Running Away From The Hero!

259

Originally, watching fights is the most entertaining way. (6)

Huff, huff, huff.

There was no sign of the figure that had just knocked out the village leaders.

They sipped their drinks slowly, as if saving the very expensive drink drop by drop.

You can have more if you want.

Oh, no! I had a lot earlier, so Im fine.

I nodded in surprise at Ria, who sipped her drink hesitantly.

Yeah. Binge drinking isnt good.

At my words, Ria teared up and continued to sip her drink.

Yes. Binge drinking is not good, very

She seemed to alternate between drinking alcohol and tears to the point where it was unclear whether she was drinking tears or alcohol.

So, shall we

Um I still have a little bit of alcohol left

She showed me her glass, which seemed to be half full.

A while ago, it would have been hard to believe that this was the same person who had emptied her glass in one shot and knocked out the village leaders.

Well, it couldnt be helped.

There might be times when she wanted to enjoy a drink in peace.

As a mentor, I should wait patiently.

-Master? From what I can see, it seems like shes deliberately stalling for time, right?

Hmm You could say that.

Isnt she being too complacent? What if scary sisters show up because of this?

That wont happen.

If she was deliberately acting normal to buy time, you might think someone was acting as bait in a trap.

But look at her now.

Although she was raising her glass, her pupils were rolling around, and there was a slight tremor in her hand as she raised her glass.

Her body was slightly turned away from me.

This posture was to get out of the way as quickly as possible.

It meant that she was full of escape thoughts.

Of course, after becoming the bait, someone else could step in when the trap was set.

But my instincts were telling me something. There was a subtle difference in Rias actions now.

I couldnt explain it, but I was sure that those slightly trembling pupils werent from acting, they were genuinely surprised!

Well, if Master says so, then thats probably it. Its not like I have anything to lose if Im wrong, except for Masters life.

That was Iron Bats answer.

Even though he claimed to be soul mates, connected by souls when needed, and compared it to the relationship between a goddess and her disciple, he gave such irresponsible answers.

Every time I say that, you deny it, dont you? Master only comes to me when she needs something.

It was a slightly petulant tone, but since it was a common occurrence, I let it slide. After all, when the opportunity comes to drop a person, everything will come out.

For now, this was more important.

Ria.

Yes, um

When I called out to her, Ria, who was sipping her drink, turned her head in surprise.

Why are you?

Why are you so surprised? Anyone would think I was going to eat her.

-Break?

-Its loud. No, even before that, shes an adult now.

Although Ria was one year younger than the heroine Mirana, who was in her mid-twenties last year, she was still in her mid-twenties herself.

At present, its a very late development, but still, at the age of 15, she was a member of a noble family where marriage was common.

At that point, it wouldnt be out of place to call this boy an old maid.

Besides, as someone who had spent a few years in the Imperial Palace, it seemed highly unlikely that Ria would enter into a romantic marriage.

For Ria to marry, she would either have to be pressured by the power of her household, the power of the Magic Tower, or she would have to forge ahead on her own.

-Master? Isnt that last part a crime?

-Its considered a crime if you get caught, but its not a crime if you dont.

As my disciple, she would surely have the ability to secretly protect the man she likes.

-Even if you believe that, Master, an apprentice wouldnt approve.

-Its not my life, so it doesnt matter.

Since I had more problems regarding romance, I couldnt pay attention to other peoples problems.

-Well

Even the mighty Iron Bat was at a loss when it came to matters of love.

-Youve never had one?

-Cough.

Th-that boy! I told him to come in with the lights on!

Professor?

Sares voice suddenly rang out, causing me to swallow the drink in one go.

Why, why are you?

Seeing her like that, trembling like a small animal, Ria looked up at me with a pitiful face.

It seemed to be the kind of face that would be popular with men.

Should I reconsider my judgment?

-You saw it when you were drinking, didnt you? Thats her true nature.

-Im doomed.

Although the world is vast and there are many strange people, noble men who like such appearances are rare.

It cant be helped. As a teacher, the only thing I can do is to help my disciples raise a good family.

-How? Should the master follow her every time shes in love?

-That is an invasion of privacy.

I am a kind teacher who respects the privacy of my students. So I have to find another way.

-What kind of way?

-Make her a hero. A hero recognized by the whole continent!

You say a hero is wanted by everyone, right?

Even if hes unpopular, if he becomes a hero, hell be able to get at least one girl!

For now look at this.

When I showed Ria the paper I took out of my pocket, her face turned pale.

T-this is .

Um. You know what to do, right?

Yes.

-Master? Wont this child die?

The clear eyes that shone through the messy hair and dirty face were now clouded.

What should I say?

Just a moment ago, those eyes were saying, Ah, Ill survive even in the tigers den if I keep my wits about me.

-Now theyre just saying, Ah life?

-Thats right.

Even the non-expert Iron Bat could see how desperate she was.

Professor this what I know this darkness its not, right?

A drop rolled from her right eye and trickled down her cheek.

A drop.

A drop of water fell from her slim chin, making a sound as it hit the glass.

Wow, she hasnt finished her drink yet.

Truly pitiful.

-Master shouldnt say that!

