'Just because I protected some poor demi-humans in the territory my late father had left for me, they incarcerated me, their once loyal servant!
I finally lost track of how long time had passed from the day they jailed me. That moment truly was the most torturous phase in my life. I felt for the first time how perilous it was to embrace justice.
It was so unfair that I almost lost my faith. How long should I suffer in that dreary confinement?
Dressed in nothing but a ragged, thin garment for a prisoner.
Fed with nothing but stale bread and foul-tasted soup.
Sleeping on nothing but the cold floor of my cell, without a blanket, shackled.
Would that place become my grave?
Regardless, I still had hope, although a faint one. And I also stored a burning yearn for revenge!
Those things kept me alive.
But in the end, I could do nothing, hoping for the arrival of a savior and cursing those betrayers.
And on that day, the savior who even exceeded my wildest wish finally came.'
– Eclair Saeotto, March Under The Champion's Banner
One Punch Man belongs to One.
Rising of The Shield Hero belongs to Aneko Yusagi.
I own neither of them.
| Hero's Accomplice |
Suiryu was at a loss. He didn't know what to say about Naofumi, anymore. Whether the kid was pathologically trustful or obliviously naive, Suiryu finally gave out to think about it. It pained him to see how the young Shield Hero went out with the suspicious, flat-chested redhead. Worst, he trotted with merry steps and a courageous smile on his face as if the ordeal with Aultcray was a mere illusion.
Nothing could Suiryu do save praying for the safety of his brother in arms.
After exchanging farewells at each other near the castle gate under Ren and Itsuki's nasty gaze, Suiryu followed his young teammates to explore the city. While they traversed through the ancient-looking urban jungle, they introduced themselves.
The first was Ian Gladstone, a boy coming from an outermost dukedom in Melromarc. He wanted to make a name as an adventurer. In spite of his delicate appearance, the kid surprisingly had a proper training in swordsmanship. However, Suiryu didn't really want to put much faith in him.
The reason, simply because the kid's rather boastful attitude clashed with the former champion's taste. To make matters worse, Ian tended to flaunt about his family's influence over the country, inviting nothing but distaste of his fellow party members.
The second one was Mia Nuremberg, a young talented mage whose ability awed Suiryu. Hailing from a family of esteemed magus, Mia was a child prodigy. The display of her feat in casting a fireball spell was a spectacle her peers had been amazed of, aside from her above-average intellect.
Despite her stoic demeanor with icy words as the garnish, Suiryu regarded her with high respect. He embraced the belief of the sheer effort as the main push for someone's success, but in her case, he still considered that talent also played a big role.
Rochelle was the last member of the group. The athletic purple-haired girl was cheerful and honest. She was so honest that she recounted her childhood life in the city's red-light district without shame, admirably.
Rochelle carried no weapons. By her look, Suiryu knew immediately that she was a brawler. After testing her hand-to-hand combat basic along a desolated street, he concluded that her technique was mediocre, but she was used to rumbles. He held a high expectation of her since she seemed to be a promising fighter.
Aside from the bright side, Suiryu wished that she wasn't aiming for the sanctum beneath his pants. She was a clingy type, result of her less-fortunate upbringing.
Truth be told, it was simply because she was too young for his taste. Were he still in his teens, he would surely take the first move. She was a relatively well-endowed beauty, after all.
After they spent one-third of the war fund for some new clothes, a cheap padded armor and little supplies at a shop Mia had recommended, the band launched out for their journey. Their first destination was a meadow, just outside the capital city's wall.
That was when everything went awry in the view of Suiryu's companions. They could only stare at him with wide, dead-fish eyes as he rampaged through the grassland. What made it so horrendously bizarre was because he massacred his opponents effortlessly with the least movements.
At first, he did use some flashy moves like high kicks and chops, but as soon as he found the enemies were pathetically fragile, he resorted to mundanely unsophisticated attacks. He bashed the swarms with his arms, stomped them lightly, or just poked them. It was a one-sided onslaught that roared about his dominance in strength, leaving behind a trail of orange shreds.
"J-just… What am I seeing?"
"Oh… wow…"
"I-is that even possible…? I thought that a summoned hero is weak in the beginning. But this…."
"Grrogh…!" "Ghoargh…!"
A pair of orange ball monsters popped into shreds of rubbery hide after Suiryu pressed them against his broad chest. He sighed, looking at the sorry sight of orange balloon leathers strewn across the green field.
"Are these monsters?" Suiryu asked as he turned back to his group members.
"Ah… Ah. Yeah, they are. But as you can see, I guess you are just too strong." Ian nervously replied.
"Okay. Then I guess people are still lucky enough to stumble across them."
"Is that a jest?" Mia frowned.
"No. I'm serious. Back in my world, the chance people encounter a monster that can demolish a town was quite high."
"A town, you said? And how high was that?" The mage's frown deepened.
"I'd say around one-third." Suiryu said nonchalantly as he walked away, prompting his party members to follow him.
"You mean, every time we go out, there's a big possibility we see this town-busting monster? Not to mention we are dead men?" Ian gulped nervously.
"Pretty much."
"I see. You managed to survive from that infernal cycle of encounters and gained this mighty power." Mia conjectured, nodding at Suiryu in scrutiny.
"I wasn't that powerful, you know. What I slew were the ones that wrecked smaller areas. And we often went in team. Those who dealt with such strong monsters were tougher fellas. And I don't think I'm strong. I'm still weak." He spoke as Gouketsu and Saitama's faces flashed on his mind.
"You call yourself weak?!" Rochelle almost yelled. "Seriously!? Even gold-tagged adventurers will still need their weapons to match the speed of your onslaught! You're way damn fast for a hero! And unjustly powerful, too!"
"Is that so?" Suiryu cocked his head in surprise. "Back in my world, there were even people who could shatter a mountain with a single punch."
"Say what?!"
"Are you joking?!"
"Do I look like I'm kidding?" Suiryu quirked his brow.
"Okay enough, I got it." Mia raised her hand to douse her companions' outburst. "We came here to follow you, a strong man to help our people in repelling the Wave. I guess we made the right choice."
"Then you don't see any problem in that, right?" Suiryu grinned knowingly.
"Yes. Though we hardly could fathom the extent of your strength." Mia replied, supported by nods from Rochelle and Ian. "This is… unbelievable. Defying our understanding."
"Everything's alright if so. Then let's head to the forest." Suiryu poked his thumb at the forest at the end of the meadow.
"Shouldn't we go back before dark?" Ian asked, looking back at the city's wall in the distance.
Suiryu furrowed his brow. "Can't we just camp outside? I thought the so-called adventurer isn't just a title."
"We do go adventuring, but we also take everything into consideration. Today, our aim is just leveling up around the city's outskirt. We didn't buy any camping necessities. Let us just prioritize that as our program today."
