Chapter 14: Oblivious Prince

I Became the Secretary of a Hero! — LNCrawler · All chapters

“WOW, this place is alive!” Aki exclaimed, witnessing the hustle and bustle of the city. Behind her Elias, Leo, and Johann gazed at the city with nostalgia.

They arrived at the city earlier than planned thanks to the blessing of Aki’s Field Map preventing any more monster encounters after their battle with the gigantic birds. The Goddess’ divine revelation required them to stay the night in the city, which meant they had time to relax and look around.

The Port City thrived with people to the point the entire city seemed to shake with its residents' clamor and liveliness. Street shops lined the city like row houses. One shop’s shelves overflowed with juicy fresh fruits, and the one beside it sold the complete opposite with metal wares such as armor and weapons.

The stallholders clapped their hands to draw in customers, children laughed as they ran through alleyways, and people called out to the friends they were waiting for. All the noise added to the energy pulsing through the city.

Several boats moored at the pier could be glimpsed at the farthest end of the marketplace, their white sails hoisted and secured. If she listened carefully, Aki could hear the clanging of bells informing nearby ships of a departing vessel. The city had a way of exciting its visitors with the wafting salty sea smells that were unique to the area.

Aki held back her sea breeze swept hair as she spun around toward Elias and the others. “The imperial castle was impactful with all its glamour and glitz, but I think cities where you can personally witness the people’s daily lives are great too!”

“A lot of ships from other countries come and go from this city after all. It’s a trade city. Many merchants and Adventurers drop by, so it’s bustling with all sorts of people and goods,” Elias responded, his golden hair swaying with the breeze. He pushed the bangs tickling his forehead up with a smile.

He glittered handsomely wherever he stood, but he seemed to let off an especially blinding light under the Port City’s open sunlight. The impact of his beauty got all the city girls passing by to hurry away with flushed cheeks after just one look at him.

Elias attracts women wherever he goes… It’s only natural with his good looks, but I still find myself feeling jealous for some reason.

“Gosh, Elias, you glitter wherever you go.”

“Huh? That was out of the blue. What are you talking about?” Elias asked, befuddled.

Leo burst out laughing at his reaction. “Aki, Elias has the Glitter Skill only the Hero Job class can learn. Plus, it’s a passive Skill that’s always active.”

“I am certain its area of effect is indiscriminate,” Johann chimed in. He and Leo nodded knowingly to each other.

What the heck is a Glitter Skill?

Setting aside Leo’s joke, Elias attracted people like a natural phenomenon as if he really did have a Skill active, but from all appearances, he wasn’t the only one who drew attention. Women shyly whispered to each other as they stole glances of Leo and Johann. The tall and slender Leo and the pure embodiment of a pretty boy, Johann, were becoming objects of the city’s gossip as well.

And here I stand as the embodiment of average…

Some people gave her an odd look because of her peculiar suit armor, but the men stood out more than she did, garnering spiteful looks from the women wondering why such a plain girl was with these handsome men.

I wish I had a more well-known face or presence as the Hero’s Right-hand, but that’s impossible for me! I'm standing out for the completely opposite reason. I have to hurry and reach a level worthy of a Hero Party member! Even if I can’t change my appearance, I should be able to raise my level. Hitting max level might be out of the question, but I want to level up to the Adventurer’s average level.

A pat on her shoulder by Elias drew Aki out of her pensiveness. “Aki, do you see the many small rivers flowing through the city?”

Narrow rivers webbed their way in precise intervals between houses and buildings. Ferryboats ran down the waterways without any bridges, carrying men and women of all ages to their destinations and giving unique color to the city landscape.

“Port City was built to follow the coastline. They let ocean water in the form of rivers in to the city to divide the different blocks. I’ve always thought it’s a city with an artistic design.”

The thin rivers and canals dividing the city into blocks glittered beautifully under the sunlight, lending to a calming aesthetic.

This really is a beautiful world… Everything I see is new to me and has a unique beauty to it. I would have never had the chance to see this scenery if I hadn’t plunged in to this world. I’m sure there’s much hardship ahead of me, but I’m glad I came here.

Johann stepped beside Elias and looked up at the city square. “Elias, Leo, and I will temporarily go our separate ways here. I have to report to the Sanctuary Branch in the square.”

“Yeah. I have to show my face in the Academy Branch as well,” Leo admitted, sounding like he didn’t want to deal with it.

