𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫
The swordsman despised himself.
Born into a renowned family of swordsmanship and undoubtedly blessed with a rare talent known as “divine protection,” he had much to be proud of.
However, compared to a true genius, chosen by the gods and endowed with far greater talent, his own abilities seemed insignificant.
ㅤ
Such an extraordinary individual was always close to him.
He had grown up constantly being compared to this true genius.
Insensitively, people would whisper behind his back, labeling him as the inferior failure.
Although he wanted to argue, the fact remained that he could never best the true genius.
No matter how fervently he tried, he could not reach him.
Despite his struggles, despite his best efforts, and despite how desperately he reached out, he could never even come close.
He was frustrated.
He was sad.
He was envious of the true genius.
And above all, he hated his own powerlessness.
ㅤ
One day, he fell in love with a certain woman.
However, that person was a high-maintenance partner who was far beyond his league.
She was loved by God more than anyone else.
Matching with her would require nothing less than what he had always envied, a true genius.
ㅤ
Yet, he found out that she was in love with her childhood friend, who was far less talented than him.
Moreover, despite being a mere mortal without divine protection, this childhood friend crashed the initiation ceremony.
Not only that, this childhood friend managed to surpass even the true genius that he had been looking up to, resigning himself to his jealousy, and stood beside her.
Despite the insurmountable wall of talent that he could never overcome, this childhood friend had shattered it all from a lower starting point.
ㅤ
It’s hard to describe how he felt at that moment.
But if one thing is certain, it’s that he was jealous of this childhood friend.
Jealous of someone who had accomplished what he couldn’t.
Jealous of someone who had won over the woman he loved.
He harbored the same feelings towards someone he should have considered inferior as he had towards the true genius.
ㅤ
Unable to cope, his heart twisted hideously as it burned in the raging fires of jealousy.
His heart was a mess, filled with agony and sorrow, and yet he couldn’t ask anyone for help.
ㅤ
In that vulnerable state, a vile bat mercilessly targeted the pitiful swordsman’s heart.
ㅤ
ㅤ
ㅤ
ㅤ
ㅤ
◆◆◆
ㅤ
ㅤ
ㅤ
ㅤ
ㅤ
About two months have passed since we defeated Dragburn, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King’s Army 『fire』, in Elf Village and set off for our next destination.
Unlike the urgent journey from the royal capital to Elf Village due to the emergency of Dragburn’s attack, where we had to hurry as much as possible.
Although there is the pressing issue of repairing my sword, we’ve been freed from a situation where every moment counts. Taking care of our horses and progressing at a normal pace, we’ve finally reached a point where we can see the town of 『Jamour』, which we plan to use as a stopover on our way to our next destination, 『Dwarf Village』.
ㅤ
“So that’s the town of Jamour, huh? It looks pretty rugged.”
“Well, of course. This is one of the towns closest to the front lines.”
ㅤ
Sitting next to Stella on the carriage driver’s seat, we engage in such a conversation.
The town was enclosed by thick castle walls that make you want to call it a fortress town from anywhere.
I suppose that’s only natural.
As Stella puts it, this is indeed one of the towns closest to the front lines where the main force of the Demon King’s Army and the finest of humanity glare at each other.
ㅤ
If we continue straight ahead, there are multiple forts filled with numerous heroes, and beyond that lies a region completely dominated by demons.
Even further in is our final destination, the root of all evil: Demon King’s Castle.
Its sheer size makes its silhouette faintly visible even from here.
It’s utterly detestable.
ㅤ
Even I, who have gone to kill the Demon King in the Official World, have never set foot beyond this point otherwise.
The areas I ventured into during my training days were controlled by individual demons like Demon Mantis and Old Witch Demon, not the main forces.
The danger level at the front lines is incomparable to those places.
After all, that’s where the gate to the Demon Realm opened about 15 years ago, and where the current Demon King’s Army first descended.
I can’t even begin to imagine the scale of the forces amassed there.
ㅤ
Still, it’s a place we’ll have to overcome eventually.
I silently reignited my fighting spirit and glared at the distant Demon King’s Castle.
ㅤ
However, storming Demon King’s Castle is a matter for the distant future.
I shouldn’t get ahead of myself and neglect what’s in front of me.
First, let’s focus on our immediate destination and proceed one step at a time.
Just as I shifted my gaze back to the town of Jamour,
ㅤ
“HAHAHA! Feeble humans! Bow down before 『Earth Dragon』 Lord Moguru! A great demon and a candidate for the next Four Heavenly Kings!”
ㅤ
. . . . . .Something appeared in my line of sight.
Poking its head out from the ground near the town was a dragon, about 10 meters long.
Its body was covered in scales, and it had fangs and claws. It probably belongs to the same dragon lineage as Dragburn, as it claims.
But, looking at it. . . . . .
ㅤ
“More like a mole dragon, isn’t it?”
“Indeed.”
ㅤ
As Stella pointed out, the creature that called itself a dragon had the silhouette of a mole.