Suiryu hummed, mulling over Mia's suggestion. He flung his gaze to the forest and gave a look of slight disapproval, pursing his lips. His eyes returned towards his young companions. He sighed, relenting to their request.
"Alright. If that's what you want, then I'll just follow it. Besides, I still need more time to adjust myself with this new environment."
"Very well. Then shall you allow us to see how far we can go around this grassland?"
"Do you mean you want to prove your worth in fighting?" Suiryu got their nods. "I see. With pleasure."
"HA!"
With a swift thrust of his rapier, Ian skewered an Orange Balloon. There was an ominous delay before the poor thing exploded, bursting out a puff of harmless air and popping sound as the sharp metal pierced through its skin. Ian got a satisfied smile as his kill's hide fell limply to the ground.
Not really far from Ian, Rochelle was fighting three Orange Balloons at once. She pirouetted, delivering a high kick to a pair. The monsters flinched the moment her foot's side crashed them. While hovering in the air aimlessly as they suffered the damage, their lone compatriot rushed forth, only to receive her left hook. She followed with a right straight punch, finishing it off.
"Yaahh!" Rochelle took Suiryu's example, throwing a diagonal chop to the last stragglers. "Yesh!"
She cheered as soon as she popped the balloons. She was amazed and content at the Spear Hero's little tips for her to practice on. She smiled as she tilted her head to look over the mage. Standing behind Suiryu's guard, Mia was casting a spell.
"As thy source of power, I command thee! Burn the enemies that stood before me! [First Fire Arrows]!"
The red magic circle that floated in front of Mia instantaneously sprayed fireballs at a pack of a dozen Orange Balloons and some slimes. The spherical rubber monsters went down in flames while the sentient goos splashed. As her foes blazed in agonizing glory, Suiryu whistled.
"That's an overkill."
"Should I take it as a compliment?" Mia tapped the butt of her wooden magic staff into the ground.
"Whatever you saw it?" Suiryu's ever mesmerizing smile stretched wider. "Of course it's a compliment."
"I see. Well, you know, Lord Hero, sometimes I found that select few who have learned more than most people tend to be roundabout in their speech."
"Do you have a problem that I can't be blunt?"
"It's not what I mean. What I want to say is your level of understanding is above average. Logically thinking, people from another world would have broader mind than us."
"That's simply because our world had more advanced civilization."
"Lord Hero, Mia, what are you talking about?" Rochelle chimed in, coming over with hopping steps.
"Some complicated stuff." Mia replied, putting on a bland smile.
"Complicated? I think that's a term only known by laymen." Ian barged in, smirking cockily.
The noble boy's statement perturbed Suiryu. He didn't like Ian's manner one bit. As his complexion dimmed, a mischievous idea waltzed into his mind.
"Hey, Ian."
"What is it, Lord Hero?"
"I suppose your mentors had praised you on your mastery in both sword and book."
"They did!" Ian answered proudly. "Oh! And how do you know?"
"Intuition."
"Intuition? Is that unreasonable thing even reliable?"
'So where the hell is your desperate face you showed me when I almost rejected you, twerp?' Suiryu mentally blanched at the kid's awful side. 'Fucking noble… Just watch!'
"At least it's reliable enough to keep me alive until this very moment."
"Oh, luck on your side, indeed. Then, what are you going to ask me?"
"I guess you've learned some basics in arithmetic."
"Arithmetic? That's the subject I'm an ace at!"
"… Meh. Cocky bastard." Mia muttered under her breath.
"Good. Then answer this question." Suiryu hummed briefly and sucked a breath in. "Remember, I won't repeat it, so listen well. Four plus sixteen, plus twenty, times a hundred, times a thousand, plus four millions–"
"Whah! Million?! I–!" Ian staggered at the overwhelming amount as his outspread calculator-fingers shuddered.
"Wow. I don't even know how much a million is." Rochelle gave a wry smile.
"… Plus one, plus three hundred and ninety nine, minus four hundred, times zero. Your answer!" Suiryu pointed a finger gut at Ian.
"What?! How could I even count that much?! Do you even know the answer?!" The rapier wielder fumed defiantly.
"You said you're an ace in arithmetic." Suiryu flashed a challenging smile. "That kind of calculation surely isn't much."
"But we never count until that high! Hell! Even a summed up annual revenue of an average dukedom never exceeds fifty thousands gold!"
"I didn't ask you about the financial state of this country, alright?" Suiryu shrugged his shoulders.
"Tck! Damn douchebag! Even if you're a hero, I now really hate you!"
"Hoh? Then I can just leave you. You're free to join other hero or return to your hometown and sharpen your arithmetic skill so that you can count how many a million is. Simple." The Spear Hero left the enraged Gladstone lad, flippantly turning around then facing the girls. "Then, do you know the answer, ladies?"
"Hey!"
"Nope. Too complicated." Rochelle shook her head, showing a dumb, innocent smile.
"Zero." Mia said resolutely.
"That's the right answer! Excellent! So, can I leave the matter of our lodging and dinner to you?" Suiryu pulled out a coin bag. "I've taken 20 pieces for me, just in case."
"Got it. So, we still have 294 silver." Mia nodded as she took the bag, triggering Suiryu's satisfied smile. "That would be enough for three weeks if we stay frugal, but we can earn more from monster materials. Wait… Is that why you wanted us to go deeper than this forest border? And to compensate our ignorance, you slew hordes of Orange Balloons? I see, I see. Oh, how foolish of me to refuse such a brilliant proposal! You really have sorted a plan to mitigate our financial problems by hunting! As expected from an off-world hero!"
"Huh? Really? So we can hunt more and get rich if we followed him? Kyaah…! Now I really root for you, Sir Spear Hero!" Rochelle squealed in excitement and hugged Suiryu's thick arm.
'Oof, noice!' Suiryu's awkward smile twitched as a pair of soft lumps rubbed against the surface of his unprotected triceps. 'Still, why do they think so? Now I feel like a super lucky thief. Oh, dear me."
"It's not that I thought about our money in advance or anything. I just want to fight something more fitting to be called a monster." Suiryu exclaimed with bashful smile.
"Halt!"
"Hmm?"
Suiryu and the girls turned around to see Ian was still mad. He walked over them with his sword drawn.
"I challenge you into a duel, scumbag!" Ian pointed his blade at Suiryu.
"A duel, is it? I sure did hurt your pride. Apologies." Suiryu smirked. "But, fine. This is just what I'm also seeking in this new place."
"Huh? Lord Spear Hero?"
Mia blinked as she watched Suiryu left Rochelle, greeting Ian's offer with nonchalant steps. As Rochelle fell into a stupor, Suiryu pulled his spear from over his back while Ian prepared his stance.
