Chapter 151
Chapter 151
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: Preparation (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The next day. We set off early in the morning. Lady Martina saw us off at the main gate. She wore an expression of utmost satisfaction, as if she had thoroughly enjoyed Aruru's softness to her heart's content last night.
“Come visit anytime.”
“Yes! I’ll always be thinking of you, my lady!”
A noblewoman chuckling and waving, and a fox beastkin wagging her tail cheerfully in response. It was a little strange, but a heartwarming sight all the same.
Just as the family mansion disappeared from view, Aruru's ears and tail suddenly drooped. As if her earlier energy had been a phantom, she now wore an expression of utter exhaustion.
My little cutie.
So, it seems Lady Martina’s intense displays of affection completely wore you out, huh?
“Ugh, even by beastkin standards, she was quite extreme…”
The girl nodded weakly. She grimaced, saying this time was particularly tiring. She had truly met her match.
Well, now you know how I feel, having to put up with your one-sided cute antics, don't you?
“She stroked my ears 109 times, petted my tail 355 times, and kissed my cheek 23 times…”
“…”
Huh? It was that much? I couldn't help but admire Lady Martina's stamina, enough to wear out even an energetic fox beastkin.
From Aruru's perspective, she'd been worked to the bone, but I had no intention of comforting her.
Did you think freeloading would be easy? This is the path you chose, so suck it up. There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
If you want to live in luxury under the protection of a great family, you have to pay the price.
“Ugh, I can’t give up already! I’ll survive, no matter what!”
Her eyes suddenly gleamed. It was good she was steeling her resolve, but I couldn't help but worry. With an air that suggested she was about to do something drastic, Aruru muttered in a solemn voice.
“Since it’s come to this, I’ll have to use the drag-them-down-with-me tactic…”
“Hm?”
“If I offer my friends and siblings as sacrifices, her attention will be divided, right?”
“…”
For such a pure and innocent girl, it was quite a wicked scheme. And it was all the more plausible because it was actually feasible.
If the number of fox beastkin residing in the family estate increased, there would be no need to fixate on Aruru alone. She could just grab whichever one she saw.
The beastkin could tell each other apart, but to a human, they would all look equally cute. Of course, among them, Aruru’s cuteness was a slight cut above the rest.
However, there was an exception. All creatures are cutest when they’re young, and by that law, Aruru’s youngest siblings were the absolute cutest. In the end, it was no different from her sacrificing (?) her siblings.
My little cutie.
Is it really okay to use your precious family like that? You weren't that kind of person, were you? You were the model of a young breadwinner, living far from home and sending money back. You adored your siblings… Aruru shrugged as if to ask what the big deal was.
“Well, I think it’s about time they started paying me back for raising them. I can’t take on everything by myself, can I?”
She added that a true family must share everything, be it joy or hardship. She wasn't wrong, but her intentions were so blatant that I couldn't readily agree.
Well, from my perspective, I didn't really care. Whatever the reason, the fact that there would be more cute fox beastkin was now a given.
We headed straight for the academy. We didn't have much time to spare anymore. It was about time for ‘that incident’ to occur.
None other than the appearance of one of the Demon King's Four Heavenly Kings. He would attack the academy with his subordinates, intending to eliminate the Hero and his companions.
This would be our first clash with the Demon King's Army. In the original story, it was systematically arranged that we would ‘definitely’ repel them, but there was no guarantee it would happen that way here.
If I knew nothing, it would be one thing, but since that wasn't the case, I had to be fully prepared. A clumsy response would result in considerable casualties. After organizing my thoughts, I gathered all my companions.
“I have something to say.”
“—??”
My tone was quite serious, even to myself. Perhaps because I was being more solemn than usual. They all blinked, as if they had no idea what was going on.
“What is it?”
“Anyone would think you were about to say the Demon King's Army is on its way.”
“Right. You look like you're about to announce that one of the Four Heavenly Kings is coming.”
“…”
Well, to think they'd figure out the right answer on their own. Or perhaps our camaraderie has reached a level where we can communicate with just our minds? I gave a slight nod and continued.
