Chapter 7

After being called to the king's room at dawn, I stood there, took a deep breath, and firmly held the secret letter my mother had given me.

---

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

---

A few hours later, I was summoned to the king's room in the castle of Distinia at dawn. The princess and Elka stood beside the king. As usual, the princess looked at me as if I were trash... Elka tried to give me a disdainful look, but it didn't quite work, and her face looked rather amusing. You must be happy to be despised by me, don't force it.

"…Do you want to hear the reason?"

"This Elka says she doesn't want to waste effort on someone like you who has no power. Unfortunately, I don't want to keep freeloaders in this castle either."

Well, you have the nerve to say that after kidnapping me... But it's better not to argue here, so I'll just listen quietly.

"Of course, I'll give you a certain amount of pay. If you want to become an adventurer, I'll give you the castle's weapons."

If you can become a powerless person... The king didn't forget to add a sarcastic remark. What a sleazy guy. I've already mastered being an adventurer.

But I'm grateful for the pay; money is never a problem for me. I don't need the weapons, though.

"Since you are a hero, you would normally be expelled from the country, but if you leave the castle, you can stay in the town below."

"...Thank you."

What a guy, you old bearded man... But I'm relieved that I don't have to leave the country; there are still things I need to do in the town.

When I looked at Elka, she nodded slowly at me. Did you arrange this for me? Thanks a lot.

"Leave the castle by the day after tomorrow. That's all. You may go."

"Yes..."

I exuded a depressed atmosphere and left the king's room, but inside, I was elated.

---

After Setsu left the king's room, the king, sitting on the throne, gave Elka an order.

"Elka, go and gather some money and give it to him."

"Understood."

The king watched Elka leave and then turned to the girl standing next to him, who was glaring at the door where Setsu had just exited.

"Margaret, such a glare ruins your beauty."

"Even so, Father... Why did you decide not to expel that scoundrel from the country!?"

Margaret was referring to the princess, and the scoundrel was Setsu. She seemed unhappy that Setsu wasn't being expelled from the country.

"It's defiling the soil of Distinia just to let that scoundrel of a hero walk on it... No... I can't even bear to call him a hero!"

Margaret's face was distorted with anger, and her innate magic was rising from her body.

"Since it was Elka's strong request, it's better to listen to her. You agreed once, didn't you?"

"But... When I see him, I remember... the man who was summoned five years ago...!"

The image of Setsu from the last summoning came to her mind. Margaret seemed to be very angry because the atmosphere of the man in front of her was similar to that of the Setsu from five years ago.

"He is... to our true hero...—"

"Stop it!!"

"!!"

The king stopped her with a roar.

"Even if there are guards, we don't know who might be listening. Be careful with your words."

"I'm sorry, Father..."

Margaret bowed her head, deeply reflecting. The angry atmosphere from earlier was fading.

"Let's get back to the topic. You are unhappy that he won't leave the country, but the decision has been made. It's not a good idea to go against Elka's opinion, who is responsible for the hero's training."

"I understand..."

She bowed her head and clenched her fists so hard that blood dripped from them.

Fortunately, no one overheard this conversation.

---

I'll cool my head... After Margaret left, the king was still thinking about the conversation.

(That useless man... Wasn't his name Setsu...?)

That name was one the king found particularly distasteful.

(The man who betrayed our human kingdom and stopped the war...)

"Hmm... No way."

The king dismissed the thought. The idea that that man had returned was something that shouldn't happen...

---

Endo was walking down the castle corridor with his companions. There was still time before training, and he seemed to be planning to relieve his stress by tormenting Setsu, which he hadn't done the day before.

"Hey, let's relieve some stress, Endo!"

"---Shut up."

"Huh?"

Endo's face showed his anger as he lashed out at his companion.

"I've been feeling a bit off lately... I need to give him a harsher punishment..."

In his mind, he saw his beloved person and Setsu embracing. Since witnessing that, Endo's mind was filled with hatred for Setsu.

"Hey, Endo, Necro Yuki is over there."

"Huh?"

Sure enough, Setsu was walking down the corridor towards them. His hair was unkempt, his eyes hidden, and his short, thin frame... Endo thought, why is such a guy with Hana Yuzuki? I'm better than him, aren't I?

---

Kouma understood. He was a perfect man, and there was no way to compete with him.

But Endo couldn't forgive the Necro man who was closer to Hana Yuzuki than this perfect man. The anger and jealousy led him to bully and assault Setsu.

