CH 7

“You’re right…… Someone like me would only be a burden to Takumi-dono. Certainly, for Takumi-dono, a C-class monster of that caliber would be an easy opponent to defeat……but please, don’t overdo it!”

The group member brought his face closer to mine with tears welling up in his eyes as he said this. 

…………what?

No, I just said ‘I’ll stall them’, I had absolutely no intention of knocking them down, nor do I intend to push myself too hard in the first place.

Nevertheless, while leaving me in a state of blank stupor, he said, “Okay, I’ll make a quick announcement and lead the villagers away!” With that, the group member rushed out energetically away from the scene.

Hmm, he is indeed a member of the Blackwing Knights. Even though he belonged to the lower ranks, his thought process was that of a battle maniac. 

There was no way an ordinary citizen like me would be able to defeat seven monsters. I can’t believe he would simply think, ‘Oh, so you’re going to kill all those guys? Take it easy!’ in this situation. The Blackwing Knights are to be feared.

……W, well. For now, let’s get back on track.

I draw my sword from its sheath.

Let’s see, we are now at the gate leading to the street on the west side of the village…… and so far there are no other monsters yet. That means these seven monsters are all of them.

The drainflowers seemed to notice that I was standing at the entrance to the village, and stopped walking, as if it was scrutinizing me.

Although smaller than the giant flora, it was still quite large.

It was taller than I am, about two meters. The sight of its ivy-like tentacles wriggling and writhing around made me want to vomit physiologically.

“……-” 

……Crap, this is really scary.

My legs are shaking with fear and dread. In spite of this, the sword in my hand urged me to run, kicking me off the ground.

It seems that the drainflowers didn’t anticipate my abrupt movement. I guess they didn’t expect a guy with his legs shaking with fear to suddenly run toward them.

For starters – the first one in front. 

I feigned a frontal lunge, then twisted my right hand and stabbed forward. A heavy shock ricochets back into my hand, as I grip the sword.

At the same time, the drainflower wailed “GAAGAGA!” and I withdrew the sword and distanced myself.

–Alright!

I can do this, I think I can somehow handle this fight! 

I exhale in relief at the performance of the sword and its reliability.

I felt relieved for a moment, but then my lips tightened and I held my sword poised. The wounded drainflower was backing away to alert the other six drainflowers, who were now moving forward. They were emitting a piercing hostility toward me.

But this succeeded in directing the attention of the drainflowers completely toward me. Now all I had to do was fight the drainflowers at an arm’s length and hold on until the Blackwing Knights appeared.

–Contrary to this thought, however, my body was once again rushing toward the drainflowers. 

I leap in front of them and cut down one of the nearby ones.

“GAGUGUGAAAA”

The drainflower’s final cry echoed through the area, but I was not concerned about that.

I roll to the side as I land on the ground and distance myself from the monster, and hastily sheathe the sword. 

“-……Crap, I expected this, but this is rough……!”

Yes, this cursed sword has a demerit, once it’s drawn out of its sheath, it goes into “let’s just go for it!” mode and fights by running into enemy lines regardless of the owner’s will.

I intend to ‘stop them in their tracks’, not to ‘annihilate’ them.

Therefore, my strategy was, ‘If a monster approaches the village, I will counterattack using the sword’s curse to stall it. Then I would lead the monsters away from the village, sheathe my sword, and flee.’ 

We learned from yesterday’s battle that giant floras are slow.

If giant floras roamed this area, the monsters that attacked the village must have been of the same type. I was hoping that these plant-based monsters would be just as slow, or else I would be in a lot of trouble. Yeah, that last part was just my wishful thinking.

–But there was one miscalculation in that strategy.

The sword’s will of “Alrighty, I’m going to slice and dice the enemy, hyahaha!” is too strong…… I hardly have time to distance myself from the drainflower, nor time to put the sword away in its sheath! 

In contrast, the sword is constantly like, “Non non to staying still when a monster is right in front of you!” and tries to pull me along.

Meanwhile, the drainflower gradually closed the distance between us, and its tentacles began to whip me. I hurriedly drew my sword from its sheath, I cut down the tentacle that was coming toward me.

