Side Story - Side Fancer, Part Two
──I thought he was a smarter person.
The suddenly appeared spearman bravely confronted the giant Kobold King.
His movements were far from skillful. However, even though it was clear that he was outmatched by the Kobold King, he did not back down and continued to swing his spear.
Is that really the appearance of the man who was called a coward?
Was I mistaken about something?
Just as I had doubts, I turned my gaze to my surroundings. The Kobold King's focus was on the spearman, but the other Kobolds were gradually closing in on me, unable to move.
I desperately tried to move away from that spot, but my feet still wouldn't budge.
I try to somehow raise my katana and attack them, but I wonder how long I can hold out as I can't move from this spot...
Just as the Kobolds are about to attack, the spearman jumps in front of me.
"Get out of here!"
The Kobolds coming closer are all knocked down by the flash of the spear.
"Are you okay, Silver Flash?"
"Oh, you──"
I couldn't find the words to respond to the spearman checking if I was okay. I was filled with doubt, panic, and other emotions, making it hard to speak.
He continues to fend off the approaching Kobolds for me. I feel completely useless and realize it deeply.
While he's distracted by the Kobolds, the Kobold King's claws attack him.
He's thrown right next to me, surprisingly.
I lost my words.
His left arm was torn to shreds by the Kobold King, looking horrifyingly mangled. It's a severe injury that might leave lasting effects even with the use of healing magic.
His spear went flying somewhere when he was knocked back, but even if the spear was in his hand, he wouldn't be able to handle it properly with this arm.
It's a desperate situation, just like before, no different at all, no matter how you look at it.
And yet... he was trying to stand up.
He should be aware of his own injuries. He should know that the spear is not in his hand.
"What...?"
The words naturally escaped my mouth.
At this moment, he seemed to notice that I was by his side. He glanced briefly at me, then immediately focused on the Kobold King.
The spearman's blood and flesh clung to the Kobold King's claws. Even seeing that, he seemed to be raising his spirits.
"What did you come here for...?"
"Can't you see? I came to help."
He answered my question without hesitation. It was an answer without any doubt or hesitation.
As he stood up, using his unharmed right hand for support, I threw words at him. Still, he didn't show any signs of giving up.
"I always thought you were someone who could think more. So why did you... say such things about me?"
There's no reason for this spearman to help me.
There shouldn't be a single obligation.
From the moment we met, I showered him with harsh words, and even in our last meeting, I spat out abusive remarks on him. Why is he trying to help me?
For someone as clever as him, there should have been the option to abandon me and run away. Instead of choosing that, he recklessly came to help me. I really wanted to know the reason for that.
"That's... obvious, isn't it?"
"Huh?" Before I could express my doubt, he shouted.
"Because I wanted to help, I will help! If a woman is in danger, I will help without asking questions! That's why I'm here! I decided to do it!"
"W-what... for such a reason..."
"Shut up! Injured people should stay quiet and let themselves be helped!"
I was speechless.
He threw at me an argument that completely disregarded reason and duty.
Yet, my heart was shaken.
And then──
"Now, my master, call upon me! Call upon my name, your weapon!!"
A booming voice echoed from somewhere. Along with it, 'black light' overflowed from his left arm.
The Kobold King was right in front of us, ready to trample us.
But he showed no fear or hesitation.
And he chanted...
"COME, GRAAAAMMMMM!!!!"
In the next moment, the massive body of the Kobold King was thrown backward.
The Kobold King's body far exceeds the mass of us humans. It wouldn't be a simple power match.
Before I knew it, his left arm had fully healed as if the previous injury was a lie, and in his hand, he held a beautiful spear mixed with jet black and crimson.
I was captivated by his back, swinging the jet-black and scarlet spears. Before I knew it, my heart was stolen by the scene in front of me.
──I thanked God for the luck of witnessing 'this moment'.
He is not "Brave".
A selfish, reckless, and arrogant man like him cannot be Brave.
But when he pierced the heart of the Kobold King, I was convinced.
──The birth of a "Hero (Eiyuu)"!
My heart trembled from the depths of my soul.
Undoubtedly, "joy" surged through my entire body.
I left my hometown to become a comrade of the Brave.
To make my own skills roar and gain honor.
But I had "misunderstood."
The reason I have honed my martial arts until now was not for honor.
It was all for the sake of the "hero" that was born before my eyes.
And suddenly, the surroundings became noisy.
When I looked, echoes of human voices and monster screams resounded from a corner of the Kobold that surrounded us.
Once the barriers were broken, the one who appeared was none other than 'Brave'.
──It's strange, really.
If it were a few minutes ago, my heart would have leaped at the sight of him. But now, although I was surprised, I didn't feel any other emotions.
It wasn't just Brave who appeared in this place. Behind him were soldiers from the kingdom's army, carrying out the extermination of the Kobolds. Perhaps, not only the Mercenary Guild but also the country had sensed the abnormality in this forest. They sent Brave to investigate.
One of the soldiers noticed me and hurried over. It seemed like they were from the medical team, as they placed their hands on my feet and cast healing magic on me.
Just as I let out a sigh of relief, something caught my eye at the edge of my vision.
'He' was leaning and wavering.
He glanced at me for a moment, a satisfied smile appearing on his lips── and then, he fell to the ground, powerless.
A little while ago, I felt a sudden change in my body temperature, and all the color drained from my face.
Without even thanking the soldier who had healed me, I dashed over to where he had collapsed.
I tried to lift his fallen body, but──
"Don't rush, fox girl!!"
An invisible voice spoke to me after I exchanged words with him.
"My partner right now is so severely injured that you can't tell just by looking at him! If you move him before administering first aid, he'll definitely die!!"
At the sound of 'death,' my reaching hand reflexively stopped.
Ignoring my confusion, the 'voice' continued.
"I understand that you have many questions. But for now, please clear your mind and listen to what I have to say. It seems like you want to help my partner, right? Then please, I'm begging you! I want to save my partner too!!"
"...(nod)"
"Alright, I appreciate it."
The voice, speaking to my nod, calmed down a little, but continued speaking quickly.
"My partner's body is way more beat up than it looks. So first, we need to do some quick patching up with healing magic."
Following the instructions of 'the voice', I asked the soldier who healed my leg to take care of the man's injuries.
As soon as the soldier used healing magic on him, his eyes widened. His body was so badly injured that it was difficult to find any intact parts. Just as 'the voice' said, if we had moved him carelessly, he would have died right then and there.
Feeling a chill run down my spine, I waited for 'the voice' to continue.
"After the basic healing is done, take my partner and head to the place I'll tell you. The healing magic of the soldiers there is not bad, but what we need now is a top-notch expert. I know someone who fits the bill."
"Who is it?"
"It's 'Kyunei', a skilled town doctor! She will definitely help my partner!"
"...Understood."
"Oh! I almost forgot to mention! There's an incredibly 'cool' black and red painted spear right next to my partner. Please bring it along too! It's something extremely important to my partner!"
There is no time to spare anymore.
I desperately pleaded with the surrounding soldiers to transport him. What surprised me was that even Brave asked the soldiers to help carry him.
With Brave's words, the soldiers quickly arranged for his transportation while dealing with the Kobold's extermination. If it had been only my words, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly.
Once all the preparations were complete, we carried him out of the forest.
──I can't let my 'Hero' die in a place like this.
With that determination in mind, I hurriedly followed the instructions of the 'voice' and headed towards the royal capital.
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