Defiled Hero Chapter 045

Defiled Hero

Endless Journey

I was led by the handsome blond Grey and cat-eared miniskirt-clad Tsuyuha. I walked slightly behind them.

Although I went along with the flow and came to the castle, I wonder if this is alright.

What should I do when I meet Zenesys? I can't do anything underhanded in my current state. If I'm revealed to be the hero, I'll have to do something about it forcefully.

He's of the legendary Saint rank. Even if all of the Emperor-rank people fought against him, they have no chance of winning.

If I fight him straight on as I am right now, I most likely won't win.

If I seriously want to defeat him, and have everything prepared, with the best possible chance of a surprise attack, if I don't kill him in one hit, it'll be my loss.

Swordmaster Tsuyuha and spearmaster Grey will be there as well. Grey is on Zenesys' side, and Tsuyuha respects her master, so if I attack Zenesys, she will turn her sword on me.

For now, I just pray that he doesn't recognize me as the hero.

I've gotten taller in the past five years, growing from a child into an adult. My voice has changed, and I have an eye patch. Above all, my personality has changed.

Zenesys' magical perception isn't that sharp. He probably won't realize Fiere is a fairy. It should be fine to act as I normally do.

(Hey, Astrea. It's your turn.) (Izayoi)

『What do you want?』 (Astrea)

(Why are you angry?) (Izayoi)

『You know, Izayoi. Lately, you've forgotten all about about Astrea-chan.』 (Astrea)

(I didn't forget. You're at the edge of my thoughts.) (Izayoi)

『Liar. You completely forgot. It's been a long time since I showed up.』 (Astrea)

(Aren't you happy showing up again? Your job this time is to observe the flow of magic in the area.) (Izayoi)

『Don't want to! I don't want to work when you ask so coldly like that, but my body is doing it on its own! *shiver* *twitch*』 (Astrea)

(TN: Remember, she likes the cold treatment.)

『I've observed the magic flow. Magic power seems to be gathering in the castle after all.』 (Astrea)

(This castle? Where, specifically?) (Izayoi)

『Something is interfering so I don't know. But it's probably underground.』 (Astrea)

(Underground, is it.) (Izayoi)

Was there something below the castle? I'm not sure. It can't be seen normally. I'll have to sneak in later to take a look.

「We've arrived. Zenesys is relaxing in this room. Please don't be impolite.」 (Grey)

The king's office. Zenesys is inside.

「When I think about it, I suddenly get nervous...」 (Tsuyuha)

「Relax. Your excitation will soon turn into despair.」 (Izayoi)

「Of course it won't. If you're wrong Izayoi, properly apologize to me, alright?」 (Tsuyuha)

「Sure, if what I said was wrong, I'll apologize or whatever. But if I'm right, you know what, right?」 (Izayoi)

「Sure. I'll do anything.」 (Tsuyuha)

She pointed her ears and pushed her chest out in pride.

「You two, did you hear what I said?」 (Grey)

「I was listening. It's alright. Shall we go?」 (Tsuyuha)

As Grey heard her say that, he let out a sigh, then stiffened his expression. He then knocked on the door.

「It's Grey. I've brought guests.」 (Grey)

It became silent for a bit due to the tense atmosphere. Tsuyuha and Grey's shallow breathing could be heard. The two of them were nervous, but I'm not bothered at all.

Putting my hand in my pocket, and gathering strength in a natural stance, I watched the door.

「...Enter.」 (Zenesys)

From behind the door, a low grunt could be heard.

「Pardon the intrusion.」 (Grey)

Opening the doors, we went inside. At the back of the room was a figure, wholly uninterested in us as it stared out the window.

The man had long white hair, collected behind his back.

「...I didn't think, there were plans for any visitors.」 (Zenesys)

Having said that, he turned around and walked towards us.

I'm taller than before, and my body has grown as well. Even though I became an adult, it feels as though my power hasn't changed that much..

A sharp glance was sent my way.

「Alright. Tsuyuha is here to report that she has finished her training. And this is the man Tsuyuha brought with her.」 (Tsuyuha)

「...Tr, training.」 (Zenesys)

Zenesys' eyes glazed over.

