I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit [244]

"Umu! Let's end today's story here," Nero declared.

"Alright..."

Alice looked visibly disappointed; she clearly hadn't had enough of the tale.

"The stories Nero-dono tells are indeed captivating," Claire remarked. "They're imaginative, emotional, and feel surprisingly vivid." Then, she turned to Alice. "But Alice-sama, don't get too carried away. Stories are, after all, just stories."

"I understand, Claire."

Alice, however, didn't seem eager to clarify further. The idea of sharing a little secret with Nero felt… special to her.

"Well then... see you at the banquet, Sister."

"Umu! See you soon, Alice."

"Wait—wait just a moment! Sister?! What happened while I was gone?!"

Claire's expression was one of utter shock. For some reason, seeing Claire flustered like this made Alice find the situation unexpectedly amusing.

"Well…"

Alice raised a finger to her lips with a playful wink.

"That's a secret."

"Alice-sama!"

---

For an event like the banquet, formal attire was naturally required.

However, Nero, after some thought, decided she didn't need to change.

The red dress she was wearing was her finest creation, personally designed and made to perfection. As a Servant, her garments were woven from magical energy, so there was no concern about them becoming dirty.

That said, Nero did have another formal outfit—a ceremonial attire named Venus' Silks.

Representing prosperity and passion, this dress honored her beloved goddess of beauty, Venus. Nero adored this gown, considering it one of her favorite ensembles.

But tonight, she chose not to wear it.

"If this were the Nero Festival, I might consider wearing that gown. However, umu! If I wore it, I fear everyone's attention would be stolen by me."

"While I certainly don't mind being the center of attention—in fact, I thrive on it, being the greatest emperor and performer this world has ever known—tonight's banquet is meant to honor the warriors who fought for this nation. Even I, precisely because I am who I am, wouldn't want to overshadow their achievements."

The banquet primarily hosted the adventurers who had participated in the battle. The hall was filled with small groups centered around the most active adventurers.

There were also a few nobles from the capital mingling in the crowd.

Despite her intentions not to steal the spotlight, Nero's entrance naturally drew countless gazes.

"Brave warriors! I commend your efforts! So, celebrate to your heart's content!"

"Whoa—!!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Nero had a natural talent for stirring the emotions of those around her.

What had originally been a banquet organized by the nation's leaders to thank their warriors quickly became an event centered entirely around Nero the moment she entered.

"Nero-dono is as flamboyant as ever… though I suppose I've gotten used to it by now," Claire muttered with a resigned shake of her head as she observed Nero's antics.

As Nero made her way through the hall, many people gathered around her.

She seemed to enjoy the attention, handling both adventurers and nobles with equal grace and charm.

The adventurers who approached Nero were mostly those who admired her—those who had been awed by her prowess during the battle.

"Nero-san was incredible during last night's battle! Especially when she struck down that terrifying demon as soon as she appeared—it was absolutely amazing! So cool!"

"Exactly! Did you see how even the mages' spells were useless against that demon? I'd wager that thing was a high-ranking officer in the Demon King's army. But Nero-san's sword cut through it like it was nothing. That sword must be a divine weapon, right? And for Nero-san to wield it so effortlessly—she must be an exceptional swordswoman, too."

"It's not just her swordsmanship. Nero-san herself is amazing! When the Demon King's army was retreating, I couldn't believe it when she charged straight into their ranks. The way she fought was so elegant, it was almost like she was dancing."

The flurry of praise came primarily from adventurers who had witnessed Nero's feats firsthand.

"Umu? You're all curious about my sword?"

"Yes! Nero-san, that sword of yours—just from its appearance, it's clearly extraordinary. It must be a divine weapon, right?"

Hearing their excitement about her weapon, Nero's face lit up with delight.

"Umu! You have excellent taste!" she said with a pleased expression. "This sword is called Aestus Estus, or the Original Flame. It's one of my finest creations! Among all the weapons I've forged, it's undoubtedly the best!"

"W-wait! You mean… you made that sword yourself, Nero-san?!"

"Of course! After all, I'm an emperor! There's nothing I can't do! Whether it's archery, swordsmanship, music, dance, horseback riding, or governance—I'm an unparalleled genius in every field!"

Her declaration stirred another round of astonishment and admiration from the crowd.

At that moment, a small group of individuals emerged from the crowd—nobles, judging by their attire and demeanor.

They smiled as they approached, but their expressions lacked the warmth and admiration of the adventurers.

"Nero-dono..."

The sight of them caused Nero to frown.

Perhaps due to her life experiences, she found common folk far more lovable than the so-called "nobility."

"Nero-dono, we understand that you are a monarch of your own nation... ah, please don't misunderstand. We're not questioning your identity."

The nobles wore what they likely believed were flawless, amicable smiles, but the subtle mockery and malice behind their words did not escape Nero's notice.

"We were simply curious about your country. We're deeply grateful for your assistance in this war, and your valor last night did not go unnoticed by any of us. Considering the possibility of future diplomatic relations with your nation, isn't it only natural for us to be curious about the land you govern?"

Their words sounded polite enough, but their thoughts were likely along the lines of:

"What kind of country would let a little girl become its monarch?""A king who's a blacksmith? What an absurd joke."

Their arrogance was almost laughable, but their disdainful thoughts were all too easy to read.

Damn it... my head's starting to ache again.

Nero's expression darkened slightly, though she maintained her composure.

---

A good story, much like a well-fought battle, is all about precision, strategy, and passion. Every choice matters—the right move, the right word, the perfect balance between staying true to the original and making it shine in English.

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—Cynthia