What should I do if the hero is resurrected in the Monster Girl Encyclopedia?

Chapter 171 Childhood Sweethearts (4K)

The girl was afraid from beginning to end.

Threads called gazes entwine her limbs and head, pulling at Wilmarina and influencing her every move.

The father's gaze, the gaze of nobles and high-ranking priests.

Perhaps, where Mirad cannot see, there are still worshippers looking up in awe, and the people holding high expectations…

As a brave person, one should bear these gazes and scrutiny.

But if one's mind and body are not strong enough to withstand these threads infused with the will of others...

It's only a matter of time before an individual's will is hijacked and manipulated by them.

Not to mention, there is a high probability that there is a blood relative behind this girl who intends to use these threads.

"No one is watching you anymore, child. Take a deep breath, inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale... Yes, that's it."

Mirad crossed his arms, looked at the girl before him, took a deep breath, and then slowly exhaled. The white mist spread out in front of her, then quickly merged into the surrounding frozen fog.

Wilmarina looked around. The frozen mist she had unconsciously released spread out, within which phantoms of mud and ice crystals were battling. Sand exploded and ice crystals shattered, creating the illusion of a fierce battle, yet perfectly concealing her and the Resurrected Saint from her father's sight.

“I don’t expect you to trust me on our first meeting… but I hope you can at least take a breather.”

She still raised her arm, the tip of her sword pointed at Mirard's face. "It's meaningless. Even during rest, monsters still ravage towns, people still become food for monsters, and loved ones are still separated because of monsters. Lord Mirard, as a saint, you should know the weight of the responsibility on your shoulders. I cannot relax until the Demon King is defeated and the world is saved."

Having spent so much time with Hyolita, Loran, Orpheus, and Obora, Mirad had grown accustomed to being surrounded by monsters.

Hearing these long-unheard words, bearing the marks of an old era, from the mouth of the younger hero before him, he was somewhat stunned. "...Oh."

Over the communication channel, Luo Gen let out a long sigh of regret, "Wow, how old is this little girl to have such lofty ambitions? Let me look at the materials the teacher prepared... Wow, 17 years old, younger than me! At this age, shouldn't she be enjoying her youth filled with exams, schoolwork, and innocent romance? What's the point of thinking about saving the world all day long..."

Mirad stared directly at him. “But you can’t even defeat me, so how can you talk about destroying the Demon King? I have faced two Demon Kings before, and with your current level… you wouldn’t stand a chance against them, let alone the current Demon King.”

Wilmarina tightened her grip on the sword and said seriously, "That's why I can't let my guard down."

"After saving the world, will you be able to be with the boy you have a crush on?"

A crack inevitably appeared on that icy face. The hero's surprise vanished in an instant, so fast it was almost imperceptible. "How could you... No. I don't have anyone I like."

Luo Gen chuckled, "...Oh my, my suggestion is to replay 'Xiao Xi's Thirty Acting Lessons' every day and deeply study Xiao Xi's superb acting skills. Wow, but this reaction is too youthful...Even I, an old auntie, cried while watching it! Dude, next time I tell you I love you, could you be a little hesitant first and not kiss me so quickly?"

Hiolitta laughed sweetly, and even the voice on the communication channel sounded cloying, "But, isn't it always you who kisses first, Miss Roger, who's no longer young?"

"How can you say there's a sequence to the kiss? I didn't move; it was the world that pounced on me along with Mirad."

Mirad silently lowered the volume on the communication channel and continued, "Or do you think that if you save the world, your beloved boy will naturally be saved as well, and you'll be content just watching from afar?"

He had never pondered the thoughts of a young girl, but Wilmarina's ideas were far too easy to guess.

Lifted by gazes and stares, yet numbed by a sense of responsibility and mission… Looking at her, Mirad saw a glimpse of a past version of himself. But back then, he had Riel Megel, preventing him from becoming a heartless, emotionless demon-slaying machine… Hmm… He shouldn't have changed, right?

