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Chapter 94: Ais's Lap Pillow
"I know." Aiden's gaze fell on the empty stone pedestal, and he spoke slowly. "It's because the world is yearning for a hero. It yearns for the one who can save it—the Last Hero."
"And only the Last Hero capable of saving the world possesses the qualifications to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the strongest hero."
"That's right." Lefiya nodded, her eyes shining with reverence and longing. "Legend says that only when the 'Last Hero' appears and thoroughly defeats the Black Dragon will the Guild build that final statue here. When that day comes, the Hero Bridge will truly be complete."
After saying that, she looked at Aiden somewhat uncertainly and asked, "Aiden... do you think the 'Last Hero' really exists?"
The question seemed to carry a trace of both confusion and hope. Aiden smiled upon hearing this. He turned around, his gaze sweeping over Lefiya and Ais—who was still staring blankly at Albert's statue—before stating with firm conviction, "Every single one of us has the potential to become that Last Hero."
"Because someone has to step forward. Someone has to defeat the Black Dragon and save the world. And that person could be anyone."
In his eyes, a hero was never a specific person, nor was it some sort of divinely chosen destiny. So long as someone had the courage to step forward and ascend the stage called 'Saving the World,' then that person was a hero.
"The hymn of humanity is the hymn of courage, and courage is the indispensable requirement for becoming a hero."
Those words resonated like a massive bell, detonating within Ais's heart. She suddenly snapped back to reality. Her golden eyes—which had been endlessly chasing the past—shifted away from Albert's statue for the first time. They locked onto Aiden, shining with an unprecedented, dazzling brilliance.
She murmured softly to herself. The word seemed to possess a strange magic, knocking a tiny fissure into the frozen depths of her heart. All this time, she had only ever longed for a hero. She had hoped for a hero like her father to appear, to protect her, to sever her despair. She had never once considered that she, too, could become a hero.
Aiden continued speaking. "The gods yearn for the birth of a hero, but is there truly only one? In ancient times, from the very first hero to the final one, Albert, were there really only thirty-one people qualified to be called heroes? As long as you carry hope in your heart, possess the conviction to save others, and can summon the courage to step forward when it counts, then everyone has the potential to be a hero."
His words stirred ripples upon ripples in Ais's and Lefiya's hearts. They could be heroes too... No, they definitely could. After all, what adventurer didn't long to be a hero? Who didn't admire them? It wasn't just for fame and fortune; it was about realizing their own self-worth. It was so they could puff out their chests and protect everything they held dear.
The emotions stirred on the Hero Bridge refused to settle for a long, long time.
.....
Afterward, the three of them left the history-laden stone bridge and ascended the city's towering walls. Standing up there, they could look out over the boundless scenery beyond Orario. Verdant plains and endless forests stretched all the way to the horizon.
The hustle and bustle of the festival was left entirely behind them. A gentle breeze brushed past their cheeks, bringing with it a trace of refreshing tranquility. Just as Aiden was facing the wind, enjoying this momentary peace, Ais did something completely unexpected beside him.
The golden-haired, golden-eyed girl gracefully knelt in a seiza position right on the hard stone bricks near the edge of the wall. Then, she gently patted her pressed-together thighs, which were clad in white thigh-high socks.
"?" Aiden and Lefiya both froze.
Ais looked up. Staring at Aiden with those pure, golden eyes, she spoke in her usual, flat, and completely unbothered tone. "Lie down."
"Eh? EEEH—!?" Lefiya was the first to react, letting out a scream that threatened to tear through the sky. Her small face instantly flushed beet red. "A-Ais! What are you doing?!"
"Lap pillow." Ais's answer was short and concise.
She looked at the utterly bewildered Lefiya and offered an earnest explanation. "It's a thank-you gift. Lefiya got a custom weapon made for Aiden and even showed us around Orario. That was your thank-you gift. The thank-you gift I prepared is a lap pillow."
"A l-lap pillow?!" Lefiya felt like smoke was going to start pouring out of her ears.
"Mhm." Ais offered a gentle nod, continuing to speak in that completely monotone voice, delivering a follow-up that nearly drove Lefiya insane. "Because Riveria Ljos Alf said that if you want to make a boy happy, a lap pillow is all it takes."
Lady Riveria—!! Just what on earth have you been teaching Ais AAAAAH?! Lefiya let out a despairing wail in her mind. She practically wanted to sprint all the way back to the Twilight Manor right then and there, grab the royal Elf by her collar, and shake her violently.
"T-This... probably isn't a good idea..." Looking into Ais's earnest golden eyes, while simultaneously feeling Lefiya's piercing, tiger-like glare boring into his side, Aiden was both tempted and hesitant.
In all fairness, Ais's beauty could easily rival any goddess. A lap pillow from such a stunningly gorgeous girl was a fatal temptation for any normal man. However, the glare Lefiya was currently shooting him was practically radiating murderous intent, clearly screaming, If you dare agree, I'll blast you off this wall with magic right this second.
Ultimately, after exactly zero point one seconds of internal conflict, Aiden decided to follow his heart. He let out a dry cough, completely ignoring the fiery death glare shooting from Lefiya's eyes, and frankly accepted Ais's kind gesture.
He laid down very carefully, resting his head on the girl's soft, supple thighs. In that split second, an indescribable sensation washed over the back of his head. Through the thin fabric of her skirt, he could distinctly feel an astonishing softness and warmth. It wasn't just the soft squish of accumulated fat; beneath that plush surface hid the firm, toned muscles of a top-tier adventurer honed through thousands of battles.
These two completely contradictory textures merged flawlessly, providing an indescribably reassuring and comforting sensation.
A faint, clean scent—like a blend of sunshine and a gentle breeze—drifted lightly into his nose alongside the fluttering of Ais's hair. He tilted his head back, gazing up at her from this incredibly unique angle.
The girl's flawless, doll-like face looked even more exquisite framed against the open sky. Her long blonde hair swayed gently in the wind like liquid gold. Her expression remained completely undisturbed, as if letting a boy rest his head on her lap was the most normal thing in the world.
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