Chapter 360 - The Choice of the Unchanging Fake

My apologies, I had a hard time updating back on Wednesday

Additionally, this chapter may not have been well-written.

Also, thank you very much for your kind words and concern for my health in the comments and Activity Report.

I will continue to monitor the situation, and when the heat eases off, I will try a number of things, including inquiring about the cause of my problem.

After parting ways with Rinji and the others in the abandoned village, I began moving south.

After traveling for about an hour, I took a break and unfolded my map.

Should I move westward from here to arrive on the main road?

I have a map, but Im not familiar with the geography of this area.

However, that wasnt a decision I could make back then.

Hearing about the information they told me, I only felt uneasy.

The destination of Rinjis group was Jonato.

That northern path they had mentioned

If they could get through there, they would be able to reach Jonato.

Did they turn back just like those merchants?

Or perhaps, had they continued north?

The Golden eyes on that road might have moved towards them.

No

Those people are strong.

Thats why, couldnt it be that they were doing well?

I dont even know how useful I could even be as a combat force.

Besides

Going back there now, what should I do?

Weve already said our goodbyes in the neatest way possible

(No.)

I kept my gaze straight.

Rather than worrying about matters like that

What came to my mind were the faces of those who had sent me off.

Rinji

Yuri

Her mother

(Are they heading towards the forest that way?)

As I got closer, I saw that the trails really were heading into the forest.

[.]

The sun was setting.

It might be dangerous to stay in here at night.

There was no guarantee I could catch up with them.

Moreover Why is it that somehow

The 6th Cavalry.

Being in this place just reminds me of the forest where I had been cornered by the 6th Cavalry, and I couldnt help trembling.

However- This is something I want to make sure of.

I dont care if I dont meet up with them.

I just want to make sure they are safe.

All so that I could calm this uneasiness I was feeling

I cautiously had my horse advance into the forest path.

As I rode my horse underneath the thin orange light

(A voice)

Is that the voice of a monster?

No

(Someone seemed to be fighting?)

Having the horse increase its speed, I headed in that direction.

Thereupon, I found Rinji and his group fighting.

The ones that had attacked them were Golden-eyed monsters.

However, I dont see the carriages anywhere nearby.

Looking at the situation

Did they decide to take on the Golden-eyed monsters here and let the carriages go ahead?

Im not sure.

In any case- Rinji and his group appear to be outnumbered.

Without any hesitation, I immediately dismounted from my horse.

With my unique skill, Im afraid I might startle it.

A few Golden-eyed monsters seemed to have noticed my arrival.

Somewhat later, Rinji also noticed me.

[Whats the matter, Sonny!? Why are you here]

(However)

[Im here to a.s.sist]

[I- I appreciate the sentiment but a.s.sisting me, Sonny, dont you only have one short sword on you Kuh! Oi, if anyone can get to him, lend him a spare sword-]

[ < Laevateinn > ]

Ninety percent of the Golden-eyes were burned away by my black flames.

Now, together with everyone, we have obliterated the Golden-eyes lying around us.

My black flame is convenient.

It can be adjusted at my will so that it doesnt spread to the trees.

Therefore, theres no danger of the fire spreading to those who arent the target of my fire- namely Rinji and his group.

As for Rinjis group, only two of them were uninjured.

It seems like their lives werent in danger though.

Especially in a group vs group situation, having a large group on ones side is immense.

Thats also the reason why we hardly have any injuries on our side.

However Im not confident in dealing with a group all by myself.

[Even if the carriages are still safe, with Sonny around, we can catch up with them with peace of mind I dont know what kind of power that was earlier but Im sure you can take care of them.]

Grabbing both of my shoulders, Rinji bowed his head.

[This whole situation might be the result of me making the wrong judgment Please I beg of you.]

Rinji

He seemed to be lowering his head in self-blame, burdened by a sense of guilt.

Looking at him like that, I have this strange feeling within me.

They had gone above and beyond what I had requested of them.

Even though I had received so much from them

However

Thats why, return the favor.

They hadnt told me anything of that sort.

And at that moment, a thought came into my mind.

Im glad I came back.

Im glad the worst didnt happen.

Thats why

[I understand.]

I had my horse running again.

And now- The present.

He wouldnt have felt intimidated.

