Reward (2)

"What a fine day..."

I stood at a distance, quietly observing as the events unfolded before me. The grand hall of the Rose Kingdom's royal palace, which was the place where we fought the squid, was now fixed and adorned with elaborate decorations, and an air of anticipation hung heavy in the atmosphere.

The murmurs of the gathered nobles and courtiers created a low hum, their eyes fixated on the platform where King Edmund stood, his regal attire marking his authority.

My attention was drawn to the center of the platform, where a young woman stood with an air of both confidence and humility. It was Eveline, the Hero Knight I had fought alongside during the battle against the giant squid that had threatened the kingdom. Her expression was a mix of surprise and determination, and her armor gleamed under the golden light of the chandeliers.

-That's her, right?

-Indeed. She was the one who defeated the boss monster that suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

-She look strong and stunning...

-Well, she was born from a noble household filled with knights. Her father was a former general and her older brother was the War Hero. It was obvious that she would be able to defeat that monster easily.

As King Edmund's voice resonated through the hall, the murmurs of the people disappeared, as the King spoke with a resonance that commanded the attention of all present.

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed members of the court, today we gather to acknowledge an exceptional individual who has proven their unwavering dedication to the protection and prosperity of our beloved Rose Kingdom."

Eveline's expression remained impassive, and I couldn't help but smile in amusement as I cupped my cheeks with my hand. Although she was clearly moved by the honor being bestowed upon her just from the glance to her invisibly shaken shoulders, she tried her hardest to not let her emotions get the best of her.

"In recognition of her exceptional bravery and valor demonstrated in the face of peril, it is my great privilege to appoint Eveline as a Hero Knight of the Rose Kingdom."

A wave of applause and cheers erupted from the assembled crowd, their admiration for Eveline evident in the thunderous response. She lowered her head humbly, but I could see the pride in her stance as she accepted the title that had been granted to her. Plus, her lips that was slowly curling up.

As the celebration continued, I found my gaze drawn back to Eveline. She was surrounded by her soldiers, the joy on her face a testament to the fulfillment she found in her newfound role. It was heartwarming to witness the culmination of her efforts, a testament to her growth and the challenges she had overcome.... Well, as long as I'm not mentioned during this ceremony, I'm fine with how everything turns out.

Besides...

As I shifted my attention to the blonde guy not far from Eveline, I couldn't help but heaved out a sigh to calm all my nerves down.

Why does this guy even here!!!??

The person I'm talking about was the very same dude I embarrassed from back then.

Hero Maximus... Seriously, why is this guy here? This wasn't even mentioned in the novel. He was suppose to be busy f*cking the brains out of the dumb heroines!

"Damn... What a GREAT time for this b*tch to show up." I said to myself sarcastically, shifting my attention towards Sylvia.

Pity... I kinda feel bad for her hanging out with an asshole, but helping her right now would be extremely annoying because of the Prince... Maybe when I finally have some free time. For now, I'll let this thing go tender.

Besides... I'm still planning to get some revenge for my boy, the OG Saber. Since I'm now taking over his body, this was the only way I could think of as a "thank you".

The current goal I have in mind:

1. Help Sylvia out.

2. Let the other heroines turn into a complete whore before making a move, or create a misunderstanding that will make them regret their very decision on joining the other hero.

3. F*ck Maximus' sister. Using blackmail or some sort, I don't really care. I'll just fuck her while Maximus was watching.

4. Humiliate the Maximus and Raul in the best way as possible. Depending on what happen in the future, I might consider eliminating them if ever they try to ruin my "entertainment" that I'll be creating in the future.

5. Sell the heroines who turned into a whore. Of course, I don't like using "used goods", however, I might reconsider this if I ever find Raul's mother. As for the others who didn't break... Eliminating them might become a possible choice if they ever tries to get in my way.

Contemplating for a brief moment, a conclusion formed in my mind.

A wistful smile played on my lips as I averted my gaze from the unfolding event. It was time for me to move on, to continue my journey. Sayonara, Eveline... Make sure to tell His Highness to remain patient, for I shall return to claim my "precious rewards" in the future!

My decision solidified, I turned away from the scene and stepped out, the echoes of the celebration fading behind me.

