Transmigrated Into A Tragic Romance Fantasy

“Well, that’s that. Thank you for the help Erenscia, you’ve been working hard, I couldn’t have finished installing all these devices without you. Shall we return now?”

[Yes.]

It was early evening.

After Elden and Lumia finished this quadrant, both returned to the lodging.

Nothing unusual had happened.

With winter coming, the streets of Winterfell were somewhat peaceful, with only those who were making their last-minute preparations out and about.

It seemed almost Unbelievable that a Black Magic user might be lurking somewhere.

As Lumia strolled in such peaceful streets......

“OH?! Lord Elden! It’s really you!”

At the sudden shout of a child, both Lumia and Elden stopped in their tracks.

Called by that youthful voice, Elden turned his head and saw a somewhat scruff-looking boy.

“......?”

The boy appeared to be about 10 years old.

He had something like a tattered straw mat tied tightly around his neck like a cape, held a dented metal pot like a shield, and in his other hand was a wooden sword carved from a thick branch.

Around him stood two boys and a girl, all holding crude weapons like wooden axes or hammers.

Judging by their appearance and formation, the boy who spoke seemed to be the leader of the group.

Elden couldn’t be more confused by this situation.

“.........Do you know me, kid?”

“Of course!”

Elden’s confusion only grew stronger.

Usually, children would run away from him.

After all, what child would greet an adult with cruel crimson eyes, and a sharp face?

Let alone an adult noble. Smart children learn very early that nobles, especially the young ones must be avoided at all costs.

Of course, Elden’s reputation was improving now, but it was still a bit puzzling for a random commoner child to approach him with such a bright smile while knowing who he was.

However, the confusion didn’t last long.

“You saved me and my mother during the Betrothal Festival!”

“Ah, you’re that kid.”

Finally remembering him, Elden smiled.

A few months ago, he had saved a mother and her child from being brutally assaulted by an ugly bastard.

Moreover, the child made an impression on him with his mature speech that belied his age.

He had even given money to the child and his mother, telling them to leave far away from the tyrant of a family member.

Therefore, his faint smile froze due to worry.

The fact that they remained here might mean they were once again trapped in the shadow of the ugly Tyrant.

But,

The absence of bruises and the child’s carefree and joyful mood indicated that his worries were unfounded.

“Kid. I remembered telling you and your mother to leave this place, why you’re still here?”

Because of his sharp question - mostly fuelled by worry - the boy scratched the back of his head and sheepishly answered,

“Ah.......T-This is our hometown, Lord Elden...A-And mother said we wouldn’t be able to make a living elsewhere.”

Tsk-.

Elden clicked his tongue.

Prolonged violence makes humans weak.

The weakness created by being a victim of abuse usually made them unable to react, becoming shackled animals, accustomed to suffering.

Eventually, even when the shackles of violence are removed and the fence falls, they put the shackles back on themselves and rebuild the fence to stay there.

It might seem foolish, but for them, it’s the life they’ve lived and will continue to live.

That’s why Elden clicked his tongue.

Fortunately, he soon realized his conclusion was wrong.

“Fath-That man passed away. They said he got into a fight with other prisoners.”

“I see. That’s fortunate.”

It’s bitter to consider a family member’s death fortunate, but Elden, who knew better than anyone that sometimes family can be worse than beasts, was able to offer such consolation.

The boy grinned.

“Hehehe-. It’s all thanks to you, Lord Elden! You’re my hero!”

A 10-year-old boy smiling happily at his father’s death might seem strange to some, but not to Elden.

Once upon a time, he too wished for the death of the one who had condemned his younger self to a horrible life, trying to pay their debt.

So, for him, the boy’s pure smile evoked more empathy than discomfort.

“I see. Just take care of your mom now Kid.”

Pat, Pat-.

Elden stroked the boy’s head with a fond smile, intending to end their reunion.

However,

“W-Wait, Lord Elden!”

The boy yelled his name once again.

This world is built on a strict class society.

Had the child’s mother seen this, she would certainly have scolded him for such presumptuous behavior while bowing to Elden as she prayed for forgiveness.

But from Elden’s point of view, there was no need to reprimand a child for calling his name.

“Mn?”

“I...I know I’m useless now, but I’m training! B-But since I don’t know when we will meet again, please give me a task if you need anything! I...I want to repay you for what you’ve done to me and mom!”

Elden chuckled as he eyed the boy and his ‘followers’.

The fire in the child’s eyes was akin to the ambition of a mercenary leader, gathering his band.

“I even formed my own group! We all want to become a Hero like you! In time everyone will know of the Heroes of ‘El’! And they will know you inspired us!”

“......The Heroes of El?”

“Yes, sir!”

Snap-!

Perhaps the child was trying to copy a posture he’d seen somewhere, as he took on a formal stance, pressing his sword to his side and clicking his heels together.

Smiling once more, Elden stroked his chin, pretending to be in deep thought, as he played along with the children.

“Hm...”

The children held their breath, anticipating their mission.

Elden looked around at their bright, expectant eyes before finally speaking.

“Well, since I was just heading back to my lodging, so I’ll entrust the ‘Heroes of El’ with being our escorts.”

“Yes-!!”

The children jumped for joy as their first mission - Escort a noble - was given.

Perhaps this might very well be the first mission, the first stepping stone for the legend of the Heroes of El.

And then.

“......”

Watching this all happen, Lumia felt a rather strange sensation.

Everything she was witnessing was fascinating.

Read lat𝙚st chapters at fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓ Only.

