She's right there

It was during moments like these that I remembered that Alice was just like any other girl. With the sun setting, the two of us strolled leisurely around, waiting for Harald and the others to come back to the carriage. Alice and I didn't exchange any words yet, however, there was no need for them. While Alice was humming peacefully, I smiled genuinely as if I had gotten rid of all the weight on my shoulders.

"It's really quiet out here, right?" Alice opened up her mouth first.

"Yeah, thankfully so." I replied softly.

Alice proceeded to stare at me for a short moment, looking at me like I spoke in a different language, until she let out a small chuckle.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh at you. It's just that most people prefer the big cities instead of some small villages nobody has heard of."

"Really? I think I like this more. For me, this silence is a sign of peace."

According to the novel, whenever Alice and her party visited villages, most of the village's children would beg them to take them with them because they desired to get out of the village. It was common sense for them that you would live a much better life once you entered the bigger cities.

"Then, I guess I'm the same as you." Alice said, shifting her gaze to the horizon.

Of course, she was. There was no other person alive who yearned for peace more than Alice. Because for her, peace meant the extermination of all demons.

"Hey, do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Hm?"

"Most people who started out adventuring share the same goal—defeating the Demon King. It's not due to the fame and wealth they would get from that achievement, but rather because they heard of the rumor that the Demon King's defeat would allow them to get a wish granted."

She was right. Like in any other fantasy novel, new adventurers sought to defeat the greatest threat in the world. Sometimes a dragon and sometimes an evil king. However, Tales of Tasia introduced the setting of getting a wish once humanity's greatest threats were defeated.

It all started with the first Demon King slayer, who claimed that his dearest wish had been fulfilled. At that time, many people didn't believe him until more and more people began saying the same thing after killing the following Demon Kings. Of course, there were still a lot of people who doubted that, but on the other hand, more people believed those adventurers. And now, many people hoped to become adventurers and kill the Demon King just because of a single rumor.

To be honest, as a reader, I also had my doubts. Not only was the demon side unaware of those wishes, but there was also Alice, whose wish apparently didn't get fulfilled after defeating the previous king. If that setting was introduced as a fairy tale, then I'd have believed it more than a rumor, which was started by people who seemingly claimed to have killed a Demon King and got their wishes granted.

"Kageyama... Do you also intend to defeat the Demon King?" Alice asked me.

Her eyes were firm and fortunately, they didn't turn cold and threatening as they would usually be whenever the topic was about demons.

"Defeating the Demon King? N-not really, haha!" I responded with a nervous chuckle.

"How could I dream about doing that if I'm already shaking in my boots, thinking about facing some goblins?"

"I see..."

She sounded sad but also relieved.

"The truth is, I became an adventurer for a different reason."

Without facing me, she began talking.

"I didn't care about the rumors at first, however, as I progressed in my journey, I noticed myself clinging to that hope more and more."

I knew exactly what she meant. The things she felt right now. The things she wanted to say but couldn't. The things she went through. I knew all of that. After all, I was there every time.

However, only as an observer.

"S-sorry, you must be confused, right? Even I don't know what the heck I'm talking about here..." Alice said, grinning awkwardly.

"No, it's fine."

It's because I was the only one who could understand her and because I was now here instead of being separated by a screen, I could do what I wanted to do all the time.

"Please don't give up yet. Keep going on, Alice."

They were things that Alice told the people around her if they were to lose hope. But in reality, she was the one who needed to hear them the most.

"Even if things don't work out yet, they will one day."

Faced with those words, Alice began to clench her fists unknowingly.

"How can you be so sure that everything will be okay...?" she said in a tone which was both intimidating and doubtful.

Furthermore, her eyes sharpened, as if she tried to kill me with her stare alone if I were to say something wrong. However, I stood firm despite the pressure.

"Because you're Alice Ashglade. Not the hero, but the girl who miraculously conquered every obstacle in her way."

I always got goosebumps when Alice helped her people stand up again after giving them that speech, but it was only now, when I was in her shoes, that I realized how embarrassing it actually was.

But luckily, those words were effective against her.

"..."

Alice was speechless. With wide and big eyes, she stared at me, baffled. Other people would normally get hyped up or show a bigger reaction. Alice, in turn, stood there quietly.

It took a while before she closed her mouth. She attempted to speak, but her lips were trembling slightly.

"I-I don't know what to say..." she answered sheepishly, facing away.

Still, her reddened cheeks couldn't escape my eyes.

"T-thank you..." she muttered, showing me a glimpse of her bright smile before turning back.

"No problem." I replied confidently.

"I'm always there for you." I murmured, inaudible to her.

She didn't say anything, but she was heading back to the carriage. Thus, I followed her again.

"Ah, there you are!"

We were greeted by Sophia, who came back at the same time as us and Harald.

"Hm? What's up with you, Alice? Your face is so re-"

Suddenly, Alice slapped herself in the face, attracting everyone's attention.

"It's nothing, Sophia." Alice replied indifferently.

"..."

Dumbfounded, Sophia switched her gaze from Alice to me. Instead of getting an answer out of me, I could only shrug my shoulders.

"A-anyways..." Harald, who was also confused, spoke to us.

It seemed like the village's chief allowed us to occupy a guest house for a night without having to worry about money. Harald tried to convince the chief to accept their payment, however, the whole village was happy enough to host the hero and her party for a night. And Harald, being Harald, couldn't argue against people with such innocent and bright eyes.

So, a few of us headed straight to our beds, whereas the others entertained the village.

"How can Zera still be so active...?" I wondered, after letting out a sigh.

That girl slept for a while, so I suppose after waking up, she would have a hard time falling asleep again. And having energy after her little nap, she decided to hang out outside with Sophia and Harald.

"..."

I noticed that Carmilla, who was still a cat, stared at the wall separating my room from Jean's room.

"Is something?"

"N-no, my liege..." she responded.

She sounded tense and annoyed. Did she dislike Jean that much? But before I could utter another word, Carmilla was in a sleeping position. Maybe I should let her sleep for now.

I, however, had trouble closing my eyes. And I won't lie, the fact that Alice was sleeping right now in the room next to me played a role in it, but the biggest reason was that I finally got closer to her back then!

I wanted to let out a scream because I could barely contain my excitement, but it was then that I noticed that it was already dark outside.

"I should really get some sleep..."

I had to focus on the upcoming goblin hunt. One careless move and it could be over for me. And I said that because I was completely useless, as harsh as it sounded.

My stats were lower than the average and my skill was only effective against Alice, meaning that even a one-on-one against a mere goblin could be a tough challenge. And yet, despite the potential danger, I was excited.

I was on a real adventure with the real Alice.