"Get ready! I might injure you!" Ian swished his thin sword to his side and pointing it forward, his sword hand floating on the same level with his chest. "Even if you are absurdly stronger, I can still land a blow on you!"
"Sure. Come at me anytime you want." Suiryu pressed his spear's end into the ground, looking at Ian as if the fight was a waste of time.
"For the glory of Gladstone! YAAAAH!" Ian charged forward, pointing his rapier straight, aiming for Suiryu's chest.
As Mia and Rochelle held their breaths, they could see Ian was running at full speed while Suiryu didn't budge from his place. When Ian was close enough to send a killing blow, everything they perceived had seemingly reversed forcefully. All they could hear were a thud and the sight of Ian, lying on his stomach.
"Ack! Wh-what have–!"
Exerting his dominating victory, Suiryu placed his foot over the boy's back.
"I win." Suiryu exclaimed.
"What?! But, just how!?"
"You said you master books, right? Then why don't you search the answer in books?" Suiryu moved away from Ian as he rested his spear on his back.
"I… Don't know what happened, but it's… Really cooool!" Rochelle's eyes beamed in awe.
"Yeah. Ridiculous, but that's truly enamoring." Mia nodded in interest. "And intriguingly mysterious. I want to know more about his fighting style."
"I'm sorry, Ian. If you have some time, I hope we can just let this heat vapors away over nice dinner tonight. We still have long days ahead, after all." Suiryu walked over the remaining party members and clapped his hands. "Alright, ladies and gentleman, the sun is setting soon, so just like our agreement, we head back to town. We'll sell the loot and find a lodging. Oh, yeah. And good job. I'm looking forward to work with you tomorrow."
"Oh! Let's go deeper into the forest!" Rochelle pumped her fist into the air in glee, lifting the burlap sack of collected monster materials with her free hand.
"And let the hunt begin." Mia exclaimed as a faint, yet sinister smile crept onto her face.
As the group of three left, the downed noble rose onto his feet sluggishly. He gazed at Suiryu's back with a contempt of a scorching sun.
"Cursed you. May this entire blasted country turn against you…!"
After dark had fallen, the girls and boy had decided to lodge in a different inn while Suiryu got an above-standard motel per Mia's suggestion. The mage insisted him to take it since it would be a shame for a hero like him to rest in a cheap inn. Thinking that it was just like how some sponsor offered some celebs premium services, he grabbed it without much fuss.
That was when he realized that the other heroes also shacked in the same place. As he enjoyed his rather princely dinner – consisted of breads, some soup, a smoky steak, cashew nuts and an exotic fruity ale– Ren and Itsuki came over his table. Their order arrived as soon as they took their seats in front of Suiryu.
"How's today, Suiryu-san? I reached level 5." Itsuki opened the conversation with friendly smile despite his boast.
"Not much. I only reached level 3." Suiryu sipped his ale. "Ahh… What about you, Ren-kun?"
"I'm in level 7. How can you only reach level 3? There were a bunch of monsters out there." Ren's eyes narrowed at Suiryu. "Or were you taking this job lazily?"
"I did take a slow pace, but that's because I prioritize to let my teammates get the feels. Besides, I'm not a pushy leader, either." Suiryu explained, forcing his inner self ignore the irritating comment.
"Are you sure you can even survive?" Itsuki eyed Suiryu with mocking ridicule.
"Is leveling-up the only way to get stronger?" Suiryu flung a return, prompting Itsuki's eye widen.
"Now that you bring it up, I also wonder whether it's true or not. I got a feeling that the monster materials I collected have unlocked some features of my weapon." Itsuki said as he glanced at his sword.
"You heard that?" Suiryu smiled at Itsuki.
"Still, I think leveling-up is the best way to get stronger." Ren exclaimed, garnering Itsuki's smirk.
"Oh? So you don't want to explore any interesting possibilities out there?" Suiryu gave a defeated smile. "Too bad. Guess I'll be the only one doing it."
"Yeah. Go ahead, and tell us once you got your finding." Ren said dismissively.
"Right. We don't have time and guts to risk over some unproven, shady ways." Itsuki added.
"What a waste." Suiryu shrugged his shoulders. "Then, what about we make a bet on who'll get stronger with their own methods?"
"Not interested in gambling. Sounds like an offer from a retard, too." Ren huffed.
"Can you at least think about some better ideas? Like tricks in leveling-up, maybe?" Itsuki nibbled a bread from his wooden plate. "I won't do a method unless it's a sure-shot."
'These kids…' Suiryu inwardly sighed.
"Alright. Then let this useless fool finish his dinner. Don't wanna wreck the mood, either." Suiryu let out a defeated huff, jabbing his fork into his steak.
"Fine." Ren shrugged.
As the boys were having their meal in silence amid the merriness of that tavern, a certain red-haired maiden went it. Now bedecked in an ornate plate armor, she joined them in their table, bumping her scrawny ass against the chair beside Suiryu.
"Good evening, Dear Heroes! Oh, apologies for bothering your dinner."
"Oh, hi! It's alright. And… What's the meaning of a seat if it's left empty? Come and join us." Suiryu gave his warmest greeting as he turned to the girl. "Well, besides, we haven't exchanged names. My name's Suiryu."
"Oh my, where's my manner?" She placed her delicate fingers over her curling lips. "My name is Myne Sophia. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Spear Hero."
"A pleasure to meet you as well, Myne. Then, what brings you here? And since you've taken a seat, mind if I order a drink for you?"
"Oh no, please don't bother. I'm just dropping by. Though, actually I want to give you…" She pulled out a bundle from her satchel. "… This!"
"Wow. A chain mail?" Suiryu unfurled the packet and narrowed his eyes in befuddlement. "May I ask you why you give me this? This is a quite precious item. And unfortunately, it doesn't fit with my body."
There was a pause. As he waited her answer while the other heroes gawked at them curiously, her smile slightly wavered as a sweat bead trickled down her cheek.
"Ah, Lord Spear Hero, isn't it too much for you to accept a little gift. I am a big fan of you. I hope that at least you would keep it as a token of our friendship." She spoke with pleading eyes.
Suiryu glanced at the protective gear once again. It was a fine piece of armor. Even a layman could tell that the intricacy of it's working marked the skill of its smith. Nevertheless, the longer he gazed at it, the more severe the roiling uncertainty stormed him. It chained him from taking her gift.
"Um, Myne, I don't mean to be rude, but are you certain that a man without a name like me deserves this gift?"
She wrapped his hand in hers, showing a pitifully hopeful look. "I beg of you, Lord Spear Hero, please, accept this gift. Wouldn't it hurt for one to be denied by the person they adore dearly?"
Suiryu gave a pained smile as he inched away from her. His blue eyes darted wildly, noticing how other customers began to watch them. They really had garnered a sight. Surely, the scary thought about how the Spear Hero ruined his own image due to heartlessly refusing a gift from a lovely lady flew into his mind. As a hero, who once was also an executive, his reputation was something he should never be careless with. It helped heroes to keep people's trust, after all.
