"Idol!"
...I'm currently observing a nightmarish view. Is this a dream, or an illusion?
Fio Micual.
That girl, who is a member of the hero's party, and my lover.
────With quite an amiacable appearance, she's chatting alone with a eloquent young man in soldier garb, at a small coffee shop in a corner of the city.
I can't believe what I'm seeing. This guy is familiarly stroking Fio's hair, and Fio is laughing out loud, not caring. Who gave him permission to touch that hair.
Fio eventually taps the guy's shoulder and stands up, saying she has to go, while smiling. The man reluctantly salutes. I felt some kind of emotion for Fio coming from that face. Maybe admiration. Maybe love.
...Now then. Who in the world is this guy.
"That's the story, Birdie. You know everything about Fio, right? Tell me something."
"Geez, talk about an annoying guy with an annoying request."
I immediately visited Birdie's room to investigate the truth. There aren't too many guests that come to this room, littered with weapons and armor strewn everywhere. If it's here, I can talk to Birdie alone.
...Even if I ask Fio directly, she'll probably completely dodge the issue. Which is why I came to him first. Because I can't beat Fio when it comes to talking.
"In the first place, why are you even sweating over this. It's great that Fio caught a guy. Or is it that you're aiming for her?"
"Yeah. I'm really interested in her, so please tell me."
"I figured as much. Then why do you want to know about Fio?"
"...Like I said, I'm interested in Fio, so I want to know about her."
"Alright, alright. Well, Fio also has her own privacy, so just out of curiosity... Huh? What did you just say?"
...Even though I want to have a serious conversation, the conversation won't flow at all with the key Birdie. What's going on? Birdie couldn't have gotten a blow to the head in the last battle? If so, I might have to consult Fio about it in the near future.
"Sorry, Alto. What was that you said about Fio?"
"I'm interested in her."
"For sure, she's always doing the unexpected. We have to carefully observe her, and stay on guard. That's what you mean, right?"
"No. I mean I'm interested in Fio as a woman."
"HAHAHA! No, hold up, whaaaat?"
Birdie stared at me as if looking at a unicorn, with eyes overflowing with confusion.
"I mean, I did tell you to hurry up and pick your favorite... But, to pick her of all people."
"What do you mean, of all people."
"I mean... Aaah, forget it."
Birdie shakes his head as if enduring a headache. What's with this guy?
"so, I gotta ask. What do you like about Fio?"
"...Uh, well, her face?"
"The world's great hero Alto has a more sleazy way of thinking than I'd thought. Has Fio rubbed off on you?"
"No, I was in love with her before I realized it. So even if you ask, it's hard to say."
"Hey hey, hey hey. You for real right now? This isn't a prank Fio put you up to for losing a bet?"
"I don't lie to my companions."
Is it that weird for me to me to fall in love with Fio? She's usually a bit strange, but I've come to think of her as actually a kind, cheerful, and very attractive girl. I can proudly proclaim that I love Fio.
...Although because the adorable Fio requested it, I can't actually reveal that we're going out. If possible, I want to proclaim we're lovers and boldy flirt in front of the entire party.
Plus, there's my promise with Birdie. I have to indirectly convince Fio.
"...Dude, you're already envied enough. If you make off with Fio, you'll become the enemy of all the castle's soldiers, you know? Do you have that kind of resolve?"
However, the Birdie in question has a glum look on his face. Even though I'm fulfilling my promise to him, what is he dissatisfied about?
"...Wait, what kind of connection do the castle soldiers have with Fio?"
"A huge one, you idiot."
Birdie raised his hands and shrugged, sighing. I understand why he's exasperated with me. Even so, this guy is overreacting a bit.
"In the first place, why do you think our pay for being hired is so high? Where does that money come from? All from the king?"
"...Hm, It's not the king?"
"Wrong. You're sure out of the loop when it comes to politics, man."
It may be just as Birdie says. I'm certainly bad at things like exchange of funds, or negotiations. I've left that stuff to Birdie, Fio, and Root.
"Listen up, our hero party has three main support groups. First is the general public.They favorably support us, the greatest military assets this country has. That's why they do things like collect donations, and cooperate together with us in our travels. And the most popular person among the general public is you, Alto. Because after all, you're the core of our party."
"...No, I'm still not strong enough. Saying I'm the core is an overestimation."
