CH 24

Misunderstanding of the rest day of the week

***---***

The day after hearing of Funayama's death was rest day, but Amanda-san's shop is closed on dark day, and it seems that today it will be open as usual.

I decided to meet my friends and go to the Devil's Forest training ground again.

On the way, when I looked into the forest from the shadow of the wall, the garrison members were all processing the corpses of the rock ogres.

When I think about it, I left them there after defeating them and pulling out the magic stones.

Even though it is a monster, if the corpse is left unattended, other monsters will be drawn to it, and if it rots, it will give off a terrible smell and draw flies, so it seems they will dig a hole in the forest and bury them.

[ Reinhardt, should we help too? ]

[ Kent-sama, if you don't burn the corpse clearly, goblins and kobolds will eventually dig up and devour it, so it doesn't make much sense to bury it. ]

[ Is that so? But isn't it better to bury them? ]

[ Well, it's just for temporary peace of mind. ]

Goblins and kobolds are the weakest monsters in the Devil's Forest.

For that reason, corpses are an indispensable food for them.

[ Kent-sama, the other day, Klaus-dono said that after a large number of monsters appear, the monsters in the Devil's Forest will become more active, this is the cause. ]

[ Oh yeah, the food will be abundant and their movement will become more active. ]

[ Well, then, will there be a lot of goblins and kobolds this time? ]

[ No, the number will increase, but it will not increase to the extent that they will appear in large numbers. ]

[ Well, is that so? So why did the rock ogres appear in large numbers? ]

[ I don't know, we may now be monsters, but I still don't understand why the monsters in the Devil's Forest are so numerous. ]

[ Is that so ... but I felt that the number of rock ogres was increasing little by little. ]

[ Well, even when Kent-sama was training in the middle of the night, they occasionally appeared in a flock, but they usually don't appear that often. ]

[ By the way, Klaus-san also said that there aren't many rock ogres. ]

The work of the garrison is not likely to be finished yet, so I moved to the special training ground.

There were several kobolds wandering around in the special training ground, but as soon as Reinhardt came out of the shadow, they scattered in all directions.

"Hey, Reinhardt, can you let me try to pull a kobold into the shadow world?"

[ Well, it seems you have an idea, don't you? Let's do it for a moment. ]

Reinhardt and I tracked a kobold that had just escaped and tried to catch it and drag it into the shadows.

In conclusion, the attempt was unsuccessful.

I tried not only kobolds but also birds that were perched on a tree branch, but even if I tried to draw them into the shadow world, I felt like they hit a wall when trying to cross the boundary between the outer world and the shadow world.

[ Kent-sama, it seems that living beings can't be drawn into the shadow world. ]

"Yeah, I felt like that, if I could pull in living beings, it woudl be easier to rescue my classmates."

Perhaps, the shadow world can only be entered by someone who has the aptitude for the darkness attribute.

I think that Reinhardt and the others can go in and out freely because I summoned them with the magic of darkness and there is a link of magical power.

I thought that I could do anything with my cheat attribute, but after all there are restrictions.

"Oh, but then what happens if I use the dark shield in close quarters instead of magic?"

[ That's right, weapons have no life, so they will enter the world of shadows and their wielder will be repelled ... ]

"Is it still possible to prevent the attack?"

[ I think so, it depends on how strong the shield is, but I can't try it because I can go in. ]

"That's right ... I'll try it when another monster comes out."

Today, I spent the time before noon practicing the shield of darkness.

Anyway, if I think I'm being shot at with magic, I will practice until I can reflexively put out the shield quickly.

Even if I dive into the shadow world, I can avoid the attack, but it may be unavoidable if it is a hero class attack.

And if I can put out the shield freely, I should be able to protect someone else.

[ As expected, Kent-sama, it's so quick to be activated ... ]

"Yeah, it's still limited to a certain place and a certain size, so I hvae to increase the degree of freedom even more."