As he dismissed his musing, he silently breathed out. "Well, if it helps you that much, then allow me to accept it."
"Oh, thank you, Lord Spear Hero! You really are a benevolent man!" She hugged him, shoving her hollow, cold-steel breastplate against his broad chest. "Thank you so much!"
"Ahaha… Shouldn't I be the one who thanked you, Myne?" He spoke as she broke out from the embrace.
She shook her head, smiling cheerfully. "That should be me. You are considerate enough to fulfill my heartfelt wish."
"Oh, really? Then I'm glad to hear such a praise."
"Now, Lord Spear Hero, allow me to retreat for the night. I wish you all the best in your journey and may my gift becomes a fortune charm!" She winked at Suiryu. "And you as well, Lord Sword Hero, Lord Bow Hero. See you tomorrow!"
"G'night." Itsuki replied as Ren briefly nodded.
"See you tomorrow, Myne."
Before the redhead reached the staircase upstairs to the inn, Suiryu raised his hand. "Um, Myne?"
"Hmm, what is it?"
"Where's Naofumi?"
An ominous delay followed. She slightly tilted her head, her pale green eyes for a brief moment rolled noticeably erratic. As she donned in her plastic, yet stiff smile, she turned to Suiryu once again.
"He is resting right now. He fought diligently when we went out on the field."
"I see. Then please send my best regards to him."
"With pleasure!" She replied as she took the ascending stair a little hastily.
The moment Myne vanished from sight, Ren turned to Suiryu with a cynical smile. Suiryu took the gesture tiredly as he set the gift beside his meal, moving aside the unease that chewed on him. Judging by that unpleasant look, he didn't want anyone to tell him what would come next.
"Talk about luck, you really are very good with women, huh? It's like you got a charm."
"EX luck, maybe? Were you some sort of spy or…?" Itsuki creased his brow, referencing a guy from a certain action movie.
"No. Just an overgrown rascal who thought with his junk. A simple, out of control playboy." A self-deprecating smile floated over Suiryu's face as he jammed his fork into his steak. "Nothing more, nothing less."
Yet somehow, mocking his own self felt satisfying at that moment.
Suiryu's morning couldn't go more annoying on that second day. Just when he was still stirring in his bed, some hard repeated knocks on the door popped his snot bubble. He jumped out of bed with grumble and opened it, finding Myne was bawling her eyes out.
"… L-lord Spear Hero…" She dove into his chest as soon as he opened the door.
"–Huh? M-Myne, what happened? Would you like to tell me?" He wrapped his arm around her slender frame to console her, still standing near the door.
"Shield…"
"Shield?" Suiryu creased his brow as the term only struck him as a mere item.
"Sh-shield Hero… He had violated me!"
"Say what?!" His eyes shot wide upon.
The news was so shocking for him to swallow. Just what in the world happened? Could that innocent boy really commit such a terrible thing? Before he could follow his rampaging mind by uttering a question to the very victim before him, a bunch of knights had arrived. Ren and Itsuki were also with them.
"Lord Spear Hero, the king has summoned you. Please come with us." The detachment leader spoke.
"Okay. But first, let me get dressed." He looked over Myne who had stood in front of him. "Myne, for now, please calm down. We'll help you as best as we can."
"I-I will bear with it." She rubbed the tears from her cheeks. "Thanks."
He rushed into his room and slipped in his linen, short-sleeved shirt, leaving behind his padded armor. As he made sure to neaten any wrinkles on his clothes, he suddenly got an urge to bring Myne's gift. He couldn't tell why, but the chain mail almost like speaking, ordering him to bring it. Relenting to that hunch, he grabbed it and slipped it into his waist bag.
They soon set out on some horse-drawn carriages, fully guarded. The heroes boarded the same military vehicle. However, since the moment they came out from the inn, Suiryu didn't see any sign of ruckus. It looked sterile and quiet, almost like all the residents had been evacuated. To make things more off, he didn't notice any signs of serious manhunt, assuming that Naofumi had fled.
From that point onward, the sequence of oddities that grazed his reckoning brewed up his suspicion. As the clacking of the carriage thumped to clear the deafening silence, he stole a glance at the knights who guarded him. They looked tense, their hands gripping the swords belted on their waists.
Bathed under pale morning sun ray, the looming outer wall of castle Melromarc soon came into view through the barred window of the speeding carriage. But instead of assuring hope, it granted him a thickening, unsettling atmosphere. He batted his eyes at the corner of the packed carriage, finding Ren and Itsuki were leaning their backs against the rattling wooden wall. They were as confused as he was, sitting restlessly in their seats.
The carriage door opened and they were headed to the throne room. Even in that early morning, nobles and knights filled the chamber. As they trod the crimson carpet, the king had been sitting in his throne, casting a grim look. Before long, Myne went in. Her utterly distraught face couldn't go worse as she stood across the heroes.
Swiftly gobbling in all information from what he observed, Suiryu realized that Aultcray had brought them in a court. The arrangement was astonishingly well, and they would probably become the witnesses. As they were standing, he surmised that they were waiting for the convict.
Nevertheless, he still failed to shrug off the doubt that kept on pervading his mind. There always have been a faint feeling that all of this was just a drama, set up to take down whoever opposed the throne.
As if almost timed, the guards who brought in the guilty one made their grand entrance. They herded the boy and shoved him mercilessly in front of the court, tumbling him to the floor, tridents trained at him. Almost all people gave him stink eye, sparing no speck of kindness, scorn and disdain and curse be upon him.
Even the Sword and Bow heroes joined the crowd, giving Naofumi a foul welcome. Suiryu on the other side quietly kept on observing the unfolding event, barring his own self from taking an action before he got an actual grasp of the situation.
"Shield, are you aware of the grave sin you have committed?" Aultcray began, his tone level while his face, neutral.
"M-my king, I swear I didn't do anything wrong here! And look! I got robbed–!"
"Lies! Don't you dare make a foolish excuse!" The king's voice heightened, almost devoid of constraints for his rage, at last.
Aultcray gave a sidelong glance to Myne. With trembling legs, she walked closer to the middle of the room, assuming the best spot for all audience to behold.
"… L-last night, when I was going to bed, he suddenly barged into my room and forced himself into me–" She broke into tears, garnering the audience's pitying gazes.
"What!?" Naofumi murmured, his face looked genuinely shocked.
As Myne cried, she ran to the closest person in her reach, Suiryu. She hugged him to scoop in whatever salvation she could get, protecting her from all the terrifying moments that tortured her.
At least that was how it seemed on the surface.
Suiryu did whatever he could to calm the maiden in utter distress, but Naofumi's honest shock didn't miss him. He caught it, which only nurtured his doubt in return. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he held the redhead in his arms.
