CH 18

I pretended not to notice this new, furious development, but come to think of it, the original problem still remained.

It seemed like the princely Lawrence-san, the macho Degis-san, and the dark-robed wizard Kilris-san had no intentions of leaving Tortea quite yet.

Lawrence-san had a serene expression, but the depths of his eyes looked like they wanted to pierce into Fikar. Degis-san and Kilris-san looked on in agreement from behind him, creating an aura that felt like black flames rising and crackling in the background.

“Fikar, we understand that you’re the Hero, recognized by the Assembly and the central guild. However, we also aspired to be the Heroes and I’d say we were the three closest to getting the title. Could you take pity on us three who failed to become the Heroes and lend us a little of your time?”

“I refuse.”

This time again, cut down in a single stroke! Fikar’s decisions are extraordinarily sharp today! Like a master swordsman from another world!

I think I was more stressed than any of them, though, being sandwiched between the trio of auras from the royal capital and Fikar with his deathly-still facial muscles. Right about then, I wanted to get out of the way and use Ludo-san, who was waiting nearby, as a shield. But that wish went unfulfilled, mostly because Fikar was firmly gripping my wrist.

“Why’s that? You’re the real Hero-sama, aren’t you? Just be our opponent for a bit.”

“I refuse.”

“Are you afraid to fight us? I can’t accept such a coward as the real–”

“I refuse.”

“Let. Me. FINISH!”

“Everyone, calm down! Let’s be civil! Okay?!”

Fikar must’ve hit a nerve in Kilris-san, since he flipped out and shouted in anger. It was hard to believe that I was the only one trying to find a peaceful solution.

“Fikar is trying to avoid meaningless conflict. We can already see that you three are all strong. You don’t need to fight to show us that.”

“Thank you, Sumire, but if the prey you were aiming for is snatched away, it would be against a nobleman’s nature to keep silent.”

“I can understand how you feel when a random Fikar pops up and defeats the Demon Lord! If you’re angry, I’ll apologize.”

“Shorty, it’s not like we’re going to fight to the death. We just want to see this guy’s skills.”

“He’s not that unusual! He’s pretty strong, but he’s usually very quiet — sort of like a dog.”

“Oi, how can a man be like a dog — madness incarnate — yet be quiet? They’re too wicked and ferocious…”

Not only did I fail to persuade them, but I also ended up pouring gasoline into the fire because I forgot that dogs were a whole other thing in this world. I can’t do this anymore. What’s going on in those three’s heads? And what’s going on with the dogs in this world?

As I was wondering what to do now, Lawrence-san suddenly approached me from the front. With his long and unexpectedly rough fingers, he scooped up my chin and attacked me with a prince’s smile. I could only blush silently at the handsome aura that shone from him.

“You care a lot about Fikar, don’t you? How envious. Are you lovers?”

“Fi, Fikar is… he’s my… friend, or rather… companion…”

“You must think he’s very important. Then why don’t you trust in the abilities of your important companion?”

“That’s… umm… even if you don’t fight…”

“By the way”

A firm forefinger gently traced the outline of my jaw, and I let out a gasp. Lawrence-san was so close that I could feel his breath on my face.

“If Fikar isn’t your lover, how about me?”

Before I could reply to his smile, a glint of light flashed across my vision from bottom to top. As a thin, hard sound cut through the air, the wrist held by Fikar was pulled backward with great force into a familiar chest. It was painful, being held so tightly.

“You’re quite assertive when she’s involved, aren’t you?”

Lawrence-san uttered those words with a smile on his face, but suddenly found himself separated from me by Fikar’s arms. Fikar, who had pulled out the handle of his sword in a reverse grip, was glaring at that smiling man. By the looks of it, his facial muscles were working hard, perhaps trying to plaster the words “so irritating” on his cheeks. His dark blue eyes, usually calm and somewhat unfocused, became fierce when mixed with his current swordsman-like tone.

“Wait Fikar… uu… tight…”

“I don’t think women will like you if you treat them roughly.”

“Lawrence-san, please give it up alreadyyy!”

Maybe because of Fikar’s aura of dissatisfaction, even Su, who had been sitting quietly on the roof, was beginning to growl. I think I’ll give up my role as negotiator now. Fikar, holding me away from Lawrence-san, looked like a child trying to keep his favorite stuffed animal from being taken away.

“How about this: If the three of us win, we’ll invite Sumire to the capital. You can serve us in my territory. If you win, of course, we’ll gracefully withdraw.”

“Excuse me, can you not treat people like prizes?”

“Su.”

“Gaooo~!!”

Su responded to Fikar’s call at Mach speed, landing right next to us with tremendous vigor. She walked right up to the wall of the guild office and surrounded me with her crimson wings as if she knew exactly what to do. When I managed to get my head out from between the thick wing-curtains, Fikar came up to me.

“Fikar, I’ll stretch your cheeks later.”

Fikar nodded and turned around.

The three northern ohryuus that had occupied the plaza were ordered by their masters to make space by vacating the area and circling overhead. Standing in the center of the square was Degis-san, a mass of muscle.

As I was wondering where Lawrence-san and Kilris-san would be watching from, they approached me, standing only far enough to not be in the range of Su’s ironclad defense. Then they called out to Ludo-san, who had come closer out of concern for Su and me.

“Are you an adventurer? You are, right? Degis, Kilris, and I will have a go, in that order.”

“Accepted. I’m Ludo. Whoever touches the ground first, not including their legs, loses. Neither of you is to use dirty tricks. As an adventurer, take pride in your skills.”

After confirming that both sides had nodded, Ludo-san opened the match with a simple “Start.”

Other than us, there were a few spectators watching from the edge of the plaza. Also, Gartis-san and his buddies set up bleachers by the window of the guild office.

I stared at Fikar through the thick crimson wings. As usual, he was expressionless, but his well-toned body was slightly open for ease of movement. In contrast, Degis-san made a clear whipping sound through the air when he drew his big sword. That motion alone was enough to send dust from the ground into the air.

I’d seen Fikar catch small creatures and monsters before. I also saw him take on Su, albeit briefly. But I’d never seen him take on a human. I didn’t think he was weak by any means, but I also had no idea how his strength compared to others.

I gulped down my saliva and made up my mind.

Let’s enjoy this hot-blooded shounen manga situation~