77-Episode 75: Makoto Takatsuki Selects



 --There are two kinds of heroes in this world.

 One is the hero who was chosen by the goddess.
Sakurai-kun of the "Hero of Light" skill.
Prince Leonard with the "Ice and Snow Hero" skill.
 They are the ones who were given the heroic skills by the Goddess.

 The second is the heroes chosen by the country.
 These are often chosen by adventurers and knights who serve the country.
 In the Fire Nation (Great Keith), the winner of the annual martial arts tournament is the 'Fire Nation Brave'.
 The purpose is to keep the strongest person in that country.
 There are no "Nationally Recognized Brave Men" in the Land of Water at present.
 Well, I didn't mind that this was none of my business, but....

"Makoto Takatsuki?
 I've been startled.
 I was a little freaked out.

"Oh, I'm a hero? But.....
 I didn't expect to be told this.
 I thought it would be a prize or a title at most.
 The brave man is a symbol of peace in the country.
 That's why it's unacceptable to lose.
 That's too big a responsibility........

''This isn't compulsory.
 Hmm? Oh, really?
 I thought you were going to order me around.
 Well, I guess the answer is no...

"If you become a brave person, the country will contract for all the 'lodging,' 'meals' and 'equipment' costs in the Water Country (Roses).
 Seriously?
 Great! You sound like a Japanese politician!

I will also give you 10 million Gs. every year as a contribution.
 You're offering me a paycheck.
 I'm starting to get a little freaked out.
 What am I going to do? National Certified Brave.

''As a general rule, heroes are required to participate in the plan to defeat the Great Demon King. Currently, it's the 'Northern Expedition Plan'. The execution of the plan will start next year, so this year we are only preparing for it. We don't plan to do any major work.
 Huh? Really?
 Isn't it too warm?
I don't know what the "Northern Expedition Plan" is, but I'm curious.

''Also, we would like you to originally live in the royal capital Horne as your residence, but since I hear you like McAllen, you may continue to stay in McAllen. In the meantime, there are accommodations for brave men in the royal castle as well.
 It was just perfect.
 I had no idea you were so accommodating.
 But you see I am an apostle of the goddess Noah.
 If I want to become a hero of the Water Kingdom, I'll have to convert to the Goddess of Water....
 ...that's no good, I'll say no.

(True. I'll take care of it. I'll talk to the Water Goddess.
 Huh? Is that even possible?
 The Holy Gods are the enemy, aren't they?

(Leave it to me.) Eil, the water goddess, is a girl who knows what she's talking about, so you don't have to convert her.)
 Do the gods have a relationship with each other? I'm not sure.
 The Goddess's permission has been granted.
 Well..........
 I turn around.

 I look at Lucy and Sa-san.
 Lucy's eyes are glazed over with excitement.
 Sa-san has a look of happiness on her face.
 Nina and Chris smiled in surprise and goodwill.
 The only thing that bothered me was that Fujiyan opened her mouth wide in surprise....

'Takatsuki Makoto......... I won't ask you to reply right away. Just let them consider it slowly.
 Princess Sophia is too kind!
 I don't know what's going on here.
 It's just...

I'm gonna take it home with me.

 ~A few days later.

I've thought it over and I'm just going to say no.

 Yeah, I can't.
 That's too rude, isn't it?
 If you want to refuse, it's now or never.
 In other words, the time to respond is now.

 The RPG player skill comes into play.

"Do you want to be a hero of the water kingdom?

 Yes, sir.
 No.


 A hazy feeling and memory came up when I saw the choice.

 A game I loved to play when I was a kid.
 It was a remake of a famous RPG game.
 The protagonist was a brave man.

 The king gave him a few dollars and a torch to go on a journey.
 He has no friends.
 All by himself, he defeated demons, raised his level, fought dragons, saved the princess, defeated the demon king, and saved the world.
 It was cool.
 I wanted to be a hero back then.

