BXBX NOVEL Chapter 69 – Joyful, the Savior Has Come (6)
Lying flat on the roof, Lina quickly organized the information she had just heard.
So, Professor Dian rescued the villagers alongside Sir Linus during the war?
Does that mean Professor Dian was also part of the special task force? Or did he temporarily join forces with Sir Linus by chance?
Lina considered various possibilities but couldn’t be sure of the answer.
The story Professor Dian told the villagers only outlined the situation.
At least she knew that Professor Dian had conducted an operation here with Sir Linus, so she decided to investigate further.
Lina silently jumped down from the roof, disappearing from sight just before touching the ground.
# # # # #
The celebration that started at lunchtime continued into the evening.
The food seemed endless, and the atmosphere was filled with singing, dancing, and plays, creating a festive mood.
Having been pulled out several times to dance and sing, I returned exhausted and collapsed next to Linus.
“Hey, Linus. Do they do this every year?”
“No. This is special because you came. Usually, it’s just a modest meal.”
“Really… I’m exhausted…”
“Exhausted? That’s the first time I’ve heard you say that.”
“It’s not just about physical stamina. It’s more like my energy is being drained.”
I gulped down a cold beer as Linus chuckled and pushed a plate of food towards me.
“You can’t help it. The people here have been waiting for you more than for me.”
“That’s ridiculous. Sir Linus, the Slayer of the Demon King, the hero of the continent, and the savior of the intelligent races, is right here.”
“But that’s the true. So, has your perspective changed?”
I silently ate my food for a moment, pondering Linus’s question.
On the way here, Linus had told me that I didn’t know how the world had changed in the ten years since I left for Brunswell, and that the Palace’s complex situation had intentionally hidden me.
He said it was unfair and that I should decide my own treatment, not others.
To do that, he brought me to the Tatarnok village reconstruction celebration to see everything with my own eyes.
In simpler terms, he was saying, ‘You’re being sidelined intentionally or unintentionally. Please face reality!’
Coming to Tatarnok village, I realized how valuable the things I had thoughtlessly left behind were.
Of course, I had similar thoughts when I saw the tears of the war veterans at Ivronic Castle.
Linus was probably thinking, ‘See, I told you so.’
“See, I told you so.”
As expected, Linus said exactly what I had guessed.
That guy is so simple-minded, always predictable.
“Let’s attend more events like this in the future. It’s not just about giving. Allowing those we’ve helped to express their gratitude is also a virtue.”
“Maybe. I’ve never thought about it that way because I’m not as noble as you.”
“This has nothing to do with nobility. It’s an important social interaction.”
“Alright, alright. You’re so great.”
But Linus hasn’t realized one thing.
This world is a novel where hero Linus, the protagonist, defeats the Demon King.
I was merely a supporting character helping Linus until the end, and my disappearance after the Demon King’s defeat was part of that.
I didn’t fail to face reality and retreat to Brunswell.
Supporting characters have their own endings.
I chose to quietly step back after the ending, unaffected by the elements Linus worried about.
For example, the Palace’s schemes or my failure to recognize my own worth.
Those are just thoughts of Linus, who cares too much about me.
I really just wanted a peaceful life, which is why I went to Brunswell. Only after hearing about Linus’ difficult situation, I became a professor at the academy.
I don’t care how the Palace tries to use me, and if they go against my will, I won’t just stand by.
But today is a good day, so let’s avoid serious and sensitive topics.
I don’t plan to reveal the whole truth to Linus anyway.
“Sir Dian!”
Just as I was about to suggest heading home, Merilda grabbed my hand.
“What are you doing on such a happy day? Come and join us!”
“I was just playing until now…”
“Come on!”
Merilda pulled me to the center of the hall, where many villagers were dancing.
At that moment, the lively music stopped, and softer, gentler music began to play.
Merilda wrapped her arm around my waist and took my hand.
“Do you know how to dance?”
“No.”
“Then I’ll teach you.”
Merilda led me slowly, dancing as we turned.
I just followed her lead since I had never danced formally before.
I had only danced once before, forcibly with Lormane at the welcome party after we killed the Demon King.
Back then, Lormane didn’t know how to dance either, and the dance wasn’t really the point.
She just dragged me out to keep me from looking at other women.
So, I moved my body as Merilda guided me.
“Sir Dian, I’m glad you’re back. Where have you been for the past ten years?”
“I was hanging out in an unnamed port city far away. But you’ve really grown, haven’t you?”
Ten years ago, she was a small child who didn’t even reach my waist, and now she was an adult almost as tall as me.
“It’s all thanks to you, Sir Dian. If it weren’t for you, I would have died back then.”
“It’s thanks to Linus.”
“No, I know. Sir Linus helped us because you suggested it.”
“Who told you that?”
“Sir Linus.”
What a funny guy.
He’s not entirely wrong, though.
Linus is a hero, but he’s not an overpowered character from a web novel, who is chosen by god, and can cut the sky and move mountains.
He’s more like a protagonist from a coming-of-age story, overcoming hardships with his companions and ultimately achieving justice.
Moreover, Linus didn’t really start to grow until the prologue, after the special task force was formed.
So, without me, Linus couldn’t have saved the village alone.
“Anyway, I’m really happy to see you again, Sir Dian.”
“I’m also grateful and happy to see you doing so well.”
Merilda smiled and buried her face in my chest.
The warmth of Merilda in my arms felt somewhat melancholic.
When the Demon King’s army attacked the village, Merilda was separated from her parents and was running with her baby sibling on her back.
She tripped and fell, and when we arrived, the baby was already….
Seeing that, Linus and I lost it and killed every single one of the Demon King’s soldiers.
We didn’t spare even those who begged for their lives, cutting off their heads or throwing them into burning houses.
Of course, killing them didn’t bring the baby back to life.
Linus blamed himself for a long time afterward, thinking that if he had found the village a bit earlier…
I felt the same. What if I had immediately run out before suggesting helping the village.
“I’m sorry for being late. If I had come sooner….”
“It’s okay.”
Merilda pressed her finger to my lips.
“You arrived just in time, Sir Dian.”
Was she referring to ten years ago or today?
“I just turned an adult this year.”
“What?”
“I said I’d marry you when I grew up. You haven’t forgotten that promise, have you?”
I laughed out loud at Merilda’s joke.
# # # # #
“Whew, I’m exhausted.”
As the music changed, Merilda stepped back from me with a smile.
“Shall we go get some fresh air?”
“Shall we?”
It was early summer, and the weather was quite hot.
Even though all the windows in the hall were open, it was still sweaty with so many people dancing.
As we stepped outside, the warm breeze of an early summer night blew in.
“Ha, it’s not even cool at night anymore.”
“It can’t be helped. It’s summer.”
“Let’s go somewhere cooler.”
“Where?”
“Follow me.”
Merilda led the way across the village.
When we were far enough that the noise from the hall was barely audible, she stopped at the outskirts of the village.
It was the boundary between the forest and the plains surrounding the village.
It was quite dark, as the village lights didn’t reach here, and the sound of flowing water could be heard.
From the look of the terrain, it seemed to be a stream flowing from the valley where Linus and I had rested briefly.
“Let’s rest here for a while, Sir Dian. Dip your feet in the water. It’s really cool.”
Following Merilda’s advice, I stepped into the stream, and the ice-cold water from the valley was indeed very refreshing.
“Wow, it’s really cool. Come in too, Meril… What are you doing?”
Merilda was standing there naked. Her clothes lay at her feet like discarded skins.
“I’m keeping that promise.”