Defiled Hero Chapter 038

Defiled Hero

First Adventure

Twelve days have passed since the guildmaster had me start taking care of Rigolo and Tear.

Uri and Reri were called by the guildmaster, and have gone away.

This lifestyle ends in another two days. As I think of that, a feeling wells up from deep inside.

Sitting on my knees, the sound of Tear's fluffy tail hitting my stomach can be heard. Rigolo lay next to the bed, sleeping while making *kuke kuke* noises.

Fiere slept while wrapped by Rigolo's downy feathers.

Compared to when I first met them, Tear and Rigolo's appearances have improved, and they have gotten much stronger. They've become stronger, and are able to fight to some extent now. They've also made combat slaves in the name of becoming "friends."

I've laid the foundations for them to become adventurers. The rest is up to them.

「...Ichayoi.」 (Tear)

「What is it?」 (Izayoi)

「...Ichayoi, you have, teacher?」 (Tear)

「My teacher? ...Well, there is one.」 (Izayoi)

「...What type person?」 (Tear)

「...As a teacher, they were a entirely unpleasant.」 (Izayoi)

「...Same as, hero-sama?」 (Tear)

「That's right. The same as the hero. The same as the hero's teacher, I think.」 (Izayoi)

「...Is true, hero-sama's teacher, is king?」 (Tear)

「Yeah.」 (Izayoi)

「...Want to hear, hero-sama's story.」 (Tear)

「The hero's story, is it? If it's just that, Lilia should be fine. She is an acquaintance of the hero.」 (Izayoi)

「...But, did not see, hero-sama fight.」 (Tear)

「That's right. You want to hear about how the hero fought?」 (Izayoi)

「...Yes.」 (Tear)

「There should be plenty of people who know about the hero's exploits. That old sorcerer from the mountain traveled with the hero a long time ago.」 (Izayoi)

「...Is that, true?」 (Tear)

「Not just that old man, I think basically everyone that is Emperor-ranked knew the hero.」 (Izayoi)

「...And Ichayoi?」 (Tear)

「...I don't know him. If I met him, I'm sure we wouldn't get along. People like me are the type he hates the most. The hero is the embodiment of justice.」 (Izayoi)

「...Ichayoi, is really, good person.」 (Tear)

「Who said that?」 (Izayoi)

「...Lilia.」 (Tear)

「So you're on good terms with Lilia I see. Don't you understand well? That's good... And you were able to talk with Lilia. She says what she wants when the person in question isn't around, so she really is trash.」 (Izayoi)

「I don't want to hear that from you!」 (Lilia)

A wild Lilia suddenly appears.

That's right. Speaking bad about people behind their backs isn't good.

「...Lilia. You really are trash.」 (Izayoi)

「That's not something that should be said so directly! That's even more cruel than going behind their back!」 (Lilia)

「So, what are you here for?」 (Izayoi)

「You really do change topics quickly... The thing is, there's a report of a B-rank monster not far from here. What do you plan to do? I'll give the job to other adventurers if you're not going.」 (Lilia)

「...Not going.」 (Izayoi)

「Is that so? Then other people—」 (Lilia)

「I'm not going. Tear. You go.」 (Izayoi)

「...Ichayoi?」 (Tear)

Tear's ears suddenly drooped, and I heard her voice become unsteady.

「Tear. Training ends in two more days. I won't be here anymore.」 (Izayoi)

「...Ichayoi, going away, no.」 (Tear)

「No complaints. I'm leaving this town, and I can't take you with me.」 (Izayoi)

「...Do not want.」 (Tear)

Tears began to well up in Tear's eyes, and she grabbed my clothes tightly.

「My training is done. But before that, you will have your test. Your test will determine if you can become an adventurer or not.」 (Izayoi)

「...Test.」 (Tear)

「According to the stories, the hero was in about the same situation when he took the test.」 (Izayoi)

「...Hero-sama too?」 (Tear)

「The hero passed it, and went forth on his own. Will you be able to forge ahead on your own as well?」 (Izayoi)

「...Hero-sama... But, Ichayoi.」 (Tear)

「In order for you to be able to stand by yourself, I had you train. You tried hard, didn't you? Was that all for nothing?」 (Izayoi)

「...」 (Tear)

「Tear is already an excellent heroine. You should be able to do it. And even if I'm not here, you won't be alone.」 (Izayoi)

「*Kukeke!*」 (Rigolo)

Rigolo was listening silently nearby, and jumped up to bring his wing in front of his chest.