[ No, I'm just impressed with Kent-sama's aspirations, and even at this point, it's so fast that an ordinary mage would faint. ]

"Maybe that's the case, but I won't get the strength of a knight in time for the rescue operation, so at least I want to increase my strength as a mage as much as possible."

[ Well, if Kent-sama gets stronger, I have no objection. Well, Kent-sama, why don't you have lunch now? ]

"Ah, it's about that time, lunch ... yes, let's try the store I went to with Kartz-san ..."

[ Sure, it seems like you said it wasn't very delicious ...? ]

"Yeah, that's right, but I was taken care of by Kartz-san."

Let's contribute to sales in the sense of giving back to Kartz-san.

I returned to the back alley of Volzard and headed to Merine-san's dining room.

The last time I was here was on the rest day of the week, so it should still be open, but Kartz-san may not have come due to processing the corpses of the rock ogres.

There was an open sign hanging at the entrance of the store, but when I touched the door, I heard a loud voice from inside.

"I can't do it!"

"That's not the case, if you do your best ..."

"I did my best! How can I do better than that! I don't know anymore!"

"Nikola!"

I felt a difficult atmosphere, and when I was still standing in front of the door, the door opened vigorously and I was blown away.

"Fugya ... it hurts ..."

"Ah ... I'm sorry ... are you okay?"

"Nikola, what are you doing, get a towel wet and bring it here! I'm sorry, are you okay?"

Being hurried by Merine-san, Nikola returned to the kitchen in a panic.

"Yes ... I just hit my forehead ..."

"I'm really sorry ... Oh, you are ..."

"Yes, I'm Kent, who bothered you with Kartz-san before. Oh, the store is ..."

"Well, of course, it's open, it's okay, please order anything."

Nikola came back with a wet towel in his hands.

"Nikola, a customer, get ready!"

"Nee-san, but ..."

"Don't keep your customer waiting!"

"Un, understood ..."

This time, Nikola returned to the kitchen with a feeling of reluctance.

"Now, sit in your favorite seat, and keep your forehead cold ..."

"Oh, thank you."

"Well, what would you like to order?"

Merine-san brought me a menu, but when I opened it, more than half of the menu was lined with horizontal lines.

Most of the particularly expensive and time-consuming menus are lined with horizontal lines.

"Well, uh ... please give me today's recommended lunch."

"Yes, a recommended lunch for one person! Thank you!"

I don't htink it's necessary to say this now, but there are no customers other than me in the store.

It's a little late, but it's still lunchtime, and at Amanda-san's shop, it's a time when people have to wait outside because they can't fit in.

When I was looking around while bored, Meline-san walked over.

"Did you hear the story?"

"Um ... yes, just a little ..."

"Can you keep it a secret from Kartz-san? I don't want to add more worries ..."

"I understand ... umm, are you going to close the store?"

"I don't want to quit ..."

According to Merine-san, the father of Merine-san, who was running this shop, died of sudden illness two years ago, and her younger brother Nikola took over by imitating what he saw, but it was not working well.

"Today, Kent was our first customer ..."

"Really ..."

"Nee-san, it's ready ..."

Nicola called out from the kitchen, and Meline-san went to pick up the tray.

"Yes, yes, come on, Kent, eat."

"Yes, I will!"

The recommended lunch is bread and soup, salad, and two kinds of sausage and fried egg.

First of all, a bite of soup ... Yeah, it's subtle.

It tastes like something is missing.

How about the sausages?

Yeah, one is very salty, the other one's herbs are too strong.

The bread is somewhat lumpy.

Oh, the fried egg is delicious ... it was the taste of the ingredients.

"Hey, Kent, how is the taste? Can you give us an honest opinion?"

"Hmm ... it's a pretty delicate feeling."

I wasn't with Kartz-san today, so I gave my honest impressions as they wanted.

"Well ... after all ... Kartz-san and the customers who came with him said that it was delicious, but I don't have many customers ..."

