episode_0007

There are many things the manager does at a warrior party.

The most important of these are dialogue and persuasion.

I also call it mouth shaking.

To receive support from nobles or merchants.

When digging up rumors or information about dungeons from residents or the inn manager.

Or when informing everyone of the hero’s party’s achievements.

At all those moments, I shake my mouth.

By the time I reached the first warrior party, the money started rolling in on its own, but when I was growing up, I ran around and received support myself.

I had all the dungeon information in my memory, but I was worried that there might be variables I didn’t know about, so I asked around.

And now.

Even at the moment of persuading Vivian, my snout worked hard.

After repeated failures, Vivian runs away with self-loathing.

However, self-hatred is not really a feeling of hating oneself.

The me that others hate, the me that cannot be loved by others, the me that I cannot love.

The self is formed in relationships.

Human eyes facing outward cannot see within themselves.

Only through the eyes of others can I see myself.

In that respect, other people are hell.

I will relearn that gaze.

Just a look that likes and acknowledges you.

Until she breaks through her self-loathing.

In order to erase the hurt of being stigmatized by others, I try to become her new stranger.

Others who acknowledge and trust her.

A newly learned relationship will pull her out of the swamp of self-loathing.

In that respect, sometimes others can become heaven.

The attitude of willingness to devote oneself to children.

The ideal world of the righteous warrior I have longed for.

That alone was enough to believe that she was a good person.

*

I evoked sympathy by reliving the experience of failure in the second round.

I didn’t go into specifics, but expressed it indirectly to appeal to the fact that we were in a similar situation.

It was a very difficult life.

Even with that regression knowledge, I grew slowly.

Although I had grown to the limit of how strong I could become, I was an insignificant body killed at the entrance to the Demon King’s castle.

Since I inherited it, I can now break an ordinary sword with my bare hands.

I’ll probably have to stay in the rear after the war intensifies.

Ignored and kicked out by the warriors I raised.

I was raised so well that I am now in a funny situation where I can’t even say anything.

After forming a consensus, gentle cajoling and suggestions without forcing.

I finally convinced Vivian.

Finally, she blushed and nodded.

“I’ll believe it… .”

I made it that way.

I promised that if you believed in me and followed me, I would give you a different life.

“Thank you for your continued support. Vivian.”

“Yes. I… .”

She hesitated after receiving the handshake.

“Now that I think about it, I don’t even know his name.”

“This is Ian.”

“Yes?!”

Wow, my ears hurt.

Why are you so surprised?

The mouth is so wide open that one is worried that the tongue will roll out.

“I, Ian? Ian? By any chance, is that Ian from the first hero’s party manager?”

Why do you know… ?

“Oh, that’s right… .”

“Wow, wow, wow… .”

Vivian couldn’t say anything.

He just held my hand and ran.

“Ian… ! Is that Ian, the all-round manager who is Philip’s faithful follower and takes care of even the tasks he is not entrusted with?”

“I didn’t know there was such a long modifier in front of my name.”

“Wow, wow… ! uh? But why are you here? What about the first hero party?”

“Kicked out.”

Vivian, who had been running around, suddenly stopped.

The smiling face also hardened.

It had been bright just a moment ago, but then it became gloomy again.

“Uh… . Yes?”

Vivian rolled her eyes left and right, as if she didn’t know what to do after hearing someone else’s secret.

“I’m sorry… .”

“Why does Vivian apologize? I was the one who got kicked out, and they were the ones who kicked me out.”

“Well, I feel like I did something wrong… .”

“I guess he didn’t like me, well.”

Vivian’s expression almost became tearful.

There’s nothing to be so sorry about.

I asked a question to brighten the mood.

“But how do you know me?”

“Oh, I actually… I’m a fan of the First Hero Party! Fans of that caliber probably know that, right?”

Since only people know about it, isn’t it really famous?

I’m rather glad.

It would be difficult if the manager’s name became more famous than the hero’s name.

I guess it’s because I’m a fan that I believe Philip exists.

“But, a livestock like me would be far inferior to Sylvia… . Would it be okay… ?”

“You don’t have to worry about that.”

Even Sylvia, who was very talented, was not as talented as Vivian.

“Yes, I will believe it… ! Oh, it’s Ian, oh my… .”

Is it that amazing?

If I had just revealed that it was Ian from the beginning, I would have let him go without any persuasion.

