![]() CATEGORIES: BiologyChemistryConstructionCultureEcologyEconomyElectronicsFinanceGeographyHistoryInformaticsLawMathematicsMechanicsMedicineOtherPedagogyPhilosophyPhysicsPolicyPsychologySociologySportTourism |
What I Wanted to Hear"What do you mean by 'win', you coward!" Our one-on-one duel was interrupted, right!?
What was that crap about heroes! That they shouldn't own slaves! You trash, acting like a hero while rigging this battle to satisfy yourself.
"Ha! Is that lie the bitching of a loser?" "That's not it, you asshole!"
Even though there really was an intrusion... that bastard!
Did they not see what happened..? Everyone was completely silent.
Just like that, the king boldly announced the result. Even then, some of the crowd were unsure. They looked around as if they wanted to speak up. However, there was no one who would challenge what the king had declared. Because the king has silenced all dissent. This kingdom is a complete dictatorship!
Furthermore, the castle's magicians only cast healing magic on Motoyasu, treating his wounds. Looks like they have no intention of helping me.
The king says as he places his hand on Mein's shoulder.
"Yes... I wanted to help for the sake of world peace~"
It seemed strange how easily I was labeled a criminal with just the victim's testimony. So that's what it was... The king overlooked his idiotic daughter's selfishness and pushed a false crime onto me using fake evidence. For the sake of the Hero that his daughter had chosen, he sacrificed me and reclaimed my money because I was the weakest among the Heroes. And because Motoyasu saved the princess from me, they ended up becoming closer, more so than all the other girls around him.
In other words, she is able to obtain good equipment for herself as well as support her chosen hero, Motoyasu. If Motoyasu alone started off with equipment far better than the other Heroes, then even he would find it suspicious and be wary. With such meticulous planning, there's definitely no way to find the truth other than from the culprits themselves. In the end the result was a worthless, criminal Shield Hero and the Spear Hero who magnificently saved the princess.
There is no evidence other than the blow[1] I received, which did no damage apart from making me stagger. There was no clear evidence that the princess was cheating. Any objections to this rigged match were probably silenced behind the scenes. So she could interfere in our duel and cover for her favored hero, Motoyasu.
...Oh, it's so simple. All she had to do was whisper this to him:
If they do get married in the end, this will become a heroic tale of how they rescued a slave from a criminal. And in the distant future, her name will be carried on as the wife of the virtuous Hero who defeated the evil Hero. Shit! This trash king and bitch princess!
Where? Where did I hear such a thing? ... I remember now. I read it in the 'Four Heavenly Weapon's Manual'.[2]. In that book the princess was a bitch who whored herself to all the Heroes. If the book I read in the library is related to this world, then it makes sense that the princess is a bitch. The same can apply to all these other shitty Heroes.[3]
The conditions for unlocking this shield have been met.
The magicians bring a bowl overflowing with a certain liquid and smear it on the slave mark etched into her chest. The mark fades away before my eyes. Raphtalia is now officially freed from her enslavement. My stomach churns as my heart is consumed by a dark feeling. It's as if this world is ridiculing and scorning me, all the while laughing at my struggles. All I can see... are the dark grins of the shadowy presences around me.
Raphtalia, with the gag now removed from her mouth and tears flowing down her face--
"... Eh?"
"B-but Raphtalia-chan was being exploited by him, right?" "Naofumi-sama has never forced me to do anything! Only when I was too afraid to fight did he ever use the curse!"
No, I could actually hear it. But I did not want to listen to anyone. I just want to hurry and run away from here. I want to return to my world.
"Naofumi-sama can't defeat any monsters by himself. That's why he has to rely on someone else to defeat them!" "You don't need to do that! He'll just use you until you're broken!" "Naofumi-sama has never once let any monsters harm me! And if I become tired he lets me rest!" "N, No... he's not the type to be so considerate..." "... Would you be able to offer your hand to a dirty slave wrecked with illness?" "Eh?" "Naofumi-sama has done so much for me. He allowed me eat whatever I wanted. He gave me precious medicine when I was sick. Would you be able to do that?" "I- I would!" "Then you should have another slave by your side right now!" "!?"
A maliciously created world. Women - no - everyone in this world scorns me as if to torture me. If she touches me, then I'll just be reliving those bad memories. Raphtalia witnesses my condition and again glares at Motoyasu.
"A-Ah. He's a rapist! As a female slave, you should understand that, right!?" "Why would I!? Naofumi-sama has never once laid his hands on me!"
"Naofumi-sama... How can I earn your trust?" "Let go of my hand!"
"No matter what, I will always believe in Naofumi-sama." "Shut up! You people are just going to pin more crimes on me!" "...I don't believe those rumors. You are a person who would never do such a thing."
