The waning moon fell with the rain.
The next day, just as dawn broke, Jonathan found the anonymous letter sent by Lia.
He scanned the familiar handwriting in the letter, confirming completely that this letter and the previous one came from the same person.
Who was this mysterious figure secretly aiding the Hero?
Jonathan pondered deeply.
The Saintess?
No, if the Saintess wanted to help the Hero, why go to such lengths to be secretive and insist on using him as an ‘intermediary’?
The person must have a special identity, one unsuited to public exposure.
“……”
After much thought, Jonathan still couldn’t guess the identity of this mysterious person, but could only judge that their intentions toward the Hero were more good than ill.
He considered, out of caution, ignoring the letter, but the issues raised were solid, and he truly couldn’t think of any other solutions.
The letter even anticipated his hesitation, advising him:
“The Hero has worked so hard to come this far. If something goes wrong and he’s hurt by it, what if he falls and never recovers? Wouldn’t you become a sinner?”
In the end, Jonathan decided to do as the letter suggested: integrate the twelve villages, separate from the Empire, and form a new management body.
However, he did not adopt the letter’s sarcastic term, “Discarded Town,” but thought of a name Jon would prefer.
The Church declared the Hero to be the embodiment of hope, and Jon indeed could bring hope to others.
Thus, the place where these abandoned dust-folk regained new life should naturally be called—
Hope Town.
Jonathan also sincerely wished that the Hero would bring hope to the entire Empire.
The next day, news of the “Hero’s porridge” spread, and the atmosphere in the military camp ignited, bustling with activity.
“Who can do the accounting? Who can? What? Not a single person?”
“Rocky, your head’s sharp and you know how to bargain. Take this money and go buy forty iron pots and a mule cart from the city. Remember, the pots need to be big.”
“Dad… this money’s not enough.”
“Not enough my ass! I calculated, it’s clearly enough! This isn’t like the old days when you went to town to buy salt. If you dare to pocket even one copper Kuron, I’ll break your legs!”
“It’s really not enough, Dad. We lack iron here, and cookware is scarce. Buying so many at once… Even if people don’t raise the price, it’s hard to find that much stock.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
“Dad, give me five more silver Kuron and I’ll see what I can manage.”
“You… sigh, fine, do as you say.”
“Dad, don’t doubt me, I’m telling the truth! We’re working for the Hero, and we won’t lack wealth in the future. Why would I bother with small tricks?”
“Enough, enough, go quickly.”
Jon woke from a strange dream, holding the inexplicably flushed Lia in his arms, and stepped outside into the noisy camp—
He was greeted by a scene of fervent activity.
“Teacher, this is…”
He stared in amazement at the busy crowd.
For some reason, he felt as if a lifeless world had suddenly come alive.
Though the rain still fell and the sky was gray, it seemed as if the layered clouds overhead could no longer block the sky, and sunlight pierced through the storm, bathing this little corner of the world.
“Jon, you’re awake. It’s nothing, really. Everyone heard there was food and came to help.”
Jonathan wiped rain from his forehead.
He still felt feverish, but showed no hint of weakness.
“Tonight, during the celebration, you have to visit every camp area. Everyone knows you provided the food and wants to thank you properly.”
“Teacher…”
Jon felt a deep happiness and a strange, complicated emotion in his heart.
So, all I’ve done actually has meaning.
And this meaning feels even more real than killing the Demon King Lia.
Fighting, destruction, victory—everything in the past never felt so fulfilling as today.
He had saved a group of real people, not just a distant, abstract banner called ‘Victory.’
“Are there enough dry clothes for winter? If not, should I go buy more?”
Jon suddenly felt energized.
Jonathan waved a hand.
“I’ve already sent people for that. Such small matters, especially ones you’re not good at, you should learn to leave to us. Jon, you’re the Hero, with everyone behind you. You’re not alone.”
“…Then what should I do now?”
“Give yourself a break. Rest for half a day, stroll around the city, and spend time with your pet.”
Jonathan’s tone grew earnest and serious.
“Remember, on the way, hold your head high. Use your current state to tell those who want to bring you down— You’re the true victor. Tell them, whether it’s a princess with true dragon blood, a tangled bureaucrat, or anyone else, no one can force the Hero to bow.”
“Tell them you’ve withstood their tricks, and next— It’s your turn to strike back.”
Jon’s gaze grew solemn and resolute.
He nodded.
“I understand.”
A short while later.
Bathed, dressed, and tidy, Jon returned to Rossi City.
Though only one night had passed, it felt different; with a lighter heart, even the streets seemed brighter.
His first destination was the lord’s mansion, but passing by a clothing store, he suddenly stopped.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the smooth, beautiful dresses for young girls in the window.
For some reason, vivid images flashed through his mind.
As if from a dream last night—
In those scenes, “Lily” had grown up, still innocent and adorable, dancing around him, but her fair, naked form was uncovered.
In all the world, only two lively, chubby Snow Rabbits remained, rolling and leaping across the white winter fields.
“Pa.”
Jon slapped his own left cheek.
Then, with determination, he turned left and entered the clothing store.
At first, Lia was still grinning dumbly, curious about which girl the shy Hero was buying clothes for.
But then the Hero hesitantly spoke:
“Hello, I’d like to ask… how much would it cost to make a dress for Pupu?”
Lia: “……?”
“A dress for Pupu?”
The dignified older woman with glasses thought she had misheard.
Jon held up the unwilling Lia with a serious expression.
“This is my… Pupu, a new species from the Demon Realm. I want to get her a dress.”
The woman’s eyes widened in shock, first at Lia, then at Jon.
Suddenly, she shivered, her face flushing.
“You young people get stranger every day.”
She sighed, then said with interest,
“I won’t charge. I’ve never made such small clothes before, so I’d like the challenge.”
“Is that okay?”
Jon hesitated, happy to save money, but also a bit embarrassed.
“It’s just a few scraps that would’ve been thrown away anyway.”
The woman took Lia and measured her with a tape, while Lia hung her head in unwilling cooperation.
Needles danced, scissors floated, snip-snip, the woman skillfully wielded magic.
Soon, a pure white strappy dress, made just for Lia, was finished—with a little flower on the chest, the kind Lia hated most.
Of course, Lia didn’t want to wear girls’ clothes.
It was bad enough to become a little girl—she couldn’t even see herself—but wearing a dress was another level!
It was like a constant reminder—
She’d become a loli Pupu! Female! Girlish! So very girlish!
Jon dressed her himself.
She struggled in protest.
“Friend! Hate clothes! No! Burdensome!”
“No, Lily, you’re grown up now. You must wear clothes.”
Jon insisted, finally forcing it onto her.
“Make her some stockings, too,”
the woman said kindly.
“They were invented by the Demon King Lia. They’re very popular now—young girls love them.”
At her words, Lia’s vision went dark.
She hated boomerangs!