Then, the sword, which had been pulled out of its sheath, moved my body to charge at the drainflower again.

“Pfft…… I guess all is hopeless.”

Seriously.

I read about it in a book once, but isn’t it said that when people are in a tight spot, sometimes all they can do is laugh?

Yes, that’s exactly what is happening to me right now. All I can muster is a dry laugh. 

With a drawn-out smile on my face, I rush at the monster. I bend down to just barely avoid the ivy tentacles coming out of the drainflower in front of me, and as I skid along the ground, I cut off both of its petals with a single slash.

“GAAGAGA!”

As soon as I withdrew the white blade, the drainflower let out a desperate cry, causing the area to tremble. The remaining drainflowers flinched slightly, perhaps discouraged by the sight of their comrade’s death. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, I thrust the tip of the sword into the drainflower.

I felt an indescribable sensation in my hand, and at that moment, I felt a surging burning sensation on my left upper arm, as if a hot iron had been pressed against it. I looked up to see the drainflower, which had somehow entered my blind spot, with its ivy pointing at me. A deep cut was sliced into my left arm, and red blood stained my shirt. 

“Darn……!”

–Ah crap!

The wound was not that deep. I didn’t feel any pain at all, probably because of the adrenaline pumping through me……but from the moment I got the wound, my strength dropped drastically. 

The reason for this was immediately apparent. It was the passive skill of the drainflower.

A drainflower is a monster with a skill that allows it to absorb and recover the HP of its enemies when it attacks. My HP must have been absorbed by it from the attack just now.

“–, Xut……!”

Kfcajmifr fzafcvfv ogbw ybat rlvfr ilxf j qlcmfg. 

P rijrt boo bcf bo atfw jcv rilvf ws ybvs lcab j njmjca rqjmf ab jnblv atf afcajmifr. Kegclcu jgbecv, P rfnfgfv atf afcajmif atja kjr jqqgbjmtlcu yftlcv wf klat atf rkbgv, jcv atf vgjlcoibkfg mglfv bea “XCXFCC!” jcv vlfv. Lbkfnfg, atf reggbecvlcu vgjlcoibkfgr vlv cba rffw ab oilcmt ja atf vfjat bo atflg bkc xlcv, jcv atlr alwf atfs reggbecvfv wf jcv ijecmtfv atflg afcajmifr ja wf.

Apparently, the surviving drainflowers had realized that their prey was losing strength. They kept on attacking me. Thanks to this, I couldn’t even find a chance to apply first aid to the blood that was flowing freely from my left arm.

I’m about to self-destruct even before the monsters get to me!

All I can do is laugh at how much I deserve it! 

I had no idea that my seemingly perfect plan had such tricky pitfalls…… I guess to begin with, there were a lot of holes in my plan!

I wonder, how much time has passed since we started fighting?

My sense of time is a bit fuzzy now. Even though everyone in the knighthood left a few hours ago, they were a large group, so they must not have gotten that far yet. I would like to believe that the group member who went alone to call for them have likely already caught up and are on their way here by now, but I’m not sure ……

“—- Takumi!” 

As I was thinking this, a familiar voice reached my ears.

I turned my head and saw the members of the Blackwing Knights on the other side of the street connecting to the village.

Although they are still some distance away …… but hey, so they’re here! Yay, now we can win!

” GAGUGUGAAGAA !” 

“-, Cra-……!”

Darn it, I accidentally let my guard down!

A roar from nearby instantly made me duck and turn, but it was already too late.

The tentacles of the drainflower, which were close by, swung at my arm like a whip. I received a blow on the shoulder and fell to the ground. 

“Ggh……!”

“Takumi!”

The moment I fell, someone cried out my name in a voice that almost sounded like a scream.

It was Iris. 

When I managed to raise my body from the ground, I saw several knives sticking out of the drainflower’s head in front of me. The knives didn’t seem to be that powerful, but the drainflower still screamed “GAGU” and gave a shrill, squirming scream.

At the same time, I heard an anxious voice saying, “Get out of there while you still can!”

Apparently, that knife was thrown by Iris.

“–Thank you, Iris. But I’m ……” 

–yes, I can’t stop.

