I Picked Up the Abandoned Hero

100. A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The carriage started, and as it was an unpaved road, it was likely to shake, but the chairs were comfortable and did not shake.

Comfort brings stability to the mind and body, and as humans, when we find stability, our bodies tend to become tired.

The reason why the people on the carriage did not fall asleep was because there was a strange discomfort in this comfortable space.

“Alfred, who is that driver driving the carriage?”

“They put human skin on the skeleton. Of course, the carriage will be stored outside, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

“You’ll be lucky if you don’t get caught being undead.”

“Of course it doesn’t get caught, because that person is a real human being who is currently alive. “Is it correct to say that he is an android?”

Artificially created humans.

In short, it was like putting human organs and a shell on a skeleton and making it into a real person.

However, he was not a complete human being like he was when he was alive, so in Arcel’s eyes, the coachman felt like a blunt person who lacked emotions and words.

I would say it looks exactly like a doll.

However, the truth is that there is no such function in reality.

“Humans are originally very delicate creatures, but androids are made by hastily attaching flesh to properly made bones, so there is bound to be a missing screw somewhere.”

“In other words, if you spend enough time, you can create something like a perfect human being?”

“Yes, but in that case, it’s more fun to just find a suitable female and fertilize her. Androids are determined based on their materials, so their fate is almost the same as before. But when you create a new human being, there are times when something you’ve never heard of comes out.”

“That’s a really strange story…”

In short, it means that some kind of person may emerge.

Of course, in terms of stability, humans created using only designated materials are more efficient, but humans who are born with an astronomical probability of being chosen cannot be created that way.

“But there are times when strange fate comes disguised as coincidence. In those cases, I recommend buying at least a lottery ticket. “Of course I won’t win.”

“What on earth is that demon talking about?”

“You have big ears, so you can hear sounds well, but unfortunately, the container that holds the sound is small?”

“Pluck out all the feathers and fry them in oil. “I’ve already learned how to cook something that dark elves like.”

I’m already angry on a regular basis, but saying it like that seems to be effective in making me even more angry.

“I heard that those well-done ears like fried birds. “I heard they set the frying time and temperature in detail so that it doesn’t get charred like they did?”

“…Oh my God, my ancestor.”

Stella glared fiercely at the crow perched on Arcel’s shoulder, and at Alfred’s next words, her face turned pale and she couldn’t believe her ears.

If the dark elves had heard those words, they would have done whatever it took to capture Alfred and harass him.

It was already worse than mine, even though Alfred never said gentle words.

“Umm…”

While the two were doing this, Arcel looked at Morian in silence.

Morian looked curious as she looked inside her carriage.

Perhaps it was my first time riding a carriage like this, but I felt like a child sticking my head out the window and looking around.

She looks quite young on the outside, but she is actually younger than she looks, so she is quite like that.

Alfred said that the manufacturing date was only about 7 to 8 years ago.

In other words, Morian’s age is also around that level.

“Did you say Morian…?”

“Ah, yes! Seniors!”

When Arcel called, Morian reacted by looking surprised.

“How is the Kingdom of Hermod these days? “The last time I went there was four years ago… The war must have made life difficult for many residents.”

Higher prices, lack of young people.

This all happened because of the war, where farmland was destroyed and many people died as soldiers.

No matter how much Hermod Kingdom does, it will not be able to heal the wounds of war in just a few years.

She probably hasn’t recovered yet, but she was worried about Morian being alone and quiet, so she asked about her well-being.

It was awkward, but I still tried to narrow the distance as much as possible.

“Uh… It didn’t look particularly difficult, did it? “I don’t really travel around the capital city, so I’m not sure.”

“Doesn’t it look difficult? Surely the last time I saw you-“

The streets were overflowing with unemployed people, and there were even corpses that had starved to death.

Not anywhere else, but in the Kingdom of Hermod.

If the Kingdom of Hermod, the largest country, is that big, there is no need to explain what other countries were like.

There were countries whose kings starved to death and eventually collapsed.

But can it be recovered in just a few years?

“I don’t think we’ve seen anything like that since the Queen implemented her policy. “When I saw it, no one was starving and no one was begging.”

“…Now that I think about it, I rarely saw anything like that, although there were people in somewhat shabby clothes in places like the back alleys. “Compared to other countries, the situation was much better.”

Stella also added a word.

What on earth is that policy that can restore the city so quickly?

Even if everything else were the same, there would have been a shortage of food right now and there wouldn’t even have been people to farm.

“I guess they poured in some money. “If it were a kingdom, taxes would be enough to sustain it, and wouldn’t merchants send us away with their pockets full?”

“That’s certainly true… but the recovery speed is still incredibly fast.”

Arsel looked somewhat surprised.

Although I haven’t been paying much attention to the Kingdom of Hermod lately, I still find myself occasionally picking up newspapers and reading them.

In particular, I heard in foreign newspapers that there are still people starving to death in the Kingdom of Hermod. Was there some misinformation?

“You can tell by looking at it anyway, look over there. “You’ll find out soon.”

Then Alfred pointed his beak out the window.

Currently, the carriage was passing a hill, and a very large fortress city began to be seen at the bottom of the hill in the distance.

That place is the kingdom of Hermod.

It has the strongest power among existing human forces, and is also a sacred place for warriors that created countless warriors.

I could see numerous carriages going in and out of the city, as if preparations for the festival were underway.

If you blend in with the crowd, you will probably be able to get in without difficulty.

†††

When we arrived at the Kingdom of Hermod, there were carriages lined up in a row.

Perhaps simple immigration screening was in progress, and all the entrances into the city were filled with carriages, and there was only one entrance made for passers-by only.

