Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: The Trust of the Reclassed Supporter (4)
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Valian had spent a lot of time working as a mercenary before joining the Hero Party.
Most mercenary requests fell into one of two categories: 'war' or 'escort'.
The requests were heavily skewed toward those types, which meant the pay was generous and the risks were often sky-high.
Of course, none of that really applied to Valian.
However, one thing he had learned from those escort jobs was that the 'enemy' always went for the weak points.
They focused their attacks on the client—the one the mercenaries had to protect above all else.
And right now, Valian had a protection target more important than any client.
"Oh? Isn't that Valian?"
"Mm."
"What brings you here at this hour...?"
"...Just came to see the kids."
"The kids? At this time of night?"
The nun knew Valian adored the children, but she couldn't help wondering what would bring him here so late.
That doubt was perfectly understandable, but Valian was in no mood for explanations. He was desperate.
'Mirni and Alicia are lurking over there. It wouldn't be strange if they got nabbed at any moment.'
Mirni and Alicia.
Women who tolerated zero failure on infiltration or assassination missions.
Their bodies had definitely stiffened up since crossing into this world, but if they set their minds to kidnapping the kids, not even Valian could stop them.
'I have to lock this place down tight.'
That was why Valian had come to the orphanage, even knowing it put the place at risk.
Because this orphanage and its children were his one and only 'weakness'.
The moment they breached it, all his resistance would crumble, and he'd be ripe for the taking.
'The others might not rough up the kids...'
But with Luke around, there was no guaranteeing the children's safety.
Rumors swirled that the Union Army's 7th Division—devil worshippers themselves—would burn children alive without hesitation.
It was practically an independent division, unrecognized even by the kingdom. But it was formed from those who harbored grudges against demons, and they were willing to become worse than any demon if it meant killing one. It teemed with powerhouses even Valian couldn't ignore.
And at the top of that heap stood none other than Luke!
...Meaning there was no telling if the kids would come out unscathed!!
'Defense is my only option.'
He'd have to hold the entire orphanage alone, but Valian was confident he wouldn't be breached.
He couldn't promise victory, but when it came to 'protecting', neither Leon nor Luke would get through him.
"Nun. Sorry for dropping by so suddenly."
"Oh, no need to apologize. You're always welcome here."
"Appreciate it. Uh, mind if I get a glass of water? Throat's dry."
"Why not have some tea instead? I actually have something special I've been wanting to serve you..."
"No. Water's fine."
"I-if you insist..."
Valian was firm, and the flustered nun stepped away to fetch the water.
The moment she vanished from sight, Valian's eyes gleamed.
His voice rang out like a declaration, and with it, a wave of golden light swept over the building—no, the entire grounds.
Leon caressed his sword.
The one he thought he'd never have to touch again.
He still found the situation awkward and pressed on.
"Lu, Luke."
"……."
"…Luke?"
"……."
"Um, hey……."
No matter how much Leon called, there was no response. Sylvia spoke up in his place.
"Luke, even if you knew it was going to be empty talk, ignoring me like this is a bit..."
"You know, so shut your mouth. Talking to that asshole just turns my stomach—what conversation?"
"Well..."
"Si, Sylvia!?"
He hadn't even said anything yet, and she was already treating him like that.
But the others weren't thinking much differently.
If anything, they seemed to know exactly what he was going to say.
The golden-haired elf snorted.
"Hmph. Probably something stupid like 'let's solve this with words'."
"If words worked, we'd be done already. No brains at all."
"Agree."
"……."
Leon couldn't deny it.
He did think solving things peacefully through talk was preferable if possible.
However—
"Save your pipe dreams for your fanboys. Spouting nonsense...! Tch, forget it. I shouldn't even bother."
Irritated, Luke clamped his mouth shut, too exhausted even to snap. Somehow, it made Leon feel even more pathetic.
"Sigh, Leon. You know better than anyone. Valian isn't the type to back down from words. And more than that... with devil worshipper suspicions, we can't just let it end there."
"……."
Leon shut his mouth tight in the face of Sylvia's ironclad logic.
She was right. Anyone suspected of devil worship was fair game, regardless of status, age, or gender. Nothing more than a target to hunt down.
But still.
"Nothing's... confirmed yet, right?"
Leon ventured a small counterargument.
He still had his doubts.
Were those kids really part of some demonic scheme? Was Valian truly a worshipper?
Innumerable questions...!
"—Then get lost. We don't need you."
"!!!"
"Lu, Luke!"
Sylvia glanced at him, assuming it was anger talking again, but Luke looked utterly cold and composed.
"Cut the moronic bullshit. No proof? Doubts? What a load of crap."
"……."
