Prologue

* * *

“The hero has raised a rebellion in the palace!”

The usually bustling and lively capital city was in turmoil today for a different reason.

Children were carrying newspapers, shouting, “Newspapers for sale, only 10 fairy tales!” and the adults were all aware of the news to the extent that they didn’t even glance at it. There were even some who, belatedly realizing the situation, gave money to the children and bought newspapers.

“Well, well, what in the world…?”

Those who belatedly grasped the situation sighed in disbelief.

Then they began to spread the word.

It was a special event, and a very interesting one at that!

Everywhere you went, people were discussing the same story. That’s how urgent the current situation was.

The story was about ‘that hero’ plotting a rebellion, and it ended successfully.

It had all happened in just half a day.

However, it was far too easy for the hero who had killed the Demon King to seize the palace.

…Apart from the moral question of whether a hero should do such a thing.

Even the bustling daytime tavern couldn’t escape from that topic. A man with a flushed nose and a wagging tongue slammed his beer glass down, then cupped his ears and leaned inwards.

“The hero? You mean that commoner knight who killed the Demon King? You must be mistaken, it’s not me who’s drunk, it’s you.”

Perhaps due to being excessively intoxicated within the bar’s obliviousness to the outside world, he looked at the man who informed him with a puzzled expression.

Then, the man, feeling frustrated, tapped his chest and said,

“No, listen carefully. Apparently, the hero is the surviving son of the former Emperor, with the royal insignia as proof.”

“Well, even if that’s true, wouldn’t he be the Emperor publicly and his uncle privately?”

“No, think about it. The Demon King appeared suddenly during this current Emperor’s reign, right? It was also strange that the former Emperor died suddenly. So, wasn’t the appearance of the Demon King also part of the current Emperor’s scheme?”

“Even so, why would the hero, who has been quiet all this time, suddenly…”

The man who had been listening uncomfortably shook his head. His doubts were reasonable. The hero had saved the village from the demon, and ultimately killed the Demon King, saving the world.

But that was a whopping three years ago.

Even the finest sword would rust if left unattended for three years. The hero’s reputation was no exception.

If the Emperor really was behind the summoning of the Demon King and the hero was considering rebellion against the imperial family, it should have been right after the Demon King’s suppression.

Then, as if understanding, the man nodded his head and looked around before shouting loudly,

“I heard the Emperor killed the hero’s lover!”

“Phew!” (Spitting sound!)

I involuntarily spat out the drink I had been holding in my mouth while eavesdropping on the conversation at the next table.

What? A lover? With that guy?

“Hey, miss. Are you mocking the hero right now? People can’t stand that! He’s the one who killed the Demon King for us!”

“Oh, no… I mean…”

The gaze of everyone in the tavern turned to me. Even though he might have rebelled, the level of his fame was intimidating. Before I could be intimidated by the looks, I quickly raised both hands.

“I-I’m just surprised that the hero has a lover! Can temple people even get married?”

“Well, they’re chosen by the gods, not actual clergy, so of course they can get married! Why are young people so closed-minded these days!”

“Hehe…”

I forced a smile, trying to lift the corners of my mouth.

Well, he’s the hero after all!

‘I mean, I’m the only one who knows there’s no woman by the hero’s side…’

Because I’ve been by the hero’s side day in and day out, even sleeping for 365 days a year.

“Me? Am I? …Am I the only one?”

I’d rather Adam right now say, “Eve, I didn’t know you were such an axolotl,” and tease me. I knew he would never do that based on his personality, but I wanted to escape from this situation at least to that extent.

Not a lover… No.

Not even dead.

I looked up at a window in the upper right corner.

Adam Leonhardt
Stress 99%: Potential Rampage Detected.
Lower the stress index immediately
and take responsibility for the hero’s welfare!

“Sigh…”

How can I make his stress index drop? It’s back to its peak after just one month!

Taking responsibility for that welfare, I died once already. I don’t know if I should hang myself the second time.

Stress – 87%

Stress – 72%

Stress – 51%

“Huh?”

The numbers were rapidly decreasing. I sprang up from my seat.

Excited reactions were erupting from a corner of the noisy tavern.

I pulled my hood down tightly and attempted to leave. He probably already noticed me, but it was like grasping at straws.

The most famous figure in the capital city.

“…Eve.”

The hero, Adam Leonhardt.

No, now he should be called the true heir to the throne…

“So, you’re alive after all.”

A trembling voice. It was so pitiful that I couldn’t help but turn to look at him.

It felt like we were the only two left in this noisy space.

Amidst this surreal situation, Adam stepped forward and stood in front of me like a solid rock.

“Did you not come back because you didn’t want to? Everything is fine now that it’s all over. The people who could threaten you… I’ve already killed them all.”

He took my hand and smiled like sunshine. It was a beautiful smile, but I couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat.

“Crazy. You’re the hero, and I’m just an ordinary transmigrator!”

If you’re obsessed, won’t you change genres?