Defiled Hero Chapter 001

Defiled Hero

Five Years in the New World

「...Have executions by drowning in the sea become popular as of late?」 (?????)

The ocean expanded before him, illuminated by moonlight.

Drenched by the cold seawater, crushed by the waves, treading water so as to not drown, he thought as such.

What is this!?

Looking around, he could faintly see land two kilometers away.

Let's think about this calmly after getting to shore.

Certainly, there was an attempted assassination, but it must have been a failure.

I should have been sent to the gallows, but before I knew it I was in the middle of the sea.

I'm clueless. I don't understand.

Not knowing anything, and understanding only a single thing, I found a clue.

Stepping onto the sandy beach, I exited the water without stumbling.

Taking off my waterlogged clothes, the night wind began to steal away my body heat, so I put my drenched clothes back on.

The beach was lined with withered, leafless trees, with a silent forest beyond.

There were no signs of humans or animals or anything else.

A remote beach... huh.

Shall we ascertain the one clue I have, then?

I laid down on the barren ground and closed my eyes..

「How are you feeling?」 (????)

I heard a young girl's voice as she quietly spoke right next to my ear.

Is she mocking me? ...I knew it.

「What are the requirements?」 I spat out with a stiff voice while lying down, staring at the pure white sky that stretched infinitely in every direction. (?????)

「Geez, no need for that scary reply, it's fine isn't it? It's been 5 years since we last met. "I wanted to see you~" or something like that is fine, you know?」 (????)

「Not at all.」 (?????)

「Eeeh?」 (????)

「Hurry up and tell me the requirements.」 (?????)

I urged her to tell me.

Tilting my head to the side, I met her eyes.

「Astrea. Please answer seriously. Why did you summon me to this world again?」 (?????)

The "petite girl"... no, "little girl" would be more correct.

Astrea. The owner of this place.

She stared into the depths of my eyes, unmoving.

There's nobody in this pure white space except for Astrea and I.

The wind isn’t blowing either. With neither of us speaking, all that could be heard was the sound of our breathing.

An appearance so pretty you would hesitate to touch it.

Astrea held me in her arms, quietly, and at ease, and whispered in a voice that threatened to disappear at any moment.

「...You've changed quite a lot. Izayoi.」 (Astrea)

That's all she said. And with only that, I felt a crushing sense of loss.

 “Changed.” That's all she said, so why did I avert my eyes from her?

"Why do I feel like running away right now?" I thought to myself.

Astrea put her hands on my cheeks, but didn't pull them.

「Truly, what beautiful eyes this young boy has... but why does he have such a sour expression, and he's lost his left eye too. With an eyepatch he completely turns into a villain.」 (Astrea)

「...You haven't changed at all.」 (Izayoi)

He was unable to say anything more.

With a smile as though she had seen through him, Astrea gazed deep into his eyes and neared his face.

*Kiss*

「Izayoi~ I wanted to see y— *awawa*!?」 (Astrea)

I silently grabbed Astrea's face with my right hand and tightened my grip.

「Ow!? Owowowowow!? Forgive me! Stop! My face, my pretty face is going to break!」 (Astrea)

No matter how many years pass she'll still be noisy.

「*Haa~* That was dangerous. My famously pretty face is... huh? Did your face become cuter?」 (Astrea)

「It did not.」 (Izayoi)

Five finger marks could be seen clearly on her face.

「So, what were we talking about again?」 (Astrea)

「...Why I was summoned to this world again.」 (Izayoi)

「Ah, yes, yes. That's what I wanted to talk about, Izayoi.」 (Astrea)

I straightened my posture.

「I summoned you this time to help you. This is the second time, you know? Five years ago, when you were 16, your master betrayed you and nearly killed you, and this time nearly killed you again. I thought it was over this time! If I was even one second late you would have died you know!」 (Astrea)

「...Is that so.」 (Izayoi)

「When someone saves you, there's something you have to say, right?」 (Astrea)

「...Thanks.」 (Izayoi)

It's not like I said I wanted to be saved or anything. If I returned, I'm sure I would've gotten a lecture.

Astrea is fundamentally good, but tiresome as well.

She more or less does things for my benefit.

It took me about two years from when I was summoned to understand that.

I was still a child then, so it couldn't be helped.