Thanks to this sword’s “Hyaha~! Let’s go let’s go let’s go go go!” curse, I can’t keep my distance. Even if I wanted to leave the line of fire, I couldn’t.

Thus, I had to charge at the drainflower again. 

Ahaha, welp, whatever!

Disregarding my left arm, which was dripping with blood, I swung downward with the sword with only my right hand and slashed diagonally at the drainflower, which was flinching due to the throwing knives.

“GA, GUAAAA!”

But with only one hand, the force of the sword was reduced by half. 

The drainflower was seriously wounded, but not fatally so, and in a fit of rage, it launched several tentacles at me. Another drainflower attacked me from the right side.

“-, out of my way!”

I cut away minimally at the tentacles of the drainflower that were closing in on me, and avoided other attacks by bending over. Then, in return, I slashed at the drainflower’s head once more.

“GAGUGUGAA” 

Okay, this time it looks like a fatal wound! Now four of them are down!

Good, good, the Blackwing Knights have arrived, and now I can somehow leave the front line…… but My hand with the sword is not doing what I want it to do

Up until now, I had been able to put my sword away in its sheath, or move a little away from the monster, or something like that, but……

For some reason, the hand that was trying to put it in the scabbard didn’t move even a twitch. My right hand is still bravely gripping the sword, ready to fight. 

Why in the world Is it because there are still enemies left!?

Ah crap. My body is trying to go to the remaining drainflower on its own……!

Hey, wait, wait, wait! I’m already out of commission, you know

Just when I thought it was hopeless—- 

“Takumi, please stop already!”

My body was unexpectedly held from behind.

“Please stop it. There is no need for you to fight any longer……!”

“…… Felix.” 

It’s Mr. Felix!

Thank you, Felix, for stopping me! Thank you so much, I almost got myself killed!

The other members of the Blackwing Knights, who had rushed past me who was in Felix’s embrace, headed for the remaining drainflowers. Among them were Commander Gazelle and Iris.

“You all came?” 

“Of course! Takumi, what am I going to do with you……!”

Felix held me tightly, trying to hold me down from behind.

He is taller than me, and his breath tickles my ear. Felix’s armor on my back hurts a little, but not enough to bother me.

I was more concerned about the blood that would get on him if he hugged me. While Felix was holding me down, I was able to sheathe my sword, and he could let go of me at any time…… 

“Why…… do you fight with such abandon, Takumi?”

“…… sorry, Felix.”

I’m really sorry, Felix…… ‘Why do you fight so brazenly when you’re so weak?’ is what you mean, right?

No, I was going to run away at some point, but this sword took its own course, you see 

And the monster wouldn’t let me go

I tried to excuse myself, but Felix held me tight and wouldn’t let go, so I kind of missed the timing to mention it.

But my original plan to buy some time until the Blackwing Knights could rush over was a success! Aye aye, not too shabby for me!

◆ 

–‘not too shabby for me.’

Yes, there was a time when I thought so.

“–So, Takumi. Just what is going on here?” 

I am in a room of an inn in Tomi Village, where I stayed yesterday.

The members gathered there, however, consisted of myself, Gazelle, the Commander, Felix, the Vice Commander, and Iris, the Strategist, all of whom were members of the Knight Order.

Moreover, this highly distinguished group of people surrounded me as I sat on the bed and looked up at the three of them.

Yes, that’s right. Presently, what is being held in this cramped room is a sumptuous and glamorous interrogation meeting hosted by the executives of the Blackwing Knights! In other words, what they call “~interrogation time~”. 

Hu, huh, that’s funny, how did this happen?

“Iris, if you ask too harshly, Takumi will have a hard time answering your questions. So, Takumi? What on earth is going on? Can you please tell us everything in detail and without omission?”

“Felix, you’re basically saying the same thing as I did, just phrased in a smoother way, okay? In fact, it feels more severe……”

Um~ let’s see. For now, let’s get the situation straight. 

I had to leave that battlefield after that…… with Felix carrying me.

As soon as I put the sword away, I was paralyzed, with no strength in my body and no feeling in my arms and legs. This was probably due to the demerit caused by the sword instantly going into effect.