"Shield, have you lifted the cork of ignorance from your hearing and been aware of your severe crime?"
"I didn't do that–!"
"You dare to deny it!"
"H-how can this be…!?" Naofumi said between his gnashing teeth. "… Aniki… Even you…"
"Normally, such a grave crime would deliver you to the beheading block. However, there is a rule we have to abide to, saying that killing a hero would court us with divine punishment. Thus as your penance, feel the shame of your own deed! Be grateful, for I only let you wander this land until you meet your doom!"
That was the moment Suiryu noticed Myne slightly turning around and gestured something at Naofumi. Curious, he furtively bent his back to his side, catching a glimpse of how she pulled the underside of her eye while sticking her tongue out. His eyes without doubt widened.
"Myne, what's the meaning of this?" Suiryu's face made a stern frown.
"Eh–?!"
She was caught totally off-guard by the question, nearly choking. Her lips quivered, face folding in horror, hands trembling. As Suiryu's frown bored a dreadful aura into her, her composure and play crumbled.
"Now let me ask, actually what the hell is going on here?" Suiryu turned to face the king.
"Are you not content enough to be present here, Spear Hero?" The king calmly asked. "I had no doubt your sane judgment would never let you question such an obvious matter."
"Honestly, that's what I was gonna ask when I got here. You explained us about nothing and suddenly dragging the Shield Hero here, telling us he's caught for raping your daughter. But, is that really true? And why just now she seemed getting excited." Suiryu pointed at Myne. "Hell! You didn't even tell us that she's your daughter. Actually what are you up to?"
"Huh?"
"Aniki…"
"Myne, if you really got attacked by Naofumi, at what time it happened?" Suiryu inquired.
The redhead gulped. "Huh? I believe it was around the witching hour."
"Witching hour, huh? So it's midnight." Suiryu rubbed his chin. "Well, at midnight, I was still pretty much awake. I didn't hear any racket. Weird."
"But I swear, Lord Spear Hero! He barged into my room and defiled me! It must be because you slept some rooms apart from mine."
"Really? When it's almost midnight, I heard you talk with someone outside my room. When I peeked through the keyhole, it's you. You're opening the room opposite mine."
"T-that's…"
"Spear Hero, don't you dare to question my daughter's honesty." Aultcray threatened, narrowing his eyes at Suiryu. "You must have mistaken."
"I just want to check the truth. That's all." Suiryu shrugged his shoulders. "Anyway, can you tell me where you got this chain mail? Honestly, it's still bugging me out."
He pulled out the chain mail and Naofumi's eyes bulged. Suiryu also noticed how Myne's face fell into a look of horror, albeit for a very brief moment.
"O-oi! That's mine!"
"H-he's lying, Lord Spear Hero! He is just pretending! I procured that chain mail from a local blacksmith!"
"The hell! Myne, what's wrong with you?! We bought it together in the old guy's armory!"
"Don't you ever call my name again, filthy criminal! It was merely your perverted delusion!" She venomously hissed.
"What!?" The Shield Hero lost his temper, glaring at his companion-turned-enemy.
"Aight. I get it. Neither of you will say who's the real perpetrator. Guess I'll believe no one until I make it clear myself." Suiryu's frown faded as he got an idea to end his doubt.
In an instant, he used his left leg as a pivot, unleashing a roundhouse kick at a blistering speed at Myne. Of course he never intended to land a blow on the barren-chested princess in a busty armor.
"Kyaaah…!" The redhead fell on her rear with a dull thud.
Her scream echoed throughout the chamber as the gust from his kick blasted around the room, blowing some people. As the shocking turn of event went into the audience's notice, Suiryu got a final conclusion.
All of this was really just a farce to bring down Naofumi, for whatever reason they schemed with all their might.
"Hmph." Suiryu smirked, slowly lowering his suspended right leg to the ground as people gradually escaped their stupor. "Seems that your dear daughter here still maintains her chastity. Meaning, she's just pulling up a prank."
"Huh? What?" Myne's face twisted in disbelief.
"For real?"
"Is that true?"
"I can tell whether a girl is still intact or not from how they dodges my kick. Look, she's shutting her legs tightly. She hasn't done it. Poor virgin."
The Sword and Bow Heroes reacted to the revelation in bafflement. They began to see Myne with questioning looks. The king on the other side maintained a composed facade, but deep inside, everyone was sure that he was boiling.
"Spear Hero, do you know the consequence of committing a treason against us?" Aultcray's eyes narrowed sharply. "Repent now and I shall grant you forgiveness."
"Forgiveness?" Suiryu quirked his brow in the most vexing manner, arms folded. "Shouldn't it be you who asked it? You've wronged the Shield Hero. Besides, I told the fact."
The sudden flip of event confused Naofumi. It was too fast for him to catch, everything felt like a jumbled series of events. He could grasp the idea that Suiryu was trying to cover him, but it was too feeble. The lingering aftershock from his punishment hadn't even subsided and a new guy suddenly barged in. At that point, neither did he know what to expect, nor what to do.
"A-aniki… What's the meaning of this? I don't get it."
"Spear! Do not make me tell you twice!" Aultcray lost his composure and shot up from his throne, pointing his index threateningly at Suiryu. "Rebelling is not an option!"
"Oh? But what if I can do it? I guess what the other heroes yesterday said isn't wrong, after all." Suiryu gestured at Ren and Itsuki. "We can end up as your enemy if you make a mistake. And look, you've antagonized the Shield Hero. Whelp. People can say you're digging your own grave."
"Hey! Don't lump us with you!" Itsuki glared dagger at Suiryu.
"What do you think you're doing, jerk!" Ren cast a glare twice homicidal than Itsuki's.
"Spear!" Aultcray was seething with rage, his face ran dark red.
Yet the Spear Hero was still unfazed. His defiance ran amok before the face of such an unreasonable corruption.
He was never a righteous man to begin with. He was just a womanizing scum who got bigger luck than most. However, his encounter with Saitama had taught him the true meaning of being a hero.
A hero should never leave those who are in dire straits.
This time, he decided to take it to the extreme.
"Hmm… And now I think it won't be fair if the enemy is only one, right? So, why don't I join the bad side?" Suiyu's lips curled into a devious smile. "Yeah… Right! Now, why don't I try to be a bad guy? Whoops…"
"Spear…! You… A disgraceful lost cause like you have no right to speak so–!"
"But I have! See? You pause when I snatch the chance." Suiryu readily clenched his fists when he saw the guards were tensing up, letting his smirk stretch wider across his face.
"Guards!"
Knights with tridents rushed at him, pointing their weapons at his throat. He knew they only intended to constrain him, but he took the threat as a sign of murderous hostility. Thus he responded by sliding under the thrusting poles, swiping his leg in a wide arc. All ten attackers fell to the floor unceremoniously. They grunted in pain as the clatters of their tridents filled the chamber.
