Defiled Hero Chapter 037

Defiled Hero

A Day With Lilia, Part 3

「What's wrong, ghost.」 (Izayoi)

「I'm not doing anything in particular.」 (Lilia)

Turning my back to the fountain, I sat next to Lilia.

The sound of flowing water came from behind me. The air was slightly moist, a calm atmosphere. Not talking about anything in particular, just sitting together, we stared off into the distance.

I opened my mouth to speak to Lilia.

「...This place, is my favorite.」 (Izayoi)

「...Is that so.」 (Lilia)

I'm not too sure, but attacking each other is the most likely occurrence here. Lilia looked just a bit different than usual.

She will probably get angry if I say something stupid here. I'll listen quietly.

「I've liked coming here to be by myself ever since a long time ago. On that day, someone talked to me. They sat down next to me like you did... Well, they were gentle and lovable, the exact opposite of you and your terrible personality.」 (Lilia)

She continued without looking at me.

「We played together and chatted a lot, but fun times don't continue forever. That person was... the hero! 」 (Lilia)

「He promised to come play again. But, the hero, died. He was an extremely kind and outstanding person. I loved him. He was so young, and yet he took everything upon himself for the sake of everyone else.」 (Lilia)

「It was very saddening, but it made me think I had to try my best in my own way. I didn't know how to do my best, and I tried so many things but none of them worked out… and here I am now.」 (Lilia)

I laughed a little, and Lilia turned to look at me.

「—I thought you were going to sit there quietly and listen, what was that for!?」 (Lilia)

「...I'm just here to set you free from this place.」 (Izayoi)

「Set me free? Aren't you just surrounding me with salt!? Isn't that just to keep me here!?」 (Lilia)

「It can’t be helped. You suddenly started to monologue, so I put down salt in reply.」 (Izayoi)

「Ahh, I see, so it's my fault. I won't talk to you anymore. Is that fine?」 (Lilia)

「...That's no good.」 (Izayoi)

「What?」 (Lilia)

「 I won't let you run away after you started talking at me while ignoring how I feel, then decided to stop all on your own.」 (Izayoi)

「But it's got nothing to do with you, whether you give permission or not.」 (Lilia)

「That's right. It's got nothing to do with me.」 (Izayoi)

I've got nothing to do with the old me. So I'll say whatever I want to say.

「The hero isn't as great a person as you say. Rather, he’s halfway negligent.」 (Izayoi)

As I said that, Lilia stood up and glared at me.

「You! Someone like you doesn't have the right to judge the hero! I will not allow you to insult the hero like that! Apologize! Apologize to my beloved hero!」 (Lilia)

「I may not have the right. But Lilia, was the hero able to take everything upon themselves to protect everything?」 (Izayoi)

「They did! They protected the world!」 (Lilia)

「They protected everything? Then why do you look so sad.」 (Izayoi)

「That's, that's because of the horrible things you said...」 (Lilia)

「Were you laughing while we were at Arona?」 (Izayoi)

「......」 (Lilia)

「You were crying. The thieves attacked, and you came crying while begging for help.」 (Izayoi)

「*Uuuu....*」 (Lilia)

「The hero only defeats demons. There's more than one type of monster. It's the same for evildoers. That wasn't all that important to the hero.」 (Izayoi)

「Even so, the hero...」 (Lilia)

「If the hero saw the current world, would he be satisfied? Surely not.」 (Izayoi)

「Wh are you! What are you trying to say?」 (Lilia)

「Nothing really, just what I thought since you started orating all on your own. Don't make that face if you don't have a problem with me. Your expression was ugly enough as it was, no need to try harder. Laugh.」 (Izayoi)

「What!? Don't suddenly start insulting me! Don't start badmouthing me just because it's bad to badmouth the hero! And my face is plenty pretty as it is you know?」 (Lilia)

「Your personality is ugly too. Now, step outside the circle of salt. And fall.」 (Izayoi)

「I'm sorry— What was that! Be clear whether you're being serious or kidding around! Do you think I'm a fool!?」 (Lilia)

「Right. You're an idiot.」 (Izayoi)

「You're the idiot!」 (Lilia)

「Alright then. Let's say I'm an idiot. Since I'm not that far from being a hero, the hero is an idiot too. It's so simple you don't even need to think about it.」 (Izayoi)

「You, are you trying to console me?」 (Lilia)

「Of course not. If I bully you when you look like that, it would be like you were letting me insult you.」 (Izayoi)

「You treat people cruelly. Could you be more kind?」 (Lilia)

「Just this much is cruel? Then what about King? This isn't even at the level of cruel.」 (Izayoi)

「Who!? Who is King!? Are there other victims?」 (Lilia)

「I said it before, right? King is the goblin king. We fought and became friends. He's walking 300 kilometers to get home now.」 (Izayoi)

