The Forsaken Hero - Volume 1 Chapter 32

The Forsaken Hero Chapter 32

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Entrusting The Girl

ro! ro!

I heard someones voice.

My body was shook several times and the fog clouding my mind eventually cleared.

Where am I?

The bright light overpowered my vision. Dazzled, I sat up.

Hero! Youre awake!?

Following that, a man reacted loudly. The man was the guard sent along with Yuuji to escort us, Lynn Wade.

He looked different than before, like he was in a hurry. He hadnt said much on the way here and instead focused on keeping watch, so maybe Id just gotten used to that but it really did seem like he was acting differently.

Yeah Did something happen?

Well

Lynn had trouble continuing.

Looking around, I finally started to regain my usual composure.

There was no one around us. Not Tamaki, Mahara, or Minamoto. Not even Yuuji.

I was back on the surface, but none of them being here with me was strange. They werent such terrible people as to leave behind a fallen comrade.

Well, Mahara and Minamoto mightve.

The reason I thought that was because I saw them bully a certain boy in our class.

They used violence against a classmate that hadnt really done anything to warrant it. Theyd use reasons as simple as just not liking him to bully him.

To be honest, I couldnt keep watching it. After all, they were just fabricating a reality where someone was below them to make themselves feel better.

To validate their superiority, they abused a human, just wanting to humiliate him.

To top that off, when they felt that they themselves were in danger, they used him as a decoy. However, that was also my sin.

I couldnt do anything. Just like back at the school.

If only I could have told them to stop it, even just a single word But the thought of them bullying me instead was scary.

I regretted it. If I met him again, I wonder if he could ever forgive me? Even if not, Id at least want to apologize. It might just me wanting to do it for myself, but I think its something Id have to do.

Hero? Are you unwell?

Oh, no. I was just thinking about something

Lynns voice pulled me back to reality.

Oh right. What what was I doing before I collapsed?

Wed entered Trance Labyrinth.

But when Mahara and Minamoto ran off midway, Yuuji ran after them.

Tamaki and I were waiting in a safe spot when Yuuji came back with a few injuries. And then I fainted right. Someone struck me on my neck.

Everyones in danger!

Realizing that, I jolted up.

Hero! Please calm down!

Lynn stopped me by grabbing onto my arm.

Let me go! I haveI have to help them!

Even if you went by yourself, you couldnt do anything! You dont have a combat-oriented ability!

Hitting my weak spot, I stopped resisted. He was right, my Grand Library wasnt a special ability meant for fighting.

It only excelled when used to support others.

Moreover, my status wasnt that high, either. That downside came to light after my level hadnt increased in the previous dungeon.

Th-Then what are you saying I should do? Leave them?

I dont want to abandon them. I never want to do something like that again.

Lynn quickly answered my question.

Hero. I have a message for you from Yuuji.

From Yuuji?

Yes. He went back into the dungeon to save everyone after bringing you here. He also told me to tell you something if you attempted to return to the dungeon.

Wh-What did he want you to tell me?

To please return to the royal palace and tell them of what happened here, as well as request for rescue. To quote him: Fuuko, youre the only one that can do it. Hes relying on you, so we should go as soon as we

Ill do it! Lets go back to the royal palace!

I shouted, drowning out the end of Lynns words.

It was as Yuuji said. I might be able to get them a rescue team if I go back to the royal palace. Its something only I could do.

And he used my first name!

Just that was enough to fire me up.

The person I like used my first name!

Hero? Do you have a fever? Your face is red

Oh, n-no! Rather, lets go! We cant waste any time!

Yes, understood!

We rode back on horses with Lynn taking the lead.

Please wait, everyone!

Ill definitely call for help!

Several hours later, I had returned to the royal palace and told them everything that had happened. Then, when I was returning to the room that was assigned to me, I came across three girls in the hallway.

They were from Minamotos group. From right to left, there was Inoma, Nijima, and Horitani.

They each had piercings, broke school regulations, and were overall disbehaving students.

Hayase. How dare you

Wh-What?

Playing dumb!? We know you ran away and left Kureha1 and everyone behind to die!

Eh!?

I couldnt hide my surprise at what Horitani said. Why does she know that?

