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? That’s amazing . You’re glittering . You’re difference compared to those idiots . How about this, Ayaka? How about we partner up?]

[Please don’t suddenly say such weird things . Besides, I don’t think I could do well if I partner up with you . ]

[Guh… Ayaka really isn’t someone who you could easily use after all . Even though you would have been quite useful… What a shame . What a shame, indeed . Kukeke…]

It was still unclear whether we could cooperate with his group .

But, it seems that it’s impossible .

There’s also the overbearing way Yasu pointed out my comrades…

[Have you heard what the goddess called those Heroes that were B