Volume 7 Chapter 50 Terin's True Feelings
Terin said in a gloomy tone.
"I've repaid Wade-sama's kindness with malice... So, no matter how much I may have feelings for Wade-sama, I can't confess them."
As we ventured deeper into the dungeon, I replied.
"Is that really true? Maybe the real deal isn't bothered about it at all."
"There's no way that's true! ...I mean, it's not like I'm not bothered, but... I don't think I can just ignore it."
This way of speaking reminds me of Ridge. It's the kind of talk that's filled with guilt and regret, like someone who can't do what they want.
"I received this expensive gift, a pair of glasses, from Wade-sama when I first met, and it felt like the whole world opened up for me. I can't forget that day when the world became so vivid and colorful."
"Well, it's only natural that you would feel good about the gift."
"But I haven't been able to repay that kindness... In fact, I'm still helping 'Oath', Wade-sama's enemy."
"...Does that mean you weren't originally on 'Oath's side?"
"This is just a one-time favor. I'm still a subject of His Majesty the emperor... one of the 'Golden Stealth Weapon Squad'."
I focused my ears on the new information. The monster that's attacking us, like a silver-ranked calf, is no joke. If we don't defeat it, we'll die.
"The 'Golden Stealth Weapon Squad'? I've never heard of it."
"It's a secret organization, so... Well, most people who are close to the emperor know about it, but it's still a secret."
"What kind of organization is it?"
"It's not a big deal... His Majesty The emperor is the ruler of the current dominant nation, so he received one platinum stealth weapon adventurer's badge and ten golden stealth weapon adventurer's badges from the Adventurer's Guild."
Terin continued talking as she pulled out a golden stealth weapon adventurer's badge from her chest.
"By the way, the platinum stealth weapon is still vacant. The gold stealth weapon was supposed to be your 7th appointment, right? His Majesty The Emperor is being very cautious in selecting the stealth weapon team... it's an honor, but..."
"...but?"
"Hehe... I think it's a bit too much for me to handle. The others are really strong, and my combat ability is basically 0... and besides, the Emperor is a terrifying person."
Terin laughed with a troubled expression. I thought for a bit and listened.
"Was it forced on you?"
"...I think it can be said that it was forced on me. I was originally just a girl from the countryside of the Roman Empire who loved mythology..."
Terin looked up, as if remembering something.
"My family was a bit wealthy, and my father's study had a vast collection of mythologies from all over the world. I wasn't very active, so I devoured them all since I was a kid. But there was something special about..."
Terin's face turned red with embarrassment.
"The writing in those books was all in runes... so I'm actually not good at standard writing, and that's one of my weaknesses..."
"...Whoa, that's amazing!"
She's a rune native? That means all her writing is magic, right? That's crazy.
"I've read all the mythologies from around the world so many times that I can recite them from memory... it's my secret pride! But I never thought that just because of that, I could create mythological-level artifacts..."
"Wait, isn't that too strong? Can you really do that so easily?"
"Yes. But recreating mythology is still a terrifying task... I've memorized everything perfectly, so I'm not worried, but if I make even one mistake, it'll lead to a mythological-level curse."
I kind of understood the explanation.
In other words, what Terin is doing is creating extremely high-risk artifacts with absolute confidence and ability.
If anyone can accurately describe mythology, then anyone can do it, but if they make a mistake, they'll drag others down and die instantly. However, Terin never makes mistakes and never hesitates. That's why he can mass-produce them alone.
Even creating artifacts that could wipe out everything if they malfunction, with a 100% success rate, there's nothing to fear.
I agree with the Emperor's evaluation. Indeed, it's a power and courage worthy of a golden stealth weapon.
"And so, did the Emperor, who heard the rumors, summon Terin?"
"No, it was more like our whole family was relocated to the capital. At first, I thought it was just my father's promotion and transfer, nothing to do with me. But His Majesty is..."
Terin made a difficult face.
"It's hard to understand. I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said it's incomprehensible. It's as if the wise emperor and the mad king have merged into one person."
I turned to Terin, and the fear in her expression was clear.
"He forgives his subordinates' rebellion with a smile, crushes children's resistance, and then does the exact opposite the next day. The word 'whim' doesn't even begin to describe it. You... chose to obey."
So, Terin concluded.
"I can't even face Wade-sama, and out of fear, I've been repaying the debt with malice. That's why..."
Terin looked down.
"I saved 'Oath'-san from a predicament, foiled Wade-sama's plan, and ignored Ridge-chan's imprisonment for a few days. ...No matter what, I've become Wade-sama's enemy."
"Can't you take it back?"
"...Yes. That's why, if the real Wade-sama appears and points a sword at me, I'll quietly surrender and offer my head."
"Do you really need to go that far?"
"Yes. That's my self-satisfaction. I'm sure I'll never love anyone like this again... In my dreams, I've only talked to Wade-sama like this, and there's nothing left to regret."