“It's not certain, but… looking at the movements of the Demon King's Army, there's a possibility.”
“—!!”
The academy is filled with talented individuals. Not just the Hero, humanity's hope, but the Hero candidates are also quite powerful. From the Demon King's Army's perspective, they would want to eliminate them as quickly as possible.
“So we need to prepare for it.”
Their surprise was fleeting; the two girls’ eyes gleamed as their fighting spirit flared. The princess who lost her country to the Demon King's invasion, and my little cutie whose hometown was trampled and parents were lost. Though the scale was different, their circumstances were similar.
“…I really hope they come.”
“I agree.”
Their resolve wasn't just full, it was overflowing. It was reassuring enough that I felt I could leave it to them.
“Perfect timing. We must show those wicked fiends what we're made of.”
Luciel joined in with a bright smile. Of course, the Saintess couldn't be left out. As a cleric who serves the Goddess's will, how could she simply stand by?
The girl transformed as if a switch had been flipped at the mention of the Demon King's Army. As if wanting a taste of red blood, she gently caressed a blunt weapon she’d pulled from somewhere, her sacred posture so… radiant I had to look away.
No, wait a minute. You do know what your role is, right? If you're a healer, you should be healing allies from the rear like a healer! It doesn't seem like she'll listen right now. I'll just have to set her straight later.
“If we assume they attack the academy… the scale will be quite large. A powerful commander is sure to appear. Until that moment comes, we must devote ourselves to training…”
Ceria brought everyone back to the point. Perhaps because we love each other, she understood my intentions best.
The subjugation of the Demon King's Army. In this desirable flow where everyone's resolve united as one, the elf girl spoke with surprising confidence.
“It seems there will be no need for me to step in.”
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
“Judging by your enthusiasm, it seems you'll take care of everything yourselves. I doubt I’ll even get a chance to act, so I’ll just watch from the sidelines…”
Everyone's gaze, including mine, focused on Ilensia. She flinched, as if admitting she had a guilty conscience.
“I-I'm not wrong, am I?”
“…”
“Ugh, what I mean is…”
It wasn't anything new. This was hardly the first time the elf girl had acted like a fool. However, unlike usual, she was now suffering under the fierce glares of the others. She'd been branded a traitor for one wrong word. Regardless of her true intentions, I wish she'd learn to read the room.
Well, she wasn't exactly wrong. Ilensia's role would be relatively minor. Compared to the strength of Esterize and Aruru, she was clearly outmatched.
Of course, I only keep her around because she has her uses. In the many battles to come, surely she’ll carry as a ranged dealer at least once or twice? She can't possibly be a troll all the way to the ending, right? After running that happy little simulation in my head, I gave instructions to everyone.
“For the time being, I think it's best to focus on improving our individual skills here at the academy. But there's no need to overdo it.”
There was no need to rush them to get stronger. At this point, our group's strength was already above the standard. Besides, this upcoming attack was, so to speak, a freebie chapter.
We just need to drive them out with minimal damage. Wasn't the flow of the story meant to showcase the Four Heavenly Kings' power, instill a sense of urgency, and build the bonds between the Hero and his companions at the same time?
‘If possible, I'd like to take this chance to eliminate one of the Four Heavenly Kings, but…’
In the original story, it was impossible. He'd appear with great fanfare and sweep through the academy, only to flee the moment it looked like he'd lose to the protagonist's counterattack.
The story unfolded in a way that our side also suffered heavy losses, so we had no choice but to let him go; it was as if he was protected by the system. Hmm, I wonder if that still applies now?
Truthfully, it wouldn't be a huge loss even if we let him escape. He would block our path later, even stronger, but that would just mean sweeter experience points and rewards. From my perspective, either outcome was fine. I had a feeling things would work out well either way.
‘If there is one small problem…’
The extras, neither main nor supporting characters. I'm a little worried about the students of the Hero Academy. If there are too many casualties, it will be problematic in many ways. I don't plan on looking after each and every one of them, but I want to avoid them dying in vain.
So I prepared something. Their survival rate should shoot up if they're armed with dwarven equipment, right? If an unforeseen accident happens despite that… it wouldn't be my fault. In any case, I should do what I can.
