The Forsaken Hero - Volume 1 Chapter 13

Trance Labyrinth Part 1

There existed two goddesses in this world. However, they belonged to opposing sides.

Goddess Claria. The great goddess all of us humankind worship. Lauded to be a beauty tempered through many centuries of refinement, its said that she was a wonderful woman of bountiful love.

Then there was the goddess who opposed that goddess.

Her name: Messiah. The very incarnation of evil, she controlled demons. Causing all sorts of brutalities, she invaded our towns and took them for her own. Its said she left no survivors.

These two warring goddesses involved the entire world in their conflict.

Claria, to defend the people. Messiah, to seize the world.

Their strengths virtually even, the careful balance tilted all at once due to a certain existence.

That existence was Hero Terias.

Having received Clarias divine blessing, he held a powerful ability and used it to defeat each and every one of the demons Messiah sent at him.

Then, finally, Claria and the Hero succeeded in sealing Messiah away.

Rostalgia knew peace once more

< “—phew…”=”” i=”” closed=”” the=”” book=”” i=”” was=”” reading.=”” i=”” gained=”” the=”” knowledge=”” i=”” wanted=”” with=”” this=”” world’s=”” history=”” books.=”” i=”” was=”” currently=”” at=”” the=”” fourth=”” floor=”” of=”” the=”” royal=”” library,=”” a=”” part=”” of=”” the=”” history=”” area.=”” there=”” was=”” something=”” that=”” i=”” wanted=”” to=”” do=”” before=”” we=”” set=”” out=”” for=”” the=”” next=”” dungeon,=”” so=”” i=”” was=”” still=”” in=”” wrystonia.=”” for=”” lodging,=”” we=”” had=”” a=”” three-person=”” room=”” at=”” an=”” inn.=”” to=”” get=”” the=”” money=”” for=”” it,=”” i=”” pawned=”” off=”” a=”” gem=”” leadred=”” had.=”” a=”” guardian’s=”” finances=”” really=”” are=”” different,=”” huh.=”” the=”” royal=”” library=”” required=”” an=”” entrance=”” fee=”” as=”” well,=”” so=”” i=”” got=”” that=”” from=”” leadred=”” as=”” well.=”” a=”” slave’s=”” things=”” are=”” their=”” master’s=”” things.=”” i=”” shouldn’t=”” care=”” about=”” it.=”” i=”” shouldn’t=”” care…=”” at=”” all…=”” as=”” i=”” was=”” reading=”” and=”” struggling=”” with=”” a=”” conflict=”” to=”” my=”” pride=”” as=”” a=”” man,=”” someone=”” came=”” up=”” behind=”” me=”” and=”” spoke.=”” “daichi.=”” everything’s=”” ready.”=”” the=”” girl’s=”” name=”” was=”” hamakaze=”” shuri.=”” my=”” very=”” first=”” slave.=”” apparently,=”” it=”” looked=”” like=”” she=”” cleared=”” the=”” mission=”” she=”” imposed=”” on=”” herself.=”” “really=”” now?”=”” i=”” put=”” my=”” book=”” down=”” onto=”” the=”” mountain=”” of=”” them=”” next=”” to=”” me=”” and=”” took=”” her=”” hand.=”” “alright=”” then,=”” show=”” me=”” the=”” way.”=”” “certainly!=”” i’d=”” be=”” delighted=”” to.”=”” hamakaze=”” snuggled=”” up=”” close=”” to=”” me.=”” …=”” it=”” felt=”” nice=”” so=”” i=”” didn’t=”” say=”” anything…=”” it=”” went=”” without=”” saying=”” that=”” the=”” looks=”” we=”” got=”” from=”” everyone=”” else=”” hurt,=”” though.=”” what=”” hamakaze=”” meant=”” my=””>everything earlier was the reward Id promised her.

She wasnt wearing her usual adventurer clothing. Recently, shed been wearing a maid outfit. Same with Leadred.

When I asked why they were wearing that, Hamakaze just answered by saying she heard that boys liked that kind of thing.

It wasnt much different from attitude change she had down in the dungeon, though.

You have some strange tastes, dont you. For you to want to be with a guy like me

The reward Hamakaze decided to ask for was for us to be together for the day. In other words, she wanted to be with me.

Meanie.

Why?

You should know how I feel.

I have no clue.

Recently, Hamakaze started to take a more proactive attitude. I knew why. I knew what she felt, too.

Shes in a position where she could be abandoned whenever.

That thought was definitely pervading her mind. Even Id been like that in the past.

Playing the jester so that you wont be hated. Wearing however many masks you need.