Terin, who thought of me as a dream, shed a single tear.
It's a terrible thing, I think. Guilt is something that binds people like this. But, I used to be like that too, so I want to do something about it.
Of course, it's not like I fell in love with Terin just from this short conversation. But, I think it's okay to try to free herself from guilt, even if it's just a little.
So, I say.
"Hey, Terin. I said it was a dream just now, but the truth is, I'm the real deal."
"What? I don't believe you. I'm just sleeping at the entrance of the dungeon, having a happy dream. As proof, we haven't even met the dungeon's master, Minotaur, no matter how long you wait, right...?"
A huge door appears before us. Is it the treasure room's door? Terin's face turns pale as she looks up at the enormous door.
"N-no... I-is this the end of the dream...? H-h-h-h-how could I say something like that to the real Wade-sama...?"
"Let's open it for now."
"Aaaaah, wait! Please wait, Wade-sama! Don't leave me in confusion!"
As I touch the dungeon door, it automatically starts to open. "The door's movement is just like the real thing!" Terin exclaims. It's so funny that I laugh.
And then the door opens, and Minotaur appears.
"ROOOOOOOOOOOAR!"
It's enormous. Its body is probably over 3 meters long (≈ 9.8 feet long), with a massive physique. Its head is that of a bull, and its body is human-like. Its muscles are like steel, covering its entire body.
The terrifying roar attacks me and Terin. Terin is crying, "I'm so scared, no matter how many times I hear it...!", but I'm fine since I just got used to Echidna's Dragon Voice.
It even looks kind of cute. The Dragon Voice is so loud that it breaks my eardrums every time.
I transform Durandal into a greatsword and shoulder it.
"Well, I wonder how much Gold and Sylvia's blacksmithing skills have improved."
Minotaur charges towards us.
I'm observing the Minotaur with Ajna Chakra. Its massive muscle mass and density are astonishing. Despite being a physical body, its hardness rivals that of Iron, the gold-ranked opponent I faced the other day.
In other words, with Durandal alone, I wouldn't be able to land a proper hit on it. But I sensed something like a sword's aura within the transformed Durandal.
It's like a will. Durandal itself is saying, "Wield me. You can cut it down." I nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, you're right. You can cut it down now."
I take a step forward and draw a flash of light.
The moment I clash with the charging Minotaur, I burst out laughing at the feel of Durandal in my hand.
"Gold, Sylvia. You've over-trained Durandal."
With Durandal as it is now, combining it with gravity magic would allow me to cut down even Sieg with a single slash.
―――The Minotaur's body splits in 2. It falls to the ground behind me, its upper body flying off into the distance.
"Grooooaaaar! Gwwwwaaaah!"
"Wow, is it not going to die?"
But the Minotaur's upper body jumps up and attacks me again. Ah, the realm of a broken hero, a gold-ranked warrior, is indeed grand. It's become so focused on battle that its mind has gone haywire.
"So,"
I raise Durandal.
"So, it's worthy of being my opponent."
And I slice the Minotaur into thin strips.
I unleash slash after slash, cutting down the Minotaur as it floats in the air and attacks me.
I cut off its right arm, its left arm, and slash its torso diagonally. I behead it, but even then, the Minotaur tries to bite my head off. This is getting ridiculous.
"Terin, you're the best. If you can create such a monster freely, even the emperor would want to welcome you with gold-ranked treatment."
I finally crush the Minotaur's head, ending its life.
"But, listening to you, it seems like you're afraid of the emperor and just saying what they want to hear. Yet, it also seems like you want to move forward with me."
So. As I say that and turn around, Terin's eyes widen, and she stares at me.
"You don't have to worry about your enemies. Come under me, Terin. I've fallen for your arm."
"What, what, no way, that's a lie, right? Is this really, really, really, the real Wade-sama...?"
"Did you see the current battle in your dream?"
Terin shook her head from side to side with a "shake" sound.
"Did you see my true power in your dream?"
"I-I-I saw it, uuu..."
"Terin."
I approached Terin and gazed into her eyes right next to her.
"Can you see me in your dream?"
"I-I-I can't see...!"
Terin started crying, "Waaaa...", and looked up at me. I gently reached out my hand to her.
"Then, won't you come with me? I'll eventually overthrow the Roman Emperor. If you're afraid of the Emperor, I'll crush that fear someday. So, lend me your power."
"I-I-Is that okay...!? I'm weak, and I've only been a nuisance to Wade-sama...!"
"Until now, we were enemies. Being able to corner an enemy is proof of one's ability. I'm rather happy, Terin. I think I can borrow your power."
"T-Then, if that's the case..."
Terin wiped away her tears and grasped my hand. With her shining, sparkling eyes, she looked up at me.
"I want to dedicate my life to Wade-sama...! Please, let me use my magic and leave my name in history...!"
History, huh... I let out a wry smile, but I won't say anything unnecessary. I nodded my head, "Ah, let's do that."
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