Because It's Not a Story (4)
“Mwahahaha! Comrade! How does it feel after working up a good sweat? Refreshing as hell, isn’t it?!”
I shot a sideways glance at Berserk as she laughed her hot-hot-hot laugh.
It was true that after fighting like I was just enjoying a casual game for the first time in ages, my heart felt light…
“…You can laugh at a time like this?”
With the Archmage standing before me, looking so drained that her blood pressure had clearly skyrocketed past the point of recovery, even the conscience I’d set aside while having fun started working again.
I subtly rolled my eyes away from her gaze. Even for a concept this shameless, what we’d done this time was a bit much.
“Man. We really wrecked the place thoroughly…”
No wonder—thanks to the two of us fighting, the bridge connecting the Magic Tower to the village, the one that had stretched over the lake, was pretty much completely destroyed.
From the railings to the pillars to the planks, there wasn’t a single corner left intact. Some sections had gone beyond broken and simply flooded, snapping the path entirely. The only silver lining was that the Magic Tower’s main building itself hadn’t taken any damage.
I’d put serious effort into making sure the fight stayed clear of that side from the start, but still.
“And look, the temple even sent people. Hmm! Figures—hard not to dispatch someone after that kind of chaos!”
As a result, the scene was packed not only with Magic Tower personnel but also city guards, adventurers sent by the Adventurers’ Guild to assess the situation, and even priests who’d come running just in case. It was a proper crowd.
And every last one of them was staring at Berserk and me as we sat off in a corner.
For the record, I had no idea why they were only looking. Scared, maybe? Watching them bicker with “You go,” “No, you go,” it sure seemed that way.
“…I already have a good idea of the reason, but I’ll ask anyway. Why did you fight?”
The first one to approach us because of it was the Archmage. She had crossed over by boat and now fixed us with the eyes of someone who had achieved enlightenment.
But if I had any shame, I couldn’t just say the other side had started the fight. I hadn’t even considered it provocation, and even if it truly had been, that wouldn’t erase the sin of me deliberately answering it.
Even if this mess wasn’t what I’d wanted, I couldn’t deny that getting too absorbed in the fight had led to this outcome either.
“Berserk wanted to fight right then! So Berserk fought!”
Unlike me, who stayed silent for that reason—this was the real me talking, not the concept—Berserk declared it boldly.
She was so bold someone might think we had nothing to feel guilty about.
“Lady Warrior…”
“That really isn’t something to be proud of…”
But of course it wouldn’t work that way.
I deliberately ignored Kimchi Dumpling and Meat Dumpling, who had come running late to stop us only to end up watching the fight helplessly because the bridge was already cut. I ignored Akata even harder.
It felt like we’d been caught as childish adults—no, we really had been caught, which made it even worse—and the shame was intense.
B-but if I broke character my life would be over, right? So I had no choice but to play along, right? Sure I enjoyed it too, but I did try in my own way to keep the damage down, right?
There had to be room for consideration, right?
“Demon Knight. What about you?”
Yeah, of course not. No matter how much it was for the concept, an accident on this scale would never be forgiven. Uwaaaah.
“You refuse to speak?”
I glanced at the Archmage as she pressed me. Naturally, even with a hundred mouths I had nothing to say.
“Demon Knight.”
…Look, I do feel a little wronged, though.
I really didn’t think it would turn out like this.
The moment Berserk kicked the railing and shattered it, I realized something was wrong and tried to move the fight elsewhere.
She was just so good at fighting that I failed to pull away, and as a last resort I even threw myself into the lake!
I jumped in on purpose so no one else would get hurt! When it looked like people might get caught up I volunteered to be the sandbag myself!
And most of all, the one who actually wrecked the bridge was Berserk! I barely broke anything!
“Demon Knight!”
…But yes. Fine. Since I’m the one who fought that Berserk, I share the responsibility… And it wasn’t like I didn’t have fun in that fight either.
Damn it! If I’d known this would happen I never would have allowed the escape!
“…How much.”
“…?”
“I will compensate.”
The problem was that the concept never admitted fault.
It wasn’t some trashy “money solves everything” mindset, but would someone this proud ever just meekly admit they were wrong?
On top of that, considering the backstory I’d set for the concept, this guy rarely had occasions to admit fault and had probably never even learned how to apologize because of it.
Yeah—how often would you cause accidents like this when your whole life was just grabbing demons by the throat? Even if you did, they’d be minor ones, and those would mostly get smoothed over with threats or compensation.
So reflection? Not a chance.
That would be breaking character.
“Do you think… I’m doing this over compensation right now? Compensation is of course a procedure that must be followed, but there is one thing in this world that must take priority over it.”
But still, still it hurt! My conscience hurt! My conscience was screaming!
I screamed inwardly under the Archmage’s calm, steady words.
Of course I knew. How could I not know that apology came before compensation?
I really, truly wanted to atone!
