Defiled Hero Chapter 020

Defiled Hero

Strongest Little Girl Plan, Goblin Subjugation

The training of Tear and Rigolo continued, as did ignoring Lilia when she occasionally showed up. Thinking about it, we began five days ago.

There are results from the training, with Tear's strength steadily increasing.

Weapon handling is a completely different story, as she is nowhere near ready for battle. Actual experience is needed as repeated indoor practice only does so much.

「Therefore, we'll be going outside of the town today for you to fight real monsters.」 (Izayoi)

「...I, fight?」 (Tear)

「Yes, that's right. Not just fighting. To take one’s life, to kill.」 (Izayoi)

Having said that, Tear's ears drooped as she turned to me as if asking for help.

「Don't make that expression. I know how you feel. But it's a path you must take.」 (Izayoi)

「B, but...」 (Tear)

「It's alright to say you don't want to do it. If you absolutely don't want to do it, then we're done with training. You'll also be bathing every day instead of every other day.」 (Izayoi)

「*Hi....*」 (Tear)

Tear became even more frightened compared to when I spoke of killing monsters, and made a face as if the world was ending. She was barely able to put up with the promise of bathing once every two days, and the thought of being bathed every day appeared to be hell for her.

「If you stop here, you won't be able to be like your cute and cool hero, you know? The hero surely cleared something of this level with ease. Will you not become like the hero? I see, that's too bad.」

「*U, uu...* Hero, sama.」 (Tear)

Hearing a mention of the hero, Tear began to hesitate.

「Tr, training, will try...」 (Tear)

「A good attitude. By the way, I'm sure the hero made sure to properly bathe every day.」 (Izayoi)

「Hero-sama, every day.... *Uuu.*」 (Tear)

To prepare herself she swallowed her saliva, and after a deep breath Tear raised her head to face me.

「——Two days, one time!」 (Tear)

「I respect your unyielding will.」 (Izayoi)

「You’ll need some equipment when going out to fight monsters. First up is to buy weapons.」 (Izayoi)

「Yes.」 (Tear)

「*Kuke*」 (Rigolo)

Hidden away from the heart of the town in a quiet place was the retreat of a blacksmith.

「Have you finished repairing my sword?」 (Izayoi)

「*Tch*... I finished it a while ago. Take it already.」 (Bogan)

The small-statured dwarf with rugged features gave me a stern look. There was no surprise upon seeing the gryphon.

Tear had become scared and was clinging to me from behind. Although the storekeeper's completely unsociable, he's probably the most skilled blacksmith in the world.

In a somewhat rough manner, Bogan put the sword on the counter. I noticed it was heavier than before when I picked it up.

Removing it from the sheath and inspecting the blade, the once simple design with a blue tint was gone, replaced with steel riveted to the outside.

I don't think it was strengthened, much less repaired. The sensation of swinging it isn't bad. As expected, I guess?

「A fine blade, thanks. There's something else I want to ask about though.」 (Izayoi)

「*Tch*... For that kid?」 (Bogan)

「Yeah, do you have something light she could use?」 (Izayoi)

Though weapons were displayed in the shop, they were mass produced for the general public. After disappearing into the back, Bogan returned carrying various things.

「If you aren’t satisfied with this, go somewhere else.」 (Bogan)

A narrow sword, a spear, and a scythe. They were all light, and were of different quality than what was shown in the shop.

「Tear, try each of them one by one.」 (Izayoi)

Still afraid of Bogan, Tear tried them in turn.

「...Ichayoi. This one good.」 (Tear)

Having compared them, Tear decided on the scythe that was as long as she was tall. We promptly purchased it.

My sword had been repaired. Preparations were complete.

「I'm going outside town right now, are there any convenient monster subjugation requests?」 (Izayoi)

「Subjugating monsters, is it? Isn't it a bit early to have Tear-chan fight?」 (Lilia)

Lilia was working in the guild. Tear's guild registration has been completed.

「It's alright. I'll be with her. The guildmaster trusted me with her. I won't let her get hurt.」 (Izayoi)

「If you and the gryphon are there, I think you'll be fine with the monsters around here... Understood. For now, how about the standard for beginners, the F-rank goblin subjugation?」 (Lilia)

「Are goblins fine?」 (Izayoi)

「...Gob, lin?」 (Tear)

「Aah, goblins are small dirty monsters that hate bathing, like a certain someone.」 (Izayoi)

「...Two days, one time, not dirty.」 (Tear)

Receiving the F-rank subjugation request to defeat five goblins, we headed towards their location. Though we walked through the town with a gryphon, it’s been quiet the past few days.

「It's Rigolo. Wah, so fluffy!」 (Child #1)

「You're right! So fluffy!」 (Child #2)

All of a sudden, Rigolo had become popular with the children. Rigolo responded to the children with a happy *kukekue* and kept them company.

Tear watched the elated Rigolo with a lonesome expression.

「Tear, do you want to go play with Rigolo too?」 (Izayoi)

「......Yeah.」 (Tear)

There's still a ways to go before she can play with the other children.

Parting from the children, we exited the town.

「The monsters are further away. We'll be walking for now.」 (Izayoi)

「*Kukeke Kukekeke.*」 (Rigolo)

「I can, take you there, Rigolo says.」 (Tear)

「Take us there? Can you even fly if I get on?」 (Izayoi)

「*Kukekekekei!*」 (Rigolo)

「Leave it to me, Rigolo says.」 (Tear)

「Then, shall we?」 (Izayoi)

I'm a little hesitant, but if it will save time then why not.

Let's get on. Rigolo crouched low.

Getting on Rigolo's back, the fluffy hair made it quite comfortable. Tear clung to my back and held on.

「*Kukekee!*」 (Rigolo)

Spreading his large wings, he began to run. We gradually began to rise as he started flapping.

His ability to fly is sufficient. It would appear my worries were unnecessary.

The ground flew past as we continued flying.

The destination was eight kilometers from the town, a place called the Plains Forest. The general feeling of the Plains Forest was unremarkably normal, and with few obstacles would mean that hunting down the goblins would be easy.

The monsters that appear are E and F rank. The field is a famous training area for novice adventurers from Broken.

The forest quickly came into view. We descended a short distance from the forest.

I verified that there were no monsters in the vicinity.

「Before we begin subjugating goblins, we'll do some light training. You can fly around, Rigolo.」 (Izayoi)

「*Kuke!*」 (Rigolo)

Not having had the chance to fly freely much, Rigolo happily flew in circles in the sky.

As Tear observed the surroundings, I withdrew the scythe that had been placed in warehouse Astrea to keep it out of the way.

「We've only just bought it. It's necessary to learn how to utilize it, starting with becoming familiar with it.」 (Izayoi)

「...Ok.」 (Tear)

I need to use a scythe, the same as Tear will be using. It has to be this way since there's nobody else for her to copy, I suppose.

I confirmed that there were neither monsters nor other people nearby. With no prying eyes, it's alright to use it.

Closing my eyes, I turned my concentration inward, and pulled something out.

「Tear, I'll teach you how to use the scythe. Watch closely and copy me.」 (Izayoi)

What I pulled out was the 【Scythe of Shining Ice】, made entirely of crystal-clear ice.

Wielding the scythe, I'll show Tear some moves.

「Give it a try.」 (Izayoi)

「...Yes.」 (Tear)

She mimicked my movements.

Gently slicing through the air, just like that, she fell over.

Tear, expressionless, stood up as if nothing happened, and looked at me.

「...Ok.」 (Tear)

「But it's not ok.」 (Izayoi)

I thought she had improved somewhere I hadn't been looking, but it’s going to be one thing at a time, it would seem.

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