(I'll make him feel even more ashamed...)

As Endo glared at Setsu, Setsu seemed to notice and his mouth formed a "ge!" expression.

Endo realized his face was twisted. The thought that Setsu was afraid of him made him feel a surge of superiority.

"Hey, Necro Yuki, what are you doing?"

He forced his arm around Setsu's shoulder, and his companions surrounded him from the front and back, preventing him from moving.

"---No greeting? Hey!"

Endo's fist hit Setsu. Seeing him gasp for breath, Endo felt a sense of superiority.

"Huh?"

At that moment, Endo's gaze fell on Setsu's hand.

"What do you have there?"

"!!"

He forcibly took it from Setsu. It was a small pouch, but it felt heavy.

When he opened it, about ten gold coins shone inside. Having learned the currency of this world, Endo knew the value.

"Ten thousand yen... Where did you get this?"

One gold coin was equivalent to ten thousand yen in Japanese currency, so ten coins were a large sum, at least for Endo, who had never had such an amount.

"---I... I'm useless, so I thought I'd try to do something other than fighting... I helped people in the castle... and got paid..."

Endo's mouth twisted into an evil smile.

"Then this is mine now."

He put the pouch in his pocket, enjoying the heavy feeling.

"Wow! Endo, you're so cool!"

"Let's buy some food!"

The companions cheered, and Endo, who had been irritated earlier, now found their voices pleasant.

"Sure! We'll go on a spree in town after training!"

Laughing crudely, they left for training, leaving Setsu standing there...

---

"Damn..."

I cursed as I watched Endo and his companions leave with a vulgar laugh. I had acted on the spot, but I didn't expect them to take the money so mercilessly... If it weren't me, I'd probably be crying my eyes out.

But thinking that this is all because I'm close to Yuzuki, I started to feel a bit sorry for Endo. His jealousy is so obvious. He should try to approach Yuzuki instead of bothering me... Probably in vain, but she's not very sensitive to people's feelings towards her.

"---Well, I can get as much money as I want, so I'll forgive them. It's too much trouble anyway."

"---Hey, isn't that Setsu?"

"---Grain?"

As I was feeling sorry for Endo, who was no longer there, I encountered Grain, who had taken off his armor. As always, his good looks were blinding.

"Why are you here?"

"Ah, that's---"

I told him that the day I had to leave the castle was decided and that my money had been stolen.

"Day after tomorrow... But isn't it strange for someone like Setsu to just take it?"

"---It's fine. I think they'll get what they deserve even if I do nothing."

"---What do you mean?"

From the knowledge I gained from reading web novels, people like Endo usually don't end up well. If they continue to be weak and follow their desires, they will eventually hit a wall. To break through it and satisfy their desires further, they will turn to more extreme methods.

"---That's how they destroy themselves. It's a classic pattern."

"---What do you mean?"

"---It's like building a strong foundation at the beginning."

I wasn't saying anything wrong. The stronger you become, the easier it is to satisfy your desires.

"---But I have a question."

"---What is it?"

"---When is the next break from training?"

---

"---I didn't expect it to be today..."

I visited the town below the castle with a dispirited expression. It had been two days since the expulsion order, and today was the deadline for my stay in the castle. It was also the day off given to us who were summoned.

---

"---Sorry to keep you waiting, Yuki."

"---No, I just got here, Yuzuki."

The person who appeared in front of me was my childhood friend, with whom I had a date in the town below the castle...

So, the day the king set for me to leave and the day I had promised to go on a date coincided.

(---This is going to be a hassle...)

My mood was sinking, but I didn't want to show it in front of a girl.

---Today is the last day I'll be in this town, so I'll make it a good memory, even if I have to force it.

"---Let's go."

"---Okay..."

I walked beside Yuzuki, starting our walk through the town.

Today, I would leave the country after this date. I decided to enjoy the town to the fullest, so I wouldn't have any regrets.

"---Is there anywhere you want to go?"

"---..."

"---What's wrong?"

"---! No! Nothing! Hey! Let's eat some street food!"

"---Okay..."

For some reason, Yuzuki seemed to lack energy... Did I do something to her?

Or could it be...

"---That looks delicious! It's like a donut!"

"---Sure... Let's try it."

---Does she realize I'm about to leave?

"---This is fun, Yuki."

"---Yeah..."

I couldn't read her true feelings, even when she occasionally showed a lonely expression...

---

Is the drama about to start?