「*Hawawa,* It hurts.」 (Fiere)

「*Kukeke...*」 (Rigolo)

Having completed his pose with pride, Rigolo apologized in earnest to the angry-sounding Fiere.

「You have friends.」 (Izayoi)

「...Yes. I understand. Will try hard.」 (Tear)

Outside of the town gate.

Having finished preparations, it's time to see them off.

「...I'm going.」 (Tear)

「Yeah, go get 'em.」 (Izayoi)

「*Kuke!*」 (Rigolo)

Equipment was made from the minerals given by the dragon a few days ago. Rigolo had claws made, and Tear got a new scythe. Putting on their new equipment, Tear and Rigolo set off on an adventure.

I took an uneasy step forward, and watched them proceed onward.

「Even though a gryphon is an A-rank monster, will it really be fine?」 (Lilia)

「Well, it should be fine.」 (Izayoi)

「Saying it should be fine is being irresponsible. What are you going to do if something happens?」 (Lilia)

「I'll manage to do something somehow, so relax.」 (Izayoi)

「Eh? "Somehow" you say, aren't— 」 (Lilia)

「They've come.」 (Izayoi)

「Eh? Arrived?」 (Lilia)

「There's no way they can become adventurers if they're not fully committed. I'm going to watch over them from the shadows. I still have the contract with the guildmaster. It would be bad if anything happened.」 (Izayoi)

「Ha... You're overprotective.」 (Lilia)

Dismounting from Rigolo, Tear jumped off.

「Well then, I'm off to watch over them. Let's go Fiere.」 (Izayoi)

「*Hawawa,* Okay!」 (Fiere)

Fiere entered the magic crystal, and we began to follow them.

Rigolo isn't flying all that fast. He's going around 60 kilometers per hour. Running normally should be just fine.

I followed a minute behind them so as to not be discovered.

The enemy is a Scorpia. It resembles a scorpion and is a B-rank monster. Without any trouble at all, they became friends.

It seems to somehow be alright.

As I observed the brush, I suddenly felt an unnatural presence.

『This is bad, Izayoi! They're coming!』 (Astrea)

They're coming. And with this timing? What to do. Protect Tear, or... No, I'll wait and see.

I prepared to intervene in case anything were to go wrong. The light from the sky was shut out, and it became dark.

And then, they showed up.

「Oh my, what a lovely young lady.」 (???)

「...Who?」 (Tear)

「Me? *Nfufu,* I will give you my name. I am Darkness Spirit Tsukuyomi. I control spirits of darkness!」 (??? → Tsukuyomi)

Something more troublesome than a monster has appeared. It doesn't seem to have noticed me because I erased my presence, however.

Coming down from the jet black dragon, Tsukuyomi came before Tear.

「*Kukeke!*」 (Rigolo)

「*Shaa!*」 (Scorpia)

As Rigolo and the scorpia watched, Tsukuyomi came between them.

「*Nfu,* You have a good servant as well. Not cute at aaaaall.」 (Tsukuyomi)

「...Friend.」 (Tear)

「Oh my, is that so. Apologies... The thing is, I have a lot of friends too. So how about it? Shall we play?」 (Tsukuyomi)

「...Play?」 (Tear)

「Yes, that's right. Why don't you play with me. I have fun with everyone I meet. Your friends seem quite interesting!」 (Tsukuyomi)

As she said that, the air shook and quaked. Darkness spread forth.

When the darkness receded, there were numerous demons.

「...Liar.」 (Tear)

「It's no lie, we will play. With your life that is!」 (Tsukuyomi)

Tear became frightened, and raised her scythe, preparing to fight.

Not with the unease which she displayed while at the town, she had a dignified expression, with a calm fury burning inside.

「...Bad things, bad.」 (Tear)

「Don't say that, won't you play with me? Hey? I wonder how much longer you will have that confidence in your unreliable friends. Cry out while dyed in despair for my enjoyment!」 (Tsukuyomi)

「...If friends, are here, will be alright.」 (Tear)

Light began to overflow from Tear.

「...Everyone, come!」 (Tear)

Walking King (Walking)  299.9km/300km

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