“Demon Knight.”
But what was I supposed to do when the concept was this stubborn?! I knew exactly what you people would do to me if I broke character—how was I supposed to handle this here?!
I cried powerlessly inside while keeping my mouth clamped shut. It was maddeningly unfair that I wanted to apologize yet was forced not to, but there was no other way.
This was the concept I had chosen, and therefore the guilt I had to bear. I had to endure it with pure grit and spite.
My eyes grew warm with the unfairness of it all.
“What’s the problem? Berserk will compensate too! Berserk has money!”
In the meantime Berserk bellowed proudly. Listening to her, the Archmage’s expression began shifting through a rapid series of angles.
From someone hearing nonsense, to someone who had just grasped a bizarre truth.
“…That is not it. At times like these… at times like these one first seeks forgiveness before speaking of reparations. That is the proper way.”
Whatever she had realized in that brief moment, the Archmage spoke in a slightly gentler voice.
Apparently she had concluded that our characters were worse than those of three-year-olds.
“Isn’t an apology something you do with compensation?”
“Reparations are not always made with material things. There are moments when one can atone with sincere words. Of course, given the scale of this case, reparations will still be required.”
“Is that so… Well, my sister always said that if you do wrong, you must apologize first.”
After the Archmage coaxed and soothed her, Berserk stopped scratching her head, stood up, and scattered a few remaining water droplets.
“Fine! Berserk will apologize!”
“Good. Then first go to the guards. Answer everything they ask.”
“Understood!”
That was the moment my fellow bearer of guilt vanished. I was left alone.
“Demon Knight.”
Well? Say you were wrong? Say it??
But if I reflected wouldn’t that count as breaking character? Wouldn’t they get suspicious that I listened too easily?
My eyes spun at the Schrödinger’s apology.
Open this Apology and there might be annihilation from breaking character, or there might not. A cat in my brain pointed at an Apple and murmured the words.
“Uh, sir.”
Just then Dev slipped over and handed the Archmage some kind of note. The material didn’t let the writing show through, so I had no idea what it said.
All I could confirm was that the Archmage’s expression hardened like stone.
“…For now, we will let this pass. However, when the guards come later to inquire about the circumstances, I hope you will cooperate properly.”
W-what. What did he show her that made the Archmage back off? Did some kind of incident break out?
I turned my head and lightly bit my lip as the figure disappeared among the people.
I wanted to reflect yet couldn’t reflect, and I had no idea how the situation was developing.
It was so unfair.
“…Is this truly the case?”
Meanwhile the Archmage verified the authenticity of the note’s contents. Dark green eyes gave a small nod.
“I see.”
Family. So it was family.
He had been reminiscing about family. Berserk had interrupted that, and that had led to the fight…
“It’s not certain. But if it weren’t a relationship like that, there’s no way the knight would have drawn it as a picture…”
“Indeed.”
There was no real need to deliberate deeply on why family had suddenly come to mind.
He might have projected himself—who had lost his family—onto Akata, and family was something that could surface at any time without being strange.
But still. Still.
‘Kill them! This body has already slain its own blood kin—adding the blood of children will change nothing!’
After hearing those words, how could she scold him any further here? The Demon Knight had not done well, but how could she rebuke someone who confessed to killing his own blood kin yet still longed for family?
How could she.
“For now, keep an eye on the Demon Knight. I doubt he will cause any more accidents, but just in case.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The Archmage hid her complicated feelings and sent the youth away. Someone that sharp would be able to observe without agitating the Demon Knight’s temper.
“Did you talk things out?”
Instead she headed toward White Wind. White Wind ranked first among those she needed to speak with for the cleanup.
“…For now, allow me to express my apologies in his place. I will also pay the compensation on his behalf.”
“Why? Even if you’re party members, there’s no reason for you to handle this much, is there? It’s not like the Demon Knight is short on money.”
“…True. There is certainly no reason for me to handle it. He could probably cover the repair costs himself.”
But still… still…
The Archmage glanced sidelong at the one whose eyes had faintly reddened when pressed to reflect. She recalled the face that had looked like a wounded boy over nothing more than the demand to apologize—despite possessing the power to smash a bridge to pieces.
Truly. When viewed without colored glasses, he was this young and incomplete.
“Yet is it not an adult’s duty to take responsibility for and protect a child?”
His body was fully grown, yet how could his mind remain so young?
But if one gathered and fitted together the remarks and actions he had let slip, there had to be a reason for it, which only made him more pitiful.
The Archmage could no longer bring herself to be angry at the Demon Knight.
“…A child?”
“I did not say it expecting understanding, so ignore it.”
“Well, he does look young… but isn’t he way too strong for a kid?”
“Strength of the flesh and strength of the mind are separate matters. You know that as well.”
“Mm… true enough.”
In all likelihood he had lost his family at a young age—very probably while possessed by a demon and killing them himself—so how could she be angry?