Yes, Kartz-san's delicious is completely flattering Merine-san.

Of course, the people who came with him would understand Kartz-san's easy-to-understand attitude, so they wouldn't be able to give an honest opinion.

"Nee-san, as I thought, it's impossible for me ..."

Nikola came out of the kitchen before I knew it and joined our conversation.

"Nikola, but you're the one who said you wanted to take over our dad's shop."

"That's right ... but I can't do what I can't do ..."

Perhaps because I had a frank opinion, Nikola started talking about the survival of the store to me.

I was a little curious, so I'll ask Merine-san.

"Ah ... can I ask you something quick?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"Have you ever trained or worked at a store somewhere?"

"No, but what's wrong with that?"

Nikola looks as if he wonders why he's hearing such a thing.

"Um ... why don't you practice?"

"No, because I saw my dad cooking, I know how to do it ..."

Oh, I somehow understood it, it's a typical misunderstanding.

Meline-san is shaking her head.

"Why was the menu half erased?"

"That's because ... there aren't many customers, so it's useless to buy high-quality materials."

"Is the sausage seasoning the same as your dad's?"

"That is ... of course it's different from my dad's, I've taken over, so I've devised a blend of my own style."

"Why doesn't the number of customers increase?"

"Well ... they can't understand my taste, the times can't keep up with me ... maybe?"

Ah, this is completely useless, he thinks he can do it without any effort, and he can do it even though he actually can't, so the responsibility will be passed on to others ... Ah, just like Funayama.

Even though he couldn't do it, he screamed out, and if he failed, he would blame others violently.

"Kent? What's wrong?"

"Well, no, I was just thinking a little."

"Yes? You look like you're about to cry."

"Uh ... I'm sorry, it's okay."

I was worried about Marine-san's shop, but even if I was worried, it wouldn't work.

"Nee-san, anyway, the store is only open today ... No, it's already closed ... Tell Kartz-san for nee-san."

"Hey Nikola, where are you going?"

"Anywhere is fine ... I need a diversion, a diversion ..."

"Nikola! Wait a minute, Nikola!"

Nikola went out of the store, trying to shake off Meline-san.

Wow, I came at some great timing.

"I'm sorry, to show you something strange."

"Yes, No ..."

"He's not a bad boy, but I've always spoiled him ... what should I do ..."

Meline-san sat in the seat opposite me, put her elbows on the table and held her head.

"Ah ... is it bad for Merine-san to run the shop?"

"Me? But I haven't practiced ..."

"Then, shouldn't you practice?"

Merine-san was originally not planning to take over the shop, so she was working on sewing.

That's why when Nikola suddenly took over the store she had to help.

"If you don't close the shop, I think Meline-san has no choice but to do it ..."

"That's right ... well, to be honest, I'm not confident enough to run this shop, but I also want to continue because it's the shop my dad left behind."

"If so, I think it's better to consult with Kartz-san and then decide."

"Yeah ... but I don't want to put extra worries on Kartz-san ..."

"But if he was told later and he couldn't help you in the most difficult time, I think Kartz-san would be sad, so you should ask him for a consultation."

It seems that Kartz-san will do something that I can't do or don't know of, and it may seem to take advantage of his weaknesses, but it's an opportunity for Kartz-san.

After a little thought, Meline-san nodded after making a decision.

"Well ... yes, yeah, I'll talk to Kartz-san."

"Yes, I think Kartz-san will be more than happy with that."

"Yeah ... so what was Kent thinking about?"

"Well ... no, that has nothing to do with the store ..."

"But you had a serious face that changed your complexion, maybe it would be easier if Kent talked with me."

"uh ... that is ..."

I'm very grateful for the offer, but I couldn't talk about Funayama, so I had a hard time answering.

"I'm sorry ... I can't talk about it for the moment ... I'm sorry ..."