 Well, now I am.
 I'm in high school and I don't think I want to be a hero.
 ...or not.

 When I came to another world.
 I was jealous of my classmates and Sakurai-kun.
 I was jealous of those guys with their powerful status and skills.
 I couldn't sleep at night because I was jealous of them leaving the temple one by one after another after being scouted by the country's important people.
 I once stayed up all night and trained in magical proficiency.

(That was a while ago, but I miss it.)

 In front of me is a beautiful looking princess.
 She was the one who hadn't given me a blessing at the time.
 She wants me to be the hero.

 She's got everything you need.
 The government will provide me with money and equipment.
 And I have reliable friends.
 I've even got a goddess who gives me hints when I need them.
 I'm much better off than the hero of that game.

 ........strange.
 Wasn't the other world a f*cking game? 

 No, wait.
 The important thing is that I'm not very strong.
 Don't get me wrong.
 I am an apprentice wizard.
 The main character in the game had the blood of a hero.
 That's why he can defeat the Demon King single-handedly.
 That's why he's not like me.

 That's why.
 So you can be a hero.
 Don't you regret saying no?

 It's not working.
 We're not getting anywhere.

 ...when I'm in a situation like this.

Princess Sophia.
Yes. What is it?
 Princess Sophia has a nervous look on her face.
 I didn't like the way she looked when I first met her.
 But now I have a new impression of her.

"Do you want to be a hero of the water kingdom?

 Yes.
 No.


I'll take the title of hero.
"....! I see. Then, from today, you are the 'Brave Man of Roses'.

 --When in doubt about a choice, choose the one that looks fun.

 I've always followed the (gameplay) rules.


 ◇


"Mayo the Brave.
 After the brave appointment ceremony.
 I was approached by Princess Sophia.
 
 It's a bit embarrassing to call me that.

Yes, Princess Sophia.
We need to talk later. Can you come up to my room?
I understand.
 What is it? 
 Will they preach the mindset of a brave man or something?
 Likely..........


 ◇


'True! It's amazing what a brave man can do!
That said, I'm a hero for hire, okay?
'It's amazing! It's a great day.
 Lucy and Chris will rave about it.
 I realize the importance of brave men in this world.

'Hey, Takatsuki-kun. You did it!
 My classmate Sa-san......that.
 It's like he's praising me for being a brave person who loves games.
 I'm grateful for this.

'Tacky-dono what happened with Princess Sophia?
What?
 Fujiyan says something weird.

'What?'
No, it's just that Princess Sofia's mind has changed so much that...
 What's going on? 

''Takatsuki-sama, Takatsuki-sama. Princess Sophia has called you, right? Don't let him rough it up this time...
 Nina, the hell-eared Nina, gives me a heads-up.

'Now what? Nina, what's going on?
Lady Takatsuki got into a fight with Princess Sophia in the Grand Maze.
Ew!
 This, this, Nina.
 I don't say things like that anymore.
 I'm a grown-up now.

"Dear Braveheart! Congratulations on your appointment!
 A loud voice suddenly spoke to me from behind.
 It was an old man, a former guardian knight.

I'm not going to be able to get it right. I'm glad.
'Ha! What a waste of words.
Can you stop talking like that?
 I like the pompous tone of voice, like before.
 It's unsettling.

But we have to make our differences clear...
 You're an old gymnast.
 He's strict about hierarchy. Also, I'm serious.
 A lot of people in the Water Country (Roses) are serious people.

 I'm sorry I had to change his guardian knight duties.
 I'll ask Princess Sophia to change it back.

''Makoto-san doesn't seem to be good at being awed. From now on, let's work together as brave men of the Water Country.''
"Prince Leonard.
 I see. I'm with him and I'm a hero to protect this country.
 I have to do my best.

I'll show you to your sister's room.
The Prince himself! We'll show you around.
 There were a lot of people from all over the castle, and a lot of people gathered around.
 Eventually, one of the knights showed me around.