"Impossible!"
"How can he be that strong!?"
"This can't be!"
As Suiryu stood back gracefully and unscathed, the noblemen were abuzz. They gaped at the display of effortless victory. Aultcray's rage reached its peak as he threw his arm forward, signaling his knights to go all out. Suiryu in response stood in guard, noticing Naofumi was going to seize the chaos while Ren and Itsuki fell into silent mortification.
"Subdue that wretch at all cost!"
More armored guards flocked in. Fighting a crowd was not his usual style, but knowing his foes weren't people who understand how powerful his martial prowess was, he mowed them down like a scythe slashing a bunch of tall grass. Each of his kick sent tens of people flying, finishing the horde of armored men in some seconds.
"Wha–!"
Aultcray hung his jaw as his soldiers wastefully fell victim to the onslaught though no one died. As the knights piled up over the floor, he could see the nobles were running about in panic. Waves of new guards went in and they joined their fallen compatriots before they could step deeper into the room. As the poor troops in clunky armors kept on rushing in to meet his devastating kicks, Suiryu tilted his head. He saw Naofumi was still wedged in his spot, much like the other heroes. He smiled, waving his hand at the boy.
"Naofumi-kun, it's time. Let's go!"
"Huh? W-wait! Aniki!"
"SPEAAAARR….! SHIEEEEEEELD…..!"
Naofumi tiptoed over the knights littering the floor as Aultcray roared. They were either knocked out cold or writhing in pain. He caught up with Suiryu who was leisurely making a path for them to escape through the main double-door, felling knights upon knights in his way with wide kicks.
"U-uh… Is this alright?"
"For who? For us, it's the best possible way." Suiryu nonchalantly told Naofumi as muffled sound of denting metal and screams of agony marked their opened path into the corridor. "Don't think too much about it, Naofumi-kun. Let's move."
"O-oh…" The Shield Hero hesitantly followed the Spear Hero's lead.
"For the glory of Melromarc! Stop the heretical spear hero!" A commanding knight shouted as bells of warning rang from outside.
"""HOOOOHHH!"""
Armored knights kept cascading into the sole corridor, blocking their path of escape. Suiryu, showing no sign of wear, pulled his spear. With wide swings, he repelled the wave of men along the way as the sun rose higher. Naofumi who stuck with him raised his meager shield, just in case.
"Man… This stuff is just too good." Suiryu gave a brief stare in exasperation at his spear.
"A-aniki, are you alright?"
"Nah. To me this is just a joke." Suiryu brushed off the incoming trident blades with a bash of his back arm, flinging away the wielder and his compatriots altogether. "What about you?"
"Well, somewhat– Ohh!" Naofumi's shield clanged, a spear blade grazed its surface.
"Watch out." Suiryu nonchalantly spoke, offhandedly whacking the assailant.
"R-right." The boy nervously nodded.
The two soon reached a junction that served as the nodal area of the castle. The knights Suiyu had faced were foot soldiers. Now, waiting over the wide choke point were armored cavalrymen, mounted on either horses or raptor-like lizards. They brandished heavier weapons and were ready to rush at the delinquent duo.
"Aw crap. We're dead meat." Naofumi's face paled before the array of mounted knights.
"Hmm, quite a predicament, huh? Not to mention they're really angry."
Suiryu's eyes landed on the roofs of the surrounding buildings where mages and bowmen perched atop them. They were ready to offer fire support should a battle broke with the chevaliers. Fighting a bunch of infantrymen wasn't a problem, but his foes now included people like Mia Nuremberg. He considered them as dangerous enemies since he didn't know the full extent of their capability.
'Honestly, I've no idea how powerful a magical attack can be.' He grimaced, holding himself back from attempting any reckless moves. 'What if some of them can cast a flame as big as a house? Or slow me down unnoticed or bind me with dark magic?'
"Surrender, Spear Hero! Your show of tomfoolery ends here!" The commander on black horse declared with booming voice.
Suiryu glanced at Naofumi. The boy was shaken, fearing that he would lose his dear life. It wasn't a foreign expression to Suiryu. He often find it along his hero job. Be it hero or civilian, young and old, healthy or wounded, fear spared no one. It was the most devastating plague mankind kept on fighting, their oldest nemesis since time immemorial.
And it was also the most effective weapon without question.
As he gulped the ghostly lump in his throat, he realized his judgment also deemed his fear as the victor. His brain told him that despite his possession of the nearly unparalleled [Void Fist], charging against people who could cast explosive fireballs would grant him a free ticket for his second death.
Not to mention that a civilian with nearly zero combat experience was in tow.
He finally resigned to his judgment, looking at the cavaliers and mages with sour face. Outwitting Aultcray turned out to be too much for him. However, there was still one thing he could do, at least.
"Alright. I'll surrender." Suiryu placed his spear over his back complacently, then raising his arms in the air. "On one condition, however."
"A brainless cur like you dare to ask a condition?"
The commander turned to his underlings. They guffawed derisively at him, leering at him through the visors of their metal helmets with looks of scorn.
It was the first time Suiryu felt a tingle of rage from being jeered. All along his life, he was a champion, inspiring marvels and astonishment to his fans. This time however, he used his impressive ability at a wrong place – a blunder. He bitterly swallowed the fact of how foolish he was, brazenly saying he would turn into a bad guy. He had gravely overseen the existence of magic.
Still, that level of mockery wasn't something he should be concerned about. His pride aside, he should win the battle before him.
"Well, then spit it."
"I want you to let the Shield Hero pass this place safely."
A pause followed. The place became so quiet that a clink of armor was loud enough to fill the silence. But then, almost all the cavalrymen burst into laughter. Even those mages and bowmen over the roofs joined the chorus of gleeful, insultingly maddening chuckle.
"Hahaha…! Is that true? How terrific!"
"… I mean, really? Of all people, it's the shield bastard he wants to save! Now I feel sorry for him!"
"Yeah! Would it be a total waste if this loser got killed?! Man, he'll be a hella good jester for our tavern!"
"Wahahaha…! Nail it, my friend!"
Suiryu's scowl deepened, but his self-constrain didn't let him show anything further than that. Finding it as less annoying than losing in a real manly fight, he heaved a sigh. There was no point to respond a crowd of jerks.
"… Let me tell you, oh, pitiful spear hero." The commander began. "From the beginning, it was not him who we are after. It is you. Why should we mind a cheap offender like him?"
"Khh…!" Naofumi clenched his hands and jaws, helplessness painted vividly over his countenance.
The commander tugged the reins and spurred his black horse closer to Suiryu, enough for him to see any slight shift in his expression. He hefted his halberd to his side, lowering its blade in brazen challenge.
