I Became a Hero With a Lot of Experience

9 – 009: Legend

“Let’s put off talk of marriage for now.”

After straightening himself, the first words from the king’s mouth were something I had never anticipated.

Had he belatedly realized his mistake? If there was any conscience or motherly affection left in him, it would be right to judge, but who was the other party?

Considering age and his actions thus far, even if neither existed, he’d still be an entirely unsurprising human.

If one were to judge by the suggestion to put it off, he’s probably thinking of some dirty trick.

I vowed never to touch alcohol during my time in this world, not that mere alcohol could cloud my judgment, but from that moment on, I pledged to myself.

No, I should be cautious with water too. In a fantasy-like world, even something akin to a potion that multiplies senses by 3,000 times might exist.

‘No, but is there a way to be cautious about that?’

It might be necessary to think about distinguishing poisons through magic or cultivating resistance.

Or perhaps a contraception spell. Such a thing should never happen, but in the worst-case scenario, as long as there are no offspring from spending a night with her, it should be fine.

If she were a pristine virgin, it might be different, but Princess Penny was already second-hand, and the value of second-hand doesn’t change much even if the usage count increases by one more.

Regardless of whether it’s used once, ten times, or a hundred times, second-hand remains second-hand.

No one will be able to refute the fact that its value doesn’t change even if the usage count does.

‘Or perhaps, is there a way to prevent an erection altogether?’

“When I entertained this thought, I wasn’t sure how the goddess would perceive it, but I vaguely considered it a domain associated with the Goddess of Purity.

Isn’t this some kind of divine relic? Can’t it be handled with the power of the goddess?

With such thoughts in mind, I went to find Jarvis. He was resting in a room prepared by the royal family.

He was alone in a room without any sacred artifacts, praying while facing the wall, but as soon as I arrived, he got up from his seat and turned to me.

“Hero, are you feeling better now?”

“Yes… It was just a loss of energy from the beginning. I recovered quickly with rest and food. But does this world not have any relics or symbols related to religion?”

“What?”

“In the world I lived in, when praying to God, I would… well, I would pray directly in front of a cross or some sacred object. I was wondering if such a culture exists in this world.”

Even in temples, and even now, he prays facing the empty air without a single sacred object.

Perhaps he simply hadn’t prepared, but sensing something unusual, I asked, and Jarvis spoke with a troubled expression.

“…No, they are not absent. They’ve just been forgotten.”

“Forgotten?”

“After the advent of the first and last hero a thousand years ago, many teachings including sacred relics have been lost. Efforts have been made to restore them, naturally, but due to the immense time passed, progress has been minimal.”

“But in a world where gods exist, haven’t there been any revelations or divine commands?”

“Unfortunately… no one has received a revelation from the goddess since the former hero. Naturally, the influence of the clergy diminishes day by day, and the temples… well, they end up in that state.”

“Well, then, could you tell me next time we meet? What exactly are these relics?”

“N-Next time?”

“Oh, did I not mention? I met them when I fainted before.”

“Y-You met them?!!”

Excited, Jarvis grabs my shoulder.

As I’m taken aback by this unexpected side of Jarvis, who had shown only a composed demeanor, he quickly releases his grip, suddenly regaining his composure.

“I-I apologize!! It’s just so unbelievable…”

“Just because I’m a hero, does that mean I meet them all?”

“No, at least to my knowledge, even heroes haven’t directly met the goddess.”

“I see…”

“But… what kind of conversation did you have with the goddess?”

Even if it’s called a conversation, it’s mostly strange stories that I didn’t quite understand.

“I have a mission other than defeating the Demon King. Something about the duality of purity? And providing answers about the chain of the unbetrothed… Do you know what that means?”

“W-Well, I’ve never heard of such a thing… Perhaps the High Priestess might know.”

“High Priestess?”

“The highest leader of the sect, the proxy of the goddess until the arrival of the hero. Normally, it’s common for the sect leader to guide the hero, but our sect’s leader, due to wandering the world to fulfill the goddess’s will…”

“I have no idea where they are.”

Finally, an opportunity to learn something, yet the sect leader is not some runaway teenager; they roam without a home.

From the appearance of the sect leader, it would be a strange occurrence if the sect actually ran properly.

“Finally, an opportunity to learn something…”

“Something to learn?”

“…That.”

