The Lowest-Ranked Hero Has Returned

Chapter 129: Summer Vacation (1)

Dormitory Building A, where only the children of high-ranking officials from the three nations live.

"What was that guy\'s room number again...?"

As I walked down the spacious hallway, I glanced around.

Of course, I wasn’t wandering around lost, looking for the room where I spent the last week with Yurina.

The room I was heading to now wasn’t Yurina’s, but another candidate’s.

‘This place is ridiculously big.’

After wandering around the vast Dormitory A for quite a while, I finally arrived at the room I had been searching for.

‘He didn’t head back home right after vacation started, did he?’

I lightly knocked on the door.

Knock knock.

A refined sound echoed from the door made of high-quality wood.

Of course, a fancy dormitory would have a different class of door.

My door would creak obnoxiously whenever it was knocked on... I was thinking this when—

Click.

The door opened, and a handsome blond man appeared.

"Oh, Dale?"

Juliet, surprised by my unannounced visit, looked at me with a startled expression.

"What brings you here?"

"I’ve got something to give you."

"Something to give...?"

Juliet’s gaze fell on the heavy leather bag I was holding.

"Can I give it to you inside?"

"Uh, yeah! Of course! Come in!"

The first impression of Juliet’s room was that it was ‘pretty.’

The living room was filled with cute decorations, and one corner of the room was neatly lined with flower pots.

‘Honestly, this looks more like a girl’s room than Iris or Yurina’s.’

I chuckled, thinking how much it suited Juliet’s personality.

"Want something to drink? Coffee? Or tea?"

"Coffee."

"Okay. Just a moment."

While I waited on the sofa for a bit, Juliet brought over a cute coffee cup with a cat pattern on it.

"So, what is it you’re giving me?"

"Here, this."

I handed over the heavy bag filled with gold.

Of course, though it\'s called \'gold,\' it wasn’t actual gold.

‘They say 500 years ago they used actual gold coins.’

After a currency reform, now only the name remained as \'gold,\' while the currency was made of paper and used as common money across the three nations.

"This is... gold?"

"Yeah. I’m paying back the 1 million gold I borrowed, plus 200,000 gold in interest, so a total of 1.2 million gold."

"Huh? Why are you giving me this...?"

"What do you mean why? Don’t you remember lending me money?"

"Oh."

Juliet let out a low gasp as he recalled the forgotten memory.

"You’re really going to repay me?"

"I said I would, didn’t I?"

Well, to be honest, when I borrowed it, I had no intention of paying it back.

But after getting to know Juliet and watching him change over time, I changed my mind.

"..."

Even though Juliet was staring at the heavy bag full of gold, his expression wasn’t exactly bright.

"Why?"

"Well... it’s just that... I feel like if I take this, I won’t have any more reasons to stay in touch with you, Dale..."

"..."

What the heck is he worried about now?

"Why would being friends stop us from staying in touch? It’s harder to stay in touch when you owe someone money."

"...Friends."

A faint smile appeared on Juliet’s face.

"Yeah, you’re right."

He accepted the heavy bag of money from me.

"Do you have any plans for this summer vacation, Dale?"

"Not really. Nothing set in stone yet."

I did have some plans in mind, but I had to discuss them with the others before deciding.

"If you come to the Republic, make sure to contact me! If you need help with anything, I’ll definitely assist!"

"Got it."

I said that and slowly got up from my seat.

"Y-you’re leaving already?"

"Yeah. I’ve got someone else to meet after this."

"Oh... okay."

Juliet nodded with a slightly disappointed look.

"Alright then, I’ll be going."

"Okay! Have a great vacation, Dale!"

"You too."

After saying my goodbyes to Juliet, I headed to my next appointment.

* * *

A café inside the main building of the Hero School.

Usually bustling with candidates, the café was as quiet as the training grounds after exams, now that vacation had started.

"Oh, Dale! Over here!"

A loud voice echoed through the quiet café.

I followed the voice and saw Iris, Camilla, Yuren, and Berald sitting together at a table.

"Sorry, I’m a bit late, aren’t I?"

"No, it’s fine. We just got here ourselves."

Iris tapped the empty chair next to her, signaling me to sit down.

"Hmph. So, why did you call us here?"

Camilla asked, looking displeased that I had sat next to Iris.

"Do you all have time this summer vacation?"

"Time?"

"Where do you plan on going?"

Iris tilted her head, curious.

"Well, you remember the ruins we explored before?"

"Of course."

"I was thinking we could go on another ruin expedition during the vacation if we can all find time."

In my previous life, I had explored dozens, if not hundreds, of ruins.

One of those would be the target for this summer vacation.

"I’m all in!"

Iris nodded enthusiastically without hesitation, her eyes sparkling.

"Hehe. I was worried I’d be apart from you during the vacation, but it’s a relief we can stay together."

She smiled sweetly and took my hand under the table.

Seeing this, Camilla let out a deep sigh.

"Sigh. Lady Saint... shouldn’t you at least return to the Holy Kingdom during the vacation?"

"There’s nothing for me to do there anyway, right?"

"Still..."

"And honestly, more people probably don’t want me to come back."

