Chapter 15.5

I ended up falling in love with someone.

Even though I was certain that I, of all people, would never fall in love.

「Let’s get along, Hector-san.」

That was probably the first time I saw her smiling face straight on. Her red eyes shone like beautiful jewels, and her white hair looked as pure as untouched morning snow. And more than anything, what surprised me was that I felt that way at all.

Cyril has a lovely face, but she’s not what you’d call a peerless beauty. I’m used to seeing well-formed faces, and noblewomen are expected to be refined in appearance. Among them, she might even fade into the background.

But what value is there in a beautiful face? At least at that moment, what looked more captivating than anything I had ever seen was the apothecary girl’s smile, one that seemed unable to hold itself back any longer.

(…I like her. But… what am I supposed to do?)

I must have liked her for a long time already. The moment I realized it, the emotions threatened to overflow, and I didn’t even know what kind of expression to make.

The person I love had only just acknowledged me as a friend. I wanted to confess my feelings right away, but my reason stopped me, telling me that would be a mistake. Still unable to hold it in, I asked about what would happen if I confessed now.

I already knew the answer, there was no chance of success, and it depressed me. I pulled myself together after being told it could change depending on my actions, and left the pharmacy to clear my head, but thinking alone didn’t lead to any good ideas.

(How can I make her like me…?)

Since people are drawn to me just for my looks, I had never once thought about what to do to be liked. Besides, Cyril was never someone who would be attracted to my appearance in the first place, so the 「techniques」 I’d used to play women like the palm of my hand wouldn’t work on her.

I wondered what I should do, and the first thing that came to mind was giving her a gift. Those cookies that were said to be cute, if they weren’t laced with anything, she might be pleased. Maybe she likes cute things, or sweets.

(But food is no good. If something gets mixed into it again, that would be a disaster…)

If not food, then what would be good? Something cute, or something beautiful? I know what’s generally said to make women happy, but would she really be pleased by that?

(I’ll talk to Kyos. I can’t really consult anyone else.)

But my only best friend is someone I don’t know when I’ll see next. Instead of voicing my feelings, I let out a deep sigh.

A few hours later, a forced assembly was issued to the knights belonging to the order. Even those on leave were not spared. Seeing the knights moving about in a rush made one wonder what was happening, and news of the assembly spread through town in no time.

I had been heading to a flower shop to buy a bouquet, but when I saw comrades who were supposed to be off duty running toward the garrison, I realized it was no ordinary matter and ran in the same direction.

「Monsters have been sighted in a town two over. We’re sending out a subjugation unit from here as well. Prepare immediately!」

For a moment it felt like my right hand throbbed sharply at the word 「Monster」. It hadn’t hurt at all since I started applying Cyril’s medicine. Along with that pain, memories of past fear resurfaced vividly, and I forced them down with a smile.

「You look pretty relaxed, Hector. You’ve been assigned to the subjugation unit too.」

「Haha, I’m honored they think so highly of my abilities. Well then, I guess I’ll go get ready.」

「Oh, as expected of the flower knight. Not just women, you handle monsters with ease too, huh?」

I causally waved off my comrades’ teasing and returned to the room assigned to me to begin preparations. Though I kept a smile on my face, my mood was heavy.

A long time ago, I was attacked by a monster. Monsters look nothing like other living creatures, they are grotesque. Back then, I had to cover Kyos who got frozen at the sight of it, and had my hand stabbed through. Unable to even muster the will to fight, I could only endure the intense pain and run.

(…This time, I can fight. So I should be able to see her again.)

But why is it that I want to see her face once more and, if possible, tell her 「I’m off」? I changed from my casual clothes into my uniform, strapped my sword at my waist, and stepped out of my room. That’s when I heard someone say, 「Sezan took a girl to the supply room.」

(What is that idiot doing at a time like this?)

I pictured the face of my womanizing, playboy comrade and immediately started walking. We’re about to risk our lives hunting monsters, and he’s bringing a woman along? I had to drive her out before anything improper happened inside the garrison.

That’s what I thought when I headed there, but when I saw an unexpected face, I was so surprised I forgot to breathe for a moment. I didn’t let the smile leave my face, but she always manages to surprise me. I was surprised, and since I hadn’t expected to see her, I was very happy. But…

(Just the fact that Sezan looked at Cyril like that… makes me furious beyond belief.)

It felt like he dirtied her with those eyes. It seemed Cyril had only come to deliver medicine with her benefactor Jean, but it was obvious that Sezan had looked at her with impure intentions.

I chased him off quickly, but my anger didn’t subside. I decided then that I’d deal with him properly later.

For now, I set aside my anger toward Sezan and chose to be happy that I could talk to Cyril. Once I told her I’d be going as part of the subjugation unit, my resolve would be set.

I asked jokingly if she came here worrying about me, which I would have been happy if she had.

Her red eyes seemed to waver for once, so I quickly added words to deny it. …I don’t want her to hate me.