This time, the condition was not “rutting”, but “total paralysis”.  Well, compared to rutting, it’s a lot better……is what I’d like to say, but.

I had to be reduced to being hauled off in a princess carry by Felix, after all. 

I’m really, really sorry, Felix.

The remaining drainflowers were quickly defeated by the members of the Blackwing Knights who rushed to the scene after I left. That’s the Blackwing Knights for you!

Then, afterwards.

The Blackwing Knights apparently split their group in two and made their way here, with the remaining units still on the other side of the street. 

Some members of the Blackwing Knights returned to the road they had come in to announce the news of having successfully defeated the monsters. In turn, the evacuated villagers returned to the village upon learning that the monster had been defeated.

Immediately, the rest of the Blackwing Knights and I were surrounded by villagers who thanked us. The innkeeper, who had learned that I was injured and paralyzed, once again offered lodging to the Blackwing Knights, and I was given a bed in the room assigned to me to receive treatment.

At first, a member of the treatment team was treating me, but then Iris and Gazelle entered the room. The member of the treatment team left the room, and Felix, who had carried me to the room, stayed in the room until this situation came up…….

The paralysis was gradually subsiding. It felt like the time was shorter than when I was in heat, perhaps the severity of the abnormality was related to the level and rank of the monster. 

…… No, but I still don’t get it!

Why did it shift to interrogation time

“……Takumi, we heard about this from the group member who helped us evacuate the villagers.” 

Gazelle opened his mouth with a bitter expression as he looked down at me who was bewildered.

“What did he say?”

“…… He said that you actually decided to stay in the village because you expected an attack on the village.”

“–.” 

Felix’s words made me gulp.

Gazelle then said, “I heard that you were standing at the village gate before the monsters arrived, keeping watch on the road. And with a weapon on hand prepared. When the monsters came, you didn’t even seem fazed. You even said, ‘so you’re here!’ Didn’t ya?”

Felix pointed out, “Now that I think about it, the timing of your decision to stay in the village was odd.”

“…… You actually decided to stay in the village because you expected it to be attacked, didn’t you?” Following Gazelle and Felix, Iris questions me with a scowl on his face. 

I stared at the floor, trying to escape their stern stares.

……c, come to think of it, I did say that, didn’t I?

I was so excited that I couldn’t help but say, ‘you’re here~’, yes indeed. I remember.

Oh man, I hadn’t thought of any explanation for that part at all! 

I mean, I didn’t think that the Blackwing Knights would know that I had anticipated the monster attack! Wh, what should we do?

Amidst the tense atmosphere, there was no indication that any lame excuses or deceptions would be accepted by the three of them. As I peered up at Gazelle’s face, I found him staring down at me with furrowed brows and a frown. I had accidentally made eye contact with him.

“So what’s going on, Takumi?” 

“…… Yes, everyone is absolutely right. I knew that the drainflowers were highly likely to attack the village. But I couldn’t bring myself to say anything because I didn’t have any proof.”

“You mean you couldn’t trust us?”

Iris looked heartbroken at my words. I hastily replied to him.

“No. It’s not that I didn’t trust you guys. It was myself that I didn’t trust. My knowledge is too vague …… I can’t be more specific, but I have studied the habits and behavior of monsters where I used to be. But I was skeptical about whether the drainflowers would really come. I didn’t think people would believe anything I had to say.” 

“…… that’s why you remained in the village by yourself?”

“Yeah. Even if I had no chance of winning, I could at least hold them off.”

“No chance of winning–you say-”

For some reason, the expressions on all three of their faces became even more severe at my words. 

Huh? What, why?

Isn’t it obviously impossible for me to go up against seven of those monsters by myself and win? By all accounts, I had no chance of winning…..

Still, I thought I could at least hold them off until the Blackwing Knights arrived, and if things got dangerous, I could just run away, but, what? Is it possible that fleeing before the enemy is a matter of ritual suicide within the Blackwing Knights?

“…… in short, Takumi. You were going to be the only one staying to stall, while the villagers were escaping? Even when you knew you had no chance of winning–even when you knew you might die?” 

Felix scowled and angrily leaned in close to me. His beautiful face was distorted with grief, but even with such an expression, he was very picturesque.