"..."

When Iris finished with a bitter smile, Camilla fell silent with a hardened expression.

"Sigh. Fine. I’ll report to the Holy Kingdom that I’ll be staying at school for this vacation."

"Thanks."

After that somewhat complicated conversation, I turned to Yuren.

"What about you, Yuren?"

"I’m good. Normally, I’d return home during vacations, but... I don’t need to this time."

Yuren smiled warmly, holding back the words, ‘Thanks to you, Dale.’

‘Great.’

It seemed like everyone was on board, so we could explore "that ruin" during the vacation.

‘It’s a bit challenging... but with this party, we can handle it.’

Once again, I had no intention of stepping up and fighting actively.

‘While my growth is important, helping my companions grow is just as crucial.’

After mastering the ‘Conflagration’ technique, I had achieved my growth goal.

In fact, I had gained so much strength that I couldn’t even control it fully.

Now was the time to help lead my companions.

"Ah... Sorry, brother."

At that moment, Berald spoke with an awkward expression.

"It seems I have to go back to my hometown during this vacation."

"Is something wrong at home?"

Yuren tilted his head and asked Berald.

With a bitter smile, Berald nodded.

"My father is a bit unwell, so I have to go back home and take care of him."

"Ah..."

A soft sigh escaped Yuren\'s lips at Berald\'s words.

"Yeah, if that\'s the reason, there\'s nothing we can do. Then the four of us, without Berald—"

"No, there\'s no need for that."

I shook my head and looked over at Berald.

"After all, the ruins we\'re planning to visit this time are in the Republic."

"Ruins in the Republic...?"

The Republic wasn\'t known for having many ruins.

"Don\'t tell me, brother, did you choose the ruins in the Republic on purpose?"

I nodded toward Berald, who asked with wide eyes.

"Didn\'t I promise before? That I\'d come to your house during the vacation and look for a way to treat your father."

"Oh."

It seemed Berald finally remembered that promise, letting out a small exclamation.

"You\'re really... coming?"

"Of course I am, you idiot. Did you think I was just saying that?"

"...Sniff."

Berald sniffled and suddenly jumped up from his seat.

"Brotheeeeeeer!"

"Ugh!"

Berald rushed toward me, grabbing me in a tight hug.

His face, now a mess of tears and snot, rubbed against my cheek.

"Let go! Let go, you idiot!"

I desperately tried to pry Berald off.

Wiping the unpleasant slime off my cheek with a tissue from the table, I continued speaking.

"Well, to be honest, I don\'t know if I\'ll be able to cure him even if I go."

"Heh. I\'m just grateful you\'re coming."

Berald grinned, as if to say not to worry.

"So, when should we leave?"

"Let\'s head out tomorrow. Is everyone okay with that?"

"Yes, no problem."

"I\'m fine too."

Iris and Yuren nodded in agreement.

And so, the first destination of our summer vacation was decided—Berald\'s home.

* * *

The city was enveloped in darkness.

Countless lights illuminated the city, like stars in the night sky.

A woman sat precariously on the edge of a tall building.

"Yaaawn~ So boring. When will they get here?"

The woman with purple hair stretched while swinging her legs lazily.

At that moment—

Bang!

The rooftop door burst open, and a group of heroes in black suits rushed in, surrounding her.

"Oh, you\'re here?"

The purple-haired woman smiled slyly as she looked at the gathered heroes.

One of the heroes, tense with his sword drawn, spoke up.

"L-Lactasia! You\'re completely surrounded— Gah!"

In an instant, sharp, elongated nails pierced through the man\'s neck.

The woman gracefully stood up and walked toward him with elegant steps.

"Surrounded? Don\'t you realize I\'m the one who called you all here?"

Crack!

The man\'s head was ripped from his neck.

As the woman leisurely surveyed the heroes, she winked.

"Ah..."

"You\'re... so beautiful..."

Suddenly, the men\'s eyes became dazed.

It was as if they were entranced, staring at the woman with slack jaws.

"What... What are you guys doing?"

"Snap out of it!"

The female heroes who had accompanied them urgently grabbed the men\'s shoulders, shaking them, but the men showed no signs of returning to their senses.

"Ugh! Just kill her already!"

"Haahp!"

Finally giving up, the female heroes drew their weapons.

Shh-krk! Shh-krk!

Purple spikes shot up from the ground, impaling the female heroes\' bodies.

"I\'m not interested in you lot, so stay quiet~."

The woman, who had swiftly dealt with the female heroes, casually walked among the men.

"Hmm. This one’s eyes aren’t great. That one’s nose bothers me. Oh, this guy’s just ugly, isn\'t he?"

Shwink! Shwink! Shwink!

Each time she moved, heads rolled across the rooftop floor.

By the time she had made a full circle, not a single hero remained alive.

"Haah~ I need to find the Legacy of Iron Fist and get out of here already. It’s so hard to find a handsome man in the Republic."

The woman turned around, looking down at the lights flowing through the city with a disappointed expression.

"Isn’t there a perfect blond hottie out there somewhere?"

Her eyes gleamed with greed as she licked her lips.