"Even though that's not true at all... Whatever, let's talk about the next support group. The royal families, they're our main source of money. We're grateful for the donations from the general public, but this is a whole different level of money. In exchange, they're also annoying in various ways, like pushing us to marry the families' young ones if they have the chance, or trying to use us as political or diplomatic leverage."
"I've also been introduced to some ladies every once in a while, but the majority just look down and don't say a word, it looked like they hated it from the bottom of their hearts. If possible, I'd like them to stop doing that kind of thing."
"No, the reason those girls are looking down is because of the pressure from those four... No, forget it. The last support group is the country's military. And, greatly different from your popularity among the general public, you're the most hated. Do you know why?"
"...Because I'm weak?"
"Idiot, it's cause you steal all the credit. What's more, the military is mostly made up of men. Being surrounded by women on an everyday basis, they can't help but be jealous of us. Especially you."
"Why especially me?"
"Yeah, just die in a fire. Then on the other side, our five girls are popular with the military. It's rare to find a woman in the military, so those guys meeting them during training is one of their few chances for comfort. The popularity of our joint training can't even be compared to the joint training the girls host. Everyone is starving for girls."
"I see."
In other words, Fio is popular among the soldiers. Come to think of it, that man was dressed like a soldier.
...What should I say, it's unexpected. Even spending the night together with her, I didn't really get the impression Fio was a woman.
Talking to Fio almost feels like talking to another guy. But even that sense of friendliness is one of her charms. In fact, I'm completely captivated by everything about her.
Even so, I had thought I was the only one who had recognized Fio's charm. To think there were other men aiming for Fio as well, it makes me a little worried. I don't think Fio is already cheating on me now, but she's surprisingly weak when pressed. If she's forcefully approached, I wouldn't put it past her to go with the flow and let things happen. I definitely can't allow that to occur.
I don't know how popular she is, but if there's even a hint of a man, I should quickly intervene...
"By the way, did you know Fio is the most popular among the military by a huge lead? I'd say about 80% are in the Fio camp."
"...Huh?"
Fio is the most popular, above the other four? 80%!?
...What's Birdie saying. There's no way that's true.
I mean, it's Fio we're talking about.
"Don't give me that dubious look. Well, but I get how you feel... But look, she's pretty cute on the outside, right? And what is she doing when there's combat?"
"...Fighting with us at the front lines."
"That's half of it, 50 points. After every battle with the demon lord's army ends, she always heads straight to the barracks and performs healing all through the night on gravely wounded soldiers."
...I didn't know about that. I didn't think Fio would do something so dedicated.
"She casually went for a check up at the barracks after hearing a common soldier drinking buddy was injured. And then she diligently worked at the barracks, even though it was in the middle of the night. She was spouting cool lines like, there're people here that only I can save."
"There're lots of guys in the army saved directly from Fio herself. If you go to the barracks before combat, chances are Fio will be there, cheerfully smiling with the soldiers. Saying stuff like "It's alright, don't be such a chicken. No matter what kind of conditions, as long as you're alive, I'll save you. I'm here, so relax."
"Fio hasn't said a word about that..."
"She's just that kind of girl. Fio gives up her precious sleeping time to heal them, there's no way the soldiers wouldn't like her. To those guys, Fio is absolutely a princess, a flower blooming on the battlefield, a goddess who appeared in the middle of hell. Even though you're so popular with the ladies they could kill you, the number one reason you haven't been backstabbed yet is 'Because Fio hasn't fallen into your clutches,' that's it."
Hold on a second. Fio is blindly idolized among the soldiers that much!?
"They've even put together a Fio fan club. Depending on who you ask, they have iron rules, and anyone who tries to break them will see hell. I heard that just recently there was a guy who had his balls crushed. Apparently he was eating alone with Fio at a coffee shop."
"...Hm. Then, what would happen if I were to make a move on Fio?"
"Don't take them lightly. Even if it's you, they'll assaullt you without retreating a step. ...Well, they'd probably turn you into mincemeat if they catch you."
"Well, that's how it is. In the first place, the difficulty of capturing Fio is super high you know? Be smart and go pick from the other four, cause that's the safest."
"...I see. Sorry, I'm gonna go."
"Alrighty. Worry it over, kid."
I see, so Fio was an idol that highly popular among the soldiers.
Hm, and just what kind of things have I done to Fio?
Blackmail, rape, peeping, prostitution, etc...