Gently, the shadows that clouded my vision disappeared. I received the tender warmth of another person.
While her features looked like those of Raphtalia, she was an unbelievably cute girl. What should have been dry, cracked skin was now a healthy complexion, with beautiful hair that was slightly dusty in color. The body that was once all skin and bones was now curvy with a fit, robust figure. Most prominently, her eyes were no longer filled with hopelessness, but breamed with a strong will. I could not recognize a girl like her.
"W-who are you?" "Eh? What are you saying? It's me, Raphtalia." "No-no-no, isn't Raphtalia a little girl?"
However, her body is completely different. No-no-no, this is strange even if she is Raphtalia.
"What?" "When young Demi-humans raise their level, their bodies also mature quickly in order to match their level growth." "Eh?" "Demi-humans are not like humans. It is the same with monsters."
The words spoken ever since Raphtalia swore to fight alongside me.
"Ku...u....uu...."
Although I felt that I shouldn't cry no matter what, I couldn't stop the tears from falling.
"Haa!?"
"No, but... That can't be." "The king has become silent. You understand from that much, right?" "... Is that what happened?"
"They did no damage. You can check it for yourself."
"Using dirty tactics after being forced into a fight where he had no chance of winning. We should overlook something like that."
"Hmph... what a shitty result. I'm still suspicious that Raphtalia-chan is being brainwashed." "How can you still say that after looking at them like this?" "That's right."
"Yes... this was quite a disappointing result."
I was surprised. I didn't realize Raphtalia had already grown up so much. Why didn't I notice?
The feast has long ended. So I fell into a deep sleep in a dusty unused room, originally prepared for the servants.
For the first time since I was betrayed by Mein, my sense of taste has returned. Translator note
Chapter 23 Перейти к: навигация, поиск Shared Pain Just like last time, we assembled at around 10. This damn trash king is simply jerking me around... he should have just told us what was going on. Now I have to meet up with these dicks. What if I end up getting an ulcer?
An assistant appeared carrying bags filled with money.
I see, just for monthly living expenses we would require at least 500 silver coins. 500 coins... would not be enough for preparation costs.
Maybe some weapon for Raphtalia would be for the best? Or maybe strong armor this time around? Ahh, it's also about time to buy some new tools for mixing medicine. The truth is, the shield reacted to my current tools, so I'm curious what would happen if they were absorbed. I fantasize about what to buy while hearing the coins clinking inside the bags. I receive the bag and check its contents. One, two, three... yup, 500 pieces.
I stare dumbfounded at the heavy looking bag that Motoyasu is holding. I feel like I'll be endlessly complaining if I start now, so I hold it in, clenching my fists.
Ren coolly receives the bag while making a face as if annoyed that he lost to Motoyasu. Even cursing silently, "All because the princess favors you..."
What are these 'requests'?
I felt like a blood vessel would soon burst. Even after going through all that bullshit from yesterday!?
"... That is, what are requests?"
"Requests are assigned to heroes to resolve problems that occur in the kingdom." "... Why did Naofumi-sama not receive any requests? This is the first we've heard of this."
The audience sniggers. Ahh, not good. I feel like I'm going to start rampaging. Is what I thought until I feel Raphtalia grasp my hand as she whispers to let it go. I suppress my anger while still trembling. ... It's fine, I can bear it.
"It's not like you helped us out at all." "Right. I didn't see you during the wave at all, what were you even doing?" "You're an embarrassment to us heroes. Completely useless."
"Ha! Just leave that stuff to the knights." "The knights are useless, leaving it to them would have resulted in a massacre. You bastards who only aimed for the boss wouldn't understand that."
That bastard just nods back at them.
Acting all haughty while relaxing back at the castle. Anyways, I'm also a hero. Or are you implying that the Shield Hero isn't one?
"Hah? What. I'm busy unlike you assholes." "You have been a disappointment; that money is our way of washing our hands of you."
So for all future waves I will get nothing. That's what you mean, right?
"You don't need to waste your time coming here anymore. Instead of dawdling, you can now focus on more important things." "O... Oh."
She tightly holds my hand while calming me down.
... Yeah. Rather than an uncomfortable partnership, this is much better.
"Eh?"
"Well... Not really..."
With those words I felt that I could trust Raphtalia.
"No." "What?" "You shouldn't lie. Naofumi-sama doesn't trust anyone other than a slave."
Well, even though it's true that I only trust slaves, Raphtalia is an exception. Yeah.
"What is it?" "It's fine even without the curse." "No, I want it."
"Haaa..."
Second, I'm reminded of Mein and get annoyed. Why? I don't know why, but it's not like I'm angry at Raphtalia. Normally I would feel... something else? What a strange feeling.
"Fine."
To handle this matter, we head back to the slave tent.
Date: 2015-12-24; view: 1345
|