The story that began from that moment was an embarrassing critique of the flaws in this country.

Jarvis, before being a devotee of the goddess, couldn’t bear the anger as a citizen towards the atrocities committed by the country’s king.

His stern face began to flush red. His bony, emaciated arms clenched tightly and started to tremble.

“H-How dare you speak of the goddess as…!!!”

“It’s not surprising now that you’ve come. So, is there no other way?”

“Unfortunately, I’ve never experienced such a thing, so I don’t know how to make miracles happen. But if the hero prays to the goddess, surely she will perform a miracle.”

“Ha…”

Asking a hero to perform a miracle to restrain the goddess, even thinking about it made me laugh at the absurdity of it all.

Setting aside the embarrassment, would such a prayer even be answered?

…Surprisingly, it seemed like it might be.

“Understood for now. I’ll soon depart for the royal capital, but what about the priest?”

From Noble mtl dot com

“I’ll stay here. I won’t be of much help if I go, and there might be young lambs seeking the teachings of the goddess here.”

“…I doubt that.”

At least among the villages I’ve seen on the way here, there wouldn’t be any humans aspiring to join the sect.

I’m not someone who defames maidenhood, but it’s improbable that someone who values chastity would be seeking such teachings.

“Then, please take care. All I can offer is these words.”

“Those words alone are enough to give me strength. As a devotee of the goddess, having witnessed her grace firsthand in life’s final moments, what greater happiness could there be?”

“Why such exaggeration…”

“No, it’s definitely not an exaggeration. Surely the hero is…”

Just as Jarvis was about to say something, someone knocked forcefully on the door.

“Hero! It’s time to depart. (Experience points: 5 people)”

“Got it. So, what did you want to say?”

“Nothing. You’ll know when the time comes, no need to worry. Come, let’s go…”

Jarvis, with a compassionate smile, pointed to the door.

What could he possibly want to say?

Leaving the question aside for a moment, I stepped out of the door.

*****

“Surely, it’s him.”

When was Jarvis so certain?

Clutching the conviction that surged in his chest as if squeezing it with his hands, Jarvis vividly recalled the previous day.

The day when the knight and Galleon first met. The knight, without a hint of hesitation, declared his aspirations in front of the king of the nation.

Even in the face of death, a belief in the virtue of purity, a noble shield that upholds that belief.

Witnessing a spectacle that could be described as the reenactment of a myth, Jarvis felt the presence of a goddess for the first time.

Noble, beautiful, devout.

There might be countless words to express a martyr sacrificing life for his beliefs, but no combination of words and sentences related to virtues existing in this world could truly describe that day’s figure.

Yes, surely that is the knight. He is undoubtedly…

“The one who brings freedom to every maiden when the meaning of purity fades and the world is tainted by lust…”

Cherry Boy.

The existence of a legendary figure passed down in the sect along with the tale of the chaste knight who descended a thousand years ago.

Jarvis was convinced. That knight is undoubtedly the Cherry Boy who brings freedom to every maiden.

*****

Although unwillingly, in order to be officially recognized as a knight and to cultivate the strength to handle growth, I embarked on the journey to the royal capital with the king.

I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if I were asked to march all the way to the royal capital, but fortunately, it seems I will be traveling by carriage.

The king’s procession was unexpectedly modest, with only four carriages, each drawn by horses, following behind. The carriages looked like props from a medieval drama or movie, as I had often seen.

Realistically, there would be no fool foolish enough to attack a procession displaying the king’s flag. With this level of force, it might be sufficient.

Even though they might seem like ordinary humans at first glance, those knights are unquestionably residents of the world of swords and magic.

It may seem amusing to me, having repelled all their attacks before, but perhaps they are a force to be reckoned with.

“The carriage for the knight to board. (Experience Acquisition: 4 people)”

The second carriage, slightly behind the lead. The knight pointed to the beautiful carriage reminiscent of a jewel box.

“How many days will it take to reach the royal capital?”

“If nothing unexpected happens, probably around ten days or so… (Experience Acquisition: 4 people)”

“I hope my backside survives…”

This may be my first time riding in a carriage, but the experience is likely not comparable to a modern car.

As I opened the door to the carriage, I felt a sense of anticipation and uneasiness about getting on the carriage for the first time. And…

“……. (Experience Acquisition: 1 person)”

I sincerely started to ponder over the ten-day march.