"Yeah, I'm sorry for trying to force you to talk about what you can't talk about."

I'm hiding it from Amanda-san, Meisa-chan, Manon, and Meline-san.

It would be easier if I confessed everything, but then they would be caught up in a mess with Resenburg, and I absolutely must avoid getting Volzard involved in a war because of that.

I didn't even notice that Meline-san left her seat as various things ran aorund in my head.

"It's okay ... Kent is a kind child, so I'm sure it's okay ..."

Meline, who went around the table, gently hugged me.

"In an unfamiliar city, you probably don't know many people yet, but when it's hard, you can rely on us Kent."

"Uh ... uh ... yes ... I'm sorry, I can't speak ... I'm sorry ..."

"Yeah, yeah, it's okay if you can't talk ..."

"Yes ... yes ... uuuuuuu ..."

The direct cause of Funayama's death was the Reisenburg guys, led by Camilla, but before resenting them, there should still be something I can do.

I should have that much power now.

And yet, because of my poor prospects, it's like helplessly letting Funayama die again.

In the end, I was supposed to be able to do it, and I was disappointed that I was a misunderstood guy who couldn't do anything.

Surrounded by the warmth of Meline-san, I wish that time would stop, but I can't escape from the misunderstanding that I can't do anything with that.

I took a deep breath once to shake off the feeling of reluctance, and then thanked Meline-san.

"Thank you, I feel better."

"You're fine ...?"

"Yes, I can't stop ... I can only crawl forward."

"You're strong, Kent ... but you can't overdo it."

"Yes, I'll ask the people I can talk to for help."

"Yeah, I'll talk to Kartz-san too."

"Yes! Please do so."

I left Meline-san's shop and returned to the Devil's Forest training ground.

I'm worried about my classmates at Lastock, but on the day of rest, they will be absent from training to rest the knights.

That said, most of my classmates are forbidden to go out of the garrison and spend most of their time sleeping in the dorimitory.

After returning to the training ground, I was enthusiastic about sparring with Reinhardt.

I don't think I'll make any progress even if I advance recklessly, so I try to make various reflections and improvements, but I still feel that I can't make up for the absolute difference in speed and power.

When the sun went down, I don't know how many times it was, but when I roll on the ground and look up at the sky, I'm hungry for the oxygen I've run out of, and I'm involuntarily complaining.

"Huh ... huh ... damn ... I can't catch up at all, I don't feel the possibility of breaking through by changing the tempo, such as feints."

[ Kent-sama's movements are still wasteful, and it seems that you are hindering your movements because you are putting more effort into extra places. ]

"Is that something I can think about and reduce?"

[ No, Kent-sama has only just started, so it's better to repeat until the body can react anyway. ]

"Kuu ... that's the part that isn't logical."

[ That's right, do your best to react faster than you think. ]

If I knew this would happen, I would have done some sports when I was in Japan.

The magic of the bratty Hero may be related to his original physical ability.

[ Kent-sama, do you want actual results? ]

"I want them! I want to rescue everyone as soon as possible and return to the original world!"

[ Then, don't be impatient. Anyone who is impatient will surely cut corners. ]

"Yeah, I think I know it in theory, but I feel like I can't stay still."

[ I think it can't be helped if your classmates are in a situation like that, but if you overdo it, you'll put them at risk. ]

I know that Reinhardt is right, but I feel repulsive and anxious.

"But if I keep doing it like this, I think something like with Funayama will happen again ..."

[ Well, in that regard, I'm also responsible since it was this me who said we should put off the rescue. So let's start with what we can do. ]

"What we can do ... is a counterattack, right?"

[ Indeed, however, we won't do what we can't do. ]

"Okay, I'm starting a counterattack as much as I can."

[ That's right, so let's end it with this, go back and have supper, and then plan our strategy. ]

After finishing the training, we decided to have a meeting about the future without returning to the Devil's Forest tonight after returning to the boarding house and finishing dinner.