CH 45

—“Taking the results so far into account, the duel between the SS and the heroes’ group is decided as a 3-0 victory for the SS!”

Morgan’s words filled the courtyard with cheers. Now we no longer have to worry about being removed from Princess Leia’s SS and falling into the arms of the heroes’ group… If you look at the princess, she looks very happy, and she cracks up and claps so much that her hands might hurt later.

“Well, it’s a natural result.”

“That was quite enjoyable.”

Nina and Spera each had a very refreshed look on their faces. …Well, they both won nicely. Me too.

“Well, then, let’s get on with talking to the hero.”

“Well, I’m sure he’s going to try to make a fuss about it anyway…”

“Maybe, but we’ve got to get the nasty stuff out of the way.”

We look around for heroes. Agranis is still standing regretfully on the stone stage. Below that stage, Zain & Enrique are lying down in a large, tired position. And the crucial Arc…

“Huh? He’s not there?”

“Oh, isn’t that the Hero over there?”

Spera points me out, but where is he? It’s hard to find him because the courtyard is large and crowded with guards and others who have come to watch the duel.

“Ehhh? Where?”

“Over there… you see, he’s just now coming out of the entrance to the royal castle.”

“Eh? The royal castle? Why in the castle? I mean, there are so many entrances, I don’t know which one it is.”

“It’s behind that big hedge fence. You know, the one with the sword against the maid and the dragging walk.”

“Uh? The hedge and the sword to the maid…?”

“- – All of you, listen up!”

Ark was standing on stage again. In his right hand he holds the sword, and in his left hand he holds the arm of a frightened and tearful maid, whom he must have been forced to drag from inside the royal castle.

“I’m not going to work for anyone or do my Hero task…! What, Is it because I lost the duel? I don’t care, I’ve had enough of this of shit! I’m going home!”

“What are you doing? Did you lose your mind, hero Ark?”

At Morgan’s words, Ark swings his sword and shouts back as if distraught.

“Stay away from me! You hear me? If one of you dares to come after me, I will kill this maid! Come on, Agranis! Teleport! We’ll use the teleport to escape!”

…Oh, come on, seriously? You don’t want to be under me that badly, hero Ark? Or rather, taking a completely unrelated maid hostage? Isn’t he too much of a scum?

“Gustav, I’ll use my presence blocking skill to somehow get closer.”

“Please, Nina. Me and Spera-san will take care of Agranis. Understood?”

The three nod to each other. Then, just as Niña is about to disappear and me and Spera are slowly approaching the stage, splitting off to the left and right, the three of us nod to each other.

“[Dimension Ballets]”.

On the stage, several purple glowing balls of light flew and then slammed into Ark’s back.

“Gahhhh…?”

Ark’s body blew off the stage and fell to my feet. The maid also flew into the air with it, but Spera used levitation magic to successfully land her on the ground.

“W-what…?”

While Ark’s eyes were black and white, the guards from the area rushed in and pressed down on the hero’s body.

“Move, move! Who the hell do you think you are? Agranis! Save me, Agranis!”

“Seize the hero! Don’t let your guard down, he’a hero, even if he’s a rotten one!”

The hero rampaging with the guards seizing him. Suddenly, a presence appeared behind me and I turned around to see Agranis, who seemed to have teleported there. She takes off her hood and gives me an emotionless smile.

“…you shot arc, didn’t you, Agranis?”

“Yes, I did.”

Agranis looks coldly at Ark, who is crushed by the bodies of the guards, and making a noise, as if she were looking at rubbish.

“If defeating the Demon King becomes the job of the SS, led by Gustav-sama, instead of the heroes, then there will be no reason for me to follow that man, after all.”

“…What is the reason?”

“Because I am not from the kingdom in the first place. I was thinking of supporting the hero in his journey and taking his [power] into our country after he had defeated the Demon King… but if the hero arc is going to be under Gustav-sama’s control, that plan is likely to be no good.”

Agranis exhales a deep sigh and bows to me.

“I also have a good position in my country. Sir Gustav and the SS, if you would like to come to our country? I can promise you the positions you desire.”

“…I see, so you were completely out of the scenario. And you’re a character I don’t know, you know. Also, I refuse that invitation without question.”

“I was sure you would say that. I just wanted to make a last try.”

Agranis smiled lightly and spreads out her robe.

“But it’s a shame. I am sure that you will later become our country’s greatest enemy.”

“…Enemy? What do you mean? What is your aim? Beyond defeating the Demon King… what exactly are your object?”

“Fufufu, If you are still alive at the time of the defeat of the Demon King, I’m sure you will find out.. And I look forward to seeing you again then.”

“Hey, you think I’m going to let you go?”

I reach out and try to grab Agranis’ dressing gown… but my hand slips through.

“An illusion?”

“That’s right.”

Agranis’ voice came from the air. I look up and see her body floating a few meters into the air, out of my reach.

“There is more than one plan. If we can’t get a hero, we will take other measures until we do. So, I will see you again…”

Agranis said this and disappeared from the scene in an instant.