Chapter 78:Do you want to go together? (7)

“…I see.”  

Hearing my words, Kalia nodded.  

The four seemed to fully agree with what I said.  

Well, the situation in Irellexia was just as bad, if not worse, than mine.  

Of course, it’s not like no one in this country starves to death, but at least there are some basic welfare policies being implemented here. On the other hand, the slums in Irellexia were much more dangerous an actual place where thieves existed.  

Not that there were many thieves foolish enough to target a party of heroes like ours, but just the fact that such people existed in the slums showed how difficult life there must have been.  

Of course, the church was consistently running relief efforts, and as the battles with the Demon King’s army were nearing their end, the kingdom began to shift its focus back to domestic issues.

Even the Mage Tower promised its support, so the situation would likely improve over time.  

Still, under those circumstances, the poor had no time for hobbies or leisure. They were too busy just trying to survive and put food in their mouths.  

Maybe a noble raised in luxury wouldn’t understand, but Kalia, who had worked as a knight maintaining law and order and had apprehended thieves in the slums herself, seemed to deeply empathize with what I was saying.  

“Even so, the security here is better than in the kingdom…”  

“Better security doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easier to make a living.”  

Kalia crossed her arms and nodded.  

“Hmph.”  

A sudden sniffle broke the silence, and when I turned to look, Fia was wiping the corners of her eyes.  

“I didn’t realize you went through something like that. I’m sorry…”  

“Oh, uh, no, you don’t need to react like that…”  

I was flustered by Fia’s response as she spoke, her eyes glistening with tears.  

Now that I think about it, didn’t Fia mention she grew up in poverty as well? If the church hadn’t discovered her talent, she might have died in some unknown corner of the world.  

That must be why she resonated so strongly with my words.  

“This world isn’t one where wealth is shared equally,” I remarked.  

Dana nodded in agreement. She already had a rough understanding of this world’s circumstances from what I had told her.  

“It’s a tragic reality.”  

Arna, too, spoke with a troubled expression. In truth, Arna was probably the one who found it hardest to relate to my story. After all, the Elven Nation was different from the kingdom.

Not that I thought everything in the Elven Nation was perfect there were still power struggles and cases of crime, with some individuals even being exiled.  

Still, it’s not like she couldn’t understand humans at all.

She had learned much through her interactions with people in the kingdom. Even though she had initially followed us around with a disapproving look, she eventually learned how to mingle with people at taverns.  

“……”  

For a moment, the living room fell silent.  

“Ahem.”  

Feeling a bit uncomfortable with the silence, I cleared my throat to break it. If everyone stayed quiet now, it would feel like it was my fault.  

Well, technically, it *was* because I’d brought up such a heavy topic.  

Even so, I didn’t want anyone to pity me for my past. After all, it was because of that life that I met my mom and sister. I may not have had money, but I had my own kind of happiness back then.  

If anything, it was after coming back to this world and suddenly possessing so much wealth that I felt an overwhelming sense of emptiness on the very first day.  

What I truly wanted what I always wanted wasn’t money.  

It was the time spent with my mom and sister, who gave me those cherished memories.  

“And the comrades who risked their lives alongside me.  

It’s such a relief that at least they recognized me right away.  

Honestly, if I could give up all the wealth I have right now in exchange for my mom and sister understanding who I really am, I’d do it without hesitation.  

But since that wasn’t possible, I chose this body. I chose this future.  

Ah.  

I see.  

Maybe… maybe I regret that final moment.  

Even though I longed so desperately to return to this world, I ended up losing the very reason I wanted to come back.  

The fact that I… died in this world.  

If I hadn’t thrown myself into that moment…  

I could have stayed with my sister—  

No.  

No, it’s useless to think about what’s already happened. Changing the past is impossible, even for the goddess herself.  

Besides, if I hadn’t done what I did that day, that child would have died.  

And Irellexia… it might not have been able to defeat the Demon King.  

So, it’s something I shouldn’t regret.  

“Ah.”  

After clearing my throat to break the silence, I realized my comrades were staring at me expectantly.  

“Well, uh, so…”  

I fumbled for words, trying to figure out how to keep the conversation going. How could I reassure them?  

“What I’m saying is… you don’t have to worry about it too much. Whatever you choose to do will make me happy. It’s not like you’d go out of your way to mess with me.”  

“…..”  

My comrades stared at me for a moment, then,  

“Hm. It seems like we can’t just let this slide after all.”

“Huh?”  

Not understanding what she meant, I asked, and this time, Fia spoke up.  

“We can’t let your birthday go unnoticed.”  

“W-Wait, what?”  

“Yeah, pretending we don’t know is just stupid,” Dana chimed in.  

“Huh?”  

And then Dana added,  

“There’s no such thing as a being in this world who doesn’t like something. Even the beasts in the forest know what they like.”  

Finally, Arna wrapped it all up.  

“Indeed.”  

I was left completely at a loss for what to say, but before I could respond, Kalia jumped in.  

“Sure, you have to work on your actual birthday, so that can’t be helped. But on your day off that week, make some time for us.”  

“Make time? For what?”  

“Are you seriously asking that?” 

“To figure out what you actually like, of course. It’s not that you don’t have anything you like it’s that you just don’t know what it is.”  

“Uh…”  

Is that how it works?  

“If we spend the whole day looking, we’re bound to discover at least one thing you truly enjoy!” 

Fia clenched her fists tightly and said,  

“Alright, we’ll do our best to prepare things you’ll like. You might get pestered by us the whole day, but just bear with it for that much.”  

“Uh…”  

I knew I had to say something in response, but I had no idea what to say.  

Seeing me like that, Arna chuckled softly.  

“Well, we’ve only been in this world for about a month now, but we’ve learned a thing or two about it. And, believe it or not, we’ve spent five years with you.”  

When I looked at Arna, she shrugged her shoulders once.  

“Do you really think that after five years, we wouldn’t know your tastes or habits? Even if I look like this, I take pride in my observation skills. So, just leave that one day to us.”  

“…..”  

I couldn’t find words for a while, but eventually, I stammered out,  

“Th-thank you…”  

Hearing that, I suddenly felt a little embarrassed.  

No, not just a little extremely embarrassed.  

For some reason, the things I used to say back in Irellexia came to mind.  

“Well, there’s no need to thank us.”  

Just as everyone was smiling at my response, Kalia quickly spoke up.  

“Actually, the truth is we’re going to have to spend your money for now. I think we’ll end up spending quite a bit that day. Don’t worry; we’ll pay it back someday… probably.”  

At Kalia’s words, everyone subtly avoided my gaze.  

Oh, right.  

The money we were using right now was mine. Well, not something I’d earned, but rather money I received from the Goddess… Would the Goddess be mad if I thought about it like that?  

“Ugh, seriously!”  

Finally, Dana spoke up.  

“I was pretending not to notice on purpose! Didn’t want to ruin the mood! What kind of noble doesn’t have any tact?!”  

“It’s not that I lack tact; I’m deliberately weighing every single thing. Even if I look like this, I’m still a knight. The war’s over, so I’m actually the knight commander now. Do you really want me to act like some sly older brother?”  

“No, but still!”  

Watching the two of them bicker, Fia let out a burst of laughter. Arna also chuckled softly.  

…Yeah.  

Being with the four of them like this was always fun. Whether at a tavern or even during those grueling days on the battlefield.  

They were always reliable companions and friends.  

…It was too embarrassing to say it out loud, but if I were honest, just being able to spend this birthday with you all feels like the greatest gift.