Aki tilted her head at the unfamiliar word and peered up at Leo. “Leo, what is the Sanctuary Branch? And what is the Academy Branch?”

“Ah, right, I hadn’t explained that to you yet.” Leo put his hand to his chin as he pondered how to explain.

A yellow light formed following where he ran his finger through the air. He nimbly spun his finger around, drawing a rough sketch of a map.

“Aki, I’m gonna explain using this map. Can you do me a favor and look at it?”

Leo drew a map of the world, forming a large crescent-shaped continent and another round continent resembling the sun surrounded on all sides by ocean.

“A general breakdown of this world gives you three major nations: the Kingdom, Holy Kingdom, and the Advanced Nations of Academia. There are a bunch of smaller nations too, but I’m omitting them from this explanation.” Leo pointed to the northern half of the crescent-shaped continent. “The royal family reigns over the Kingdom and live in the Imperial Capital here. That’s where I summoned you.”

The royal family referred to the lineage held by the gentle king, Arnold, and Carolina. Leo moved his finger to the south side of the crescent continent.

“The Holy Kingdom lies to the south of the continent. It’s a world power on par with the Kingdom. The Pope holds supremacy over this country and governs from the administrative organization known as the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary acts as the administrative body for the Holy Kingdom and as a training facility for Priests. Johann is from the Holy Kingdom.”

“Yes, I am,” Johann affirmed.

Aki had learned of the Sanctuary and their relationship to Priests from Arnold. She also knew Johann was a High Priest in the aforementioned organization. Leo placed his finger on the lower-middle right of the crescent continent.

“Lastly, this is where the Advanced Nations of Academia are. They focus on occupations related to research, the arts, and sciences. They have made the most progress in research pertaining to the study of magic. For generations, the Academy’s headmaster has served as the ruler of the Advanced Nations of Academia. The Academy is a magic school and the facility for training Mages.”

Leo paused to point to himself and proudly boast about his homeland. “And, being the Mage that I am, I’m a proud graduate of the Academy and resident of the Advanced Nations of Academia.”

That reminded Aki of how Arnold said Leo graduated as the top of his class at the Academy. Johann and Leo were both geniuses who had secured the best records in their countries.

Johann gestured to the Holy Kingdom and the Advanced Nations of Academia with his hand. “Allow me to return us to the main topic. The Sanctuary and Academy have established branch offices in every city. The Sanctuary Branch handles communication with Priest Adventurers, and the Academy Branch handles communication with Mage Adventurers dispatched across the world. They exist under the pretext of sharing and managing information of their fellow Mages and Priests who might otherwise be disconnected from each other during their travels.”

“Interesting,” Aki murmured.

The Sanctuary and Academy especially wanted Johann and Leo to drop by their branches with reports of their journey because they were key members of the Hero Party. Aki quickly wrote down a quick summary of their explanation in her notebook.

Primary World Powers

1. Kingdom: a monarchy ruled by a hereditary royal family who lives in the Imperial Capital. Elias and the Hero Party’s base.

2. Holy Kingdom: a theocracy ruled by the Pope who is the representative of the administrative organization-cum-Priest training facility known as the Sanctuary. Johann’s homeland.

3. Advanced Nations of Academia: a commonwealth governed by the headmaster of the administrative organization-cum-magic school known as the Academy. Leo’s homeland.

Aki put her fingers to her temple and groaned over how much she had to remember. Elias lightly patted her on the shoulder.

“Aki, don’t panic. You can remember things at your own pace. Oh, right, there is one thing left for me to tell you about though…” Elias held his finger out to Leo’s map. “Each one of these nations has characteristics unique to them. First of all, the Kingdom has a vast expanse of territory surrounding its Imperial Capital, and they are a politically strong nation. Contrary to them is the Holy Kingdom, which is a strongly religious nation with a united people. It has less territory than the Kingdom, but it’s distinguished by holding enough influence to match the Kingdom.”

“I see. The Kingdom and Holy Kingdom are the major world powers here then.” Aki recalled Arnold’s explanation was along those lines as well.

“You’re well-informed,” Elias complimented. “Lastly, you have the Advanced Nations of Academia, which is unique in their lack of interest in trying to influence the world. Perhaps it’s because they excel in research and education, they don’t care to pursue power. The rest of the world sees them as a nation of weirdoes.”

Elias tossed a glance in Leo’s direction. Leo looked disgusted. “Why’d you look at me, Az?! Are you suggesting I’m one of the weirdoes?” Leo snarled, calling Elias by his nickname.

