269

## 32. Stories of Others (4)

#5 Their Situation: The Situation of a Certain Hero (Aspirant)

It all started back then.

– I am the G.o.ddess of love and devotion. Can you help me save the world?

“This is ridiculous!”

It was truly absurd.

And the source of this absurdity was my weapon, Bat, which I had been using for ten years since receiving it from my Professor.

Bat spoke again.

– Please save the world.

“Huh?”

No matter how many times I heard it, it was nonsense. If Bat could talk, it would likely say something like, “Destroy the world” or “Spread fear.”

– Please, save the world.

There was no way it would plead so desperately to save the world.

“Ha… so that’s it.”

As the voice continued, I thought this must be a trap set by my Professor. I couldn’t fall for it!

No wonder my Professor gave me Bat. He must have known this would happen.

“Of course, my Professor wouldn’t just give me something like Bat.”

My Professor wasn’t the type to give away anything, especially something as powerful as Bat.

That’s right. This was a trap my Professor had prepared for over ten years.

– No, it’s not.

“There’s no way!”

– Really, I am a G.o.ddess…

“Of course, I was right!”

Iron Bat also referred to itself as a G.o.ddess.

Calling itself a G.o.ddess just like Iron Bat was definitely my Professor’s trap.

– What kind of person is your instructor to make you think that?

“My Professor is the kind of person who would prepare a trap for ten, no, even a hundred years just to cause trouble for someone.”

Indeed, my Professor would plan a hundred-year scheme. So, a trap set ten years ago activating now was not surprising. It was inevitable!

– No, really…

After that, the G.o.ddess tried very hard to persuade me. It took her three days of effort, and if I were to write it down, it would fill five novels.

Even now, I wasn’t completely convinced.

– Even now?

Ignoring the fl.u.s.tered G.o.ddess, I looked down from the fortress wall.

“Why am I here again?”

“It’s by the prince’s order.”

“Right.”

The ruins of the Rubella city alliance were rapidly being rebuilt with the empire’s support.

Resources played a part, but the real reason was,

“Hey, that wall’s a bit low over there.”

“Bring some more stones!”

“No time to waste.”

Swoosh-

As soldiers carried stones, a man approached and extended his hand. Stones rose from the ground like magic.

“Lift it.”

Roar!

A spirit of the earth appeared, lifting the ma.s.sive stone onto the wall.

“This is insane.”

What would take regular soldiers half a day was completed in less than ten seconds.

Not only did they place the stones, but they seamlessly integrated them with the existing wall using earth spirits.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. I’m just doing my job.”

The soldiers bowed, and the man waved them off, moving to another area.

“I thought dwarves were the best at construction, but summoners are even better.”

“No argument here.”

Seeing walls spring up overnight was truly magical.

And these weren’t shoddy constructions. Made with the help of spirits, they were stronger than any human-made walls.

“Finished here?”

“Yeah, let’s start the next task.”

Riding their summoned creatures, they even inscribed magic onto the walls.

These were true master craftsmen of fortifications.

“At this rate, we might finish in a week.”

“Unless the prince gives new orders.”

We were commanded to rebuild the walls of the Rubella city alliance, destroyed by the evil G.o.d’s army, and protect the land.

The stated reason was to prevent further demon invasions by rebuilding the city alliance. But in reality, it was to stop my Professor from crossing into the demon continent.

And then, there was another matter…

“Rain, are you here?”

“Oh, Yer.”

A smile spread across my face as a demon approached.

“Rain…”

Despite the sharp glares I felt from behind, there was nothing I could do.

– You’re truly loved, Rain. That alone shows you’re fit to be the apostle of a G.o.ddess of love and devotion…

– It’s just my face. And I’ve told you, I’m not interested.

– Why don’t you want to be my apostle?

The G.o.ddess’s sad voice didn’t move me. After all, she was Bat, a weapon scarier than the demons my Professor created.

– You promised to believe me!

– Back then.

Every time she asked me to become her apostle, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was another trap by my Professor.

– I’m truly a G.o.ddess!

Sigh… Please find someone else, G.o.ddess. I’m already too far gone, tainted by Bat and Iron Bat.

“Wait, is that true?”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

I muttered to myself, trying to distract the demon Yer in front of me with a big smile.

Which made the n.o.blewoman behind me glare even harder, but that was probably just my imagination.

