Defiled Hero Chapter 018

Defiled Hero

Unfavorable Legacy

Various people were moving about the streets. As they walked by they kept a distance away from us. They were afraid and whispering among themselves.

Since this is Tear’s first time coming here, I wonder if she’s scared? She held onto Rigolo’s feathers with her right hand and grasped my arm with her left.

「Tear, Rigolo, is there anything you want to buy? I’m rewarding you.」 (Izayoi)

「......Reward?」 (Tear)

「*Kukekeke?*」 (Rigolo)

While alternatively moving her ears with small motions, Tear anxiously looked at the lined up stalls. Since Rigolo seemed to be looking for something good, he curiously looked around.

「......Nothing, want.」 (Tear)

「*Kukeke? Kukekeike?*」 (Rigolo)

Nothing at all? Even though I said I’d especially buy something for them? That was a pretty typical response from Rigolo wasn’t it?

「......Nothing. Want to hurry home.」 (Tear)

As I thought, she really is bad at dealing with crowds, huh. She was more or less looking around in fear I think.

「*Kuke......Kukeke!*」 (Rigolo)

Seems like Rigolo found something. He had approached a store, and the man who seemed to be the shopkeep instantly turned pale. What a professional at handling the situation.

「W-welcome~, this is the general store, p-please freely browse through our wares～」 (Shopkeeper)

Rigolo showed what it was holding in its beak, it was a brush used for women’s hair. Rigolo is a Longcoat Gryphon. Having long body hair was one of its characteristics. It doesn’t like having its body washed, yet it pays attention to its hair, huh.

As Rigolo requested, we bought the brush. Tear said she wanted to hurry home, it was about time wasn’t it?

I thought so, and as we were about to return, Tear motionlessly stood in front of the general store.

「What’s wrong? Did you find something you wanted?」 (Izayoi)

Tear was holding something in her hands. I looked at it in curiosity.

「......The same, Ichayoi.」 (Tear)

In Tear’s hand was a picture book.

It had a super deformed boy holding a sword, and the name of the book was――

【The Sacred Hero】

――That’s the me of the past isn’t it?

Someone had willfully made this book.

「W-what’s similar between me and the book?」 I asked Tear, maintaining my composure.

「......You have, same hair.」 (Tear)

That’s because... it’s the same person..

「If it’s about the color of his hair, you and Rigolo have the same color don’t you?」 (Izayoi)

On the cover of the picture book was me of the past with white hair. Originally I had the black colored hair of a regular Japanese man, but to become the bearer of the sacred sword, I unfortunately had to change. Regrettably it had become the same white color as Astrea’s hair.

Speaking of which, it was the same white as Tear and Rigolo’s hair.

「That picture book, which depicts the hero-sama’s exploits is extremely popular with children~ It is so famous that it is unlikely that there is a child out there who has never read it~」 (Shopkeeper)

In an instant the explanation ceased.

「Hero, sama......」 (Tear)

「T-Tear, you said you wanted to hurry up and go home right?　It’s about time we go......」 (Izayoi)

Tear was holding the book close to her chest and was looking at me.

(TN: His face can also be described with a T-T)

......Are you serious?

「Ichayoi......」 (Tear)

「Do you... want it? This book?」 (Izayoi)

「......Yes.」 (Tear)

「*Kukeke!*」 (Rigolo)

「Rigolo also said, he wants.」 (Tear)

I already bought the brush for you didn’t I? Well, there’s nothing I can do about this. Tear was also doing her best. I have to give her some sort of reward.

「Then from here on out, will you keep training?」 (Izayoi)

「......Yes. Will do my best.」 (Tear)

「Then, will you properly listen to me?」 (Izayoi)

「......Yes. Will listen to what Ichayoi says. Will be good girl.」 (Tear)

「Then, will you clean yourself well?」 (Izayoi)

「*Hii......*」 (Tear)

Tear began trembling, and her ears drooped down while she had a teary expression. But then, Tear looked at the book she held near her chest. Mustering her courage, she fixedly gazed at me.

「......E-every two days, one time.」 (Tear)

I covered my face with my hand, and let out a deep breath as my head hung down.

「I get it, I’ll buy it for you......」 (Izayoi)

Tear had a slightly happy expression.

Tear clutched the important book tightly to her chest.

It had become dark, and as I laid on my bed and closed my eyes, the door slowly opened. Through the crack, Tear anxiously peered into the room. Rigolo was also behind her.

「......Ichayoi.」 (Tear)

「What do you want? I can’t hear you from over here so come in.」 (Izayoi)

Tear had timidly come into the room and anxiously looked around.

「*Kukeke!*」 (Rigolo)

Rigolo had tried to dive into my bed, and ended up rolling on the floor.

Holding it in the same way as when we had come home, Tear was still holding the book tightly to her chest.

Tear, who had come over to my room, pushed the picture book she held near her chest towards me.

「......Ichayoi, read.」 (Tear)

「Eh? Read? Me?」 (Izayoi)

「......No good?」 (Tear)

She wants me to... read the story about myself to her? What kind of torture is this?

「You can’t read the characters?」 (Izayoi)

「......No. please Ichayoi, read.」 (Tear)

With upturned eyes, Tear waited for my response.

If I refuse, she’ll become sad won’t she? Reading the book will have its benefits.

It can’t be helped then.

「I got it, I’ll read it for you.」 (Izayoi)

I gently took the book from Tear. As I received it, Tear had continued to stand there.

「You want me to read it right? Come here.」 (Izayoi)

I reached towards Tear’s waist, and seated her on my lap. Although Tear was surprised and afraid, she obediently stayed on my lap.

Turning my arms, I moved Tear so that she faced the book, we were going to read it together. Since it was a picture book, the content was very broad as it was made for children to easily read and understand. This was usually how it was, with some things over-exaggerated.

Although it was fine for some truths and lies to be mixed in, it was pointless to think about it.

In front of my eyes, Tear’s animal ears, which were usually motionlessly hanging down, were now excitedly flapping about.

......Well then, let’s read.

I turned the first page of 【The Sacred Hero】.

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