Chapter 125 If Hiiro Had Not Parted Ways With Ruzure
"Eeek!! Don't come, don't come, don't come!!!"
A scream echoed through the forest.
"Ugh, you little beasties! Do you know who I am? I'm Powell O'Doubler! Stop your ruckus and bow down to my noble presence──ah, wait, wait, wait, someone help me!!"
The scream had turned into a whimper, and it seemed like he was about to throw away all his pride. His voice was so loud it felt like it would tear his throat apart, and the birds that had been resting in the trees had long since flown away into the sky.
If the scream was that loud, it was only natural that it reached others fighting in the same forest... Hiiro later said he wished he could cover his ears.
"Hey, slowpoke. Our captain is in trouble again. You better go help him."
"Huh? That Paella fella probably did his usual dumb thing. I'll help him eventually, but don't think for one second you're running the show here, nosy-nose."
"You guys... Lord Powell is noble, you know. How can you say that? Especially you, Hiiro. You should have a bit more respect for nobility..."
"Easy for you to say, Ruzure. How many times has that Paella fella, who's always hanging around the sidelines, been attacked by beasts like this?"
"..."
"Every time he lets out his pathetic whine. How am I supposed to look up to that?"
"......D-Don't talk back to me!"
"Hey, you all!!! Hurry up and help me!!!"
It was supposed to be a simple task of taking down low-level beasts, so why did it always turn into such a mess? Brunhilde and the new squad 'Skeggold' headed out to rescue their captain, looking tired.
By the way, Skeggold means 'Age of Axes,' a name for warrior maidens. Hiiro thought about how that meant they were like barbarians, looking at the familiar faces around him, but that was already a long time ago.
* * *
"...It feels like I'm only getting assigned tasks meant for new recruits. Seriously, I can't shake the feeling that I'm being underestimated because of you guys, you know?"
"You're always backin' down against beasts, even though you's at the front. Can't go on the attack at all unless I cast White magic."
"What's wrong with being careful until I'm fully ready? I'm not like you, a muscle-brained idiot. I'm just choosing to fight smart!"
"Then at least take care of weaklings like goblins without any support, ya coward. Every time we get into a fight, gotta use all 3 types of White magic! Think 'bout how I feel!"
"Who are you calling a coward? There's no way a noble like me would be scared of a beast!"
"...Here we go again. Please, just don't start a fight right in the middle of town. It's really embarrassing with everyone watching..."
""Did you say something, Shouk?""
"N-no, it's nothing at all!!"
How many times has this happened?
Shouk's sad mumbling gets blown away like trash in front of their heated argument. He doesn't like the idea of being all buddy-buddy.
But after getting caught in countless clashes between Hiiro and Ruzure, even he starts to wish for some peace.
(Seriously, just give me a break... Ugh, damn it. I should have just pushed Ruzure to take Hiiro down back then.)
With a face like he's chewing on a bitter bug, Shouk thinks about how Ruzure failed the selection exam against Shura.
Ruzure plotted revenge against Shura and came up with a plan involving Hiiro and Shouk. Naturally, Hiiro pushed back and scolded Ruzure fiercely.
This made Ruzure furious, leading to a huge fight like never before. Ruzure and Shouk teamed up to attack Hiiro, but Hiiro showed the toughness he had during the selection exam.
Even with the numbers against him, he stood strong, using items to fight back. No matter how much they hit or kicked him, Hiiro never lost his will to fight back.
The sun had risen without anyone noticing, and even as it set on the horizon, Hiiro never gave up. Crawling forward, he grabbed onto the two of them, refusing to back down until he said he wouldn't take revenge.
In the end, Ruzure and Shouk gave in.
They tossed out their words like it didn't matter anymore, saying they wouldn't take revenge. But strangely, Shouk noticed that Ruzure had a refreshing look on his face at that moment.
Then, Ruzure and Shouk, who finished the selection exam with 2 wins and one loss, joined Brunhilde and reunited with Hiiro. They became part of the squad 'Skeggold,' led by Captain Powell O'Doubler, standing side by side.
"Fricken hell. While I'm stuck here feelin' all pissed off, that Eshurareze is knockin' out achievements left and right!"
"...You're not the only one feeling frustrated."
Even without Ruzure's schemes, it seemed like Shura and Korghi Village Head Hauchi were destined to meet.
Hiiro didn't know it happened in Korghi Village. But after that, Shura, seeing Hiiro as a rival, was quickly taking on beast-hunting missions. Hwe progress was so impressive that it became a hot topic within Brunhilde, making Hiiro bite his lip in frustration each time.
However, the seeds of unease also loomed large, making it hard to let jealousy flare up easily.
(...According to Quollio, 'seems like she ain't doin' so hot mentally.)
Hiiro didn't outright reject Ruzure, who had cheated during the entrance exam, even though he was furious. But that didn't change the room assignments afterward.
Quollio, who became his roommate, had a troubled past. Hiiro sought to make amends not just for himself but also for Ruzure and the others, but the two had no intention of apologizing to Quollio. In the end, Hiiro searched for the Star Crown Beast Catalog alone and repeatedly apologized to Quollio with it.