As expected of a handsome man, his angry face is also very handsome……wait, huh!? Somehow I have a subtle feeling that my message is not being conveyed!?

“……-, Felix, why are you so mad?” 

While sitting on the bed, I fearfully ask him.

Wait …… is it possible that he is saying, ‘You can’t just stall in the face of the enemy, can you? If you are a man, you must have the spirit of annihilation!’ Is that what you mean?

No, well, for me, that was really my best shot at it……

In response to my question, Felix, who was in front of me, choked up for a moment. 

Then, after a moment of silence, he knelt down in front of me, who still sitting on the bed. Felix, who was clad in knightly attire, knelt down on one knee on the floor, as if he were in a scene from a movie.

As I was thinking about this, my eyes met Felix’s amethyst-like purple eyes as he looked up at me, and I was startled.

“……of course I’d get angry. How can I stay calm when the person I’m in love with is doing all these reckless things and mistreating his own life?”

“–.” 

Crap, I must have misheard very badly.

I guess I really am tired after all…… Given how I’ve been through so many scary battles with those monsters, it’s a no wonder. I bet too much stress has built up.

For now, let’s ask Felix again.

“Felix, er……what do you mean by in love……?” 

He turns his passionate eyes on me as I hesitantly ask.

“……Ever since we first met, I’ve been intently watching you. And today, when I saw you standing alone against those monsters in a noble manner…… I was convinced that I was in love with you.”

–maybe that’s completely the suspension bridge effect at work, Mr. Felix!

I didn’t mishear him! 

But things are getting close to the worst, what should I do

Yeah, sure, anyone would be excited to see a foolhardy, bloody guy confronting a monster! But wake up Mr. Felix, that’s the kind of throbbing that’s far from romantic!

Crap, what should I do? ……I’ve led a popular and handsome character from “Change the World” down a thorny path because of my thoughtless actions……

Wh, what am I supposed to do about this? 

I was so bewildered that I involuntarily looked to Gazelle and Iris for help.

However, both of them widened their eyes and looked at Felix.

“Hey, seriously? That diligent Felix, who is hardly ever involved in love affairs, is…”

“Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear……we’ll have to celebrate when we get back! His first love anniversary!” 

“Yeah, it deserves a drinking party.”

These two guardians are no help whatsoever!

But it did make me feel a little better, thank you!

“Takumi……I apologize, I’ve made you uncomfortable.” 

“……Felix……”

As I was struggling to decide what to do, Felix gently touched my hand.

“I don’t want to bother you, and nor do I wish for you to respond to my feelings. I just……wanted you to know that there are people out there who will feel sorrow should you ever do something that could cost you your life.” 

Hash: In Japanese it’s easier to tell who said what because each character has their own 口調/manner of speaking. Despite losing minor speech pattern differences in translating, I think at least people were able to get that image from them. Rough, polite, okama. People who watch anime often should be able to infer their tone from their archetypes lol.

Gazelle uses 俺 and お前, along with 語尾/copulas like なァ, basically a rougher way of speaking.

Felix uses 私 and 貴方, along with polite copulas です・ます, his speech a lot more refined and mild. 

Iris uses アタシ and アンタ, along with other feminine speech like かしら、あら but isn’t as polite as Felix. Like a mature older lady. (About his name, I wonder if I should have used Elys instead of Iris. Iris is a common way to render イリース but now I wonder.)

(Our MC uses 俺. While speaking to Felix, Gazelle and everyone, he speaks in a plain direct way. No です・ます at all. Which further highlights how reserved Felix is compared to others. But in Takumi’s inner monologue, he does use です・ます here and there.)

I tried to translate those differences into English with the closest equivalent without sounding like a try-hard lmao. At first I thought of adding initials but that felt awkward. So I took liberties and added “Gazelle then said” and “Felix pointed out”. Though I doubt it was that bad as their names were mentioned.

I’m also kinda happy with how I translated 「貴方という人は……！」“What am I going to do with you……!” It’s not the literal translation, which would be like “argh, a person like you……!” Sometimes the literal translation doesn’t convey the meaning of the source text as well, as different languages have different ways of framing things. I’m sure bilingual ppl all know this