"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 2: Five Years of Time

Episode 2: Five Years of Time

“What──what is the meaning of this?”

I don’t understand. Why am I being wanted, treated like a great criminal……?

Even though we challenged that world’s worst dungeon on the country’s request.

I was happy to be able to return.

The only reason I managed to hold on to my will to live in the Abyss Sanctum was because I believed I would surely return one day and meet everyone again.

But what waited for me was this treatment. I don’t understand. Was someone trying to frame me……?

No, maybe my party members had deceived me?

The truth behind it──I don’t know.

But……I’m tired. I’m completely exhausted. My long hair has turned completely white from extreme stress.

I already……don’t even have the energy to chase the truth anymore.

Ah──I see. At that moment, I clearly realized it.

The “something” I had managed to hold on to even in the worst dungeon in history──had snapped.

From that point on, I don’t remember what I did.

I just kept walking, as if wandering aimlessly.

Whether lucky or not, my appearance changed over these five years.

My voice also became even deeper.

There’s no one who would think I am “Hero Haruto” now.

Even my former comrades wouldn’t recognize me.

There was no longer a place for me in this world.

—

Before I realized it, I was standing in an alleyway of the royal capital.

There was barely any foot traffic in the shadow of the stone buildings standing in rows.

But then, a piece of paper caught my eye.

〈Urgent Recruitment: Apprentice Baker〉

Several job notices were carelessly posted on an old bulletin board.

But just one of them strangely drew my attention.

〈Workplace: Rothen / Store Name: Boulanger Rothen〉

〈Live-in possible / No experience necessary / Bread lovers welcome〉

Unlike the nearby notices for mercenaries from the Adventurers’ Guild or for serving jobs, this one was oddly eye-catching.

On the parchment was a small drawing of freshly baked bread──a fluffy round bread with lines of steam.

The taste of hardtack suddenly came to mind.

Those times in that journey, when we laughed about our hunger.

And how it gave me hope to survive in that dungeon.

That tiny memory──was the only certain thing I had left now.

“…Rothen, huh.”

I slowly peeled the job posting off the board.

As if running away, yet somehow being guided, I began walking.

—

“Hey, did you hear about the recent monster attacks?”

“I think a ‘named’ appeared nearby, right?”

“Yeah. The guild apparently named it Disaster Fang Beast – Orug. Even high-level adventurers are being wiped out.”

“…So even the royal capital might not remain peaceful.”

I thought I heard such conversation. But I didn’t care and kept heading toward Rothen.

—

I had no money to ride a carriage, so I walked to Rothen.

It was a small town past the northern hills from the royal capital.

It would take around three hours by carriage. So walking would take more than half a day.

I walked mindlessly, believing my future lay ahead.

This job notice was my last support.

Taking a shortcut through the forest, I sensed the presence of a massive monster.

“──Grrrrrrrrrr……”

The monster let out a low growl and glared straight at me.

Ah. That’s the ‘named’ they were talking about earlier, huh.

A jet-black beast over five meters long.

Its back had thorn-like miasma bones. And with a single roar, it could drive surrounding monsters into frenzy.

This thing was also in the Abyss Sanctum.

Outside the dungeon it would be considered S-rank. But inside the Abyss Sanctum, it was one of the weaker monsters.

I activated magic.

As the Disaster Fang Beast – Orug charged toward me, I reached out my hand.

In that instant──a pure white light pierced it. And Orug disappeared. It left only its drop items behind.

“…Let’s go.”

Without even glancing at the defeated monster, I kept walking.

—

“So this is…”

I arrived at Rothen.

The stone-paved street was filled with peaceful voices and the savory scent of baking bread.

In the central plaza stood a bell tower in place of a clock tower. It rang a clear chime.

The roofs were mostly red-brown tiles. Moss-covered wooden buildings lined the streets. They were giving a relaxed feel. It was as if even time passed slowly.

Ah. Not bad.

This calmness felt like it could heal my heart.

Where I was headed──was a bakery called “Boulanger Rothen”.

A small stone-paved alley just off the town’s main street.

At the end of it stood an old two-story wooden building.

“This is the place.”

I opened the door and entered the store.

A small bell rang gently, *Ding-a-ling,* and a female clerk greeted me with a smile.

She was a girl with soft chestnut-colored hair cut just below the chin.

She looked a little younger than me.

“Welcome!”

On the shelves, freshly baked bread was quietly lined up.

Round bread, herb-flavored bread sticks, sweet bread kneaded with berries, loaf bread.

Just from looking, the delicious smell convinced me they were good.

“Excuse me. I actually came after seeing this.”

I took out the job posting and showed it to her.

Her eyes opened wide in surprise.

“Please wait a moment!”

She said that and disappeared into the back of the store.

At that moment, I faintly heard her voice, “Dad—!”

I see. They run the store as a family.

Then, a man appeared.

He looked to be in his late forties.

He wasn’t tall. But he had broad shoulders and a well-toned body.

On his left cheek was a scar, as if burned by sparks.

His sharp eyes scanned me, evaluating.

“Oh… so you want to work here? You.”

“Yes.”

“Come to the back. I’ll interview you.”

“Yes. Please take care of me.”

I was guided to the back of the store.

There was a room with a small wooden table and chairs.

By the wall was a small window.

Outside it were dried burlap sacks and bundles of wheat.

“You can sit.”

“Excuse me.”

I wasn’t especially nervous.

I just thought──whatever happens, happens.

“I’ll say this first, our shop is strict. We had someone run off recently too. That’s why we’re hiring.”

“Geez, Dad, can’t you be a little kinder?”

“Hmph. Bread-making ain’t something sweet.”

“……”

I just silently watched the exchange between the two.

“I’m Baran. This here is my daughter, Lisel.”

“I am──”

Honestly, I couldn’t say “Haruto.”

*Hero Haruto* is already dead.

From now on, I will walk a path that is not of a hero.

Yeah. There’s no use drowning in despair.

So let’s forget the past. Let’s face forward and move on.

The person I am now is not *Hero Haruto*.

I am──

“Haru.”

“Haru, huh. So, why do you want this job?”

“…I was an adventurer. But……I got tired. Tired of everything. When I thought about what to do with the rest of my life, I saw this job notice.

When I explored dungeons as an adventurer, I always carried hardtack.

Bread was something I needed to survive.

That’s why──if I were to choose my next path, I thought it would be good if it involved bread…… That’s what I thought.”

Those words came out naturally.

Though I felt slightly guilty for hiding my identity, those were my true feelings.

“Oh… Do you have confidence in your stamina?”

“Yes.”

“My teaching is strict. Can you keep up?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. Haru. I’ll hire you. Ask Lisel about living arrangements. Tomorrow, be here before 4:30 AM. Got it?”

“Yes, Baran-san.”

“Call me Boss.”

“Yes. Boss.”

With that, my talk with the boss was over.

Then my eyes met those of his daughter, Lisel.

“Haru-san, you’re a former adventurer! You look strong too, so you seem really dependable. Looking forward to working with you!”

She offered a handshake. And I responded in kind.

Seeing her innocent smile somehow made me feel saved.

Thus──my second life began.