Chapter 41: Starry Sky and Dawn 2

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“Now then, shall we talk a bit more seriously?”

Master spoke those words.

“We, the Starry Sky, will be operating primarily out of the Royal Capital from now on. In other words, we’re establishing a base here, but…”

“…Wait a moment. What about the Demon Lord’s army?”

“The Demon Lord was wounded and retreated to the west. We’ve wiped out almost all the executive-class members who showed up on the front lines, so the advance can continue even without us. That’s why we decided to return to the capital to think about the future.”

The three of them stared wide-eyed at this shocking information.

Well, I already knew. Aria had let it slip. And by “let it slip,” I mean she had told me. I don’t mean it in some lewd, “leaking” way. Though, personally, I wouldn’t mind being showered by Aria’s “leaks.”

『Die.』

Uhyohyohyo! The more I indulge in these fantasies, the more the Dark Marianne in my head hurls abuse at me! I’ve finally reached it… I’ve ascended to these heights…! Dark Carla, Dark Astrea… guys, I did it…!

『…………』

Sorry, sorry. I’ll listen, okay? I was wrong. I’m truly reflecting. But look, Dark Marianne is the only one I can show this side of myself to. Please, don’t abandon me…

『…………Good grief, you’re hopeless.』

Oh… I feel like the black-haired Marianne is smiling… F-finally, I’ve started seeing visions in my head…! Am I in trouble? Is it okay to keep going like this? I feel like it’s a bad idea. If I keep talking to this dark persona in my brain, will I become a dark persona myself?!

『I think you’re already dark enough…』

No way! No matter how you look at it, I’m perfectly sane. I just have a bit of a masochistic streak and enjoy fantasizing about my party members being taken away by others or being verbally abused by them. I’m a perfectly normal tank, thank you very much.

『…………』

Hey, I can tell what that silence means even if I can’t see your face!!

“Th-this is a lot to take in…”

“…? What’s wrong, Alicia?”

“N-n-n-nothing! Yeah.”

“If you’re feeling unwell, you’re free to go rest…”

“I’m really fine! Don’t worry about it!”

“Is that so? Well, if you say so.”

Alicia-san, her face pale, let out a sigh that looked terribly exhausted.

I wonder if she’s okay? I think she should really take a break. Not that I’m one to talk, but if you don’t train, fatigue really starts to hit your body.

“Assuming you set up a base in the capital, what do you plan to do next?”

The real (Light) Marianne asked.

“The main focus will be exploring uncharted regions. The Abyssal Forest is a good example.”

“Ah… If we’re going to investigate that place seriously, it would certainly help to have Master and the others with us.”

Of course, everyone had more than enough firepower. However, no amount of lives would be enough against the monsters there. When three monsters showed up at once, I seriously prepared myself to die. In fact, I had been skewered through the stomach, chest, and legs all at once before. I barely survived by chugging down potions, but man, that was rough. Astrea even sat down and cried right then and there because she was sure I was dead.

“Ugh…”

“…………”

“That makes sense. Just us alone would be…”

I wish I were as special as Aria. But unfortunately, I was not. With me barely being able to stop surprise attacks,  I didn’t have enough combat power to conquer that forest. Reality was reality. I would accept it and do what I can. 

That’s what being a professional is all about.

“Well, don’t be so pessimistic. To be honest, that place is so vicious I wouldn’t want to enter it from the front myself. It’s fine for now since they aren’t overflowing, but if that place ever had an outbreak, it would be a bigger threat than the Demon Lord’s army.”

To be blunt, they were scarier than the lion that had attacked us in the Rubble Mountain Range. I could react to the lion, but sometimes I couldn’t keep up with the things in that forest.

I guarded my chest and face, let them hit my wide-open torso, and my comrades took them down in that opening. I barely avoided instant death. Every single attack coming my way was lethal. If Master’s trio were to join our current strength, it’d definitely get easier. 

I mean, that forest just makes no sense. Even Astrea, who senses things through the wind, can’t track them.

The reason my blocks made it in time was simple and clear. I had been beaten up so much by Master that my “scent for death” was highly developed.

Well, it’s just a vague feeling like “Oh, I might die now,” but it’s actually never wrong, so it’s been very useful.

“Still, I see. You guys have been there several times?”

“Only the shallow layers. Nothing to be proud of.”

“Normally, it wouldn’t be strange to die just by stepping foot inside. …This is good though. Shall we cooperate in the form of a joint quest?”

“…As far as we’re concerned, we have no complaints.”

For a split second, Marianne looked at me.

Wait, why did she look at me? Was it a “Because you’re a weakling” look?

Ah, so the Dark Marianne really is real. The Light Marianne standing next to me is an illusion, and the Dark Marianne is her true self…!

『Finn-san… So you’ve been looking at me that way..』

Ah, n-n-n-no! That’s wrong! I’ve never doubted Marianne even once! I believe in you! I’ve never doubted you!

“Then why not call out to other Gold-rank adventurers? There are still some who are useful.”

“No, there’s no need for that. Adding more solo players will just get in the way.”

“It would just unnecessarily increase the area Finn has to protect.”

“That’s exactly it.”

“My two hands aren’t that wide. I’m always at my limit.”

“But you still do it. That’s who you are, Finn, right?”

