Chapter 102: Shirea
Translator: Soafp
It was just over a week after the audience with the king, on a dark Thursday.
I woke up and it was time to go with Lewis and the others to accept a request. When El and I left the mansion, the Commander of the Shirea Kingdom Knights was standing at the gate.
“Yaa, Aldo… k-kun…,”
Shirea was clearly upset as he looked at me and El alternately.
“Good morning, Commander Shirea. This is my younger brother, Elphus.”
“I’m Elphus. Nice to meet you.”
“Aah, yeah. I heard you’re about as strong as Aldo… Nice to meet you too.”
He seemed quite unsettled. Maybe he wasn’t planning to ambush me as payback for our mock battle… I might lose my temper if that were the case.
“Commander Shirea. We’re about to go accept a request from the Adventurers Guild.”
“Oh, sorry for intruding suddenly. If it’s not too much trouble, could I join you?”
“Do you have an adventurer’s card, Commander Shirea?”
“I don’t. So I won’t need a share of the reward. I just want to watch. I want to see the real fight of the ‘Shura’ who has been haunting my thoughts day and night!”
Though Shirea was speaking fervently, we wouldn’t be going all out since the request also served as a group battle training.
“Well, I and El probably won’t fight seriously.”
“That’s fine. I just want to catch a glimpse… Honestly, I’ve been thinking about your moves and swordsmanship day and night since then. If I can see it again, I think I can put it behind me.”
“…”
I quickly activated Body Enhancement and got into a combat stance.
“What’s with the sudden change?”
“Are you targeting my virtue…?”
“No! I’m normal. I have a wife and daughter. Please believe me!”
It’s hard to believe someone who openly says, “I’ve been thinking about you day and night.”
As Shirea desperately protested, El intervened with a wry smile.
“Nii-sama, it’s a bit pitiful to tease him too much.”
“…”
I relaxed my combat stance and turned to face Shirea, starting to speak.
“I was just messing around. I’m sorry.”
“Y-you were just joking… well, it’s fine,”
Commander Shirea’s shoulders slumped, giving off a somber air.
I couldn’t help but think… this might be where Grandpa meant by “misbehavior.”
When I think of something, even if it’s inappropriate considering my position, I act on it immediately and cause trouble for those around me.
But I don’t dislike it. It’s fun to mess around, and I’m considering letting him come along.
“If you promise not to ‘get involved,’ I’ll ask my comrades if it’s okay.”
“Thank you. I promise it’ll just be observation.”
“Alright. But I and El won’t be going all out.”
“That’s fine. I don’t mind.”
Shirea’s eyes clearly showed his overwhelming excitement.
Meeting with Lewis and Nero was planned at the Adventurers Guild. Recently, it became the default meeting spot without needing to be arranged.
As we entered the guild, the bustling atmosphere suddenly turned silent… Could it be harassment again?
Though few, the adventurers who came to our aid during the Wyvern incident greeted us.
“Hey, Aldo. Where are you heading today?”
“I haven’t decided yet, probably herb gathering?”
“A Wyvern Slayer going herb gathering…”
“I’m still an F-rank”
“You’re still calling yourself F-rank… That’s pushing it with the rank scam.”
I shrugged, and we headed to the tavern attached to the guild.
We sat at a table, and I ordered from the waitress.
“Three glasses of milk, please.”
“Yeeessssss.”
The experienced waitress headed to the kitchen to prepare the milk.
“Aldo, when you say three, does that include mine?”
“Of course. It would be rude not to offer anything to Shirea.”
“I-I see… I appreciate it.”
Elphus thought to himself, “Nii-sama is planning to have fun with this person…”
Shortly after, the waitress brought three glasses of milk.
As the three of them toasted and drank milk, Lewis and Nero arrived.
“”””Good morning.””””
We greeted each other, and then Lewis and Nero glanced at Commander Shirea.
“I’ll introduce him. This is Shirea, the commander of the Royal Knights.”
“I’m Shirea, the one being introduced. Today, I’ve come to request Aldo’s company for a hunt. Would it be possible for me to accompany you? I promise not to interfere.”
Lewis and Nero were stunned. Why would the commander of the Royal Knights want to accompany an F-rank mission? It didn’t make sense.
“How about it, Lewis, Nero? Can Shirea accompany us?”
“Yeah, I’m fine with it.”
“I’m okay with it too.”
With the consent of Lewis and Nero, Shirea joined the group.
“Alright, let’s accept the quest!”
