72 – Self-Bombing

[Brad’s Perspective]

As Ooki’s training neared its end, Omoneil adjusted his clothes respectfully before speaking.

“Brad-sama, report…”

Omoneil received healing from Freesia and appeared fully recovered. His injuries, though not limb loss, included broken bones and were severe.

Healers couldn’t possibly mend limb loss. Only a saint could…

Freesia might have realized her saintly powers, perhaps nearing full awakening.

Though, that magnificent power felt somewhat wasted…

“Omoneil, I decided to train Ooki on my own. Speak freely if you have complaints.”

Ooki likely felt guilty for harming Omoneil. As a captive, he’d be the one targeted next.

“Cutting and slashing in conflict is inevitable. If it were me, I’d not only take hostages but torture them for information.”

“Hii!?”

When Omoneil glared at Ooki, Ooki turned away, clutched his head, crouched, and shrank his large frame. He was probably used to being kicked or punched as a bullied kid.

I glanced at Omoneil, and he nodded deeply.

“If you swear loyalty to Brad-sama, I’ll forgive your past misdeeds. But if you betray Brad-sama, I’ll carve your flesh piece by piece, torturing you to death slowly. How about it?”

“No… no torture?”

“It depends on you. Swear loyalty or not, answer.”

“Y-Yes… If you guarantee my life… Ooki Tadaomi… P-Please… take care of me…”

Ooki stopped hunching like a turtle and took Omoneil’s offered hand, but he avoided eye contact, trembling nervously.

As Omoneil taught Ooki how to kneel before me…

“Brad, same same Onii.”

Shit!

Megumi’s single comment made sweat pour down my back. Not the pleasant sweat from training, but cold, greasy sweat.

I meant to reform Ooki through training, but I nearly exposed myself to Megumi…

“Freesia taught me!”

I signaled Freesia, watching from afar, to back me up.

With my left hand’s index finger and thumb forming a circle, and my right index finger moving in and out of it…

Reluctantly, I figured I’d have to provide my son that Freesia desired, or she wouldn’t agree.

“Eeh! Y-Yes, I told Brad-sama.”

Imagining myself, a burly macho, reincarnating as a beautiful girl like Freesia made me want to burst out laughing, but I desperately held it in to avoid Megumi’s suspicion.

“Hmm, is that so? If Freesia-chan says so…”

Megumi stared at me with narrowed, suspicious eyes.

“Why is Megumi-sama here!?”

Seeing Megumi, Ooki raised both hands in exaggerated shock.

“Ah, Ooki. Megumi chased her most beloved person here. If Ooki ever hurts Megumi’s most beloved person… Megumi will…”

When Megumi merely glanced at Ooki, he froze upright, trembling as if a shock ran through him. His hair briefly stood on end like a cat’s before wilting limply.

That’s how humans react to true fear, but for her to terrify a classmate her age with a single glance… my little sister’s depths were unfathomable.

Her gaze toward me held no such intensity, but it was undeniably suspicious.

Unable to bear it, I changed the subject.

“Anyway, I have a request. You seem like a summoner or tamer. Can you make these into familiars?”

ROOOAR!!

A roar seemed to echo.

Following me were young Bloody Bears.

I disciplined them with my body, but keeping them as pets left me uneasy.

To me, their bites were mere nibbles, but when a soldier playfully reached out, a bear nearly tore his arm off. I rushed to help, and though the arm barely hung on, dangling limply, even I felt my blood run cold.

“I’ll try…”

Was it expected of a tamer?

The two Bloody Bears growled menacingly at Ooki, but he approached them without flinching…

It’s dangerous!

I nearly shouted as the two Bloody Bears lunged to bite Ooki’s arm, but Ooki extended his left arm, stroking their heads with his right.

[Tame: Vassal Beast Contract] completed!

Ooki petted the Bloody Bears without a hint of pain, and they licked him like dogs.

It was a bit surprising.

Unlike the lip-service of “Bear Protection Society,” Ooki, a bullied kid, tamed Bloody Bears that killed countless people…

“When I was bullied, the plushies comforted and healed me… Even if I failed, I wouldn’t mind if these kids ate me.”

Ah… sincerity trumped mere posturing.

Though it happened by chance, I hoped taming them would make up for defeating Ooki’s dragon… Seeing Ooki play with the two bears, I felt a sense of redemption.

“Brad-sama, Sontak and Kobiul…”

Omoneil informed me. They apparently worked tirelessly to evacuate King Bismarck and the capital’s citizens.

“Brad-sama!”

Ooki must have started to trust me a little. He resolved to confront his classmates.

While Ooki tamed the Bloody Bears, I kept squatting.

“Once I destroy the castle gate, charge in. Omoneil’s in command.”

“As you command!”

Knowing I was heading to battle, Freesia and the others approached.

“Brad-sama, please stay safe.”

“Prince Brad, if you die, I won’t forgive you!”

“Megumi wants to see heroic side of Brad too—go for it!”

After hugging the three, I bent my knees, gathering strength. My earlier training was to conserve power.

Like a fighter pilot, I saluted and leaped high