Chapter 175

A Transient Farewell

I found myself at the bar the day after I gave Gojim the metaphorical finger . Naturally, picking a fight with him had gotten me disqualified from the tournament and kicked out of the arena . Speaking of the tourney, they’re probably off doing the finals or whatever right now, huh? Rip my shot at first place .

There wasn’t much I could say in my defence . I deserved getting the boot, and probably much more . Picking a fight with one of the country’s most important people, and in public at that, wasn’t exactly what I would call my best idea . Thinking about things more rationally, I came to realize that killing him in the presence of so many was far from practical . His presence apparently nullified my ability to cast spells, which meant the battle would have been long, drawn-out, and much closer than I would have wanted it to be . His guards had basically been guaranteed to step in before I could finish him . Wait, what if I used Sovereign Pressure and just KO’d them all like I did in the prelims? It’s a skill, so it functions differently from spells and whatnot, so it might not have gotten cancelled . Errr, wait, no, I’m stupid . Who am I kidding? All it really does is bash my mana into everyone else’s . It basically works the exact same way a spell does . Yeah, it’d probably get nullified too . G.o.d d.a.m.n it!

Man, I can’t help but think that I could’ve roughed him up a bit more if I played my cards differently . Oh well, no use crying over spilt milk . It’s not like I know exactly how strong he is either since I can’t a.n.a.lyze him and whatnot . Yeah, f.u.c.k it . I’mma just stop thinking about it .

Cutting off my inner monologue, I turned my focus back towards the old butler-c.u.m-swordsman sitting across from me . We were at the bar that Nell and I had visited and in the midst of a brief meeting . Though we were the only two talking, my two companions, Enne and Leila, were both also present .

“Wherever did the hero wind up?” asked the old man .

“Don’t worry, she’s safe . I ended up having to do a bit of fighting and didn’t want her caught up in it, so I had her head over to my place . ” I said . “Sorry if that messes with your plans or whatever . ”

“Please don’t worry about it . Her safety is much more important than whatever plans we had,” he said with a firm nod . “Does that mean you live nearby?”

“Uhhh, not really? It’s actually pretty far, but I can a.s.sure you that it’s about as safe as safe gets . ”

“I presume that means you made use of a spell or item that manipulates s.p.a.cetime?”

“Yeah, pretty much . Something like that . ”

We were to safe to discuss whatever we wished without resorting to speaking in hushed tones, and not because the bar was loud enough to ensure that we wouldn’t be overheard . In fact, it was exactly the opposite . The place was more or less empty and devoid of other customers .

“Whatever the case, you’ve done me a truly unforgettable favour . Thank you . ” The butler furrowed his brows as his expression twisted into one filled with regret . “You were forced to step in because I was unable to help her when she needed it most . ”

The only way I could really describe everything that had occurred was to call it a series of unfortunate events . Apparently, the butler and I were tasked with the exact same duty . That is, both of us had entered the tournament to prove our strengths . In his case, he had to demonstrate that humans were deserved recognition, that they too could be true warriors worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder to demonkind’s finest . He was going to function as their race’s face while Nell ran around behind the scenes recruiting allies . Unfortunately, splitting up their party had led to trouble on both ends . He had been stuck in a match against me whilst Nell found herself fighting for her life .

As someone that was not exactly completely involved in everything that was going on behind the scenes, I hadn’t known all that much as to exactly what Nell was involved in . That said, a certain black-clothed agent had been more than willing to tell me all that I needed to know . According to him, it had all been nothing short of a coincidence .

He had simply been preparing to dismantle the wingbearers . They were too powerful to be left to their own devices . As all their advances and offers had all resulted in failure, the fiends had judged that the wingbearers were unlikely to join them . Their prudence led them to decide that they should crush the tribe before it could become one of their enemies’ allies .

