Volume 4 Chapter 30 It's Pressuring Me, But...
I was surprised by unexpected words.
I looked at Kyunei and the others having a good time in the distance, then turned back to Rudel.
"Aren't you interested in Kyunei and the others over there?"
"I'm not uninterested in Silver Flash, but right now, I'm most interested in Black Blade."
It seems like I didn't mishear.
But still... my fan, huh.
It seems like my name has been getting out there recently, but I never thought someone would appear claiming to be my fan like this.
As I was immersed in strange emotions, Rudel the handsome man pointed at me and leaned in close.
"Hey, stop it. I think you're handsome, but I have a normal preference."
"Unfortunately, if I were to have a lover, I would prefer a woman. More importantly, do you recognize this face?"
When he said that, I tried to remember Rudel's face again. But even though I became more convinced that I had definitely seen it before, I couldn't remember when.
"How terrible. Even though we fought together on the same battlefield."
"The same battlefield? ...Ah"
When I heard the word 'battlefield,' the first thing that came to mind was the attack of the monster - the battle in the Throne Room. At that time, in addition to me and Mikage, many other mercenaries fought together.
"You... were one of the mercenaries who fought with us in the Throne Room against the demon, right?"
"Finally, you're starting to remember."
Rudel exhaled as if he were amazed. At that time, I was so preoccupied with the demon and Aina that I hardly had time to focus on anything else. Probably, if I hadn't been told face to face like this, I might have forgotten it forever.
"By the way, he over there is the same way."
Rudel pointed to a middle-aged mercenary standing a little distance away. He was the last person on our carriage.
Looking back, I remember being in the same place, but he didn't leave as much of an impression as Rudel did.
"He's Gaddis. He's my partner."
Gaddis noticed us looking at him, nodded slightly, and then looked in another direction.
Rudel chuckled at Gaddis's reaction.
"He's not trying to be unfriendly. He's just not a talkative guy. Don't take it personally."
"Doesn't bother me that much."
I replied with a gesture, and Rudel nodded with a smile.
Anyway...
"If it was Mikage, I'd understand, but I don't have any fans. Are you curious or something?"
"Would a fan really say that in front of the person?"
"Well, I mean... you know."
Joking aside about preferring to be chased by a beautiful lady with ample breasts, it still doesn't feel quite real.
"Well, you might not realize it myself, but you actually have quite a few fans, you know? Especially among the mercenaries who were present in the Throne Room. Almost all of them are your fans."
"Really?"
"Yeah, for real. When you got the nickname 'Black Blade,' it got everyone, including me, pretty excited."
Being there at that moment means they witnessed me using my 'Great Magic Blade.' They probably understand the meaning of 'Black Blade.'
"...But still, when I went to the guild, no one came up to me."
"Well, you're a skilled mercenary making a living with your own skills. You have your pride, and it's not something you boast about loudly. Everyone silently watches over you."
Come to think of it, I recalled the reactions of other mercenaries in the guild. Besides jealousy towards being with Aina and the others, there were mercenaries who looked at me with kindness. Maybe those are the 'fans' Rudel mentioned.
"But still, you approached me."
"Well, I was more of the silent watcher type. But luckily, we ended up shoulder to shoulder on the same mission. It was a perfect chance to talk."
"I don't really get it."
Maybe it's a reaction from living a life where I've never cared about other people's impressions or gazes. If it's mockery or disdain, it's one thing, but when people react positively, it's a bit awkward for me to respond.
"By the way, what touched your heartstrings?"
"Oh, it's simple! Your chaotic entrance when you saved the princess, your declaration! Your unyielding spirit to stand up no matter how cornered you are! And finally, facing a formidable enemy without flinching, but instead slicing them in half! If I don't become a fan after seeing that, I'm missing something as a human being!"
When I asked out of curiosity, Rudel's words suddenly became passionate. His previously cool demeanor turned into excitement, almost as if he became three times more animated.
"Uh...yeah, I see. That's something..."