No, then you must have looked at me like a fraudster.

Anyway, I’m glad I left a good first impression.

But why am I suddenly cold?

“… Master?”

uh.

Vivian and I are still shaking hands.

“Kathi, why are you doing this to me?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You’re talking with your eyes.”

“I am wearing an eye patch.”

“I can still see it!”

I calmed down only when I realized it was a light handshake.

*

I decided to stay overnight today and settled down in a corner of the orphanage.

Vivian is busy taking care of the children.

When I told them that I would leave here tomorrow and go to a comfortable monastery, the children almost went crazy.

Vivian managed to calm him down by taking his attention with flying flames and ice crystal magic.

… The talent is crazy.

It’s very difficult to handle something so delicately and weakly.

Vivian’s magic now seems empty between weak and strong.

If you balance the gap, you will see that you have the qualities to become a great wizard.

I wrote another letter to Mercy.

In front of Agnes Monastery.

The plan was to take orphans.

“… … .”

After sending the letter, Kati is right next to me, glaring at me intently.

He’s been sulking since a while ago.

Although I say it’s not me.

“Why are you doing that?”

“We are protecting you because your personal safety may be threatened.”

“I feel more threatened by the look in your eyes.”

“Please bear with that.”

“What… .”

Mercy, who was laughing, joined in.

“Don’t animals naturally feel possessive toward their owners?”

“It’s not an animal, and it’s not its owner.”

“Hmm, I guess the owner is right. Anyway, please pay more attention. I’m a very lonely child.”

Even if I try to console her, what can I do with Katy, who is a mine… .

When I turn back into a cat, I wonder if I can bite your finger.

Even now, if you glance at my hand, I’m a little worried that it might be bitten in this state.

*

When it was time to sleep, I only exchanged glances with Vivian and lay down on the hard floor.

I summarized the schedule briefly.

1. Take the orphans to the Agnes Monastery in the capital.

2. Enter the training center, train Vivian, and pass the temporary warrior promotion test.

3. Find out the next member.

Is this enough for now… .

*

Deep dawn.

I cautiously opened my eyes at the sight.

“Owner… .”

“I woke up.”

Kati whispered and tried to wake him up.

A feeling of popularity felt from the outside.

Slowly circling around the orphanage.

“I… .”

“No, I’m guarding it here. I’ll go out.”

Kati lowered her head as if she felt regretful.

“Is it because you remember the old days?”

She shook her head.

“I’m just worried.”

“Who cares about whom?”

I was pretending not to be worried about Carty.

The background of this village is somewhat similar to that of Kati, who was abused at a young age under the pretext of training.

Just like when I first brought this child in, I just patted its head.

“You’re all grown up. It’s okay, so stay here with Mercy. He woke up again.”

“I, I’m fine… .”

Unlike Katy, who has escaped her past, Mercy still suffers from trauma.

He can’t sleep alone at night without me or Kati.

“I’ll be back.”

“Yes.”

I came out quietly.

I see three shadows close to the window.

I know the big one, but who are the other two?

I throw a rock and it looks this way.

Head of security.

And the two guys blocking the entrance.

It’s an obvious combination.

“You, this bird… !”

“Shh. Wake up kids.”

I guess it’s up to me to see it anyway.

He gestured with his chin to follow me.

We moved to the place where Vivian’s massive ice sphere was broken earlier.

“What business do you three men have for me this late in the morning?”

Instead of answering, they took out their weapons.

sword and shield.

It seemed like he had come with the intention of fighting.

“Do you have no learning ability?”

“Shut up! I don’t know what kind of scroll trick you used, but you’re behind now.”

It seems like he thought the sword he broke with his bare hands was some kind of magic scroll.

There is a scroll that allows ordinary people to temporarily gain such power.

But I didn’t scroll… .

“If the village chief found out about this situation, he would be very angry.”

“Shut up. Whatever your identity is, it doesn’t matter to me anymore!”

The security leader rushed over, and the two guards followed suit.

“I’ll tear that shameless face off!”

The leader in the middle is ready to stab.

The other two rush in and are ready to bell.

“Go back-!”

The tip of the guard’s sword rushed toward his neck.

I didn’t necessarily avoid it.

Kagak! The sound of a sword scraping against a hard object.

The protruding surface of the uvula feels a bit itchy.

The security leader looked at me in surprise, and the two guards who were running stopped.

“Ouch.”