His plan was perfect . He had found a man on the inside, and through him, spread the fiends’ influence . The two of them managed to create an entire faction willing to fight for fiendish ideals . The stage was set . So they attacked . If all went according to plan, the wingbearers would have fallen overnight and been reborn as a group willing to listen to the fiends’ every whim . But their scheme was torn apart . By Nell . Her presence had been a bolt from the blue . They hadn’t accounted for her . Not her might, nor the fact that she would resist them until the moment she drew her last breath . The hero had not only singlehandedly prevented him from following through on his genocide, but also nearly destroyed his unit .

Total failure was on the horizon . The only saving grace was the fact that the a.s.sault did ultimately diminish the wingbearers’ power as a faction . Still, the operation had not been worth the cost . They lost far too many, especially given that I had effectively wiped out all that remained . Moreover, the remaining wingbearers now found themselves amongst those that antagonized the fiends . They were under the king’s umbrella now . He had promised them their safety in exchange for their cooperation . And they had gratefully complied . I mean, I didn’t really bother doing anything more than just shooting them a glance or two, but their stats seemed pretty high . I’m sure Mr . Black Hearted Demon King over there’ll be able to put them to good us—er, cooperate with them . Yeah, that .

“So what’re your plans looking like? You know, with how things have changed and whatnot,” I asked .

“I will be remaining in the demon realm and act alongside the two of our companions that you have yet to meet . Mekina and Ronia will be returning to their homelands in order to report on the status quo . I believe that they may very well have already left, as they asked me to thank you for them in the case that we met . ”

Wow . There were a whole six of them? Wasn’t really expecting that .

“They did? Well uh, in that, give ‘em my regards, I guess . ”

“I will do exactly that,” said the old butler . His kind, cheerful tone vanished not too long after the words left his mouth . He replaced his smile with an expression as serious as serious could be . “Again, Yuki, I must thank you for what you have done . You have done nothing but give us unconditional a.s.sistance . Please, please let me know if there is anything that I can do for you . I am past my prime and unable to accomplish as much as I would have been able to in my youth, but I am willing to dedicate my all to repaying you for your kindness . Your wish is my command, good sir . ”

“Dude, chill,” I said . “Look man, I only did what I felt like doing . It was all for me . You really don’t owe me jack . ”

“Your intent changes nothing,” said the old man . “In the end, you still took my place and protected those that I was duty-bound but unable to . My debt to you is a fact, and it is one I cannot allow myself not to repay . ”

I had the feeling that he wasn’t about to drop the subject regardless of what I said or did . There didn’t really seem to be any point in fighting the old mule in a battle of obstinance, so I decided to think through my options . After a brief pause, I slowly opened my mouth and voiced the best suggestion that had come to mind .

“Well, how about this, old-timer? Once you’re done all this mission stuff, and whatnot, how about you teach me how to use a sword?”

“A sword, you say?”

“Yeah . I can’t really figure out why, but me and swords just don’t really mesh well . I’ve got plenty of dex, but I just can’t figure it out . I’m planning on heading home for now, so it’ll obviously have to wait . But since you and Nell are working together, I figure we’ll probably see each other again eventually . ”

“Hmmm…” the old man pondered for a moment . “The numbers that go with one’s status values are just a rough estimate . They are not necessarily accurate . Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and status values often fail to account for them . Very well, I would be glad to teach you swordplay should the chance ever arise . ”

“Thanks man, appreciate it . I’ve been wanting to get better at handling her, you see, so not knowing how to use a sword’s been a bit of a pain in the a.s.s for quite some time now . ” I gave the girl in my lap a pat on the head as I spoke .

She didn’t offer much of a response, and not because of her taciturn nature . Enne was simply too busy shoveling meat into her mouth to speak . As far as I was concerned, her actions were justified . The food here is pretty d.a.m.n good, after all .

“I’ve already seen the process myself, and yet, I still find it difficult to believe that she is your weapon’s incarnation . How truly bizarre…” he muttered .

After a brief pause, the sword girl caught onto the fact that she was being stared at, so she stuck her fork through a chunk of meat and pushed it towards the old butler . “You can have a piece . But only one . ”

Her actions prompted him to chuckle in a way that only kind old men could . “Thank you little lady, but please don’t mind me and enjoy your meal . ”

“Mind your manners, Enne . Holding up a piece of meat like that is rude,” said Leila .