"You think this is a game? That I'm playing house out of boredom? Or that hate's making me go nuts?"
"…Th-that's not what I—"
"Shut it. Your voice alone pisses me off."
"……."
"Get out now. Last thing I need is an unstable element at my back."
"……."
Unstable element...
The phrase—meaning an incompetent ally was more dangerous than a capable foe—struck Leon with a wave of shame!
"What? Pride stung? Then come at me."
"……No, it's not that."
It wasn't Luke's insults that shamed him.
He was ashamed of himself—realizing how utterly cowardly he'd been acting!
'What the hell am I doing...!'
Seemed like all he'd done from start to finish was look for an escape!
'When did I turn into such a... coward?'
The firstborn of House Kleinheim, idol of the knights—what the hell was he doing now?
Letting personal feelings interfere with his [mission]...!
'I'd deserve execution.'
Back in his knight corps days, no one would've batted an eye if his head rolled.
Leon was indecisive and a burden plenty of times, but he'd never run from or abandoned a duty.
Not even after losing all his titles...!
Thud!
"!!?"
"Le, Leon?"
Leon suddenly slammed his head into the ground. Hard enough for dust to billow up.
...It might've even left a small crater.
When he lifted his head, there wasn't a scratch on it.
"Luke, from here on, I'll follow every order you give. No questions, no doubts. So... trust me just once. Please."
"……."
"I won't get in the way."
"...You're full of surprises."
"Just showing my sincerity."
"……."
Luke simply stared at him wordlessly.
His emotionless gaze was hard to read, but Leon could tell Yuseong was wrestling with a dilemma.
The dilemma of whether to use him or not.
And then—
"...Prove it's not just talk."
"Understood."
That was it.
But Leon knew.
Luke had given him a chance!
'If I can't prove myself here, I'm no knight—or anything else."
Leon hesitated no longer.
Not if he wanted to prove his worth, his very life!
Rumble!!
Flinch!!
"This mana...?"
"Valian's the real deal now?"
"He's ready to throw down."
Everyone sensed the mana surge and hardened their expressions.
It was Valian's mana.
Not just any mana—he'd unleashed it at full throttle!
"Never imagined the day we'd have to face 'that'."
Sylvia muttered hollowly.
As if the shock was that profound.
And it was.
The 'strategic weapon' that was despair for enemies and the ultimate shield and spear for allies had turned against them.
The kingdom's—no, Midgard's greatest tank was erecting his wall.
Those without mana would dismiss it as an earthquake, seeing nothing.
But those with mana had no choice but to see it.
The [Fortress] built from a single man's flesh and blood.
"...That barbarian isn't even afraid of Gias's punishment?"
Alicia continued, sounding dizzy.
She wasn't one to talk, but Leon's group was bound to Yuseong by Gias.
One clause in the contract forbade showing hostility or attacking Yuseong.
What did that mean...?
"The moment you direct mana at Luke, your soul starts burning in agony...! Only a madman would do that...!"
"You don't know Valian? He just grits his teeth and takes the pain."
"Even endurance has its limits."
The torment from Gias went beyond human comprehension—pain wasn't even the word for it.
Defying Luke's orders was practically impossible. Refusing them was nearly out of the question.
Yet that barbarian had overcome it all and endured.
Alicia despised and loathed the man, but she had to admit one thing.
'Stubborn as hell.'
For what he believed was right, he'd embrace ruin itself!!
It was infuriating!!
And there he stood, the stubborn barbarian warrior, proud and defiant.
"Come?"
"...You're insane. Should've just surrendered when you had the chance."
"Sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry for. You'll be the one suffering."
"True... it stings a little."
"A little-? You're insane."
As expected, Gias was active—Valian's face was ashen.
Yet he gladly bore it, holding firm.
Valian rose slowly and spoke.
"If you want to pass, you'll have to go through me."
"That was the plan."
Crackle!!
Thunder.
Flames of destruction like blue lightning wrapped around Yuseong's body, poised to engulf Valian at any moment.
Yuseong planned to go all-out from the start, but someone stepped forward first.
"Think I'll let you?"
"……."
"Please."
"...If you fail, consider yourself dead."
"Noted."
Leonhardt von Kleinheim.
He stepped up and faced Valian.
"You'll be facing me?"
"Got a problem?"
"No. Should be fun, actually. Fights with you always got my blood pumping."
"Same here. Makes this situation all the more regrettable."
Leon drew his sword and raised it high overhead.
Not a high guard.
Just... really high.
It was so peculiar it might make one wonder what it even was, but Valian remained utterly serious at the sight.
Because that was Leon's Origin—the very thing that earned him the title of Hero!!
Leon whispered his incantation.
━━Leon's mana embroidered the sky.