「Zenesys-sama! I finally finished the training! I've become an adult now, right?」 (Tsuyuha)

Zenesys avoided her gaze.

「Well done. Because you have completed your training, you are an adult. I have nothing else to teach you.」 (Zenesys)

He said she has no reason to be related to him anymore. It's my victory after all.

At that moment, I was hit lightly.

「I did it Izayoi! I'm an adult now! What you said is wrong after all!」 (Tsuyuha)

「Y, yeah... That's right.」 (Izayoi)

Shoving her face in my chest, Tsuyuha hopped around in glee.

(TN: I have no idea how you even do that.)

What an easily deceived girl.

When she's this happy, I'm hesitating to tell her to the truth. Even if I told her, she wouldn't believe me.

「...I was wrong, my bad.」 (Izayoi)

「It's alright. Don't worry about it at all.」 (Tsuyuha)

Cat ears twitching, she frantically changed her grin back to normal. Tsuyuha turned to Zenesys and Grey who had no idea what to say.

「Ahem, now that you said I've become an adult, I can be by Zenesys-sama from now on, right?」 (Tsuyuha)

「......」 (Zenesys, Grey, Izayoi)

As he heard what Tsuyuha said, Zenesys went silent.

「Ah, um, Tsuyuha. Does that mean you want to enter the knight order?」 (Zenesys)

「I don't mind joining the knight order. I want to be useful to Zenesys-sama and use my strength to protect the people.」 (Tsuyuha)

「That is... what to do.」 (Zenesys)

Looking back and forth between the silent Zenesys and Tsuyuha, Grey was at a loss.

「If I remember correctly, Tsuyuha's home country is on the western continent is it not? Your parents must be worried. You are still young, what do you think of helping the people of your country?」 (Grey)

「It's alright. My father is defending my hometown. He told me to use my strength to protect what I want to keep safe. So, I want to protect the people of this world together with Zenesys-sama.,」 Tsuyuha announced with a dignified expression.

Although Grey seemed to understand Tsuyuha's conviction, the attempt to persuade her completely failed.

Troubled, he looked at me expectantly.

What do you want. Are you trying to get my help because you're troubled? You must think I'm convenient.

I'm disgusted by this stale development.

Since things have stalled, do I try to persuade her?

「... Hey, Tsuyuha.」 (Izayoi)

「What.」 (Tsuyuha)

When she turned around, I was met with an angry expression.

「In order to protect everyone, you want to be by the king. That's what you said.」 (Izayoi)

「Yes, that's right.」 (Tsuyuha)

「First, your thought process is incorrect.」 (Izayoi)

「Incorrect? What does that mean. Are you on Grey's side?」 (Tsuyuha)

「No, that's not it. I'd rather die than side with that guy.」 (Izayoi)

「Then, what do you mean by incorrect?」 (Tsuyuha)

「Tsuyuha, you want to protect everyone, right? Then being next to the king isn't the best decision. If you're by the king, you limit your maximum potential.」 (Izayoi)

「I don't understand what you mean by maximum potential. Explain it more clearly please.」 (Tsuyuha)

「As I thought, you really are dumb aren't you.」 (Izayoi)

「It doesn't really matter! Even if I'm stupid, I can protect the people! That's what I came here for!」 (Tsuyuha)

「If you have power, you can protect everything. Is that what you think?」 (Izayoi)

「That's right. If I have the power, I can protect everyone even if I'm not smart. I'm still not as strong as Zenesys-sama though.」 (Tsuyuha)

「You are dumb.」 (Izayoi)

「Why! You stupid, the one who calls someone stupid is the stupid one! So Izayoi is stupid!」 (Tsuyuha)

「That standard reply, you really are an idiot. Well whatever, listen closely. There are things you can't protect with only strength. Who do you plan to protect?」 (Izayoi)

「Who, everyone. Everyone in this world.」 (Tsuyuha)

「Tsuyuha, you say you want to protect everyone in the world. How many millions of people in this world are there? You can't protect everyone. It's not a problem with your feelings, but a physical problem. Understand this first of all.」 (Izayoi)

