Volume 4 Chapter 14 Sudden Separation
Just sitting there quietly, like a monk in meditation.
Who is that?
He looked a little older than me, but his worn-out coat and demeanor gave off a seasoned vibe. In any case, it's mismatched for someone to be in the mountains like this.
The man seemed to notice our presence and slowly stood up.
(What's the matter with this guy?)
At that moment, a powerful aura pushed through the night.
He hasn't done anything. He hasn't released any magic power or taken a defensive stance.
But just by standing up, my body trembles.
I've experienced countless battles since leaving the kingdom. I've even faced death. But the presence in front of me easily shatters that confidence.
"So, you've come after all. It was the right decision to wait here."
The man said in a casual tone. There was no tension despite facing four magicians.
"Oh, you've been waiting for us in a place like this?"
Glaive took a step forward.
Although he usually speaks in a loud and cheerful voice, he was calm now. That only stirred up more anxiety.
"I was only waiting for one person."
The man slowly averted his gaze. His blue eyes caught sight of me.
"So, you're the Hero. I don't need to explain the purpose."
"......!"
This guy, is he here to kill me, the demon?
The Hero is known as the archenemy of the Demon Lord. Many demons have tried to kill me before. I've even come close to death because of it.
But this monster in front of me is stronger than anyone I've faced before. I can feel it even though we haven't fought yet.
I instinctively try to create a sword, but Glaive stops me.
"Hmm, I knew I would eventually meet after deciding to travel with the Hero, but it's sooner than I expected."
What's going on?
Glaive's tone seemed as if he knew this guy. It wasn't just me who thought that. The man seemed surprised and asked.
"Do you know my name, knight?"
"Hahaha, of course I do."
Glaive laughed in his usual manner, revealing a fierce smile with his teeth bared.
"Distort Lord, Larkan Mines."
It wasn't the man who was shocked by those words, but the three of us. Especially Eris and Rist, their bodies stiffened as they widened their eyes. I could hear their erratic breathing.
"Distort Lord, huh? That guy...?"
"I expected some kind of monster to appear, but I never thought a 'Lord' would show up in a place like this."
The two who had never been afraid in any battle were wavering. I also knew about it from my knowledge.
A powerful magician with strength and authority second only to the Demon Lord among the demons. He has the power to single-handedly change the course of a battle.
Apart from the Demon Lord, he is undoubtedly the strongest enemy.
Did that guy come to kill me?
While I tremble, Glaive and Larkan continue to exchange words.
"Unfortunately, I don't remember you, but have we met on some battlefield?"
"Indeed. It's understandable that you don't remember. At that time, I was just a trembling soldier in the corner of the battlefield."
Those were unexpected words.
The Glaive I know is a formidable warrior. Ignoring the nonsensical existence of my master, he is the strongest warrior as far as I know.
And yet, Glaive was trembling like me?
What are they talking about?
Glaive thrust his sword into the ground and proudly puffed out his chest. His overflowing magic power indicated that he had entered a combat stance.
"But things are different now. Let's thank the goddess for being able to fight you again."
"I see. The growth of the human race is remarkable indeed. A mere foot soldier who is not worth mentioning can climb up to become a general when given a momentary distraction."
Larkan said as he raised his arm.
And it happened in an instant.
"!!"
With a resounding roar, Glaive, who was standing next to me, was blown away, and Larkan stood before me.
"But there is something I must do today. Move aside, knight."
——What happened?
No, I could barely follow what happened. Larkan closed the distance with an unnatural warp-like movement and struck Glaive from the side.
But knowing that doesn't solve anything.
I try to manifest my bastard sword, but it is stopped by a cold glance. My magic power doesn't flow well, and I can't put strength into my body.
What the hell is this...
"You two stop too."
"...?!"
"Tch"
Larkan's pressure didn't stop there. With just a word, he even stopped the movements of Eris and Rist.
It's no use. I can't come up with a vision that can win no matter what I do.