“Of course. I’ll make sure to protect you too, Master.”

“…………Fufu. Before I knew it, you’ve grown up.”

Well, I’m nineteen now. It’s about time I became an adult. Eh? You’re saying I’m leeching too much to my comrades for an adult…? You don’t need to say that! Master said everyone has their own weakness and strength. Sure, I’m not special like Aria, but I’ve been praised for being a pillar of support due to my mental strength!

『Isn’t it because that’s all you have?』

I think there are things you should and shouldn’t say. And Dark Marianne, that was probably something you shouldn’t have said. You know, right? People have wounds they really don’t want touched, and what you just mentioned is the “ordinary person” part of me that I actually care about. Ku… kukuku… being left behind by everyone is sad and lonely, but… It’s so exciting too…!

It’s like I’m totally incompetent!!

I was incompetent… me… ugh… hhh… ♡

“…………Inhale… Phew…”

“By the way, Nee-san. Where is Alisha?”

“Eh? Oh, she’s still at the village. She’s following the Prophecy, after all.”

“Hmm… Then, why don’t we call her? Things have changed now that the Hero has taken root in the capital.”

“…That might not be bad. Vasily, what do you think?”

“I suppose it’s fine? The ‘knowledge’ won’t be of much use from here on, and she won’t be a drag.”

“Then it’s decided. I’ll contact her.”

Astrea flicked her finger and the wind moved softly.

“Ah, yeah. …Seriously, your power is totally outrageous..”

“As long as I can’t protect those important to me, I have no intention of taking pride in such a thing.”

She said those words with an expression like she was swallowing something bitter.

Someone Astrea can’t protect, huh…………

…………

I-I don’t think it’s likely, but… it’s not an old flame or something, right? No! No, wait, me. Even if Astrea had a man in the past, that’s in the past. What do I need to worry about? In the first place, she’s just my comrade! Nothing more, nothing less.

B-but Astrea is a long-lived species. She’s already nearly two hundred years old. She’s an old lady. Even if she’s a youngster by Elf standards, by human standards, she’s a grandma. The possibility that she was dating some cool knight a hundred years ago can’t be denied. Damn… No, it’s fine, it’s not something I should worry about.

Wait.

What if the other person is also a long-lived species…? What if they’re still alive and this is that stereotypical plot where she left them behind in the village?

Ha…! U-Uncle. That’s right, she was being proposed to by her uncle. If that’s the case, the possibility that there’s a man in the village isn’t zero…!? There could even be an Elf childhood friend making advances. She said Elves fight through politics too! It’s possible! The possibility that her uncle and some unknown Elf childhood friend are locked in a fierce battle exists!!

“…………The one Astrea wants to protect is Finn-kun, right?”

“Huh!!? Wh-wha-wha! …W-well, I do want to protect him. I mean, we’re comrades.”

…Oh! You should have just said so from the start, geez. When you say things that suggest there’s a man around, there’s no way I won’t fantasize. I’ve been betrayed countless times in my head. I’m a die-hard virgin who has seen the women close to me have relationships with unknown men more times than I can count. As soon as I feel anxiety, I fantasize. Of course, I don’t let it show on the outside. This is my ultimate masochistic life.

“Whew…”

“…Finn tends to bottle things up unexpectedly, so maybe Alicia’s perceptiveness is a good match with him?”

“Eh!? Ah~… yeah, …maybe…?”

Alicia-san gave a reaction to Master’s comment that looked like she was convinced, but also not quite. At first, I thought she was coming to socially assassinate me, but it seemed even Alicia-san couldn’t get a clear detail of what I had been thinking about. Sure, she looked bewildered earlier, but nothing more happened. So it was safe to assume she hadn’t found out about my wild fantasies. If she had, she would’ve told everyone about it by now. 

『Actually, that boy is a masochist and he loves it.』

『Gross… he should just die.』

『How filthy… begone.』

『You’re disgusting, Finn-san.』

Abuse from all three, plus letters of severance from Aria and Master… While the two parties go on a joint quest, I’m the one whose name as a pervert has spread. With no place to belong, I spend my days as a guild errand boy and the Princess’s slave.

Actually, that’s not too bad either…

“…………Since he’s bottling a lot up, maybe everyone should go a little easier on him.”

“…Should we increase our rest days?”

“…While we’re at it, I will discuss the details with Vasily-san.”

“I don’t mind. I don’t want Finn to push himself too hard too.”

B-b-b-bottling it up!? That sounds way too lewd, Alicia-san…! But Alicia-san already rejected me, so she’s not a target for that. Even if she knows my pain, she has no obligation to soothe it… fufu… wonderful…!

Pushing myself? Not at all! I’m having the best days of my life, Master. From now on, when we go to the Abyssal Forest, I’ll have Master, Aria, and even Alicia-san added to the mix. I can be beaten to a pulp under the legal guise of “training,” and I can comfortably reach the brink of death during battle. Even if I’m on the verge of death, if Master and Aria are there, they might even be able to provide healing that’s close to resurrection!

Gaaaah~~, I can’t wait for the weekend!

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T/N: I genuinely feel bad for Alicia-san now (˃̣̣̥ᯅ˂̣̣̥) Good thing she can’t actually read the mind. She’d be traumatized for life if she could read mind.