I Am Not the Heroine

I wanted to move right away, but due to everyone’s insistence, I ended up lying down for another day.

The one who helped me the most during this time was none other than the maid in charge.

“Okay, aaah.”

“I can eat by myself…”

“Mm. Aaah.”

“…Aaah, aah.”

“Good job.”
As I obediently followed her commands, the maid smiled and patted my head.

I looked at her with a confused expression, but it had no effect.

“If you didn’t want this, you shouldn’t have overdone it, right?”

“I didn’t overdo it…”

“Then get up and show me your swordsmanship form 1. If you can’t do it, that means you overdid it.”

“Eh.”

No way, even Ariana and Rapirie couldn’t do swordsmanship form 1.
Even with my incredulous expression, the maid maintained her smile.

“Anyway, you’re leaving the city soon, so you should rest until then.”
She patted my head one last time before taking the empty plate and leaving the room.

Once again, silence filled the room.

“Ugh…”

And with the absence of even a conversational partner, I began to groan.

“I’m bored…”

Not that I had anything to do besides lying down.

In fact, I was filled with the desire to move, but maybe it was because I was experiencing exhaustion for the first time in a long while that the backlash hit me hard.
Even when I tried to get up from the bed and walk, my legs would immediately lose strength.

As a result, imagining taking a walk was out of the question.
Yet, trying to think of something to do while sitting in one place reminded me that I had spent the last few years solely on magic research, leaving my mind blank.

“If only my mana could recover a bit…”

But the principle of the Ultimate Star-spear required a certain amount of mana to be stored before it could send it to me, leaving me with no choice but to wait silently.

“Uhhh… Master Key, save me…”

Because both the Master Key and the Pen were in the Space of Space, I couldn’t call for them.
Even apart from that, all the materials and magical tools were stored away, so I couldn’t even play with them.

In the end, all I could do was blankly stare out the window.

“Now that I think about it, today Count Alphares is throwing a festival.”

I heard Count Alphares was hosting a festival to reward the combat troops who fought against the Demon Race and the Hero party.
I also heard that additional rewards were planned for those who directly participated in the battle.

“Externally, it looks like a festival born from embezzlement and hardship…”

“That’s a bit unfortunate.”

“Hyah.”

Startled by the sudden voice of the Count, I quickly glanced at the door.
And regrettably, the person in question stood there with an awkward expression.

What on earth is he doing here?
“Well, it’s his house, so he can come.”

“The maid said that Lady Rui is awake, so I came to have a word with you.”

“Ah, um, I’m sorry…”

“No, it’s fine. I’ve been aware of this myself.”
Count Wainer Alphares said, adjusting his ample belly and unkempt beard.
“It’s only natural for someone who governs a city and represents a family to manage their appearance. However, if I must make excuses, I’ve been too busy recently.”

I wondered how busy he could have been, to not even manage himself, with so many servants at his disposal.
“Of course, there’s the politics and economy expected of a noble, and now there’s a new headache called the Demon Race and Magical Creatures.”

“Oh.”

“I just got up from my desk after reviewing documents to submit to His Majesty regarding the Fortress incident.”

The Fortress incident ended just two days ago.
Thinking about how he had been frantically handling jobs since then, it seemed he had been almost sleepless for two days.

“…”

I genuinely felt sorry.
I too had stayed up many nights for research.
Each time, I recalled the vivid memories of barely making it through exhaustion.
But that was at least something I chose for myself.
Conversely, Count Alphares wasn’t doing this by choice…

“I’m sorry…”

“No, I’m the one who should apologize. I caused my wife and daughter worry, so this is a problem I must solve.”
Now that I thought about it, I remembered that Count Alphares’s wife was quite beautiful. Surely, it made sense.
A man of great character and sincerity would naturally attract a beauty!

“Anyway, I came to see you, Lady Rui, to ask you a question.”

“What is it?”

“Lady Rui, who are you?”

*

“I’m sorry, but the moment I received information that you joined the Hero party, I started looking into your past.”

“…”

“However, nothing came out. There were no magical tools, and even using traditional methods with informers yielded nothing.”

“Is that so.”
It couldn’t be helped.
I’ve hardly shown my face in any public activities for a long time.
Ever since I descended from my mentor’s nest, I had only intermittently interacted with the outside world. Hence, very few knew about me.

‘But it’s not like no one knows.’
There are certainly those who know me.
So if Count Alphares had targeted them, he could have found out about my past perfectly.
However, even if he was aware, it wouldn’t have been easy for him to approach them.
Because some individuals who had information about me weren’t easily accessible by someone like the Count.

“Over the past year, the Hero party was made up of four members, and they surged through every battle without fail. I personally entrusted the city’s fate to them. But the Hero party that entered the city had five members.”

An unexpected mage joined the party.
It was understandable for Count Alphares to hold suspicions.
If I held anti-imperial sentiments, or even worse, if I were a disguised Demon, the fate of the city would be apparent.

“So I conducted background checks on you. However, no information came out, and my suspicions about your abilities have been resolved by now.”

“…”

“I apologize for doing something unseemly to a hero who saved the city.”

