Chapter 41 /// Let’s Run! ///

The handbell was also destroyed in a mess when Shion slashed the Argyz.

Shion then checked downward to see how Haku and the others were doing.

First of all, the huge body of the Ogre Frog was lying there, not moving at all. As expected of his friends, defeating it in such a short time.

The problem is the friends who are being manipulated. …… But it looks like Haku, Aria, and Crail are working together to overcome this problem.

Even if the handbell is broken, the effect will probably not wear off for a certain amount of time.

“Crail regained his consciousness? I guess Aria gave him the [Holy Fresh Water]”

I couldn’t just sit back and admire him, so Shion hurried to the rescue.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I’ll help you guys”

‘You’re done already? I’m impressed’

“Shion! Be sure to just stun or immobilize them!”

“Got it, Aria!”

There were only four of them, but they are the top four strongest in this place. After Shion joined, things went relatively easier.

Haku’s lightning strikes electrocuted them, Aria skillfully used water magic, and Shion and Crail dealt exquisite damage that was not fatal.

In less than ten minutes, the situation had settled down.

And an hour later, they’re on their way home with a group of soldiers who had returned to normal.

On the way home, Crail pouts badly and talks about retiring as a Hero.

“This is …… the biggest blunder of all. I never thought that I would be manipulated by the Demon tribe…”

“The mission is a success, so why all of a sudden? If I quit just because of that, I’d be in trouble!”

Aria cheerfully follows up, but Crail’s expression is still gloomy.

“But…”

“Look. Because you kept saying that you’re going to retire your companions have starting to cry”

“”Crail-sama… Please… Please… please don’t retireeeeeeeee……””

When thirty of your friends cried and begged you not to retire, even a Hero like Crail changed his mind.

Shion and Haku, who were watching the scene, smiled.

“I guess it’s all settled now. Good job, Haku”

‘Shion, you’re the one who’s tired, aren’t you? You defeated almost all the demons by yourself’

“I’m a little tired, as expected. Let’s go home and get a good night’s sleep”

Since [Black Armor] and producing [Dark Wings] always consumes magic power, Shion was feeling sleepy from fatigue.

It was just before dawn when we arrived at Rotra. Shion and the others decide to split up with Crail and the others at the entrance.

“Thank you for your help this time, Shion-san. Your work was so being furiously vigorous that it made me want to quit being a Hero”

“You’re exaggerating again”

“I’m not sure if I’m exaggerating. I actually have a suspicion that Shion-san may be…”

So, Crail moved his face closer and asked a question that only Shion could hear.

The question is, are you not the Hero Axe?

Shion’s face twitch a bit, but he managed to keep his composure and not show it on his face.

“As if”

“I see. People have various circumstances after all. So, I’ll leave it at that”

With a firm handshake, Shion parted ways with Crail.

The next afternoon, a messenger came from the castle and summoned Shion and the others.

In the throne room, the stewards and maids serving the castle were lined up in a row on either side. As soon as they saw Shion and the others, they all smiled and clapped in unison. It was obvious that they had been ordered to do so.

“Thank you for coming, o brave Heroes!”

From the king’s good mood, they could tell that Crail and the chief soldier had reported everything to him. Shion and Aria were about to make their salute.

“You don’t have to do that! You don’t have to be polite today”

Shion stood up when the king said that, but Aria whispered a warning to him.

“In another country, there was a man who was executed for not speaking respectfully to the king”

“I’ve heard similar stories, too. I’ll be careful”

“Yeah, that’s half the story”

Even though they were young, they were two people who had traveled for years as Hero there, so he eased himself up while keep being respectful.

Eighty percent of the king’s talk was praise for Shion and the others, and the rest was that the beastmen who had been turned back from being an Ogre were safe and that he was glad that the city was at peace.

“What do each of you want? Money or goods, feel free to speak up”

The one who opened her mouth first was Aria. Shion was surprised to see that this was unusual for a woman who did not show much greed.

“I was just a supporter on the recent events. So, I would be grateful if my share of rewards be given to Shion here”

“Are you sure about that, Aria?”

“It’s okay. I didn’t do much work this time after all”

Aria winked and took a step back. If it wasn’t for the [Holy Fresh Water], the magic wouldn’t have been lifted, and Shion thought that Aria had definitely done an important job.

But this time, he decided to take her word in and just accept it.

“Well then, I won’t hold back. Can I have more beef, chicken, pork, or wild boar?”

“Hou, you want meat then”

“We have a storage system technique so we don’t have to worry about storage space. We’ll be on the road soon, so if you can get us some food that would be great”

“Request accepted! I’ll have them ready by the end of the day”

With their demands settled, Shion and the others left the castle in a satisfied mood. As soon as they left the castle gates, Haku said with a grin.

‘Ufufu—n, that sounds like a wonderful reward!’

“Right? It’s a long journey to collect [Demon Robbing Stones]. And you can store them in a black bag for a long time”

‘You’re right! You’re really handy, Shion!’

“Now’s the problem. Is it gonna last for a long time~?”

Aria laughs as she looks at Haku’s stomach, which continues to gurgle.

Depending on how much the king prepares for them, the meat might not last more than three days.

—and there’s a person who had been waiting for Shion on the road leading to the castle and the city. The beastman from yesterday was standing there with a human woman.

“Shion-san! It’s me, Guy!”

“Are you feeling okay already?”

“Thanks to you. I heard the other beastmen didn’t make it. I guess I got really lucky”

“Yeah, that’s why you gotta take care of that life”

“I’m really grateful to you. Oh yeah, let me introduce you to my wife”

The still young woman stepped forward and bowed her head first, deeply and profoundly.

“You saved my husband and… I… I don’t know what else to say to his savior. Anyway, thank you so much!”

“Take it easy for a few days. And I hope you and Guy can live happily ever after for the other beastmen”

“――Yes!”

And this is how they parted with them. Shion muttered to himself as he watched the couple leave in close proximity to each other.

“Your wife, she wasn’t a beastman, was she?”

Even in countries where there is little discrimination against beasts, human-beast couples are surprisingly rare.

‘If it hadn’t been for Shion-san’s scream, that wife would probably be in grief right now’

“Yes, I’m sure of it. Nice Shion”

‘…… I often think by myself, that Shion is a Hero. I think that’s the kind of person he is, ring or no ring’

“Stop it. …… What’re you doing, suddenly?”

When Haku praised him too much, Shion scratched his cheek with his finger and felt embarrassed.

‘Nothing… I was just getting a little bit sentimental in my old age. Three hundred and something years old, was it?’

“Even if you ask me――!”

Aria exclaimed, and Haku chuckled.

Then, staring at the sky in the distance, Haku mentions again that Shion is a Hero.

‘A person who gives courage to others. Surely that is a Hero. Therefore, Shion is definitely a Hero. …… He also gives me meat’

“If not for that last part, I would have been impressed!”

This time, when Shion retorted him, Haku laughed again and started running lightly.

‘Since you’re Shion-san anyway, you’ll be leaving tomorrow after you get the meat, right? Then let’s enjoy Rotra for the rest of the day!’

“Can we at least walk!?”

‘I don’t want to! Come on, come on, catch me!’

Inspired by Haku’s joyful frolicking, Shion and Aria also waved and started running.