Chapter 32

As the sun set in the west, the silver moon rose, casting a silver glow across the land like scattered sand.

In the center of Axel, a grand celebration was being held to thank the heroes who had protected the city.

A large group of adventurers gathered, singing and dancing around the blazing bonfire. Couples danced joyfully in the firelight, celebrating their survival and the hope for the future.

Hiroshi, holding a glass of wine, declined an invitation from a young lady and made his way toward the crowd. Suddenly, a man dressed in a tailcoat appeared beside him.

"Yo, good evening," Banir greeted Hiroshi, holding a glass of red wine. He raised his glass slightly and took a small sip before teasing, "Isn't a hero who saved the city supposed to embrace beautiful girls and celebrate all night? Why did you shatter that girl's dreams?"

Hiroshi set down his empty glass and sighed, brushing aside his bangs with one hand. "I was just trying to be kind. Someone like me, destined to remain a stranger, can't let a young girl waste her life on me."

"Oh really?" came a disapproving voice from behind. Hiroshi turned to see Ruri Gokou, her cheeks flushed, standing with Klee and Hinata Gokou, all looking at him with disdain.

"Ahem, ahem," Hiroshi almost choked on his drink. He scratched his head awkwardly and tried to change the subject. "Haha, isn't that Ruri? What brings you here? I was just about to go find you."

Ruri, her face still tinged with red, held a glass of red wine and stared at Hiroshi. "What's wrong? Can't I come over here? Am I interrupting the great hero's important moment?"

"No, no, no," Hiroshi quickly waved his hands. He stepped forward and snatched the wine glass from Ruri's hand, holding it up. "Ruri, you're not old enough to drink yet."

Seeing her wine glass taken away, Ruri angrily punched Hiroshi in the chest. She tried to jump up and grab the glass from above Hiroshi's head, but at just 155 cm tall, she had no chance of reaching Hiroshi's 178 cm height, especially since he held the glass aloft.

As she panted, her breath laced with the scent of alcohol, Ruri suddenly stopped. She leaned her head against Hiroshi's chest and asked softly, "Am I useless? I've been holding everyone back during our missions."

Feeling the wetness on his chest, Hiroshi stood still for a moment, startled by Ruri's sudden closeness. He sighed, transported the glass to a table nearby, glared at Banir, who was enjoying the scene, and gently hugged Ruri.

"Don't think that way." He patted Ruri's head and stroked her silky black hair. Spiritual energy rippled across his body, forming a simple barrier that blocked the gazes of those looking curiously at them.

"You've worked hard, and I, as your guide, can vouch for that." As he gently stroked her long black hair, Hiroshi continued, "I know your determination and your effort.

"For someone who comes from an ordinary world, you've been amazing, working hard to complete each seemingly insignificant task and accumulating experience." Memories of when Ruri, blushing, asked him to train her surfaced in Hiroshi's mind, prompting him to speak even more softly.

"You complete the heavy tasks I set for you every day, learning magical knowledge you'd never encountered before."

Feeling the young girl in his arms gradually calming down, Hiroshi took the chance to pet the little "kitten" while he could.

"If it weren't for you protecting the city during this mission, even if we defeated the Demon King's general, it would have been pointless. You're not a burden; you're an important companion. Besides, I can't trust anyone but you to take care of Klee for me."

Smack!

Ruri, who had regained her composure, swatted Hiroshi's hand away. Blushing, she looked down and mumbled, "Am I really not a burden? Did I really help this time?"

"Yes, really, you helped a lot this time." Hiroshi nodded firmly, raising his voice, "Without you, Ruri, we wouldn't have been able to complete this mission."

Satisfied with his answer, Ruri whispered, "Thank you." Then, without raising her head, she turned and ran away, dodging through the crowd as if on autopilot, disappearing into the distance.

