Retired Hero's Slow life

Chapter 6: The Hero vs The Royal Guards!

Elvin's POV:

How did it come to this?

A bunch of Merfolk were pointing their tridents at me with an angry gaze.

"Release lady Ariel at once!" One of the Mermen shouted.

About a day ago.

"Phew~ It's finally done." I said as I wiped my brow.

I had finally finished creating a makeshift plumbing system.

I found some slimes near a lake and decided to come up with a system of plumbing that allowed the slimes to intake any filth or grime and feed off it.

You'd be surprised how resourceful slimes can be.

To be honest though, I did see a similar system in the human kingdom, so it's not an original idea, but the design itself is original.

Of course, I made the plumbing connect to the outhouse as well.

It was getting pretty filthy in there anyways.

After that, Ariel and I spent the rest of the day relaxing.

We went to the beach on her request and ended up playing with a ball I made from a few materials I had stored in my inventory.

Then, while we were playing.

"Elvin, catch!" Ariel shouted as she bumped the ball into the air, but it never reached me.

Instead, the ball blew up and vanished into thin air.

"Lady Ariel, get away from that filthy human man!" A man shouted from the side of us.

There, a group of Mermen crowded the shore and began to approach the beach we were on.

"Ariel, do you know these people?" I asked.

With a look of guilt and refusal on her face, she replied.

"They're the royal guards, and they've come to bring me back to Atlantis."

"Lady Ariel, the prince has been worried sick about you ever since you were kidnapped by this disgusting human!" The Merman continued.

"Enough with your insults! Elvin has done no such thing, I ran away before I ever met this man!" Ariel suddenly shouted.

I nearly forgot how much of a temper she can have when she's really upset.

Hm? Thinking about it like that, it makes you wonder how she went from what she used to be like when I first met her.

She was extremely furious back then, but later when she calmed down she seemed a lot shyer and more kind.

That's weird, just thinking about her over the past few months suddenly made my heartbeat faster, am I getting sick again or something?

After Ariel had shouted that, the Mermen got riled up saying cliché lines like "Lady Ariel has been brainwashed!" Or "Don't worry, we'll purify you from this filth!" and other such lines.

Honestly, if I hadn't dealt with beings like the Demon Lord or the Demon God, I don't know if I would be able to take such verbal abuse.

Oh well, I was warned Ariel living with me would result in some headaches down the line, so I guess this is it then.

After all the insults and slander towards me faded, their rage had not.

All of them quickly came ashore and began attacking me.

"Wait, what are you all doing!? Coming onto land is a crime far worse than murder!" Ariel shouted in shock.

"Do not fear, Lady Ariel, we were given permission from his Majesty to come ashore as many times as needed to deal with this human and bring you back!" They shouted while raising their morale.

Ariel was completely speechless, it seemed like no matter what she did or said, it wouldn't get through to them.

In that case, I had better step in.

I somehow managed to get a grasp of their character through their words, basically, their really just a bunch of suitors wanting to look good in front of Ariel, and if that's the case, then I can use this to my advantage.

I stepped in front of Ariel making sure to guard her while I boldly began to shout towards the guards.

"If you truly wanted to protect her, then you'll have to be at least as strong as me!" I declared.

"Hah!? Just who do you think you are!?" The group of men shouted in unison.

"The Former Hero, Elvin. That is who I am." I said honestly.

From behind me, I couldn't see Ariel's reaction, but I imagined it being something of shock and gratitude maybe? Or maybe shock and hatred? Or perhaps just shock.

Of the Three Great Races, it is widely known and respected by all three, the Hero that only humanity is able to produce.

That is essentially what I had just declared myself to be, and of course, everyone laughed except me and Ariel.

"I can prove it, if you'd like." I said, tauntingly.

"Oh, really? Then, by all means, show us how you'll prove yourself as the former hero." The leader of the group said with a smug look on his face.

"By showing you my status page." I said triumphantly.

That shut them up.

Not because I'm showing them my status, but what me willing to show it means.

It means I'm not afraid of death.

It's customary in this world to hide your status or not fully reveal it unless necessary, some places even go so far as to believe that doing so would be equated with death.

So, of course, my words are not to be taken lightly, and as well is my action that I am about to take.

"Here it is, do you see it now?" I said domineeringly while taking a few steps forward, holding out my status towards them to let them know I was being completely serious.

"Y-Yes, we see it!" The leader shrieked as he and his group continued to be backed into the ocean.

Once they had been fully emerged into the ocean, they ran with their fins tucked behind their backs.

Afterwards, I calmed myself down from my more menacing appearance and made sure Ariel was alright.

Later, when we were both calmed down from the whole situation, I told her about myself and how I was a hero who was summoned for the human kingdom, and that because there was both no more enemies to confront at my level, and I was getting too old, I decided to retire and live out the rest of my life in peace.

After hearing so, Ariel's response was.

"I'm really sorry!"

An apology.

"You don't have to apologize. You've done nothing wrong." I said.

"Even so, because of me, I've brought such trouble upon you, therefore, I'm truly sorry!" She said once more.

I simply smiled at her while patting her head.

"Ariel, you might not think it, but I'm really glad you are living with me, every day I spend with you nothing but pure joy and bliss. Yes, our lives are not the most comfortable yet, and we have much in the need for improvement, but even so, right now, I'm happiest I can be with you by my side." I said wholeheartedly.

I was aware that what I was saying was somewhat cringey out loud, but it was my true feelings nonetheless.

Which, thankfully, Ariel understood, so the rest of the day went without incident.

-Meanwhile in Atlantis-

"What!? My daughter ran away to the surface and is living with some human!? I guess I'll go and pay that trouble making daughter of mine while giving that rascal human a piece of my mind!" A furious old man shouted as he stormed out of his mansion and headed towards the surface.

What will become of Ariel and Elvin's peaceful life from here onwards?