Chapter 62

"May I request a match with you?"

My voice, directed towards Second, was trembling slightly, I think.

It was just this morning, still fresh in my memory. I never thought I would be so stiff during my first meeting with my master. If it had been just any noble, it would have been different. But because the person who opened the door and faced me was none other than Second, I was extremely nervous.

I thought that such intense nervousness would never happen in my life again... but it seems that something even more intense has come along.

However, I cannot afford to miss this opportunity.

The regret of clinging to the one who picked me up from the gutter and gave me a human-like life. It was also true that I couldn't just stand there and do nothing.

"Resolve yourself and come to me with your concerns," Second said at that time.

Ah, what a merciful and broad-minded person. I truly felt grateful to be in the presence of such a person.

I must respond. I must resolve myself and face this. This is a fortunate encounter given to me by heaven. I must seize it with both hands.

"As for the method, I have prepared a match crown for this purpose. With this—"

"Sounds good, you."

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

Second was smiling, looking very pleased, like a child who had found a new toy.

"Kyubero, I like guys who are as serious as you."

"...It's an honor."

The beautiful voice of Second, which entered my ears, was like a drug, clouding my mind.

...Don't be intimidated. Don't be overwhelmed. If I can't show my resolve here, my long-held wish will never come true.

"Then, will you accept the match?"

"Yes, of course."

Second took a step forward to take the match crown from me. No, I can't let my master walk. That would be a failure as a servant. I hurriedly ran to Second, but—

—Suddenly, I stumbled.

Did I trip on a pebble? No, something caught my foot. There was no one else here. Could it have been Second? But why?

I fell forward helplessly. If I continued like this, I would collide with Second. I tried to dodge, but it was in vain.

And I ended up headbutting Second's chest.

Second caught me in his arms. My face flushed, and I quickly pulled away.

"Excuse me—!"

...Then, I realized.

I am a slave. Even unintentionally, I shouldn't be able to harm my master. But I just headbutted him "hard." I did something I shouldn't have been able to do. What is this...?

"You noticed, didn't you? You are indeed excellent."

Second was smiling. In other words, this strange phenomenon was caused by Second. I understood that much, but I couldn't figure out the meaning behind his actions. I opened my mouth, feeling ashamed.

"What did you do?"

"Breaking out of prison. Just now, you are no longer a slave."

"—!?"

I was struck by a shock... no, a shock that was far too intense to be described by such a word.

You mean you released me from the servitude contract in an instant!?

I knew such techniques existed, but I had never seen or heard of a method that could be done in an instant.

And, most importantly, there was one question.

"Why!?"

Why did you release me from slavery now?

For Second, it was only a risk. If I had been planning a rebellion, I could have attacked him right then—

"The match would be boring anyway. Now we can fight without any reservations."

...

No, it seems I had misunderstood.

To Second, the fighting strength of the servants in the Firstest household was not even a concern. He released me from the servitude contract just because he wanted to fight without any restraints.

...We are on different levels. We are looking at different things. I realized that I had already lost before the fight even began.

"Haha"

I couldn't help but let out a dry laugh. This person, my master, is undoubtedly a "strong one."

"Good, good. Relax. The battle has already started, you know."

"Excuse me, but as a butler, I must say that I hope you will refrain from such reckless releases of servitude contracts in the future. If I were a traitor, you would be taking an unnecessary risk."

"If I were betrayed, I would have been a failure. I like you, so I released you. I won't let anyone complain. Besides, do traitors give such lectures?"

"...You will regret it."

What a fine and warm statement. I held back the tears of admiration and joy welling up inside me, took my distance from Second, and got into a "fist" stance.

The main skill I use is [Martial Arts]. Especially, the first level of the Kaima Martial Arts and the third level of the Ginsho Martial Arts are among the sharpest in the "team." Thanks to these two fists, I have come this far from being a homeless child.

For 24 years, they have been with me, bringing me to where I am now. I will land at least one punch on Second with these reliable fists. That is my resolve. My resolve to fight to the bitter end. My resolve to achieve my long-held wish, even at the cost of my life.

I clenched my fists and focused my gaze forward. In response, Second was... "standing still." His arms were hanging loosely, and he was looking at me with a vacant expression.

"...Aren't you going to get into a stance?"

"Yes. On the contrary, Kyubero, you are too stiff. As I said earlier, don't be so stiff. Be natural. If this staring contest continues for hours, what will you do? The outcome is already clear, you know."

"I appreciate your advice... but I suggest you don't get too cocky."

While closing the distance, I said this with a hint of provocation. In the current situation, where the opponent's skills are unknown, taking the initiative is the way to go. This strategy was not wrong. But... I soon realized I had chosen the wrong opponent.

"Don't get too cocky with me."

Second's gentle attitude suddenly changed.

In an instant—I was trembling all over, completely losing my fighting spirit.

I recognized it. Having survived many battles, I could tell. This was genuine "killing intent." In other words, Second was seriously trying to...

"—Guh!!"

Second's fist hit my cheek. I was blown away without even knowing what skill he used.

I hit the ground, probably bounced, and rolled a few meters on the gravel. My cheek, jaw, head, and entire body hurt. How strong... how incredibly strong...

