s words, Marianne tilted her head in front of the mirror. Now, Marianne had no reason to laugh. why do people laugh I knew why, but to Marianne, laughter was nothing more and nothing less than a reflex.

“Laugh.”

“yes. You will laugh.”

At Daphne’s words, Marianne struggled to move her facial muscles and lifted her mouth. There was a movement too awkward to be called a smile. Marianne quickly returned her expression, and Daphne burst into laughter as she looked at Marianne’s expression.

“I think it would be better to practice without being conscious of the mirror.”

Daphne said as she supported Marianne’s chin. Marianne blinked and rose from her seat.

“I will do this.”

Read at noblemtl.com

Marianne tidied up her clothes and headed out of the dressing room. Daphne followed him with her eyes and sighed. Marianne was a child who could not be left alone. Even if it bounces in some weird direction.

At that time, the image of Marianne looking at Illroy flashed through Daphne’s mind.

“… Hmm.”

Daphne’s cheeks puffed out slightly as she stared at the curtain Marianne had walked out.

—

What I had to do at the harvest festival celebration party was decided.

To greet patrons among nobles gathering from all over the world, and to warn nobles who do useless things once again. The tricks of the nobles began in earnest after I defeated the giant. One time may be a coincidence, but the second time is not a coincidence.

“[Things that made me want to meet a monster face to face, let alone a disaster.]”

The Holy Sword spoke in a contemptuous tone. I agree. Those who discuss the life and death of hundreds or thousands surrounded by escort knights in a safe mansion. They deserved contempt, and they are beings who have to endure contempt in exchange for their lives being guaranteed.

“[Make it clear this time. Make sure who’s keeping their lives alive, and who’s taking on the blame they should have taken on.]”

I nodded. Those who mistakenly know this world better than anyone else. I would protect their lives, but I was never on their side.

“[They’ll never be able to treat you badly].”

I nodded. Then, the door opened and Georg entered the room. It seemed to be the first time seeing him dressed in something other than armor or flimsy casual clothes. He was clean-shaven, had his hair pulled back, and wore a formal dress resembling a suit. I felt like I was screaming as my clothes got stuck in those muscles.

“Are you all ready?”

I nodded and turned around. Georg looked at me and slightly frowned. I was wearing a black suit, not the white one I usually wear. Well, he’s not going to say anything about my outfit, so the problem lies elsewhere.

“Wouldn’t it be better to leave the holy sword behind?”

Georg asked, looking at my left waist. I lowered my eyes slightly to my left hip and shook my head.

“no. This is my identity and identity. There is nothing to leave.”

“Not to mention I’m leaving my sword.”

Georg said, shrugging his shoulders.

“Even if the girls at the ballroom try to approach you, they will see the sword and go back.”

“You could say I was aiming for that.”

I said with a smile. I didn’t want to dance that much with the young ladies who would come there. By the way, prejudice is correct. There may be people who don’t, but dancing with the young lady in the first place is the same as stepping into that aristocracy.

“I don’t want to associate with nobles. Aren’t you the same?”

“… Illroy. One thing you’re forgetting is that I’m an aristocrat in the first place. It’s a fate that you have no choice but to be involved with the nobles you don’t want to be involved with.”

Georg said that with a sigh. I knew that Georg’s personality would bother him. So that means you’re not even married yet.

“… It shows on your face what you’re thinking, Illroy.”

“How do you know what I am thinking?”

When I asked, frowning, Georg cleared his throat.

“By the way, I have a fiancee. I want you to know that I lead a normal life more than you think.”

Wow, did you have a fiancée? A knight who likes to drink and has a brain full of muscles that is good at grabbing? No, then what were you doing when you weren’t married yet?

“It was only recently that I had a fiancee. I was on vacation. Originally, I had no intention of getting married, but I gave in to the pressure to meet once and met… . It happened.”

Oh, is that so? Who’s kidding now. While putting a smirk on your face.

“yes. Congratulations.”

“Anyway, if you’re ready, let’s go. A carriage is waiting for you below.”

“… Daphne or Marianne?”

When I asked, Georg shrugged his shoulders with a wry smile.

“He said he would come separately. It looks like they are preparing something. It might have been better if we went in together.”

