BSS 125

Chapter 125

I absolutely detested being the center of attention. If I liked it so much, I would have already gone around announcing Ria and Endailon to the world.

All I wanted was to live freely, my way, but apparently, I was now some “holy saint” nonsense.

[It’s not you! Master!]

I wanted to deny reality so badly that my mind was halfway gone.

I wandered straight ahead like a zombie, and after Ria grabbed my coat collar, I semi-automatically ended up back at the inn. I had no memory of how I got there.

“Jinny-san.”

“Ah…”

As I entered the inn like a zombie, Ash, who was in the first-floor dining area, acknowledged me with a casual wave, but I was so spaced out that I couldn’t think about anything.

It felt like… my dumb mistake had been uploaded to a video site and somehow racked up fifteen million views.

“Um, are you okay?”

“…Ah.”

“Your complexion…”

I had forgotten how to speak for a moment, so I just nodded vaguely. Seeing this, Ash came closer and looked down at me with concern.

“Did something happen outside?”

Sigh… Ash, that good kid. Still so kindhearted. Nice to see you, friend. But that’s one thing—right now, I was kind of in shock.

I gave his chest a light tap with a nervous glance and headed up the stairs.

I needed to lie down in my room first. My stomach felt twisted, like I might have a sudden fit of anger or frustration.

“Ah, you’re back! Jinny-san, the mage tower is…”

On my way, I passed by Lox.

“Huh? Jinny-san?”

“…Huh?”

“What about our telegram?”

“Telegram?”

“You said you’d check whether the telegram sent by the group had arrived.”

Right. I’d left the kid behind as an excuse. To form actual words, I had to drag my out-of-body spirit back from wherever it had wandered.

“Hasn’t arrived.”

I’d confirmed as soon as I reached the mage tower that no telegram had arrived for Ash either.

“I see. Thank you. And Eini is with Chad in the stables. She wanted to greet her mom, I hear.”

“Hey, Lox.”

“Yes?”

“You’re smart, right?”

“Hmm, how could I say that myself…”

“Then you must know Jinny Crowell well.”

“Who doesn’t? She’s the most famous person on the continent right now.”

I see. I was the only one who didn’t know. After spending months in the wilderness, the world felt strangely unfamiliar.

Two months in Dragon Rare, then a whole month getting out of the forest as vast as the sea.

Returning after three months, I suddenly found myself famous. Really famous.

“Nowadays, when daughters are born, naming them Jinny is a huge trend. Even though it was already common among commoners, it seems like one in five girls are given the name.”

“…Huh.”

So my name was public property. It felt strange, even if I hadn’t patented it. Not only did it coincide by chance—they were doing it on purpose.

“Why do you ask that?”

“I… had been somewhere with no news for a while, so I had no idea.”

“Oh! What a pity. You haven’t heard the incredible story! It’s so touching, so heroic!”

Ah, I was actually there.

Seeing my disinterest, Lox, clearly annoyed, suddenly raised his voice and began a long-winded lecture. He seemed to truly believe the glorified rumors about me. A hopeless know-it-all.

“Jinny Crowell! Let me tell you about her! She willingly threw herself before the dragon, saving not only His Majesty the Emperor but also the greatest nobles of the continent! A goddess of courage and sacrifice! A noble and sublime hero of this age!”

“Wait… I think I’m going to vomit.”

“The name that shakes the continent! She must be the reincarnation of a goddess!”

I clearly remember… just a passing, ordinary high school girl.

“Is it really necessary to praise me that much…?”

“Of course! Everyone reveres her as a saint!”

I just acted to survive—why was it being blown up and overanalyzed like this? I finally understood how heroic myths get exaggerated.

“My goodness! Say such things in public and you’ll be stoned! Her followers are countless. Even the children on the streets grow up singing legends about her. They’ve even built huge statues at her alma mater!”

The dean wouldn’t allow this.

“Ah, if only I could touch that statue once, I’d have no more wishes. I’ve also heard rumors that the locals in the Crowell estate make souvenirs to sell. If our schedule allowed, I’d definitely visit… sadly, Dmitri’s route is exactly the opposite.”

“By the way, Lox, are you one of her followers too?”

“Of course! I even joined the fan club!”

Whoever made that, I’ll deal with them if I catch them.

“Finding someone who isn’t a follower is harder. Many nobles are among them. The nobles who witnessed the start of the legend are not few. All of them are moved to tears and donate huge sums, thanks to her! They might as well have been given new life!”

“…Donate? To where?”

“To the Crowell family. Originally a small, unknown barony, recently elevated to a countship.”

Seeing he knew so much, he really was a fan. Lox, who I thought was normal, now seemed like a fool absorbed in a cult.

