Volume 2 Chapter 26 The Exiled Hero and Another Hero Party II
Act, the Guildmaster, was providing support for reconstruction in the demon country.
At that time, he discovered the water hero, Suigetsu, being attacked by demons in the forest.
He rescued her and returned to the North Wall.
In a room of an inn.
"Lord Act, I thank you for saving my life this time."
Suigetsu sat on the bed, kneeling, and deeply bowed her head.
She had deep blue hair styled in a ponytail, giving her a dignified presence like a female warrior.
However, there was a shadow on her beautiful face.
"You are the Hero from the Far East. What were you doing in such a place?"
Suigetsu revealed her situation to Act without hiding anything.
"I see. They really have no eyes to see."
"...No, it can't be helped-degozaru. I have a fatal flaw as a Hero and as a swordsman."
This was pointed out by the fire hero, HIGAMI.
The flaw was... the inability to cut people.
"Why can't you cut them?"
"I am... afraid of blood-degozaru. When I was young, my mother was eaten by a monster right in front of me-degozaru."
They were attacked by a monster when they went out.
Her mother was eaten by the monster while protecting her.
"The smell of blood at that time, the slimy feeling... it was so scary that I couldn't help it-degozaru."
This became a trauma, and she began to fear the blood that came from cutting an enemy excessively.
She devoted herself to training to overcome her fear.
She learned various skills to be useful even if she couldn't cut people.
"But... it was pointless. In the end, peace will not come unless I cut down the enemy. I was... unqualified to be a Hero. All the time I have built up has been meaningless-degozaru..."
Suigetsu shed tears over her own inadequacy.
"That's not true."
"Huh...?"
Suigetsu looked up.
The young man named Act was looking straight at her.
His left eye was crushed and wrapped in bandages and charms.
But his remaining right eye did not look down on her; it simply gazed into her eyes.
"What you have done is not in vain."
"But... I am useless..."
"The incompetent people who kicked you out probably said that."
"W-Who are you calling incompetent...?"
"Yes. You are a big fool who cannot recognize your true worth."
Act takes Suigetsu's right hand.
"If you look at this hand, you can see it. You have worked so hard, like blood and sweat, to make up for your own shortcomings."
"Ah..."
Tears slowly fill her eyes.
Until now, no one had ever acknowledged her efforts.
'A disgrace to the Water God's Sword Style!'
After being kicked out of the Hero Party, her father at home looked down on her with such scorn.
'Not being able to cut monsters means you're not a true swordsman!'
She was ridiculed by the other students.
No one understood the hard work she had built up behind the scenes.
"You are quite something."
"But... I am, after all... a fallen swordsman who can't even cut people-degozaru..."
"Suigetsu. Look up."
Act takes out a handkerchief and wipes Suigetsu's tears.
"Don't underestimate yourself. You are much more capable than you think."
"But... but everyone... says I am... useless..."
"Don't listen to foolish nonsense. It will only hurt your heart."
Act extends his right hand.
"Suigetsu, come to me."
"Come to Lord Act...?"
"Yes. I want you."
Blush...!
Suigetsu's cheek turns red.
"Y-You want me...? Does that mean... you, you, you like me? Is this, this, this a proposal...?"
Her face turns bright red, shaking her head!
Suigetsu waves her head in disbelief.
But on the other hand, Act calmly says:
"You are the last piece. To the strongest Hero Party I envision."
Yes, Act tried to recruit the Water Hero, Suigetsu, to be a member of the Lawrence Hero Party.
But it seems Suigetsu did not hear that.
"What will you do?"
"I understand... I have made up my mind!"
Suigetsu kneels on the bed and bows deeply.
"I, Suigetsu, pledge my body and heart to Lord Act-degozaru!"
Thus, Suigetsu became a member of the Guild [Gem of Heavenly Gift].
* * *
Changing the scene, at the training facility on the North Wall.
"Are you a magic Knight-degozaru?"
"Yeah, that's right. Your water sword is better suited for guarding while staying in the middle, rather than fighting upfront."
What Act handed over was a large shield.
For her, who had been focused on attack, defense, and support with just a sword until now, the shield was something unknown.
However, when she held it in her hands...
"It's not as heavy as I thought."
"That is a magic shield. It reacts to your magic power and creates a defensive barrier."
"I see, since it's not made of metal, it's so light-degozaru."
"You move fast. A heavy shield would slow you down. You will run across the battlefield and be the shield that protects your allies."
Then, she would not have to cut down enemies.
It was a position change that made use of her strengths rather than overcoming her weaknesses.
"But... if I just protect, won't I be unable to defeat the enemies?"
"Don't be silly. What do you think allies are for?"
"Allies..."
Just then, the Lawrence Hero Party came in, one after another, into the training facility.
"Hmm! Suigetsu! You seem to be feeling better!"
Lawrence approached with a smile.
"Are you okay from your injury?"
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