Chapter 84
84 – The Heroes in the Ancient Dragon Ruins
Enoh is the capital of Alion .
If you were to go north of Enoh, you would arrive in a mountainous area .
Approximately half a day away by riding a carriage,
There is one ruins that could be found in that mountainous area .
The Ancient Dragon Ruins .
It is said that there used to be a legendary dragon who have lived in this ruins long ago .
This dragon was called the Azure Eyes Dragon .
However, it is said that the Azure Eyes Dragon no longer exists in that place .
The Heroes of 2-C have arrived here in the Ancient Dragon Ruins .
[Hyyaahh!]
Stab–!
The monster screams .
My spear pierced through the heart of the monster .
The monster twitched as it spat out blood .
A few moments later, the monster finally stops moving .
A small sigh leaked out of my mouth .
I quickly looked around the area .
[Is everyone alright?]
There were seven students with me .
These were the people who weren’t able to clear the goddess’ trials .
The “dropouts” that was entrusted to me .
5 of them are girls .
2 are boys .
[Y- Yesh…]
[You’re quite amazing, Sogou-san . ]
They were also wielding weapons in their hands .
However, there are almost no traces of blood in their weapon .
Even their armor looks brand new .
It’s only their shield that have shown traces of being overused .
[Everyone doesn’t have to force yourselves to try killing monsters . You should first learn how to protect yourself . ]
There was one weeping girl who had stopped in her place and curled into a ball .
[Sorry… I’m sorry, Ayaka-chan . My legs were trembling… I can’t even move anymore…]
Smiling towards her, I gently caressed the cheek of the trembling girl .
[It’s alright, Minamino-san . Instead, I’m sorry that I’ve suddenly brought you in this place . ]
[No…]
The girl whose cheeks I’m caressing, Minamono Moe shook her head .
[Rather than saying sorry to us, we should be thanking you instead… We were about to be disposed . right? Sniff… But Ayaka-chan asked them to abandon their plan, right? The Goddess-sama has told us so . ]
It seems that the goddess dared to tell them about these details .
I started speculating about what’s hidden beneath her action .
(To the Goddess-sama who was supposed to be our ally, it’s no good if I’m too suspicious of her actions… I’m tired…)
[We will do our best… Sniff… So that we won’t drag Ayaka-chan’s legs behind…]
After hearing her words, I quickly changed my mind .
[It’s alright . I will protect everyone . If a monster appears, leave it to me . ]
(If it’s possible, I don’t want any of my classmates to die anymore . )
There was already a casualty in 2-C .
I wasn’t able to save him .
[……………]
(If an S-Rank Hero really held an amazing power, I may even be able to defeat the Great Demon Emperor depending on how hard I work . )
My grip on my spear tightens .
(If we were able to defeat the Great Demon Emperor, we could return to our world back then… Therefore—)
I can’t die .
Until we could defeat the Great Demon Emperor, I can’t die .
At least, I will do my best on protecting these seven people .
(And also, Kashima-san…)
Defeating the Great Demon Emperor .
(So that we could level up… We need to kill golden-eyed monsters . )
[Suou-san . ]
[…Yeah . ]
I spoke towards the bob cut girl wearing glasses .
[If I weren’t able to respond to an attack right away, can I ask you to stop the monster? It’s fine if you were just able to earn me some time… Anyway, I just wanted everyone to be safe .
[…… . Yes . ]
Without any intonation in her words, Suou Kayako responded .
There are “almost” no traces that the weapons of these seven people were used .
However, I’ve found some traces of blood in Kayako’s sword .
A little while ago, I asked everyone just to end up in vain .
“Is there anyone who wants to level up by dealing the finishing blow?” I said .
At that time, there was a monster rolling on the ground after I weakened it with my spear .
Only one person raised her hand .
That was Suou Kayako .
Back in my previous world, my impression towards her is that she’s someone who’s always in the shadows .
I have never seen her talk with other people .
She’s another kind of an inconspicuous child compared to Kashima Kobato .
However, it seems like she unexpectedly held some courage within her .
If that were the case though, it’s really strange that she’s grouped together with the dropouts…
The other students look apologetic .
[I’m sorry that I’m useless, Sogou-san . ]
[Even though I’m a man… I’m sorry . ]
[But, I’m really scared…]
[…Killing other living creatures… My heart can’t take it . ]
I just returned their disheartened mutterings with a smile .
[Don’t apologize, okay? I believe that the way of thinking and the sensitivity of each person is different from another . It’s only natural if there are things we could do and things we could not . ]
I don’t think everyone can do the things the others could .
There’s a suitable person for the right job .
You just have to do the things that you can .
[I heard that there’s some kind of magic in this world that power ups their fighters . I heard something like that . It’s possible that everyone may be able to use this skill . There’s also some kind of convenient tools in this world called magic tools… So, you don’t have to force yourself in directly fighting against these monsters . You should first learn to protect yourself . I would already be happy if you could just assist me when you already have the composure to do so . Umm, that’s why… Could you stop feeling apologetic already? Okay?]
I tightened my fist .
[Let’s defeat the Great Demon Emperor, and together with everyone, we’ll go back to our previous world . ]
Putting aside Kayako who doesn’t have any expression on her face, I could see that the other six people now had a hopeful expression on their face .
[Sogou-san…]
[I’m glad that I’m in Ayaka-chan’s group…]
[W- We’ll do the best that we can . ]
They were all just kind-hearted children .
That’s why I have to protect them myself .
▽
The goddess had given one requirement to the heroes .
Defeat the monster called Flesh Dragon and bring back its eyeball .
It seems to be a one-eyed monster .
As we proceeded further into the ruins, me and the others arrived in a particularly spacious area .
I checked the map that the goddess had given us before .
Ssshhh
Kayako approached and illuminated the map with a lantern .
[Thank you, Suou-san . ]
It seems that the area that the Flesh Dragon inhibits is nearby .
[Oh? I thought I just saw someone, isn’t this Ayaka?]
People were coming out of another passage in droves .
My name was called out by the boy leading the group .
[…Yasu-kun . ]
Yasu Tomohiro .
He has changed .
(No— He might have already been that way even those times—)
Remembering the past, I started approaching Yasu .
[It seems we both have been going through rough times . ]
[Hmm?]
[You don’t have to feign ignorance . Aren’t you also bringing these hindrances who can’t even stand up on their two feet and have to rely on the power of the more powerful heroes, Ayaka?]
Pat…
He tapped my shoulder .
[Isn’t it quite tiring? Playing the part of the powerful one, that is . ]
He pointed towards the students he brought along with him .
They… had an ambiguous smile on their faces .
[I’ve never thought of my comrades as a hindrance . ]
Yasu just shrugs .
[That’s indeed an answer I’ve expected from you . An answer that would make you feel like it’s the right answer . Or is it just because it’s indeed the right answer?