A short while later, students began to gather at my call. When I subtly hinted that an attack from the Demon King's Army might be imminent, various reactions emerged. Anxiety, fear, or confidence in finally being able to display their honed skills…
Some of them clearly had ulterior motives, wanting to achieve glory and advance their careers. Hmm, I have a feeling some trolls driven by ambition are going to pop up. I'd like to stop them, but I can't.
In the first place, the Hero Academy was an institution founded to fight the Demon King's Army. The moment I deny that purpose, a contradiction arises. After a moment of thought, I slowly opened my mouth.
“The Demon King's Army is by no means an easy opponent. The strength of the Four Heavenly Kings, in particular, is impossible to estimate. If you face one of them, you should consider it the end.”
“…”
Was it because such weak words came from the Hero's mouth? As expected, the atmosphere turned strange. A few of the A-rank students even showed signs of protest.
As if they couldn't tolerate me monopolizing the tastiest prey. I immediately corrected their foolish greed.
“I'll say it again, the strength of the Four Heavenly Kings is the real deal. Even I, the Hero, would have to be prepared to die. To be honest, if I fought one of them one-on-one, my chances of winning would be almost zero.”
“—!!”
If that's the case for me, the Hero, you guys would obviously be instantly wiped out. That dose of reality sent waves of shock, even horror, through them. It seemed they finally understood where they stood, but I couldn't end it there. The Hero must be a symbol of hope.
“Of course, there's no need to worry. As you all know, I have reliable companions by my side. If we combine our strength, we can surely overcome it.”
Leave the powerful enemy to me, and you all handle the small fry from the Demon King's Army. That was the message, and most of their faces brightened. They had seen my skills before, so their reaction showed their trust. Not stopping there, I handed out weapons.
“You can tell just by looking that this is an uncommon masterpiece of a sword…”
“Don't tell me… is this the work of dwarven artisans?”
“No way, so many of these precious items?”
Equipment crafted by dwarves. In reality, they were just low-grade items that had been rotting in a warehouse, but for the students, this was more than enough to be grateful for. There was no need to mention I'd bought them for a pittance. I made sure to play up my generosity.
“I prepared these for a time just like this. Feel free to use them.”
“—!!”
Provided for free. They all stared with expressions that said, ‘What is this windfall?’ There was also some concern that even for the heir of the Crodain family, this was too great an expense.
“I went to great lengths, but I don't regret it one bit. That's because eliminating the forces of evil is our top priority. We have honed our skills until now to face the Demon King's Army. Now is the time to realize that great cause. I only hope that everyone will unite with the single-minded goal of repelling humanity's sworn enemy.”
The great cause was more important than anything. As I emphasized that, fierce cheers erupted from all around.
“Jace! Jace!”
“To think he could so easily do something others wouldn't even dream of, he's amazing!”
“If you're going this far for us, we can't just stand by. Leave the small fry to us!”
Mmm, it's a veritable crucible of enthusiasm. This is more satisfying than I expected. I'm not expecting them to perform great deeds, but at this rate, maybe they'll each pull their own weight? Now that I've even supplied them with items, they should be able to look after their own lives.
A cycle of training and sparring. For a while, the academy was filled with a fiery passion. Given the atmosphere, even the somewhat lazy students showed enthusiasm.
I watched the scene and was lost in thought. In truth, everything up to now has just been the tutorial. The real story begins with the attack of the Four Heavenly Kings.
Countless battles lie ahead. Depending on the situation, it could be a matter of life and death. I plan to leave most of it to… no, rely on my companions, but as the Hero, I have to at least show a minimum level of contribution.
‘It would be a lie to say I don't feel any pressure, but…’
The moment I remembered I wasn't alone, even that sliver of anxiety melted away like snow. With a strategy guide in my head, what was there to fear?
I drew my sword and practiced the Crodain family's swordsmanship. A smooth and natural flow, like running water. Unlike the main characters of the original story, it wasn't certain whether this body had awakened, but I could feel myself approaching the pinnacle.