By Zephyria 
Instead of touching the flashing red emergency light, Eddie recalled another question that had been flickering in the corner of his mind and quickly blurted it out.
“Ketron, what were you going to do if Augustine hadn’t stopped you?”
This was also something he was curious about. Though not the most curious thing.
Even in that chaotic situation, what stood out was Ketron’s rather fierce demeanor.
It was as if he was ready to blow away anyone in front of him, regardless of whether they were Noble or Royal.
If Augustine, who had keenly noticed this, hadn’t reacted quickly and stopped Ketron, what would have happened?
Actually, he could somewhat guess the answer even without asking. But he couldn’t help but ask.
Ketron stared at Eddie for a moment before replying in a blunt voice.
“I told you before what is most important to me.”
‘Your safety is more important to me than my nonexistent honor.’
Ketron had definitely said something like that in the carriage. That Eddie’s safety was more important than his honor, more important than anything.
For Eddie, it was as touching as when he had blamed himself for not being by Eddie’s side during that difficult moment, but wasn’t there such a thing as time and place?
This was a damned fantasy world with an Emperor and a class system, and the two of them were officially commoners.
They were in a position where they couldn’t ignore the other person’s status.
“But the other person is Noble!”
When Ketron was the Hero, everyone, whether Noble or Royal, fawned over him, trying to please him and hoping for his favor, but now that he was forgotten, he had to be careful.
Who knew when they might be unfairly targeted by a Noble and end up as dew on the execution ground.
But Ketron’s expression showed his true feelings, which was rare. As if to say, ‘So what?’
From that attitude, Eddie realized a terrifying truth.
Nobles meant nothing; Ketron would have acted the same way even if the person who had harassed Eddie was the Emperor.
Well, if you asked, “Would you rather face the Demon King or the Emperor?” most people would choose the latter over someone who seemed like they would mortgage your soul…
But now he was forgotten and just an ordinary person… The moment Eddie’s eyes fell on Ketron’s superior physique, that thought quickly faded.
Even if you looked at it upside down, he wasn’t an ordinary person.
No, still!
But instead of scolding Ketron, Eddie chose to swallow the thought.
Ketron’s attitude of not caring about Nobles or anything else was probably a habit he had developed as the Hero.
In the original Story, Ketron sometimes seemed arrogant, not caring about the other person’s status or position.
Yet, in the end, he was the kind of protagonist who sacrificed and fought for the sake of the people, the commoners, and grew stronger.
A refreshing protagonist who held the justification for the Story in his hands. That’s why he liked him, and that’s why he was genuinely angry when he met such an ending at the end.
To him, would the concept of enduring when someone close to him was being bullied in front of his eyes for the reason that they were of low status even be possible?
Besides, it was only in the novel that his Hero-like, sharp side was emphasized; the Ketron that Eddie had experienced since falling into this world was his docile and gentle cat. Just a little blunt, but never saying harsh words to others, with a gentle personality.
It was ridiculous to say anything more when he couldn’t stand seeing Eddie being taken advantage of for no other reason than that. In the end, wouldn’t it be like his cat meowing, “Why are you getting beaten up?”
“Haa, Ketron.”
“Yes.”
Seeing Ketron reply obediently, Eddie smiled as usual.
“I’m hungry now.”
Eddie chose to put this confusing problem aside for now.
“What do you want to eat?”
He was originally good at postponing problems that were right in front of him as long as possible.
He hadn’t gotten a clear answer as to why Ketron had done something like ‘disinfect~♡’ on his wrist, but for now. Yes, for now, he would put aside a topic that he was somehow afraid to touch.
But sometimes, some problems have no end if you postpone them, and the size of the problem grows to the point where it’s irreversible.
Of course, Eddie couldn’t know that now.
Ketron stared at Eddie for a moment, noticing the obvious attempt to change the subject, but soon he nodded readily.
No matter what anyone said, his cat, the strongest in the world, never refused Eddie’s words.
With that, Eddie entered the kitchen with the most positive mindset possible, and discovered Sebastian, who hadn’t even bothered to come out during the commotion, dozing off in the corner of the kitchen with his head bowed. He couldn’t help but slap the back of his head.
***
The next day, Eddie welcomed an unexpected guest.
The moment a man with a beaming smile confidently opened the door and came inside, Eddie vaguely realized that this was also an inevitable flow of fate.
“Wow, I finally get to come in here normally.”
A man with particularly vibrant green eyes and blonde hair, wearing neat priestly robes that didn’t suit his large build, stepped into Eddie’s Inn with a broad smile.
“Eddie, good morning. Did you sleep well?”
The priest, who approached with a friendly smile as if he were a friend of 10 years, was Augustine, a supporting character who had enjoyed quite a bit of popularity in <The Hero Doesn’t Hide His Power Too Much>. The very person who had saved Eddie from the clutches of the Noble yesterday.