Her skinship here is just another part of that. Thats why Im not hoping for anything weird. Right now, the one whos hurting the most is Hamakaze herself.

While that is true, the dilemma here is that I cant release her from her chainsfrom me.

Theres nothing else I can do but to accompany her like this every so often.

So, whatre we going to do? Dont hold back now, youve got me all day today.

Right umm.

She stopped for a moment. However, she then continued to talk, glancing to and from me all the while.

Honestly, I just want to go to one place. Ive wanted to go there with you this whole time.

Couldnt you have asked to go there for your reward then?

No, it wouldve been my loss that way.

Youre pretty shameless, arent you?

I guess youre just rubbing off on me then, Daichi.

I might be, so I couldnt exactly say anything in response.

Well, alright. Where did you want to go then? Give it a go.

Please dont say no, okay?

I wont break my promise, just say it.

Alright. The place I want to go to is

After pausing a moment, Hamakaze smiled in looked almost like loneliness before telling me where.

The royal palace.

Since coming here, all I was met with were weird looks. Struggling by myself, suffering, being abandoned, being eaten.

The place it all started.

Wrystonias royal palace.

Man, it still looks huge, doesnt it?

Likely due to being fortified against incoming assaults, the gate was pretty big.

I didnt hear any response. There was no one else around us. It was silent.

She just kept staring at one spot.

I didnt know what what so special about that spot, but I didnt think it was something I needed to know either.

She just kept standing there in silence, staring at it.

Like a doll. Like shed lost her soul.

Tears trickled down her cheeks.

I wonder what shes thinking about?

It wouldnt be weird for her to be here, normally. From what I understand, she only allied with me in the dungeon out of her fear of death.

Same for her revenge and her goodwill for me, she might only be doing that because she thinks she has to to keep staying alive.

So when she said she wanted to come here, all I could feel was a cold oh feeling.

My chest hurt.

It was only a short moment, but it felt like it took ages as she turned back to me.

Daichi.

What?

Im happy I could come back here.

How come?

Because I can see everyone again.

Thats all I could figure shed say next.

But my prediction turned out to be off.

Because I figured out my feelings are the real deal.

Hamakaze was smiling.

She ran up to me, who was stuck there in blank surprise, and hugged me.

My mind finally thawed and started to work again.

Hamakaze?

I saw Samejima from here.

So youre saying that your feelings for him are real, then?

When I said that, Hamakaze looked like she was taken aback.

Thats not what I meant Wait, are you jealous?

She immediately went back to smiling though. Smiling as though in tease.

No, its just, well, that. I was just confirming so that I didnt assume wrong that she meant her feelings for me and go on the offense, making it some horrible misunderstanding like I did in the past. I was just confirming!

Anyway, if not that, then feelings for who?

With all due respect, youre being pretty roundabout here, Daichi.

You knew that already though, yeah?

Yeah. But, Katsuragi thats what I like about you.

A surprise confession.

My mind stopped working yet again.

I know that Im being selfish, but please hear me out.

She gazed into my eyes.

Katsuragi, I like that no matter how much I complain or say bad things, youre still kind to me.

Youre just imagining it. You can still take that back.

Katsuragi, I like that you did your best to become stronger so that I wouldnt die.

I-I just wanted to have a strong tool. I wasnt thinking about you at all.

For that, you even went through a horrible role back there. Katsuragi, I like that you gave me a reason to live.

N-No I just

She held my mouth shut with her finger.

Katsuragi, no matter what you say or think, it doesnt matter. My feelings for you wont change.

She brought her face close to mine.

No matter how many times I look at her, shes so beautiful.

Her cheeks were dyed a slight pink, her eyes moistened by tears. Flowing black hair, tender pink lips.

Her gaze grew warm. At a distance where I could hear her breathing, her nose touched mine.

Our lips met.

I love you, Katsuragi.

My second kiss from her tasted sweet.

Hamakaze, you

Should I believe her?

No, thats not it. Thinking about stuff like thats bad.

What am I doing here doubting someone whos shown me so much goodwill?

Will you accept me?

It was the same question she asked me before.

I cant answer her halfassedly this time.

Im being desired by her. This is the first time Ive been desired by anyone.

No, thats not it. Stop trying to find a reason. I already know, dont I?

Right here right here is the girl wholl probably become my special person.

Shuri.

I pat her head. From there, I moved my hands down through her hair and onto her shoulders.

I could feel her trembling with my fingers. She was nervous. Or maybe it was me doing the trembling?

Hamakaze closed her eyes. I know what that meant as well.

She was waiting.

For me.

Shuri.

Nn.

This time, Ill be the one to kiss her. I brought my face closer