Defiled Hero Chapter 032
Defiled Hero
An Open Change of Course
According to the dragon, the mountain was a mine, and the minerals were their staple food. I had Astrea appraise the minerals, and learned that the black-colored metal was fairly valuable.
Its properties were that it was hard and st.u.r.dy, but lightweight. It was possible to process it into weapons.
「Alright, dig.」 (Izayoi)
「*Gaaaaa?*」 (Dragon)
「It’s a sign of friendship. Dig for me.」 (Izayoi)
「...Ichayoi, strict on friends.」 (Tear)
「Strict? This is what friendly relationships are about. There’s no mistake.」 (Izayoi)
「...Really?」 (Tear)
「Yeah, I don’t lie you know.」 (Izayoi)
「...Ichayoi, seems to be, lying.」 (Tear)
「I see. I’m a liar huh. Then there won’t be any problems if I wash Tear everyday then.」 (Izayoi)
「...Ichayoi, didn’t lie. Is good person, ally of justice.」 (Tear)
A short time later, the dragons had brought out the minerals. Even with the amount in the mountain, there’d be no problems for Astrea’s warehouse.
『There is a problem! Astrea-chan’s home is going to get cramped! Geez, Allele-chan is here, and we’re going to be preparing for the other fairies to live in here.』 (Astrea)
(Now that you mention it, there’s still the earth and fire fairies to deal with. We still have to go and retrieve them. I completely forgot.) (Izayoi)
『You’re forgetting too much! You’ve just been doing a comedy routine and forgot the real issue here! The serious atmosphere, exactly where the heck did it go...』 (Astrea)
As soon as the master gets back, our business will be over, then I’ll be free. If that’s the case then I’ll separate myself from the town, recover the fairies, and go to the capital since I have to confirm something.
Tear should be fine without me right?
To make sure she’s alright, we’ll have to increase her battle potential by making more friends, Tear herself will also have to build up her strength from the level of a beginner adventurer. Problem is, she doesn’t have any strength.
However, why do I feel so anxious? It hasn’t been a very long time, but we’ve been living together at home, don’t tell me I’ve gotten sentimental towards her.
Tear tilted her expressionless head, alternatively swinging her animal ears.
Why are you staring at me like that? You’re thinking something right?
「...Two days, one time, won’t surrender.」 (Tear)
「That’s irrelevant, don’t worry.」 (Izayoi)
As I thought, I have some feelings toward her.
Is it a relationship between pupil and teacher, or child and guardian? I don’t understand. Although I don’t quite understand it, it’s something like that.
Teacher... Zenesys too, like I was his actual child, looked after me. But even so, why did he betray me?
Since that day, five years have pa.s.sed. However, I never once felt hatred towards him during that time.
I didn’t think of taking revenge on him either.
I only thought one thing.
Why? How could you do something like that, Zenesys?
Whatever reason you had, whatever feeling, you killed me. I haven’t found the answer, and before I knew it I’d forgotten. I tried to not think about it.
「...Master, what’s wrong? You’re making a scary face.」 (Reri)
「...Ichayoi, always makes scary face.」 (Tear)
「...Always makes a scary face, huh. But this time it’s much scarier.」 (Reri)
More than anything, since I’ve returned to this world once again, if I had an objective, it’s obvious.
I need to know.
Why, why did this happen?
I’m no longer the me of that time.
That person, is no longer my master, and since that’s the case, I’ll do it.
The next time I meet him, I’ll knock him off his feet with everything I’ve got.
『That"s what you call revenge.』 (Astrea)
「Well then, let’s go back.」 (Izayoi)
「...It suddenly turned into his usual scary face.」 (Reri)
「...Ichayoi, won’t be every day?」 (Tear)
「Like I said, it wasn’t like that.」 (Izayoi)
There were only a few things I considered while thinking. It can’t be helped that I’m thinking about various things. Right now I’m focusing on what I need to raise Tear.
「*GAAAaa, Gaaaa*」 (Dragon)
「...On the way, someone collapsed, he said.」 (Tear)
「Someone did? On a mountain a dragon is living on? In any case that’s going be some weird guy. Leave him be.」 (Izayoi)
「*Gaa, Gagagaaaa.*」 (Dragon)
「...It’s an old man holding a weird staff, he says.」 (Tear)
「A weird staff...Did it have a s-s-striped pattern?」 (Izayoi)
「*Gaa*」 (Dragon)
「That’s right, he says.」 (Tear)
Am I going to be able to come across one of my old comrades in a place like this?
「...For the time being let’s go and take a look.」 (Izayoi)
As we went to take a look, we found a collapsed old man.
「H-help me... it’s agonizing.」 (Old Man)
「Got it. We’ll relieve you.」 (Izayoi)
In order to respond to the old man’s request, I drew my sword.
「―Not that, not that kind of relief! I’m still alive, it’s not agonizing to the point where I won’t survive!」 (Old Man)
「But it’s painful right? I’ll help you.」 (Izayoi)
「Stop that! I don’t need that kind of help.」 (Old Man)
「But I’m not some sort of demon. I can’t just abandon someone in pain. Let’s do this.」 (Izayoi)
「It’s, It’s fine already! I’ll get up by myself already! I’ll be fine like this!」 (Old Man)
The old man got up by himself.
「Oi, are you s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g around?」 (Izayoi)
「I don"t want to hear that from you. You"re the one s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g around.」 (Old Man)
「Old man! How come you collapsed!? Are you in poor health!?」 (Uri)
「I live near the bottom of the mountain, sometimes I collapse from hunger.」 (Old Man)
「That’s a big problem! Uri also collapses when she’s hungry!」 (Uri)
「Oho～ What a kind girl. I’ll exchange words with you instead.」 (Old Man)
「I’ll exchange your relief for your life.」 (Izayoi)
「You’re a scary one...」 (Old Man)
「Whatever, just hurry up and go back. It’ll be a pain if you collapse again. I’ll escort you.」 (Izayoi)
「What, you’re unexpectedly being kind...」 (Old Man)
「Go on and walk you geezer. If I look and you’re loitering around, I’ll send you flying with a kick, don’t worry.」 (Izayoi)
「As expected, you’re just a madman...」 (Old Man)
「Shut up. Stay silent and walk. Ora, walk faster.」 (Izayoi)
「What? You’re really spartan. It’s impossible, I’m tired...」 (Old Man)
「You’re behaving like a spoiled kid. Those guys walked 300 kilometers to get home. This is nothing compared to that.」 (Izayoi)
「What the? Some unfortunate kids they were...」 (Old Man)