"So you're the Hero. I thought you must be someone great since you were chosen by the goddess, but it seems you have no combat experience at all."
"So what?"
The only thing I could say in response was nothing but a bluff.
Otherwise, I would have sat down in embarrassment.
The demons who came to kill me until now were filled with anger and killing intent, but Larkan's blue eyes had none of that. There was only an endless expanse like a calm sea.
"You will also become stronger in an instant. It's a pity that you can't overcome it, but it's also your mission."
Larkan's hand slowly approaches my neck.
The moment it touches, I will die. I knew that even without asking anyone.
"Yuusuke!!"
In response to Eris's shout, I tried to resist and swing my sword, but the blow missed. It didn't dodge.
This time, Larkan's body was blown away sideways.
"Well, you surprised me by doing that all of a sudden, demon. I thought my head was about to be blown off."
"Glaive!"
"Hahaha, what's wrong, Yuusuke? You too, Rist, there's no time to be stunned!"
Glaive's appearance, who didn't care about being hit, spread a sense of relief.
Seeing this, I can fight like this.
Rist must have thought the same. He said in a calm voice.
"That really gave me a scare. This time, I'll support too. Yuusuke will be the vanguard, and the princess will use large-scale magic——"
"——No, you three go down the mountain and head to the castle immediately."
When I looked at Glaive's surprised face, there was Glaive with his usual smile. But his voice carried an incredible seriousness.
Eris raised an anxious voice.
"What are you talking about, Glaive! He's not the kind of opponent who will let us escape."
"That's right, Glaive. Or are you planning to stay and fight alone?"
"That's right."
A concise word silenced the two. And Glaive continued.
"To be frank, if he joins the war, it won't be a matter of waiting for the arrival of the Third Knight Order. I must stop him here no matter what."
"Then let's all——"
"But he's not an opponent I can fight while protecting you."
"""...!"""
The meaning of those words was clear.
In other words, we are a burden. Glaive judged that it is more advantageous to fight alone.
Eris asked Glaive with a pained expression.
"So even if we're here, it won't make a difference?"
"I'm sorry, Princess. But please rest assured. I will definitely defeat him and meet you at the castle."
"Should I believe that? Can I trust you?"
"Of course."
Eris didn't say anything more.
Glaive had been her guard since she was born. There was a definite trust between the two.
What should I do...
"What are you doing, Yuusuke? Let's go!"
"Rist..."
But he came to kill me. And yet, I'm leaving Glaive behind and running away?
"Yuusuke, Glaive will be fine. You know he's strong, right?"
I know. I know that very well.
But the opponent is no good. It's not about being a lord or anything like that. Just by facing him for a moment, I can tell he's dangerous.
I know that I'm just getting in the way by staying here, but my legs wouldn't move.
However, the one who moved me was none other than Glaive.
"Yuusuke, you are a hero. From now on, there will be many things like this."
"..."
Without turning his face towards me, he just stared at Larkan quietly.
"So, don't stop, keep moving forward. Even if our paths diverge, I will always aim for the same place."
The reliable back that I have been watching all this time felt too far away for me.
I reached out my hand, then stopped.
"U-understood, I will wait at the castle."
"Yes, leave it to me. But if even a single scratch is on the princess, I won't forgive you."
Glaive said that and smiled. Then, Rist took my wrist and we started running backwards. It was at that moment when I heard a voice.
"Do you think I'll let you go?"
A menacing presence loomed behind us. I could feel something approaching us from behind, cutting through the air. Even without looking, I knew it was a powerful attack that I couldn't do anything about.
——Boom.
With a loud noise, the impact shook the surroundings. I almost turned around instinctively. It must have been Glaive who blocked it.
"Don't turn back! Keep going!"
Pushed by the voice of determination, I put all my strength into my legs and ran. While pushing back the black mist that was invading my heart, I gritted my teeth, thinking if this is what it means to be a hero.
We ran through the darkness of the night, as if trying to escape from the reality that couldn't be changed.
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