El, Lewis, and Nero looked warmly at Aldo, who was happily heading to the bulletin board.
Lewis suggests that they accept the E-rank request, “Advanced Herb Gathering. This is a standard request these days, especially when there are no interesting requests.
The hunting ground was Scarlet Forest, another standard choice.
During the journey, Shirea walked a bit away from the group, not to be a hindrance, but his attention was clearly on them. He seemed a bit absent-minded, stumbling over small obstacles and almost stepping on dog droppings.
Aldo struggled to suppress his laughter. Seeing his antics, Elphus, Lewis, and Nero shuddered, thinking, “There’s a demon among us…”
Upon arriving at Scarlet Forest, Lewis issued the order to “scatter.” They each moved slowly into the depths of the forest.
Though there were a few skirmishes along the way, as agreed beforehand, Aldo and Elphus handled them with strategy rather than using their full strength.
Shirea observed their actions closely, as if seeing something rare.
Aldo realized he might have misunderstood Shirea. He seemed genuinely pure-hearted, someone who could see the good in others without prejudice.
As expected of a commander, he exuded a sense of magnanimity. Even though it might not be appropriate for his position, he seemed like the kind of person who could humble himself before those he acknowledged.
Perhaps Aldo had been overly suspicious, holding a grudge from their mock battle. It seemed like his worries were unfounded.
From now on, Aldo decided to treat Shirea with respect.
It’s about time for lunch. Under Lewis’s command, we decided to have our lunch in a grassy area with a good view.
Shirea, silently, observed our lunch preparations.
“Shirea, do you have lunch?”
“Oh, I didn’t prepare anything.”
Wait a moment. I looked closely at Shirea’s equipment.
“Shirea, do you have water, perhaps?”
“I’m feeling a bit thirsty.”
I handed Shirea my water bottle and some spare jerky, urging him to eat.
“I’ll just have the water, then.”
“No, please eat. And you can keep the water bottle.”
Seeing the seriousness in my tone, Shirea quietly accepted and had his lunch. It’s important to keep hydrated…
After a short break and feeling re-energized, Lewis asked:
“How is everyone feeling?”
“””No issues.”””
It’s a customary check after a break. We’ve started doing this regularly. We don’t lie during these checks. If anyone needs more rest, they say so. Even if someone isn’t feeling well, they speak up. There’s no need to show off among us.
As we ventured further, I sensed something unsettling…
I remained vigilant, but there didn’t seem to be any immediate threat. My gut feeling, however, was ringing alarm bells.
“Lewis, I have a bad feeling about this…”
My murmurs raised the alert level not only for Lewis but also for El and Nero.
“Any reason?”
“No, it’s just a gut feeling…”
“Can you use area sonar, Aldo?”
“Yeah, I can.”
Lewis turned to El, Nero, and Shirea.
“Aldo will use area sonar. If there’s an enemy magic user, we might be detected. Be prepared to retreat. And I’ll take responsibility. Follow my orders no matter what.”
“”””Understood.””””
“Alright, Aldo. Use your area sonar.”
“Got it.”
I used the area sonar… Wait… This is…
“We need to retreat!”
“What’s wrong?”
“The magical energy is going berserk!”
“No way… Is it Scarlet?”
“That’s right!”
“Everyone, retreat!”
Everyone enhanced their bodies and swiftly retreated along the path we came from.
Why is it called Scarlet Forest? It’s because it periodically experiences magical anomalies, turning the forest completely red. Once a magical anomaly occurs, it lasts for about a month. During this time, the forest becomes a hellish battleground where everything, friend or foe alike, fights each other. Even pack-like creatures such as Wind Wolves are not exempt. They attack anyone in sight, regardless of kinship or species.
Unfortunately, Aldo and the others encountered this magical anomaly at the worst possible moment.
While running, I used the area sonar again.
It seems the magical anomaly doesn’t spread to the sky… At worst, we can escape to the sky using Space Kick.
However, I can only carry one person.
But here are Lewis, Nero, and Shirea… I informed Lewis, the leader, of this information.
“It seems Scarlet doesn’t spread to the sky. We can escape by using Space Kick.”
“I see, Space K…”
“I can only carry one person!”
I interrupted Lewis’s words.
“It is only myself and one other person can be transported with Space Kick…”
Everyone except El fell silent.
As we ran, Lewis began to speak.
“Aldo, El…take Nero and Shirea with you…”
“Lewis! What are you saying?”
