Chapter 66: Hero of the Beastman Tribe, Chrome Part 3
Afterward, I handed over the delivery to Chrome before I forgot.
As Chrome took the box I retrieved from another dimension, his eyes widened, and he exclaimed, "Ah!" upon seeing its contents.
"This is something entrusted to you by Cynthia."
"Oh, I see. Thanks for going out of your way. I was worried about what I'd do if I realized it was missing after coming back."
Saying so, Chrome happily accepted the box.
While I was silently observing Chrome, he noticed my gaze and asked, "What's wrong?" as he looked at me.
"Well, um, I heard a little bit about you from Chloe before."
"Ah, did Chloe tell you I'm a hero?"
"Yes, I was just wondering why someone who was admired as a hero among the Beastman Tribe is in a different kingdom on the continent, so I had some questions..."
"I'm sorry. Is it okay if I talk to you, Jin?"
Chloe apologized for revealing her father's secret, and after a brief pause, Chrome began to speak.
"I don't want to be treated as a hero, although Chloe might have said otherwise. In reality, it's different. The Beastmen believe that only the strong should rule."
"I've heard about that. Beastmen won't follow unless you overcome many trials and prove your strength."
Indeed, the game's setting for Beastmen was that they only followed the strong.
In the main story, there was a scene where the protagonist fought the leader one-on-one in the Beastmen village to prove his strength and gain their cooperation.
"That's right. Especially in the Beastman Country, which is the homeland of the Beastmen, that belief is deeply ingrained. I ended up saving the country from a crisis even the Beast King couldn't handle, and some people wanted to make me the king."
"A king..."
"Yes, even though all I did was fight to protect my family, I didn't want to lead a country. That's why I decided to leave the country. That's why I'm here in this kingdom, even though I've become a hero."
"I see. Thank you for explaining."
"Since you're getting along well with my daughter, Chloe, I thought I'd tell you sometime, Jin."
I expressed my gratitude, and Chrome said that.
After that, for some reason, I ended up being treated to dinner at Chloe's house.
"By the way, I heard from Chloe that Jin is good at both magic and swordsmanship."
"Yes, that's true. But when it comes to swordsmanship, I was self-taught until recently, so I'm not that strong."
"Even so, having talent in both areas is impressive. I don't have any talent for magic at all. The only magic I can use is [Body Enhancement], and I'm terrible at other magic."
"I see. But don't Beastmen generally not use magic? Chloe has been practicing magic lately, though."
As I said that, Chrom replied, "I don't use it much as a rule."
"Just because you don't use it doesn't mean you can't. I'm just not very skilled in magic."
"I see, I understand."
"That's right. Back then, Chrom was completely terrible at magic and used to throw fits, saying 'Why can't I use magic?!' It's nostalgic."
"Hey, Elena! Don't bring up old stories..."
Embarrassed, Chrom, who had his past brought up, responded to Elena like that.
Watching their exchange, I turned to Chloe sitting next to me and said, "They seem close."
"Yeah, Mom and Dad have always been very close. They've been childhood friends since they were little, always together."
"Oh, childhood friends. They're an unfamiliar concept to me."
"I don't have any either, so we're in the same boat."
Childhood friends, something that didn't exist even in my past life.
In light novels and games, when childhood friend characters appear, I've always thought it was nice and enviable.
In this current life, I wasn't even allowed to leave my house, let alone have friends.
Afterward, once we finished our meal, it was time for us to return to the castle.
"Next time, come when you have the time. There's still a lot I want to talk about with Jin."
"Yes, I also have many questions about Chrom's adventures, so I would love to come by again when I have the chance."
Saying that, I made a promise with Chrom and left the house with Chloe, heading back to the castle.