Chapter 135 The Difference In Settings
――Julius, the childhood friend character from "Last Brave," had his hometown destroyed by monsters and wants to join the Hero's journey to take revenge.
As I stood there in shock, Arnold calmly asked Julius,
"Your hometown was destroyed by monsters? I haven't heard any reports about that."
"It's a remote village. Well, I should say it's just a small rural town. To be more accurate, it's a border village."
That's different from "Last Brave." While Julius's hometown wasn't a big village, it was a village along the travel route with a decent number of people coming and going.
"Most of the villagers were elderly people with short life expectancies... except for my brother and me."
His brother. His existence was the reason Julius was skilled in healing magic. Because his brother was a wild and reckless kid who would get hurt all the time, Julius naturally became good at healing magic.
Julius continued in a low, regretful tone.
"The monsters killed all the villagers except for me. I managed to shake off the monster that was chasing me and made it to the city, where I heard rumors about the Hero. From then on, I followed those rumors... and ended up here."
The facts Julius spoke of were too cruel. His village, which was destroyed without even being reported to the royal capital, was a remote village that didn't even have a connection to the magician Flor's journey to strengthen the barriers of villages across the country.
As I felt a pang in my chest, I realized that the "monster chasing the sole survivor" referred to the two monsters that were chasing him back then.
"So, back then, the one chasing you was..."
"A monster targeting the survivor."
Just as I expected. But I couldn't respond to his answer.
Instead, I looked down and fell silent, and Arnold asked another question.
"Which village was it?"
"Deep in the Likerland Canyon."
―― I held my breath, or maybe it was Arnold. The two of us were left speechless.
Deep within the Likerland Canyon lies a secret village. It's located near our current destination, where Lukas and the others are headed.
(It's a missed opportunity... Ah, if only they were a little faster)
If only Lukas and the others had arrived a little sooner. Maybe they could have been saved.
The fact that the village was attacked by monsters suggests that it's probably located near a spirit's dwelling. That's also a case where a spirit-worshipping altar is built within the village, which I've seen several times in "Last Brave".
In any case, it's clear that Julius's hometown was destroyed due to the Demon King's attempt to seal the spirit, which prevented the Hero from obtaining the holy sword.
I've seen villages and cities destroyed by monsters in "Last Brave" several times. That's why I thought it wasn't impossible for something like that to happen in this world too. ――But I wasn't prepared for it at all.
Just hearing that a village was destroyed by monsters makes me feel like I'm going to collapse.
That's right, what's happening now is a war between humans and monsters. This isn't a game.
"Do you have any experience with fighting?"
Arnold asked Julius in his usual tone――although he's trying not to show any emotions, he's probably feeling uneasy――"Do you have any experience with fighting?" Julius would then flash a bright, white smile, a smile I've seen before.
"I do, to some extent. I was the village's sole bodyguard, after all."
I thought to myself, "That's the same setting, isn't it?" Julius in "Last Brave" also claimed to be the village's sole bodyguard and had experience fighting. That's why he asked to join the Hero's journey as a way to repay his debt.
――It feels like a distant memory, the day I made a sarcastic comment about the village's sole bodyguard leaving the village and being okay with it.
Arnold nodded slightly at Julius's words and then said,
"Then let's have you act as our bodyguard here too. The Hero isn't here right now, but they'll return eventually. That's fine for now."
It was an unexpected proposal.
I couldn't help but look at Arnold. However, he was only gazing at Julius, and didn't even glance in my direction.
On the other hand, Julius was nodding strongly, saying
"Ah! I owe you one, so let me tag along with you. Can I tell Hero that I want to go with him when he returns?"
"Do as you like. Just heal your wounds for now."
Arnold pointed to the half-drunk healing potion in Julius's hand. Julius let out a bitter smile, saying "It's bitter..."
As I glanced at him, I pulled Arnold's arm and led him to the corner of the synthesis room. He didn't resist, and let me pull him away from Julius's side.
"Arnold-san, um..."
Just by calling his name, he seemed to understand everything I was trying to say. He gave a straightforward answer.
"The area around Likerland Canyon is infested with violent monsters. If he was able to defend the village on his own, he must be quite skilled... I'm not in top condition right now, so I'd like to have some battle power, even if it's just a little."
"That's true..."
As for me, I also agree with inviting Julius to join our party. Just like Arnold said, Julius has solid combat abilities, and with the Hero's party split in 2, it's not unreasonable to want more battle power, especially with Flaria's standby team.
Arnold let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples as if to smooth out the wrinkles between his eyebrows.
"...It's unbearable. When I set out on this journey, I had resolved to save as many lives as possible, but to have someone I could've saved die instead... it's too much."
We can't save everyone. That's a problem we'll eventually face. But to have it thrust upon us like this... it's hard to accept.
I know that sighing about it now won't change anything, but I can't help it.
I also let out a small sigh, and the gentle smile of my childhood friend flashed in my mind.
"Maybe it's better not to tell Lukas..."
He's definitely a kind-hearted person, and if he finds out about Julius's hometown, he'll be devastated. I don't want to see his smile cloud over.
My murmurs, like a soliloquy, were met with Arnold's silent headshake.
"He'll find out eventually. If you hide it and tell him later, he'll definitely get hurt. And... he should have the strength to accept it."
"But..."
"You're overprotecting him."
"Eh?"
I involuntarily looked up at the word "overprotecting." Then, our eyes met, and Arnold had a surprised expression.
"You've been overprotecting Lukas since way back. I've always thought that."
That's half true. But it's a bit unpleasant to be told I'm overprotecting by Arnold.
"That's... Arnold-san is saying that."
"Huh? "
"Arnold-san is also overprotecting Elvira-chan quite a bit, you know."
I couldn't help but retort, and Arnold seemed to realize it, his face turning red as he pressed his lips together. He adjusted his glasses with his fingertips, looking uncomfortable, and spoke quickly.
"That's... because there was a reason for it."
That's true, I think. Arnold became overprotective of Elvira because of a deep reason, the Self-destruction disease.
But at the same time, I also have a reason for being overprotective of Lukas. If my childhood friend suddenly gained mysterious powers and became a Hero who would save the world, it's not like I wouldn't become overprotective.
"I'd also become overprotective if my childhood friend gained mysterious powers. I want him to be happy."
"Is that so?"
Arnold replied nonchalantly.
――A little ways off, I gazed at Julius, who was drinking a healing potion in small sips. I wonder if he'll become Lukas's close friend in this world, or if he'll build a different kind of relationship, or if he won't join the Hero's party at all.
Whatever happens, I hope Julius gets what he wishes for.
The faces of the people from his hometown in "Last Brave" floated in my mind, smiling and thanking the Hero for their help.
Among them, a boy with the same brown hair and green eyes as Julius stood out, cheering loudly. He was Julius's younger brother.
'I'll be like big brother in the future!'
He saw off his traveling brother with a laugh.
――Ah, it's no use. Remembering is too painful.
I shook my head vigorously to chase away the memories of the past. If I didn't, I would've ended up crying.
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