Ch 5 - The Hero Returns (Revised)

[author]

Chapters 1-5 were revised on 29/May/2024, pulling from the Novel version of Isekai Defense. If you want to read the original Web Novel version, you can read it on google docs here: https://bit.ly/wnid1

The fully revised Novel version can be purchased on Patreon or any of these stores for $4.99 (TBU):
https://www.patreon.com/febya

Thank you.

[/author]




***




After Bianca calmed down, she told me that the village was safe. I was elated at the good news and gave her my heartfelt thanks.

"Thank you very much, really," I said.

"No, you did everything,” Bianca said. “All I did was help put out the fires and healed the injured."

"Still, if not for you, more lives would have been lost."

These lives were so important to me that they became one of the reasons why I came to this world. So I would be grateful even if she saved one life.

"You’re welcome. You really are mature for your age, you know? Are you really 10 years old?"

"Well…"

Am I? After thinking for a bit, I decided to say yes to such questions from now on.

"Is it bad to mature early?" I said.

"It's not a bad thing, but, hm… If possible, I prefer to see a child spending his day happily than growing up too quickly."

I nodded at her words.

‘I can understand that. I also want to create a world where children can laugh happily without fearing monster attacks.’

Bianca continued. “That doesn't mean I dislike you, okay? If anything, I like good humans all the same. And I like you even more because you are not afraid of me and even snuggle with me."

I must have triggered another landmine of petting sessions as she giggled and began to mess up my hair all over again.

"Hm, it's a shame. Should I keep you here after all?"

“I'm sorry, but I can’t stay here."

"Why? There is a lot of food, you know? And if you ever want a toy, I could create or get it."

'Anything I desire, huh? That's a good proposal. If I don't have to consider the world's end, that is.'

Seeing me refusing once again, she just smiled weakly.

"Okay, you must have your reason." 

"Yes. I'm sorry, but I have to go back."

"Oh, that's fine. I understand. So I'll just come with you." Bianca smiled brightly at me.

"Pardon?"

"If you can't stay here, then it's okay for me to stay with you, right?

"Well…"

"Plus, although this place has everything. I've been bored living in this cave for years and years, you know? I had been planning to get some fresh air anyway, so I might as well stick close to you."

"I see."

I thought for a moment. It was a good thing for Bianca to stay with me, actually. 

Bianca was a mighty dragon despite how she looked. If I could make her an ally, which was impossible in the game, it would benefit me greatly, no matter how I view it.

'There is a problem though…' 

What about the hidden danger Bianca originally dealt with as she traveled the world? No one would take care of them if she stayed.

‘And if that happens, the future I know of might change greatly. Which means I can't fully use my future knowledge anymore.'

It's one thing if I could lead her to where she was supposed to go. However, this game followed Raon from beginning to end. 

Although there was an option to see the world from a first-person or third-person view, in the end, all events were centered around Raon. As I took my time to think, Bianca looked crestfallen.

"Is that a no…?"

Bianca slumped down her shoulder. Rather than forcing her will like other dragons, she seemed willing to listen and consider other people's circumstances.

'Now that I think about it, that future knowledge I have will only lead to a dead end. So I might as well take Bianca, right?'

It might be an excuse to convince myself. However, I didn’t want to see someone so kind to look so sad if I could help it.

Call it me being selfish, if you will, but I decided to let Bianca do whatever she wanted. I smiled and said.

"Alright. I want to be with you too, actually."

"Hngh! To say things like that so casually. As expected, my eyes are not wrong!"

Then, she began to hug me again. It was morning the next day when Bianca finally released me, and we moved to the village together.

***

When I arrived back at the village, I was surprised by what I found. Contrary to my expectation that everyone would be gloomy and depressed from the monster attack, the villagers worked diligently and helped each other redevelop the houses they'd lost.

Where burnt houses once stood, new frames were rising. Smoke rose from fires as the women cooked for the rest. 

‘Sure, it's not all joy and laughter.’ 

Sadness still lingered in their eyes. However, they chose to move forward together instead of being stuck grieving over the past, which is admirable.

'They're stronger than I realized,' I nodded to myself. 

If this was how they responded to hardship, I wouldn’t need to console them after all. I wasn't very good at socializing in the first place, but I have been worrying about what to say on the way here.

'It turns out the people I want to protect are stronger than I thought.'

If it was like this, wouldn't they be the ones who will protect me one day? Maybe it was not a bad idea to settle in this village once everything was over.

'Ah, I'm getting ahead of myself.'

I shook my head.

‘Rather than thinking about the far future, let's take care of things one step at a time, starting from the present.’

Bianca smiled as I walked through the bustling village towards my house and gestured ahead. 

"Raon, everyone's looking at you, you know." 

Sure enough, everyone had stopped their tasks and was looking at me. 

"Did I do something wrong?" I tilted my head, confused by their stares. 

Bianca merely smiled and nudged me onward. 

‘What is it?” I asked. “Is there something on my face?’ 

It was when I was about to wipe my face.

"Hero."  Someone murmured and the others followed.

"He's the one who saved me!"

"He saved me too!"

"Didn't he even lure the monsters?"

"Ooh! Such bravery! And at such a young age, too!"

"He's the pride of our village!"

"The village's hero!"

Before I knew it, everyone dropped whatever they were doing and ran up to me.

"Thank you for saving my daughter, Raon."

"Thanks to you, everyone is alive."

"How can we ever repay you!"

I felt troubled and looked at Bianca for help. However, she just smiled and pushed my back gently. 

An elderly man, who I assumed to be the Village's Chief, stepped forward and humbled himself before me. 

"We can never repay what you've done for us, Young Hero,” he said. “Thank you so much for saving so many lives." 

Murmurs of agreement arose from the crowd.

"I only did what I could," I replied shyly. 

Didn't they notice my embarrassment? The villagers praised me even more strongly after I said that.

Then, a small girl trotted up to me. She was presenting a flower while blushing as she looked up at me.

"Brother, here's a flower… for you."

"Oh, so pretty. Thank you."

She then giggled and ran back to where she came from, hiding behind a woman I assumed was her mom. She occasionally peeked at me before hiding her face again.

'Cute.'

I still felt embarrassed by their praise, but it didn't feel so bad to receive pure goodwill now and then. A woman's voice called out, interrupting my thoughts.

"Raon!"

I looked beyond the crowd. A young woman was there. Her shout made everyone fall silent. Her hair looked disheveled, and she was panting as if she had just run for a long time. 

I saw a basket of fruits and herbs in her hand and understood right away. She must have been in the forest just now before someone finally informed her of my return.

'To go inside the forest again so soon after the goblins' attack… Should I call this person brave or foolish?'

Then again, she was Raon Eva's mom. Her fear of monsters must have been overpowered by her need to care for her only child.

"Raon…!"

The crowd parted as she ran up to hug me.

"I'm glad you're safe," she said.

The first thing she said was not thanks for saving her life but her concern for my well-being. I smiled and returned the warm embrace.

‘Is this what having a mother feels like? It feels nice.’

Technically, she was not my mother. If we only looked at the soul, we were nothing more than strangers.

However, wasn't that true for all families? Families were people who shared the same blood in their veins. And since I had become Raon Eva, what I should call her was decided.

"I'm back, mom."

That was the moment I realized that everything was over, that the threat had passed, and that everyone was safe.

***

Chapter end