Seeing the large priest greet him with a calm smile as if nothing had happened yesterday, Eddie couldn’t help but chuckle.
Well, how could you not like him? Augustine was a scene-stealing character with an irresistible charm to both the characters in the novel and the readers.
That Augustine had finally, officially, come to Eddie’s Inn. And at such an early hour, when people were just about to have breakfast.
Not coming to spar and get smacked on the back by the Owner, or to rescue the Owner who was being harassed by a Noble, but as an ordinary guest.
Although there was a Magical Spirit, it couldn’t handle greeting guests, and Sebastian was still asleep, so Eddie greeted the guest himself.
“Hello, Augustine.”
Augustine’s eyes widened at Eddie’s greeting.
“Oh, you know my name?”
Of course, he knew.
Augustine of Divine Power. The Hero’s companion who defeated the Demon King and a priest, but also someone who became a weapon of God in a different sense from the Holy Knight.
Considering his influence and position in the temple, he was on par with Saintess Laila, and how could he not recognize someone who was called a hero as a martial artist?
Even though Eddie was terrible at recognizing people.
“Thank you for yesterday.”
Eddie greeted Augustine again. He replied with a smile.
“Are you here for a meal?”
“Of course, the Owner has no idea how much I’ve been looking forward to this food.”
“Ah.”
Eddie remembered when Augustine had first come. Back then, the only unique thing about this inn was that there was only one item on the menu.
“Fire Chicken Noodle.”
Indeed, Augustine seemed to have a very clear idea of what he wanted to order.
His sparkling eyes had a very firm light.
As if he was determined to eat it this time.
Just as he was about to finish ordering with sparkling eyes, he suddenly turned his head towards the stairs leading to the second floor. It seemed like his sensitive senses had noticed something.
Eddie, who also turned his head in a daze, saw Ketron, who was coming down to the first floor, stop in the middle of the stairs after discovering Augustine.
Ah.
Yesterday, the situation was such that they had quickly separated and were fine, but the two of them had had the worst relationship in their previous meeting. Worry began to fill Eddie’s eyes, but Augustine casually raised his hand and greeted Ketron.
“Yo!”
It was as if he were greeting a friend he hadn’t seen in a long time, without any hesitation.
“Ketron, right?”
Of course, his memories couldn’t have really returned, so Augustine treated Ketron like a stranger.
Contrary to Eddie’s worries, Ketron slowly came down the stairs as if he hadn’t been standing in the middle of the stairs at all.
“The winner of the Sandern Tournament this time. I heard the Story, and it sounded like you. Right?”
“…….”
“Why don’t you sit down if you have time?”
I have so many Stories I want to hear! Augustine said, tapping the table. Meaning to sit down.
“…….”
Facing a colleague who had forgotten him, especially the closest one, must be a wound and pain for Ketron.
But at the same time, it was stability and something to regain.
Suddenly, Ketron turned to look at Eddie. Their eyes met, and Eddie reflexively smiled, as he always did when he looked at Ketron.
Ketron stared at the smiling face for a moment before slowly moving.
…It was as if he was reassured by Eddie’s presence.
And finally, Ketron and Augustine sat facing each other. Just like they used to in the past.
“Hey, Ketron. I’m so curious, I heard you didn’t use lethal moves on your opponents in the tournament? What’s the reason for that?”
Augustine started bombarding him with questions as soon as Ketron took his seat. As if he had been quite curious about it.
Ketron glanced at Augustine and replied indifferently.
“There was no need to, since they weren’t worthy opponents.”
“Wow… you’re really annoying, aren’t you?”
But Augustine, who said he was annoying, was still looking at Ketron with quite affectionate eyes.
As if his affection for Ketron was imprinted on him at a primal level.
As Eddie watched the two of them, a part of the second part of the Story that he had confirmed on the day of the tournament came to his mind.
[His longtime colleague, Augustine of Divine Power, was with him. As it was in the past, and as it will be in the future.]
“Um, Spirit. Let’s make a dish.”
At Eddie’s call, the Magical Spirit, who looked just like Gerold, tilted his head. Thinking that his loyal appearance was just like his Owner’s, Eddie ordered with a smiling face.
“Can you make me a Nuclear Fire Chicken Noodle?”
To carry out the order, the Magical Spirit quickly disappeared into the kitchen.
An evil smile that Eddie couldn’t hide briefly appeared on his lips and disappeared.
He was the one who ordered the Fire Chicken Noodle.
Of course, there was no mention anywhere that he would be serving a new menu that hadn’t been launched yet, but Eddie hummed a tune as he entered the kitchen.
Soon, a spicy smell filled the kitchen.