The protruding snout, the disproportionately short limbs.
From a distance, its scales looked more like brown fur, and its clawed hands seemed built for digging.
It’s a mole.
No matter how you look at it, it’s a mole.
It belongs to the lower tier of the ecosystem.
A mole pretending to be a dragon. . . . . .Somehow, it feels ridiculous.
ㅤ
Even if he seems foolish, the power he emits is real.
Compared to Dragburn, he’s lackluster, and it’s audacious to even call him one of the next Four Heavenly Kings, but I can feel that his power is comparable to the patchwork demon we encountered with the Old Witch Demon.
Well, if we factor in the zombies they controlled, they’d probably be stronger than him.
Either way, that mole demon must be a relatively high-ranking one.
ㅤ
I must say, this is what you expect from a town near the front lines.
Calmly and quickly, magical barrages are coming from the walls protecting the city. Seems like this sort of situation is an everyday occurrence.
ㅤ
“What should we do? Should we assist them?”
ㅤ
It seems like they would be fine even without our help.
ㅤ
“Of course, let’s go! It would be foolish to ignore an enemy that can be easily defeated and allow it to cause harm!”
“Alright, makes sense.”
ㅤ
I take the reins and instruct the two swift horses pulling the carriage to go into a full gallop for the first time in a while.
As if they were waiting for this moment, the horses start accelerating with maximum excitement.
. . . . . .Whoever trained these horses must have been extremely skilled. They seem to find true joy in running.
Even when we were rushing to the Elf Village, and had to force them into a death march while using Rin’s Healing Magic to offset their fatigue, they were in incredibly high spirits, which was quite shocking.
I even suspected if they had been trained to find pleasure in running.
They truly are elite horses, worthy of being the feet of our hero party.
ㅤ
Thanks to the performance of these elite horses, the mole demon quickly comes within Stella’s firing range.
Stella had been calling out for battle preparations to our companions inside the carriage the moment the horses started running, but chances are she won’t need to do anything.
Even the town’s attacks seem to have done some damage, so it’s questionable if the mole demon can even withstand Stella’s first strike.
ㅤ
That’s what I was thinking, but the conclusion came in an unexpected manner.
Before we could do anything, the mole demon’s head exploded.
ㅤ
“Huh?”
ㅤ
Stella lets out a stunned voice, as if she couldn’t comprehend what just happened.
Even I can’t make anything out from this distance.
But as we draw closer, thanks to the horses, I can see the figure of the one who took down the mole demon.
ㅤ
It’s a large man, about two meters tall, with messy gray hair.
He’s not bulky but has lean, efficient muscles.
However, he has other distinct physical characteristics that are even more eye-catching.
Wolf-like ears protruding from his head.
A tail of the same color growing from his waist.
His arms and legs are covered in beastly fur from the elbows and knees down, and his claws are sharp and pointed.
ㅤ
Beastfolk.
The most belligerent and hot-blooded among races, they dislike marching in step with other races, and even in the fight against the Demon King’s Army, they act however they please—a difficult ally to handle.
The one who took down the mole demon is such a beastfolk man.
Moreover, if a beastfolk could take down a high-ranking demon in one shot, there’s only one person who comes to mind.
ㅤ
“Huh?”
ㅤ
Our eyes meet from afar.
. . . . . .Honestly, not someone I’d want to get involved with, but now that we’ve recognized each other, ignoring him might make things awkward.
The moment I think that, the man kicks the ground with tremendous force.
In a single leap, he closes the distance between us and lands on the carriage’s driver’s seat.
The impact slightly damages the special, sturdy carriage prepared for our hero party.
We’ll have to make him pay for that later.
ㅤ
“Well, this is surprising. I thought I was mistaken from afar, but feeling this intense divine protection at this range, there’s no doubt. . . . . .Little lady, you’re the hero, aren’t you?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Hmm.”
ㅤ
A man of beastfolk origin scrutinizes Stella with an unabashed, lingering gaze.
. . . . . .What’s up with this guy?
It’s infuriating.
ㅤ
“You’re still wet behind the ears, but you’re quite the beauty. Good, you’ve caught my fancy! I’ll make you one of my brides!”
“Huh?”
ㅤ
The man, who suddenly started spouting something that can only be described as insane, then proceeds to make a fluid motion to touch Stella’s chest. . . . . . I instantly marked him for annihilation.
I leap off the coachman’s seat of the carriage and unleash a serious piercing hand strike, aimed straight at the man’s eyes.
Fourth Strike Deformation━━
ㅤ
“『Crescent Claw』!”
“Whoa!”
ㅤ
The man evades my attack by twisting his upper body and lands on the ground after doing a backward somersault.
I land on the ground as well and square off against him.
ㅤ
“Ah, quite the killing intent for a nobody without divine protection. But do you know who you’re baring your fangs at? ━━Know your place, you lowlife.”
ㅤ
The man exudes a killing intent towards me.