Clicking her tongue and calling him an immature adult even at his age was impossible when the past he carried was so heavy.
“Still, I’m not sure whether that means we have to clean up after a fully grown adult every single time…”
“I have no intention of doing that for everyone. Only for him.”
“I see. Well, whatever. It’s none of my business and all we need is the compensation. But those people over there will be different. You know that, right?”
“Do not worry. I will handle both the excuses and the apologies myself.”
“You’ll manage fine, I’m sure.”
Of course, that did not mean she would simply let this incident slide.
Understanding that he had grown up deficient and did not even know how to apologize was one thing; overlooking it was another entirely.
Once that truth had been realized, the proper response was not to shrug and move on but to fill the lack. That was the duty of a human being—and of someone who had lived a little longer.
“Um, Lady Archmage. About the Demon Knight…”
“Ah, Inquisitor. Do not worry. The kind of… incident you are imagining will not occur.”
“B-but even if he is the Demon Knight, shouldn’t this incident result in an arrest?”
“It will not. As long as the victim—the Magic Tower—does not request a severe sentence, it will most likely end with a fine.”
“If this is because I am the Hero, then that would be an abuse of authority…”
“Ah, it is absolutely nothing of the sort, so please set your mind at ease.”
Naturally she did not expect it to be easy. Even the Hero’s social education alone was already difficult enough.
But high difficulty was no reason to give up. In one corner of her mind the Archmage began drafting a gradual schedule for the Demon Knight’s socialization training.
Until now she had left him alone, assuming his personality was simply rotten. Now that she understood the reason, she could no longer leave him be.
“…A chill.”
“Pardon? Sir, what did you just say?”
“Nothing.”
Yet the fact that someone was breaking out in cold sweat under an ominous feeling close to a chill was, unfortunately, a story that would never reach the Archmage.
I suddenly shuddered under a wave of foreboding. There were far too many possible sources for it, so I had nothing to say.
“Sir, your complexion really doesn’t look good—”
“I said it was nothing.”
No… this is just a product of my guilt…
I clamped my mouth shut and curled my body in. Of course I did not crouch in any pathetic way. I could not afford to lose any more dignity.
Um…
Just then Akata quietly approached. In the girl’s hand was a string bracelet identical to the one I had received earlier.
I made two just in case…
Uh, so… is she giving me another one? Or does she think I lost the first?
I looked at the offered bracelet with complicated feelings. After thrashing around in the lake and venting a lot of emotion, I didn’t get choked up for no reason.
It was just… complicated. Similar in nature to earlier, only much thinner in intensity.
“…Kid.”
Thanks to that I was able to accept the string bracelet with composure.
Well, I already had one in my inventory? But I didn’t know whether the reason she was giving me another was because she thought I’d lost it or not.
And even if the misunderstanding was correct… pulling it out right here and going “I didn’t lose it, see, I still have it!” would be a bit… awkward.
“….”
I started to call the child, then simply moved to put only the string bracelet carefully into my bag… or rather, I tried to. I would have if the child hadn’t worn a faintly hurt expression.
No matter how I looked at it, I was supposed to put it on right now, wasn’t I?
But wouldn’t putting it on immediately be breaking character? And before that, how was I supposed to fasten a bracelet with only one hand?
I just kept holding it, unable to bag it or wear it. Then the child edged closer and reached out. Apparently she intended to put it on me herself.
The string bracelet was fastened around my left wrist. The memory of having my neck bound made me somewhat reluctant, but it was only a hand so I could endure it.
I still had no confidence to open my mouth in this situation, though.
A hellish silence settled over me, the child, and Dev who had gotten stuck between us by accident.
“Um…”
At that moment someone who looked like a guard approached. This was probably what the Archmage had meant by cooperating earlier, and to me it was extremely welcome news.
Come on, hurry and rescue me from this awkwardness! If you urge me to reflect I’ll just listen, so get me out of here fast!
“We’ve mostly finished hearing the circumstances, but there are still a few things we’d like you to tell us…”
Yes!!
I rose from my seat while listening to the guard whose whole body was trembling. Since the concept would never welcome this situation itself, I of course controlled my expression.
Maybe that was why the guard, who already looked ready to die, looked even more ready to die, but whatever. The expression was just like that—I wasn’t actually going to eat him—so it would be fine.
Uh…
“You’re not going with him. Stay with me.”
Ah.
And so I was dragged off to the interrogation room together with the guard.
Fortunately, even though the scale was large it was written off as a quarrel between young people, and because the Magic Tower’s track record was so poor to begin with the residents calmly shrugged it off as “the Magic Tower being the Magic Tower again,” so there was no damage on that side either. The punishment did not escalate much.
The matter was settled with me bearing the entire cost of reparations, paying compensation to those who had been caught up in it, and paying an additional fine on top of that.
It was a very fortunate outcome.