“No, I would have done the same.”
That was true.
I felt no emotion towards the fact that he had investigated me.
‘Rather, the only thing I felt was a sense of disconnect from his kind and sincere demeanor.’
It felt like I was finally seeing a true noble.
In fact, even now, he seemed to be on the kinder side for someone of noble status.

“The Hero party receives the Emperor’s blessing, so naturally, they attract undesired attention. I think it’s only natural considering the burdens they carry.”

“Thank you.”

“So, are you curious about my identity?”
If he wanted, I could share some information.
But Count Alphares shook his head.

“No, as long as you saved the city, it bears no meaning to me. Just…”

“Just?”

“Do you know the names [Great Mage] and [White Smith]?”
Those familiar terms caught my attention.
“I heard that the mysterious great mage protects the Imperial Palace, and an anonymous mage who creates astonishing magical tools that shock the world every time.”
“…I know them well.”

“I hope you are neither of those two.”

“Why is that?”

“Then it would indicate that another star has been born to protect the Empire.”

“…I see.”
“That’s all I wanted to ask. Please rest well.”

With that, Count Alphares stepped out of the room.
Once again, as silence engulfed the room, I pondered over his words.
“…I’m sorry, but your wish can’t come true.”

Because I am [White Smith].
One of the aliases I had used to sell the magical tools I created before joining the Hero party was [White Smith].
The reason for that name was simple.
I had white hair and crafted magical tools like a blacksmith.
‘Who would have thought Count Alphares knew about [White Smith]?’
[White Smith] was an alias I used only for the top-tier magical tools.
I sold prototypes or lower-quality versions under different names each time, so the value behind the name [White Smith] had risen significantly.
Even so, unless one was well-connected in the industry or wealthy enough to buy tools from [White Smith], they wouldn’t have known, leading to my complacency.
“Thinking about it, Count Alphares would fit the bill just right.”

Anyway, because of that, I would have to shatter Count Alphares’s hopes.
[Great Mage] is…
“…Well, not exactly.”
In that moment, a woman’s face popped into my mind: my older sister’s cheeky smile.
Just thinking about it brought a bit of anger.
“Well, she should be managing just fine on her own.”
No way would she forget her duties just because I left.
Choosing to send off my guests, I returned to gazing out the window, trying to pass time.
“Eh?”
“Hehe. Aren’t you bored?”
Suddenly, I spotted a familiar elf outside the window.
It was Rapirie.
“Why are you here?”
“I came to hang out since I thought you might be bored.”
Really?
In that case, I’m genuinely touched.
“Hey, judging by your tears, seems like you came right on time, huh?”
“Who’s crying?”
“Well, it seems your hair is white.”
“Ugh.”
“Aha! By the way, come over here. Look down there.”
“Down?”
“Lady Rui~!”
“Rui, are you feeling okay?”
“Ariana, Serelin.”
Three heroines had come to visit me, concerned for my well-being.
Of course, they had come separately over the past days, but the fact that they came together this time moved me even more.
“The hero is…?”
“Aswel? He said he’s busy having dinner with the higher-ups, so he couldn’t come.”
The high-ranking elf said nonchalantly.
It looked like the hero had politely declined this sudden gathering. If not, the heroines wouldn’t have acted so sulkily.
“So, today we’re going to have fun as girls, especially since there’s a festival.”
“I see.”
But sadly, I didn’t have the strength to go see the festival.
“That said, I have to ask, Rui, if you move even a bit, will you die?”
“Eh?”
The utterly ridiculous question led to an airless answer.
“No way that would happen…”
“Really? Then hop on my back?”
“…??”
“Let’s go see the festival!”
“Wh-what? Ah.”
Before I could even process her one-sided question, Rapirie motioned for me.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew around, pushing me towards Rapirie.
“Thanks, everyone!”
Everyone? Could it be the spirits?
In that state, Rapirie leaped down with me on her back, and without even having a robe on, I had to cling to her helplessly.
“As you’re being quietly carried around, you appear cuter than usual.”
“So true, hehe.”
“Don’t tease me.”
“Where should we go?”
“Well, shouldn’t our hero decide on the destination?”
“I agree. Lady Rui has the right to choose!”
“Ah, then there’s that magic material I was keeping my eye on…”
“Anything but the magic material shop! Anything but the magical tool shop! Anything but the magic whatever!”
“………”
There was a slight disagreement, but overall, it was an enjoyable experience.
Thanks to Serelin and Rapirie taking turns in carrying me, the four of us could enjoy the festival.
‘This is fun.’
Thanks to them, at this moment, nothing else came to mind.
Not memories of my past life, nor the original story, nor even magic.
If anything came to mind… it was only the remaining party member who wasn’t here.
‘It would be nice if the hero could join us next time.’
And so, I reveled in the festival day, and the next day arrived.
“I can move.”
“What a shame…”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing, just take your time and hold my hand before standing up?”
“No, I can stand on my own… fine, I’ll hold it.”
Thanks to the maid’s help, I slowly began to walk, gradually extending my active hours, and just like that, two days later, we were able to leave Count Alphares’s mansion.

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