Near the bonfire, Megumin and Kazuma, who had been dancing together, watched Ruri, her face flushed, run off into the distance like a gust of wind. They exchanged a puzzled glance before resuming their dance, blushing. Kazuma's increasingly cheeky smile and Megumin's flushed cheeks made for a perfect crime scene, but no one was there to arrest him.

"Aren't you going after her?" Banir nudged Hiroshi with a smile.

Hiroshi slapped away Banir's arm, giving him an exasperated look without saying a word.

Feeling a tug at his leg, Hiroshi looked down to see Hinata Gokou, holding the Dodoco plush that Klee had given her, staring up at him.

He squatted down, looking at the little twin-tailed girl in front of him, who was about the same height as Klee. Hiroshi patted her head and asked, "What's up? Is there something you can't reach?"

Hinata shook her head, her twin tails swinging side to side. She looked at Hiroshi expectantly and asked loudly, "Big brother, are you Ruri's boyfriend?"

"Huh?" Looking at the eager girl, Hiroshi suddenly felt out of touch. Since when did elementary school kids know about boyfriends and girlfriends? He felt embarrassed remembering that his own childhood consisted of fishing, climbing trees, and playing in the mud.

Seeing Klee also looking curious, Hiroshi shook his head and said, "You misunderstood. I only see Ruri as a little sister."

"Really?!" Hinata exclaimed in disbelief, her finger tapping her chin in thought. "This is the first time I've seen Sister Ruri this close to a man other than Dad. Usually, she gets annoyed when she's around boys. I really thought you were her boyfriend."

"Brother hiroshi, what's a boyfriend or girlfriend?" Klee asked, tugging on Hiroshi's sleeve curiously, holding an ice cream.

Hiroshi pulled out a handkerchief, wiping the ice cream from Klee's lips. He smiled and explained, "Well, a boyfriend and girlfriend are two people who promise to spend their lives together. But you're still young, Klee, so you don't need to understand that yet. When you're older and want to find a boyfriend, big brother will help you pick someone worthy."

Klee tilted her head, thinking for a moment, then hugged Hiroshi tightly. She smiled at him and said, "I like being with Brother Hiroshi. When I grow up, can Brother Hiroshi be my boyfriend?"

Hiroshi ruffled Klee's chubby cheeks and waved Hinata over.

"Then you'll have to grow up fast, Klee, or big brother will have to wait a long time."

After wiping the oil stains from Hinata's face, Hiroshi pulled out an extra ice cream and handed it to her. He stood up, smiling at the two adorable children. "You can play for a bit longer tonight, but don't wander off."

"Big brother, if Sister Ruri grows up a bit more, will you make her your girlfriend?" Hinata asked suddenly, turning back while being led away by Klee.

Hiroshi stroked his chin, glancing at his hand that had just been petting Ruri, remembering the comfortable feeling. He silently nodded at Hinata.

With her answer, Hinata was pulled into the crowd by an excited Klee, and she had only one thought in her heart.

"Sister Ruri, this is the most I can do for you."

Hiroshi dispelled the barrier and looked at Banir, who was still standing beside him, and asked casually, "Why are you still here?"

Banir downed the rest of his wine and set the glass aside, looking at Hiroshi expectantly. "When will I be able to join that group chat that connects different worlds?"

Seeing Banir's eyes full of anticipation, Hiroshi picked up the half-full glass of wine left on the table. He gazed at the beautiful starry sky and drank it in one gulp before setting the glass down. "Next month, Xiaohei is the only one with an extra invite. He's that kid over there with the cat ears. As for what you'll trade for it, that's up to you. Oh, and by the way, that man beside him is his master—the best master in the world, in his eyes."

Banir looked at the little boy eating happily in the distance, then glanced at Mu, who returned his gaze. He smiled and said, "This is truly wonderful. I will definitely join that chat full of the unknown."

He waved to Hiroshi and picked up a new glass of wine as he walked toward Mu and the others.

"I look forward to our next meeting."