“…Okay . ”

The sheep girl’s scolding led Enne to bring the fork back from its extended position and pop it into her mouth . All while the butler watched over her with a gentle smile .

***

The last stop we made that day was the demon king’s throne room . I found myself standing in front of him with both my companions in tow .

“Yeah, so uh, my bad . I kinda got myself disqualified without telling you what I was going to do . ”

“That’s okay!” he said with a smile . “There’s no need to worry . You’ve already gone above and beyond anyway . We got much more done than we were expecting to . ”

While his tone sounded cheerful and boyish, I could tell that there was much more than just that to it . In fact, I almost felt as if I had caught a glimpse of the sinister, scheming nature that lay beneath his happy-go-lucky mask . I could already tell that he had done many a thing behind the scenes . And that was why I couldn’t help but force a bit of a smile .

While I had no idea as to exactly what the demon realm’s king had accomplished, I was at least cultured enough to imagine it . My suspicions seemed to lead towards one of three possibilities: crus.h.i.+ng enemy strongholds, planting double agents in positions of power, and creating internal conflicts . Or maybe even all three . Who knows?

According to the king, all anyone needed to do to be recognized as a fiend was to declare that they were one . As such, infiltration was easy . Or at least that’s what the king’s been saying, but he seems pretty smart when it comes to plotting s.h.i.+t behind people’s backs, so I kinda doubt I can just take his word for it .

Whatever the case, the king’s subordinates had managed a series of achievements while the enemy was too focused on me to stop them . They were still at an undeniable disadvantage given their lack of numbers, but the king was happy nonetheless, as he had apparently sown the seeds for the future .

“Oh right, why didn’t you warn me about the old human dude I had to fight? He was tough as nails . ”

“He was? I thought you won pretty easily . He didn’t even scratch you . ”

Yeah, I mean, nothing I can say to that, but it’s about the sentiment! Seriously! Like, if he’s not strong, then who is? He was definitely the toughest guy there by a long shot .

“To be honest, I didn’t think he would be that strong,” said Phynar . “It seems that humans really aren’t to be underestimated after all . ”

“Yeah, I really could’ve used a warning, G.o.ddammit . He caught me h.e.l.la off guard . ”

“I’m sorry,” said the demon king with a heartfelt laugh . “Right, are you sure you didn’t need to be seen off?”

“I can pretty much get home instantly, so yeah, I’m good . Sorry about half-a.s.sing everything, especially seeing how you paid me in full anyway . ”

“I’m just paying you what I think you’re worth . You’ve already gone the extra mile, after all . All I really wanted, this time around, was for you to enter the tournament . Besides, you will be returning, won’t you?”

“Yeah, I’m not exactly satisfied with leaving things how they are right now either . ”

Carrot Top wasn’t someone I could simply leave be . He was an enemy of mine, through and through, and I had every intention of stabbing him in the face . That said, I had already been away from the dungeon for a rather extended period of time . I was feeling kinda worried, so I decided to head back for a bit before settling things once and for all .

“I take it you’ll be willing to help me out again when the time comes?” asked Phynar . “I’m sure you’d be plenty interested after seeing how much I’m paying, right?”

“Oh, so that’s why I’m getting paid so much . You and your G.o.dd.a.m.n schemes . ”

“I would rather you call it ingenuity . ”

The two of us grinned at each other .

“Well, Yuki, girls, I hope to see you again,” said Phynar .

“Yeah, see ya,” I said . “And you too, Haloria . Thanks for showing us around and stuff . ”

“Thank you very much for your hospitality . Be well, Haloria,” said Leila .

“Bye,” said Enne .

“I’m very glad to have been of service!” said Haloria . For some odd reason, she was starting to tear up . “Farewell, everyone . ”

With smiles on our faces, Leila, Enne, and I departed from the demon king’s castle .