Recalling Riel Megel's immediate desire to take him back to heaven, Mirad suddenly felt uncertain. For those decades, his life had been quite monotonous. The most relaxing moments of each day, when he could genuinely smile, were when he rescued people from monsters and returned to his treehouse to enjoy the steaming hot Cretean soup served by the little elf girl.

"Hmm~ Lord Mirad, you finally realize how terrible what you did to Miss Rielmegel back then, huh? But that's not the point right now. Miss Rielmegel is still alive, you can definitely find her if you want to~"

Hiolitta couldn't hide the tears welling up in her eyes... She almost wanted to cheer loudly. All those three thousand tips on how to date girls that she had been feeding Mirad in bed these past few nights had finally paid off! He had even evolved to the point where he could reflect on himself and find things that weren't right! Given time, Lord Mirad should also be able to figure out what her words that day really meant!

Mirad remained silent for a while, then decided that he really needed to take the initiative to thank Riel Megill and apologize. He silently added it to his to-do list... alongside other items.

In short, Wilmarina's thoughts and ideas were probably even more naive than her own at that time.

The words of Lorenz echoed in his ears again. Mirad paused for a moment, then smiled slightly and repeated what she had just said.
"When it comes to feelings... if you don't take the initiative, you'll be the loser. That's what my partner told me. If she hadn't taken the initiative, I might never have realized her feelings for me. I'm very grateful to her for having the courage to take the first step."

Upon hearing his words, Luo Geng seemed to have overloaded her brain and started rambling incoherently on the communication channel, accompanied by a shy... silly laugh? Siolitta clicked her tongue and temporarily disabled the other party's speaking privileges.

"You have a partner?"

Wilmarina was shocked and couldn't believe it. "The book says that Your Excellency Mirand, you abandoned personal relationships, had no offspring, remained unmarried your entire life, and dedicated yourself to..."

“Yes… a few,” Mirad gently interrupted her.

“How many?!”

She could hardly believe her ears; she almost dropped her sword.

The Resurrected Saint was the last saint to be conferred the title, renowned throughout the world for his dazzling martial arts skills and the perfect miracle of resurrection after death…

That's what Wilmarina had been taught for over a decade.

Shouldn't all the saints, including him, who are remembered by the world for their various achievements and miracles, be moral saints who put aside personal interests and served the public good...?

"So, would you be willing to tell me about the boy you've been trying so hard to suppress but can't completely forget? What kind of person is he, and how did you meet him?"

Wilmarina's lips trembled slightly.

She truly remembered the boy's innocent smile and gentle demeanor. He would say many things to her that were different from anything anyone had ever said before.

Her father would only tell her about her responsibilities in Northrim, the priests and knights would only teach her how to wield the sword more perfectly, and the people would look forward to her next victory.

That boy... he was different.

Wilmarina hesitated for a long time.

In the end, she slowly revealed the girlish feelings she had kept hidden in her heart.

It's very simple to say.

The boy was the servant's child, and he and Wilmarina were childhood sweethearts. They, along with the sickly fourth princess of Lescatje, were each other's most cherished playmates. In their strictly planned childhood, the palace's small garden was their only paradise. The boy would weave flower wreaths for her, and the fourth princess would sit in the shade of the trees and tell them stories.

But one morning, little Will Marina woke up and ran to the crowded servants' quarters, but couldn't find him.

She ran to her father's room.

Behind the tall desk, the father casually processed the documents.

It's utterly inappropriate for you to associate with such lowly servants. So, I fired them all.

then.

She received news that the boy's parents had passed away one after another.

What a pity, Wilmarina. When I heard the news, they were already terminally ill and beyond saving. If you had been more self-disciplined and followed the Nosculim family precepts, the boy's parents could have stayed here and continued working, and perhaps, in their serious illness, received timely medical treatment.

The father sighed heavily, his words filled with regret. He gripped Wilmarina's shoulders tightly, and she dared not move.

