Vol 2: Chapter 45

Youve grown bigger. Its only natural since it has been four years.

Dante-san.

Dante-san patted my head, as we stood in front of Ouroboros skeleton.

Reiji-kun!

Mimino-san ran up to me from the side, and jumped me with a hug. Even though I have grown taller, it was only slightly more than Mimino-san.

Ive been searching for you for so, so, so long!

S-Sorry I had to leave due to circumstances.

I left Silver Balance without explaining anything. Of course I didnt want to be ungrateful for all the kindness theyve shown me, but at that time I just had to do that to protect Lark.

Considering how much a 6-star skill orb is valued in the Kruvan Holy Kingdom, LarksShadow Kingwould have been just as invaluable in the Keith Gran Federation.

Haa I wonder what you are doing right about now, Lark?

Anyway, Im sure the Keith Gran Federation is still chasing theShadow Kingskill orb even as of this moment, so I couldnt reveal the information to the members of Silver Balance at that time. It would cause trouble for them if they were suspected of being accomplices.

So, what do you do nowadays? Your clothes look top quality Ah, are you injured!? Youre injured, right!? Look, youre bleeding! Non, useHealing Magicimmediately Ouch!

Non-san came from behind, and gave a chop on Mimino-sans head.

Reiji-kun is covered in blood, but there doesnt seem to be external wounds. Correct, Reiji-kun?

Ah, yes

Ufufufu. So, you can even useHealing Magic? Its amazing to see how far Reiji-kun has grown in the last four years Ufufufu.

Im scared of Non-sans laugh!

Over there!

Is the battle over already?

Seriously. Whats that enormous skeleton?!

Many armed adventurers rushed from across the street. When they learned that the battle had already ended, they seemed disappointed and also relieved at the same time, looking at the huge bones.

Did you guys kill it?asked an adventurer with a dual sword fastened to his waist.

Dante-san nodded in reply.

Ah, man. Stealing a march is not fair, ya know?

Damn outsiders

Adventurers of this city seemed to begrudge Silver Balance for defeating the monster.

(Even if you got a head start, you wouldnt be able to put up a proper fight unless you were at the same level as Dante-san.)

I was slightly offended. But Dante-san said,We rushed here quickly, but adventurers usually gather in the guild before taking action. And also because evacuating the citizens was our top priority.

But how did you get here so fast, Dante-san?

Because Non insisted that we should go right now She has a keen sense in times like these.

Ufufufu.

Your laugh is scary, Non-san.

Captain, the monster seems to have been subjugated.

What!?

This time, it was Holy Kings Knights Order, consisting of 50 knights, rode in on horses from the opposite street.

There was a face I recognized among themthat is probably the 11th Unit.

All troops, halt!!the 11th captain ordered, looking down at us and the adventurers from on top of his horse.Are you the ones who defeated this?he asked.

Yes, we defeaDante-san began.

The credit belongs to the Adventurers Guild!the man who talked to Dante-san earlier, cut him off.You knights cant arrive late and take the credit for yourselves!

Following him, the other adventurers all said,Thats right, thats right.

Was it really you guys who defeated it? A monster that huge?

Thats right. The Knights Order should withdraw.

We cant withdraw. This giant snake has caused massive destruction from the 2nd Holy District to all the way here. We will take over the materials.

What!? You can piss off! This is the adventurers share!

The Knights Order will retain it for the time being and then distribute it fairly.

Thats pretty much daytime robbery!

Just follow the order!

The argument got heated quickly.

As for me, I was just looking at them silently. I was way too tired to care about any of that. Tension was at an all time high, and the lives of numerous people were at stakeand of course, my own life was in jeopardy, too. I couldnt care less about who takes the credit.

Mimino-san, Dante-san, Non-san. You will still be staying in this city, right? I am indebted to Earl Sillys, so I have to go back for the time being.

Is that so? An Earl House, huh? Hmm, Reiji-kun seems to be in a great place.Mimino-san said.

Reiji, we are staying in an inn called Silver Citrus. Be sure to contact us. Because I have decided not to die until I return the favor I received from you.Dante-san said, tapping his left shoulder.

Since I saw him fighting earlier, the petrification seems to have completely healed.

Okay, see you all soon.

Be sure to contact us, Reiji-kun!

Dont forget, okay? Dad kept talking about how hed do this and that and everything when he met you again, you know.

Do you have to say that in front of him, daughter?

Even I felt embarrassed hearing that.

I ignored the quarrelling knights and the adventurers, and jumped on Ouroboros skeleton and pulled out my short sword.

Huh? You are the cleaner, right?the captain noticed me.

Yes.

I dont think this is the case, but, perchance, was it you who dealt the finishing blow?

Ye

Of course not! Hes just a kid! I saw the monster from a distance. It was a ridiculously big snake.an adventurer interjected from the side.

Good griefI overused this sword. While thinking I should get a new sword, I sheathed the sword back into its scabbard, and jumped off.

Ill see you all soon.

Yeah.

See you again.

Please make sure to contact us~ Im only distrustful because of your previous record, okay~?

Ahahaha(I am no match for Non-san).

Thinking that, I turned my back to Silver Balance.

After that, it took me a while to return to the Earls residence in the 2nd Holy District. With Non-sansSupport Magicrunning out, my body became increasingly fatigued. My appearance looked pretty shabby after the battle, and I had dropped the polar tie clasp, which identified me as one of the Earls men.

But Zerry-san found it with her sharp sight, and returned it to me. She said, With this, lets consider all my debt repaid! when she returned it. But that tie clasp is not that big a deal compared to the amount of debt I shouldered, isnt it? Even so, I was so exhausted to the point where I considered reducing it by about 10%. Also, when I brought up the fact that she didnt help me at all in the fight with Ouroboros, she said, Im not reckless enough to interfere in the battle between a superman and a monster! with a really, really pretty smile.

When I returned to the Earls residence, the young lady was already at home. When she saw my current appearance, she rushed up to me worriedly. I told her that I did my very best, but sorry for not being able to protect everyone. Hearing that, tears started rolling down her cheeks nonstop from the corners of her eyeseven though she was desperately holding back the tears during the battle with the mediator, this was when she decided to let it all out and held my cheeks in her hands.

Im such a foolish lord.

The young ladys hands were soft, smooth and warm.

I almost killed you by giving out a stupid order.

I wanted to deny it. The young lady is incredibly smart, courageous and cool for a 12 year old. Besides, I would have refused if I didnt agree with the order, and working for the young lady is a lot of fun for me too. But I was pretty tired, and those warm and comfortable hands were holding my cheeksso I ended up falling asleep right there, while thinking if the young ladys magic eye was under control.

I slept without knowing that another big uproar was occurring in the 1st Holy District and the Holy Royal Palace.