Quollio accepted the apology as if he had given up, but the gap between him and Ruzure and Shouk was not filled. Although he couldn't call Hiiro a friend, they had reached a point where they would share updates about their lives when they met.
According to Quollio, Shura seemed to be in a really bad state.
When she saw a beast, she would kill it like a wild animal and kept her distance from her teammates. She had even attacked Lyam, who had a white beast, but somehow they managed to calm things down, though the rift between them was still there.
When Sham, who admired her, asked if something happened in Korghi Village, Shura didn't answer at all.
(...Shura)
Hiiro thought the situation was clearly bad.
She was trapped in hatred for the beast, avoiding contact with others, and isolating herself without healing her heart.
Most importantly, about a week ago, when Hiiro ran into Shura by chance, she looked at him and, scared, turned pale and ran away. His voice to stop her didn't reach her at all; it was as if she didn't want him to see her like this.
(At this rate, she... )
The back of the woman known as the Ash Valkyrie was getting thinner and thinner, and she was drifting away.
Feeling that sense of foreboding, Hiiro's frustration grew even more.
"...Hmph."
And Ruzure couldn't have missed the pain that was seeping from Hiiro.
* * *
Joosa's town was destroyed. The details were under a gag order, so no one knew for sure. But the flames consumed the town, burning everything except for the knight squad sent there.
When Hiiro heard such uncertain rumors, his mind was made up.
"...Are you going?"
"Wot, ya heard somethin'?"
The night sky was falling.
With a sword dirty from gravel in one hand, Hiiro was heading to the promised place when Ruzure quickly called out to him.
There was no need for extra confirmation. Ruzure already knew what this fool was planning to do. And while she let out a snort that showed how ridiculous it all seemed, Ruzure stepped ahead of Hiiro.
"You're such a fool, thinking like that. It's annoying that I figured it out myself."
"Sir Ruzure, are you really going? Just let that idiot over there handle the silly stuff."
"I don't want to leave him behind. Plus, that girl embarrassed me in many ways. I need to settle the score properly."
"You're such a little punk."
"Where do you get off saying that? Remember this, Hiiro. A noble never forgets the humiliation they faced."
Is that supposed to sound cool? Just so you know, this is my fight. If you interfere, I'll kick your ass.
"Don't forget, if you're too rude, I have my own plans too."
"...Ugh. I should have just ignored this, damn it.
If Hiiro goes, Ruzure will follow, and if Ruzure follows, Shouk will reluctantly tag along.
Following such a fragile promise, the 3 walk side by side.
They head towards the old school building of Valkyrie Academy. Under the flawless moon, the person they're looking for is already waiting for them.
"Hey, Shura. Long time no bump into ya."
"......So it really was you."
"Ya sound like ya knew me anyway."
"It was an anonymous letter, but the handwriting was messy, and it talked about how a hero knight should toughen up. With no brains in it, the sender must be you."
"Ruzure and Shouk don't seem too smart either. Why are ye sure?"
"How dare you insult me like that? As a chosen noble, I'm a bundle of intelligence, even from the outside."
"By the way, you should have signed your name. If I hadn't come because it was suspicious, we'd be wasting our time, you idiot."
"Doing stuff in secret makes it cooler. Just stay lowkey, newbie."
"......I didn't expect to see a potato noble and a pointy-nosed guy here. I shouldn't have come."
Shura let out a shallow sigh, but Ruzure and Shouk didn't feel like biting back at the rude comment.
You could say they were intimidated.
With faint shadows under her eyes, her gaze was dimming.
Once, the beautiful looks were captivating, but now they seemed shadowed, and there was no way to feel any desire.
Now, Shura was like a sword.
It felt like a bare sword that could cut through anything just by touching it.
"Look at you now, acting all wild and free like a stray dog."
"Shut up. It's none of your business."
"Don't be so harsh on me. We ain't strangers after all."
"...You're too familiar. Do you want to get killed?"
"Ha ha, yeah, this fight is going to be a blast!"
But there was no trembling.
Of course not. Hiiro, the servant, wasn't scared at all, so the master couldn't lose their nerve.
What was Ash Valkyrie anyway?
Right, this was training. After being praised as a rising star, it was time to properly educate this reckless person who had lost their mind.
Strangely, Hiiro and Ruzure's hearts were in sync.
Without a signal, they each drew their swords. Shouk also took out a knife and various items a moment later.
"Training a wild horse is a noble's duty. Commoner girl, I'll teach you the manners of a lady."
"You're not cute at all; you're scary. Damn it, just bring it on!"
"Yeah, Shura? I gotta make sure you don't let those feelings get the best of ya."
"...If you die, don't regret it."
Words were no longer needed. The clash was just moments away.
But strangely, both Ruzure and Shouk felt that even if they faced Ash Valkyrie, they wouldn't lose at all.
And on that day, Eshurareze would learn.
Even if you crouch down and hide inside your shell, there are hands that reach out to you.
And sometimes, those hands come not from above, but from below, without hesitation.
──Act'Bad Boys Union'Fin.
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