I Became a Foreign Worker Loved by Transcendents

Chapter 151: The Strange Days Of The Warrior

“The hero will be visiting this street soon, so everyone make way!”

About two months had passed since the leader of the rebels was captured by me.

I was spending my time touring the empire, carrying out the orders given by the Imperial Family.

Though it was merely participating in parades and making appearances, it was still meaningful to the public who needed hope.

“Is that the famous hero?”

“Yeah, I heard he defeated a demon officer and a red knight.”

“Both of them are dangerous foes.”

“No wonder the Imperial Family is supporting him.”

As my reputation grew, the procession of carriages following me lengthened, and I could feel the people’s opinions of me becoming increasingly positive.

This was likely because, unlike those who were chosen as heroes based solely on their abilities, I was recognized as a hero based on my achievements.

“Thanks to you, things have gotten better. Now we won’t be attacked by the undead when we go on expeditions.”

“Come to think of it, there have been fewer undead attacks lately, haven’t there?”

“Their forces have been halved, so we can’t consider the undead a threat to humanity anymore.”

“Now, if we can deal with the Demon Army and the Furry Tribe, things will be like they used to be…”

The tangible results achieved this way, combined with the Imperial Family’s direct promotion, created an unprecedented level of impact.

The hope created by all these factors inspired the crowd, leading to enthusiastic cheers wherever I went.

“Stay strong, Hero Woo Hyo-sung!”

“You are our hope!”

“Woo Hyo~! Woo Hyoooooo~!!”

…If only I didn’t have to hear that damn “Woo Hyo” chant.

Damn it, my ability is to imprint my name, so why do they all call me that?

-Swoosh!

At that moment, a small shadow shot out from the crowd, cutting through the air and quickly flying towards me.

No, I sensed the threat before I could even react visually.

Since I perceived it so quickly, responding wasn’t difficult.

-Smash!

Despite that, I didn’t dodge; I gathered my mana to block the attack.

It didn’t hurt, but it was enough to cause discomfort.

A soldier who belatedly noticed the situation urgently called out to me, and soon the soldiers in the procession began to gather around me one by one.

“Hero! Are you okay?!”

“…Yes, I’m fine.”

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The well-formed procession stopped, and the cheering crowd became chaotic as they realized what had happened.

Concerned that the atmosphere would worsen further, I casually brushed off the stone-struck part of my head and smiled nonchalantly.

“I’m sorry for the delayed response. Let’s continue.”

“No, we can’t let the person who attacked you go unpunished. We will immediately find and bring them to you…”

“Please, hold on.”

I endured the insult not because I was tolerant of malice directed at me.

Suppressing it would only cause greater resistance and confusion later.

“We have to endure some of it. Not everyone will welcome what I’ve done.”

Over the past two months, I’ve painfully realized that a hero must not only receive the crowd’s cheers but also their hatred.

The rebel organization Nihil.

Known as revolutionaries resisting the empire’s corruption, they were now said to have been established by some nobles seeking to replace the power structure.

Naturally, the nobles known to have cooperated with them were scheduled to be purged soon.

The reason for the cold reaction was that a rebellion focused on profit rather than a cause could not gain the support of the people.

After all, if neither side was appealing, the general sentiment was that the current leadership was better.

“Hero Woo Hyo-sung, an imperial decree has been issued to you. Stop your activities and listen!”

Of course, some say the rebels were falsely accused and publicly condemned, but regardless of the actual suspicions, I just focused on carrying out the tasks at hand.

Whether Nihil was truly a clean organization, whether oppressing them to increase support for the Imperial Family was the right thing…

Such discussions about causes or good and evil felt too distant to me, and more than anything, I had realized all too well that what we see isn’t the entirety of the world.

I couldn’t even imagine that the leader of Nihil was a puppet created by the Crown Prince. How could I rashly take sides in such a situation?

“The succession ceremony for the next heir to the empire, Crown Prince Orion Seis, is in six months. During this time, we need to minimize the threats to the empire by conducting large-scale subjugation operations in the territories and frontier areas.”

So, let’s forget what we can’t understand and focus on one thing.

Like that person who gave up their life to give me this opportunity.

And like the Crown Prince who pushed me to move forward without rebuke, even though I betrayed them.

“You are deemed most suitable for the following task. Under the support and guidance of the Imperial Family, you are ordered to embark on a six-month subjugation expedition!”

As I was steeling my resolve, I bowed my head and responded to the imperial envoy and representative of the Crown Prince, who gave me the order.

“…I will comply.”

Get stronger, seize power, and imprint my presence on everyone in the empire…

To do that, I had to follow the imperial decree. This thought became stronger due to Airi’s words when I returned home two months ago.

‘I… It’s been two months.’

‘Two months? What do you mean?’

‘…Ah, the baby.’

Yes, Airi was pregnant now.

At first, it didn’t seem real, but as Airi’s belly grew, the reality gradually set in.