Beside him, Johann got his piercing retort in without a moment’s delay. “The conversation goes much smoother when you are self-aware. Be that as it may, the Advanced Nations of Academia is a hotbed of intellectuals—if those weirdoes became serious, the Kingdom and the Holy Kingdom might not stand a chance against them. They possess the most recent innovations in magical technology; they may very well be the strongest nation of all.”

“That’s true.”

“You’ve got a point there.”

Elias and Leo agreed.

The Advanced Nations of Academia were technologically advanced, but the researchers and scholars who resided there put all their energies into advancing their research and development rather than focusing on the trivial pursuits of expanding dominion and political influence. Their lack of interest in power was what kept the equilibrium of power between the three nations.

Leo waved his hand, quickly erasing the floating map. “Our conversation ended up goin’ longer than I meant it to. M’kay, I’m off to Port City’s Academy Branch, and Johann has to show his face in the Sanctuary Branch. New information floods the branches all the time, and there are familiar faces there. I’ll ask if there’s any new information of note. See ya later.”

Leo waved and Johann lightly bowed his head before they disappeared into the throng of the busy city streets.

Once he saw them off, Elias turned to Aki. “In that case, shall we go shopping for things we’ll need on the journey? There’s a lot we need to gather like food and medicine.” Elias stopped talking to silently stare at the crowded streets.

Why did he suddenly stop talking? Is he playing out the best route to take to get to all the shops? Aki wondered.

Elias faced her and bashfully held out his left hand. “Um, the streets are very crowded, so I was thinking we wouldn’t get separated if we held hands…as long as you’re okay with it.”

“Eh?” she squeaked, unable to wrap her head around what he just said.

Is it just me or did I hear Elias ask to hold my hand? A-Am I hearing things now? Auditory hallucinations?!

Elias panicked at her blank expression and shook his right hand in front of his face in a flurry. “Ah, never mind. It was just something I thought would be a good idea, but I don’t mind if you are against it! I don’t have much experience walking around with a woman, so I’m not tactful when it comes to this kind of thing…”

Aki spontaneously lunged for Elias’ left hand before he could pull it away. It was his turn to draw a blank look. If she didn’t take his hand this time, she would never get another chance. She was unbearably embarrassed by it, but she wanted to honestly answer her desire to hold hands with the man she liked. If she let this opportunity slip by her, she’d surely regret it later.

“Aki, um…” Elias was incredibly nervous but had no intention of letting go of her hand. He stared at their clutched hands and smiled blissfully. “…Thank you.”

He released her hand for a moment to promptly wrap her right hand up in his left hand. Her heart skipped a beat at the feel of his large, manly hand and the convergence of warmth between their hands. The areas where they touched were ridiculously ticklish.

Embarrassment dyed her face bright-red. Elias must have felt the same way, because he was red to the tips of his ears and he kept his face averted from hers.

He’s embarrassed even though he’s the one who brought it up. Aki giggled at Elias adorable reaction.

He glanced at her awkwardly. “…Why are you laughing, Aki?”

“Because you’re so cute, Elias. I love that side of you,” Aki admitted and instantly froze. Didn’t she just blurt something incredibly ridiculous?

“What?” Elias looked her in the eyes and thoughtfully muttered, “Love…”

“Aaaagh! No! Elias, that’s not it! You could say that was a slip of the tongue just now! I love you as a friend! Yes, that’s what I meant by it!”

“O-Oh, is that what you meant? I love you very much as a friend too… Probably as much as, if not more than, you.”

“I-I see. Thank you…”

Aki and Elias silently faced each other until they both couldn’t stand to look at the other’s face and dropped their gaze. The more she came to learn about his different sides, the faster she found herself falling for him. But these were feelings she could never tell him. Were she to tell him, her feelings would only burden him because of his role as Hero.

I have to convince myself that just staying beside him like this is the best happiness for us. I can’t wish for any further development in our relationship.

Elias squeezed her hand and turned toward the marketplace. “All right, Aki, let’s make haste. We have a lot to buy today, so let’s do our best to make our rounds through the city and pick it all up.”

“Okay. By the way, Elias, you know what we need to buy, right?”

Aki had a nudging hunch that it was Leo and Johann’s job to buy and gather the necessary equipment and goods. The two of them had a better head on their shoulders for things like this. Her hunch was on the mark, because the side of his face stiffened.