「I kind of understand. It's a problem of willpower.」 (Tsuyuha)

「You want to protect all of the people of this world. Protect the people in this world. Then tell me. Within the walls of this large castle, can you hear them? Can you hear the voices of the people pleading for help? Will their cries reach a place like this?」 (Izayoi)

「If there are problems, aren't there people like the knights?」 (Tsuyuha)

「That's right. If high-rank monsters come out, they probably can't reach this place. They cannot get here, no matter how much time passes. If they come, they come. However, those monsters are fundamentally dangerous to the people, but Emperor-rank swordmasters and spearmasters can do something about it.」 (Izayoi)

「Grey and Zenesys-sama are strong, so it's fine.」 (Tsuyuha)

「It's not fine. Think about it.」 (Izayoi)

「If strong monsters attack, it's fine if Grey and Zenesys-sama are there, right?」 (Tsuyuha)

「Yes, that's right. If you know that much, then why can't you understand.」 (Izayoi)

What should I do? She's tilted her head, puzzled.

Do I have explain it so clearly? There's no other way.

After a sigh, I placed my hands on Tsuyuha's shoulders.

「——You, are unnecessary.」 (Izayoi)

「...Eh? Not, necessary.」 (Tsuyuha)

She seemed to be confused, but when she saw my seriousness, she seemed to have accepted it.

「Am I not, needed...」 (Tsuyuha)

「That's right. You are an unneeded child.」 (Izayoi)

「Unneeded, child. I am...」 (Tsuyuha)

Her pointed ears slowly and gradually went down.

「You are unnecessary. This is not the place for you. Your default unhappy expression, lack of teamwork, and inability to read the atmosphere are the cause. You aren't needed. You are unneeded. Rather, you're a hindrance. Because you aren't necessary.」 (Izayoi)

Looking down, her shoulders shook.

「*Uu... sob... uuu...*」 (Tsuyuha)

Tsuyuha began to weep.

「Suuuper unnecessary. You're suuuper unnecessary.」 (Zenesys)

「That final attack was amazing. She's crying now though, isn't that enough?」 (Grey)

I disregard Grey who says so.

「You are absolutely unnecessary. In this place, that is.」 (Izayoi)

「*Uuu...*」 (Tsuyuha)

「Don't cry. Look at me.」 (Izayoi)

「...What.」 (Tsuyuha)

Her tears continued to flow, and she looked at me weakly.

「You aren't needed here. If it's somewhere else, you won't be unnecessary.」 (Izayoi)

「What does that mean. I'm not unneeded? Aren't I in the way?」 (Tsuyuha)

「I said, you don't need to be next to the king. That's how it is.」 (Izayoi)

「So it's not that I'm not needed.」 (Tsuyuha)

「...You want to protect everyone, right? Then you don't need to be by the king, but by the people, right?」 (Izayoi)

「By, everyone?」 (Tsuyuha)

「Become close with the people, make friends, and live together with them. Isn't that what a real hero does? The grand one inside the castle that nobody sees, or the friendly neighborhood cat-eared girl that interferes with everyone else's business. Which one do you think is better? I don't need either of them, by the way.」 (Izayoi)

「Wanting to be by everyone, talking with and protecting them. That is a real hero...? Am I really not unnecessary?」 (Tsuyuha)

「You say you're unnecessary, but aren't there people that need you? I'm not needed by the way.」 (Izayoi)

「You don't have to say it twice.」 (Tsuyuha)

「Well, that's how it is. If I had to say one last thing, you trained for two years. You never realized the real reason for your training though.」 (Izayoi)

「Reason for training? Wh, what is that.」 (Tsuyuha)

「Listen, heroes get along well with the people, and live amongst them. In other words, even though it was called training and you called yourself the successor of the hero, what were you really doing?」 (Izayoi)

「Live with the people... Traveling... No way.」 (Tsuyuha)

「That's right. Don't return here. That was the correct choice.」 (Izayoi)

「Wh, what do you mean.」 (Tsuyuha)

By the way, the twisting of the story is complete.

You said Zenesys sent you on a journey because you were annoying. That would be correct.

「In other words, you should start by going on an endless journey.」 (Grey)

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