She Becomes The Hero In Another World 14 She Recalls A Hidden Bitterness

"Um, what do you mean?" The village chief asked.

Robin looked up, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. She hadn't laughed like that in a long time.

"It's the peppercorn." She replied. "The orcs didn't disturb the tree because they don't like the smell of peppercorn. Puhaaha!" She laughed again. "I just bet that with those rather large noses, they have a very acute sense of smell. So what would happen when the very ticklish scent of fresh peppercorn reached their noses?"

"They would feel ticklish?"

"They would most definitely sneeze. And not just once or twice, either. Can you imagine it? A whole army of orcs that couldn't fight because they were too busy sneezing?" Robin chuckled. "By the time the smell had settled, they'd be already completely routed by their opposing army."

Christian also chuckled. "Indeed, that would be one of the more unique ways of winning a battle."

"And if we surrounded the villages with peppercorn trees? Robin waggled her eyebrows. "Might as well make it as hard for them as possible to prey on the normal folks."

"Why not the towns and the cities?" Christian asked.

Robin looked at Christian strangely.

"Towns and cities have walls, and at least a small contingent of soldiers. villages have neither. I didn't think you had that many peppercorn trees to go round. Moreover, you're a merchant, right? How come you didn't know this was a peppercorn?" She smacked the trunk in emphasis.

"Ahem! I was aware of it. You simply didn't ask me." he coughed and said off to the side.

"All right, so I guess it is my fault for not asking. But the reason why it's best for the villages is because they have the smallest perimeters, which makes it easier and quicker to surround." Robin replied, good-naturedly.

"Moreover, I'm not too sure if this peppercorn tree can be planted everywhere either. Some trees can only grow in certain environments, after all. It could very well become a gamble if the tree cannot thrive in cold or wet places. If a resilient type was produced, then it may yet be a good tree to line the roads with, too."

"I see you are considering this carefully." Christian said.

"If it's what const.i.tutes the defense of the people, then how can I not consider things carefully?" Robin's gaze returned to Christian.

Christian felt a burst of guilt. 'No, originally, that is the job of the Royal Family, as well.' He thought to himself.

Robin continued.

"Even though it's my first day on the job, as a Hero who is supposed to save people, I must make provisions for the times when I am no longer here. This is what is called 'long-term planning'"

"You are planning that far into the future? A Hero usually lasts for at least two hundred years, if they are not killed in honorable battle." Christian asked.

"And that is why you are a prodigal wastrel." Robin replied. "Who waits for disaster to strike before trying to fix things? It is during the times of peace and prosperity that plans for the future should be made first and foremost. Earthquakes, floods, famines, plagues: do you think that these things ring warning bells before they appear? A wise ruler would obviously have ways to deal with these problems prepared ahead of time."

'Moreover...I am not planning on staying here that long.'

Robin kept these words to herself. Perhaps it would be fine if she were only to tell Keith and Christian. But, right now, she was in front of the other men, and the villagers who had lost their homes and family members.

Now, they all looked up to her as a hero. But they still had to deal with their losses. She couldn't bring herself to make them lose their hope as well, because of her selfishness.

Keith, who had heard her earlier words, tensed up, and grit his teeth. The hand resting on his sword handle clenched as well. If this young man wasn't the Hero-and if Christian wasn't in disguise, then saying the words 'prodigal waste' to His Highness, Prince Christian, was asking for a death sentence. Christian glanced over at Keith and shook his head with a smile, before turning back to Robin.

"I see. You have greatly widened my perspective. If you don't mind, may I accompany you on your travels to learn more about these things?"

Robin paused in surprise, then sighed. "It seems I was mistaken earlier. Anyone who is willing to learn from his mistakes is not suited for the t.i.tle of 'prodigal wastrel'. If you are willing to learn, then I am not unwilling to teach you what I know."

While Christian was inwardly celebrating, he heard the Hero mutter to himself. "It would probably be better if I were to teach these things to the prince, though, so he could spread good policies throughout the whole kingdom."

"Hmm...As a matter of fact, I happen to know his Highness, the Prince. If you'd like, I can certainly convey your lessons to him after I gain a proper understanding." Prince Christian said slyly.

"What, you heard me-I mean, you would do that?" Robin asked.

"As a merchant's son, if it helps to stabilize the country, then it would be a great aid in the opening of more opportunities for commerce. Who wouldn't jump at such an opportunity?" He said, thumping his chest as he continued his act as a merchant.

"First, you should probably tie a tighter knot onto your wallet. If you can't know when to save and when to spend, what sort of merchant are you trying to be?" Robin retorted.

"Hey, this is about me trying to give you that silver isn't it?" He asked.

"If you know, then you should fix such a habit." Robin replied.

"Like how you simply gave away several highly valuable orc corpses to a village?" He asked.

"I'm different." Robin replied. "I'm a free individual who have next to no subordinates to take care of, as opposed to a merchant's son who will have a network of products to manage and people working under you to keep clothed and fed. As the Hero, saving these people here just so happens to be my responsibility. Unless, a Hero is not allowed to give aid to the common people?" Her words seemed to carry a sharp tone underneath. She glanced painfully at the dead that had been laid out along the side of the streets. Several villagers had not survived the collapse of their houses.

"W-well what about me? Can't a merchant involve himself with giving aid to the common folk?" Christian argued.

"Within a reasonable amount, yes. Accepting the job means to accept all responsibilities that come with it. This includes what is owed towards those who support you from underneath. If, by sending aid to the common folk, you impoverish your subordinates, then your company will not last very long.

As the Hero, I can easily find ways to make money. But, these villagers do not have as good an opportunity. They have families to provide for, homes to rebuild, dead to mourn." Those last three words were heavy with emotion as she thought about the funeral of her own parents, and then about the families that had been torn apart by death.

''Nothing is certain but death and taxes.'...

I know this. But, I can't help thinking: 'They are just like me.'

If we were only meant to be selfish creatures, then why does my heart hurt at the sight of another's pain?

Even if that pain is a sign that I am alive, can I not seek to reduce it?

If only just for today, can I not help lift the heavy burdens they bear in their hearts?

All the money in the world can never fill the empty hole in a human heart.

All it can do is help to ease the pain.'

Robin ran her fingers through her hair to pull it up away from her face, as she switched from looking at the cloth-covered bodies lining the road to the brilliant blue and pink sunset sky, that was so cheerful despite the loss of people.

"The sky is still so cheerful, while the souls of the dead descend into h.e.l.l."

She muttered bitterly. She had thought this before, at her parent's funeral. But only now did she have the courage to say it. Although it had been six years since then, the topic was still a sore one too close to the heart at the moment.

"What's that?" Christian asked.

"...Nothing." Robin turned away. It does no good to resent the sky for being cheerful. She could only swallow that bellyful of bitterness back down, and tightly seal it with a stopper made of reason and truth.

'Anger solves nothing.' She told herself as she closed her eyes, painfully.