Chapter 24
Chapter 24
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Friend?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
◆
Living in this world, you're bound to face all sorts of hardships. Dealing with tough times is nothing new.
But knocking those hardships down at low difficulty? That's no everyday occurrence, even when it makes you furious.
"No ideas are coming to mind."
[⋯⋯.]
"No, just putting the Hero in the same space as other people is a huge hurdle to begin with. How the hell am I supposed to do this? It's like dropping a wolf in among sheep."
[⋯⋯You.]
"What."
[⋯⋯⋯⋯Never mind.]
The Holy Sword's voice turned dejected.
It seemed like it had something to say but struggled to voice it.
Something was up, but now wasn't the time to worry about it.
‘⋯⋯I have to at least try.’
The reward was too tempting. It looked like it would be incredibly helpful for the path ahead.
No choice, then. He'd have to seek out someone who might actually be of use in a situation like this.
The next day.
"Nooooooo-!"
"⋯⋯."
Carlyle was utterly speechless at Elena's scream-like wail.
"⋯⋯I haven't even gotten to the point yet."
"I don't care what it is—as long as it doesn't involve that monster! Absolutely not-!"
"⋯⋯."
Judging by her state, asking Elena herself to befriend her was out of the question.
He'd only just mentioned Gray's name.
Tears welled up in her eyes, her whole body trembled violently, like she was on the verge of a seizure.
Considering she'd nearly been killed by her once, this was probably a normal reaction.
Time to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"Then you don't have to deal with her directly. Would you just help brainstorm ways to make the Lady some friends?"
"Friends⋯⋯ Aren't they just... something that happens naturally?"
"⋯⋯."
"I don't really know... They just sort of happened for me one day⋯⋯"
Damn it.
She was an insider.
The type with overflowing empathy but zero understanding for those weirdly antisocial despite it.
‘No, definitely.’
When he first met her, the stiff tension in her neck made him think she was like Gray. But it felt more like a defense mechanism against being looked down on.
She got swayed easily enough, but her base likability was high. She handled tasks briskly, too.
No wonder she had plenty of friends.
"⋯⋯."
Hmm.
In that case, there really was no one else to ask.
"How about giving it a shot, then?"
Elena tilted her head.
"A shot?"
"We have to try something to trigger an event, at least."
Whether it turned out well or not, action was needed for change to happen.
"Could you arrange a spot for us? Somewhere with an element to lure the Lady in."
A few days later.
"⋯⋯Is this okay?"
"Who else am I supposed to ask? This was your idea."
"No, I mean, there were no other options, so we went with it."
Elena, standing beside him, wore a silent smile.
Well, her mouth was smiling, but her eyes were dead.
Anyone who knew her personality would react similarly to seeing Gray sitting quietly among the students.
To foster bonds among freshmen, Cradle hosted plenty of exchange events.
This picnic was one of them—just food laid out for everyone to eat, chat, and have fun.
‘⋯⋯Actually, that's how I lured her this time.’
Cradle's picnics were famous for their snacks.
Little-known fact: Gray Chasefield was a dessert addict obsessed with sweets.
Even after the demon invasion devastated the world, she'd stuff any sweets she found straight into her mouth.
[What can you do with something so tasty?]
‘⋯⋯.’
[Doesn't even make me cringe at my past self. If you'd lured me with snacks, I'd have shown up too.]
‘⋯⋯.’
Ah, right.
Anyway.
No better spot for making friends, but the problem was Gray plopped right in the center.
"I-I don't know anything about this? If something goes wrong, it's not on me? I told you I won't take responsibility!"
"You're treating the Lady like a walking bomb."
"Well, isn't she?"
"⋯⋯Yeah, fair point."
Carlyle admitted grudgingly, unable to deny it.
But he truly had no alternatives.
Whatever happened, she needed to mingle with people to make friends or whatever.
He didn't know the quest's exact criteria for 'friend,' but some interaction was required for even a basic bond.
Even Carlyle couldn't fabricate emotions from nothing. Gray had to open up herself.
‘Hmm.’
True, but still.
"⋯⋯I'll step away for a bit."
"Huh? W-Why?"
Elena's eyes pleaded desperately: *Don't leave me alone.*
She clearly saw disaster as inevitable with Gray.
"Yeah, so I'm going to fetch someone who can intervene."
"⋯⋯."
"If it gets really bad, call for me first."
Like with Vespa, her personality had definitely improved lately.
Surely nothing major would happen in that short time.
"⋯⋯."
Probably.
◆
What a hassle.
Gray sat there bored, thinking just that.
The noise, the pointless chatter—what was so great about it? Everyone wore bright smiles.
Hardly any were genuine. Just social masks.
"⋯⋯."
Without sparing them a glance, she grabbed snacks from the table and popped them into her mouth one after another.
‘Tasty.’
Her face softened slightly.
In Cradle, she couldn't do as she pleased.
A rare chance to enjoy delicious desserts.
As she munched away, passing gazes fixed on her.
Rare sight: the famous Hero in person. Naturally drew stares, and some even mustered the courage to approach.
"H-Hero? Um—"
But when Gray met their eyes wordlessly, they'd pale and bolt.
"S-Sorry—!"
Even in the continent's top academy, few freshmen could withstand her presence.
Of course, Gray just sneered inwardly at the sight.
Cowards weren't worth her attention.
More importantly.