– It’s not your imagination. She’s really glaring at you with intense hatred.

– No need to point it out!

“Have we received any contact from the demon continent?”

“Ah, well…”

Blushing, she pulled a small envelope from her pocket.

“Here it is.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Avoiding my gaze, she handed me the envelope, looking very cute.

“Rain, focus on the task.”

As I stared at her, the n.o.blewoman’s voice reminded me of my duty.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Right. This was work. A task given by the princess.

I opened the envelope to check on the progress.

The letter was quite long, but,

“In summary, they understand our position. It seems we won’t have to fight the demons.”

“That’s good.”

The n.o.blewoman sighed in relief.

The biggest threat, the demons, were no longer a problem.

Thanks to Yer, a distant relative of the demon king, we managed to establish communication and avoid conflict.

“Thank you, Yer.”

“No, it’s thanks to you, Rain, for saving many demons.”

“Really?”

Honestly, I hadn’t intended to save any demons.

The evil G.o.d’s army had wrecked everything, and in the chaos, I ended up beyond the Rubella city alliance, where I found demons being attacked by the army.

They looked human from a distance, so I helped them, and the princess ordered me to save them.

My Professor had apparently ruled the demon continent as the demon king.

It sounded impossible, but knowing my Professor, it made sense.

The princess said my Professor would flee to the demon continent if he had no other escape routes, so we had to ally with the demons and block that path.

That’s why the princess chose the n.o.blewoman and me for this mission.

She also mentioned setting up a honeymoon house and that more people would join us later—things that sounded ominous but were probably just my imagination.

– I heard it too.

– …

– I will never be your apostle or hero!

– Why?

This clueless G.o.ddess…

If I became her hero, my future would be dark and uncertain.

Professor always said that being a hero was the most foolish job in the world.

Had he ever been wrong?

No.

So, following his advice could only be beneficial.

– What kind of person is this Professor? Or are they even a person?

– Of course, they are. I think.

– ‘Of course’ and ‘I think’ don’t go together!

Such a strict G.o.ddess.

We definitely don’t match.

– I agree! So, pa.s.s your body to someone more suited to be a hero! Then I’ll give up on you!

– That’s not possible.

– Why?

Handing over Bat to save the world was out of the question.

– It’s not nonsense! It’s about saving the world from evil! The most important task!

This G.o.ddess had no idea that the most important thing in the world was not angering or getting noticed by my Professor.

– Is this Professor your sibling? Or an evil G.o.d?

– Well… something similar.

– What?

I didn’t know then that my Professor really was something akin to an evil G.o.d.

I believed it possible, but not that it was so true.

At that time, all I could think about was where and what my Professor might be doing!

## #6 Their Situation: The Situation of a Certain Researcher

In a dark room.

A man watched as something unfolded in the flickering light of a small hearth.

Crackle, crackle.

He swallowed nervously, watching the transformation before him.

“Please… it’s time. Just work!”

As if responding to his plea,

Crackle, crackle!

The object in front of him began to shake more violently.

“Move. Show yourself to the world!”

It was like a dark sorcerer summoning a demon from h.e.l.l.

The man desperately wanted the object to change, and it began to break free of its sh.e.l.l, emerging into the world.

Crack… crackle!

“Ooh!”

The object jumped, as if alive.

“Finally… it’s finally complete!”

Tears of joy filled the man’s eyes.

“I finally made popcorn!”

This man, the most sought-after person in the world by the imperial princess, the ruler of darkness, high elves, the demon king, demons, and many others, known as Nararn, was moved to tears by the sight of popcorn popping in his pot.

“This kingdom’s corn was perfect for popcorn!”

Nearby, a small girl tilted her head, confused.

“Master, have you lost it?”

“Lost it? Do you realize how big this discovery is? Do you know how many dried corn kernels I bought to make this?”

“A lot. We ate only corn for quite a while.”

The girl looked at the man with disdain.

Her cold, icy stare didn’t bother him.

“Popcorn is essential for the final battle between the heroes and the demon king!”

“You’re supposed to be the main character of that story. Can you just watch?”

“I’ll try.”

He handed her the world’s first popcorn.

“Here, taste the real deal!”

The girl sighed, took a piece, and put it in her mouth.

And the first popcorn ever…

“Tastes awful…”

“Huh?”

“Too bland…”

“Ah…”

Without salt, it was indeed quite tasteless.