Defiled Hero Chapter 046

Defiled Hero

Conclusion At The Castle

「Not seeing the real reason for training, I fail as the hero's successor...」 (Tsuyuha)

「Right, but you can start over.」 (Izayoi)

「Yes. I was, mistaken. From now on, I will help the people who need me, and protect everyone.」 (Tsuyuha)

Good. Misdirection complete.

「I think that rather than being in the castle, doing that fits you better.」 (Grey)

「That's right. I got it.」 (Tsuyuha)

She took a step forward, and stood silently before Zenesys. Standing there silently was cool, but she must be thinking about nothing but helping people.

Zenesys doesn't have the skill for this kind of thing, so he relies on Grey.

Although Grey somehow came to an understanding, he didn't read the atmosphere, and common sense cannot be applied to this selfish girl.

Now I'm being begged for help. I completely regret my decision to come here with all my heart. If this is their thanks, those two are the worst.

「Zenesys-sama, I, did not understand the real meaning of training. I fail as a disciple. But my feelings of wanting to protect everyone are real. Even if I'm no longer a disciple, my way of living won't change. I won't come here any more. I will go to where the people need me.」 (Tsuyuha)

「...Agreeable?」 (Zenesys)

「Of course.」 (Grey)

That's the end of Zenesys' problem.

One thing that could have been done differently was, after Tsuyuha rushed in and was crestfallen at being called an unwanted child, Zenesys could have said, 「Look, she's crying isn't she! Apologize!」 when she started crying, and it could have ended without her being sad and still leaving the castle.

The damage done and remaining aftertaste remain.

However, the method was the biggest problem.

If I had said that line, I wonder if it would have been alright.

That's the thing.

I am a true, honest gentleman. I wonder if my surroundings give off that image as well.

I wonder if it would have been fine if I had used a different tone.

I only do things that make sense. I can't do something like that.

『It's been nothing but a bad comedy act up until now.』 (Astrea)

(Hey, Astrea. Don't come out when I don't call you. I'll kill you.) (Astrea)

『You have not even a bit of common sense.』 (Astrea)

「That's how it is, so I'm going now.」 (Tsuyuha)

Tsuyuha finished her talk with Zenesys.

「Izayoi, we're going.」 (Grey)

My arm was pulled, towards the exit of the room. Everyone should be relieved with this.

That includes Grey and Zenesys. Fiere clung to my back, completely frightened, and had erased her presence, Though the results I got here weren't what I wanted, that's one problem taken care of.

I guess that's good enough for now.

I can finally get out of this place.

「—Halt.」 (Zenesys)

A serious, grim voice came from behind.

「What is it?」 (Tsuyuha)

Stopping her feet, Tsuyuha turned to look.

「Then one you brought with you... Izayoi, was his name. I have something, to say to him.」 (Zenesys)

「What business do you have with me?」 (Izayoi)

Without turning around, I asked him.

「...I must, give my thanks.」 (Zenesys)

As I thought, it's come to the worst-case scenario.

「I must also thank you.」 (Izayoi)

「As Grey said, for this matter, allow me to thank you.」 (Zenesys)

「Thanks, is it? From the king? Don't make me laugh.」 (Izayoi)

Though I happened to help, I don't want to become friendly with him. Zenesys and I are enemies. We will fight sooner or later. There's no need for a friendly relationship.

It would make things more troublesome, so being disliked is convenient.

「Do you not, enjoy receiving thanks?」 (Zenesys)

「I don't particularly hate it. It's just, hearing that from you is entirely unpleasant.」 (Izayoi)

Turning around, I provoked him. Grey turned to me with a sharp glance, and opened his mouth.

「You are a benefactor. There's no reason for you to act that way toward the king though.」 (Grey)

「That may be so, I know. But it can't be helped can it? I had to say it because he looked so confused that it's unbelievable he's the king.」 (Izayoi)

「I will say it again. Anything further will be an insult to the king.」 (Grey)

「Th, that's right Izayoi. Saying that to Zenesys-sama is no good.」 (Tsuyuha)

「No good, you say. I only said what I thought. Isn't he the one at fault though? Even if he gave thanks, there's that way of speaking. Isn't he full of himself since he's the strongest one in the world? Were those really words of thanks? Try putting your head to the ground and say it again.」 (Izayoi)

At that moment, I felt murderous intent.

Looking sideways, Grey had his spear pointed at me.

「This is the final warning. Apologize for insulting the king this instant.」 (Grey)

「Why must I apologize? That you would turn your blade on someone with just this much, is the subordinate as incompetent as the king? That doesn't even make me want to laugh.」 (Izayoi)

「Cease!」 (Grey)

「W, wait a moment! That's dangerous! Stop pointing your weapon at Izayoi, we can solve this without violence, Grey! Let's talk it out!」 (Tsuyuha)

「Do you know what you're saying? Then why did you beat up my knights?」 (Grey)

「Th, that, that was, it couldn't be helped! They attacked me first! They didn't listen to me!」 (Tsuyuha)

Tsuyuha put herself between me and the tip of Grey's spear. She stood with arms spread wide, as if protecting me from Grey.

「That's right. If you speak, they will understand. Well, they might not understand if you try because you're so incompetent.」 (Izayoi)

Tsuyuha suddenly looked over her shoulder, and Grey shuddered with anger.

「Izayoi is the wrong one here! Don't say unnecessary things.」 (Tsuyuha)

Though she gave me a terribly angry warning, something like that doesn't scare me.

「Tsuyuha. Could you get out of the way? He is a guest no longer.」 (Grey)

「I said to put down your weapon! I'm going to have to pull out my sword at this rate!」 (Tsuyuha)

「So it's back to settling everything by power after all. You said it before, but you still can't beat me. You would still fight me? The king is before you. Traitors are not given mercy.」 (Grey)

「I'm not a terrorist or a traitor! Aren't Grey and the knights the same!?」 (Tsuyuha)

「—Desist.」 (Zenesys)

Zenesys, previously silent, opened his mouth.

At that, the two of them quieted down.

「Grey. Lower your weapon.」 (Zenesys)

But,」 (Grey)

「Lower it.」 (Zenesys)

「...Yes.」 (Grey)

With a complicated expression, Grey stopped pointing his spear tip at us.

That's a good expression. I want it to make it worse, but Tsuyuha warned me not to say anything.

It can't be helped, since Tsuyuha is looking at me with a serious expression.

「.....」 (Grey)

Grey ground his teeth in mortification.

「...Izayoi.」 (Zenesys)

「What?」 (Izayoi)

「Somehow, I have displeased you.」 (Zenesys)

「Yeah, that's right. I don't like anything about you.」 (Izayoi)

「Is that so. Then I cannot bear to displease you further. Return.」 (Zenesys)

「I don't want to be here forever, so let's accept the king's offer and leave.」 (Izayoi)

Though it became a bit noisy, it seems to have gone well. Now then, shall we return?

「...I am thankful for the king's generosity.」 (Tsuyuha)

「Hmph, that's the least the king could do, you—」 (Grey)

「Alright! We're going already!」 (Tsuyuha)

「Wait you, I, I haven't said—」 (Grey)

「Whatever, we're going already!」 (Tsuyuha)

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