Ugh, this worries me. Ash! Are you going to be okay? How will you become a prince like this!

“They poured enormous donations into Crowell, and a small shrine was built in Jinny Crowell’s honor. That was the original intent… but lately, extreme followers have gathered, and it’s treated almost like a religion. Well, just rumors.”

Information in this world spread mostly by word of mouth. Three months ago, this was probably the peak of the chaos.

Looking at Lox, whose eyes sparkled with admiration and praise, I vowed to hide my identity. Act like I’m not Jinny Crowell. Act like I don’t know the origin of the rumors. Act like an ordinary person… impossible.

“The radical followers claim that the reason she could block the dragon’s breath was thanks to the god’s blessing. Numerous witnesses claimed to see a massive divine shield, all high-ranking nobles. Very credible, they say.”

[Haah.]

Does it become credible just because a noble says it?

A divine shield… and now Ria, lying lazily beside me. Acting like a carefree stray dog.

[Did you hear, Ria? You’re the divine shield.]

[Apparently, he thinks his strength is divine power. Not really, but humans can’t really tell the difference. They confuse spirits and magic too.]

[Annoying… If only there had been a spirit mage there, maybe they would’ve noticed.]

[Unlikely. Spirit energy is far harder to detect than magical energy. Even among spirit mages, different elemental specialties are hard to distinguish.]

Nothing about this situation pleased me.

Even though they were praising me, I didn’t want it. That’s why.

I never asked to be called a saint. I didn’t ask for donations. I didn’t care about fame. They assumed I was dead and went crazy.

Anything done without my consent annoyed me.

“Hey! You’re back.”

Chad appeared with a displeased expression, tilting slightly. Eini, comfortably nestled in his arms, looked happier and more relaxed than when she was with me.

Her hair was beautifully braided by someone, and she smiled brighter than I’d ever seen.

She’s only happy when I’m not around, isn’t she?

“She’s eaten, and she wanted to explore the village, so I thought I’d ask you if it was okay.”

“Explore the village, huh.”

“I thought we should get your permission first.”

Chad, with arms twice the thickness of my thigh, lightly set Eini down in front of me, as if placing an empty box.

Eini glanced at me, then looked down, then turned and looked up at Chad, murmuring:

“Unni… can I… go explore the village? I want to go.”

“Hm, didn’t you say you wanted to go with mom? You said you didn’t like cities and all.”

“…That’s because! I got scared suddenly… so…”

Eini always seemed unusually shy with me.

She clung easily to Chad or Ash but struggled to make eye contact with me.

I wasn’t jealous. I just shook my head, having promised Anel Unni that Eini would be safe.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to go out with Chad. Let’s go later, together.”

Objectively, leaving the girl with a man I met yesterday wasn’t a good choice. A quick look would’ve been fine, but sending them out alone wasn’t something I liked.

“Why! I want to go with mister!”

“I said I’ll take you, didn’t I?”

“If I go with unni… then… it won’t be fun! You’ll scold me again! Stop me from doing everything! Annoy me!”

The kid hit the nail on the head.

“Hey… Eini? People should have at least some conscience. That’s too much of a burden on Chad.”

“…I like mister!”

“You don’t like me?”

“Unni… it’s not that I dislike you… I just think you’d get annoyed and not take me.”

Ouch, that hit a sore spot. She even looked like she might cry while saying it.

Kids are the worst.

“Hey, why are you being like that to her?”

What did I do? Chad treated me like a villain.

“Don’t push a kid beyond their comfort.”

Oh… not him either.

“It’s tough to care for a child that isn’t your blood. If you’re okay with it, I’ll take her out. I don’t mind. We have plenty of time here, and with three younger sisters, I’m good with kids.”

“Right. Jinny-san, Chad has three younger sisters. You can trust him. I guarantee it! Look, he even braided her hair.”

“…Surprisingly skilled, huh?”

Lox was actively pushing Chad to help resolve the situation.

“Of course! With three younger sisters, our youngest is exactly this kid’s age.”

“Can I go out with mister?”

Eini’s face lit up. But I wasn’t completely sure I could trust Chad yet.

What to do… if I said no, she’d probably cry again…

Naturally, my eyes met Ash’s. He had been watching me.

“Ash, what do you think? Can I trust Chad and let him take her?”

“You’re asking me?”

“Yes. He’s part of your group.”

You’re the only one I trust here. If it’s your opinion, I might go with it.

“Chad started mercenary work to marry off his sisters. I trust him. But trust isn’t something that comes easily to someone who hasn’t experienced it. You can’t force it either.”

“Then?”

“I think it’s better if we all go together.”

These men… are they carefree or just ridiculously kind? From that moment, Eini seemed completely excited.