「Just kidding. Your medicine works well, so it helps. I’d like to use it first, if possible.」

Still, just the fact that she brought the medicine was enough. I knew firsthand how effective her medicine was. I even had a strange confidence that I wouldn’t end up dying from worsening injuries.

「No, I came because I was worried. …So please be careful. Come back safely.」

So I hadn’t even hoped she would say something like that. She’s usually calm and doesn’t take my words seriously, so I didn’t expect much. I was so surprised I forgot to keep up my expression. …But this person always gives me the words I truly want.

(This… really makes me happy.)

I have to come back. I have to visit the pharmacy where she is, as if nothing happened.

After escorting Cyril and Jean outside, we departed less than an hour later. But strangely, I no longer felt any fear.

**************

Monster extermination requires time and manpower. Even if you cut a monster into pieces, it won’t die, it tries to return to its original form. However, if the fragments are small enough, about the size of a child’s fist, they lose the ability to recover, so the basic strategy is to gradually shave it down and reduce its overall volume.

(It’s not decreasing at all…!)

Monsters are amorphous, fluid-type creatures, massive black lumps. From anywhere on their bodies, they can form blades and attempt to slaughter the humans swarming them. You have to avoid those blades, or block them with a shield, and steadily cut pieces away, but it inevitably turns into a prolonged battle.

While dodging the monster’s attacks, you also have to be careful about how much you cut off when striking. If that kind of high-strung combat drags on, your concentration won’t last. To minimize accidents, frequent rotations are necessary, making it a troublesome job.

「Hector, switch out!! Fall back for now!!」

「Tch… understood!」

Reacting to the captain’s shout from behind, I pulled back. A black spike immediately lunged toward me, I twisted my neck to dodge it, but heat ran across my cheek. I’d been cut.

Another knight slipped into the opening I created and began swinging his sword. I retreated to a safe distance, took a sip from the canteen handed to me, and steadied my ragged breathing.

「Injuries?」

「Just the cheek from that last hit. I’ll be fine after a short rest.」

「Good. But don’t push yourself too hard, you can’t use a shield. You’ve done more than enough.」

「Yes, sir.」

My right hand still can’t handle heavy objects. I either dodge every attack from the monster, or if I can’t, I cut it down to escape. …Cutting off the extended blades inevitably produces large chunks, which aren’t very effective, so I’d rather avoid it, but it’s better than dying.

I nodded at the words of Gilwis, the commander of the Second Knight Order and my superior, but I couldn’t shake the sense of urgency. It had already been three hours since the battle started, yet the monster’s size had barely decreased.

「A regeneration-type is troublesome.」

「…Yes.」

Most monsters in this world have already been exterminated, but according to the remaining records, each monster can use one type of magic. The ability differs from individual to individual, but this one appeared to be using healing magic.

In other words, just when we finally managed to reduce its size, it recovered and returned to its original form. It felt like watching a sandcastle you painstakingly built get swept away by a massive wave. Seeing your efforts rendered meaningless like that drains your spirit.

(But it’s not like it has infinite reserves. At some point, it has to run out of mana.)

If it keeps using magic, it will exhaust its mana. Without replenishing it by eating something, it won’t recover and will lose the ability to use magic. Until then, we have no choice but to keep cutting it down. It’s less dangerous than facing offensive magic, but it tests your mental endurance. In other words, what’s already a long battle becomes even longer. …Without some kind of reward, this wouldn’t be worth it.

「When this is over, I’ll treat the entire Second Knight Order in the capital.」

「That might raise everyone’s motivation a bit.」

If it’s Gilwis, both a knight commander and a noble, treating us, it’ll probably be a good place. But more than that, I just want to get back as soon as possible.

I let out a small breath while looking at the monster, still as large as a great bear, barely reduced at all. How much longer would this take?

「It might not be enough for you or Sezan, though.」

It probably wouldn’t be enough for Sezan. Gilwis is devoted to his wife and strictly proper, he’d likely take us somewhere with no women at all. But I had no complaints about that.

「…In that case, could you tell me about some rare medicinal herbs that don’t grow back there?」

「Oh?」

「Just kidding. I’ll head back in now.」

「Right. …Yaog!! Switch out!!」

I ran toward the knight whose name Gilwis had called. Faster, faster. I just want to finish off this monster and go back.

Once I got within range of the monster’s blades, I cut off all thoughts except for fighting. Even if the danger of dying is low, it’s not zero.

…In the end, it took half a day to subdue the monster. The battle that began at sunrise only ended as the sun was setting.

「Hector, I hear there are some good medicinal herbs growing around here. You should look for them on the way back. Their characteristics are…」

While everyone else collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion, Gilwis, who had been giving orders while also participating in the fight, called out to me. With my worn-out mind, I only managed to remember how to identify the herbs and their features, letting the rest go in one ear and out the other.

(…If I bring them back, I wonder if Cyril will be happy.)

That was all I could think in my near-exhausted state, but later, I would regret not listening more carefully, especially about how the herbs are used and their effects.