“Shut up!”
“…”
“I’m the leader… I said to follow my orders.”
“…”
“I’m not planning to commit suicide either. I’m a demon. I should have higher resistance to magic than humans…”
“Should… You.”
“I cannot allow everyone to perish.”
“…”
As we ran with all our might, the red magical force drew closer and closer.
Suddenly, a voice with a resolute tone that could be heard by everyone resonated.
“I’ll stay. If I let promising young men like you die before my eyes, even if I survive, my heart will die.”
Impressive. This person is a cool adult, a cool man. I cannot let him die!
“El!”
“Yes, Nii-sama!”
Perhaps it’s a twin ability. Just by calling each other’s names, El and I could perfectly share our thoughts.
The Scarred Red was approaching rapidly… we were about to be caught up.
“Everyone, come closer to me.”
Even in this situation, without any explanation, everyone came closer to me.
“Magic Shield!”
I raised my right arm and deployed a spherical magic shield from my forearm.
The Scarred Red seemed to be trying to engulf us as if it were conscious.
However, while protecting everyone from the Scarred Red with my magic shield, we continued to run relentlessly toward the exit.
How long did we run… I felt like my magic was running out, and my consciousness was becoming faint… Suddenly, my magic was replenished, and my consciousness awakened.
It was El. He transferred his magic to me, collapsed due to magical exhaustion, and Shirea picked him up, carrying him as we continued to run.
“I can do this too! I won’t let Elphus-kun die even if it costs my life.”
“Thank you, Shirea…”
At this moment, despite our differences in age, race, and status, the hearts of the five of us were truly united.
None of us would be left behind in this forest! We would all die together!!
We all supported each other. If someone stumbled, they were helped up, if someone faltered, they were encouraged. How long did we run like this? Desperately running, I felt my consciousness fading away for the second time.
I must have lost consciousness at some point. It’s pitch black around me, but in front of me, a campfire is burning, illuminating the surroundings brightly.
Groggily, I slowly raise myself up, feeling like I just woke up from a nap.
“What happened…”
I thought I was muttering to myself, but a voice comes from behind.
“It’s thanks to you.”
I slowly turned in the direction where the voice came from.
“…So, we made it out alive. I’d appreciate it if you could explain.”
There, El, Lewis, Nero, and Shirea were sitting with smiles on their faces.
“I’m not sure how to put it… but I’ll explain.”
Lewis seemed a bit bewildered as he started to explain.
“Thanks to you creating a magic shield, we managed to barely escape from the forest.”
“I see…”
“To be honest, you were staggering. It’s understandable if you don’t remember.”
“Sorry, I don’t remember anything.”
“But even after we got out of the forest, no matter how much we told you to dispel the shield, you didn’t.”
“…”
“Judging it too risky to deplete any more of your magic, I asked Shirea to knock you out.”
“…”
“I felt bad about it, but I had to deal with it. I’m sorry.”
“I was the one who asked Shirea. I was worried he might overdo it.”
“Thank you for helping me.”
“No, it’s fine. Without your magic shield, we would probably have been swallowed by the Scarred Red… so I should be thanking you.”
After receiving the explanation, I felt the tension leaving my shoulders. I wanted to know more about the details. It turns out it’s early morning the day after we accepted the quest.
It seems unlikely we’ll be able to go to the academy today.
However, Lewis, Nero, and Commander Shirea were also exhausted from the escape from the forest, so they decided to focus on recovery first.
Here, a slight problem arises: how to report to our homes… especially the Sandra and Blue Ring residences, as it might lead to search parties being sent out.
Nero came through at this point. Before it got dark, he ran to the guild to inform them and requested to relay messages to the Sandra and Blue Ring households. Then, he hurried back home, bought food supplies, and returned.
Then, after Lewis and Shirea recovered, they primarily took on the watch, leading us to this moment.
Actually, El woke up about 30 minutes before me and heard the explanation, nodding in agreement just like me.
“We all managed to make it out safely somehow. Shall we head back to the royal capital?”
At Lewis’s words, everyone slowly got up.
“We’ll probably get a scolding when we get back…”
“If it’s just a scolding, that’s better.”
“Nii-sama, looks like you’re skipping school.”
“I already got scolded yesterday.”
As the four of us chatted excitedly, Shirea murmured quietly.
“You guys are students… but I’m absence from work without permission…”
Absence from work without permission…as a former member of society, I felt my stomach churn with the weight of those words, even though they were not about me.