CH 13

“For God’s sake. What was that monster just now?”

Ark Wilhelm Mirage – the man who had been given the emblem of a hero – quietly peeked into the corridor from inside a room in the royal castle, where he had jumped into hiding.

“Guards are being posted all over the place. What the hell was that headless guy? I could feel the power of darkness. It was a good thing I hid.”

Ark almost bumped into Barzeph, who had invaded the royal castle. But he never thought about pulling out the sword at his back.

Ark is, of course, a hero. One destined to defeat the Demon King. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that he is obliged to take on all the monsters.

I won’t be unreasonable. Although, I’m a hero, but if I die that’s the end. Maybe Leia will be kidnapped in future, but if I rescued her from the demon king, her favorability would explode.

Grinning, Ark chuckled at his own plan. Then he went out into the corridor, which had become completely quiet.

Now, I already have no use for the royal castle. He had already received his travel and support money after leaving the throne room. It was a generous sum. Then I’ll go on a journey and start gathering friends – that’s what Ark thought.

“Mister there, are you by any chance a hero?”

“Who are you?”

Ark turned to see a woman wearing a purple dressing gown and a deep hood of the same color.

“What are you, dressed like that, are you an astrologer? What do you want with me?”

“Don’t be so alarmed, my hero. I am Agranis Crowley. I am a magician working here in the royal castle. As you say, I also specialise in astrology.”

“… So? What makes you think I’m a hero?”

“The stars I saw told me so.”

“Hmph!”

The suspicion were doubled. Ark started walking again, not wanting to be bothered by this person.

“You’re looking for a strong companion, aren’t you?”

“—!”

“There is a skilled female bandit in this castle town. It seems that her star and the hero’s star are about to overlap.”

“A female bandit?”

Having been told what exactly he thought looking for, and now a ‘female’ -bandit. Ark looked back, intrigued. He was a little uncomfortable with Agranis’ purple lips peeking out from her hood, but he thought, it was at least worth a listen.

‘Hmmm, so? What do you mean the stars are about to overlap?’

“It means that you will soon have a connection with her.”

“A connection, eh? What kind of bandit is she anyway?”

“They say she sometimes gives money to people living on the streets of the slums. In addition, it is said that she is capable of defeating the guards who patrol the castle town and maintain security, and that she is also very pretty.”

“Really?”

“I’ve heard that she’s a great fighter who’s never been caught, but with my astrology, I can locate her hideout. So, my hero, what do you want to do.?”

A bandit. That is a job title that is not necessary for future journeys, but it would be helpful if someone were to be there. This is because they can disarm traps in treasure chests and, if there is a dungeon, they can be the first to detect the presence of monsters by being at the front of the pack.

On top of that, she was pretty. Ark nodded that this would be a good way to recruit her.

“Alright, fine. Then tell me the location of this female bandit.”

“Yes, that’s fine, but on one condition.”

“What, money? How much?”

“No. I want you to let me join the hero party.”

“You? You work in the royal castle, don’t you? Why then?”

“Because life here is too unexciting. And I can fight a bit, so I’m sure I can be very useful to you.”

Agranis took off the hood to reveal her face.

“Ho!!..”

Her true face was quite beautiful. And with her slanted eyes and fine eyebrows, she looks like a very talented woman.

Whoa, kukuku! Looks like he’s going to have a lot of fun, in more ways than one. Arc chuckled inwardly.

“Very well. My name is Ark. Call me Master Ark and I’ll make you my number one.”

“I am very happy for you, Master Ark.”

An auspicious start, Ark laughed smugly as he walked off towards castle town.

(TL: Oh man, what a retard. I could smell trouble miles away from her.)