"Do you know why? Because he is a weakling. His blood doesn't even worth to wet our precious weapons. And you… You are merely a blasphemous excuse of a warrior. Going against our king's words would grant you death. Alas, you are a hero. We may not kill you. So, why don't you just sit nicely and become our obedient lapdog? Let that shield-bearer suffer for eternity."
At that moment, Suiryu felt like a hot, burning nail had pierced the back of his brain. All his reasoning went dull, all control over his senses ran to a halt, his body moving on its own. The mysterious driving force had seized his vessel for but a moment.
When he came back to his senses, his eyes saw the image of the commander's upper body flying in the air, his viscera fluttering like a tail. A clang of his armor and the squelchy thud that followed woke Suiryu fully up from his daze. He finally registered the gruesome sight he had created.
"General Alvar…" A soldier muttered as his superior's lower half was sitting still atop his mount, blood spurting from the nightmarish stump.
"Fuck. I killed him." Suiryu glanced at his spearhead, now drenched in blood.
Naofumi's face had ran pallid. His sickly white face got a shade of imaginary green. He was on the verge of throwing out at the grotesque scene. He slowly tilted his head, looking over the one who was responsible for such a brutality.
"… A-aniki." His call hitched at the end of his throat.
Fierce hesitation and confusion assailed Suiryu. He didn't understand how he could lose control of himself. Was it a simple wrath? Did simply hearing a fellow hero being badmouthed triggered it? His mind ran into a whirl, but nothing could he gain from the contemplation. Time was running and the soldiers who had lost their leader would turn into an angry mob, soon. He didn't have the luxury in pondering the cause of this mess.
Wrapping up the situation in his head, Suiryu flicked his spear to the side, ridding off Alvar's blood of its blade. At this point, thinking about backing away was a total waste. He could only face the reality before him, calmly convincing himself that he was a murderer. Dealing with the consequence was the manliest way he would choose.
"Naofumi-kun, now go. This place soon will run red." Suiryu told the younger guy, throwing his chain mail to him.
"Wha–!" Naofumi clumsily caught his chain mail. "A-aniki, you're not planning to fight them, right?"
"Unluckily for you, that's my choice. Now go, Naofumi-kun. And be safe. Maybe you'll find a lovely girl, soon. Unlike that bitch, of course." Suiryu tilted his head over his shoulder, parting a bright smile to his junior.
"A-aniki…"
With unsteady steps, the Shield Hero took the last unoccupied road behind them. No farther than twenty steps, a burst of lightning flickered around the corner of his eye, prompting him to turn around. The battle had started merrily. His senior was engaging the soldiers with his sole spear, landing deadly strikes upon them.
And that was when Naofumi saw the troops retreated abruptly, leaving Suiryu as the only standing man amid the fallen bodies. His footing suddenly vanished and what followed was a blinding pillar of light that shoved him into the dark hole below.
"ANIKIIIIII…!" Naofumi called at the top of his lungs as the pitfall magically disappeared, returning to an ordinary paved road.
"Ugh… Where am I…? Damn. I can see nothing."
Suiryu groaned as his vision futilely tried to adjust with the darkness that shrouded the new place. His vision flickered, showing him his HP bar that had lost around 35%. He shook his head, ridding off a remaining ache. The damage he took from the light beam and fall fortunately was soft. As his feet pressed harder into the uneven ground, a crunching sound filled his ears.
"Bones, huh? Now this is perfect. They dumped me into a garbage disposal area." He huffed, finding such an irksome predicament after the ordeal with the enraged knights. "Not to mention there's no light."
With careful steps, he moved farther in the blinding darkness, each crunch haunting his foot. Driven by his instinct, he tried to find a light source. Before long, his foot stepped on things other than bones. He felt metals, fabrics and whatnot. Another crunch resounded and his nostrils picked up a faint, yet familiar scent other than dusty bones.
"… This smell. A gasoline? Guess I'll need a match. Come on, what can you do here, Suiryu?"
Thinking fast while ignoring the dangerous probability of blasting the place, he groped for any metal lying about his feet. He caught something he supposed as a dagger and smashed it against the shaft of his spear with all his might. A spark of fire and an arcane blue lightning lit the place, igniting the dripping oil under his feet. Together with it, a stinging jolt stabbed his arm, flinging him backwards.
"Argh!" He fell on his back, his arm feeling numb.
As he saw the dark place finally got its light source, a notification was floating over his vision.
Legendary Weapon Violation of Agreement!
A Saint Hero may not wield any other weapon with an intention to fight! Only the legendary weapon in your possession, alone, can be wielded by you.
"The hell…!" He spat. "I never signed an agreement in the first place. Wait! Does it mean I can't swing other weapons?!"
As he noticed his voice bounce about the place, his eyes finally could make out its shape. The dim flickering fire he lit was enough to show the four walls that surrounded him and the somberly blood-chilling sight of piling bones.
"So… This is a body disposal?"
The pit's size was roughly around a garage for a small car, filled with human remains and their articles of clothing. He wasn't freaked out at all, just feeling weird. He hummed as he looked upwards. Light failed to pierce the darkness, but his only way was up.
"Okay. Guess I'll make a torch with scraps around here." He nodded as he rummaged any materials he needed. "Rest in peace, unnamed fighters. Please lend me your belongings a little bit."
He ripped a ragged cloth and tied it around a wooden stick. He found the fire in front of him get its fuel from a broken lantern. He took it and poured its tank's remaining content onto his torch. He lit it and waved it around to test its lighting range.
"Hmm. A little bigger than a candle, but I guess this is good enough to help me for climbing up." He nodded. "Right-o. Let's search a way out."
With a mighty leap, he bolted upwards, diving into the darkness. In those brief moment of flight, he saw some iron stakes jammed into the stone wall. He spread his arm out and grabbed one. Now hanging under the stake, he waved his torch and got a better look of his dark surroundings. He tilted his head up and saw a dim outline of an inlet.
"Gotcha!" He grinned.
With a forceful pull of his biceps, he leaped and managed to grab the inlet's base. He crawled up with one arm and reached an entrance of a tunnel.
"I see. So this pit is really a body disposal." He exclaimed, looking over the pit one last time.
Leaving the body disposal, he vigilantly trod the dark winding path. The deafening tranquility soon changed into a heart-wrenching silence. The atmosphere shifted into one he felt like in a funeral as he grasped the first light ahead. His eyes widened upon discovering a new sight.
"So it's a prison, doubling as a crypt. Make sense." He walked past some cells, glancing at the dead occupants with pitying gaze.
He proceeded farther into the jail's network, finding nothing but empty cells or ones with skeleton inmates. He realized that he was still circling around the crypt part until he heard some taps from beyond a passage he missed. He made haste to the new path and found himself on an upper level.
He finally found some living prisoners.
