< Heroic Sword POV >

Ruin looked in the direction his companions were headed.

[Theyre late.]

[She may have run further away than we thought.]

Yuugungu said as he wiped the blood away from his axe.

Following the conversation, Myana uttered her regrets.

[I should have punished her more if shes that lively]

[I agree.]

Satsuki voices out his agreement.

[I had warned you before. That we should have taken her eyes away back then.]

He was blaming Ruin.

Hearing him, Ruin felt dejected.

[In the end, Satsuki was right huh Even though Ive been so kind to her, I didnt expect her to run away. For her to betray me like this It feels too cruel.]

Vexed, Myanas eyebrows raised.

[Seriously, I cant believe her! Even though Ruin had been so kind as to give her the job of being our baggage carrier! What the heck was she complaining about!? Returning gratitude with resentment Nyakis the worst of the scums!]

[Now, now, Myana.]

Arene soothed her.

[You know that what youre talking about isnt a human Its just like teaching some beast who has a bad memory how to do tricks, you know? Isnt it wrong to expect from then anything, in the first place?]

Putting her hands on her hips, Myana pouted.

[That might be so but]

Caro pats Myana on her back.

[It will be alright, Myana. They may take some time, but Im sure Toad and Bard will come back with that fake-human. When she gets back, lets make sure her eyes are properly gouged out. Come on, Ill be the one carrying the luggages.]

Arene lets out a smile.

[Im sure my cooking utensils will be safe if Caro carries them for me.]

[Well, Im not a weakling like that fake-human after all!]

[Umm Can I be honest here? I didnt really want Nyaki to carry my cooking equipment. I wouldnt have wanted her to even touch me if its possible but]

[Well, its natural why you felt that.]

Nana Tout nodded her head.

The atmosphere of the place was gradually regaining its peacefulness.

However, Satsuki brings the atmosphere back to normal again.

[I know everyone is concerned and even though Im reluctant to say this. but this is a situation brought by your own naivety, Ruin.]

[I know. Nyaki may be a fake-human, but shes someone that Vysis-sama is looking after. So, I desperately clenched my teeth and tried hard to keep the killing intent in my heart. And I enthusiastically tried educating that fake-human to be a useful tool for humans. However This is what happened. Nyaki betrayed me. In the end, she was the same as those Speed Tribe fake-humans who are crazy in the head D*mn it- D*mn it! D*mn it!]

Ruin punched the tree to the side.

The thick trunk shook with his punch, and leaves began fluttering around.

Tears of frustration appeared in Ruins eyes.

[Ruin, stop blaming yourself!]

Myana ran over and took Ruin in her embrace.

[Myana I just I just!]

[Its alright.]

Myana softly hugs Ruin.

[Everyone likes you Even Satsuki, hes saying that only because hes worried about you. You know that, right? In truth, Satsuki likes you Maybe even more than we do.]

Hmph. Satsuki snorted.

[However, I just I was]

[How about we check if the Faraway Country really exists first? Then, we will join forces with the rest of Alions elite- and wipe out all of these fake-humans ourselves.]

Myana breaks her embrace.

Next, she stands in front of him and puts her hands on Ruins shoulders.

Then, with a big smile on her face, Myana spoke.

[You are the symbol of the Heroic Sword, right?]

[Myana]

[Youre the Hero thats trying to save the world from the dangerous species that will harm humanitys future, right?]

Giving him an encouraging smile, Myana continued.

[If its you, you can do it I assure you that.]

[]

Ruin wiped the tears away with his sleeve.

A strong glow returned to his watery eyes.

[My bad, Myana I was feeling a bit weak-hearted.]

Watching them, Arene let out a slightly self-deprecating smile.

And then, she softly muttered.

[Im really no match from her.]

Yuugungu puts her hand on Arenes shoulder.

[Are you going to give up?]

[No. Ill go do my best for a bit more.]

[I see Ill be rooting for you.]

[Thanks, Yuugungu.]

[Gahahaha, thats because Im betting against Bard afterall! If you lose, I will lose my bets!]

[GGeez! Yuugungu, you!]

Looking as the two of them talk exchange such conversation-

Everyone laughed.

[Whats the matter, Ruin?]

[No, its just that I finally remembered how much fun the atmosphere around us was when that stranger isnt around I feel glad.]

[That it would be great if Nyaki doesnt come back?]

[Frustrating it may be, but thats not going to happen until we open the door to the Faraway Country. She also had another Divine Beast, but Vysis-sama seems to want to preserve that one We have no choice but to rely on Nyaki.]

[I dont know if I should say youre patient or not but Youre really splendid. Its as if you believe in humanity.]

Ruin lowered his gaze.

[In the end though Nyaki was the same as the Speed Tribe.]

[Yes, thats right.]

[Shes different from humans. She isnt someone that wouldnt be able to do something after she was trained We really have to destroy their kind.]

*poink*

Myana poked Ruins forehead with her fingertips.

Ruin looked at her, puzzled.

[ ? ]

[Your eyebrows are creasing up again, you know?]

[Aahhh]

[Remember what you said when we got rid of the Speed Tribe?]

Myana smiled.

Ruin understood.

Thats right- Theres that huh.

[Killing Nyaki with just hatred isnt good, right?]

[Thats what- I mean. That also includes those that are living in the Faraway Country, alright?]

[Thank you, Myana. Its as you say.]

Everyone was silent, listening to their conversation.

Ruin looks over at everyone.

