Rick woke up the next morning to the sound of people cheering. "God fucking dammit... who in the fucking right mind is cheering at this hour?!"
"I was enjoying my dream of being pampered by some milfs!"
He sat up in the guild bed, still tired from the fight the day before and confused. He could hear people gathering in the streets through the window, their voices raised in celebration.
"Did something happen while I was sleeping or some shit...?" Rick is still half awake because of how confused he is seeing the situation outside.
"You're awake," Carmilla said from the chair next to his bed.
"Ahh!" Rick was surprised to see Carmilla was next to him all the time. "S-Sorry... I didn't know you were here, Carmilla."
"N-No. I'm supposed to say that because I surprised you like that..."
He saw her armor was gone, and she was wearing simple travel clothes instead. It looked like she had been on guard all night.
"What happened there?" Rick asked.
"Seems like the city wants to meet its heroes."
"Heroes?" Rick's voice was hoarse from sleep. "What are you talking about?"
Natasha, who came in the room at the right time, answers, "You beat an Ancient Black Dragon and stood up to the Dragon Queen herself."
She came into the room with three cups of tea. "Of course everyone is going to think you're that hero who saved the Capital from the brink of destruction."
Rick groaned and lay back down on the pillow. "I didn't do it to get famous..."
"I just didn't want anyone to die... but still... I can still see someone dying." Rick sighed.
"That's why they're calling you a hero," Carmilla said with a soft smile. "Real heroes don't want fame. They only do the right thing for the best."
Before Rick could say anything else, Sebastian appeared at the foot of his bed, looking very pleased with himself. "Rise and shine, gooner who's now a dragon slayer."
"The Grand Magister has thrown a party for you, and you are the guest of honor whether you like it or not."
"Can't I just sleep for three more days? My fucking body and head hurt..."
"Nope! Now you have things to do, young hero! And of course... fame is a heavy load. You need to get used to it because this is everyone's wet dream as a protagonist."
"Fucking hell..."
...
Rick was standing on a platform in the central plaza, the same place where the battle had reached its peak the day before. The body of the Ancient Black Dragon had been taken away, and temporary decorations had been hung from every surface.
There were thousands of people in the plaza, more than Rick had ever seen in one place. Grand Magister Fredrich stood next to him, accompanied by Carmilla, Natasha, and Liora, who had spent the night in the capital.
Fredrich raised his hands for silence, and the crowd cheered. "Everyone! Can I please get your attention?"
"Ehem!" The Grand Magister's voice echoed through the plaza, magically making it louder so that everyone could hear it. "Yesterday, we were going to be destroyed."
"An ancient black dragon, corrupted and controlled by powers we can't understand, said it would burn our beloved city to the ground."
"A lot of you lost homes, businesses, and loved ones."
"The tragedy was huge."
The crowd got quiet as they remembered the fear and loss.
"But heroes came out in our darkest hour!" Fredrich pointed to Rick and his friends. "Rick Rolland, a young adventurer who was only a little over twenty, ran straight at a dragon to protect strangers."
"Carmilla Crimsonford, a veteran knight from Thornwick, stood like an unbreakable shield. Natasha Ravenscar, a master of ice magic, gave the accuracy and control needed to take down such a monster."
"And High Priestess...! Liora Sunweaver came all the way from the Golden Shrine to pass judgment on the evil creature!"
People in the crowd cheered. Rick felt his face burn with shame as thousands of people looked at him.
"Holy shit... I really am the protagonist here... now that's what I always dreamed of when seeing an anime."
"Rick Rolland stood up to the Dragon Queen and did not give in!" Fredrich went on. "He told the truth to those in power, defended the innocent, and earned the respect of one of the Seven Powers through his bravery!"
"Because of his bravery and sacrifice, I give him the title of Dragon Knight and full citizenship in Valdris, with all the rights and privileges that come with it!"
More cheers came in. And Rick wanted to sink into the platform and be gone.
"Please stop exaggerating it... I don't want to have a big ego here."" Rick thought to himself.
Fredrich pulled out a fancy medal and said, "The crown also gives each of our heroes the Medal of Extraordinary Valor, the highest civilian honor in the kingdom!"
Rick stood still while Fredrich put the medal on his chest. Then he gave medals to Carmilla, Natasha, and Liora.
The crowd's cheers were so loud that Rick could see the people he had saved the day before. Margaret, the shop owner, Elena with her kids, and Lady Beatrice were all in the crowd, cheering louder than anyone else.
The real party started after the official ceremony was over. There was music in the plaza, food came out of nowhere, and people danced in the streets.
It was a festival that came from relief and thankfulness, a collective sigh of relief after making it through the impossible. Rick tried to get away from the attention, but people kept coming up to him to shake his hand, thank him, or just touch him as if his bravery might be contagious.
Despite only standing there and receiving praise, he felt mentally drained by the time evening came. He was mentally drained by the time evening came.
Sebastian said, "You look miserable," as he appeared on Rick's shoulder when he finally found a quiet spot. "Most people would do anything for this kind of love."
Rick said, "I'm not like most people."
"I just want to relax."
"You fucking liar... I know damn well you wanted to be popular in the last life. But anyway..."
"Well, I have some good news and some interesting news. Which one do you want first?"
"Good news."
"Your actions yesterday, along with the emotional ties you've made stronger, have opened up new functions in the system. In particular, two new skills that will help you grow much faster."
Rick saw a notification.
[NEW SKILL UNLOCKED: SEDUCE TO EXP LV.MAX]
[DESCRIPTION: GET EXPERIENCE WHEN OLDER WOMEN (30+) SHOW ROMANTIC OR AFFECTIONATE INTEREST IN YOU. THE AMOUNT CHANGES WITH HOW SINCERE AND DEEP THE FEELING IS. IT WORKS BOTH WAYS BY GIVING OR GETTING AFFECTION MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD]
[NEW SKILL UNLOCKED: COMFORT TO EXP LV.MAX]
[DESCRIPTION: GAIN EXPERIENCE WHEN GIVING OR RECEIVING EMOTIONAL OR PHYSICAL COMFORT FROM MATURE WOMEN (30+). HEALING TOUCH, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, AND STRESS RELIEF ALL CREATE EXP BASED ON REAL CARE]
Rick looked at the notifications. "Holy..."
"...fucking..."
"...shit!"