Commoner children fearlessly approaching and greeting a noble.

Commoner children calling someone once known as a Villain as their Hero.

And, commoner children asking for a way to repay his kindness, after naming their group after him.

Also...

Elden Raphelion is seriously engaging in the children’s play.

Elden Raphelion, smiling warmly as he watched the children play.

Seeing all this happen, a fond smile sneaked its way into Lumia’s face.

It was rather ironic, to see the man who in the past, would have kicked a child for doing less.

“So, who’s the leader of the ‘Heroes of El’?”

“Sir! It’s me! Captain Verom!”

“Hm, I see. I shall entrust my safety to you then, Captain Verom.”

“You can trust us! Heroes of El! Form ranks! March!”

“”Huray!””

Elden played along with the children as if protecting their innocence.

Perhaps because his behavior was...so cool...so touching, and....So beautiful...

Lumia couldn’t take her eyes off him.

Once again she realized why the other two women had fallen for him.

When Elden caught her staring at him, and asked why she was doing such a thing, Lumia almost blurted out her thoughts,

Because you’re so dashing.

For the first time in a while, Lumia thanked all the Gods she knew for her current inability to speak.

Badump-.

Thump-.

Badump-.

Thump-.

All the while her heart continued to pound against her chest.

**

“Can I become as cool as you, Lord Elden?”

“You’re the best noble ever, Lord Elden!”

“What’s like outside the Grand Duchy?! It’s true that there are lots of Monsters outside?!”

“Hey now! Quiet! Heroes of El, focus on our mission! The client’s safety is our top priority!”

......Sigh-.

They are certainly a lively bunch.

I can understand why mothers with various children zone out sometimes.

Unlike Verom, who continued to play the serious role of the Captain, the other three little ones, chattered incessantly throughout the walk.

Fortunately, after the captain’s reprimand, the Heroes of El fell silent...albeit with pouting lips, as we headed towards the lodging.

Then,

“Oh? Why is that fountain so crowded?”

Various people gathered around a small fountain in the corner of a public square.

It was a fountain with a statue of a baby holding a book in one hand and a staff in the other.

As a dutiful Captain, Derom answered me.

“That’s the fountain of Delv, the child of Deborn the God of Wishes, famous for well, granting wishes, so it’s always crowded.”

Ah, so it’s a wish-granting fountain.

Despite the lengthy stay in the Grand Duchy, since the preliminaries for the Betrothal, this fountain wasn’t in the original Elden’s memories.

Even during the Culinary Journey, I haven’t seen a wish-granting fountain.

Of course, it may be just a fabricated belief,  but just as in modern times people stack stones while making wishes, places to lean on and pin hopes exist everywhere, so I decided to make a simple wish.

“Well, in this case, shall we make a wish?”

At these words, Verom raised his wooden sword and shouted to his companions.

“Understood! Heroes of El! our client is moving to a crowded area, so maintain a guard in a square pattern and be fully prepared!”

“”Huray!””

......These kids.

Did they learn all this from a bandit group rather than a mercenary band?

Their somewhat barbaric(?) way of psyching themselves up is quite cute though.

As we arrived near the fountain...

“A noble Lord is coming through! Make way people! Ma’an please excuse us! Hey! You don’t push!”

“Sir! Suspicious fatty sighted on our six! Be careful!”

“Understood!”

With the zealous, almost aggressive escort of the Heroes of El, we arrived at the fountain.

Everyone around us seemed to be playing along with the children’s escort, treating it as a game.

Various objects had been thrown into the water of the fountain.

Though not wide, the fountain was deeper than expected.

“What do you throw when making a wish?”

“They say the more precious the item, the faster your wish comes true.”

“Is that so?”

Hm-.

The more precious, the higher the probability, huh?

If I’d known, I should’ve brought something from the lodgings.

With only a sword and money on hand, I took out a silver coin.

It’s just for fun anyway, no need to stake my life on it, so I threw the coin and made a wish.

Please make all my companions, including Erenscia, happy. And please let Rendler find a lovely elderly lady for him to settle on with.

Lately, I’ve noticed that Rendler was a bit lonely, so I added that last bit and finished my wish.

Then, I glanced at Lumia.

She was making a wish with her hands clasped, taking about 20 seconds as if she had quite a lot to wish for.

They say you shouldn’t ask about or tell others your wishes.

So I turned to leave with Lumia, and at that moment, I saw a small white ring glimmering beneath the water’s surface.

With many people making wishes around, I thought someone must have thrown it in.

As I looked at that glimmering ring, a thought occurred to me.

“From what I can see, there’s some valuable stuff thrown there. If someone takes them, do the wishes not come true?”

Verom’s answer quickly resolved my doubt.

“The Winterfell’s guards are always watching, and I’ve never heard of someone stealing the items thrown in the fountain, but I imagine it’d be a capital offense.”

“I see.”

Well, a city needs to preserve its tourist spots after all.

Thanks to the Heroes of El, we safely left the fountain and arrived at the lodging.

As I entered the living room alone, I heard some loud voices.

“Hmpf! That’s nothing! I...I’ve felt El-Elden’s thi-thing...In...the m-midd-There! You know?”

“WHAT!? You mean his manhood?!”

“Yes! See? I’m ahead of you!”

“I-I had my breasts fondled by the My Lord m-multiple times!”

“What?!!! E-Elden touched those b-big...so big... why are they so big...!!”

“Indeed! He touched me various times by now!”

...

......?

.........??

...............What kind of fucked up conversation is this???