I thought there would be no end to waiting to get into the carriage, so I packed up the carriage and headed that way.

It was natural for the guards to check one’s identity there as well.

Morian, a citizen of Hermod, was able to pass through without any problems, but Arcel and Stella could not.

Because I was in disguise, I didn’t have a spear pointed at me, but I couldn’t avoid checking my identity and making sure I wasn’t dangerous.

Of course, the two also passed very easily.

In addition, I received cheers.

It was all thanks to the crow on Arsel’s shoulder sneaking gold coins to the soldiers.

Anyone could see that it was a bribe, but even the passers-by behind him applauded, saying they were surprised that the crow did it.

“…Didn’t it attract too much attention?”

“Don’t worry. “It will probably be erased from my memory after a few steps.”

“No matter how much I think about it, I think that demon is out of his mind.”

Stella shook her head and stretched lightly.

I felt a little refreshed after continuing to sit in the carriage and walking.

“Anyway, I can’t believe it. “Is it possible that all the damage from the war was recovered in 5 years?”

And then I faced reality.

The Kingdom of Hermod seemed to have developed much more prosperously than in the peaceful times before the war broke out in earnest.

People’s faces were full of smiles as they prepared for the next day’s festival, and restaurants with delicious smells were opening on the streets to welcome travelers.

This level is almost equivalent to Clen’s territory.

Considering that Hermod’s scale is even larger, from Arcel’s point of view, it feels so absurd that it is not surprising.

How on earth did they go beyond restoration and even develop?

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Countless people would have died and countless agricultural lands would have been destroyed?

“Hmm, prices are still expensive. Still, I think this is a level we can handle.”

Alfred said, bringing a paper bag containing grilled skewers.

“Alfred… Wouldn’t you be misunderstood if you went to a restaurant looking like that?”

“Crows are smart creatures, so it’s okay. Anyway, sleep. Eat one by one. “I’m buying it for you specially.”

“Roasted chicken bought by a crow demon…”

Stella had mixed feelings as she looked at the fried chicken skewers.

“Wow! Thank you.”

As a bonus, the owner of the store was gaping at the sight of a crow carrying a coin in its mouth and buying skewers.

This must be because among the dishes ordered, there was also grilled chicken.

“Let’s walk around some more while eating first. But are you okay? Even if you walk around with a bare face like that?”

“Yes, I cover my face with a mask when carrying out orders. “It often breaks down in the middle.”

Probably that’s why the guard at the entrance thought the Morrian was just a citizen.

In the case of Arcel, his face was known and the guards would salute him every time he entered the entrance.

I told him not to do it because it was burdensome, but on the other hand, from the guard’s perspective, it seemed like it would be a problem if he didn’t do it.

‘Would it have been better if I had also worn a mask?’

But I know he couldn’t wear a mask.

His role was not just to defeat the Demon King, but he had to show the face of a hero and become the center around which humans could unite.

If I had worn a mask, that wouldn’t have been possible.

“But the number of stores I couldn’t see has increased. In the old days, the kids liked the food that the lady at the restaurant over there used to cook.”

While walking around the city, Stella pointed to a restaurant.

“I see, the saint especially liked warm cream soup.”

“On the other hand, the self-proclaimed magic genius said he couldn’t eat hot food, so he ate it only after it had cooled down. “I guess it was the cat’s tongue.”

The restaurant I frequented with colleagues in the past has changed owners.

The cuisine is not Hermod’s, but dishes from other countries are sold.

Even though it seems like there are still a lot of customers, I can’t help but feel sad that the memories of the past are gone.

Anyway, even if I went in disguised as a noble lady, I wouldn’t have been recognized.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been to the Kingdom of Hermod, but it’s changed quite a bit. In particular, the number of foreigners has increased. “I think I can quite see the people across the sea.”

Alfred flew lightly in the sky and then came down.

Perhaps because of the festival, many people from other countries were seen in the Kingdom of Hermod.

Considering that the merchants’ carriages were stretched out like a snake’s tail, in a few hours more people from other countries will be entering the city than now.

“First of all, as you can see now, when I saw it in the past, I didn’t see anyone starving or begging. “Anyway, places like churches and orphanages give soup and bread to hungry people.”

“I know that too. …It’s just that I couldn’t handle it.”

Although Arcel felt fortunate for this, he also felt strangely uneasy.

I don’t know if they were paying attention to the opinions of people from other countries as it is a festival, but if it was like this even before the festival, it cannot be said to be a temporary trick.

“It’s all thanks to my senior for defeating the demon lord. “If the Demon King had been alive, the Kingdom of Hermod would not have been like this.”

“That’s good, but…”

Anyway, it is right to be happy that peace has come as one had hoped.

Still, Arcel was not happy.

It’s strange.

Isn’t this kind of peace what you wanted until now?

I hoped that there would be no children starving to death on the streets, and I fought to see smiles on people’s faces.

Although there was a contradiction in raising a sword for peace, it would be right to be happy if peace was eventually restored…

It’s only more frustrating because I don’t know why.

“Well, wasn’t this what you wanted after all?”

At that time, Alfred tapped his beak on his shoulder and said,

“Even though the peace was achieved through violence, there is no change in the fact that this is also peace. Your wish has come true. So why not have some fun now? “The reason I came here in the first place was to see the results of your efforts.”

“…I see.”

At least Alfred’s words made me smile.

That’s right.

This is the peace that I have achieved. Even though the ending is sad for me, it is okay if others can smile.

From the time he got his hands dirty with so much blood, wanting him to be happy was nothing short of greedy.

“Okay, let’s just enjoy it for now.”

Arcel smiled and took her steps.

Even though the festival had not started in earnest, there were many things to enjoy on the streets.