Volume 2 Chapter 22 [Interlude] Ten Years Ago, Part I
Rewind ten years.
Among the many forms of activity for Adventurers, there was a duo known as the 'strongest' in the 'combo' format.
'Soul-Singing' Ivan
'Earth-Seeing' Horace
Their main area of operation was 'just outside the Demon Lord's domain,' where they calculated the Demon Lord's movement speed to dance on the edge of danger without getting caught.
Both were S-Rank Adventurers, naturally making their combo an S-Rank as well.
At the time, it was widely believed that 'Ivan was the stronger of the two.' Even at parties hosted by the Adventurers' Association, Ivan often took center stage, leaving no doubt that he was seen as the dominant partner.
Back then, the Demon Lord was expanding her territory rapidly, and they were operating in the 'Wiselia Kingdom'──the second-largest country among the 'Permanent Council Members.'
* * *
"How's it looking, Horace?"
"Seems I'm late. The primary data for the research on turning people into monsters──all gone."
"Could it have been a thief taking advantage of the fire?"
"Nah. Looking at the data that's left, it's all inconsequential. It's clear that the smartest guy in the lab... was taken hostage."
In the capital of Wiselia Kingdom, Omegaunas.
Ivan spoke to Horace as he emerged from the castle's underground, but Horace, shaking his head, replied with a resigned expression.
"So, it's just a matter of time until it's complete?"
"Yeah. From now on, people might turn into monsters... and not just any monsters, but powerful ones that'll attack us."
As they walked away from the castle grounds, the two discussed the current situation.
But... there was no sign of 'hope' in sight.
The buildings weren't destroyed too badly.
Yet, there was no one in sight.
The atmosphere of the two walking through the abandoned city was incredibly dark.
"By the way, did you hear about the plan to mobilize high-ranking female Adventurers, like a saint or a knight's daughter?"
"They've been shaking trees at the noble parties, sniffing out rumors... but honestly? Not a lot of movement."
"So, what's your perspective, Ivan? What are they actually after?"
"...Turns out, far fewer women are outright opposed to fighting than I'd thought. Still, this is a man's world──run by nobles. It's probably less about women being weak, and more about them not wanting to let go of a male-dominated society."
Divine Blood Travels.
Theocracy Nation.
Bloodline Nation.
Each of these represents factions──the Theocracy, the Adventurers, the Bloodline houses.
But out of all of them, 'Bloodline Nation' easily dwarfs the rest in scale.
In other words, just being a 'noble' is enough to wield serious influence in this world.
"And even now, that's their big worry? Must be nice, having that much time to wring their hands. So what, the nobles are so overbearing that even the Theocracy Nation and Adventurers can't make room for women?"
"Yeah. Sure, there are plenty of strong women individually. But the nobles keep blocking their way. If a woman wants to make her mark, she has to do it alone, without any backup..."
"...And then what? Ten guys of equal or higher standing jump her, cut her down, and that's the end of her story."
"...Honestly, the only thing saving the women hurt in this is that the men bewitched by the Demon Lord literally have eyes for her alone. None of the victims are getting humiliated otherwise."
"If that's the only silver lining, this place is hell."
There's no shortage of strong women──far from it.
Especially since, if a woman trains her magic, it's not even rare for her to end up physically stronger than your average man.
Still, strength doesn't mean you can do everything alone.
There's only so much one person can carry──and with nobles sending out assassins, even having a bit of food stolen from your hidden stash can cut your operation short.
And that's when another problem rears its ugly head.
How do you secure your supplies? Worse──can you trust anyone, even the people supposedly standing at your back?
It's a spiral. Obvious and vicious.
Most of these backstabbing nobles? Male to a fault.
The entire country is built on that premise.
A woman outshining the men──simply not tolerated.
"Sigh... Not a sound──wait, what's that?"
The corner of a bustling avenue.
In the blind spot of the two travelers, a blue-furred wolf waited.
Five meters long from nose to tail, bristling with claws and fangs sharp enough to tear steel.
"...Can't believe there's another one of these things lurking around."
Horace yanked a sword from his Item Box, ready to make his stand.
The wolf lunged at the pair──but Horace moved faster.
In a single, fluid motion, his sword flashed.
The wolf's head went flying, clattering gold coins everywhere.