"...Oh, sorry. Just thinking about that moment still gets me fired up."
Perhaps noticing my excitement, Rudel's voice softened, sounding embarrassed. It was a response that left him at a loss for words.
After regaining his composure, Rudel spoke again.
"But it's really unfortunate. Even though I understand it can't be helped, not being able to tell many people about your achievements is truly..."
"Is there a gag order?"
"If it's a direct order from the king, there's no choice but to stay silent."
Rudel said with genuine disappointment, letting out a sigh.
'It's quite tough not having the opportunity to release the excitement inside.'
With Gram's words, I understood Rudel's earlier enthusiasm.
Then, suddenly, I realized something.
"Oh? If you were there at that time, could it be..."
I instinctively turned my gaze towards Aina. When she noticed my gaze, she smiled and waved at me. I lightly waved back.
Looking at my reactions, it seemed like Rudel understood what I was trying to say.
"Of course, I know who she (Aina) is. But, I don't want to spread that around. The other guys (fans) feel the same way."
"Well, that's good."
If Aina's true identity as a princess became widely known, it would greatly affect her future mercenary activities.
"But, I want to raise your name big enough so that even if her true identity is exposed, it won't be a problem. That's what I think as a fan."
"Don't casually put such pressure on me. Besides, I don't plan to actively raise my name."
Kyunei, Mikage, Aina.
I've always sworn in my heart to be a man who is not ashamed to be their lover, but that doesn't mean I want to make my name widely known. If I become a 2nd rank mercenary, naturally my existence might become known, but that's enough for me.
"It's fine, I knew about it. I became a fan and did a little research about you, so I had a sense of those things."
"What, that's a little scary. Wait, am I being investigated?"
"Just think of it as a 'famous person tax' and let it go."
Well, there's no particularly embarrassing past despite being investigated—well, actually, there is.
'The reason you came to the royal capital was to pretend to be Brave's escort and actually buy a pr**titute. Yeah, that's pretty awful.'
I received a less-than-pleasant seal of approval from Gram.
"Of course, I know the reason you came to this royal capital. ...To buy a 'woman,' right?"
Rudel murmured in a whispering voice.
"Ugh..."
He had nailed the point I was worried about, and I let out a strange sound as I dropped my shoulders. In other words, this fact must be circulating among some people.
So if I become more famous, will it spread even further? What a punishment game. Isn't the 'famous person tax' too heavy?
"By the way, there's something I wanted to ask you when I saw you."
"What is it?"
"Don't be so dismissive."
I couldn't help but give him a bad look, but Rudel didn't seem to mind.
"Is it true that you and Brave are from the same hometown?"
"Oh, that. Yes, it's true."
Surprised by the unexpected question, I answered honestly. I thought he was going to ask about something related to Kyunei based on the conversation, but I didn't expect it to be about Brave.
However, Rudel seemed surprised by my response as well, keeping quiet and blinking.
"...I'm surprised. I didn't think you'd answer so easily."
"There's no need to hide it. We weren't particularly close, but we were acquaintances."
Although, after the recent incident, it feels like we've become slightly closer than before. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, I'm not sure.
"But, regardless of the circumstances over there, it seems like he's taking credit for your achievements, right? How do you feel about that?"
"I don't really care."
"You don't care... even though he's a friend from your hometown?"
"No, that's not it."
My answer seemed to surprise Rudel too much this time, as he widened his eyes in shock.
"I can understand what the public thinks, as the king mentioned, well, I can get that. But, I got the thing I wanted the most, so as far as I'm concerned, it's a result without complaints."
The fame might belong to Brave (Relix), but the credit belongs to me. It would be unfair to complain about that.
"...Are you"
"Huh?"
"Are you humble or greedy? I can't really tell."
"Is that so? People often say I'm very selfish and arrogant, but I'm."
――Especially to my partner, Gram.
I lightly tapped the Gram that was placed beside me. Misinterpreting the meaning of this gesture, Rudel tilted his head.
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