"Heroes," Great Mage Haisa said as he walked alongside the three, "I believe Lord Albert and Lord Richard have already met His Majesty. Only you, Lady Lulu, haven't seen the King yet."

After waking, Lulu had lain in bed another day before Albert dragged her here. If he hadn't blocked the others' demands to give her more rest, she might have been hauled to the palace right after regaining consciousness yesterday.

Albert mentioned many died at the school—mostly noble heirs—but it barely concerned Lulu. She wouldn't have saved them if not present. They just watched her fight without helping. She felt their deaths wouldn't matter.

Hearing she owed no compensation for the damages truly relieved her. If she had to pay, she'd marry Albert and make him cover it.

Overall, this mission failed. With three Heroes and a Great Mage here, their casualties far exceeded the enemy's. Most dead were the nation's future. Explaining this to the King would be difficult.

What kind of person was the King? Now she finally saw him. On Earth, she never got the chance. He looked every bit a king. That stern face—why so familiar? Like RPG kings everywhere. Wait, after all this time, shouldn't she have appeared here at the game's start? She was the Hero, after all!!

"Greetings, Your Majesty," the four bowed slightly before the King. None knelt; their statuses were too noble for strict etiquette. To hide her otherworldly origin, Lulu had practiced local customs with Albert yesterday. Though imperfect, her injured state made it passable.

"You're too kind," the King replied, his voice radiating authority. He sounded exactly like an NPC king from a game.

"This crisis was averted thanks to you," he continued, sorrow shadowing his face. "Without your timely arrival, the consequences would have been unthinkable." Losing so many noble heirs clearly pained him.

Great Mage Haisa stepped forward. "This was my fault. I was unprepared. I never expected the Demon King Power to appear and seal me instantly. Without these Heroes' aid, I wouldn't have broken free so soon." His gaze shifted pointedly to Albert.

"Your Majesty," Albert said with deep respect but no fear, "it's an honor to see you again. The former Dragon Slayer Hero greets you."

"Long time no see, Hero Albert," the King replied warmly. "I thought you perished with the others at the Demon King's Castle, buying us time to prepare against the Demon Lord's army. We owe you a great debt."

Albert explained calmly, "I believed I was doomed too, but the Dark Lord only imprisoned me. After escaping, I saw a new Dragon Slayer Hero had risen. I stayed away. Only this incident brought me back." His eyes held no trace of bitterness over his reported death.

Richard, who'd researched Hero lore, pressed, "If only one can hold the Hero title, how can you still wield the Dragon Slayer Hero's power? It should be mine alone."

*Even my idol can't steal what I worked so hard for. If I lose this, I'll be nobody again. I refuse.*

"Because you don't know how to use Hero's Power properly, Dragon Slayer Hero," Lulu interjected for Albert. "The Hero Bracelet has flaws. As a new Hero, you wouldn't know. You'll understand later." Her words were utterly useless.

The King's attention turned to Lulu. Rumors called her a former Hero, like Albert—though those rumors came from Albert himself, part of yesterday's plan to give her a believable identity.

"Lady Lulu," the King asked carefully, "I hear you're also a Hero. Why visit our kingdom?" Heroes were strategic assets; an unknown one's arrival often meant trouble, like this incident.

Lulu stopped lecturing Richard. She'd come to see the King, but the stifling atmosphere made her want to flee. "Your Majesty," she began, rehearsing last night's lines, "I'm no longer an active Hero. Like Albert, I'm a former Hero. No need for formality—I'm just a wandering mercenary now..."

Five minutes later.

Ten minutes later.

Lulu finally finished. Amazingly, everyone listened without interrupting. *When did I get this good at talking?*

The King offered, "Lady Lulu, have you considered settling here? Wandering isn't ideal. Trust me, I can provide everything you need." An extra Hero—even a former one with Hero's Power—was worth courting.

But Lulu declined. The reason was obvious to all.

——

After hours of pointless talk, they were finally free. Albert supported Lulu back to their lodging—not the palace.

"Lulu," Albert urged gently, "no regrets? The life you've always wanted is right here. Are you really giving it up?"

"No need," she smiled. "A simple life is fine. Once I recover, they won't recognize me. What's there to fear?"

"True," Albert agreed. "Then focus on healing these next few days."

"I don't want to," she teased. "Having you take care of me is lovely."