Intolerance
Forna came back, and though rumors of the demon lord
coming spread throughout the country, nothing seems to have changed. If the
demon lord were to come, the army would prepare a defense far from the capital.
There should have been some reports from the area near the border, but no
information has come yet. There's nothing worse than having needless anxiety or
false information. Rather than live in
fear of when the demon lord may come, living life to the fullest until that
moment is better. And so, today is no different than normal, I am once again
covered in oil and fire.
「What, delivery?」 (Velt)
「That's right. It's near where
you used to live, Motaro's house.」 (Melma)
「Hey hey, ain’t that outside
the capital? The noodles are going to swell, yeah?」 (Velt)
「Right. Now that you say that,
fried rice, soup, and gyoza will do.」 (Melma)
「Jeez, we're so darn busy and
now we have this delivery system on top of it.」 (Velt)
「Well, I did get laborers for
cheap. Get moving.」 (Melma)
「Yeah, yeah. This is training
too.」 (Velt)
I've been living in sensei's house for a few weeks.
The shop has become wildly popular in the capital, and it's always crowded at
lunch and dinner now. It's smooth sailing though, with more helping hands and
experienced cooks in the kitchen. In a way, sensei has used his memories from
his previous life and been successful. If I had to say something, it would be
that I'm only washing dishes and running odd jobs in order to better myself in
ways other than fighting, and today another task was added at last. That would
be the new delivery system.
「Flotation (levitation).」 (Velt)
I learned to make wooden travel containers by
watching and imitating others. Since I never carried anything around as Asakura
Ryuuma, it’s somewhat refreshing, but it's also pretty heavy. However, flotation (levitation) magic is quite helpful for
transporting heavy things, so I've gotten more skilled from the countless
repetitions. It's the perfect practice for me.
「Hold on, sensei, you didn't
happen to overhear my plan and start the delivery service for me did you...
there’s no way, right?」 (Velt)
As promised, I only spoke to sensei. When I quit
school, I had a plan for what I would do afterwards. Search for Kamino. I won't
regret a third time. What is necessary for that is strength. That means
techniques to fight and survive. First off, the most important one is the
strength to fight. I’ve spoken to sensei about my process, was he taking things
into consideration for me as well? No, let's put that aside because he'll dodge
the question even if I ask. It's just, I'm only doing what I need to do.
「Hey, kid.」 (???)
「Oh, old man from the weapon
shop!」 (Velt)
「Errands?」 (??? à Weapon Shop Man)
「Something like that.」 (Velt)
By chance, I ran into the old man from the weapon
shop. Since the battle with Shalt, I've seen him every now and then. I'm done
with school and practicing magic, so now all that's left are the weapons. I
talk to him sometimes if I want advice concerning weapons.
「How's it been, since I
remodeled them?」 (Weapon Shop Man)
「Aah. Well, it'll be fine. I
haven't been able to use them, so I don't know how good they are.」 (Velt)
「Hmph. Drop by if something
comes up.」 (Weapon Shop Man)
「Sure. I'll come by the shop.
I'll bring something next time.」 (Velt)
「Boy, don't start talking like
an old man.」 (Weapon Shop Man)
When we first met, the old man at the weapon shop
said I didn't have the conviction nor preparation to hold a weapon. However, I
quit school, sought instruction on how to wield a weapon, seriously bowed my
head, and somehow received advice. According to the old man, even I don't know
how much I've changed since I first lowered my head to him. However, the old
man, sensei and Laraana, and Forna and Farga too. I think I'm quite blessed by
my circumstances.
「Hey, Velt. I heard you
started doing delivery, yeah?」 (Gatekeeper 1)
「This time, take my order,
please!」 (Gatekeeper 2)
「No, I can't take it right
now! Come by to eat!」 (Velt)
Passing by the carefree gatekeepers, I went outside
the capital after a long time. Right, it's
been a while.
「Ah, right, mom and pop's
grave are in the capital and our home got razed to the ground... I haven't been
out since then have I.」 (Velt)
Since then. Since the day I lost mom and pop. I'm not
particularly scared. However, I'm slightly apprehensive. Right now, I'm still
weak. I'd be killed in an instant by demons and devils.
「Sheesh, I'm an idiot. There
are countless countermeasures against the demon invasion at the border, but one
still got through.」 (Velt)
So, it's alright. And yet, it's dazzling. Our house
burning brightly. Mom and pop, covered in blood. No, that's not it. I'm still scared. I told Forna and
sensei that I was fine, but I wasn't actually alright. As I had these thoughts,
my pace naturally quickened. I want to leave this place quickly. My heartbeat
quickened.
「*Haa, haa, haa,* here. It's
been a while, since I've come here.」 (Velt)
The neighborhood elderly couple. I've met them a
couple times with father. They were always jovial and happy. I haven't seen
them ever since mom and pop's funeral, so they're probably going to be
surprised. Without taking it too seriously, I opened the door.
「Heeey, delivery's here—」 (Velt)
However, my voice didn't come out.
Instead, I only heard sounds of panic coming from
inside the room.
「G, Gramps! Grandma!」 (Velt)
There's an unpleasant feeling. My body was covered in
goosebumps. Before I realized it I had
run into the room, and I saw it.
I found Gramps and Grandma collapsed on the floor.
Next to them stood a tall, mysterious person, fully
clad in jet black armor, with blue hair, red eyes, and pointed ears. No, not a
person. It looks like a person, but it's not.
——A demon.
