84 – The Heroes in the Ancient Dragon Ruins
<Sogou Ayaka’s POV>
Enoh is the capital of Alion.
If you were to go north of Enoh, you would arrive in a mountainous area.
Approximately half a day away by riding a carriage,
There is one ruins that could be found in that mountainous area.
The Ancient Dragon Ruins.
It is said that there used to be a legendary dragon who have lived in this ruins long ago.
This dragon was called the Azure Eyes Dragon.
However, it is said that the Azure Eyes Dragon no longer exists in that place.
The Heroes of 2-C have arrived here in the Ancient Dragon Ruins.
[Hyyaahh!]
Stab–!
The monster screams.
My spear pierced through the heart of the monster.
The monster twitched as it spat out blood.
A few moments later, the monster finally stops moving.
A small sigh leaked out of my mouth.
I quickly looked around the area.
[Is everyone alright?]
There were seven students with me.
These were the people who weren’t able to clear the goddess’ trials.
The “dropouts” that was entrusted to me.
5 of them are girls.
2 are boys.
[Y- Yesh…]
[You’re quite amazing, Sogou-san.]
They were also wielding weapons in their hands.
However, there are almost no traces of blood in their weapon.
Even their armor looks brand new.
It’s only their shield that have shown traces of being overused.
[Everyone doesn’t have to force yourselves to try killing monsters. You should first learn how to protect yourself.]
There was one weeping girl who had stopped in her place and curled into a ball.
[Sorry… I’m sorry, Ayaka-chan. My legs were trembling… I can’t even move anymore…]
Smiling towards her, I gently caressed the cheek of the trembling girl.
[It’s alright, Minamino-san. Instead, I’m sorry that I’ve suddenly brought you in this place.]
[No…]
The girl whose cheeks I’m caressing, Minamono Moe shook her head.
[Rather than saying sorry to us, we should be thanking you instead… We were about to be disposed. right? Sniff… But Ayaka-chan asked them to abandon their plan, right? The Goddess-sama has told us so.]
It seems that the goddess dared to tell them about these details.
I started speculating about what’s hidden beneath her action.
(To the Goddess-sama who was supposed to be our ally, it’s no good if I’m too suspicious of her actions… I’m tired…)
[We will do our best… Sniff… So that we won’t drag Ayaka-chan’s legs behind…]
After hearing her words, I quickly changed my mind.
[It’s alright. I will protect everyone. If a monster appears, leave it to me.]
(If it’s possible, I don’t want any of my classmates to die anymore.)
There was already a casualty in 2-C.
Mimori Touka.
I wasn’t able to save him.
[……………]
(If an S-Rank Hero really held an amazing power, I may even be able to defeat the Great Demon Emperor depending on how hard I work.)
My grip on my spear tightens.
(If we were able to defeat the Great Demon Emperor, we could return to our world back then… Therefore—)
I can’t die.
Until we could defeat the Great Demon Emperor, I can’t die.
At least, I will do my best on protecting these seven people.
(And also, Kashima-san…)
Defeating the Great Demon Emperor.
(So that we could level up… We need to kill golden-eyed monsters.)
[Suou-san.]
[…Yeah.]
I spoke towards the bob cut girl wearing glasses.
[If I weren’t able to respond to an attack right away, can I ask you to stop the monster? It’s fine if you were just able to earn me some time… Anyway, I just wanted everyone to be safe.
[…….Yes.]
Without any intonation in her words, Suou Kayako responded.
There are “almost” no traces that the weapons of these seven people were used.
However, I’ve found some traces of blood in Kayako’s sword.
A little while ago, I asked everyone just to end up in vain.
“Is there anyone who wants to level up by dealing the finishing blow?” I said.
At that time, there was a monster rolling on the ground after I weakened it with my spear.
Only one person raised her hand.
That was Suou Kayako.
Back in my previous world, my impression towards her is that she’s someone who’s always in the shadows.
I have never seen her talk with other people.
She’s another kind of an inconspicuous child compared to Kashima Kobato.
However, it seems like she unexpectedly held some courage within her.
If that were the case though, it’s really strange that she’s grouped together with the dropouts…
The other students look apologetic.
[I’m sorry that I’m useless, Sogou-san.]
[Even though I’m a man… I’m sorry.]
[But, I’m really scared…]
[…Killing other living creatures… My heart can’t take it.]
I just returned their disheartened mutterings with a smile.
[Don’t apologize, okay? I believe that the way of thinking and the sensitivity of each person is different from another. It’s only natural if there are things we could do and things we could not.]
I don’t think everyone can do the things the others could.
There’s a suitable person for the right job.
You just have to do the things that you can.
[I heard that there’s some kind of magic in this world that power ups their fighters. I heard something like that. It’s possible that everyone may be able to use this skill. There’s also some kind of convenient tools in this world called magic tools… So, you don’t have to force yourself in directly fighting against these monsters. You should first learn to protect yourself. I would already be happy if you could just assist me when you already have the composure to do so. Umm, that’s why… Could you stop feeling apologetic already? Okay?]
I tightened my fist.
[Let’s defeat the Great Demon Emperor, and together with everyone, we’ll go back to our previous world.]
Putting aside Kayako who doesn’t have any expression on her face, I could see that the other six people now had a hopeful expression on their face.
[Sogou-san…]
[I’m glad that I’m in Ayaka-chan’s group…]
[W- We’ll do the best that we can.]
[I’m in your care, Sogou-san!]
They were all just kind-hearted children.
That’s why I have to protect them myself.
▽
The goddess had given one requirement to the heroes.
Defeat the monster called Flesh Dragon and bring back its eyeball.
It seems to be a one-eyed monster.
As we proceeded further into the ruins, me and the others arrived in a particularly spacious area.
I checked the map that the goddess had given us before.
Ssshhh
Kayako approached and illuminated the map with a lantern.
[Thank you, Suou-san.]
It seems that the area that the Flesh Dragon inhibits is nearby.
[Oh? I thought I just saw someone, isn’t this Ayaka?]
People were coming out of another passage in droves.
My name was called out by the boy leading the group.
[…Yasu-kun.]
Yasu Tomohiro.
He has changed.
(No— He might have already been that way even those times—)
Remembering the past, I started approaching Yasu.
[It seems we both have been going through rough times.]
[Hmm?]
[You don’t have to feign ignorance. Aren’t you also bringing these hindrances who can’t even stand up on their two feet and have to rely on the power of the more powerful heroes, Ayaka?]
Pat…
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