He would have dealt with this situation in a more stylish way than me.

Yes.

Just as I confessed to that person in the castle in the Faraway Country

I wanted to be a person like that.

If I could be like him

Even this power I have is not something I gained through my own efforts.

Its just a power I borrowed.

A power I cant be proud of.

I dont even know if this fire will work on that giant monkey.

I feel uneasy.

My legs cower.

I feel afraid.

Terrified.

The mercenaries being used as toys by the monkeys

The way I was tortured by the 6th Cavalry

I could feel the monkeys and the 6th Cavalry- overlapping in my mind.

The s.h.i.+vers ran up from my legs up to my face

.

People cant change.

Perhaps, there exists someone who can encourage me otherwise.

Telling me that people can indeed change.

And perhaps, there is someone out there who can really change.

However

At least I dont think I can change.

I can only stay as I am.

Im scared of scary things.

I cant suddenly turn into some virtuous saint.

I cant change. but

I can still choose what I will do.

Cowardly and vile as I am.

Even though I cant change

Even though I can only be just me

It was just as I told Belzegia on the bed at that time.

Even if its just a little bit I want to like myself. After I learned to like myself, I want to apologize to everyone properly. And then I want to lend my strength to someone.

I want to lend my strength to someone.

What is a Hero to me What is a Hero to Yasu Tomohiro?

Its someone who can muster up the courage to help others.

It doesnt matter if its just bravado.

If it can take away this fear, even just a little bit

Thats why

Just for this moment

Even if its just for this moment

I will become a Hero.

[Buaaaaaaaarrrrrrrhhhhhhhhh-!]

The giant monkey displeasedly shouted and stomped its feet as hard as it could.

Perhaps

Having jumped high, it had intended to climb over the wall of flames.

However

[Giiyeeeeeehhhhhh

!?]

From under its legs, the giant monkey burst into flames.

[ ! ? ]

The other Golden-eyed monkeys looked up at the giant monkey in surprise, wondering what had happened.

I had previously released streaks of fire from the tips of my hands on the ground.

Letting the flames go underground, I moved them to the feet of the giant monkey.

The opponent may be stronger than oneself.

However, you cant back down.

I think I was the same way when I snapped back at Sogou Ayaka and Kirihara Takuto.

Insignificant pride often ends up hindering the important things.

However

I cant afford to back down here either.

It would have been better if they ran away after that giant monkey, who seemed like the boss monkey, was defeated.

The flames basically move by my will.

They dont automatically attack the monkeys.

If they simultaneously jump at us and attack from all directions

Would I be able to handle them?

However

I have to do this.

If theyre gonna come at us I have to fight them.

I adjust my breathing.

Kneeling on the ground

I feel a mixture of cold sweat and grease on my face.

With the towering giant monkey ablaze behind it, the black-furred monkey looked straight ahead its eyes filled with a blazing killing intent.

My eyes met with it.

[Haahhh Haahhhh Sfuuu,sfuuuu]

The short intervals between my breaths lengthen.

Appease it.

The people of the Drunken Sword Party.

Back when I was Alion, going through training and whatnot

Looking back now from my current perspective, they seemed like good people.

Well Rinji and the others probably have their own reasons.

They didnt pursue my matters too deeply.

Lets not go into their matters too deeply myself.

[Its just, when the people in the two said they would follow me. that really solidified my determination. The pressure on me is immense]

[That shows how well-liked and trusted Rinji-san is. Besides, look, even the people who came along treat everyone like family, dont they?]

[Yeah]

Rinjis wry smile switching away

[Well, weve come this far for the time being. We have no choice but to go to Jonato now, right!?]

[Besides, weve got Hero from Another World-sama with us here!]

The two of them said with embarra.s.sed chuckles.

Speaking of which

That theater-like way of speaking

Surprisingly, it seems that everyone who heard it liked it.

Or perhaps, was it because of the circ.u.mstances?

Either way, they didnt make fun of me.

Rather They even praised me for it.

I used to want such praise more than anything.

In the past, I might have only felt proud.

But now

The next chapter is scheduled for September 15th (Friday), around 9:00 pm.

We will also return to Toukas POV, including the timeline (Incidentally, in terms of timeline, this chapter takes place a little before the end of the previous volume.)