Yuugungu smiles at him and nods his head.

Arene, smiling as well, and nods her head.

Satsuki, even though he snorted in response, slightly nods his head.

Caro, smiling with one eye closed, gives him a thumb up.

Nana Tout, stroking her chin, spoke her understanding.

Ruins eyes completely regained its radiance.

[Yeah, thats right Unnn Whether its killing Nyaki or those who are living in the Faraway Country Its too sorrowful to just carry it out with hatred in our hearts Thats why]

The Heroic Sword, Ruin Seal radiantly smiled, with a sense of mission in mind.

[Lets think of a way to make our killing fun for everyone! Lets do this for the deceased Strife too!]

However

Whether its killing Nyaki

Or checking the location of the Faraway Country

All of this could only be done after bringing Nyaki back.

Ruin and the others waited.

However, neither Toad not Bardwitcher seemed to be coming back at all.

The two of them are the best trackers in the group.

Theres no way that the two of them wouldnt be able to chase after someone like Nyaki.

[..]

The darkness of the night began drawing near.

Nana Tout groaned.

[That beast should be so hungry that she cant muster much strength. Thinking that something like this may happen, I sometimes even wake her up in the middle of the night on purpose]

[Nyaki was probably moving all the time while we were saying our goodbyes to Strife But in her current state, she should have been caught by Toad and Bard by now]

Caro, who is good at analysis and calculations, said.

But in reality, they havent come back yet.

That is strange.

With a face filled with regret, Nana Tout hits her knee.

[I really should have gouged out her eyes.]

[Her ears too, Tout. We should have taken away her hearing too. We were too naive.]

[Even if thats the case, its still weird that those two havent come back yet]

Arene said.

Ruin, who had been silently listening to them, held his hand over his mouth before he spoke.

[Could it be that they encountered a Human-Faced?]

[That might be possible.]

Satsuki held the same opinion.

Umnnghhh Yuguungus lips crooked.

[I thought that the area we passed through would be safe now]

Ka-shannn

Satsuki drew the blade of his katana out of its scabbard for a bit.

[Ill go.]

[Im coming with you.]

Nana Tout sat up, Caro followed her.

[Me too.]

Nana Tout and Caro.

They seemed to be angrier than they thought.

Of course, it was about Nyaki.

Caro asks Ruin.

[If I catch her, its fine if I crush her eardrums, right?]

[I guess It cant be helped.]

[Im going to use my katana to cut off her ears. Just crushing her eardrums wont clear away this anger Dont you dare stop me, Ruin.]

No.

It seems that Satsuki is also the same.

Everyone holds the same thoughts.

They really wanted to kill her right away

All of them are angry at Nyaki for running away.

It was probably something inevitable.

Somehow, Ruin knew that.

They all felt this way, though they didnt say it out loud.

Tracing it back to the source, isnt Strifes death also entirely Nyakis fault?

is what they are thinking.

[I know how you feel. However, dont get too worked up and end up killing her, okay?]

[I may look like this, but I know when not to cross the line. You know as well as I do, dont you?]

Nana Tout, who had finished her preparations, brushed away the dirt off her butt and asked for approval.

[Ill crush both of her eyeballs as soon as I find her, okay?]

[Shell probably be wailing and screaming, so you have to bear with it when that happens.]

[Fufu, you really are kind. Dont worry, I wont get upset and kill her just for that.]

[Im sorry for always making you endure, Tout.]

[Fufufu. Its not like Im enduring as much as you do.]

Caro adds.

[Then what about me? Should I break her legs then?]

[No That would require someone to carry her on their back. However, no one is willing to touch Nyaki, right?]

Ruin asked everyone with a glance.

Everyone instantly agreed with him.

Theres really no need to check with them though., is what Ruin thought as he let out a self-deprecating smile.

[Then, Ill go tie Nyaki up Well just have to make her walk while dragging her by a rope. If she walks too slow, she would need more training but Thats until we find the location of the Faraway Country. Were almost there. This journey where we have to endure the presence of this fake-human who keeps on striking our nerves We just have to brace ourselves for a few more steps.]

Alright.

The three of them, who were on their way to search, vigorously responded.

After Satsuki and the others disappeared into the forest, the remaining Ruin and the others waited for them.

[I hope Satsuki and the others safely met them already.]

[Its alright, Ruin. Satsuki is there with them.]

[Gahaha! Youve always been quite the worrywart, Ruin!]

They arent in the forest now.

They were in a reasonably open place.

There are a few stone-made buildings erected in the vicinity.

However, most of them dont have the appearance of a building.

There are some stone walls, but they are already crumbling and arent high enough to provide sufficient protection.

Therefore, there was virtually nothing to block the view.

They could hear the chirping insects.

They could also hear birds, though it was rare, and what seemed to be monsters roars from the distance.

However, Satsuki and the other have yet to return.

[The sun is about to set already.]

Looking at the sky which was dyed a deep purple, Arene muttered.

The Witching Hour

Such words suddenly popped into Ruins head.

He heard that these words were handed down by a Hero from another world long ago.

This is the time of the day when demons appear

Its also the time of the day when disasters come to people.

Arene sighed.

[The skies look ominous.]

Badump!

It came fiercely into his mind.

Ruins heart leapt.

(This is-)

His instincts- His intuition is telling him.

That its drawing near.

Something is.

Something dangerous.

[Somethings weird, Ruin.]

Yuugungu spoke.

[The insects around the surrounding simultaneously stopped chirping.]