Chapter 22

"What's the matter, you coward!"

The one-on-one duel was interrupted, wasn't it?

"What are you talking about? The reason you lost is because you couldn't control my power and let me stand up!"

...Are you really saying that, you bastard? What kind of hero are you! What kind of hero allows a slave! A piece of trash who can't even properly complete a rigged race has no right to act like a hero!

"It was your companion who interfered in the duel! That's why I stumbled!"

"Hah! Are you whining like a loser, you liar?"

"No, it's not like that! You coward!"

Motoyasu, the cheater who ignored my side of the story, looked down at me with a victorious attitude.

Really, someone interfered. Yet... this bastard!

"Is that so?"

Motoyasu turned to the audience.

But the audience, whether they noticed the fact or not... silence reigned.

"There's no need to believe the words of a criminal hero. Hero of the Spear! This is your victory!"

This bastard! Even the king, the organizer, declared it boldly.

The people around probably had some thoughts. Their eyes darted around, as if they wanted to say something. But once the king, the most powerful person here, made a definitive statement, there was no one who could overturn it.

They might even be eliminated by the king.

Is this a dictatorship?

"Of course, Sir Motoyasu!"

The root cause, the bitch, approached Motoyasu with a shameless smile. Then the castle's mage cast a healing spell on Motoyasu alone, healing his injuries.

He doesn't even intend to cast it on me.

"Hmm, indeed, the hero chosen by my daughter Malti is worthy."

The king placed his hand on Mina's shoulder.

"W-What!?"

Mina is the king's daughter!?

"Yeah... I was also surprised at the time. Mina is a princess, using a fake name to infiltrate."

"Yes... I volunteered for the sake of world peace♪"

...So that's how it is.

I thought it was strange that I would be labeled a criminal just based on the victim's testimony.

I see... The incognito princess, to become the favorite hero, used me, the weakest among the heroes, as a scapegoat, deceived to take the money, and her father, a foolish girl, tolerated her whims, fabricated evidence, and framed me with false charges.

Thus, the hero Motoyasu, who saved the princess from the criminal, would become close to the incognito princess, deepening his relationship with her more than with other women.

This also explains why the initial advance payment was more for me.

In other words, the princess legally obtained good equipment and favored her favorite hero, Motoyasu.

If he had been given much more expensive equipment from the start, Motoyasu would have found it suspicious and kept his distance.

To what extent it was planned, I can only ask the person directly, but these people, who went this far, would never leave any evidence. In short, in the end, only the useless Shield Hero, labeled a criminal, and the Spear Hero, who saved the princess in a grand manner, would remain.

The reasoning came to me like a chain of events.

Although I didn't receive any damage, the fact that I could release a high-powered Wing Blow that made me stumble is proof of my good upbringing, the true evidence that I am the princess of this country.

The fact that the rigged race was held and the interference was forcibly suppressed is because of this background.

Of course, if his daughter interfered in the duel, he would protect his favorite, Motoyasu.

If that's the case, the duel between Motoyasu and me was probably planned from the beginning.

...No, it's easy. All I have to do is whisper this in Motoyasu's ear.

"That girl is a slave who was forcibly subjugated by the Shield Hero. Please save her right away."

It's the best opportunity to evaluate his future husband and show his kindness. These people, who went this far, wouldn't miss this chance.

Ultimately, if Motoyasu marries the princess, the legend of the hero who saved the slave girl from a criminal will be complete.

The legend of the hero, who stands out more the stronger the evil, will be passed down with the name of his wife, the princess, for generations to come.

Damn! What a rotten king and a bitch princess!

No, wait... the princess, a bitch...?

I've heard this phrase somewhere.

Where? Where did I hear such a story?

...I remember. When I read the Four Sacred Weapons book.

The princess in that book used her charms on all the heroes.

If the Four Sacred Weapons book I read in the library is somehow related to this world, it makes sense why the princess is a bitch.

A boiling anger surged through my body.

Thump...

I felt a heartbeat from the shield.

The conditions for the Curse Series shield have been unlocked.

The deep, dark emotions overflowing from my heart began to corrupt the shield, distorting my vision.

"Come, Sir Motoyasu, the slave the Shield Hero was using is waiting for you."

The crowd parted, and Raphatalia was about to have the slave curse removed by the country's mage.

The liquid from the cup the mage brought spilled onto the slave mark on Raphatalia's chest.

Then the slave icon in my vision flickered and disappeared.

Formally, Raphatalia was no longer my slave.

I could feel the black emotion in my gut taking over my heart.

In this world, it seemed as if everyone was mocking and taunting me, and rejoicing in my suffering.

Yes, in my vision... only the shadows with black smiles were visible.

"Raphatalia!"

Motoyasu ran to Raphatalia.

Raphatalia, with the cloth removed from her mouth, approached Motoyasu and, with tears streaming down her face, ...

—slapped him.

"You... coward!"

"...Huh?"

Motoyasu, who was slapped, looked bewildered.

"I can't forgive you for using underhanded tactics, but when did I ever ask for your help!?"

"But, Raphatalia, you were being mistreated by that guy, right?"

"Lord Naofumi never made me do anything I couldn't do! He only used the curse to make me fight when I was scared and unwilling!"

My consciousness was faint, and I couldn't hear what she was saying clearly.

No, I could hear it.

But I didn't want to hear anyone's words anymore.

I wanted to escape from this place as soon as possible.

I wanted to return to my original world.

"That's the problem!"

"Lord Naofumi can't defeat monsters. If he can't, someone has to do it, right?"

"You don't have to! You'll be used until you're worn out by that guy!"

"Lord Naofumi has never let me get hurt by a monster's attack! He lets me rest when I'm tired!"

"No... that guy isn't the kind of person who would do that..."

