Chapter 23: Therefore, He…
The boy was supposed to arrive at the designated time. Yet, despite this, the table was cluttered with half-eaten dishes and various ales scattered about.
“You’re over there.”
The Hero indicated the boy’s seat. It was directly across from him at the rectangular table. On either side of the Hero sat two women.
Even though the boy had just arrived and taken his seat, the two women acted as if they were too busy to spare him even a glance.
The table before him felt like a boundary separating their world from his.
Thus began the meal, but even after the boy sat down, the three of them exchanged not a single word with him. They laughed and chatted merrily among themselves.
Meanwhile, the boy, who should have been right in front of them, felt as if he had become invisible.
The Hero rambled on about trivial matters, and the women erupted in laughter at his empty words. They would lean affectionately against the Hero, seek his attention, and when he showered them with sickly sweet compliments, their eyes would glisten and their cheeks would flush.
Unable to bear the sight any longer, the boy averted his gaze. This was truly an unbearable scene. He wanted nothing more than to look away and leave. Yet, despite it all, he couldn’t bring himself to give up. So, he asked.
“Ryuguin, are you training? Mika, how’s the soup kitchen? You used to do it, right? Ange, are you keeping up with your daily routine?”
The three of them looked at him with blank expressions for a moment. Then, the Hero burst into laughter, unable to contain himself, and soon clapped his hands together in amusement. This prompted the two women to join in, their laughter ringing out.
“Did you hear that, both of you?”
“Yes, Hero-sama.”
“Indeed, we heard it clearly.”
The boy was perplexed. What on earth was so funny?
“Oh, you really don’t get it, do you?”
Seeing the boy’s confused expression, the Hero wore the most contemptuous and disdainful look imaginable, a true reflection of the world’s ugliest emotions.
“Good grief, I’m not your mother. Don’t think you can just ask and get an explanation for everything. But fine, since I’m in a good mood today, I’ll make an exception. You should be grateful I’m going out of my way to explain this to you.”
The two women praised him, saying, “Hero-sama, you’re so kind.” Pleased by their words, the Hero puffed out his chest and began to speak with pride.
“First of all, things have been going well as they are. So, what’s the problem with that?”
“…Huh? What?”
“You’re not picking up on this, are you? What if changing our methods leads to failure? Can you take responsibility for that?”
He felt like shouting that this was utter nonsense. However, his words were cut off. The two women flanking the Hero chimed in, “As expected of Hero-sama,” one after the other.
“We’re using the money you received from the Labyrinth to help the people. Do you understand why? We’re not doing this for fun. Right now, we’re facing the threat of the Newly Constructed Ultimate Labyrinth and struggling with poverty. We’re doing our best to keep the economy running for the sake of the people. Am I saying anything wrong? Do you really want to paint us as the villains without even understanding my principles?”
Every word he spoke was nothing but sophistry.
“You keep lecturing me and them about soup kitchens, daily routines, and training as if you’re some kind of authority, but do you think training alone will feed the people? Just because we honor God, does that mean gold will magically appear? And just because we complete our daily routines, does that mean rain will fall on the barren fields?
So much effort.
So much effort, indeed.
So much effort, so much effort, so much effort.
Yet, despite all this, you keep preaching at us over and over again. You must think you’re some grand saint, don’t you?”
The boy knew that the faith of the Saintess in God could save people. He also understood that magic was a crucial element that made up the Red-haired Girl.
“What do you all think?”
He placed his hopes on that question.
“Thinking of the people and spending our days with Hero-sama should be our top priority.”
“I think so too. Just as Hero-sama says. Hero-sama is not wrong at all.”
Above all else—above all else, he looked up to the heavens and whispered so that no one could hear.
Both faith and daily routines must be carried out voluntarily, driven by something close to an impulse within one’s heart; otherwise, they are meaningless.
“I’m leaving.”
The boy could no longer stay there. He stood up and immediately left the scene behind.