abcnovels
Chapter 283: The Guidance Towards the Path
Chapter 283: The Guidance Towards the Path
Chapter 283: The Guidance Towards the Path
<Author's Notes>
The other day, I was informed that the 1st Volume of the Light Novel was reprinted again. Furthermore, Manga Volumes 1-4 are also reprinted. Thank you very much to everyone who purchased them.
Even so…… Including the timing on when to present them, it sure is difficult to choose the right information to present…… I have a hard time finding the answer to this every time (sweat drop)
[So that's how it is.]
[It still depends on the person and the situation…… but in this matter, "this is what I had decided".]
[But in this case though, you decided this was more appropriate, didn't you?]
[I think there are some subtleties regarding the emotions in our relationship between him and me. Subtle emotions that only he and I can understand.]
[I…… see……]
[Of course, I'm not saying that women aren't sensitive———- but men are more sensitive than you imagined, Seras.]
That's why……
They try to protect themselves more than necessary and become unnecessarily aggressive.
As they worry about their position all the time, they'd eventually find themself in deep trouble.
Until in the end———– They fell into a self-wrestling mindset with no way out.
[I feel like the current Yasu…… is heading in a not-so-bad direction. If he keeps heading towards that direction, he should be fine. Of course…… I've accepted his plea regarding what he's going to do in the future, because it's in my best interest to do so.]
I will give Yasu Tomohiro his freedom.
In other words———– We'll release him.
I still haven't told Yasu about this yet, but this is what I've decided.
It's rather risky to bring him into our side.
That's what I judged.
First of all, there's no way to eliminate the risk of him finding out my true identity.
When a former classmate becomes a "friend", the danger of being found out increases dramatically.
Without him realizing that I'm "Mimori Touka"———— I will release him.
This seemed to be the best course of action at the moment.
I'm not going to get rid of him.
The current Yasu is no longer on the Goddess' side.
Well, there's still the possibility that he'll side with Sougo but———
[For example, after Yasu was able to join up with Sougo and the others, and he's successful with his apology and reconciliation…… There, Yasu will end up telling Sogou that the "Fly King" was the one who saved him.]
Hearing my words, a look of understanding appears on Seras' face.
[That's right. Even if we were to go up against Sougo's side, this would make it hard for Sogou to stand against us. In all likelihood, this matter with Yasu may become a "shackle" for Sogou.]
In her eyes, I will become "the person who saved her classmate who was almost killed by the Goddess".
[From what I've heard of Sogou-dono's personality, indeed……]
[Moreover, if Sogou's side learns the truth from Yasu's own mouth, her opinion of that sh*tty Goddess will take a turn for the worse. Vysis had her own pawns, the 6th Cavalry to get rid of Yasu———— her classmate.]
Seras exclaimed again.
[Yes, it's as you had guessed. The Mad Emperor's plan of "winning over the S-Rank Heroes to their side" is becoming somewhat more realistic.]
[Indeed……]
Though I say that, it was still to the extent that "it would be great if that happens".
It's risky to rely on Yasu to win over the S-Rank Heroes.
I guess the main axle for this would really be Asagi's group.
When push comes to shove———- It might also be the time for me to finally divulge my true identity.
[Well…… One of the reasons I'm letting Yasu go is that he's still mentally unstable and his presence here brings about too much uncertainty.]
In other words——— I can't afford it.
I don't have the resources to devote to Yasu Tomohiro.
[This journey of revenge is coming to an end…… Conversely speaking, you could say that we will have even less room to spare in the future.]
It would have been fine if this was just a leisurely journey where we enjoy visiting the other world.
It would have been fine if the goal of this journey was to save someone wherever we go.
However, this is a journey of revenge.
And perhaps———– the climax of this journey is near.
I don't have any time to relax and take care of Yasu.
[Point is, I'm not sure if I can control him. It would take a great deal of deception and acting to keep him from knowing it was "me". We'd have to be comrades after all——— We'd end up standing side by side in that case.]
He's an A-Rank Hero.
I've also just heard about his ability.
He'll definitely be a force that could be reckoned with.
But more than that, I haven't been able to fully assess Yasu Tomohiro as a person.
I don't even know if he'll definitely change for the better.
That's why revealing my true identity still seems like a risk to me right now.
Fighting together with him while hiding my true identity is currently fraught with uncertainty.
[Most importantly, Yasu himself wants to go to where Sogou is. From what I heard, he also wants to take a look around this world. But as I said before, I can't afford to go along with him right now.]
[———–So the best thing to do would be to let him go.]
[That's why I think.]
I turned my face and looked behind me.
[I know it sounds like I'm pushing him away…… but he'll just have to find his own way. This is as far as I could help him.]
As long as that sh*tty Goddess is trying to kill him……
I'm not sure if he'll ever be an enemy again.
Even if he gets caught, that will that's fine as well. Yasu doesn't know who I am.
There wouldn't be a problem.
It's just……
[I don't think that sh*tty Goddess will care that much if Yasu is still alive…… I'll advise him later that "he should hide his identity after he leaves here".]
Thereupon, Seras turned towards me.
[But if I were to be honest though…… He's different from what I imagined. The guy you told me about before and the guy he is now…… I can't help but think they're two different humans. All the things he said were his true feelings…… but after revealing his true intentions and showing us that he had no hostile intent, he still wished to continue being restrained. Apparently because it would be better for you and the people of this country to be safe.]
Pausing for a moment, she continues.
[Those were words of someone who is very objective and considerate of others.]
[I suppose…… he used to be a straightforward guy like that.]
Perhaps, since who knows when——— we may have got off on the wrong foot.
He may have been confused by the constant flow of information.
Thereupon, he found himself being swallowed up in the waves of information flooding into his mind.
