Defiled Hero c6

Defiled Hero

A-Rank Monster and Former A-Rank Party

I stood

up, going to the roof rack where the male elf was.

「...I feel something ominous.」 (Male Elf)

I took a

low stance on the roof rack atop the carriage, speaking to the male elf who was

looking deep into the forest.

「We came straight here, but

what now?」 (Izayoi)

The elf

man was somewhat surprised and turned around, looking at my face, but

immediately turned back to face the forest.

The

morning sun hidden in the mountain shone forth on the path before the carriage,

as birds far in the distance ascended as one. It's close. Everyone's realized

that an Aspis has come.

「We're gonna ambush it. Watch

it, boy.」 (40 year old man)

Moving

away from the carriage on the road, they stopped near a cliff which jutted out.

Ambush?

Are three people enough to defeat an A-rank monster? I have a weapon, and I

probably won't have to fight, but...

(Astrea.

Check their statuses for me.) (Izayoi)

『Okaay... Ah, they're

outdated, but they have guild registration cards. Is that information fine?』 (Astrea)

(Yeah,

that's fine.) (Izayoi)

【Aaron】 Age：42 Race:Human

Guild Rank:A

《Titles》 【Blunt Attack

King】 【Magic Machine Technician

Tier 1】

【Rosef】 Age:35 Race:Dwarf Guild Rank:A

《Titles》 【Fistfighting

King】 【Blacksmith

King】 【Blunt Attack

Tier 2】

【Bratt】 Age:120 Race:Elf Guild Rank:A

《Titles》 【Archery

King】 【Wind Magic

King】

…no way.

I

haven't actually met them, but I've heard all the rumors. The strongest guild

party, 《Berserk Fang》. The leader is Aaron.

The

three of them mowing down enemies one after another was reminiscent of a

rampaging boar. Summoned to this world as a hero, I spent a year studying and

accumulating knowledge, venturing around defeating monsters all over the place,

but I didn't hear their names much.

A long

time ago, I would have liked to fight them. To think I would meet them after

they moved on to more... shady jobs... They seem similar to me.

Because

they're a former A-rank party, there should be no reason to worry.

Disembarking

from the imperial carriage, they got off one by one holding their weapons,

preparing in front of the forest.

「Old man, step back, I'll do

it myself.」 (Izayoi)

Heading

past them, I advanced towards the forest.

「Hey, boy, what're you

thinkin'? I dunno how strong you are, but it's impossible to do it yerself, ya'

know?」 (40 year old man → Aaron)

「That's right. I saw you

beating up the thieves. You have the ability to beat an A-rank monster. However,

there's no reason to fight alone. We're here too. It's safer to fight together,」 the male elf Bratt said, indifferently. That's right. When I

fought the thieves, I was by myself. If someone else could do it, they wouldn't

rely on me and leave me out of it. Therefore,

「—If I do everything myself,

the time spent and work required will be the lowest.」 (Izayoi)

『Izayoi! It's coming!』 (Astrea)

The

ground shook as if a tremor was quickly approaching. From the forest shrouded

in darkness, two sharp lights caught my attention.

Confronting

them, I took one step forward.

「Don’t do it! Think like an

adventurer!」 the male elf shouted.

Retiring

from being an adventurer and delving into shady dealings, and you tell me to

think like an adventurer? Knowledge, instruction, I no longer need such things.

Continuing to advance, with glinting eyes that threatened to devour their prey,

I looked behind me at the three and flashed a small smile.

Pretending

to not notice the Aspis, they probably thought I was suicidal. Surprise colored

the faces of the three as they ran towards Izayoi.

「You retired adventurers

should just be quiet and watch.」 (Izayoi)

With a

violent impact, many trees were obliterated.

A giant

serpent appeared, with a cry like the rushing wind. I looked back as the

serpent opened its great maw, baring its fangs. I was about to be devoured.

Holding

the scabbard and grabbing the hilt, I drew the sword and struck a fang.

