Defiled Hero c1

Defiled Hero Chapter 001

I urged her to tell me.

Tilting my head to the side, I met her eyes.

「Astrea. Please answer seriously. Why did you summon me to this world again?」 (?????)

The "petite girl"... no, "little girl" would be more correct.

Astrea. The owner of this place.

She stared into the depths of my eyes, unmoving.

There's nobody in this pure white space except for Astrea and I.

The wind isn’t blowing either. With neither of us speaking, all that could be heard was the sound of our breathing.

An appearance so pretty you would hesitate to touch it.

Astrea held me in her arms, quietly, and at ease, and whispered in a voice that threatened to disappear at any moment.

「...You've changed quite a lot. Izayoi.」 (Astrea)

That's all she said. And with only that, I felt a crushing sense of loss.

“Changed.” That's all she said, so why did I avert my eyes from her?

"Why do I feel like running away right now?" I thought to myself.

Astrea put her hands on my cheeks, but didn't pull them.

「Truly, what beautiful eyes this young boy has... but why does he have such a sour expression, and he's lost his left eye too. With an eyepatch he completely turns into a villain.」 (Astrea)

「...You haven't changed at all.」 (Izayoi)

He was unable to say anything more.

With a smile as though she had seen through him, Astrea gazed deep into his eyes and neared his face.

*Kiss*

「Izayoi~ I wanted to see y— *awawa*!?」 (Astrea)

I silently grabbed Astrea's face with my right hand and tightened my grip.

「Ow!? Owowowowow!? Forgive me! Stop! My face, my pretty face is going to break!」 (Astrea)

No matter how many years pass she'll still be noisy.

「*Haa~* That was dangerous. My famously pretty face is... huh? Did your face become cuter?」 (Astrea)

「It did not.」 (Izayoi)

Five finger marks could be seen clearly on her face.

「So, what were we talking about again?」 (Astrea)

「...Why I was summoned to this world again.」 (Izayoi)

「Ah, yes, yes. That's what I wanted to talk about, Izayoi.」 (Astrea)

I straightened my posture.

「I summoned you this time to help you. This is the second time, you know? Five years ago, when you were 16, your master betrayed you and nearly killed you, and this time nearly killed you again. I thought it was over this time! If I was even one second late you would have died you know!」 (Astrea)

「...Is that so.」 (Izayoi)

「When someone saves you, there's something you have to say, right?」 (Astrea)

「...Thanks.」 (Izayoi)

It's not like I said I wanted to be saved or anything. If I returned, I'm sure I would've gotten a lecture.

Astrea is fundamentally good, but tiresome as well.

She more or less does things for my benefit.

It took me about two years from when I was summoned to understand that.

I was still a child then, so it couldn't be helped.

「Wait a moment, Izayoi? You aren't having rude recollections, are you?」 (Astrea)

「..............」 (Izayoi)

「Say something! Geez, I got it already. Astrea-chan will explain everything, so listen carefully. I won't say it twice! I really won't!」 (Astrea)

Astrea's only able to chatter idly, it would be good if she learns fast. Have you changed a bit since we last met?

「I said it before, I summoned you to help you, with no ulterior motives. Astrea-chan knows that Izayoi is here in front of her now, and these past 5 years Izayoi was wandering around! I don't know any more than that! All finished!」 (Astrea)

No different from what I already know, huh. Then there's no need to say any more.

「...Got it. My job here is done, so I'll be returning now.」 (Izayoi)

「Eh, you're going back? Wait! Astrea-chan summoned you here with her power, so won't you stay and chat for a while? So, so don't let the conversation end quickly...」 (Astrea)

「Let it end quickly?」 (Izayoi)

「Let's quickly get to the pink adult night with the adult Izayoi—」 (Astrea)

「You're tired from using your power to summon me, right? Let's relax.」 (Izayoi)

Narrowing my concentration, I noticed a source of noise in the pure white sky.

「Wait! Don't go! I don't want you to go!」 (Izayoi)

As Astrea's voice faded into the distance, I had the sensation of my consciousness returning.

With the sensation of returning to my body, the sight of the glittering moon filled my view. I could hear the lapping sound of the waves.

Awaking from my slumber, and chilled to the bone from being exposed to the sea breeze, I dusted myself off and headed towards the withered forest under the moonlight.

The seed of life. A strange fruit grew from the barren soil. The fruit was packed with nutrients inside of its hard walnut-like shell, and had medicinal properties. My knowledge from five years prior told me that this wasn't a dream.

Shall I take the chance? If it doesn't work, I'll think about what to do then.