「Wait a moment, Izayoi? You aren't having rude recollections, are you?」 (Astrea)

「..............」 (Izayoi)

「Say something! Geez, I got it already. Astrea-chan will explain everything, so listen carefully. I won't say it twice! I really won't!」 (Astrea)

Astrea's only able to chatter idly, it would be good if she learns fast. Have you changed a bit since we last met?

「I said it before, I summoned you to help you, with no ulterior motives. Astrea-chan knows that Izayoi is here in front of her now, and these past 5 years Izayoi was wandering around! I don't know any more than that! All finished!」 (Astrea)

No different from what I already know, huh. Then there's no need to say any more.

「...Got it. My job here is done, so I'll be returning now.」 (Izayoi)

「Eh, you're going back? Wait! Astrea-chan summoned you here with her power, so won't you stay and chat for a while? So, so don't let the conversation end quickly...」 (Astrea)

「Let it end quickly?」 (Izayoi)

「Let's quickly get to the pink adult night with the adult Izayoi—」 (Astrea)

「You're tired from using your power to summon me, right? Let's relax.」 (Izayoi)

Narrowing my concentration, I noticed a source of noise in the pure white sky.

「Wait! Don't go! I don't want you to go!」 (Izayoi)

As Astrea's voice faded into the distance, I had the sensation of my consciousness returning.

With the sensation of returning to my body, the sight of the glittering moon filled my view. I could hear the lapping sound of the waves.

Awaking from my slumber, and chilled to the bone from being exposed to the sea breeze, I dusted myself off and headed towards the withered forest under the moonlight.

As the morning sun climbed in the sky, I discovered something in the withered forest.

The seed of life. A strange fruit grew from the barren soil. The fruit was packed with nutrients inside of its hard walnut-like shell, and had medicinal properties. My knowledge from five years prior told me that this wasn't a dream.

Searching a bit, I gathered four fruit. They will be good to sell.

After spending an hour gathering, I emerged from the forest in a rough, sandy area. From viewing the sun rising in the sky, I had a vague idea where I was. I didn't know the name of the place, having not come here before. Looking inland, I began walking and saw someone from the town before long.

『Izayoi! Can you hear me?』 (Astrea)

Because I'm on break, wouldn't it be fine to not respond for now?

『I thought it would be bad to get a hint while on break, so I investigated the surroundings.』 (Astrea)

(I generally know where this is. But which way is the town?) (Izayoi)

『The town is right over there, you know... Not good, it's impossible.』 (Astrea)

(That’s a relief. It would be good to rest for half a year.) (Izayoi)

『Resting for a day is plenty!』 (Astrea)

She spoke not into my ears, but to me directly. Keeping the spirit of a dead person in a body is quite inconvenient.

Turning in the suggested direction, a splendid town matching the rough ground could be seen. Advancing but not seeing any signs of life, I was suspicious of it being an oasis mirage.

Putting on my half-dry jacket, I turned towards the town.

Many carts were parked around the entrance of the town, and people were busy running around with their luggage. On a carriage was the symbol of the capital's knights. Why were they in a remote place like this?

To find out why, I called out to the squad's captain.

「'scuse me. What's the reason for your travel?」 (Izayoi)

「The reason for our travel? By the grace of the king, we knights have come to the town of Arona for supplies.」 (Squad Captain)

「Supplies, is it...」 (Izayoi)

「Yes. There seems to be plenty of goods here, so please help us out.」 (Squad Captain)

「I see. One question though, is there a guild in the town?」 (Izayoi)

「A guild? Yes; it's in the northwest section. Shall I guide you there?」 (Squad Captain)

「No, I'll be fine. Thanks.」 (Izayoi)

I saw the captain off before entering the town. Now that I know where the guild is, what should I do?

In my possession were the four fruits I gathered earlier. I had none of my equipment from before I was executed, and only had my wet clothes now.

Wanting to exchange the fruit, I had no choice but to go to the guild.

I had a reason to hesitate going to the guild though.

I was summoned to this world as a hero once before, carrying out brave deeds, and sealed the rampaging demon lord.

And I was betrayed. My master and comrades attacked me, and I lost due to the difference in strength. On the verge of death, Astrea returned me to my previous world, saving me again. And now I'm in this world again.

If there are any documents left, they'll find out that I'm the hero.

My death was uncertain, but I need to find out what has happened in the past five years. Wait. Five years? If I remember correctly, guild member information is removed after five years if it's not updated. My information may have been removed.

Shall I take the chance? If it doesn't work, I'll think about what to do then.

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