I mean, its not a problem for people to know, but

What matters is that the facts got twisted.

Th-Thats not what happened! There was a Monster House, I would have just gotten in the way!

A Monster House!? Why would they go into one of those!?

We tried to stop them! J-Just, Minamoto and Maharu didnt listen and ran off

Kureha wouldnt have done that!

She swung her arm down, slapping my cheek with her palm.

Either way, youre just trying to make yourself look useful so you dont get thrown away like that Katsuragi guy!!

N-No Im not! Please, listen

F*ck you! Shut up!

Ah

I took a punch to the abdomen. Horitanis fist went far in.

I staggered forward, unaccustomed to pain. Then, along with the others verbally abusing me, I took a kick to the side.

You murderer!

Gah

Unable to do anything but endure their violence, I could only use my arms to protect my head.

How long do I have to suffer this pain? How much suffering do I have to go through?

Tears started to overflow from my eyes. Why did I have to go through this?

What did I do wrong?

Whatever! Dont think youre off the hook! Be ready, Im going to tell everyone what you did!

Temporarily satisfied at seeing me fall over, the three of them walked down the hallway.

It was night out. They were probably heading to the dining hall. I obviously didnt have the willpower to follow them.

I leaned back against the wall.

Why why!

I couldnt shed anymore tears. Instead, all I felt was frustration and worthlessness.

Frustration at my weakness. Worthlessness at how helpless I was.

Im weak, so I couldnt do anything. Im weak, so I

What should I do?

Horitani said that shed tell everyone that I caused them to die. Theyd all definitely label me a murderer and abuse me however they wanted.

I knew that. Because because Id seen them do it to someone else already. Because of their own selfishness. Because of their own convenience. They would do the same thing to me.

If I had to be stared at like that if I had to be thought of like that

Ill just kill myself.

My hands approached my neck. If I invoked magic, Id die instantly.

Just then, Yuujis face appeared in my mind. The first man to treat me that kindly and acknowledge my existence.

He encouraged me so much, so I felt that I had to do my best.

No.

I didnt want to let him down.

What should I do, Yuuji?

The hallway had no one in it.

Even so, I heard a voice answer me.

[Do you desire power?]

Huh?

Even once I looked around, I didnt see anyone. Even so, I heard the voice again.

[Sorry, but I wont be showing you my appearance. I wont be telling you who I am, either.]

Huh? Eh?

[Calm down. I am conveying my words directly to you through magic. Will you answer my question?

Oh, y-yeah

[Hohoh, how obedient of you. There is something I would like to tell you first, then. The person you call Yuuji is still alive.]

!? R-Really!?

[You shouldnt shout.]

O-Okay. Sorry.

There was no one there, but I bowed my head nonetheless.

Yuuji is alive Just that was enough to ease my mind.

[Tamaki Yui is still alive as well. However, the other two lost their lives due to an accident. Unable to defend them, he will be punished for allowing the heroes to die.]

N-No way! I mean, they ran off on their own!

[This world is a cruel one. That would merely be treated as an excuse. So, the two of them are heading to the next dungeon while recruiting more people to their cause. Here is my question.]

Your question?

[Yes. Will you swear to become their comrade and to support him?]

It was a silly question. She could help and stand beside him? Could anything bring her more happiness?

I swear it. I want to help Yuuji, more than anyone.

[You are as I expected, child.]

It felt like the owner of the voice was laughing.

[In that case, I shall bestow you with power.]

P-Power?

[Yes. Try it out after this. I want you to aid him with this power. He is waiting for you.]

W-Waiting for me?

[They are heading to a dungeon named Blazing Execution Grounds. Early tomorrow morning, you are to leave this place and head there. Make sure you are not followed. Am I understood?]

Yes. I will definitely, definitely go to Yuuji

As I said that, I heard the voice laugh once more and break off. Nothing followed after that.

Now theres only one thing I have to do.

It felt like the pain Id been enduring lessened. Was it because of my uplifted mood?

I wasnt sure, but I did know that Yuuji wanted me. He was waiting for me.

I had to meet his expectations!

Yuuji

My mind was filled by him.

Entering my room, I prepared for my journey.