「Th, this, bastard, you...」 (Velt)
Now, I can't think anymore. Why is it here? How did
it get here, past the border? Are there others? For what purpose? None of it
mattered. Recalling that day in a flashback, I prepared my baton and charged
forward.
「I'll kill you!!!」 (Velt)
However,
「I did not harm them! I beg of
you young one, overlook this!」 (Demon 1)
The young, handsome demon said something unbelievable
right before I hit it. It prostrated. Honestly, I had no idea what happened. However,
I refocused immediately.
「"Overlook this,"
don't screw with me! You killed Grandpa and Grandma, how could I ignore that!」 (Velt)
「I did not kill them! They are
just sleeping from magic! I promise, I do not care what happens to me. Please
overlook it. Help me!」 (Demon 1)
What is it saying, this demon? This situation. And
the conspicuous sword at its waist. It's a demon soldier no matter how you look
at it. Furthermore, that dignified armor can't be mass-produced. If it has
that, it has to be quite high-ranking. It's taller than the average man. Not
quite two meters (6'7"), but it's close. It's strong no matter how you
look at it. And, it has the power to kill me in an instant. Yet, why is it
begging for its life?
「Ruuga... What are... doing...」 (Demon 2)
That was, the unbelievably feeble voice of a young
child.
「W, wh, what's going on?」 (Velt)
I didn't realize it. In the corner of the room
leaning against the wall was a young demon child, on the verge of death.
She had long silver hair, and radiant red eyes which
were on the verge of closing. Furthermore, she had pointed ears unlike a human.
She wore armor fit for a child with her bottom covered by a white skirt. She
seemed to be the same age as me and Forna.
「Ura-sama, you mustn't speak.
Please leave this to me!」 (Demon 1 -> Ruuga)
Looking at the expression of the soldier named Ruuga,
as well as the condition of the child named Ura, even I understood what was
going on.
「Young human boy, we are
demons. We fought against humans and have run far away, all the way here. We
wish to return to the demon country, but have already run out of provisions,
and are in trouble as you can see. I beg of you, please share your food. That
is all!」 (Ruuga)
It doesn't seem to be a lie. They truly seem to be
desperate. However,
「Don’t screw with me by saying
crap out of your own convenience! Grandpa and Grandma refused, so you made them
sleep, and once you recovered, you were planning to steal from them?」 (Velt)
「Th, that is—」 (Ruuga)
「Either way, you probably
deserted after being beaten, so stop bullshitting me! Why do I have to help you
anyways!?」 (Velt)
Truthfully, I don't hate demons. Mom and pop were
killed by a devil. I know that. However, ever since then, I've found it hard to
deal with anyone that looks different.
「I am sorry... But, please
understand. I certainly killed humans during war. I am willing to accept any
punishment, even death. However, this child is different. She absolutely cannot
afford to die. I beg of you. Provide us with provisions. We will leave quietly
afterwards.」 (Ruuga)
Bullshit.
「Don't fuck with me! As if I
could trust your promise!」 (Velt)
As Ruuga looked up from his dogeza, I gave him an axe
kick. Even with the strength of a child, it's a strike to the head. Ruuga's
expression distorted a bit.
「You'd go on killing humans if
you kept living I bet! I don't know who that girl is, but here and now...」 (Velt)
And then it happened. Ruuga grabbed the sword at his
waist. I'm dead when he pulls that out. I really am a fool. If I obediently
handed over the food, I might have survived. However, at that moment, I was too
frightened to run away. I was going to be killed. The moment I thought that, I
couldn't believe what I saw.
「W-what, what are you...」 (Velt)
Blood was scattered about. However, it wasn't my
blood. The blood was blue, demon's blood. Ruuga had cut
off his left arm. Together with a gauntlet, the left arm rolled on the floor.
「If you wish it, I will cut of
my right arm as well. Though it pains me to only be able to prove my feelings
in this manner... Please, have mercy.」 (Ruuga)
Wouldn't it be better to just kill me? I'm small fry
that would die instantly you know? Are you trying to show me chivalrous spirit?
From a demon? I thought he was just a thief showing off his pride? No, that's
not it. He didn't think about it that all. He desperately sought to help the
demon girl, that's all.
「Ha... I’m also intolerant...
aren’t I.」 (Velt)
He's the real deal. You would know just by looking. And
yet, compared to my fear of devils, I was afraid of demons for a different
reason. It's not like I had a grudge, nor did I have the desire to kill them
from the bottom of my heart.
「Today, what I do here, must
be taken to the grave without telling anyone.」 (Velt)
Opening the lid of the box I carried, fried rice,
gyoza, and soup were placed in front of Ruuga.
「I am in your debt!」 (Ruuga)
With an expression of relief, Ruuga bowed until his
head touched the floor once again, and immediately rushed over to the fallen
girl.
「Ura-sama, open your mouth,
slowly, please eat.」 (Ruuga)
「*U, uuu...*」 (Demon 2 -> Ura)
「Do not panic. Slowly.」 (Ruuga)
It was slow at first, but the girl named Ura slowly
began to move her mouth. She's probably extremely famished. Her countenance
slowly became more lively. As I watched them, Ruuga appeared ready to cry at
any moment while having a delighted expression. All he could do was repeat
"thank goodness" countless times.
「Oh my, have I just condemned
humanity to destruction?」 (Velt)
I grew slightly dejected. However...
「Ah...」 (Ura)
「Hm?」 (Velt)
「...Thank....you.」 (Ura)
Though she was considerably thin, I'm certain she
said the words "thank you." Well, It’s not like I hated it.
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