However, compared to Dragburn’s fighting spirit, this is cheap killing intent.
Annoyed, I reciprocate by sending my own killing intent toward the man.
ㅤ
“Don’t mess with me. How dare you act so arrogant, you perverted animal.”
“. . . . . . What?”
ㅤ
Perhaps not expecting such a response, the man looks puzzled for a moment.
ㅤ
“Hahaha! Ahahaha! You’ve got some nerve, calling me a pervert and an animal! You’ve got guts for a lowlife! You’ve won my favor! Allow me to introduce myself as a parting gift!”
ㅤ
Finding something hilarious, he laughs uproariously and announces his name while brimming with killing intent.
ㅤ
“I am the Beast King, the strongest Holy Warrior among the beastfolk! I am Volf・Ulfurus! Remember my name as you die, you weakling!”
“Fine by me. I’ll beat some sense into you and make sure you never harass anyone again.”
ㅤ
We both draw our wooden swords and assume fighting stances, filling the air with lethal intent.
Stella, who’s the focus of all this, looks lost as the Beast King launches his attack, raising the curtain on our deadly duel. . . . . .
ㅤ
“Hold it right there.”
ㅤ
. . . . . . Just as things were about to escalate, lightning strikes between us, making the Beast King halt his assault.
Then, the person who cast the spell steps out from the carriage.
ㅤ
“Oh! If it isn’t Ernesta! You should become one of my women too!”
“. . . . . .You never change, do you, young Beast King? To even accost a hero like that, I have to say I respect you in some way.”
“Of course! Divine protection is somewhat hereditary!
If the strongest man like me and a strong woman have a child, the likelihood of that child being strong is high!
In other words, me creating a harem by impregnating strong women is a universal truth!”
“Sigh. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Auntie Elle lets out a deep sigh, as if she’s lost for words.
I look at the Beast King as if he’s a hopeless case.
Sure, if you consider efficiency, maybe what the Beast King is saying makes some sense.
If he wants to build a harem, let him.
But not involving Stella in this.
Don’t involve my precious childhood friend.
ㅤ
“I know you’re the sort who won’t listen.
I won’t tell you to change your ways, but for now, it would be best if you withdrew out of respect for me.
It will be for the benefit of both parties.”
“What? . . . . . .Fine, I’ll let you off this time to earn your favor. Consider yourself lucky, you weakling.”
ㅤ
Assuming that Beast King had ended the conversation, he completely ignored me and walked towards the town.
Even after he disappeared, my mind was not at ease.
. . . . . .It’s irritating.
I don’t like that guy.
ㅤ
“Al-boy and Stella, you both were wronged.
But bear with it for now.
After all, he’s a valuable asset for protecting the world.”
“No, no, it was just an attempt, and I don’t really mind it. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Stella looked at me with a worried expression.
. . . . . .Well, at least this time I was able to protect Stella from the molester’s wicked grasp.
With that, I forcibly swallowed my irritation.
ㅤ
“Sigh. . . . . .Auntie Elle has nothing to apologize for. I know not all heroes are good people.”
“I see. Thank you, Al-boy.”
“It’s not something that requires thanks.”
ㅤ
After swallowing her dissatisfaction, Auntie Elle gave me a kind look and returned to the carriage.
Probably, she stopped the other two from coming out.
Especially if Rin came out, the situation could get complicated again, so Auntie Elle’s handling was not wrong.
Despite her appearance, she’s really an adult.
ㅤ
“Exactly. Just to add one more thing, Al-boy, your actions weren’t wrong, so relax.
It’s natural to oppose someone who is trying to unfairly take away the woman you love.”
“Don’t make fun of me!”
“Ho ho ho.”
ㅤ
Finally, Auntie Elle added an unnecessary remark while poking her head out of the window, then quickly withdrew.
She’s probably trying to smooth over my negative emotions, but that’s none of her business.
I returned to the driver’s seat of the carriage and restarted it by taking the reins.
ㅤ
“Allan, um, thank you for helping me. I’m happy.”
“. . . . . .I just did what was natural.”
“I see. Natural. . . . . .Natural, huh. Fufu.”
“What are you laughing at?”
“It’s nothing, absolutely nothing!”
ㅤ
. . . . . .It’s good that she’s happy.
Considering Stella’s smile, maybe this time I could forgive the guy.
However, the dislike and distrust towards Beast King that had once sprouted.
In the end, they never disappeared.
Right up to the very end.
Translator’s Blog
Blog
- Quitting Your Waifus Cold Turkey: Can You ACTUALLY Choose Adulting Over 2D?
- Wakana Gojou: The Ultimate Husbando? Is This Anime Romance Even Real?
- The Social Isolation Speech Impediment: How Being a Shut-In Can Make You Sound Like a Robot
- Lost in Translation: When Your Brain Goes on a Tangent While Reading Light Novels
- Scrolling Through Reddit: “I’m an English man travelling India. Fancied some British food and ordered fish and chips… wow, what a sight this was”
Leave a Reply