Naturally, as someone responsible for her, I couldn’t help but feel strongly that I shouldn’t be satisfied with the present for her sake.

Separate from that, I also wondered if things would really be okay like this.

“…Is this really okay?”

Honestly, it felt quite sudden.

Even though we’ve had a consistent relationship since we got together, and each time we got carried away by the mood, we didn’t bother with contraception… In retrospect, it wouldn’t have been strange for her to get pregnant at any time, but aside from that…

Originally, we both had feelings for each other, but there was so much to consider that we tried to avoid crossing that line.

Those feelings were still there, so Airi seemed unprepared at the time, appearing restless.

Can I really accept becoming her husband and the father of a child like this?

“Uh, hero, we’ve arrived…”

At that moment, the space shook with a rattling sound.

My gaze quickly turned to the coachman’s seat of the carriage I was riding in, belatedly realizing the reality.

“Are you uncomfortable anywhere? Should I call for a cleric now…?”

“Oh, no. It’s nothing. Excuse me.”

Yes, today’s schedule ended here.

As always, I greeted the coachman who had brought me home and took a moment to look up at the front gate of my residence.

A grand mansion that exuded magnificence at a glance.

Compared to the first house we arranged, it differed greatly in size and internal structure in every way.

Naturally, it was a house arranged directly by the Crown Prince of the empire.

“…No matter how many times I see it, I can’t get used to this house.”

Of course, as a hero representing the empire, it wouldn’t do to stay in a shabby place, especially since Airi wasn’t alone and needed rest.

If it was a place to stay at ease, this place was much better than the previous house.

Even so, there was something to worry about… Yes, it was that a large-scale expedition had just been scheduled.

The succession ceremony would begin in six months, and if I spent that time traveling through the territories and frontier areas, I’d be away from her.

Can leaving her before childbirth be considered a man’s duty?

“…I guess I need to discuss it first.”

Whatever it was, I needed to inform Airi and the family first.

With the imperial decree in hand, I passed through the gate, crossed the garden, and opened the front door to step inside.

And just as I was about to greet them, a loud crashing sound echoed.

On high alert, I quickly ran towards the source of the sound, manifesting a weapon in my hand.

What is that sound? Could it be the remnants of the rebel army attacking the mansion?

“…Airi Haven.”

No, it wasn’t an attack. It was Merilyn.

For Airi, it might have felt the same, but still.

“Merilyn, what are you doing, showing up after so long?”

Airi was crouched on the sofa.

Her eyes, filled with wariness towards Merilyn in front of her, were as if she were protecting her belly with her hands.

“What do you mean, what am I doing? Do you really not know?”

And I could immediately understand why.

Over the past two months, Merilyn, who had been out of contact, had changed so much that she now showed hostility towards Airi.

“Do you know how lonely I’ve been since you announced your pregnancy? Every time he came home, you monopolized Woo Hyo-sung’s little time, leaving me alone…! And now you’re smug, thinking you’ll get his love and attention for another six months!”

“…I’ve never been smug. And Merilyn, you know we couldn’t help it.”

“Couldn’t help it? What’s ‘couldn’t help it’? Are you bragging about getting pregnant after doing it every day for 365 days?!!!”

“Stop saying such vulgar things!”

“Your swollen belly is the very proof of vulgarity!”

-Rumble, rumble, rumble.

A menacing aura began to rise from Merilyn.

Airi tensed up, her expression hardening, and Merilyn clenched her fists tightly.

“I’ve tolerated it and watched until now, but I can’t stand seeing Woo Hyo-sung being toyed with by a lustful monster anymore!”

“So be prepared, Airi Haven. I’m different now.”

“W-wait. Merilyn, what is that form…?”

“What do you mean? I’m testing the results of my training to defeat you!”

Clenched fists thrust forward.

Merilyn glared at Airi with wide-open eyes.

As the atmosphere reversed, the surroundings reacted to her power, and it seemed as if Merilyn’s appearance was gradually changing into that of a sturdy man.

No, an illusion… Is it really an illusion?

“Heheheh, are you starting to feel it? The power of ‘Star Platinum’ that I, Merilyn Sutherland, obtained through arduous training to counter your starlight!”

“…Platinum?”

“But it’s too late to regret it now! From now on, I won’t stop hitting until the baby in your belly cries!”

In the midst of the confusing situation, Airi looked at Merilyn with nervous eyes, just like me.

However, Merilyn didn’t care about Airi’s tense appearance and focused solely on expressing her anger.

“Dragging it out will only make it more painful, so just quietly stick your belly out here and take my special barrage! Ora ora ora ora!!”

Merilyn began to charge with a shout.

Her clenched fists soon became a flurry of punches aimed at Airi’s belly.

“Stop!!”

At that moment, Tashian’s sudden and powerful intervention sent Merilyn sprawling on the floor.

-Thud!

This had been a routine occurrence for the past two months.