...From a distance, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. He was coming to finish me off, the pitiful me who couldn't even stand. Ah, I will be abandoned. He will be disappointed in me for lacking resolve. But... there's no way I can win. No matter what strategy I come up with, no matter what skills I use, there's no way I can win.

I felt like I had regressed to a child, and all I could think was...

I'm scared...

"Idiot. Stand up. Show some backbone. Come at me with the intent to kill."

...

What... are you... saying...?

"Is that all you've got? Hey, Kyubero. Isn't this the time to show some resolve?"

...No.

No, no!

That's right, it's not!

What's the reason! What's the strategy! What's the skill!

Damn it, I'm an idiot! It's completely different!

Second hasn't given up on me yet!

When will I show some resolve if not now!

When will I show some resolve if not now!

When will I show some resolve if not now!

"Uaaaaaah!!"

I lost the ability to stop my tears. The tears mingled with my wounds, spurring me on.

—Stand up, stand up no matter what. Show my resolve. I'm fine even if I die here. Second will take care of the rest. He promised. So I can rest assured in his arms. I won't give up. It's about backbone. Bet everything. Stand up with the intent to die—

"..."

Gathering my strength, I stood up. I managed to stand.

I lifted my throbbing head and looked at Second.

...Still, he's scary. Terrifyingly so.

But, so what?

In a daze, without even preparing a skill, I lunged at Second.

The moment my fist was caught in Second's palm, I heard his last words before my consciousness faded.

"You're the best."

* * *

"Where... is this?"

"You're awake."

At dawn.

Kyubero, who was lying on my bed, finally regained consciousness.

"Do you want a potion?"

"...No, I'll pass."

When I offered him a potion, Kyubero smiled painfully, covering his cut lip. "I want to keep this wound for a while," he said.

I didn't quite understand what he meant, so I simply said, "Okay," and put the potion back in my inventory.

A moment of silence followed.

Kyubero was the first to speak.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For picking me up and making me a slave, perhaps. For giving me an opportunity, perhaps. For sparing a match with me, perhaps."

"Perhaps?"

"To be honest, I'm not quite sure... but I just wanted to express my gratitude somehow."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

I thought his brain might still be rattled and peered into Kyubero's eyes. After a second, Kyubero blushed and looked away. What's with that reaction?

"...Second is truly a strong person. I learned that the hard way."

"Sure."

"I may look like this, but I was confident in my martial arts."

"Really? What did you do?"

"...Yes..."

When I asked, Kyubero answered while getting out of bed with a pained expression and straightening up to face me directly.

The determined look on his face, like when we were in the carriage, made me realize he was about to tell me a painful story.

"I used to be the second-in-command of a group called R6."

"R6?"

"Yes. They are vigilantes based around the capital."

"...Vigilantes, huh."

Thieves who only steal from the wicked, taking from the strong and giving to the weak. They are hated by the knights but supported by the people. Like yakuza.

Ah, I remember hearing something about vigilantes based in the capital. I think Yuki reported it to me before I went to Isolais. Apparently, a vigilante group that was touted as the best in the kingdom was completely crushed by the Castal Kingdom's knights.

"Vigilantes, or 'thieves,' are hated by many. Especially corrupt nobles who have fattened their own pockets are the first targets, so they crack down fiercely. And the same goes for the royal family."

"So the Castal Kingdom launched a thorough crackdown on the vigilantes."

"Exactly. The Second and Third Knight Orders weakened us to the brink of destruction in just a few months. But it was later revealed that... our downfall was solely due to the First Knight Order."

"First Knight Order?"

That's odd. The First Knight Order is mainly responsible for guarding the royal family. It would be unnatural for them to crack down on vigilantes, which should be the job of the Third Knight Order, the guards, or the Second Knight Order, the military.

There must be a reason. I had a hunch. That rotten First Knight Order led by Prince Klaus must have had some ulterior motive.

"...Our boss, Reimsma, wished to settle things with his life in exchange for not harming his subordinates. He bowed his head and offered his life. The First Knight Order acted as the mediator, waiting for the opportunity. And the Second and Third Knight Orders were supposed to accept the terms..."

"They were tricked."

"Yes. A few days later, a vigilante suppression force led by the First Knight Order was formed, and dozens were killed in a surprise attack. The First Knight Order was pretending to be neutral while pulling the strings behind the scenes."

"That's terrible."

"For my sake, many of my subordinates were sacrificed, and I ended up... at the Maurice Trading Company."

"...They let you go?"

"...Yes."

Kyubero nodded and sobbed silently.

He must have been frustrated, sad, and full of regret. For the past four months, he must have been restless, thinking of ways to help his scattered subordinates who were hiding and living in fear. He must have believed that as long as the second-in-command was alive, the boss Reimsma's will would be carried on, and the vigilante group 'R6' would be reborn, for the sake of his subordinates who died believing that.

"Do you want to avenge them?"

"Yes."

"Do you want to help your subordinates?"

"Yes!"

Let's put aside the right and wrong of the matter. This guy, Kyubero, is a man with backbone. He has the determination to never give up, even in death. He has the spirit to face any challenge. He showed me that resolve to the fullest. Now, it's my turn.

"Come with me. I'll do what I can."

"~Yes!"

It's a promise between men.

Thank you for reading.

The next chapter is a side story.