The

sword blade was chipped where it made contact with the fang, I wonder if it'll

be alright. The Aspis' sharply-pointed fang and the hilt of the sword collided

with an explosive impact. Trees swayed, and dirt was blasted into the air.

「*Rushaaaa——*」 (Aspis)

The

large body of the serpent bent and wiggled, and was sent flying. I won the

power contest, huh. How's that.

Holding

it in my hand, I inspected the blade. It was slightly cracked, but not

completely broken. It was stronger than I thought.

The

Aspis was on guard. It's two fangs had been reduced to one. Blood flowed from

the cut fang. A small distance away, the beautifully-cut fang rolled on the

ground.

「B-boy, are you some kind of

monster...?」 (Aaron)

「I wasn't even able to see

that move...」 (Male Elf → Bratt)

The

large serpent intended to continue fighting with only one fang, how courageous.

I'll be the one starting this time.

Kicking

the ground, I shortened the distance in an instant. Contorting my body in the

air, I used centrifugal force to smash the other fang. Without a chance to

react, the serpent lost it's second fang.

「*Sshaa——*」 (Aspis)

Immediately

after smashing the fang out with the hilt, I planted a kick squarely in the

center of the large serpent's head. Blood splattering everywhere, the fighting

spirit disappeared from the serpent's eyes. I sent a murderous gaze towards the

serpent. It feebly slithered away into the forest.

「Hey, kid! Is it alright to

let it leave?」 Aaron said, artificial arm

waving towards the giant serpent.

「Yeah, I removed the Aspis'

fang. Anyone who goes to subjugate it shouldn't have a hard time.」 (Izayoi)

「But you know, for having done

that much, is it okay to let someone else have the subjugation award?」 (Aaron)

「I'm fine on money. I don't

need the paltry sum of money for its subjugation. Defeating it with the point

of subjugation has its own issues. This is the most time and energy-efficient

way of dealing with it... If I left it to you guys, you'd be done for.

(Formerly) the guild's strongest party.」 (Izayoi)

At my

words, the old man (Aaron) muttered "sheesh" in amazement, and

scratched his head with his artificial arm.

「How did you find out we're 《Berserk Fang》? Have we met before?」 (Bratt)

「No, we haven't.」 (Izayoi)

On the

move again in the imperial carriage, I exuded an aura that said to leave me

alone. It only made Bratt more interested. Rosef the dwarf was silent as usual.

「Even though we've never met

before, why... I got it, you recognized the Aspis before I did. Are your

observation skills good?」 (Bratt)

『Everything is Astrea-chan's

power~』 (Astrea)

(Right,

it's all thanks to Astrea. I know that already, so please be quiet.) (Izayoi)

「However, it's odd. I haven't

heard of someone as good as you before. I heard from Aaron that you secluded

yourself in the mountains, but it's still weird... May I ask your name? I am

called Bratt. That lump of flesh is Rosef.」 (Bratt)

「...Izayoi.」 (Izayoi)

「Sir Izayoi is it? I haven't

heard that name before. You said you had business at Reyl Lake, but what are

you planning to do?」 (Bratt)

「...I secluded myself in the

mountains, and I want to see the current state of the world.」 (Izayoi)

After

that, Bratt continued the barrage of questions as the carriage rocked gently

back and forth while proceeding down the road.

「Hey, Bratt, don't trouble the

kid. We'll be at Laketown soon. That's enough for now~」 (Aaron)

It's

just about noon, huh. Poking my head out from the top of the carriage, I could

see a lake spread out from the bottom of the hill, with a large town located

next to it.

「Please forgive me sir Izayoi.

I’ve shown my bad habit of asking too many questions. I've gotten older, but my

thirst for knowledge hasn't waned...」 (Bratt)

「Don't worry about it.」 (Izayoi)

Being

able to get a good amount of rest before leaving was fortunate, and the three

men’s partner taking care of the Aspis was good as well.

I had a few regrets about the unexpected development,

and gazing upon the lake spreading before me, I let out a sigh.

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