“[…] It seems there are so many things to prepare.]”

A voice that seemed to be angry with the holy sword was heard. I sighed and followed Georg. Opening the carriage door, I sat across from Georg. Georg sighed as he unbuttoned his jacket.

“Still, isn’t it your first time participating in a social church? Your face is full of venom.”

“If you enjoy it, what are you doing? There’s nothing left anyway. I don’t know if I take more money.”

“You never know, maybe someone new will come to you too.”

“Didn’t I say that I didn’t like that and that I was going out with the holy sword on purpose?”

“You never know what people do, Illroy.”

Georg giggled. For some reason, this smile seemed unlucky after hearing that he had a fiancee. Seeing me frowning, Georg laughed even more.

“Well, if you have two such beautiful women around you, I wonder if a young lady would catch my eye. Is it like that?”

“Don’t make me a weirdo. Because I recruited both of them.”

Georg put his hand on my shoulder as if he understood. Who’s touching who’s body right now?

“yes. I can understand now, Illroy.”

“… done. I won’t talk.”

I suddenly closed my eyes and surrendered myself to the rattling wagon.

—

The central hall of the royal palace.

The weather is getting chilly, so the garden is not used as a place for social gatherings. The Harvest Festival is more important than New Year’s Day or Christmas Day. It was a day when local officials from each province gathered to report the harvest and events of the year to the king, and a new political meeting took place.

“… By the way, there seem to be a lot of young ladies today.”

I stood at the entrance of the hall and murmured. Beside me, Georg also looked tired.

“It wouldn’t have been an event with so many young people coming out like that.”

Ladies adorned with flowers and jewels. And young boys from somewhere who came out to see those young ladies. And the nobles who watch over such children. The hall of the royal palace is not a place where anyone can enter, but with such people gathered, it felt like it was degrading.

“Do I have that kind of merit politically?”

“[It’s not easy to win people’s hearts. I mean in politics. There will be many people who would risk anything if they could win the public’s heart by enlisting you.]”

I sighed and entered the venue. And the moment I entered the venue, the ladies’ eyes were focused on me.

“Hero?”

“You’re a warrior.”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen it this close.”

I heard whispers about me. The young master and young ladies are not interested. Making eye contact is annoying. I lifted my head stiffly and returned my gaze to the nobles who glared at me.

“Aren’t you from commoners anyway?”

“no. It will only be a matter of time before you are awarded a title.”

“But, where does the origin go?”

I walked with a detached expression. It may sound like a whisper to be heard, but that level was not even part of the axis of the dispute. Because what I had to deal with was not the little kids who were only the heirs of the family, but the old people in the backroom and the real people who were in the middle of the kingdom.

“It looks like His Majesty hasn’t come yet.”

The queen has not yet made an appearance. I turned to Georg, and he was looking at me with pity.

“If I had known this was going to happen, I would have been better off not coming out, Illroy.”

“I didn’t even expect it in the first place. I guess it’s not fun because it goes as expected.”

Looking disinterested, I walked over to the table, picked up a glass, and shared a glass with Georg. I just thought that if I didn’t pay attention, I wouldn’t even come close to you in the first place, but when did things go the way I thought?

“I am Coraline of Count Wes.”

A young lady with striking blonde hair stood in my way and greeted me. Thinking of just ignoring it and passing by, I turned my head towards Georg, but Georg was already caught and interrogated by other nobles. Now I’m going to look like a blood-dripping meat in the middle of the jungle.

“Would you give me the honor of being your partner today?”

Read at noblemtl.com

He wouldn’t be much different from Daphne or Marianne in age, but his attitude was different. It is a look that is full of intent to eat me openly. He didn’t even show any sign of acceptance, but the young lady was getting closer and closer. When someone approached me first, everyone else started to focus on me. If that girl gets rejected, I’m next. eyes called.

Just as I twisted my lips and tried to shake my hand, someone stood in the way between me and the young lady.

“I’m sorry, but the hero is going to be a bit busy today.”

I opened my eyes wide and looked at my saviors. Daphne and Marianne, who looked very awkward, stood in front of me like bodyguards.

“Can you find someone else?”