Then, with nothing but a dusting of ash, it vanished from the world.
"...Not as tough as they say. I'd call that a B-rank, maybe."
"Yeah. But out here, wolf monsters are all over the place. Probably just one that wandered in."
In Adventurer terms, a B-rank meant 'advanced.' No joke.
Sure, monsters at that level deserved the same title──but if you put them up against an S-rank, the stuff of legends, it'd be over in a single strike.
And just then──scrape──a foot crunched against the debris-strewn ground.
Both Horace and Ivan snapped to attention, spinning toward the sudden sound, weapons drawn──eyes wide with shock.
Standing there was a little girl, maybe 5 years old.
Her long silver hair and blue dress were caked in mud, her pale skin crisscrossed with wounds.
"There's... someone alive?!"
Horace tossed his sword back into his Item Box and started toward the girl.
He didn't rush her.
Every step, he made sure to look as harmless as possible.
He slowly closed the distance, careful and gentle.
After all, the Wiselia Kingdom was the first of the 'great powers' to fall to the Demon Lord's invasion.
For a girl this young, it was possible──she might not even remember ever meeting a 'normal' man.
Maybe they should have brought a woman along, just in case.
But to be honest... they never imagined there'd be any survivors.
Neither of them thought they'd get the chance to save someone.
Which was exactly why Horace, with his warmest, kindest smile──Ivan always said he did that best──took the lead, moving slowly.
Step by step, Horace approached the little girl.
Her gaze never wavered──locked straight onto him.
Her eyes were dull, clouded by exhaustion...and yet.
Somewhere, deep inside, a faint light still flickered.
The last ember, barely holding on.
She looked like she hadn't had real food, real medicine, or even a scrap of love in ages.
Everything she needed──missing.
"!"
Horace froze, hit by a fresh jolt of surprise.
The girl dropped to her knees──then her hands──brought her forehead to the dirt, and...
"Please... Please... Teach me the sword... I'm beggin' you..."
With a voice tight with emotion, she... implored.
"..."
Horace, rendered speechless.
He couldn't understand.
In this situation, how this girl could not 'ask for help'.
He got that she wished for 'strength'.
But beyond that, there should have been a desire to be 'saved'.
And so, Horace was puzzled.
"No begging. No pleading. Give me the sword, with all your might!"
Once more, the girl made her plea.
Approaching the kneeling girl, Horace crouched down and spoke to her.
"I'll teach you. Not just about swords. I'll teach you a lot of things."
At that, the girl lifted her face.
Her eyes, clouded over.
Yet, somehow, they held a glimmer of 'hope'.
Just... seeing that, Horace felt something deep within him tremble.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Really."
Horace lifted the girl's shoulders... and embraced her.
"! ...Ah..."
"I'm not listening. It's okay, it's okay. Calm down. I'll make you strong. You can become strong."
He let go of the embrace but, holding her shoulders, Horace turned his gentle smile towards the girl.
"So, you don't have to be tough. And don't say 'I (ore)'. You really can become strong, you know."
"Oh... I, I..."
"That's right. That's right. I'm Horace. What's your name?"
"I... It's Rangella."
"Rangella, huh? That's a good name."
"Then..."
"Master, you can call me that if you like. Let's get along, Rangella."
"Yeah, M-Master..."
With that, Rangella fainted.
Supporting her collapsing body, Horace then lifted her up.
Malnourished and tiny, her body was.
Yet, within her, there must have been something very grand.
"Horace..."
"Those eyes. That plea... I don't think I can ever forget them."
"Neither can I. There's nothing else that makes you feel the 'future' so intensely."
"A heart that doesn't give up on living. A heart that seeks strength. It's amazing. This little kid didn't make us think 'I'm on the protected side',"
"...Well, times like these, you can't blame anyone for doubting a kid they just met. Most wouldn't even think about 'possibility.' But Rangella's... different."
"Yeah..."
Horace kept holding Rangella gently, turning to her with a soft smile.
"Rangella... she could change the world. I believe that."
With a quiet chuckle, he glanced over at Ivan.
"Let's head back to base. Getting Rangella healed comes first."
"Right."
Still carrying Rangella, Horace began weaving healing magic, mending her wounds as he walked.
Just a moment ago, every step had been heavy with despair.
Now──his steps felt almost light as air.
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