Chapter 6: The Self-Proclaimed Charismatic Strategist (Part 2)
Ryuguin was waiting for the three members of the Hero Party. The meeting place was a room within the Lemone Guild. He had rented a room inside the guild, which was quite an oddity for an individual to do. However, with a casual disregard for such norms, he had secured the room without paying a single coin, under the condition that he could do as he pleased during his stay in this town.
It was a brazen act, but Balen, the master of the Lemone Guild, reluctantly accepted this arrangement under the pressure from Ryuguin. Yet, Ryuguin believed this was simply how things should be. In fact, he thought, “You should be grateful that a hero leading the brave is using this place.” Truly, his audacity was remarkable.
Despite the grand justification of “to conquer the Newly Constructed Ultimate Labyrinth,” the room was hardly used. It had only been utilized a few times for discussions about labyrinth strategies with his party members.
Ryuguin opened the door to his guild room. Inside, the members of the Hero Party were standing, waiting without even taking a seat. Seeing them like this brought a satisfied smile to his face.
“Did I keep you waiting?”
He tossed his hair back and called out. It was a rather pointless question. The exact meeting time had already passed by three hours, and the girls had been waiting there for an exceedingly long time.
However, in response to Ryuguin’s inquiry, they replied with concern and smiles.
“No, we just arrived!”
“Me too! We just got here!”
It was irresistible! Their transparent attempts to comfort him sent waves of excitement through Ryuguin, causing him to stiffen in his pants once more.
They were trophies. The finest trophies. The three of them were heroes admired by everyone in this world, objects of aspiration. The thought that they genuinely cared for him and were checking on his mood made Ryuguin feel as if he might just explode from joy.
He tried to play it cool, saying, “Well, standing around isn’t great, so why don’t you sit down?” To which they responded,
“Oh, how kind you are, Hero-sama!”
“As expected of Hero-sama!”
Mika and Angelica praised him, further boosting his spirits. However, his excitement began to wane as he noticed the Sword Saint girl next to them seemed somewhat absent-minded.
“That’s the trouble with a little gorilla who only knows strength.”
Ryuguin frowned and spat out the words. Seeing Eris bow her head in response eased some of his frustration, and he managed to collect himself.
“More importantly, the reason I gathered you all today is—”
He finally began to discuss the theme of the day. It was a rather carefree attitude, especially considering that the anger of the chancellor in the royal capital was reaching its peak at that very moment.
Had he shown a bit more restraint and thoughtfulness from this point onward, the story would have taken a drastically different turn.
The topic of discussion this time was straightforward: “The fact that Sword Saint Elise Gladius did not use the Holy Sword.”
“You didn’t ‘not use’ it; you ‘chose not to use’ it, right?”
Ryuguin grabbed Eris’s chin, forcing her gaze upward.
“The only reason something becomes impossible is when you give up halfway. If you don’t stop drawing your sword, it won’t be impossible.”
It was a philosophy reminiscent of the teachings of a wicked black company.
“Draw the Holy Sword here.”
“I can’t!”
“Just draw it!”
“Hero-sama, I truly can’t!”
“I, this Hero, am being kind! So hurry up and draw it!!!”
After Ryuguin let out a high-pitched scream, he gestured to the two beside him.
“Eris-san, it’s Hero-sama’s command. There’s no helping it.”
“Exactly, it’s simple. Just draw it. Even if something happens, we’ll be here, so it’s fine.”
The two pressed Eris further, just like Ryuguin.
“Ugh, ugh…”
Eris groaned, trembling as she gripped the hilt. But she steeled herself and shouted,
“Ah, ah, ahhhhhh!!!”
With a scream, she drew the Holy Sword in one swift motion—only to collapse, spitting blood and losing consciousness.