The dismal place didn't seem to be guarded. As he passed the poor souls, hateful glares showered him. They didn't faze him, however. All of them looked like brigands. He passed by, ignoring them until the corner of his eye caught sight of something that shouldn't exist in that kind of place.
"What the…"
Confined in that cell was a certain beauty. The lady in a dirty prisoner gown had a flowing wavy hair the color of strawberry blush. Although iron shackles and chains wrung her wrists and ankles, they couldn't restrain her surging loveliness. She truly had captivated him.
To add his surprise, she appeared to hear his murmur and lifted her face. Her face was delicate, but it possessed such a beauty that reflected a resolve, tempered over years of hardships. There was no possible way that she was an ordinary lady who led a sheltered life.
'… A female knight?' Suiryu inwardly made a guess, supported by the sight of her tightening muscle around her exposed collar bones.
As soon as she noticed him, her eyes widened. Her teal blue pupils were fixated on him. Her expression was also of surprise. She soon parted her dry lips.
"… G-good sir…"
Suiryu finally wiggled out from his daze. Her call awakened him, but a sense of slight trepidation pricked him. With growing worry, he faced her.
"Yes?"
"That spear… Are you the spear hero?"
He failed to hide his surprise, but he also couldn't bring himself to outright saying yes. His ordeal with the knights had been keeping him on edge.
Even for a playboy like him, meeting a beautiful lady in a jail sounded too good to be true. Not to mention that she knew his identity.
"What if I am?"
"I would like to make a proposal." She spoke with firm tone.
"Proposal? Suiryu knitted his brow.
"I know this is so disgraceful and selfish of me, but there is something I need to do. To assure it, I should be free."
Suiryu's brow creased deeper. The woman before him didn't strike him as a swindler at all, but he felt that he still needed to know her intention.
"Then after you're free?"
"I… I want to request a plea to the king. And I need to see the queen, as soon as possible."
"Queen? So… What's the deal with him. Mind if you tell me your circumstances?"
She pursed her lips bitterly. "I am imprisoned under His Majesty's order. I need to see the queen to report what is happening in this country after she left."
"Wait… So do you mean the queen holds greater power than her husband?"
"That is true. She actually is the rightful holder of Melromarc's sovereignty."
"Damn… So he's messing up this country after she left." Suiryu muttered under his breath.
"Sir…?"
"Alright." Suiryu sighed, checking the way for any guards. "Let's consider ourselves in the same sticky situation. We're bogged down by the same guy."
"By mire, what do you mean?" She gave a look of puzzlement.
"Guess I should tell you a little bit." He hummed, approaching the cell door. "That king… I've made a nasty mistake by making him my enemy."
"Wh-what?! Y-you are turning against His Majesty? A hero?" She blinked in utter perplexity.
"Surprising, isn't it? But yeah. Long story short, it got messy when I opposed him during a fake trial to incriminate the Shield Hero."
"So, King Aultcray really holds fierce grievances over the Shield Hero." She hummed thoughtfully.
"We're holding the same floating log over a current so… Let me help you."
He slashed the door hinges and kicked it in before she could even speak. It fell with a loud clang before her. He walked over her and crushed the chains with his bare hands, prompting her eyes to bulge. He frowned slightly when he saw the iron cuffs that rounded her wrists and ankles.
He was afraid that he might broke her delicate limbs in the process, thus he left the cuffs locked.
"W-what a strength!"
"Sorry, I hope this is okay. Can you move?" He offered his hand, pulling her gently onto her feet.
"Y-yes. Thank you very much, sir." She straightened her posture then bowed slightly. "My name is Eclair Saeotto, former knight of Melromarc. I served Her Majesty."
"Oh, well." He offered a wide smile as his hand grabbed hers into a handshake. "I'm Suiryu. As you see, I got this magical spear as my weapon. It truly an honor to meet you, Eclair."
"The same goes to me, Lord Suiryu." She smiled as she shook his hand firmly.
"Just call me Suiryu, alright? No need to be so formal."
"I believe it would be too disrespectful to call my savior by his name." She shook her hand.
"We haven't even started yet." He exclaimed, staring at the aisle when some prisoners began shouting as soon as they saw Eclair's cell was broken.
"Then shall we move?"
"Oh, I'm kind of lost. Lead the way, please." Suiryu grinned, following Eclair.
"What the hell's going on here?! So noisy! Hey!"
The moment they strode out from the cell, a pair of guards had arrived. Without wasting time, the pair sprinted forward. She slugged a straight punch to the knight's face as he threw a stomping kick to the other's shoulder. They subdued them swiftly, far too fast, garnering each other's awe.
"Incredible! You could bring down a man with such a precise strike!" Eclair said as she rummaged through the fallen knight's belongings, taking a key to unlock her cuffs.
"You too. That's one hell of a punch!" He praised, looking at the entrance for any reinforcement. "Man… You really are a strong accomplice!"
"Pardon? Accomplice?" She stopped unbinding herself mid way, unintentionally bending the only key to unlock her cuffs.
"Ah, sorry. It's a term from my world. Back then, there goes a saying that accomplices share stronger mutual bond than even best friends."
"I-is that true? That would sound like crimes ran rampant in your world."
"Well, perhaps. Countless wars had erupted and numerous disasters had stricken my earth. Maybe those who really tasted the perils truly know what that means." He shrugged.
"Ah, I see…" She briefly gave a downcast look.
"Anyways, do you need some help?"
"Oh, no. I am fine." She smiled broadly as the last clink marked her release. "It is done."
"Nice."
She pilfered the knight's belt and his sword, strapping it around her slender waist. She drew the sword from the sheath and turned to Suiryu.
"Good. This will do."
"Are you sure? I don't mean to be rude, but wouldn't it be okay if you leave the fight to me?"
She shook her head. "As long as I can fight, I will fight. And I it would be my greatest honor to fight alongside a true warrior like you."
He gasped, seeing her in a new light. He probably couldn't tell much, but the girl before him was knightly both in appearance and disposition. Her strong-willed gaze bewitched him. The longer he regarded her, the more radiant she seemed to be.
It was the first time he found this kind of girl. She might be the best companion he could ever ask for. She seemed so excellent that it made him question whether he can fulfill her wish or not.
"Don't make it sound like I'm a great man." He bashfully looked away. "I'm just a nobody, unlike you."
"At the very least, the holy spear has chosen you." She smiled as she took a pace. "Be proud of yourself."
Shouts and stomps of of boots echoed from the road ahead, signaling the coming of enemy reinforcement. Keeping his amazement at her into the back of his skull, he also smiled and walked by her side. He glanced at the crimson orb in his spear, wondering what awaited him in this world.
"Guess you're right, Eclair. I'm still a hero, after all."
Author's Note
Thus the journey begins.
Thanks for passing by. Hope you like it and see you in the next story. ;-)
