Chapter 80: A Hero’s Unwilling ‘Date’

Rinne adapted to her new home much faster than I had anticipated.

The academy dormitory rooms were spacious for their four-person occupancy.

In fact, the single and double rooms were almost too large for just one or two people, and the shared rooms came equipped with two bunk beds to optimize space.

We had added a hammock connecting the top bunks of the two beds, creating a unique space that became Rinne’s designated area.

Of course, being a spirit, she didn’t actually need a place to sleep.

She could simply hide inside Yuri if she wanted, making the hammock unnecessary. But since Rinne desired her own personal space, we set it up over the weekend.

Though the hammock only provided enough room for one to recline, Rinne absolutely loved it.

Despite her ability to float freely, she always chose to sit or lie in the hammock. Balancing on it might have seemed tricky, but she must have been using her ghostly floating abilities to stabilize herself.

“So, what’s the reason for your visit today?”

“I’ve been feeling unsettled about a lot of things lately. I thought I’d seek some advice.”

The place I visited was the temple in the village where I had first met her.

I wasn’t sure why she wasn’t at the academy temple, but Mariel came here every weekend.

It was something most people, including my past self, wouldn’t have known about unless they were close to her.

“Hehe. Listening to people’s concerns is also part of a saint’s role!”

While listening and offering guidance was typically the role of regular sisters in the temple, there was no rule against a saint doing the same.

“Well, it’s not exactly something grand…”

Just as I was about to explain, Mariel held up her hand, stopping me abruptly.

The way she gestured reminded me of someone calming an unruly puppy.

“If you want advice, you need to pay a consultation fee! Since I know you, I’ll give you a special discount—10 silver coins per hour!”

While it might seem absurd to charge for a saint’s time, her fee was ridiculously low for someone of her stature.

Still, her blatant focus on money was unmistakable.

“…Other sisters don’t charge for this kind of thing.”

“Well, that’s them. I’m the sole representative of Serena, the Goddess of Light. You can’t expect me to follow the same rules as them!”

Wasn’t that not only disrespectful to the other sisters but also borderline sacrilegious?

Oh, Serena, Goddess of Light. Why did you choose such a woman as your saint? It’s hard not to question your judgment.

Ah, now that I think about it, you also chose me as the Hero. Hmm, suddenly it makes sense.

Choosing me over Celian definitely suggests your discernment might be… questionable.

Fearing I might be struck down for blasphemy, I quickly stopped that train of thought.

“That aside, isn’t it strange that the Hero has to pay for advice from the Saint?”

It was worth trying to argue my case.

“Did past Heroes receive advice from Saints for free?”

“…I doubt they ever charged for it.”

“Then again, no one knows for sure. Maybe they did pay. So there’s no issue with me charging for it now, is there?

And, as I said, 10 silver coins per hour is a bargain!”

“…Fine.”

In the end, I had no choice but to surrender. When you’re the one seeking advice, you’re always at a disadvantage.

Besides, 10 silver coins was roughly the cost of a drink and dessert at a café, so it wasn’t too steep.

“Well then, what’s on your mind?”

Having pocketed the 10 silver coins, Mariel leaned forward, eager to listen.

“As I said earlier, it’s not something major. I just needed someone to listen.”

“Hmm… That makes me feel a bit guilty for taking your money. But of course, there are no refunds in the Saint’s dictionary.”

Biting back my urge to comment on her “dictionary,” I continued.

“Soon, I’ll probably have to set out on a journey to defeat the Demon King.”

“Well… that’s a Hero’s destiny. Are you worried?”

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t, but it’s not overwhelming. I’m not trembling with fear or anything.”

“Don’t worry too much. Wherever the Hero goes, the Saint will follow. I’ll always be by your side.”

The sentiment should have been comforting, yet somehow, it sounded more like, “I’ll always be there to drain your wallet.”

I decided the problem lay in my lack of faith and chose to take her words at face value.

“Do you think we can really defeat the Demon King?”

The Hero is said to be the only one capable of defeating the Demon King. But conversely, the Demon King could also defeat the Hero.

Even the continent’s greatest Sword Masters failed to kill the Demon King.

It was hard to imagine someone like me, less skilled than them, succeeding where they couldn’t.

“What if I fail to defeat him? If the continent falls into his hands…”

Not long ago, I had hesitated to join Celian on this mission, afraid of risking my own life.

Now that I’d become the Hero, such thoughts felt pointless.

“Honestly, I can’t imagine myself defeating the Demon King. There are so many people stronger than me.”

How could someone who once feared for their own life possibly protect the entire continent?

“Hmm… I get why you’d feel that way. And as a Saint, maybe I shouldn’t say this, but… don’t worry too much.”

“What?”

“I’m sure Serena chose you for a reason. She must have decided that you’re the most suited to being the Hero and defeating the Demon King.”

If the Goddess truly knew everything, why would she choose someone like me?

I wasn’t the self-sacrificing type that a Hero should be. If anything, I was an assassin—a person who lived by taking lives, not saving them.

“I’m not saying it’s okay to lose to the Demon King. Just that you shouldn’t burden yourself too much with the future. No one knows what will happen.”

“But how can I not worry about it?”

“Worrying and overthinking can be meaningful if they lead to growth and improvement. But is that the kind of worrying you’re doing now?”

“…No.”

“Well, it’s hard to avoid those feelings even when you know better.”

Mariel trailed off, standing up from her seat. She grabbed my hand and led me outside.

Assuming she had a purpose in mind, I quietly followed her to a café near the temple.

It was a small, peaceful café with few patrons. After ordering two drinks, Mariel handed one to me.

“Here, drink this. Consider it included in the consultation fee.”

For all her grand words, she had chosen the cheapest option on the menu—an Americano. Without complaint, I accepted it and took a sip.

“Now, where were we? Ah!”

Sitting across from me at an outdoor table, Mariel resumed the conversation.

“Instead of spending so much time worrying, why not enjoy yourself a little more? Like going on a date, for example.”

“A d-date?!”

“Oh my, why is your face turning red all of a sudden? Could it be that you’re…”

“Anyone would be flustered hearing something like that out of nowhere!”

Of course, as someone who was once male, her teasing wasn’t entirely off the mark, but there was no way I could admit that.

“Oh, come on, it’s just a joke. Don’t take it so seriously.”

Judging by her tone and playful smile, it seemed she hadn’t figured out anything and was genuinely joking.

“Anyway, training is important, but I think it’s also good to enjoy life while you can. Even if it doesn’t solve all your problems, it can help you avoid unnecessary stress. You know, ‘a healthy mind leads to a healthy body,’ right?”

…Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?

“And as I said earlier, no one knows the future. Of course, it’s natural to be afraid of the unknown. But that’s why people learn from the past—through their successes and mistakes—and move forward.”

As she spoke, Mariel clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and offered a brief prayer to the goddess before continuing.

“Even Serena herself doesn’t know everything about the future.”

The idea that even the Goddess couldn’t guarantee the future didn’t entirely erase my anxiety, yet it somehow made me feel lighter.

“Alright, that’s the end of our consultation! Now it’s time for the Hero and the Saint’s date!”

Why does she keep calling it a date?

Still, her cheerful energy was infectious, lifting my spirits as well.

“If you ever need more advice, just let me know! I’ll always be here to listen.”

Standing up, Mariel turned back to me with a radiant smile that embodied the very essence of a saint.

“Of course, don’t forget the consultation fee next time!”

If only she hadn’t added that last part.