「Fought and became friends? You said you threatened him, was that true? So having a conversation was a metaphor?」 (Lilia)

「That's right. King is still walking.」 (Izayoi)

「Is, is that so...」 (Lilia)

「You've been blessed in comparison. Do you understand?」 (Izayoi)

「Yes, I get it. I'm blessed. But, you don't get it. Being angry, joking around, or being serious.」 (Lilia)

「You don't really have to understand. There's no particular reason either.」 (Izayoi)

「In the end, why did you get angry when the hero was brought up?」 (Lilia)

「I'm not angry at the hero. I'm irritated that you were worried about the hero.」 (Izayoi)

「In other words, what does that mean?」 (Lilia)

「Do I have to spell it all out for you? You really are an idiot.」 (Izayoi)

「Yes yes I'm an idiot. Something bothersome has come...」 (Lilia)

(TN: She's parroting Izayoi's words in a mocking sort of way.)

「Lilia, the hero protected all sorts of people, and I've done nothing at all. Is that what you think?」 (Izayoi)

「...Well, yes.」 (Lilia)

「An ape could do anything you could do, Lilia. Start by understanding that.」 (Izayoi)

「An ape, is it...」 (Lilia)

「Yes, Lilia is an ape.」 (Izayoi)

「Can I deny that for a moment? I'm not an ape.」 (Lilia)

「No, Lilia is an ape.」 (Izayoi)

「...I'm an ape.」 (Lilia)

「That's right. If Lilia can do it, an ape can do it too, so I propose.」 (Izayoi)

「Eh? What's with that theory.」 (Lilia)

「Lilia. There's something I want to ask of you.」 (Izayoi)

「Wh, why are you serious all of a sudden. Are you joking again?」 (Lilia)

Lilia stared closely.

「...Alright. Tell me.」 (Lilia)

「I'm leaving this town when the guildmaster comes back. I won't be looking after Tear anymore.」 (Izayoi)

「Tear?」 (Lilia)

「So, can you look after Tear and Rigolo?」 (Izayoi)

「Why? It doesn't have to be me does it?」 (Lilia)

「I have to ask you. Or rather, you're the only one I can ask... In the past, there were a lot of people I could trust. However, I can't trust them anymore. I can't leave this to anyone else besides you. That's why it has to be you.」 (Izayoi)

「Are you saying that because you think I'm all alone by myself?」 (Lilia)

「Ah. I have nobody else I can trust except Lilia.」 (Izayoi)

As I said that, Lilia began to laugh for some reason.

「What, aren't you the same as me then?」 (Lilia)

「It's regrettable that I'm in the same situation as you, but I can't deny that.」 (Izayoi)

「And after you said all those self-important things to me?」 (Lilia)

「That's right.」 (Izayoi)

「...Then say that from the beginning. Sheesh, there's nothing to be done with you.」 (Lilia)

Walking King (Walking)  Day 4  197km/300km

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Nagai Koto Chapter 005

The Long Journey Until I Reunite With You

My Reason to Live

Forna was forced to go back. She wanted to know how bad the circumstances were, but she didn’t want anyone else to hear. It’s fine for her childhood friend and her parents I guess. Tonkotu Ramen quickly closed and the tidying up was completed, so that it could open up another day. Everybody, including the customers and employees, were sent home, and the only two left in the restaurant were me and the manager.

(TN: There was some ambiguity in the last chapter, the restaurant is closed because of the recent incident concerning Bolbardié, it’ll open again one day... maybe.)

「Velt Jeeha-kun, ten years old eh.」 (Manager)

「And the old man’s name is Melma Chassi right?」 (Velt)

「Right, even though we’ve exchanged our names, it sounds kind of weird.」 (Manager → Melma)

「It’s a self introduction right?」 (Velt)

We sat side by side on the counter seats, and started a conversation that the people of this world wouldn’t understand.

「I’m Asakura Ryuuma, a second year student from Kyokawa High School.」 (Velt)

At that moment, the manager stiffened.

「NO WAAAAAAAAAAY!!!」 (Melma)

「It’s true, or rather, who are you?」 (Velt)

「Uuugh, Asakura? You were Asakura! I’m Kobayakawa, your teacher!」 (Melma)

H-Huuuuuuuh!?

「Whaat!? You, you were Kobayakawa-sensei!?」 (Velt)

It was my turn to be surprised.

「Yeah I was. Hey, is this for real? I didn’t think I’d meet the class’ biggest problem child again.」 (Melma)

「Well, I never thought that I’d be able to eat ramen ever again, and to think you were the one that made it.」 (Velt)

「However, why have you become so small!? Ten years you said? The last time I saw you was in high school right?」 (Melma)

「I don’t get how I ended up like this either.」 (Velt)

「I see, but how do I explain it. There’s no way to.」 (Melma)

「Yeah, I don’t think so either.」 (Velt)

Somehow, the manager’s true identity was my class' homeroom teacher. I remember well. He was a spirited and enthusiastic teacher, and never once faltered against the delinquent that I was. Despite that, I remember him always being concerned for me. Ever since I started going back to school, Kobayakawa seemed happy.

