Defiled Hero Chapter 025

Defiled Hero

Reason to Act

「...Huh? Where is this? What happened?」 (Lilia)

「Oh, so you've woken. I was sure you had died, so I was doing preparations for that.」 (Izayoi)

「Preparations!? Stop, please!」 (Lilia)

「Ah, that's right. You were supposed to live on inside Rigolo. You probably don't want to eat the fat while you're inside his stomach though.」 (Izayoi)

「That's not the problem! ...Um, what was I doing? I can't remember.」 (Lilia)

「You can't remember, is it. You said you came here with a request from the guild. Rigolo was surprised when you suddenly barged your way in, and followed his natural instinct to attack you.」 (Izayoi)

「Rigolo was surprised, and I was surprised at his surprised response.」 (Lilia)

「That's right. You were surprised so you fell down.」 (Reri)

「S, so that's what happened. I don't remember at all...」 (Lilia)

Lilia was unconscious for about ten minutes. While Lilia laid on the sofa, we put our clothes on.

「I was surprised when you suddenly collapsed! But it's good that you seem to be doing fine!」 (Uri)

「...That's right. Now that your body is alright, I have something to ask of you.」 (Reri)

「You're asking about work, but who are you two?」 (Lilia)

「I'll explain. These two were hired by the guildmaster to observe. They were monitoring me on her orders.」 (Izayoi)

「Observe? Did the guildmaster hire those kinds of people? I didn't know about that at all.」 (Lilia)

「That's right! The existences of Uri and Reri are secret!」 (Uri)

Lilia seemed slightly perplexed, but regained her composure.

「So, have you remembered what the request from the guild was?」 (Izayoi)

「The guild, the guild, what was it... Ah, that's it. There's an urgent request for you!」 (Lilia)

「How urgent is the request? Does it absolutely have to be me?」 (Izayoi)

「Rather than it having to be you, you were nominated. To put it simply, a large number of goblins have come out of the Geruna Valley! It's an emergency!」 (Lilia)

「Geruna Valley? It's not that far away, is it?」 (Izayoi)

「That's right! That's why it's an emergency!」 (Lilia)

I see. So that's why the forest was how it was today. The other monsters felt the danger approaching and left the area. Did the goblins in the forest sense that more goblins were coming?

「What will you do? Is that reason enough for me to act? ...Who was the one that nominated me?」 (Izayoi)

「The guildmaster. There's a message too. 『Are you doing well, Izayoi? You're playing around with the young ones, aren't you? Sorry for having to ask you to do this. Take care of Lilia while you're at it.』」 (Lilia)

「I didn't ask to be put in charge of goblin extermination.」 (Izayoi)

「She's basically asking you to protect the town. I'm sure of it.」 (Lilia)

How irresponsible of the guildmaster.

「Master! It's work! It's work from the guildmaster!」 (Uri)

「Reri is already tired from fighting...」 (Reri)

「I haven't said I'd help yet though.」 (Izayoi)

Though Uri was eager, Reri can only fight seriously for 30 seconds because of her condition. I don't know what direction the goblins are heading, but Geruna Valley is near the town of Broken. At the rate they're traveling, the goblins will arrive in about half a day.

But, there's no reason for me to go. I'll fight if this town and my life are in danger, but I don't want to have to take care of other places.

While I thought, the edge of my clothes were pulled.

「...Goblin, bad guys? Many?」, Tear asked me with a bit of a sad expression.

「Ah, that's right. Lots of people will probably be hurt.」 (Izayoi)

「...Feel sorry.」 (Tear)

「For everyone?」 (Izayoi)

「...Yes. But, hero too.」 (Tear)

「The hero? Why the hero?」 (Izayoi)

「But, everyone's smiles, go away.」 (Tear)

Clutching the picture book, Tear looked crestfallen. Her ears were similarly flopped down.

「...The hero, for everyone's happiness, became strong... Ichayoi, why did you, become strong?」 (Tear)

「I, I...」 (Izayoi)

What should I say. As Tear said, the me from before became strong for everyone's sake. I became strong, I was betrayed, and then I realized it.

These kinds of things were useless. All of the effort was wasted. Ever since then, I've not done anything for anyone else.

It doesn't matter. None of it matters. They're not pitiable. It's not like I'm pitiable either.

「...Ichayoi, do you want to see, everyone cry?」 (Tear)

「That's not my hobby.」 (Izayoi)

「...Ichayoi, said it. Tear's crying face, not want to see.」 (Tear)

Raising her face, tears streamed down Tear's face. She gazed at me with moist eyes.

「...Want to, help them. Because pitiful.」 (Tear)

Seeing Tear cry out in a small voice in desperation while shedding tears, I somehow found myself laughing.

It's almost like the old me is preaching to me.

Tear looks a lot like the old me. If I was the old me, I would have said the same thing for sure.

I could only laugh dryly while thinking about that.

「Hey, Tear. You asked me, right? Why I became strong?」 (Izayoi)

「...Yes, why?」 (Tear)

「The thing is—— it was for myself. I became strong for myself. Not for anyone else's sake.」 (Izayoi)

As I said that, Tear's expression became even worse, and even more tears flowed out as she hung her head.

「——Well, let's go kill some goblins.」 (Izayoi)

「......Eh?」 (Tear)

Tear looked up with a mystified expression, tears still streaming down her cheeks.

「It's not for anyone else's sake. It's for my sake. I want to do it so I'll do it.」 (Izayoi)

I may have been looking for a reason all along. A reason to live, a reason to act, and a reason to kill them.

「It's not because I'm helping. And it's not because I was asked. I'll kill them because they irritate me. For that reason, I'll use my strength.」 (Izayoi)

I've found my reason. There's no reason to hesitate.

「I kill those I don't like. And I kill those that get in my way. That's all.」 (Izayoi)

I'm no longer the hero. I am burdened with neither hopes nor humanity. I only do what I wish. I'm not a good-natured person. I only do what I want.

「Therefore, we start by killing Lilia.」 (Izayoi)

「——Eh?」 (Lilia)

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