The result of being confused by the vast amount of false information circulating the internet, being continuously swayed by the information he received———– Perhaps, the Yasu Tomohiro we just talked with was the Yasu Tomohiro not too long ago before we came to this world.
[Well…… In a way, that guy too———-]
Putting my hand on the doorknob of our room……
[I guess you could say that he had been under the influence of an abnormal state ability this whole time.]
……I thought I had said something pretty smart back there.
After actually saying it though, it sounds kinda lame. Good grief.
And yet, Seras is still the same……
She looked as if she's really amazed that I could quite comprehend the situation……
Anyway———– I've decided what to do with Yasu Tomohiro.
He will go his way.
I'll go my own way.
?
We went straight into preparations for our departure.
In between our preparations, I attended a few council meetings to solidify the guidelines for our future movements.
Currently, Munin was making a homemade Fly Knight mask for herself.
Incidentally, she made a mask for Nyaki as well.
The two of them then wore their respective masks and came to show them off to me and Seras.
Speaking of Nyaki……
"Nyaki wants to be strong too nya!"
After she got her mask, she suddenly got excited.
I even went along with her when she went to consult with the Four Warlights about it.
Other than that, as I was taking a bath with Seras, discussing our future plans with her……
Armia and Qir came in without permission.
At night, I visited the Forbidden Race's village again.
We had dinner with the Seven Warlights and discussed many things.
At this time, we also discussed about the other Divine Beast named Radis.
He's quite the noisy prisoner, but we can't afford to hand him over to Mira.
"We want to keep Radis under our control."
It seems that the Mad Emperor had already accepted that condition as well.
"Now that we have diplomatic relations with the Faraway Country like this, there's no need to force the Divine Beast into our hands", or so he said.
After dinner, I was able to sit down and talk with Gratora.
And that night, I was invited to Liese's room and served food again.
Within those times……
Departing before our group——— was Yasu Tomohiro.
That day, we had come to the door to see Yasu off.
Yasu was able to walk now, and his complexion had improved.
He's wearing earmuffs to hide his missing ear, but as for his right hand that had lost its grip……
To protect his peeled off nails, his bandaged hands were protected under gloves……
If you look closely though, one could still see the painful claw marks in many parts of his body.
However, he had recovered enough to be able to move normally now.
It seems that the power of a Hero's Status Correction is also effective in this area.
Yasu was carrying a backpack.
There were lots of things packed inside, especially things that were necessary for sleeping outdoors.
He was also given a considerable amount of money for traveling expenses.
With the amount of money he got, I think it should be enough for him to last until he reaches Alion.
As for the danger of battle——— I think he should be fine.
The Sixth certainly did a good job on his body.
But even with a battered up body, Yasu is still an A-Rank Hero with an Inherent Skill befitting his rank.
If it's just a Golden-eyed Monster or a bandit, he should be able to get rid of them easily as long as he doesn't get too negligent.
In addition to me and Seras, the Demi-Humans who had been taking care of Yasu had also come.
The Dragonewts and Centaurs that had found Yasu.
Nyaki also came to help open the door.
Keeping his stature straight, Yasu turned towards us and bowed his head.
[I had been under your care. Thank you very much for everything.]
Seeing such a Yasu, I walked up to him……
[Here.]
—–and put a pendant with a crest tied on a thin string in his hand.
Looking at what I gave him, Yasu looked towards me.
[Ummm…… This is?]
[The one who possesses this crest is a guest in the Faraway Country, and we hoped you'll overlook them———- We've discussed as such with the Mira Empire. As long as it's within the Mira territory that has been notified of the country's agreement with us, you should be able to avoid unnecessarily trouble with that. If you were heading west, avoiding the Southern battlefields, that could be useful.]
[Thank you very much. I don't know how I can repay this favor……]
[Please don't worry about it now. By the way, do you have an idea where you want to go first?]
[No…… I still don't have any specific place in mind. However…… If I were to go southbound to head towards Alion, I think I really might get caught in the war as you said. Right now, the armies of Alion and Mira are probably fighting each other around that area. So, I thought it would be a good idea to go around north, passing by Mira, Jonato and Magnar, and see the people of this world with my own eyes……]
[From here on out, it will be up to you. I sincerely wish you all the best for the future…… May you have a good journey and hope that you will be able to meet up with the Heroes you mentioned.]
[Thank you…… May the future be good for you as well, Belzegia-san.]
Next, Yasu thanked Seras.
Then, he thanked Nyaki.
And finally——— Yasu especially thanked the Dragonewts and Centaurs who had taken care of him while he was here.
[I'm so glad you're feeling better, Tomohiro-san. Please take care on your way.]
[Thank you very much. Please take care of yourselves too. I will never forget this favor I received. And me too…… It may be too late, but I hope…… No, I will strive to become a person who can be thanked by someone.]
[Yes…… We sincerely wish that this will be the case.]
Yasu then looked at me once……
[Well then, please.]
Before bowing his head towards Nyaki.
Thereupon, Nyaki glanced towards me, to which I nodded back to her.
Before long———— The door leading to the outside world opened.
[Well then, everyone…… Once again, thank you very much. I hope to see you again…… when I become someone I can truly be proud of…… and at that time, I hope to thank everyone again. Finally…… Thank you very, very much.]
And thus, Yasu Tomohiro departed from the Faraway Country.
?
On this day, I affixed the Nullification Curse on Munin.
The installation in itself succeeded without difficulty.
After that, we borrowed a corner in the royal castle and conducted a test shot.
Each shot of the curse consumes one Azure Dragon Stone.
The pros and cons of the activation of the curse———– was cleared with no problems.
All that's left to consider would be……
When to approach.
How to approach.
And then——— How do I deceive her.
[…………………….]
Almost there……
I could feel it close……
My hands wrapped around that sh*tty Goddess' neck.