Is that so?

Yes

I knew she wanted to deny reality, but it was an inevitable fate.

A fate that couldnt be escaped from the moment we met!

Now read this carefully.

As soon as I finished speaking, various emotions appeared on Rias face.

Regret, despair, disappointment, fear, anger, emptiness, denial, sadness.

Ria showed every negative expression a person could have, but one thing remained constant: every time her expression changed, she looked at the Iron Bat in my hand.

At the last moment, after alternating between me and Iron Bat for a while, Ria muttered.

-Phew. I survived.

-In the end, I lost.

The last expression Ria showed contained only one emotion.

Killing intent.

She wanted to kill me and undo everything.

But perhaps she couldnt overcome the trauma she had suffered since childhood and finally accepted her fate.

-I really almost died.

Since it was a magical area, it was enough to be fifty years old to still be active. No, it was an age where one could have both the skills and experience to be considered in ones prime, as some call the 40s and 50s the best years.

But thats if you have magic power.

Without magic power, like me, your strength and endurance diminish. Just holding a sword makes you tired.

Ria, on the other hand, with her powerful summoning, Surtr, had a style closer to a mage than a sorcerer, but in melee she was a monster that could rival a knight.

If Ria had decided to cast body enhancement magic and sacrifice Surtr, she could have easily blown my head off with just a few dodges of Iron Bat.

But Ria couldnt get over her fear of Iron Bat.

This gave me a new advantage.

An important advantage that could cause a great stir among the Imperial Army, the Demon King, and the heroes.

So,

Ah, cant you take it?

No. You cant.

Hurry up and take the shot, Ria.

#8 Her Circumstances: Ria El Nermias Circumstances

Oh no Im lost.

Mother, please save me!

-Run! Run! You must run, Master! This is a contract with the devil!

Surtr, who was more frightened than I was, cried tears.

Why did Surtr make a deal with me?

Besides, it wasnt an ordinary contract, but a slave contract that had to obey my words.

It was because of that gear scroll right there.

A powerful contract that even the gods who manage the world after its creation cannot break.

I really dont understand why the Creators made such useless things after creating the world and then disappearing.

-The Creators arent bad. Its the Master who abuses the Gear Scroll!

-Indeed.

The creators probably didnt intend for the Gear Scroll to be used this way.

Its the Master no, the Professor whos misusing the Gear Scroll.

But I had no choice.

I considered killing them all and fleeing but there was no way I could defeat the Iron Bat the Professor was holding.

Didnt Mirah tell you? Professor defeated over ten sword masters with just Iron Bat, and even defeated Her Highness, the princess.

Even I couldnt defeat ten sword masters. No, no ordinary person could. Not even the five who hold the title of Sword could accomplish such a feat. Didnt you see Iron Bat defeat even the most revered Sword Master?

So stop being stubborn and quietly sign the slave contract.

But the condition of the contract was very strange.

.

From the first to the tenth, they all mentioned the Magic Tower.

In other words, it was an order to return to the Magic Tower and serve as a devoted granddaughter of the Magic Tower.

No, you cant.

Humans have a conscience.

And I am human.

Just as I was about to flee after fighting the demonic forces, I would be too ashamed to return. Before the battle, I would die of shame.

No, even before that, I cant let my family and the Magic Tower be toyed with by the professor.

Just looking at the contract, how many clauses were there that urged me to be vigilant against the Empire and the heroes of the Magic Tower?

Even if I have to suffer, I cant let my home, my family, and my second home, the Magic Tower, suffer

Will you do it?

Yes.

There it was. I could sell myself ten more times.

Good. Thats a good choice.

With a compassionate smile, Professor lowered the Iron Bat he had raised.

Sigh

Im sorry, Grandpa. I had no choice.

Youll understand when you get hit by that thing.

No matter how important family and the Magic Tower are, arent people more important?

If I could die bravely, I would, but since I cant even die from it.

-Dont be too sad. The masters decision is the right one.

Even the Great Demon of Hell said it was the right choice.

So theres no other choice.

Grandpa Im sorry,

Clench.

Alright. The deal is done.

I have to survive first.

Okay. You remember the terms of the contract, right?

When I stamped the contract with a drop of blood, a faint light began to emanate from the Gear Scroll, and seeing that light, Professor smiled with satisfaction.

Yes, I do.

I know, but its going to be very difficult.

How will the people of the Magic Tower see me?

No, will Grandpa accept me again after he fled as soon as I mentioned the war?

If he doesnt accept me again Ill have to cancel the contract, but what will Professor do with me?

While pondering over these various concerns, Professor took a map and a small necklace out of his pocket.

Take this and go there.

This?

I tried to detect it with magic, but it was an ordinary necklace.

Go to a village youve never heard of with this necklace?

I have prepared a gift for you.

I didnt know what it was, but I wanted to throw it away.

Taking this necklace and going there felt like crossing a river of no return.

But what could I do? I had already made a deal with the Gear Scroll to obey it until I defeated the Demon King.

With a small sigh, I despaired of my fate and went to the place marked on the map.

Have you come, Your Majesty?

Pardon?

I became a mercenary king.

Huh? Why?