‘Maybe other stuff too⋯⋯’
Might be tasty besides snacks.
Trying bits from the table, her expression soured instantly.
‘His was tastier.’
Too sweet, too salty.
Carlyle's meals were at least palatable.
‘Kinda weird when you think about it.’
Even top ducal chefs couldn't match it, yet he nailed it effortlessly.
Like he'd been catering to her for years, hitting her narrow tastes perfectly.
That's why Carlyle was odd. Few in the world irritated her less.
"Hero? Here of all places?"
⋯⋯Right, exactly.
Starting off by crushing someone just for annoying her wasn't right.
"⋯⋯."
Her fist twitched at the unfamiliar friendly voice, but she exhaled deeply to suppress it.
From Carlyle's view, it'd be a moment to marvel at his civilizing efforts.
*Wow, the Hero held back.*
Back then, interrupting her meal would've earned a punch already⋯⋯
"Second time meeting in person, right?"
"⋯⋯."
But the follow-up tested her patience further.
Without asking, the man sat across from her. She shot him a cold glare.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Leon Grimwald."
"And that means what?"
"⋯⋯."
The man stared blankly for a moment.
"The guy you kicked yourself last time."
"How's that helpful for remembering?"
Not like there was just one or two.
"⋯⋯."
Realizing who he was dealing with, he froze again.
Composing himself with a cough, he continued.
"⋯⋯Had a bad run-in with that Carlyle guy."
Ah.
Now she remembered.
The one who'd beaten on Carlyle before getting punched by her.
"⋯⋯."
Didn't want even words with him, yet here he was acting chummy.
She stared sullenly, conveying her thoughts.
Misreading it, Leon forced a friendly smile.
"Seems there was a misunderstanding back then."
"Misunderstanding?"
"Yes. I was rude."
He spoke gently, smooth words flowing like polished gems from his socialite experience. Confident approach to the Hero.
Gray's face remained impassive.
‘⋯⋯Off base.’
He was deluded.
From the story, he thought the punch came from him overstepping by pursuing her.
Not from mistreating Carlyle—seemed he still saw that guy as unworthy beside her.
"⋯⋯."
Irritating.
Unpleasant hearing Carlyle badmouthed like that.
"Rather than some unproven nobody without qualifications, I'm confident I can do far better."
Even more so now.
Her eyebrow arched sharply.
Carlyle would've rung alarm bells at that signal.
"So, what's the point?"
Her voice sank. Leon coughed.
"If it's alright, I'd like to serve and apologize. In that vein, I'd humbly offer as your attendant."
Her lips curved faintly.
An incredulous smirk.
Carlyle would've felt his legs weaken at signal two.
"What makes you more qualified?"
"Anything at all—I can do better. As Leon Grimwald of the Grimwald Count Family, I won't disappoint you."
"You, better than him?"
"Honestly, much better than that guy."
Leon spoke confidently.
"He's just some commoner with no background. No idea why you're keeping him around, but I'll make you forget him entirely."
Gray smiled thinly.
Chill would've slithered down Carlyle's spine at that expression.
He'd sense the impending explosion.
"Oh, really?"
The next moment.
"Let's test that?"
Leon's arm snapped under Gray's fist.
*Thud.*
The severed arm hit the table with an unreal sound.
"⋯⋯."
"⋯⋯."
Silence fell.
Blood gushed like a fountain from the stump.
"A-Argh, AAAAAAAAAH-!"
The bone-chilling scream painted everything red.
Onlookers stared dumbfounded at the sudden carnage.
"A-Argh, AAAAAAAAAH-!"
Blood dripped amid their retreating steps in stunned silence.
Gray watched indifferently, the one responsible.
Her mana barrier kept every drop from her.
"That guy took this multiple times and endured. You can't even handle it and think you belong by my side?"
"AAAAAAAAAAH-!"
"Know your place and stay out. I said I'd keep him—why interfere?"
"Uh, Ah, AAAAH, AAAAAAAAAH-!"
"Shut up already."
Irritated, she drew the Holy Sword and plunked it on the table.
Forged of sacred steel, it reacted strongly to orthodox holy power.
As a versatile Hero, Gray could work miracles too.
Holy power flowed from her through the blade to Leon's arm.
The wound healed, the fountain of blood stopped.
Pain gone, his screams ceased.
Then.
She picked up the severed arm and dropped it on his slumped shoulder.
"Tell the infirmary to reattach it. Delay and it'll be permanent."
"⋯⋯."
Gasping roughly, pale-faced, he stared at her in horror and fear.
She met his gaze steadily.
Unlike his, hers held nothing.
Just boredom and annoyance.
Like she'd just swatted a fly.
No feeling from the violence at all.
"Ladyyyyyy-!"
Carlyle's panicked shout came from afar.
"What the hell is this-!"
"He's not dead."
"⋯⋯."
"You told me not to kill. So I didn't."
Casually sipping her drink, she added.
Her eyes lit up.
More exciting than ripping off his arm.
"This is good. Bring more."
"⋯⋯."
Seeing the terrified stares around her, Carlyle squeezed his eyes shut.
Ah, right.
He'd forgotten amid her smooth improvement.
⋯⋯This person.
Was originally this kind of monster.
Utterly incompatible with others, like water and oil.
A sigh rose from the Holy Sword.
[⋯⋯Looks like a long road ahead.]
Making friends.
Seemed harder than expected.
◆