On The Other Side: I Quit Being Human

As soon as we found an inn, I immediately took the girls to the room. I ordered a big room so I stuffed all of them in it to save time.

Now, as the girls are replenishing their energy while sleeping, I am downstairs, waiting for the food I ordered to come while listening to the people gossiping. As I expected, they have caught the whiff of Acadia's demolition.

"The Hero died while protecting the village, they said."

"Woah, seriously? I mean, random Demons demolishing a village is quite common, no? For the Hero to die like that—isn't that a serious issue?"

"Fuck it, mate, what do you expect from a hairless teenager who can't even use his power well?"

"Now, that you worded it that way…"

"Be careful what you say, people. No matter how incompetent they are, they are still chosen by our God—the Heroes."

In this world, the easier way to describe the Hero is the people that will be remembered after they die. This world's reverence toward the Hero is so insane that none of their Knights or Warlords who have done much more than the Hero is remembered.

Still, despite that, some people aren't very fond of the Hero—just like the gossiping gentlemen. I doubt, however, that they respect the real heroes from their world since the way they behave tells me that they do nothing but complain.

"Here is your food, sir."

"Ah, thank you."

The waitress takes my attention away from the people when she puts down the plates on my table. I thank her for her work and immediately gobble down the food as soon as she leaves.

The food tastes average but it is better than the food that the inn in the Cessia Barony served; it is cheaper as well, so that is a plus. I will tip the waitress later.

"But, hey, have you heard the destruction of the small village in the north? That nameless independent village."

"Is it the one where the group of Paladins were also exterminated too?"

"Yeah, yeah, that one."

"What about it? Do you think it has any relation to what happened to Acadia? Just to remind you, it happened near the territory of the Cresundia Kingdom, which is very far from Allegio viscountcy."

"That is the point, imbecile! The Demon King's Army has been quiet ever since they suffered defeat from the Centaur in the last war. Don't you think it is time for them to get moving again?"

"By destroying small villages, that is? What are you, dumb?"

I am honestly impressed by how much speculation can derail people from the truth. It is something that I already know but it still amuses me when I am the one who caused the false speculation to form.

Just for fun, I add, "Maybe, they are gathering forces. Many great Warlords or Knights come from a small village, so…"

The gossiping men are surprised that I chimed in at first but they soon widen their eyes the as if people who are "enlightened." They soon gossip again, theorizing that maybe there is some truth in my speculation.

I know that I was the one who caused the development, but I still can't help scoffing to myself. 'Well, look at these idiots.'

These kinds of idiots hurt society the most but, in this case, they make everything easier for me. They will spread their speculations to everyone they know—their circles—and I just have to wait until their speculations turn into a public concern.

Though, I can't tell if they know many people that believe in their twaddle and are willing to spread them.

"Well, even if not them, there are many idiots out there who will," I mutter as I drink the 'okay' ale this inn served me. "As long as they are not about the Hero's hunt, any rumors that they spread will be a win for me."

By the time I finished my food, someone sits across my table. It is Lunea who still looks like a woman who has had a great Saturday night with her friends—dishevelled and wasted.

"You had a good sleep?" I ask.

"Yeah… I would love to sleep in your embrace again," she answers while yawning. "Ah, I didn't mean it in a sexual way. I just found comfort in your embrace and I would like to—"

I put up my hand. "All right, I get it."

Lunea looks at me silently for a few seconds and then blushes madly. She probably realized that she just said something that she regrets saying.

Ignoring that, I raise my hand and call the waitress. She swiftly comes to our table and then takes the order to the kitchen right after I said it.

'That waitress loves her job too much. I will definitely tip her.' Turning back my attention to Lunea, I say, "Do you know the reason why we came here?"

"No, I don't," she shakes her head.

"It's because the Hero that I am looking for was here a few weeks ago—according to your information, that is."

"Ah… we could have just asked where he is instead of travelling this far. Kind of redundant, isn't it?"

"It is a habit of mine; I was planning to ask the nearby underground informant about his current location. I remembered it late that I already have you."

Lunea slightly widens her eyes as she mutters, "Oh… I feel like I am not really needed."

"To be honest, yes."

"You don't even want to deny it?" she interjects.

"But there is something you have that the underground informant doesn't have: the ability to keep the Hero stays where he is."

"Ah… to make an appointment!"

I nod my head in confirmation as Lunea exclaims in delight. "Then, it is time for you to make another appointment."

Without saying anything, Lunea takes out her Sound Crystal, which is a spherical, glass-looking Magic Item that is used for communication. She channels her Mana into it and then inputs the Magic Code that will connect her to the Hero she wants to contact.

"It is Sir Scott Walker, isn't it?" Lunea asks.

I nod my head in confirmation. "Yes."

As the Sound Crystal is dialing, the food is delivered to our table. I, once again, have to commend the cook and the waitress; they work fast but charge their customers cheaply.

Clink!

The moment I feel a slight disturbance in the force, Lunea's Sound Crystal is connected to Scott's. She looks at me asking for direction and I tell her to just say whatever she deems fit.

"Sir Scott…"

[Oh, hello, Princess Lunea. It has been a while.]

Lunea is slightly taken aback by the response. "How do you know it is me…?"

[I know your voice well is what I want to say but it is not the truth, unfortunately. The System helps me determine who the caller is.]

'Very convenient, isn't it,' I scoff inwardly.

"Hmm, so that is the case…" Lunea hums in understanding. "Anyway, Sir Scott, do you happen to be busy? There is something that I want you to help me with."

[Well, I can be busy when I want to since I organize my schedule myself but, no, I am not busy. What can I help you with?]

"Ah… it is about my fiancé."

I blink my eyes in slight surprise at the excuse Lunea chose. I think she can feel my surprise as she looks at me with the 'trust me' eyes.

[What about your fiancé? Is he in danger or something?]

"He encountered some… problem lately."

[That is?]

"Kuhum! This is embarrassing but he lacks the 'passion' he used to have at night." She is madly blushing but she managed to say it.

[… Wow.]

For the first time, I can say I relate to the bastard Scott.

[Uh… Maybe, do you need some potion from the System's store?]

"Instead of that, can you… somehow give me a better experience?"

There is no answer from Scott for a couple of seconds. Lunea's face is on fire; she looks like she is about to die from embarrassment at any given time.

[Dude, let me join you. Let's give her the experience she deserves.]

[Bastard, what are you doing interfering in my business!?]

Another voice can be heard and it is very familiar to me. I instantly forget all of the cringes that I have witnessed as I grin in excitement.

'Now, all of the side bitches have gathered. What a lucky day to be able to end them at once,' I remark inwardly. Motioning at Lunea, I whisper, "Let's invite the two of them."

Lunea nods her head reluctantly and then says, "Ah, if you don't mind, Sir Raymond, can you help me too?"

[Of course, Princess! Gladly, if I may add.]

Scott doesn't sound too happy about Raymond's participation but still agrees to meet with Lunea. They then decided to meet at Trichonee City, which is located in Averia County.

The call ends soon after and Lunea immediately covers her flaming face to hide it. I don't say anything about it and wait until the fire lighting up her face settles down.

"Good work," I remark.

"That was one of the most embarrassing moments in my life. I shouldn't have said that," she says with a wry smile.

"No, that was brilliant. Not only did you manage to lure the two, but you also managed to make sure that they don't know anything about your fiancé's death."

Lunea looks at me in realization but then shakes her head faintly. "Anyway, is there a need to hasten it, Layland? I mean, it is kind of risky to face the two of them at once."

"Not really, but I can't help it." Seeing two of the main participants of my bullying having the time of their lives doesn't sit quite right with me, after all.