Before my departure, however, a called for a small detour. The estate that Eveline called home stood not far away. Approaching the entrance, I took out a piece of paper and penned a brief note, a farewell to a friend who had unknowingly stirred my world.

With the note in hand, I approached one of the maids tending to the estate and extended it to her with a nod. "Please ensure that Lady Eveline receives this."

The maid nodded in acknowledgment, taking the note from me. "Of course, sir. I'll make sure she gets it."

My fingers lingered on the paper for a moment longer, a fleeting connection to a chapter of my journey that was coming to a close. With a final nod, I turned and resumed my path, leaving behind both the estate and the newfound heroics that had unfolded within its walls.

As I was leaving the walls, I took one last glance at the Kingdom.

Wiping my fake tears, I turn to face the road in front of me and said to myself.

"Wait for me, my precious. This guy will come back after training his ass out alone before the next Wave of the Calamity hits!" Saying so, I departed and continued my journey.

***

Dear Eveline,

I hope this note finds you well, amidst the celebrations and heroic accolades. It's been quite fun we've shared, hasn't it? Fighting giant squids and saving kingdoms - who would have thought?

I've decided to continue my journey, chasing after the next horizon and seeking more snacks along the way. Your grand kingdom and its lavish feasts will be missed, but fear not, I shall find my sustenance elsewhere.

Please extend my regards to His Highness and let him know that I'll be dropping by to collect those "precious rewards" when the time is right. I hope he's practicing his waiting skills!

Until our paths cross again, remember that the "secret hero" will forever be in your debt for the laughs.

Farewell and stay safe from some insects that plans on crawling on you at night,

[Your Friendly Neighborhood Traveler]

Staring at the letter Saber had left for her, Eveline's hand began to shake, her emotions oscillating between a mixture of surprise, amusement, and a tinge of annoyance. This guy seriously escaped! The nerve of him to make such a grand exit, leaving nothing but a note behind.

"Calm down.... I need to calm down...." Eveline took in a deep breath, her eyes narrowing as she tried to regain her composure. She crumbled the letter from her hand, crushing it into a tight ball before tossing it with a touch of frustration into the trashcan. The sound of the paper hitting the bin was oddly satisfying, but it didn't quite alleviate the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her.

"How should I even explain this to His Highness...?" She mumbled under her breath, a frown etching itself onto her features. She had been entrusted with a mission, and her "savior" had effectively disappeared into thin air. She sighed, running a hand through her hair as she pondered the best way to explain Saber's sudden vanishing act to the King. After all, "Oh, by the way, the traveller you appointed? Yeah, he went out and left!" wasn't exactly a suitable way to report things.

"Uh... May I talk to you for a moment, Lady Evel-" Just when Maximus was about to finish his sentence, he was immediately cut off by the piercing sound of Eveline's loud scream. Her frustration was palpable, and she turned toward Maximus with an exasperated expression.

"Damn it! Why are you even causing me problems!" She practically growled the words, her eyes narrowing as if Maximus was the source of all her current woes. Despite her irritation, there was an almost comical element to her reaction – the juxtaposition of her tough exterior and her genuine vexation had a certain charm.

Maximus blinked in surprise, taken aback by her outburst. He had only wanted to have a conversation, but clearly, this was not the right moment. He took a small step back, his expression a mix of bewilderment and amusement. "I... apologize if I interrupted something," he managed to say, his voice laced with an awkward chuckle.

Eveline took a deep breath, her anger slowly giving way to a mixture of embarrassment and self-awareness. She straightened her posture, her cheeks slightly flushed as she realized how uncharacteristically she had reacted. "No, it's not your fault. I'm just... dealing with a situation," she explained, her tone noticeably calmer.

Maximus nodded in understanding, a playful glint in his eyes. "Well, if you need any assistance, even in dealing with problematic situations, I'm here to help," he offered with a charming smile.

Eveline couldn't help but let out a short laugh, the tension from earlier dissipating. "Thank you, Maximus. I'll keep that in mind."

While Maximus walk away, Eveline stared at his back in silent.

"How disgusting... It is either that he want to earn my favor or crawl into my bed and help him deal what's under his pants."

Either way, I'm not falling for it.