Defiled Hero c45

Defiled Hero Chapter 045

(TN: Remember, she likes the cold treatment.)

『I've observed the magic flow. Magic power seems to be gathering in the castle after all.』 (Astrea)

(This castle? Where, specifically?) (Izayoi)

『Something is interfering so I don't know. But it's probably underground.』 (Astrea)

(Underground, is it.) (Izayoi)

Was there something below the castle? I'm not sure. It can't be seen normally. I'll have to sneak in later to take a look.

「We've arrived. Zenesys is relaxing in this room. Please don't be impolite.」 (Grey)

The king's office. Zenesys is inside.

「When I think about it, I suddenly get nervous...」 (Tsuyuha)

「Relax. Your excitation will soon turn into despair.」 (Izayoi)

「Of course it won't. If you're wrong Izayoi, properly apologize to me, alright?」 (Tsuyuha)

「Sure, if what I said was wrong, I'll apologize or whatever. But if I'm right, you know what, right?」 (Izayoi)

「Sure. I'll do anything.」 (Tsuyuha)

She pointed her ears and pushed her chest out in pride.

「You two, did you hear what I said?」 (Grey)

「I was listening. It's alright. Shall we go?」 (Tsuyuha)

As Grey heard her say that, he let out a sigh, then stiffened his expression. He then knocked on the door.

「It's Grey. I've brought guests.」 (Grey)

It became silent for a bit due to the tense atmosphere. Tsuyuha and Grey's shallow breathing could be heard. The two of them were nervous, but I'm not bothered at all.

Putting my hand in my pocket, and gathering strength in a natural stance, I watched the door.

「...Enter.」 (Zenesys)

From behind the door, a low grunt could be heard.

「Pardon the intrusion.」 (Grey)

Opening the doors, we went inside. At the back of the room was a figure, wholly uninterested in us as it stared out the window.

The man had long white hair, collected behind his back.

「...I didn't think, there were plans for any visitors.」 (Zenesys)

Having said that, he turned around and walked towards us.

I'm taller than before, and my body has grown as well. Even though I became an adult, it feels as though my power hasn't changed that much..

A sharp glance was sent my way.

「Alright. Tsuyuha is here to report that she has finished her training. And this is the man Tsuyuha brought with her.」 (Tsuyuha)

(TN: I have no idea how you even do that.)

What an easily deceived girl.

When she's this happy, I'm hesitating to tell her to the truth. Even if I told her, she wouldn't believe me.

「...I was wrong, my bad.」 (Izayoi)

「It's alright. Don't worry about it at all.」 (Tsuyuha)

Cat ears twitching, she frantically changed her grin back to normal. Tsuyuha turned to Zenesys and Grey who had no idea what to say.

「Ahem, now that you said I've become an adult, I can be by Zenesys-sama from now on, right?」 (Tsuyuha)

「......」 (Zenesys, Grey, Izayoi)

As he heard what Tsuyuha said, Zenesys went silent.

「Ah, um, Tsuyuha. Does that mean you want to enter the knight order?」 (Zenesys)

「I don't mind joining the knight order. I want to be useful to Zenesys-sama and use my strength to protect the people.」 (Tsuyuha)

「That is... what to do.」 (Zenesys)

Looking back and forth between the silent Zenesys and Tsuyuha, Grey was at a loss.

「If I remember correctly, Tsuyuha's home country is on the western continent is it not? Your parents must be worried. You are still young, what do you think of helping the people of your country?」 (Grey)

「It's alright. My father is defending my hometown. He told me to use my strength to protect what I want to keep safe. So, I want to protect the people of this world together with Zenesys-sama.,」 Tsuyuha announced with a dignified expression.

Although Grey seemed to understand Tsuyuha's conviction, the attempt to persuade her completely failed.

Troubled, he looked at me expectantly.

What do you want. Are you trying to get my help because you're troubled? You must think I'm convenient.

I'm disgusted by this stale development.

Since things have stalled, do I try to persuade her?

After a sigh, I placed my hands on Tsuyuha's shoulders.

「——You, are unnecessary.」 (Izayoi)

「...Eh? Not, necessary.」 (Tsuyuha)

She seemed to be confused, but when she saw my seriousness, she seemed to have accepted it.

「Am I not, needed...」 (Tsuyuha)

「That's right. You are an unneeded child.」 (Izayoi)

「Unneeded, child. I am...」 (Tsuyuha)

Her pointed ears slowly and gradually went down.

「You are unnecessary. This is not the place for you. Your default unhappy expression, lack of teamwork, and inability to read the atmosphere are the cause. You aren't needed. You are unneeded. Rather, you're a hindrance. Because you aren't necessary.」 (Izayoi)

Looking down, her shoulders shook.

「*Uu... sob... uuu...*」 (Tsuyuha)

Tsuyuha began to weep.

「Suuuper unnecessary. You're suuuper unnecessary.」 (Zenesys)

「That final attack was amazing. She's crying now though, isn't that enough?」 (Grey)

I disregard Grey who says so.

「You are absolutely unnecessary. In this place, that is.」 (Izayoi)

「*Uuu...*」 (Tsuyuha)

「Don't cry. Look at me.」 (Izayoi)

「...What.」 (Tsuyuha)

Her tears continued to flow, and she looked at me weakly.

「You aren't needed here. If it's somewhere else, you won't be unnecessary.」 (Izayoi)

「What does that mean. I'm not unneeded? Aren't I in the way?」 (Tsuyuha)

「I said, you don't need to be next to the king. That's how it is.」 (Izayoi)

「So it's not that I'm not needed.」 (Tsuyuha)

「...You want to protect everyone, right? Then you don't need to be by the king, but by the people, right?」 (Izayoi)

「By, everyone?」 (Tsuyuha)

「Become close with the people, make friends, and live together with them. Isn't that what a real hero does? The grand one inside the castle that nobody sees, or the friendly neighborhood cat-eared girl that interferes with everyone else's business. Which one do you think is better? I don't need either of them, by the way.」 (Izayoi)

「Wanting to be by everyone, talking with and protecting them. That is a real hero...? Am I really not unnecessary?」 (Tsuyuha)

「You say you're unnecessary, but aren't there people that need you? I'm not needed by the way.」 (Izayoi)

「You don't have to say it twice.」 (Tsuyuha)

「Well, that's how it is. If I had to say one last thing, you trained for two years. You never realized the real reason for your training though.」 (Izayoi)

「Reason for training? Wh, what is that.」 (Tsuyuha)

「Listen, heroes get along well with the people, and live amongst them. In other words, even though it was called training and you called yourself the successor of the hero, what were you really doing?」 (Izayoi)

「Live with the people... Traveling... No way.」 (Tsuyuha)

「That's right. Don't return here. That was the correct choice.」 (Izayoi)

「Wh, what do you mean.」 (Tsuyuha)

By the way, the twisting of the story is complete.

You said Zenesys sent you on a journey because you were annoying. That would be correct.