 ◇


Excuse me....
 You will be escorted to Princess Sophia's room.
 I am alone.
 I walk in and find Princess Sophia waiting for me.

"Take a seat, please.
 An expensive, ornate glass table is lined with cookie-like treats.
 Beside it are a teapot and two teacups.
 The princess brews tea with an unaccustomed hand.

 ........Is this kind of thing done by the princess herself?
 Aren't you usually a maid or something?

 I sat down in a fluffy chair.
 It was uncomfortable, unlike the old man on the spit roast and his ramshackle bench.
 There's nothing to compare it to.

 It smelled sweet, like muscat.
'Come in,'
Thank you.
 I sip a little on the brewed tea.
 ........It tastes delicate.
 I guess it's a top quality product.
 It's delicious, but I can't tell the difference in taste.

'Brave man Makoto.'
 Princess Sophia gave me a piercing look.
'Yes,'
 I straighten my back.

'Thank you for this. And please forgive me for speaking at the Water Temple.
 He bowed deeply.
 Huh?

''Um ... Princess Sophia. I didn't do much, and I don't care about what happened in the past anymore, so it's fine.
 To be able to bow so deeply to a princess.
 I'm starting to feel like I'm doing something terribly wrong.

'You have a big heart,'
 Princess Sophia raised her head and smiled just a little bit.
 'This is better.

'Smiling is better.'
What?
 Oh, shit.
 I said it.

"Oh, no. I beg your pardon...
....
 Ahhhh, I think I missed some conversation.
 She's staring at me again.
 I think your face is a little red, but maybe it's just my imagination.

"By the way, are you sure you're glad I'm a brave man?
 Let's change the subject.
''I saved King's Landing by defeating an abominable demon. It's also a demon that Leo couldn't defeat. A brave man deserves it.
It was just me and Princess Sophia who took it down, you know?
'You two ... yes. Are you feeling overwhelmed, if I may?
No, no, no, I'll be as strong as my heroic name.
 And Noah-sama taught me how to use spirit magic.
 The point is, it's good if I can get the power to defeat that giant, even if it's just one person.

''Then I'll be relying on you.
Yeah, I'll take care of it.
 Princess Sophia smiling slightly.
 Yeah, you're cuter when you smile.

By the way, Makoto the hero. About my patron knight, if you don't mind, you're the one who....
 Oh, yeah.
 I have to say this.

"Princess Sophia. Can you get that former/guardian knight of yours back on track? It seems he was transferred because of me.

 Huh? You're in a bad mood.
 What did I say?
 You didn't say that.

(Huh.)
 Mr. Noah?

'Leo wants to talk to you. He said you have been called to the Land of the Sun (Highland), but there is still time to spare before the deadline. Please stay here for a while.
Yes, sir.
 Hmm, I guess that means the story is over.
 But that was easier than I expected.
 Noah-sama was right, I should probably keep the distance between us.
 From now on, we're colleagues at work.

 I held out my right hand.
"Uh... uh... what?
It's a pleasure to work with you. 
 Was it rude to ask for a handshake from the royals?

'My pleasure,'
 After looking a little lost, Princess Sophia complied.
 The strength of Princess Sophia's hand that she squeezed back was strong.
 
 We held hands for a while and looked at each other.

''Then, thank you for the tea.''
Yeah.
 I let go of the princess's hand and left the room.

 Hmm, that's a tough one.
 Next time, I'll talk to Fujiyan about how to treat women.

 ◇

 As I left Princess Sophia's room, the guards at the door closed the door.

--Bufu! and there was a sound inside, as if someone had dived into the bed.

"......
 He looked at the guards.

'Sophia-sama. What's wrong?''
 The guard called out.
'It's nothing, sir.'
 Cool Princess Sophia's voice came back.

 I guess it was my imagination.
 I greeted the guards and went back to my friends.