Ah... I see. It's all because of her.

That's why the boy's parents lost their jobs and their lives. The fourth princess also lost one of her few friends as a result.

It's all because of her.

Those who get close to her will suffer misfortune.

So, if one becomes a perfect hero, a perfect Noskull, then after defeating the monsters, at least the boy can live a peaceful and happy life.

"Uh...did Old Deng really say those kinds of things to a child who doesn't know any better?"

Just as she was recovering from the shock of Mirand's direct expression of goodwill, Luo Ran heard another astonishing statement: "Then it's not surprising that this little girl has become like this."

"Hmm, it seems to be the real deal."

Siolitta said softly, "According to the information shared by my fourth sister and Professor Obola, Wilmarina's case is quite typical in Rescadeye."

As a valuable political resource, the marriages of heroes are naturally not taken lightly. Forming strong alliances through marriages among heroes within one's own knightly order is a common practice in the noble circles of Rescade.

"So, Xiaoxi, when is your fourth sister planning to attack the city? I think my magic cannon might not be a bad idea either."

"Before we determine the extent of the ripples our arrival will cause, the extremists will not act rashly."

"Milad said."

With the guidance of Priestess Kieslfir and Priestess Emni, and supplemented by various documents, he had a general understanding of the situation in Rescadeer before he arrived.

But I never imagined that... the hero, who is a symbol of the people's hope, would be bound and suppressed to this extent.

“...Of course it’s not your fault, Wilmarina.”

So, whose fault is it?
The Cult of God should simply stand by and watch this situation unfold?
Aristocrats who collude with each other and treat human life as worthless?
A priest who uses his blood relation to control his daughter?

Or perhaps...

"But if I hadn't approached him in the first place, his parents wouldn't have..."

“Then, in the name of the saint, I forgive your sins,”

"Mirard said in a deep voice, drawing his holy sword. The rough blade rested lightly on either side of Wilmarina's shoulders."

“It is a child’s natural instinct to be close to friends, and God would not mistreat a playful child… Besides, you are innocent.”

"Haha... Thank you for your kindness, Lord Mirad."

After confiding in her, Wilmarina's previously tense expression began to relax.
"But I really can't just abandon my duty and chase after that boy. We've been separated for too long, and the innocent feelings we had as children... shouldn't be considered as romance. Maybe... we're just friends. Besides, I don't know what he's thinking. He might already have another girl in his life."

After holding it in for a while, Luo Geng couldn't help but complain over the communication channel, "Wow, this little girl is really good at deceiving herself. Even after all this, she still insists they're just friends. Sigh, sigh, tsk, tsk tsk tsk... Hehe, hehehehehe..."

"Oh dear, I feel like I've seen this somewhere before... But any resemblance is purely coincidental~"

Mirad pretended not to hear Loran and Hyolitta's suggestive banter, silently sheathing his sword, his gaze still sharp.

"Yes, what you say makes a lot of sense. I am only forgiving a sin that did not exist. How you choose to act according to your feelings is none of my business. I only care whether you can use your true abilities now?"

"……Eh?"

Wilmarina was stunned.

The sage is indeed a sage; with just a few words, she made me feel much better. But in this situation, given the atmosphere, shouldn't she have voluntarily conceded defeat, ending the exchange amicably?

Although Father's expression might not be very pleasant, losing to a saint isn't too shameful. If the performance is evenly matched, there might still be room to save face.

Why does it seem like the other side... still wants to continue fighting her?

"Put aside all your worries, all your responsibilities, all your constraints... for now."

Mirad's voice remained clearly audible amidst the crisp sound of the phantom shattering.
"At this moment, let me see the true strength of Wilmarina Noskurim."

The frozen fog blanketed the meadow once more.

But this time, the arrangement of the ice crystals has subtly changed. They are no longer there to create illusions and confuse the enemy... but to defeat them.

Wilmarina slowly raised her longsword.

“…As you wish.”

(End of this chapter)