Episode 36

After finishing the examination and returning to the Royal Capital, Harold continued living busy days like before, working on the miscellaneous tasks and training, while waiting to be informed of the results and also racking his brains on how to get in contact with Justus. Justuss laboratory existed within the Royal Capital and in the game he had also come to the Royal Castle. If he thought of making contact, then he could do so.

But if the condition of not making him vigilant was added, then the difficulty level skyrocketed. But Justuss plan was a covert one and an absolute secret, and even if he were to include someone in the process to use them, he must have done the core part of it alone. More than anything, Harold had a complete grasp of this plan which was supposed to be an absolute secret. There was the danger of him seeing through that truth from Harolds behavior since he was a genius. And if that happened, he might use any and all means to seal Harolds mouth.

Ha.......

Then he might as well take him by surprise and arrest him, but again the risk was high. The main concern was the degree of completion of Earth Encroachment. Even if it was possible to arrest Justus, if the Earth Encroachment plan had progressed, then at the current stage the only one who might be able to stop it was the person himself.

.......rold

But Justus himself stopping the plan was absolutely unlikely to happen. Even if he had to throw away his own life, Justus would try to fulfill his desire. On top of that, if he were to awaken that power, then it was unthinkable for him to be able to defeat him alone. If it went wrong, then even before Ryners party took any action, the continent would fall.

In the first place, there was not enough evidence to arrest Justus. Even if he were to frankly give the whole picture of the plan to Vincent and the others, it wasnt difficult to imagine that they wouldnt pay any proper attention to it since it was too crazy. Who would believe some nonsense like Justus turning the world into a vessel to fulfill his desire to revive the dead.

Harol

Shut up

He interrupted the repeated calls for him that had been coming from a while ago. With his name being called so persistently, there were limits to ignoring it. Stopping the arm that had been swinging the sword, he reluctantly turned towards the owner of the voice, Shido.

What, you noticed, huh

As though it was unexpected, Shido said that. Unfortunately, since he was practicing in a place where not a single person was around, he could immediately know if someone came. A dim place under the shadows of a thicket and a dilapidated building that seemed to have been a stable, it was the best spot to be alone. As to why he was practicing in such a place, it was because recently, he had started to get into quarrels even in the training grounds. They must have thought of tormenting him overtly in the name of practice. He had judged that in the worst case, even if he got into a quarrel here, they wouldnt be a bother to the surroundings.

Isnt that obvious? I was just ignoring you

Isnt that worse?

Really, that was exactly right. That said, since this mouth couldnt even gloss things over, he couldnt help but give up. Harold ignored Shidos comeback and continued the conversation.

So, what do you want?

Being shown interest, Shido suddenly bowed vigorously. It was a deep bow with his torso bent in a right angle. Towards Harold, who was inwardly bewildered at this sudden action, Shido made a request.

Please train us!

Harold lost his words for a bit. Sure Shido still couldnt be called first-rate, but still he had endured harsh training for a knight for 3 years and had improved his strength. And he had requested Harold, who was a newbie and moreover 6 years younger than himself. It was quite unexpected to the one who had been requested.

Youre being an eyesore, raise your head. To begin with, who are you indicating by saying us?

Me, Robin and Aileen

As expected, the request seemed to be from the usual trio. Listening to that, Harold sighed without even trying to conceal it. The feelings that were in it was these guys too, huh.

Where did those 2 go?

Theyre in the middle of patrolling the city. Thats why, only I have come to request this of you, but all of us agree

Being requested like this to train them, he couldnt help but be perplexed. Because most probably, there was no technique that Harold could teach them. It went without saying that Shido and the other 2 had a deeper understanding of the basics for the members of the chivalric order, and being relied on to such an extent, he could only be baffled. He was just trying to reproduce movements from the game without having any reliable basis for techniques, and in that condition what could he possibly teach.

And those were his true thoughts. But it wasnt as though there were no merits in working out a way to increase their strength. There was a possibility of the 3 of them, Shido, Robinson and Aileen, losing their lives in the battle 2 years later. And Harold still hadnt decided whether to save them, resolving himself for the destruction of the original work, or not. In the first place, he didnt even know whether it was an event where he could do something to save them.

It would already be more than a month since meeting the 3 of them. There had been many chances for them to deepen their friendship, and if possible he didnt want them to die. For it to also not become a situation where when he made the resolve to save them, it was already too late, it shouldnt become useless if he were to strengthen them.

......... Alright then. Tomorrow, bring the other 2 also here

Okay, thanks!

After worrying for a bit, Harold decided to accept. No matter how it went in the future, it should be helpful in dealing with the situation. And he also had another purpose. Even if he used them, it wouldnt a problem.

The next day after giving a reply smeared with self-interest. In that desolate and gloomy space, 8 people, quite a number, were gathered. They were Shidos group of 3 and the 5 members of the 94th term 7th squad including Harold. The mood had become awkward because Shidos and Isaacs groups werent acquainted, but Harold ignored that and started speaking.

Then, lets start

Without any preface or explanation, all of a sudden, those words came out. To that, the other seven each exchanged glances and became baffled.

You say start, but first what should we do?

Draw your sword. All of you simultaneously come at me

Haa!? No matter what, thats underestimating us too much!

The owner of the voice was the only female, Aileen. Though it was a queer unfeminine voice. Although he could understand that feeling of reflexively reacting like that, his mouth wouldnt come along in explaining each and every reason. And above all, to make them understand various things, it would be faster to actually fight them at least once.

Dont talk back

He didnt know what kind of change occurred, but his irritation at not being able to explain came out as wrath. Thereupon, everyones faces instantly became pale. Im so scary that just by threatening them a little, this happens, huh. Even for me, I feel doubtful, thought Harold. If that was the case, he could understand why people usually didnt approach him. The person was troublesome enough since he quarrels with his seniors, and if such a person were to give off an intimidating air, then it was natural for normal people to avoid him.

Small fries should act like small fries and attack in a group. Ill teach you that even if you do so, Im an existence that you cant reach

While reflecting upon his solitude, this time he provoked them. This 1 vs many situation was exactly what Harold desired. Until now, he had fought against multiple monsters alone, but he hadnt fought against multiple humans. For the future, he wanted to accumulate experience of fighting against a large number. Since at any rate, there was a possibility of him having to face-off against the protagonist party alone.

Im going to make use of you bastards as my stepping stones. If you want to become strong, then learn from fighting against me and try to steal my techniques. Well, I think thats impossible though

As an insurance, he also ridiculed them.

......... Bring it on!