Receiving the protection of the emperor and the Holy Emperor means that there are more restrictions on my actions.

It means that you can’t kill anyone just because you got into a fight.

But, this situation is a little different.

“From now on, it’s self-defense?”

“What… . Ugh!”

He pulled the sword with his bare hand and elbowed the leader in the face.

The helmet was distorted horribly.

The commander lost his sword.

I took the sword I had lost and stuck it upside down on the floor.

With the handle planted in the ground and the blade pointing towards the sky.

“Ugh-!”

The guard, overcome with fear, rushed forward.

I dodged the sword being swung to the side and walked with a flick of my leg.

“Uh, uh… !”

As he fell, he was caught by an upside-down sword.

He was pierced through the chest and died instantly.

“This, bastard… .”

The security guard stood up with difficulty and took out a hidden dagger.

The remaining guards were frightened and hesitated with their swords held out in front of them.

“Do you want to do more?”

“Shut your mouth-!”

Using the force of the guard leader who rushed forward, he threw it towards the remaining guards.

“Uh, uhhh… !”

-Poof!

“Jo, leader, this, this… . Uh… .”

“Kruk… .”

After the sound of blood boiling, the leader who was pinned by the guard’s sword fell limp.

The guard, who was in a hurry, stabbed the leader who rushed at him indiscriminately.

“Ugh!”

The guard pushed the leader and hit him on the buttocks.

“I, I, sin, sorry, sorry… .”

“Hmm.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry… .”

“I understand that your learning ability is poor. I’m curious as to why you came here.”

“Yes, yes, yes… . Well, the leader said we should secretly make a surprise attack while he was sleeping… .”

He stutters a lot.

“Even after seeing the village chief lying face down?”

“Yes, my pride is hurt… . In a night raid, Vivian and the group that came with her must be kidnapped or killed… .”

Even if it came after me, it would be difficult to save it.

Even my colleagues were targeted.

“I’m really, really, sorry… .”

There’s a strange smell coming from somewhere.

I’m tired of this.

“Sorry, sorry… .”

“Is there a God you believe in?”

“Yes, yes… ?”

“Just pray. I’ll see you soon.”

– Wow!

The helmet’s face was turned to face its back.

It’s not the first time, but killing people still leaves an unpleasant aftertaste.

Monsters and demons in dungeons are better.

“Tsk.”

After catching a glimpse of the three corpses, we returned to the orphanage.

Kati and Mercy, who were awake, quietly welcomed me.

Katy wordlessly took a cloth and wiped the blood stains on her clothes.

“Thank you.”

“Trigram, are you okay…? ?”

“It seems like a few people took action on their own. It’ll be okay now.”

“Whew… .”

“Kathi, you can stop now. You cleaned everything.”

Even then, I rubbed my still-good clothes for a while.

I was worried that he might have gotten hurt, so I left him alone knowing that he was just checking.

“Now sleep. Because I have to leave tomorrow morning.”

“Are you not planning on sleeping?”

“Because you never know.”

I managed to put the two who wanted to stay awake together to sleep.

Compared to being on guard all night long with the first warrior party, protecting an orphanage in this small town is simple.

*

Early moning.

I left the village, receiving anxious looks from the residents.

Since all the food in the wagon had been used up, they were able to take all the children.

The village chief followed as if he had something to say, but turned around without being able to open his mouth.

There is nothing for me to do here anymore.

Whether the military police comes in or you run away before that happens, it’s up to you.

two days later.

Arrived at ‘Superbia’, the heart of the Pride Empire.

A majestic castle wall that seems to cover the sky.

The contrast between bright flower fields and green trees in spring.

The children who saw this scene for the first time each expressed their admiration noisily.

“It’s been a while.”

“Sure.”

It’s been about two years.

I left with the first warrior party, but I didn’t expect to be exiled and come back.

Okay.

Just do it again.

While those idiots hold on with their arrow cannons.

I will listen more carefully, gather talented warriors, and form a party again.

There isn’t a lot of time, but it’s not lacking either.

Anyway, I don’t know if those idiots are doing well.

It shouldn’t collapse too quickly.

*

Similar time.

Campground of the 1st warrior party.

A tent that was once used by Ian, but is now occupied by Penny.

While Penny was the only one smiling, the four warriors glared at him with stern expressions.

The atmosphere was grim, as if a fight was about to break out.

First, Priest Aria opened her mouth nervously.