"I'll Catch Up Later, So Go On Ahead!" I Said, and Stayed Behind in the Dungeon for Five Years. When I Returned to the Royal Capital, for Some Reason, I Had Become a Great Criminal, So I Decided to Retire. But Outstanding People Keep Gathering Around Me Though... - Episode 19: Good Work

Episode 19: Good Work

“Hero Haruto. That is my true identity.”

I finally revealed the truth about myself to the two of them. There was no turning back now.

“You’re… *that* Hero Haruto…?”

“……”

Lisel, as expected, seemed to know of Hero Haruto. The boss remained silent.

I continued talking.

“First, let me explain how I ended up at this bakery.”

I recall it all. Five years ago. Why we decided to challenge the Calamity Causal Dungeon – Abyss Sanctum.

“I was a Hero, fighting day and night in the dungeons for this kingdom. But six years ago, a dungeon suddenly appeared. It wasn’t the usual type of dungeon rooted underground.”

Yes. The Abyss Sanctum was not a normal dungeon.

“Mysterious gates appeared in various parts of the royal capital. And swarms of monsters poured out of them. What lay beyond those gates was the Abyss Sanctum. You’ve both heard of the Black Calendar Calamity, haven’t you?”

“Yes… At the time, we feared it might affect us here too…”

The Black Calendar Calamity──was the name of the incident where monsters overflowed from the Abyss Sanctum. It was such a major crisis that many believed the world might end. It was centered around the kingdom.

“To deal with it, the Hero party received a royal decree. We were ordered to conquer the dungeon and eliminate the threat.”

Although they managed to contain the gates with barrier magic, it wasn’t a permanent solution. Eventually, the barriers would fail. That’s why we headed into the Abyss Sanctum.

“We challenged that dungeon. But it was a fight down to the wire. And I──chose to stay behind alone so my comrades could escape.”

“No way…”

Lisel’s eyes widened in shock.

“Yes. I stayed in the Abyss Sanctum for five whole years. I used to look more ordinary. But the years in that dungeon must’ve changed my appearance.”

“Haru-san…”

I kept my eyes down and continued recounting the past.

“Inside the dungeon, I couldn’t even tell how much time passed. I just kept fighting S-rank and higher monsters endlessly. There was no place to rest, only constant battle. Honestly… I had almost given up on living. But what kept me going was the will to return to my friends.”

Even now, I can remember it vividly. How many times I almost gave up. How many times I thought of dying.

It would be easier to just get eaten by a monster here. Living in that place was nothing but hell. I was exhausted from trying to live. But somehow, I managed to hold on.

“Also, whenever I entered the dungeon, I always carried hardtack with me. In the Abyss Sanctum, I’d nibble on it little by little. That bread became my symbol of hope──Bread was something special to me…”

That hardtack is all gone now. But without it, I might’ve accepted death long ago.

“Monsters in the Abyss Sanctum seemed to spawn endlessly. But after five years of fighting, things gradually quieted down. And then, one day──I suddenly found an exit gate and returned. I was truly overjoyed to be back… but when I reached the capital, I saw a wanted poster with my name. It said I was now a great criminal.”

Before I knew it, Lisel was quietly crying. And the boss looked more tense than ever.

“I won’t ask you to believe me. Just know that I committed no crime. I gave everything I had fighting for the people, as a Hero. But… I was exhausted. Even though I fought for the people, I was treated that way and my heart broke. I no longer had the strength to seek the truth. So I wandered. That’s when──I saw a help-wanted poster for this bakery. Bread had kept me tied to life in that dungeon. So, with nothing else to rely on, I came here.”

That concludes the story of my past. And then, I bowed deeply to the two of them.

“That is my past. Once again, I truly apologize. I deceived you both, pretending to be the former adventurer Haru while working here. Even though I am a great criminal──”

I stood up. I had no right to stay here anymore.

“Lisel. Boss. Though it was a short time, the days I spent here were truly irreplaceable. Thank you──for everything.”

Once again, I bowed.

Bowing deeply, deeply, I left the room.

Yeah…

Maybe I’ll go travel somewhere far away.

The world is vast.

I’ll live alone. I’ll make sure I never trouble anyone again.

Thank you. Boss. Lisel. I’m truly glad I met you both.

With the memories of that happy time in my heart, I’ll live on──alone.

—

—

—

But just then, Lisel suddenly hugged me tightly from behind.

“No…! Haru-san! Don’t go……!!”

She said that in a tearful voice……

“Lisel… But, you saw it yourself. My power is far too great.”

There was a reason I had to leave, apart from being branded a great criminal.

Fighting Zephyr made it clear.

I was reborn into this world as a Hero, with unmatched talent. Even five years ago, I was one of the most powerful individuals in the world. And after five years in the Abyss Sanctum, my power had skyrocketed even further.

I now knew──that my strength had crossed into something beyond human.

I’m a monster wearing human skin. That’s what I’ve become.

But Lisel looked at me with unwavering eyes.

