The tournament resumed after Gaff's processing was complete.
They had explained beforehand that it was no problem even if someone died in the tournament, but if one were to thoughtlessly kill someone, they would be stuck with the stigma of a murderer and get further apart from becoming a hero.
--The demon king might lay some kind of trap again after all.
However, none of the hero candidates was that strong.
My opponent in the final is a gallant good young man with beautiful blue hair.
"I'm glad to meet you, Keika-san. I was charmed by your strength. I might be inadequate as your opponent, but let's have a good match."
I laughed and replied.
The gong resounded with the host's signal and the match began.
Well, the battle was going completely in my favor.
This Leo young man has two elements. The second one was surprisingly 【Light】.
Leo cut the distance between us in a stretch while brandishing his sword.
His sword shined, and got wrapped in wind. His finisher skill, 【Holy Wind Slash】.
"Wind, disperse."
Leo's sword that got weakened lost half of its length, I evaded it.
I hit his stomach with the grip of my Tachi in my right hand.
--Why you ask, there's no way I'm telling you that it's because I'm a god of water and winds.
"I-I give up. This is my loss."
"Oooh! After a good fight, it regrettably didn't end decisively! Candidate Leo, declared his loss! With this the final is settled at last! The winner is Keika! It's the birth of the new hero!"
I couldn't hear what each of them said anymore.
While waving my hands at the spectators, I hold out my hand to the fallen Leo.
"I'm really glad to have been your opponent. Congratulations."
"Hearing that makes me happy."
--Moreover, this guy said it truthfully, not just flattery.
I'm sure that it's because his second element is 【Light】.
They installed it in the center of the arena and then they went away.
"Now, the winner Keika-sama and the runner-up Leo-sama will have to go through the Hero <
He passes through the marble gate.
BZZZZT! The gate shook and let out a rasping sound.
The host shouts.
"P-please hold on! This must be a mistake--"
I stare and see through the details of this Holy Gate thing.
Looks like it could see through quite deep.
I look at my own palm with <
--Gods of another world can freely tamper their status.
--------------------
Name: Keika [Hiko-no-Mikoto]
Age: 20 [?]
Job: Civilian [God]
Element: 【Wind】 【Water】 [Faint Gleam]
This should be fine. I had also quickly overwritten my attribute values and equipment to look normal.
Leo was taken away when I was overwriting my status.
"Now then, it was quite a shocking development, but let's start over, the winner Keika-sama, please go under the holy gate!"
I walk through the gate leisurely.
I passed through the gate, coming to the other side.
The gate shined green after a while.
"Ah, here it is! Keika-sama is the owner of splendid hero's heart! Congratulations! It's the birth of a new hero, Keika-sama who has cleared all the trials!"
"Congrats!" "I always thought you'd become one!" "Counting on ya, Hero-sama!"
Direct praises from a lot of people like these are also unfamiliar to me, it feels a bit ticklish.
At a place where you can see the arena below. The seats is on the third floor.
I kneeled down and greeted him.
"New hero Keika. You've done great to clear the trials. From now on, continue your training, save people from suffering, and search for the demon king. Become the true hero who will save this world from the demon king's hand. --Accept this."
I kneeled down and he put it around my neck.
I glance at the medal
If I were to suspect someone to be a pawn of Demon King, I can go to their house, search the inside, confiscate everything like medicinal plants or goods, and if I have proof that they're a pawn of Demon King, I'm even allowed to kill them on the spot.
I endure myself not to grin, and lower my head.
"Umu.... could you show me the face of a new hero closer?"
I raise my face.
And then he sighed weakly. Light of disappointment swayed in the eyes overlooking me.
He gave me a heavy pouch.
"Thank you very much your majesty."
Clap clap clap, a grand applause. Someone even whistled.
I waved back at the people even though I sensed something odd with the king's behavior.
People have gathered on both sides of the main street as they give congratulations.
Saying all they want to say.
A bandaged old man stepped forward along the way.
"Hm? Ah, you're the bread old man. It was just the right thing to do."
The old man lowered his head many times.
Now that townspeople who were troubled by Gaff knew that he was a bandit, my valuation as the one who beat him went through the roof.
--Fumu. In order to spread my name more, I have to solve problems outside the Royal Capital and let rumors spread into cities.
I need great achievements in order to gather enough respect to become a god. However, those achievements can't be done by stealthily defeating the demon king while no one is aware, but by doing many deeds people can see.
"It's about time to depart...."
When we came back to the inn, the tavern on the first floor had become a party venue.
Even the neighboring people have intruded in.
"Keika! You did it! My eyes didn't fool me. Now come and eat! You can drink all you want too!"
"It's nothing!"
"Kept Minya safe!"
I asked her to guard Minya, since it'd have been troublesome if they took her hostage. Lapisia is a child, but she's incomparably strong because she's a God.
"Will work harder!"
"Uu.... W-work hard...."
I wryly smile and retract my words.
"Really!? Love Keika!"
"Alright now, let's eat."
Lapisia went to the tables with swaying blue hair.
Celica modestly stayed by my side.
She was all smiles all the time. Her blue eyes that were looking up at me were moist with joy.
I'm alone with Celica in the inn room.
"Congratulations, Keika-sama. I always believed you'd become Hero."
I took out the pouch I got from the king that I put in my breast pocket.
"My! That belongs to Keika-sama. My things also belong to Keika-sama. --I... I do too."
I pat her head. This blond hair really feels the best on my fingers.
"Don't say that. Then please look after it."
"Please do. --And, they're 50 big gold coins right."
"Hm? Don't tell me it's small gold coins."
I'm unfamiliar with the size of the gold coin her slender fingers are holding.
"The reward from the king is of mid gold coins. They're worth four small gold coin each."
"Cheap! They should've given big gold coins."
"I see, cost reduction huh.... So the reason why I never see them is because they're commemorative gold coin not in circulation huh."
Celica let out a troubled smile.
I speak while looking at Celica putting the gold coins away.
"Please, it was an honor to be of use."
"That's...."
That behavior was just too cute, I reflexively hugged her slender shoulder. Her blond hair swayed and glittered.
"Au...."
"Please Keika-sama, it was really nothing. You can keep having me go through dangerous situations. I'm glad just being able to become Keika-sama's strength."
"Thank you."
"Stay next to me always."
And then her cheeks gradually reddens, and she nods with a smile on her whole face.
I continued hugging Celica's soft body who's leaning to me while feeling the sound of the tavern afar.