“Uh, o-of course I know what we need! I just need to mimic what Leo and Johann always buy and we’ll be good…I think.”

“I knew it! You don’t have a clue what we need!”

We’re screwed. Aki put her hand to her head. It looks like I’ll have to think of what we need without relying on Elias. Our prospects of success are grim, but it’ll be fun to go shopping with Elias. This feels kind of like a date.

Wait, did I just think of it as a date?! Heat rushed to her cheeks at her casual thought. No, no, no! This isn’t a date. It’s preparing for our trip! We’re just going out together because it’s what’s needed of us as members of the Hero Party. Yup, that’s it.

She tried to convince herself otherwise, but once she thought of their excursion as a date, her heart wouldn’t stop racing. Wasn’t she taking too much advantage of her job by monopolizing the Hero for a date?

As she tried to keep her expression flat and her lips from curling into a girlish smile, her body was tugged forward with tremendous power knocking the wind out of her when Elias stepped forward. His inhuman strength yanked her forward, slamming her nose heavily against his broad back.

“Mmph! O-Ow!”

Something happened. But what the heck happened? All I know is that my nose kills! And tears are welling in my eyes! This is brutal!

Equally astonished by what happened, Elias looked over his shoulder at Aki in surprise. “Aki?! S-Sorry! I misjudged my strength,” he apologized and deeply bowed to her.

Aki rubbed her nose with one hand and thrust the index finger of her other hand at his nose in exasperation. “Elias!”

“Y-Yes, ma’am?!”

“When you hold hands with a lady, please lead her gently to the best of your ability. Especially since you have inhuman strength! Putting in just a smidgen of strength from you is equal to ten people’s full strength.”

“Y-You are absolutely right…” He hung his head and let her chide him.

Aki folded her arms in a daunting pose and narrowed her eyes at him. “Elias, where is my apology?”

“I’m sorry…”

Elias’ despondent reaction was so cute. Aki couldn’t hold back her laughter. For all he was revered and feared as the illustrious Hero, the real Elias was genuine, honest, and slightly quirky.

He watched Aki bend forward holding her stomach in a fit of laughter with astonishment. His boyish behavior invited even more laughter from her.

“You really are cute, Elias! I understand why everyone loves you!”

I’m certain everyone can’t help getting involved with the kind, strong, reliable yet somewhat insecure Hero. He has a side that rouses a woman’s maternal instincts too.

Aki wiped away the tears from too much laughter.

“Cute…” he repeated what she said with a disconcerted expression.

“Is something wrong?”

Did she say something that bothered him?

He lifted his face and said, with all the seriousness in the world, “No. I want you to think of me as suave rather than cute. What must I do for you to view me that way?”

“Huh?”

Y-You’re asking me that?! Here stands the living embodiment of an oblivious man! Does he understand what he just asked me? Depending on how you interpret it, some people could take that as a love confession! But I’m certain Elias doesn’t understand that. Absolutely no way no how. I can bet my life on it. That’s why I can’t be swayed by his every action and words! I need to keep my wits about me…

Utterly ignorant of the storm Aki was trying to calm inside herself, Elias gently grabbed her hand and walked forward, saying, “Okay, let’s try this again.”

He took two, then three steps before gingerly looking back at Aki as if to ask whether it was going okay this time. “Aki, does this work for you?”

“Yes! It’s good! Very good,” she playfully responded and walked a step behind him as he led her by the hand. She admired his face as they walked along the street leading to the square.

“Say, Elias, where are we going first?”

They had a lot of different things to shop for, requiring them to hit various shops.

Elias put his free hand to his chin. “The first things I can think of are the curio shop and reserving ourselves an inn for the night. Also, once we’ve taken care of that, I was thinking of stopping by the Adventurers’ Guild.”

“The Adventurers’ Guild?”

“Yup. It’s the place where Adventurers gather to exchange information. It feels like a café or a bar inside. You can accept various Quests from civilians inside the Guild. You’ll receive payment and a bonus corresponding to the Quest if you succeed. Adventurers live off the payments they receive from Quests.”

“Hmm. Sounds like an employment agency.”

Did Elias, Leo, and Johann all go to the Adventurers’ Guild to raise their levels by accepting Quests? I wish I could look back and see what they were like as novice Adventurers. I wonder if there are any Quests I can accept. I want to try it out if there’s something I’m capable of. I’ll consult Elias about it when we drop by the Guild, Aki thought as she walked through the city hand in hand with Elias.