“It’s true. You’re incredibly strong. But you’re not someone who uses that power to hurt others! I don’t understand magic or strength very well, but I do know this──you’re the kindest person I’ve ever known!!”

“Lisel……”

Ah──that’s right. I’ve never used my strength to hurt people. I’ve always fought with everything I had to protect others.

Lisel’s words saw through to the heart of me. They moved me deeply.

“Haru.”

The boss had remained silent until now. He finally spoke.

“I get it. You’re Hero Haruto. But is that really a reason to leave this place?”

“Wha──? B-but I’m a great criminal… and incredibly powerful…”

“I don’t care about any of that. I only know you. Besides, both Lisel and I can tell what kind of person someone is. And working with you made it clear—you’re not a bad guy.”

“Boss……”

Lisel’s and the boss’ words pierced deep into my heart.

And then, I don’t know why… but before I realized it, tears were quietly rolling down my cheeks. A single stream traced my face. I could feel something that had been locked deep in my chest silently falling apart.

“H-huh? Why…?”

When I came back, even when I was in total despair and broken inside, I couldn’t cry. But now, I felt human warmth. Their words melted the ice around my heart.

Gently, Lisel hugged me as if to wrap me in kindness.

“Haru-san. Thank you for protecting our peaceful lives. Thanks to everything you did, we’ve been able to live ordinary days without fear──Thank you so much, for everything you’ve done.”

I see. That’s it. I just… wanted someone to say those words to me.

And finally──all of the immense hardship I’d endured felt like it had been rewarded.

At that moment, every emotion I had been holding in burst forth as tears.

“U… UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!”

I cried out loud in Lisel’s arms.

All this time, I had carried a sense of guilt. I hadn’t committed any crimes. But society viewed me as a great criminal. I didn’t feel like someone who had the right to be with such kind people. That’s why I couldn’t truly smile from my heart.

And then… the Orug and the Ceres Golem. Both were considered dangerous monsters by society. Yet I had taken them down with ease. Deep down, I had already realized that my power had grown far too great.

But still… Lisel and the boss—they looked at me as Haru. They acknowledged me.

I had thought I no longer had a place in this world. But this bakery had become the most precious, irreplaceable place to me.

“Haru-san. Let’s keep working together! I want to be with you more…!!”

“If you’re not around, we’ll be in trouble for heavy lifting. Don’t you dare quit on your own. You still haven’t passed the bread test. You’re staying here to work.”

“Lisel… Boss… Yes! I’ll be counting on you from now on too!”

It was in that moment that I clearly severed myself from my past.

The *Hero Haruto* no longer existed.

From now on, I would live as *Haru the Baker*.

For the sake of the two who accepted the real me──

†

“Humm, humm, humm~”

I didn’t get fired. And I’ve continued working at the bakery ever since. Right now, Lisel is snipping away with scissors in my house.

“Haru-san, I’m going to cut it pretty short, okay?”

“Yeah. I’m counting on you.”

Up until now, I’d just let my hair grow out and tied it behind my head. But with everything that had happened, I decided to get a clean cut.

The pleasant sound of snipping echoed. Lisel seemed experienced at this—she probably cut the boss’ hair too.

“Haru-san, how’s this length?”

“Oh! Feels nice and fresh!”

Looking into the mirror she handed me, I checked my hair. It was now completely short—giving me a clean, neat look. My sharp gaze remained unchanged. But the haircut made me feel like I’d been reborn.

“I’m glad you liked it.”

“Yeah. Thanks for doing this.”

“No, not at all. Um… your short hair suits you really well. You look cool.”

Lisel said with a smile.

After the haircut, I went to work as usual. The customer reactions were good too—everyone said the short hair was definitely better.

Once again, I resolved to do my best as the reborn Haru the Baker. First goal: get the boss to approve of my bread.

Night fell. On the way home, I unexpectedly ran into Felina. It had been a while since I’d seen her. She was dressed as usual in adventurer’s gear.

“Huh…? Could that be you, Haru-san?”

“Felina-san. Hello.”

“You cut your hair! It looks really good!”

“Thank you.”

I gave her a small bow. It was a relief to hear she liked it too.

“Still, looks like the bakery’s already closed.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Got it. Then I’ll stop by again tomorrow.”

“Yes. I’ll be looking forward to your visit.”

After that brief exchange, we parted ways—but then, as if it were nothing unusual, Felina spoke again.

“By the way, Senpai. Do you have any bread recommendations lately?”

“Recommendations? Uh──ah.”

I responded without thinking.

Yes, Felina always used to call me Senpai. I’d let my guard down. I reflexively answered her like I had five years ago.

Then, with eyes wide, she quickly regained her composure and asked me again:

“…So I was right. You really are Senpai──aren’t you?”

Original Author’s Comment:

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  Chapter 1: The Shadow Hero

〈Haru the Baker〉 – End

〈Reunion and Judgment〉 – Continues

【Afterword】

That wraps up the first half of Chapter 1.

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