(TN: He doesn’t call him Kobayakawa-sensei it seems.)

「Hey, Asakura, how far back do you remember?」 (Melma)

By how far I remember, he means my past life.

「Up until the bus fell on the school trip. I remembered everything two years ago.」 (Velt)

「Is that so. Then as I thought, we’ve all died in that incident and if I’m not mistaken been given life in another world, right?」 (Melma)

「Yeah.」 (Velt)

At that instant both of our memories ceased. Therefore, we were able to confirm that the same phenomenon happened to us.

「Hey sensei, when did you remember?」 (Velt)

「When I was around 20 years old. I was a cook at a restaurant in the Rolvan Empire to the east.」 (Melma)

「Right now, how old are you?」 (Velt)

「32. When I was Kobayakawa I was 51 years old. It feels kind of weird.」 (Melma)

「Then, to this day it’s been more than ten years since you’ve last seen me, it must have been lonely.」 (Velt)

Loneliness. Not in the sense that you’re somewhere far away, but it was a word that only we understood.

「By the way, I got married in this world when I was 19. Even now my wife is well mannered, sweet, and wholeheartedly devoted to me. However, ever since my memories returned, I have had some mixed feelings even though I’m happy.」 (Melma)

「I see. Which reminds me, I’m sure sensei was also married in our original world.」 (Velt)

「Yeah, I had a wife and children. I wonder how they’re doing right now, how their lives have been ever since I died, I’m always worried about them. However, I couldn’t open up and talk to anyone about this. This is the first time , ever since I was reborn as the man named Melma.」 (Melma)

I haven’t yet, perhaps I’m lucky that way. It’s only been two years since I remembered everything. But, this man has been tormented by anxiety for more than ten years.

「But, to be able to meet the delinquent such as yourself again, I didn’t think it would be able to save my spirit.」 (Melma)

「I mean, I didn’t think I’d be able to eat Tonkotsu Ramen either.」 (Velt)

「Yeah, ramen, eh. In this world without a trace of Japan, I can make cuisine as a chef. Using the memories of my past life, I’ve been able to reproduce the soup and noodles after ten years. If I had the internet, I’d have even more interesting recipes.」 (Melma)

「The internet! Hahaha, I didn’t think I’d miss hearing such an ordinary word.」 (Velt)

For the first time in a while I was able to smile from the bottom of my heart. Thinking about it, of all the things that have happened throughout my rebellious age, today might be the happiest day of my life. Well, Kobayakawa...... No, it’s the same for Melma. Even as the day ended, we would never tire of talking to each other. And after however many hours later, when it would be bad to return any later, there was one last thing I had to confirm.

「Hey, sensei. Do you think we’re the only ones that ended up like this?」 (Velt)

「......」 (Melma)

By that, I meant being able to meet each other again.

「It might be that I died instantly. I don’t know anyone else who died.」 (Melma)

「Right, I’m sure that not everyone died in the accident, but I know at least one other person that did.」 (Velt)

「What?」 (Melma)

「Before I died, I was conscious for a short time. Just before I lost consciousness, I saw that person had nothing left.」 (Velt)

It wasn’t a pleasant conclusion. In reality, it would have been better if that person didn’t die. However, if she died, is it fine to assume that she was also reborn in this world?

「Kamino Mina.」 (Velt)

「Kamino Mina you say?　......I see......the child most unlikely to die.」 (Melma)

「Well, if she survived then everything will be fine. More than that, she wouldn’t have crossed over. But if she was in this world like us......」 (Velt)

I would want to meet her.

If she carried the same feelings as us, I want to save her from it.

No, that’s wrong, it would just be showing off.

The real reason is much more simple.

I just want to meet her.

「You, it’s thanks to Kamino that you started coming back to school isn’t it?」 (Melma)

「Wha—!」 (Velt)

「Well, with the exception of you, everyone else had already figured it out.」 (Melma)

「Wha— S-seriously!? It’s not like I told anyone!」 (Velt)

「Just looking at you made it obvious. But it’s the truth isn’t it? That girl dragged you back to school, and you changed. You even made friends.」 (Melma)

It wasn’t a lie. Of course, I still kept on getting into fights with bad people. However, I regularly participated in school and class events, and opened myself up to those around me.

「Well, she was someone who helped you, right? Therefore......you’d want to meet her......if she was in this world.」 (Melma)

When I realized it, I saw the one that shouldn’t have ever been there in my mind.

「Sensei, I’ve decided. I’m going to travel around the world, and one day, I’ll find Kamino.」 (Velt)

Why was I reborn?

What was I supposed to do in this world?

I’ve finally discovered the answer.

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