"...Would you extend a hand to a dirty, sick, worn-out slave?"

"Huh?"

"Lord Naofumi has done many things for me. He let me eat what I wanted. He gave me precious medicine when I was suffering from a cough. Can you do that?"

"Of course I can!"

"Then there should be a slave other than me by your side!"

"!?"

Raphatalia is... running towards me.

"Stay back!"

This place... is hell.

A world created by malice.

Women, no, everyone in this world, scorn and torment me.

If I touch them, I'll feel bad again.

Raphatalia glared at Motoyasu again at my attitude.

"I heard rumors... that Lord Naofumi forced himself on his companions, the worst hero."

"Yeah, that guy is a sex offender! You should know since you were a sex slave."

"Why would it be like that! Lord Naofumi has never forced himself on me!"

Then Raphatalia grabbed my hand.

"Let go!"

"Lord Naofumi... how can I earn your trust?"

"Let go of my hand!"

Everyone in the world is accusing me of a crime I didn't commit!

"I didn't do it!"

Whoosh...

Something covered me as I became agitated.

"Please calm down, Lord Naofumi. Please, lend me your ear so I can earn your trust."

"...Huh?"

"Do you only trust slaves you can't resist? Then let's go to the place where we first met and cast the curse again."

"No, it's a lie. You're trying to trick me again!"

What is this? It's forcing its way into my heart. What is this voice?

"I will believe in Lord Naofumi no matter what."

"Shut up! You're trying to pin another crime on me!"

"...I don't think Lord Naofumi has forced himself on anyone as the rumors suggest. You are not the kind of person who would do that."

For the first time since coming to this world, I heard the words I wanted to hear.

It felt like the black shadow covering my vision was dispersing.

I could feel the warmth of human kindness.

"Even if the whole world accuses Lord Naofumi of doing it, I will say that you didn't... over and over again."

When I looked up, there was a 17-year-old girl, not the young girl I had seen before.

Her face somewhat resembled Raphatalia, but I thought it would be rude to compare them, as she was much cuter.

Her dirty, dull hair was now neatly groomed, and her dry skin had become healthy.

Her emaciated, bony body was now well-built, looking healthy and energetic.

Most importantly, her eyes, which had been murky and resigned, now held a strong will.

I didn't know such a girl.

"Lord Naofumi, let's go and have the curse cast on me again."

"Who... who are you?"

"What? What are you talking about? It's me, Raphatalia."

"No, no, no, Raphatalia is a child, right?"

The girl who claimed to be Raphatalia, who said she believed in me, tilted her head in confusion.

"Really, Lord Naofumi, you still treat me like a child."

Her voice... was indeed the familiar voice of Raphatalia.

But her appearance was completely different.

No, no, no, even if it's Raphatalia, it's strange.

"Lord Naofumi, I'll tell you now."

"What?"

"Half-breeds... when they level up as children, their bodies grow rapidly to the most efficient form."

"Huh?"

"Half-breeds are not human. This is the reason they are condemned as monsters."

The girl who claimed to be Raphatalia continued, blushing.

"Indeed, I... I am still a child mentally, but my body has almost become an adult."

Then Raphatalia buried her face in my chest, which, upon closer inspection, was quite ample, and said,

"Please believe me. I am certain that Lord Naofumi has committed no sin. You gave me precious medicine, saved my life, and taught me how to live and fight. Great Shield Hero... I will be your sword, and I will follow you even on the most arduous path."

These were... the words I had always wanted to hear.

The words Raphatalia had been saying since she swore to fight with me.

"Please, if you can't believe me, make me a slave or anything. I will cling to you and follow you no matter what."

"Ugh... ugh... ugh..."

For the first time since coming to this world, I unconsciously sobbed at the kind words.

I tried to stop crying, but the tears wouldn't stop.

"Ugh... ugh... ugh..."

I ended up crying, hugging Raphatalia.

"The duel just now... Motoyasu, you lost by foul play."

"Huh!?"

Ryuen and Itsuki appeared from the crowd and announced.

"It was clearly visible from above that your companion cast a wind spell at Naofumi."

"But... everyone says it's different."

"They're being silenced by the king. Can't you see it in their eyes?"

"...Is that so?"

Motoyasu looked at the audience, and everyone averted their eyes.

"But this guy... he made the monsters attack me."

"He has no offensive power. At least admit that much."

Ryuen, who had been silent until now, criticized Motoyasu.

"But... this guy! He aimed at my face and crotch—"

"Since you demanded a fight where you had no chance of winning, it was probably the maximum harassment. You should forgive him."

Itsuki's suggestion made Motoyasu, though unpleasant, relax his shoulders as if he had given up.

"Since it seems you were at fault in this battle, give it up."

"Tch... It leaves a bad taste. There's also the suspicion that Raphatalia is brainwashed."

"Seeing that, you can still say that? That's impressive."

"Yeah..."

The heroes, looking guilty, left, and the audience followed them back to the castle.

"...Tch! This is no fun."

"Hmm... What a regrettable outcome."

The two embodiments of displeasure left the courtyard in frustration, leaving only us.

"It must have been tough. I didn't know at all. From now on, please share that pain with me."

With that gentle voice... my consciousness slowly faded away.

After about an hour, I fell asleep, hugging Raphatalia.

I was really surprised. I never thought Raphatalia had grown so much.

Why didn't I notice?

...Probably because I had no time to spare.

I had no time to notice Raphatalia's growth. I had been evaluating her with status magic, measuring everything.

The banquet was long over, and we spent the night in a slightly dusty unused room prepared by the castle.

Someone believed in me. Just that alone made my heart feel a little lighter.

The next morning, the meaning became clear.

The taste I hadn't felt since being betrayed by Mina returned.